To avoid attracting too much attention, Li Lin maintained the Titan Warrior form for only a few seconds before controlling its transformation back into a war chariot.
Upon disembarking, he explained to the astonished council members the operation and transformation principles of the Titan Warrior, and only then did they grasp the concept.
The mechanical transformation function was not something Li Lin had first proposed and utilized.
As early as when Jayce was twelve or thirteen, he invented a foldable wrench that could manually transform into a pry bar.
This could be considered the first truly transformative device in Piltover. No one had ever considered this before, and it was Kiramman's family who sponsored him for it.
Later, about two years ago, Jayce designed a hammer for miners that could transform into an energy cannon, which is now the prototype of the "Mercury Hammer."
Due to the lack of a suitable power core at the time, this hammer was not put into production and use until Li Lin upgraded the Hextech crystal into an energy crystal, allowing Jayce to witness its power for the first time.
The Polpolk and Washlinton families, primarily engaged in military industry, were quite interested in the research of mechanical transformation inspired by Jayce's hammer.
Many of the currently transformable Hextech enhanced prostheses are from their hands.
Unlike Salo and Hoskel, they were more interested in what kind of energy could power such large machines to fly in the sky.
In fact, they had this question since Li Lin controlled the Infinite Armor to take off some time ago.
The energy crystal was definitely not enough, and they had sent spies into the Ferros family or secretly studied it.
But when they asked about it, they were politely declined by Li Lin, citing "trade secrets," which made Polpolk and Washlinton both angry and somewhat regretful.
If they had agreed to Li Lin's plan to build Zaun to ease the conflict a year ago, just verbal agreement would have been enough, and they didn't need to take any action. Perhaps today would not be like this.
Of course, if Li Lin knew what they were thinking, he would definitely chuckle, secretly comparing them to a similar gesture of "international friendliness" applicable to Runeterra, and then let them dream.
Want the technology of the Hextech Core? Even if you have the design, whether you can find someone to make it or not, Lady Gray will definitely invite you for tea in the middle of the night.
After the morning's little incident, the rest of the morning passed quickly.
In Heimerdinger's office, the council members discussed the most interesting new inventions of the past year and ranked them according to their own ideas, or sympathized with a mechanical device that did not make it to the Progress Day podium.
Of course, the exhibits that could make it to the Progress Day were selected by renowned professors from various colleges of Piltover.
Although council members could place one or two of their own new inventions on the eve of Progress Day by virtue of their power, they still needed Heimerdinger's appraisal and approval.
Cassandra did not follow the tradition of previous Progress Days to introduce her new inventions to the unknown square guests. Instead, she contacted other council members in advance and came directly to the college to find Heimerdinger, intending to showcase Li Lin's Titan Warrior as the centerpiece.
Hextech Gates was hailed as a milestone in the new era of Piltover and even the entire Rune Territory, but it had just been built and had not yet been fully opened to the public, with its expensive cost and cumbersome process, and had not yet made a profit.
In comparison, Li Lin's well-known armored suits and Titan mechs were more deeply ingrained in people's minds.
Having it showcased last would be more acceptable than the Hextech Gates to others.
Moreover, the order of exhibition items didn't matter much; what was important was the opportunity to speak on stage at the end.
This year, only Li Lin and Jayce of the Kiramman family had this qualification.
As soon as this topic came up, Cassandra's smile never stopped.
However, as the conversation deepened, they gradually shifted from technological inventions to politics.
It was almost noon, and Heimerdinger's people had prepared delicious food and brought it to the office.
Li Lin, Caitlyn, and Kai'Sa didn't particularly enjoy political topics, so they found a random reason and slipped out.
Although Jayce didn't like these things either, out of love for his partner, Mel, he stayed.
Outside the office building, Caitlyn looked up at the blue sky, taking a deep breath of the fresh air outside.
"The air outside is still better. The hypocrisy and flattery of those council members really disgust me."
"You can say that at home, but not here, Cait. It's not good if those guys overhear."
Caitlyn detected the sarcasm in Li Lin's tone toward the council members and snorted, "Hmph, what if they hear it? Aren't you thinking the same?"
In passing, she glanced at Kai'Sa, who looked somewhat bewildered beside her, bent down slightly, and gently rubbed her small head.
"Kai'Sa probably doesn't like these political things either."
"I think Kai'Sa probably didn't understand what the council members were talking about at all."
Li Lin chuckled, "Today, Kai'Sa's most concern is probably lunch. The food served to the council members won't be ordinary, but you dragged us out here."
When it came to eating, Kai'Sa suddenly perked up, her violet eyes shining with excitement. "Can we have lunch now?"
Caitlyn parted her lips as if to say something but then sighed deeply. "Never mind, I didn't consider it properly." Her gaze lingered on Kai'Sa as she suggested, a smile playing at the corners of her lips, "Let me treat you to lunch at the most luxurious Shuriman-style restaurant in the North District."
...
...
There were quite a few Shuriman-themed restaurants in Piltover, scattered all over the southern district.
However, most of these eateries merely had Shuriman-style decor and a hint of Shuriman flavor in their food. Even the proprietors were Piltover natives.
But this particular restaurant, located on the commercial street in the North District, was owned by a genuine Shuriman from Kenethet. He had earned a tidy sum as a guide in his youth, then moved his entire family to Piltover.
Since his wife was skilled in traditional Shuriman cuisine, they opened the first Shuriman-style restaurant in the southern district, which quickly became popular.
After amassing enough wealth, a few years ago, he opened a high-end restaurant in the commercial street of the North District and gradually shifted their main business there.
Caitlyn had dined at this restaurant several times and was quite familiar with it.
Exiting the gates of the academy, they entered the bustling Star Avenue, where people dressed in elegant attire moved about, giving the impression of an important festival celebration.
With the advent of telephones, there had been a significant decrease in the number of message runners delivering scrolls in Piltover. Only the most urgent matters were communicated this way.
However, this did not mean that these messengers were out of work. Many of them found employment at the telephone exchange set up by the Kiramman family, enjoying a more comfortable life than braving the elements every day.
To prevent a repeat of last year's kidnapping incident, security in Piltover had been tightened considerably this year, with enforcers questioning passersby from time to time.
Of course, the situation was much easier in the North District. Most people walking on the streets had family crests sewn onto their luxurious attire, indicating their social status. There were hardly any enforcers who dared to stop them.
Hand in hand, Li Lin and Caitlyn, accompanied by Kai'Sa, who was looking around with curiosity and excitement, attracted the attention of many passersby.
Most pedestrians recognized them and intentionally avoided the trio, giving them plenty of space and casting gazes mixed with various emotions.
Most were envious, with single men admiring Li Lin for having such a beautiful and talented girlfriend from the Kiramman family, while single women envied Caitlyn for having Li Lin, who was so outstanding and reliable.
As for Kai'Sa, people were more amazed by her beauty, which was both adorable and mature and carried a hint of determination within.
The three of them chose to ignore the stares of those around them, leisurely making their way off Star Avenue and onto Glasswill Street, where the crowds were even denser, and the streets narrower and more winding.
Finally, they stopped in front of a Shuriman-themed restaurant in the middle of the commercial street.
The proprietor of the restaurant immediately recognized Miss Kiramman and Li Lin, inviting them in personally and arranging the best private room for them.
He noticed the Shuriman-looking child accompanying them and brought a special menu, written in modern Shuriman script.
Today's lunch was all about Kai'Sa. Caitlyn knew about the issue with living skin; she basically didn't need to eat, so she let Kai'Sa order freely.
Shuriman sun bread, pit-roasted sweetcakes, secret recipe camel milk sandwiches, cumin-roasted mammoth lamb, honey-glazed sandfish, cactus nectar, Scalash yogurt...
There were even some delicacies from Beryl Yoon, which Kai'Sa had only tasted a few years ago when Kassadin brought them home, like the delicious charcoal-grilled "Desert Spider."
Kai'Sa ordered more than a dozen different dishes, most of which ended up in her bottomless stomach.
Especially the charcoal-grilled Desert Spider; she ate four or five plates, emptying the restaurant's stock.
However, Li Lin didn't dare to touch this stuff, let alone Caitlyn, who didn't like insects in the first place.
To maintain the unique Shuriman flavor, all the ingredients in the restaurant were from Shurima and preserved using Hextech refrigeration, making the prices quite steep.
Caitlyn said she would treat, but she didn't even bring a purse, and her dress didn't have pockets for a wallet. In the end, Li Lin footed the bill.
This meal cost him 29 gold hex and 63 silver wheels...
(The end of this chapter)