Chapter 988: Chapter 986: Class A Type 1 Energy Absorption Tower
The pulsing electric arc continuously transmitted to the tree trunk, then passed through the black wire connected to the trunk, transferring to a device resembling a slot machine.
The device similar to the slot machine is actually an energy controller. After adjustments, it transmits the energy to the adjacent Room Two and other places, exerting its effects.
Richard, carrying a metal box, entered firstly to check the energy controller. After confirming the meter readings were normal, he looked at the Ancient Tree Species Ximu, stared for a few seconds, and nodded slightly.
The trunk of the Ancient Tree Species Ximu twisted, revealing a human face, speaking irritably: "Kid, no need to look. I’ve been following our contract all along without any violations; you can rest assured."
"That’s best," Richard said, bending down to place the metal box on the ground, opening it, and taking out a bizarre creation resembling an iron tower.
The entire iron tower is about half a meter tall, supported by metal rods as thick as fingers, with its surface adorned with palm-sized Magic Rune alloy plates. At the top is a pointed tip over ten centimeters long, reminiscent of a spearhead.
Richard took out the iron tower and began to look around, seemingly choosing a suitable place to place it.
The Ancient Tree Species Ximu watched Richard’s movements curiously. After a while, it asked warily: "What is that thing in your hand? Won’t it be something new to monitor me, right? Kid, I’ve told you, I’m not going to do anything against the rules, you’re just wasting your efforts."
"Ha, this isn’t anything for monitoring," Richard said, finally finding a spot a little over a meter from the Ancient Tree Species Ximu, walking over with the iron tower, and carefully setting it down.
Once the tower is placed, he looked at Ximu to explain: "This is a device to absorb void energy, I call it the Class A Type 1 Energy Absorption Tower, it poses no harm to you."
"Hm, Class A Type 1 Energy Absorption Tower? Energy absorption? Void energy?" murmured the Ancient Tree Species Ximu, suddenly getting excited, "Wait a minute, are you sure this thing poses no harm?
You’ve said this device is used to absorb energy from the void. Although I don’t know how you fabricated it, I’ve been doing this all along and I’m well aware of how dangerous this is. If something goes wrong, the void energy could lose control, possibly leading to a void energy storm. If an actual void energy storm erupts, it would be far more terrifying than any energy storm I’ve previously experienced in the forest. Is this what you mean by it poses no harm to me?"
"Rest assured," Richard glanced at the Ancient Tree Species Ximu and said, "I’ve already taken into account what you’ve mentioned, using Magic Runes for prevention. In the vast majority of cases, this device will operate normally, without posing any harm to you.
Even if problems occur, some pre-set Magic Runes will function, forcibly pausing the device. The likelihood of the void energy losing control, as you mentioned, is less than one in ten thousand, and the chances of a void energy storm occurring are even less than one in a million, practically zero."
The Ancient Tree Species Ximu listened silently for a while, still wary, said: "Although you say so, I’m still a bit worried. So you’d better take this device elsewhere to function, as far away from me as possible, to spare me anxiety."
Richard smiled at Ximu, shook his head lightly, and said: "No."
"You!" Ximu exclaimed, "I knew it, your intentions aren’t pure! This thing absolutely poses a danger to me!"
"Actually, the reason why I place this thing here is for two considerations," Richard explained, "One reason is, the energy controller here can jointly control the energy generated by this Class A Type 1 Energy Absorption Tower.
The other reason is, because both the absorption tower and you absorb energy from the void, they can mutually promote and improve efficiency, increasing the quantity of absorbed energy."
"Is that so," Ximu snorted, "Even so, I still do not want to stay with this hunk of iron! By the way, as an advanced lifeform with a long lifespan, collaborating with you has already been quite tolerant on my part, do I not deserve the freedom to have a room alone?"
Listening to this, Richard blinked and thought to himself: "What he means is that as an Eternal Ancient Tree Species, he must live in a single room?"
This habit cannot be indulged; I am still hoping for a chance when he messes up, so I can modify the contract.
Looking at Ximu, he shook his head in response: "I’m afraid, actually, you can’t."
"I object," Ximu said with extreme indignation, "I object in the name of the contract. When you initially agreed to cooperate with me, you never mentioned this matter. If I had known, I absolutely wouldn’t have agreed to have such a hunk of iron placed next to me."
"The initial contract indeed didn’t state this matter," Richard nodded, agreeing with Ximu’s words, then shifted his tone, "However, precisely because the contract didn’t specify, I’m unrestricted in placing the absorption tower by your side. If it did specify, I wouldn’t be able to do this; it’s a form of contractual spirit."
"I..." Ximu was left speechless for a moment, only managing to say after a while, "Even so, I still protest in the name of the Tree Sage, Forest Source. I am the representative of nature, should not coexist with any metal products."
"Are you sure!" Richard raised an eyebrow and said, "Are you implying that in this world, forests growing trees don’t have any metal-containing mine? All mines are located within barren deserts?"
"I..."
"Protest dismissed," Richard said. During the conversation with Ximu, he already completed the inspection of the Class A Type 1 Energy Absorption Tower, and without hesitation, he pressed a hand on it, activating the Magic Runes on it.
"Swish!"
A blue light flashed across the surface of the absorption tower, causing the surrounding space to slightly tremble as an invisible passage seemed to open. Then, arcs of electricity crackled continuously from the tower’s tip.
Richard pulled a wire from the side’s energy controller and connected it to the tower’s tip, starting the energy transfer.
Then he adjusted slightly on the energy controller, nodded, and said, "Everything is fine."
He raised his head to look at Ximu, spread his hands and said: "You see, I didn’t lie to you, it’s fine, there’s no harm."
Ximu no longer had the energy to refute Richard, feeling deeply crushed by their conversation, and said softly: "Alright, whatever then, since you’ve decided, leave it here. But I must state clearly, this is the first and last time you do this—you absolutely must not do it a second time."
"In fact," Richard looked deeply at Ximu and said, "this is just the beginning."
"Ha? What do you mean? Kid, you stand right there, explain before you leave! Hey, hey, hey!"
"Bang!"
Amid Ximu’s shouting, Richard closed the door and departed.