Chapter 968: Hidden Danger

Qin Ge watched as Bisimai continuously oozed a black, ominous aura from the Ship Equipment modification device, his brows furrowed.

"How is the situation now!"

Hai Lun Na turned her head from the instruments, "Commander, the metamorphosis erosion is still continuing, but Miss Bismarck's mind has not been severely affected, and the possibility of Ship Equipment modification is getting closer."

Yujin's Hai Lun Na gave a slight smile, "Hehe, Commander, don't rush. This situation is much smoother than we imagined; it seems using Xinong's dream to conduct memory injection is feasible."

"We can simulate the environment at that time while preserving the subject's mind, allowing the metamorphosis process to proceed without interference. However, we owe it to the fact that the first to undergo this was Bisimai; if it were someone else, it might not go as smoothly."

"So the situation is still within controllable limits, right?" Qin Ge asked, letting out a breath.

"Yes." Hai Lun Na said.

"Then, after the Ship Equipment modification is completed, will the metamorphosis erosion accompany her?" Qin Ge looked seriously at Hai Lun Na, hoping to see something in her eyes.

"Will." Hai Lun Na said without hesitation, looking at Qin Ge, "So Commander, are you worried, or are you preparing to terminate this process?"

"Metamorphosis is reversible, so why can't we reverse it?" Qin Ge's heart sank; although he had prior knowledge of this, learning the true situation still made it hard for him to decide.

"Metamorphosis is indeed reversible, but if we reverse it, this Ship Equipment modification would be wasted—that's the trade-off." Hai Lun Na looked at Qin Ge and smiled.

"Hiss..." Qin Ge's eyes filled with helplessness as he looked at Bisimai, not far away, immersed in a dream and emanating an ominous aura all over, "Then is there no way to limit this erosion?"

"Yes." Hai Lun Na replied without hesitation, "This is also an opportunity for this Bisimai Ship Equipment modification."

"What method?" Qin Ge asked urgently.

"Commander, have you noticed that Iron Blood's Ship Equipment develops in a staggered manner? Take Bisimai, Friedrich, and Huteng, for example: Bisimai's Ship Equipment leans toward battleshipization, while Friedrich's and Huteng's Ship Equipment have already developed self-awareness, becoming active Ship Equipment." Hai Lun Na asked.

Qin Ge narrowed his eyes, "So what do you mean? Is this Bisimai Ship Equipment modification meant to transform battleship-type Ship Equipment into active Ship Equipment? Then what does that have to do with metamorphosis?"

"No, not just active Ship Equipment, but something even further beyond active Ship Equipment." Hai Lun Na shook her head, "Otherwise, what would the metamorphosis modification be for?"

Qin Ge blinked, "So then, what will the result be at that time?"

"If we continue at this current pace, the result will soon become clear. Moreover, the connection between shipgirls and Ship Equipment can be transferred mutually; as long as we succeed in modifying Bisimai's Ship Equipment, the metamorphosis erosion can be completely borne by the Ship Equipment."

"As long as the frequency of battle is not too high under normal circumstances, the metamorphosis erosion can be kept within controllable limits; and even if the erosion is severe, we can completely reduce the erosion rate by reversing it."

"Thus, it amounts to injecting a toxin into Bisimai's body that grants her great power; however, as she uses that power, the toxin's erosion deepens, making it easy to end in sudden death."

"But as long as we detoxify the toxin once it accumulates to a certain level, returning it to that level, then this power becomes controllable." Hai Lun Na said.

Qin Ge sucked in a breath, "This is like dancing on the tip of a knife; moreover, have you considered what to do if this toxin develops resistance?"

"If we clear the metamorphosis erosion, and with each increase in number, the erosion speed keeps accelerating, until we have to perform detoxification work every day—wouldn't that essentially mean Bisimai is already ruined?"

"Hehe, Commander, you don't need to worry about that; although it's quite possible that the resistance you mentioned could arise, our technology is also constantly developing. Research on the Wisdom Cube and on metamorphosis is also continually deepening."

"It's possible that Bisimai needs to maintain this state for a period, but this state is not her ending. As long as we have sufficient materials and sufficient experimental data, we will eventually, while controlling metamorphosis, grant her even greater power."

"Moreover, Bisimai's situation is not unique; there are many ships in Iron Blood that have not undergone Ship Equipment activation, including the Northern Union and other factions."

"Our road ahead is still long; this is far from our endpoint, and this situation will also drive us to continually research and expand—what do you think?" Hai Lun Na smiled.

"Tsk." Qin Ge pondered a moment and nodded, "Alright, you have successfully convinced me; then the work concerning metamorphosis Ship Equipment modification will be handed over to you."

"I know that new technology comes with a certain cost, but I hope we can keep that cost to a minimum. Bisimai, after hearing my words, also made her judgment and made this choice."

"I need to be responsible for her, and also responsible for those who will later perform metamorphosis Ship Equipment activation modification; although we pursue power, we must absolutely not lose ourselves to power."

"Hehe, Commander, you are indeed wise; you will surely praise your decision today in the future. We need progress; solving everything is far from our endpoint."

Hai Lun Na smiled and lifted her head, "From beginning to end, everything happens in this world, on this planet."

"If one day we can break out of this planet and reach the more distant Xing Hai, perhaps we will then need even greater power."

"Everything today is the foundation for tomorrow; your decision will also change our future direction."

Qin Ge chuckled, "Xing Hai? Perhaps by then I'll already have white hair."

"Such matters are too distant; for now, it is not our direction. Our main goal now is to resolve the affairs of this world. Although vision sometimes needs to be far-reaching, we still need to proceed step by step with our feet on the ground."

"So, let's first get Bisimai's construction and modification done well; this is our immediate priority."

"Understood." Hai Lun Na nodded and continued observing Bisimai.

"The fourth segment of memory injection is complete." Xinong raised her head at this moment and said to Hai Lun Na.

"Very good, Hai Lun Na, how high is the erosion now?" Yujin looked at Hai Lun Na by the other operation console and said.

"It's almost reaching the limit." Hai Lun Na replied quickly.

"Alright, Bisimai Ship Equipment modification is ready to begin!"

"Yes!"