Leveling Up With My Pet



"Stay right where you are, Overlord!" Liu Yong's voice reverberated through the air, filled with surprise and disbelief. The Overlord, after taking a moment to recover, gazed at the exposed metal flooring in sheer astonishment. It couldn't comprehend why the cave it had stumbled upon would possess a metallic floor. The mystery perplexed the Overlord, urging it to seek answers from the one who held the knowledge.

"If you're bewildered, inquire with the owner," suggested Bawang, breaking the silence. Addressing Liu Yong, he continued, "Master, please come and inspect the situation here. This cave is quite expansive, yet it rests upon a metallic floor. It's perplexing."

Astonished, Liu Yong's eyes widened as he struggled to accept the truth. It took considerable time for him to gradually come to terms with the fact that there existed grey-black metal within Bawang's makeshift cave. From a third-person perspective, Liu Yong gained a glimpse of the unfolding scene.

Bawang had cleared a small area spanning several square meters at the cave's entrance. He painstakingly removed a layer of soil, roughly 20 to 30 centimetres thick, revealing the metal surface below. The entire expanse comprised a seamless, flat, and smooth grey-black metal, exuding a captivating metallic sheen.

A realization struck Liu Yong, "Some opportunities come unexpectedly, seemingly out of nowhere, yet require no effort to acquire." Despite the relentless search efforts covering a radius of two to three nautical miles, Bawang had found nothing of value. And yet, this grey-black metal had serendipitously appeared within their temporary cave, eliciting a surge of excitement within Liu Yong.

"This metal is remarkable; it could potentially be a relic of an alien civilization," mused Liu Yong, hoping for abundant such extraordinary materials. He recognized their versatile utility across various industries and pondered the profitable prospect of selling each kilogram for 20,000 yuan.

As the initial excitement subsided, Liu Yong's mind settled, prompting him to contemplate the enigma of the metallic presence within Bawang's cave. The rectangular shape of the opening and the discovery of the grey-black metal led him to believe that this was not a natural occurrence but an artificial construct.

"Overlord, your task is to clean up the cave entrance, removing all the dirt," Liu Yong commanded, asserting his hypothesis that this was indeed an artificial cave meticulously concealed by the grey-black metal.

"Understood, master," Overlord replied obediently, brandishing its colossal spear-like weapon to initiate the cleaning process.

The gigantic spear expedited the cleaning process, efficiently clearing away the compacted soil at the cave entrance. However, during the cleaning, the previously crystal-clear seawater surrounding the area unexpectedly turned turbid, partially obstructing Liu Yong's vision. Yet, he could still discern the overall situation.

Unlike loose mud, the soil at the entrance was compact, making the cleaning process more manageable. Overlord initially employed its mighty spear, diligently followed by its massive claws, as the snapping turtle's innate digging prowess facilitated the task. An hour later, the cave entrance had been extensively cleared, exposing the underlying metallic expanse. The once encrusted shell had been unveiled, revealing its proper form—a stretch entirely composed of grey-black metal, radiating a distinct metallic sheen.

Unbelievable! This was no natural cave; it was an artificial construct made entirely from grey-black metal! The revelation struck Liu Yong like lightning, igniting his imagination.

"It may not be a cave after all; it could be something entirelydifferent," Liu Yong contemplated aloud, his mind racing with possibilities. The sudden realization sent shivers down his spine, his excitement reaching unprecedented levels. If his conjecture held, it would be nothing short of astounding.

Attempting to regain composure, Liu Yong took several deep breaths, striving to steady his racing thoughts. He issued an order with unwavering determination, "Bawang, your task for the upcoming days is to thoroughly clean this cave, unveiling its true nature."

"Very well, Master," Bawang acknowledged, grateful for its surplus of time. Bawang could allocate more than ten hours each day to the meticulous cleaning process without the need to dedicate extensive hours to hunting.

Liu Yong's plan was simple but consequential: to clean the cave's interior and its immediate surroundings, revealing the full extent of its enigmatic origins.

...

The test workshop bustled with excitement in the realm of a renowned aero-engine manufacturer. After more than ten days of rigorous assessment and test runs, the turbofan engine X, designated No. 005, finally ceased operating on the test bench.

With an exuberant expression, the director of the test run workshop eagerly approached Liang Wencheng, standing at attention, and announced, "Comrade Chief Designer, Turbofan X No. 005 has successfully completed the 300-hour long-term assessment and test run. All data indicators are within the required parameters, making it qualified!"

As the proclamation resounded, a wave of jubilant applause erupted, lasting for an extended period. The achievement was nothing short of extraordinary. Everyone involved in the test run was immersed in a surreal sense of accomplishment. The operation proceeded smoothly, defying their earlier concerns of excessive turbine temperature, inadequate thrust, and excessive vibrations.

Liang Wencheng himself visibly relaxed, a genuine smile gracing his face. His confidence in the design of Turbofan X, comparable to that of a fourth-generation aero-engine, had been validated. Previous setbacks had plagued the project, with only a handful of units produced over several years. The root cause lies not in the design or manufacturing process but in the materials employed.

The turbine section, in particular, had consistently posed challenges, especially with high-temperature materials. But now, such problems seemed like a thing of the past. The successful test run addressed resolving these material-related issues, leaving Liang Wencheng satisfied.

With a resounding voice, Liang Wencheng declared, "Having completed the 300-hour long-term assessment test run, send the engine to the assembly workshop for disassembly and inspection, scrutinizing each individual part."

The engine was carefully removed from the test bench, placed into a vehicle, and transported to the general assembly workshop. There, it would undergo meticulous disassembly and examination.

The following day, Liang Wencheng, accompanied by a large entourage, arrived at the general assembly workshop. The engine had already been disassembled, its components meticulously laid out for inspection. Inspectors and technicians scrutinized each part with meticulous precision.

Liang Wencheng approached the turbine blades, examining them intently. Slowly, a sense of contentment washed over him. After enduring 300 hours of testing, the edges remained unscathed, their grey-black hue unaltered. No signs of discolouration, erosion, or even micro-cracks manifested, defying expectations.

"Inconceivable! These blades have endured 300 hours of intense testing," Liang Wencheng marvelled, unable to contain his delight. "Magnificent! It appears that we have successfully overcome the material-related challenges we once faced."

The surrounding personnel, from essential technicians to senior managers, erupted joyfully. The collective relief was palpable, knowing the engine had passed the 300-hour assessment without a hitch. However, Liang Wencheng and his team were not content with this accomplishment alone.

Liang Wencheng decided: "Replace more than 20% of the engine's parts with gray-black metal material. Let's see how this modification will enhance its performance."

The potential improvements were undeniable, including an enhanced thrust-to-weight ratio and an extended service life. The team eagerly anticipated the outcome of integrating grey-black metal into more than a fifth of the turbofan X's components.

...

Meanwhile, the Overlord dedicated several days to the meticulous cave cleaning, with breaks only for eating and sleeping. Its massive claws proved efficient cleaning tools, allowing the creature to clear out the entire cave, including the expansive area at the entrance. The layers of soil covering the surface were removed, finally revealing the true nature of the cave.

As the cleaning progressed, Liu Yong and the Overlord witnessed a revelation that awakened them. The cave's interior was entirely composed of the same grey-black metal, exuding a distinct metallic sheen.

Liu Yong gasped in astonishment, exclaiming, "My God! This is no natural cave but an artificial structure made entirely of gray-black metal!"

The implications were staggering. The realization that the cave might not be a cave at all, but something entirely different, sent a surge of excitement through Liu Yong's veins. The mere thought of such a revelation being true was mind-boggling.

Attempting to regain his composure, Liu Yong urged Bawang, "Continue cleaning the cave in the coming days. Uncover its true form completely."

Bawang, now granted an abundance of time, readily accepted the task. With hunting off the agenda, it could devote more than ten hours daily to meticulously cleaning the cave and its surroundings, ensuring its enigmatic secrets would be fully exposed.

...