Chapter 98

With a goal in mind, Su Zhong began to focus on his research.

In the previous world, apart from being very familiar with sealing techniques and hard qi gong, the thing he was most familiar with was ice manipulation. Ever since Bai followed him, he almost had to practice by being frozen in ice every day. This made his understanding of freezing far exceed that of ordinary people.

It was precisely because of this that Su Zhong decided to start researching ice alchemy.

"Kolong, your idea is good, but our understanding of ice alchemy is too limited. Although the alchemical knowledge at home is quite extensive, it is mostly just an overview. You will need a lot of time to study it separately. Have you thought it through?" Edward, who rarely argued with Su Zhong, seriously considered his friend's decision.

Su Zhong naturally understood Edward's concern. If one did not choose the right direction in alchemy, it could waste a lifetime. Moreover, Su Zhong was planning to work in isolation.

The reason the Elric brothers were so skilled in alchemy was not only due to their talent but also because they had a good teacher, Izumi, who guided them.

"I've already thought it through. Don't worry, I won't get stuck in a rut," Su Zhong said confidently.

With his innate understanding of freezing and a solid grasp of the basics of alchemy, Su Zhong was confident that he could make progress with his wisdom.

"Alright. As long as you're prepared," Edward said helplessly.

"When are you planning to install the mechanical arm?" Su Zhong changed the subject.

Two years had passed, and Edward had moved on from his past failures. His acceptance of Su Zhong's presence marked his transformation.

Edward's face was filled with excitement: "This month. After I recover, don't forget to teach me combat techniques."

Su Zhong nodded with a smile.

...

In Bina's room, the small, elderly lady, wearing reading glasses, was intently polishing a mechanical arm.

Su Zhong pushed the door open: "Bina, have you finished designing Edward's mechanical arm? He said he will receive the transplant this month."

Bina didn't even look up: "Almost done. First, we'll install the base and connect the nerves. The mechanical arm can be adjusted later."

As if thinking of something, she looked up and rummaged through the messy drawings on the table, pulling out a few.

After carefully checking to confirm they were correct, she handed them to Su Zhong.

"These are the design drawings for the mechanical arm parts. Help me forge them."

Su Zhong skillfully took the drawings and carefully examined them. Over the past two years, he had done this countless times.

"Having you, an alchemist, as my mechanical engineer is really convenient," Bina couldn't help but remark.

Su Zhong smiled but didn't speak. Indeed, it was convenient. As long as the drawings were done, the materials and dimensions were determined, Su Zhong's precise alchemy skills could perfectly forge the parts.

With some fine polishing, they could be used normally.

This was Su Zhong's main work here.

Half a month later

"Ed, are you ready? We're about to start," Bina, wearing a mask and a white coat, stood in the operating room.

"Let's go. I have a lot to do and can't waste time."

He had accepted the failure of human transmutation but was rekindling his determination to restore his body.

Bina nodded to Wendy, who was worried, signaling her to start.

"The moment the nerves are connected will be very painful. Bite this towel," Su Zhong handed a clean towel to Edward.

Edward took it with a determined look and bit down.

"Begin!"

"Ah..."

A muffled roar lasted for a long time before stopping. By the time the surgery was over, the entire bedsheet was soaked with Edward's sweat.

After the surgery, Edward had a period of slow recovery and adaptation.

Su Zhong didn't want to waste time and immediately began his research on ice alchemy.

There was already an ice alchemist in this world. According to the manga, ice alchemy mainly involved controlling water.

Either freezing it or evaporating it.

With this direction, Su Zhong quickly began his experiments, combining the alchemical knowledge from Edward's home. Although not detailed, the knowledge was comprehensive.

The reason the Elric brothers could perform human transmutation at such a young age was entirely due to their studies from books, which showed the complexity of the knowledge.

After reading those books, the biggest benefit was broadening his horizons. He gained a basic understanding of the various branches of alchemy.

This gave Su Zhong a good start. He soon became deeply engrossed in the study of ice alchemy.

...

"Kolong, I've recovered. Teach me combat techniques," Edward said to Su Zhong.

Su Zhong, who had just come out of the laboratory, was stunned for a moment. Over the past two months, his mind was filled with knowledge about freezing, evaporation, and alchemical symbols.

Caught off guard by Edward, it took him a moment to react.

"Oh, sure. My experiments have reached a stage of conclusion," Su Zhong agreed without hesitation.

He had left the laboratory because he had made a breakthrough.

He had expected it to take much longer, but once he started, Su Zhong realized that freezing was essentially about controlling water temperature.

High temperatures would cause water to evaporate, while low temperatures would cause it to freeze. The key to the ice transmutation array was temperature control.

This was very simple, and it didn't take long for Su Zhong to master it.

Over the past two months, he had mainly focused on shaping water. Temperature control was easy, but the range of the transmutation array required repeated testing and deduction.

Fortunately, hard work paid off, and two months of dedicated research finally yielded results.

Edward was full of surprise: "So soon? Show me!"

Su Zhong naturally didn't refuse.

He called Wendy and Alphonse, and the group gathered in the courtyard.

Su Zhong used both hands to quickly draw the transmutation array. Although he could perform alchemy without an array, he didn't want to reveal this too early. The unusual transmutation light was already distinctive enough; being able to perform alchemy without an array would be too eye-catching.

He clasped his hands and slammed them onto the ground transmutation array.

A bucket of water placed at the center of the array immediately emitted a cold mist and almost instantly turned into a block of ice.

With a crack, the green bucket couldn't withstand the low temperature and the expansion of the ice, splitting into several cracks.

"Amazing! Kolong, how did you do that?" Edward's eyes sparkled.

"Temperature. As long as you control the water's temperature, you can make it freeze," Su Zhong explained openly. His alchemy knowledge came from Edward, so he had no intention of keeping it to himself.

"Lowering the temperature to freeze water, if you raise the temperature, can you immediately boil the water or even instantly evaporate it into steam?" Edward's eyes gleamed with insight.

Su Zhong nodded in admiration, impressed by Edward's sharpness in alchemy.

He slightly modified a few symbols in the transmutation array, clapped his hands again, and a red light flashed.

Bang! A burst of hot steam shot up. The plastic bucket, unable to withstand the sudden temperature change, exploded into pieces.

"Want to learn?" Su Zhong asked with a smile. He did indeed have the intention to teach the two brothers.

Edward, however, shook his head with a clear look: "We have our own alchemy. Drawing from various sources is a natural instinct for alchemists, but specialization is the key to growth."

"Very well said!" Su Zhong praised. "Since that's the case, I'll teach you combat techniques."

Su Zhong taught the two brothers the twelve basic boxing techniques he had developed first.

The most valuable aspect of these techniques was that each move represented a different method of generating power. However, Su Zhong was frustrated that these excellent techniques were not suitable for the two brothers.

Edward had one mechanical arm and one mechanical leg, and Alphonse was entirely encased in armor.

Su Zhong had to modify the basic techniques, increasing the emphasis on attack techniques and reducing the reliance on physical changes for power generation.

Time passed quietly as each of them pursued their own goals.

One afternoon, Su Zhong and Edward were continuously sparring in front of the house.

Despite the Elric brothers' fierce attacks, Su Zhong easily deflected and blocked them with just one hand.

Grabbing Edward's arm and tripping him, Su Zhong threw him away and stopped, patting his hands.

"That's enough for today. Combat techniques aren't learned in a day or two. Take it slow."

Edward got up from the grass, rubbing his sore arm: "Kolong, you really go all out."

"I've already held back. If you make a mistake in a real fight, you won't have a chance to regret it," Su Zhong said bluntly. He was always strict with his own training.

"By the way, can you two still use alchemy?"

Su Zhong wanted to see Edward perform alchemy without an array.

"No problem," Alphonse's body spun, and he quickly drew a simple transmutation array. He pressed his hands to the ground, and a small, earth-colored statue of Edward appeared.

Edward tilted his head, thinking for a moment, and clasped his hands. Without drawing an array, the ground emitted the light of a transmutation array.

Soon, a stone statue of Alphonse appeared on the ground.

"How did you do that, brother? That's amazing!" Alphonse genuinely praised.

Edward's face showed a thoughtful expression, and he murmured in a low voice: "It seems there are some benefits..."

Su Zhong, however, had a knowing look on his face.

Thanks to the protection of the boundary-breaking bead, although his mental energy had been greatly reduced, it was still strong enough. While it couldn't be used for other things, it ensured his senses were sharp.

Just now, when Edward performed alchemy, Su Zhong sensed a mental energy fluctuation.

"Indeed, so-called arrayless alchemy is just using mental energy to construct a transmutation array in the mind."

However, this wasn't a simple matter. Su Zhong clearly noticed that Edward's mental energy was particularly solid.

After experiencing two worlds, his mental energy had become less scattered. But Edward's mental energy was just as solid, if not more so.

This was likely due to the massive amount of information he had processed during the alchemy gate experience.

"It seems that not only the quantity of mental energy but also a certain level of solidity is required for arrayless alchemy," Su Zhong thought, squinting his eyes.

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