Florence closed his computer, pondered for a moment, then said to Qin Siyang, "Mr. Qin, I believe we can discuss further cooperation."
"Cooperation?", Qin Siyang didn't know what else he could collaborate on with this researcher.
"Laudenor, send the god data we have collected to Mr. Qin's [Godslayer Camp] account. Then, bring a newly launched sequence ability user-specialized smartphone for Mr. Qin."
"Yes."
Qin Siyang had no idea what Florence was planning, but it sounded interesting.
After a while, Laudenor returned, "Mr. Qin, the data has been sent to you. Please accept this phone."
Qin Siyang looked at the touchscreen phone. It was newer than the one he had snatched from Shen Shisong, but that was about it.
"What's special about the phone? I already have one."
Florence explained, "This phone is specifically designed for sequence ability users. When you encounter a god, just open the camera and scan it, and it will tell you which god it is with an accuracy of over ninety percent."
"We've also sent you all the god data we have gathered so far. You can cross-check the name displayed on the phone and look up related god information, making your god-hunting activities safer and more secure."
"This powerful?"
Qin Siyang's eyes lit up.
This was exactly what he needed. The thing he lacked most was god data—whenever he encountered a god, he was practically clueless.
With this phone and the data, he wouldn't even need Li Tianming as a walking encyclopedia anymore.
Wait, he shouldn't get too carried away. Reasonably speaking, he still needed Li Tianming's help.
But this did solve a lot of problems.
Qin Siyang didn't decline and directly accepted the phone.
"The god data we provided is also annotated to indicate which gods are valuable to our research. If you successfully hunt them down, we hope you can bring back some of their body tissue. We will show our gratitude accordingly."
Qin Siyang opened his [Godslayer Camp] account, confirmed that he had received the data, and nodded, "No problem."
Florence immediately added, "To show our sincerity, the high-grade god-hunting weapon we promised you—we will provide it now to aid you in your god-hunting."
As he spoke, Florence walked over to an experimental rack, unlocked a code lock, and took out a garment that looked like a cold-resistant suit. However, its material was very special, with dense cyan stripes covering its surface.
"This first-grade god-hunting armor is called the Cyan Striped Armor. It's more cold-resistant and corrosion-resistant than an ordinary cold-resistant suit, yet very lightweight, so wearing it won't affect your movement speed."
Qin Siyang took the Cyan Striped Armor and was instantly surprised, "This light?"
"Yes, this armor is made from the skins of a few Cyan Striped Terror Lizards. Due to the high craftsmanship of the maker, it's much stronger than regular Cyan Striped Armor and has been classified as first-grade by the God-Hunting Weapon Management Bureau."
Qin Siyang stroked the soft yet thin armor, unable to put it down.
"By the way, Professor Florence, is first-grade the lowest level of god-hunting weapons?"
"No, the lowest-grade god-hunting weapons have no ranking. For example, the blind judge at your waist. That blade looks poorly crafted—it was likely made by an apprentice as a training piece."
"That's fair. Then how do you buy god-hunting weapons?"
Florence smiled, "You can't. Every craftsman capable of making god-hunting weapons is under the United Government's system. Typically, they can only be obtained by completing tasks for the Sequence Ability User Management Bureau or through school assessments and rewards."
Qin Siyang understood.
A thing that couldn't be purchased publicly.
No wonder Li Tianming urged him to accept John's challenge when he saw the blind judge.
But just because something couldn't be bought openly didn't mean it couldn't be traded in secret.
Where there's demand, there's a market.
Since there was a black market for sequence potions, there had to be one for god-hunting weapons as well.
It was just that, for now, he had no way to access these underground trades.
"Alright, I'll accept it, then. I'll get a good night's rest, and tomorrow morning, I'll head outside the Safe Zone to test out this gift you've given me."
"Sure. Laudenor will escort you to the Safe Zone exit when the time comes."
"Mm, thanks."
"Laudenor, take Mr. Qin to our school's guest accommodations for the night. Charge it under my name."
"Yes, Professor Florence."
After the two left the lab, Florence's assistant asked, "Professor Florence, aren't you worried that giving Qin Siyang the Cyan Striped Armor so early might make him take advantage of the benefits without helping us?"
"How could that happen? He needs our research paper points, and I've already made him the third author—he has no reason not to help. Besides, the Cyan Striped Armor was going to be his sooner or later. Giving it to him early will only strengthen our relationship."
"Alright… but weren't you planning to give him the Black Scale Helmet at first? Why did you suddenly decide to give him the more expensive Cyan Striped Armor instead?"
"Our lab is still in its early stages and hasn't established connections with many powerful god-hunters. Every time we need resources from them, we have to rely on Professor Harrison's reputation. I'm about to be promoted to Associate Professor—I can't always rely on my teacher's help. I need to build my own network."
Florence's gaze suddenly turned resolute, "Our lab can't just keep researching Doom Fate Octopuses forever and doing meaningless work. If I get the chance, I will prove that my research capabilities are no less than anyone else's."
"In my view, Qin Siyang is a good starting point."
The assistant sighed helplessly, "Fine. If we can get Qin Siyang to join our lab, then it wouldn't be a loss."
"What are you thinking? Didn't you attend the government meeting in the 14th State a few days ago? Even Professor Li treats him as an equal. Do you think he would join our lab?"
"But…"
"I know—you're worried that Qin Siyang won't create that much value for us and that we'll waste the lab's funding. But my teacher once said, 'Without taking risks, success is impossible.'"
"If Qin Siyang really becomes a role model for all god-hunters in the Safe Zone, then we'll be the first to benefit. By then, who knows what kind of technology we might develop?"
"Is… is that even possible?"
Florence rolled his eyes, "How many people have you seen earning over six thousand god-hunting points in a week? And he comes from the 14th State, a place so barren even vultures don't want to land there."
———
Laudenor led Qin Siyang through the vibrant campus and arrived at a clean and tidy accommodation building, "Mr. Qin, please wait a moment while I handle the paperwork."
"Alright."
Laudenor entered the accommodation building, filled out a form at the front desk, made a call to Florence, and handed it to the staff for identity confirmation.
Meanwhile, outside, Qin Siyang watched students occasionally passing by with backpacks on the campus roads, his expression tinged with nostalgia.
He counted on his fingers, 'In another six months, I should be going to college too.'
[T/N: Six months? That's way too long. Although, it's not boring as it is, but I think it's still too long]
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