Chapter 3

When he got home, the equipment had already been delivered.

"Brother Tai, I need to discuss something with you."

"Are you asking me to move out?" Lin Tai looked at the pile of instruments and equipment that filled half the room.

"No, I'm the one who's moving out."

"Got it, where are you moving to? Need any help?"

"Next door," Shu Xiaobai said with an awkward smile.

It wasn't easy to find such a cheap basement.

Fortunately, the neighbor was moving out these past two days, so Shu Xiaobai seized the opportunity and rented the place next door.

"Alright, I'll help you move your stuff over."

To be honest, even though Shu Xiaobai didn't like sharing a place with others, Lin Tai was a very good roommate.

Despite his burly appearance, Lin Tai was quite efficient in his work.

He had no bad habits, except for snoring while sleeping.

He also helped Shu Xiaobai a lot in daily life.

Even for commuting, Lin Tai would ride his motorcycle to pick up and drop off Shu Xiaobai.

Shu Xiaobai couldn't help Lin Tai much in return.

He just bought breakfast for him.

Shu Xiaobai had bought quite a bit of equipment from the 10cm old man.

However, the workload wasn't too heavy, and he managed to move everything in one afternoon.

The real trouble was yet to come.

Most of this equipment couldn't function properly and needed repairs.

Shu Xiaobai first spent 100 Imagination Points to purchase Advanced Electronics.

The knowledge of Advanced Electronics was directly implanted into his mind, making it convenient and quick.

Then he started repairing the equipment himself.

This process took two more days.

Finally, all the equipment could be used normally.

...

Ding—

Main Quest: Laboratory.

Obtain a laboratory with relatively complete equipment.

Completed!

Reward: 100 Imagination Points.

...

Shu Xiaobai sighed in relief, finally completing the first main quest.

Next was choosing a research direction.

There were quite a few research projects available in the store.

After much consideration, Shu Xiaobai first purchased Advanced Biology.

He had 400 Imagination Points left.

Then he chose his first research project.

In the end, Shu Xiaobai chose the Magic Development Guide, which cost 100 Imagination Points.

His brain instantly received the relevant information.

Shu Xiaobai immediately understood that the Magic Development Guide was a very basic thing.

Developing magic power is not the same as developing magic.

To develop a complete magic system would be a long and arduous task.

Moreover, the magic system had many branches.

Shu Xiaobai also bought some live specimens.

For example, white mice and frogs.

There were many markets for live specimens on the market.

From mice, frogs to goats and monkeys, everything was available.

Some black markets even sold live humans.

The development of magic power did not go smoothly.

This was a process from nothing to something.

The experimental subjects were still mice and frogs.

Shu Xiaobai also had to work to earn money to maintain his research funds.

At the same time, he had to manage this rudimentary laboratory by himself.

He was still very busy.

Knock knock—

"Come in."

Lin Tai pushed the door open: "Xiaobai, how's your research going?"

Shu Xiaobai's gaze moved away from the microscope.

He scratched his head: "Not very well."

This world did not have the concept of magic power.

Lin Tai found a place to sit: "What? Encountered a problem?"

"Yeah, it's a bit difficult, mainly because the live specimens are not good enough." Shu Xiaobai didn't hide anything; after all, he hadn't made any progress, and Lin Tai wouldn't understand his research content anyway.

"Xiaobai, I need to discuss something with you."

"Hmm? Need to borrow money? I'm also tight on funds recently." Shu Xiaobai immediately stopped Lin Tai from borrowing money.

Though they were good friends, borrowing money was out of the question.

"It's not borrowing money, I plan to be your live specimen." Lin Tai said.

"What?" Shu Xiaobai's eyes widened: "Are you kidding?"

"I'm not kidding. I'll be your live specimen, but you have to pay me."

"Are you really that short on money?" Shu Xiaobai stared at Lin Tai and asked.

"Pretty short." Lin Tai nodded.

Shu Xiaobai wanted to help, but he was also short on funds.

He was working hard every day to fill the huge gap in his research.

"How much do you plan to charge?" Shu Xiaobai asked.

"1000 White Crystal Coins for one experiment on me. If it's for some kind of transformation, it will be 10,000 White Crystal Coins. If I die during the experiment, you'll have to pay me 300,000 White Crystal Coins as compensation. What do you think?" Lin Tai asked tentatively.

"If you're dead, who am I supposed to pay? To whom?"

"Pay to my son. We'll sign a contract. No matter what happens, I won't hold you responsible, but the money must be in place."

"Brother Tai, think carefully. I'm just a pseudoscientist. You've seen the news; every year, pseudoscientific biological research causes a lot of trouble. And I'm a beginner; I can't guarantee your safety."

To be honest, Lin Tai's price wasn't high. The price for human experiments in regular research institutions was several times higher.

But Shu Xiaobai had no confidence in himself.

Even with the mice, he had killed quite a few during the experiments.

"Brother Tai, even if we keep working, we can earn 100,000 to 200,000 White Crystal Coins a year. Is it worth taking such a risk?"

"There's something wrong with my body. Long-term handling of Blue Crystals has caused my cells to shrink. The doctor said I won't live more than half a year. Even if I want to continue working, my physical condition won't allow it."

Shu Xiaobai thought for a long time, then looked at Lin Tai's calm eyes and finally nodded.

"My research does require human specimens. If you've made up your mind, I don't object. Come over tomorrow, and I'll prepare the contract."

"Alright, I'll go first." Lin Tai nodded.

When Lin Tai came over, Shu Xiaobai gave him a contract.

The price on the contract was already very low, so low that Shu Xiaobai couldn't bear to haggle with Lin Tai.

"Xiaobai, take care of yourself. If the laboratory starts producing results, don't go back to moving bricks. Blue Crystals are really harmful to the human body." Lin Tai warned.

"I know, but my research project hasn't produced any results yet. I can only rely on moving bricks to maintain the research funds." Shu Xiaobai said helplessly.

Of course, the truth was that Shu Xiaobai wouldn't be harmed by Blue Crystals.

Shu Xiaobai had already examined his body, and everything was normal.

Lin Tai knew that, although Shu Xiaobai didn't look strong, his stamina was better than his.

He moved several times more Blue Crystals every day than Lin Tai, without taking any breaks, like a perpetual motion machine.

Lin Tai couldn't help but suspect that Shu Xiaobai had modified his body.

Otherwise, how could he have such strong endurance?

"Brother Tai, when can you participate in my experiments?"

"Anytime."