With Li Lin's assistance, Kassadin donned the Hextech-powered armor. The semi-intelligent chip enhanced his vision, and the world transformed before his eyes.
Amazed, Kassadin uttered, "Mr. Li Lin..."
"Call me Li Lin," he responded with a slight smile, understanding the questions brewing in Kassadin's mind. "This armor has a 'neural connection' feature, allowing direct control through your brain."
"As you see in the holographic interface, it provides night vision, activated or deactivated at your will."
Kassadin was bewildered by the technical terms. Despite his proficiency in the universal language from his frequent travels between Shurima and Piltover, he struggled to comprehend Li Lin's explanations.
Fortunately, Li Lin patiently elucidated the armor's functions in simple terms, guiding Kassadin on its usage.
They proceeded to Kiramman's underground testing ground. Kassadin, with Li Lin's guidance, familiarized himself with the armor's capabilities.
Later, Kassadin retrieved a dark item resembling a gauntlet from his bag, placing it on the designated slot of his right hand as instructed by Li Lin.
With a mental command, a wide-bladed magical sword, radiating a purple glow, emerged from the back of the obsidian-like gauntlet.
A distinct metallic and corrosive scent filled the air as both of them experienced it.
Li Lin casually glanced but felt an abrupt sinking sensation, an intense fear permeating his entire being.
Even with the activated "Data Mind," Li Lin could only see four names on the panel: Voidfire, Voidblade, Energy Pulse, and Voidwalk.
The basic attributes of the "Blade of the Netherworld" and the specific values of these abilities were obscured by a series of question marks.
"The celestial warrior Horok, pioneer of the hidden ways, the sole pursuer of traces in the void, the first to venture away from the Sun Disc's bestowed power, the great ascender into the boundless realm of the void," Kassadin narrated with a tinge of regret.
He sighed, then walked slowly towards one of the marble blocks that had risen from the ground for experimentation after Li Lin pressed a button.
"Uh... Kassadin, do you know how to use this celestial weapon?" Li Lin inquired.
Without turning, Kassadin raised his right arm, stating, "As soon as I wear this weapon, its usage instructions automatically transmit to my mind."
With those words, he thrust his hand forward, effortlessly piercing the hard marble with the dazzling tip of the "Blade of the Netherworld."
Accompanied by a massive infusion of magical power from the weapon, the entire stone was covered in glowing purple patterns and then shattered.
Kassadin shifted his gaze to another marble block several meters away. His magic wrist blade slashed through the air, and his entire body moved forward, disappearing into a purple "space rift."
Amidst Li Lin's astonished gaze, Kassadin briefly vanished from the material realm.
When he reappeared, he had instantaneously moved three meters behind the last marble block. With a swing of his arm, a wave of purple energy pulses engulfed the stone, leaving no trace.
The distant Li Lin watched in awe. An ordinary person, with the aid of the ascender's weapon, achieved such feats.
In his peak state, under the blessing of the Sun Disc, could they unleash abilities, transforming into towering celestial warriors like those with dragon king powers?
A sense of deep powerlessness surged within Li Lin.
Kassadin retracted the wrist blade, noticing Li Lin's seemingly despondent demeanor, assuming it was an effect of the celestial warrior's weapon.
"Are you okay?" he hurriedly ran to Li Lin, expressing concern.
"I'm fine, just pondering some issues," Li Lin shook his head, managing a forced smile. Now wasn't the time to entertain too many thoughts. At 18th level, without even completing career advancement, overthinking would only disrupt his current developmental plans.
Various thoughts flashed through Li Lin's mind. Eventually, he pushed aside the chaotic musings, raised his head, and locked eyes with Kassadin, who had lifted his faceplate.
"By the way, didn't you mention finding the Ionian master to bless the armor?"
"Indeed, I've already scheduled a meeting with her, anytime these days works for me."
Kassadin nodded, adding, "I plan to go see her today and purchase a ticket for tomorrow's departure to Piltover."
Li Lin could sense the hatred shimmering in his eyes, understanding the urgency.
But well...
"Don't be too hasty; give it another three days," Li Lin suggested.
"Hmm?" Kassadin raised his thick eyebrows, not comprehending Li Lin's intentions.
"The Kiramman family is dispatching artisans to Bel'zhun and Nashramae. They're planning to build the Hex Gates there," Li Lin explained.
Kassadin, not familiar with Hextech technology, didn't grasp the significance of the complex term "Hex Gates."
Nevertheless, this didn't hinder his understanding of Li Lin's plan. "Are you planning to go to Shurima as well?"
Li Lin smirked, "Of course, and I'm going with you to find the 'Void.'"
Kassadin: "???"
...
Because Lady Cassandra prohibited Caitlyn from venturing into the dangerous Shurima, and she was concerned about her skin enduring the scorching hot sunrays there.
During the three days of waiting for departure, Li Lin spent two days accompanying Caitlyn. On the last day, he prepared supplies with Jayce and discussed their respective plans.
Inside "Dawnlight," Li Lin packed at least 5 sets of foldable power armor and 30 energy crystals. The rest of the time, under Cassandra's supervision, at least 4000 bullets were loaded into the propulsion module, automatically filling the storm's reserve ammo slot.
This move almost emptied one-fifth of Piltover's Police inventory, even causing dissatisfaction among other arms dealers.
But Li Lin still felt that these bullets were not enough...
However, under Lady Cassandra's scolding, he ultimately abandoned the idea of raiding Piltover's Police for another 4000 bullets to fill "Dawnlight."
Fear of insufficient firepower... endure it, and it will pass.
On the last night at Kiramman's house, accompanied by the morning chimes of the Undercity, Li Lin, Jayce, Kassadin, along with the Kiramman family and other artisans who invested in the Hex Gates project, headed to the Sun Gate Wharf in the southern district of Piltover.
Due to a minor issue in the Council, only Caitlyn, Tobias, and the Kiramman family's steward and guards were there to bid them farewell.
With her mother not around, the bold Caitlyn, ignoring her father beside her, lingered in Li Lin's embrace for quite some time.
Only when the sailor's horn sounded and the captain shouted to set sail did she peck Li Lin's lips like a dragonfly's touch and push him onto the ship.
As the ship left the harbor, Caitlyn, back beside her father, waved to Li Lin at the bow, shouting loudly, "Make sure to come back early!"
Li Lin waited until the ship, carried by the rising water flow, aligned with Piltover Canal. Only then did he lose sight of Caitlyn.
He took a deep breath, calming the reluctance in his heart, and cast his gaze towards the distant south.
Next stop, Nashramae.
(End of this chapter)
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