As the sky grew darker, the sun on the western horizon dipped halfway into the sea.
Since the enforcers didn't pay much attention to Zaun's affairs, the security at the border market was still in need of improvement at night; after all, there was no shortage of foolish people in the world.
Li Lin didn't want any trouble, so he took Kai'Sa back home.
The corner clock had struck 8 o'clock.
Kai'Sa had recently grown fond of soaking in hot baths; the sensation of hot water could relax her second skin, easing the discomfort. Therefore, she went upstairs to her room early.
Li Lin took off his armor, put on the new casual clothes he had hurriedly made, and sat on the sofa in the main hall, preparing a pot of tea. He also had the servants bring a plate of Caitlyn's favorite pastries before waiting quietly.
After another ten minutes or so, the door to the hall gently creaked open, and a familiar footstep entered his ears.
Caitlyn, with a hint of fatigue on her face, had just returned home from her afternoon's work.
As soon as she stepped through the door, a faint scent of tea entered her nostrils, causing her mood to relax involuntarily.
Caitlyn raised an eyebrow curiously upon noticing Li Lin sitting on the sofa. "Huh? Are you waiting for me?"
"Who else would I wait for besides my dear wife?"
Caitlyn, walking toward Li Lin, felt a shiver down her spine at his words and couldn't help but glare at him. "Are you alright today? Why are you being so cheesy? Can't you be normal?"
She elegantly sat down next to Li Lin, and he pulled her into his embrace. "How am I not normal?"
"Don't be silly... My parents and Kai'Sa are still at home."
This kind of intimacy no longer made Caitlyn feel embarrassed, and in fact, she quite enjoyed it. But due to the fear of being seen by her parents, especially Cassandra, she felt a bit uneasy.
Caitlyn tried to pull Li Lin's hand away, but his body had been too heavily enhanced, and she couldn't move his vice-like fingers.
"Don't worry, the butler said that your parents have social engagements tonight and won't be back until late. Kai'Sa has already gone to her room to soak in a hot bath. I've also instructed the butler and servants not to disturb us."
"You've got it all planned out..." Caitlyn took a sip of the slightly cooled tea and said, "So, what's with your attentiveness tonight? Do you have something to discuss with me?"
At her words, Li Lin suddenly became displeased. "Can't I just spend some time with you? We haven't had a chance to really be together for quite some time."
Without giving Caitlyn time to reply, he leaned in close to her ear and whispered, "I have missed you."
Feeling the warmth against her ear, Caitlyn's delicate cheeks blushed slightly.
As soon as those four words were spoken, her body instantly softened, and she leaned lightly against Li Lin's shoulder. "You really..."
Li Lin chuckled softly and kissed her forehead, "Actually, I was waiting for you tonight to take your measurements..."
Feeling her waist being pinched between his thumb and forefinger, he quickly explained, "What I mean is, I want to take your body measurements because I have a gift in mind for you."
"Huh?" Caitlyn raised her face, her sapphire-like eyes meeting Li Lin's. "A gift that requires my body measurements... Wait, you wouldn't?"
She suddenly realized something, her tone filled with surprise.
"I want to custom-make a set of armor for you." Li Lin smiled gently, "I've had this idea for a long time, but I haven't been able to realize it."
Caitlyn was moved, but soon a look of hesitation crossed her face. "But I don't usually deal with dangerous cases. Wouldn't it be too ostentatious to wear powered armor?"
Li Lin reached out and flicked her nose gently, "What's so ostentatious about it? Do I wear powered armor every day when I go out?"
"We're different. I have a gun and martial arts skills, I can handle ten of you..." Caitlyn's peripheral vision caught sight of the muscles bulging on Li Lin's arm, "Forget it, just pretend I didn't say anything."
"Just in case, you occasionally take on some dangerous cases for the Piltover Enforcers, don't you? I'm worried about you... Besides, the armor I develop for you will be different from what I wear now."
Caitlyn's heart warmed slightly, but she was more intrigued by his mention of "different." "Special in what way?"
"A gift for you should naturally be special."
"Can you give me a little hint?"
"Well... First, give me a kiss."
Caitlyn furrowed her brows, quickly pecking him on the corner of his lips.
"Is that it?" Li Lin shook his head disapprovingly, "Not enough."
"But you said to give you a kiss, and I did." Caitlyn raised her index finger, a slight curve appearing at the corner of her lips.
"Tsk, you're really cunning."
Li Lin gazed at her for a moment, then suddenly, he supported her back with one hand and slipped the other under her legs, lifting her up in a princess carry.
"Hey! What are you doing?" Caitlyn lightly tapped his chest with her right hand, "Stop fooling around, put me down... What if someone sees us?"
Li Lin headed straight for the stairs, "It's okay, I don't mind."
Caitlyn was stunned for a moment. "Wait, where are you taking me?"
"Where else could we go?" Li Lin lowered his gaze to Caitlyn's slightly anxious face, his eyebrows raised lightly. "To your room. I need to take precise measurements of your body's data so I can make your armor."
...
...
The next morning, even before the break of dawn, Li Lin got out of bed feeling refreshed and energized.
After drinking two doses of gene-enhancing potions, his body's enhancements were evident in every aspect.
Whether it was physical or mental, despite hardly sleeping all night, Li Lin felt no trace of fatigue or drowsiness.
On the contrary, Caitlyn, who exercised daily but didn't drink gene-enhancing potions, was different.
Li Lin dressed quietly, making almost no noise. Then, he gently opened the door, quickly scanning both sides of the corridor.
Once he was sure no one was around, he stepped out, swiftly returning to his workshop on the top floor.
Originally, Caitlyn was afraid of being found by her mother Cassandra and had asked him to leave earlier.
However, after discussing how to make the armor and having a deep conversation, combined with the exhaustion of a day's work, she had fallen into a deep sleep, leaving Li Lin undisturbed.
Back in the workshop, Li Lin immediately took out two blank sheets of paper, starting to conceptualize the design ideas for the next-generation armor.
Firstly, with the advancements in "electromagnetics," "particle control," and "thermal equivalence control" technologies, plasma thrusters could now be produced and fully applied to the Infinite Armor.
Moreover, Storm and Dawn could also be upgraded, breaking free from the most basic energy thrusters, combined with an intelligent system, greatly enhancing maneuverability.
The "plasma cannon" could also serve as an upgraded alternative weapon to the "electric shock cannon."
Although the plasma cannon added a slight instability risk in terms of safety, with the "high-compression material" and the armor's "crystal armor coating," the danger of the plasma cannon could be almost negligible.
Furthermore, "particle manipulation" and "thermal equivalence control" gave Li Lin new ideas:
The high-energy death ray of the armor belonged to the infrared spectrum, with limited power.
With the integration of electromagnetic theory, he could easily upgrade the ray to ultraviolet laser radiation, greatly enhancing its power.
In the future, unlocking higher-level technological theories would pose no problem for upgrading it to X-ray lasers, or even gamma-ray lasers, and particle spears.
In addition, the "optical camouflage" function should also be installed on the armor, greatly enhancing Li Lin's stealth capabilities.
Although he always equated "stealth" with "unparalleled," as long as all enemies were dead, no one would know he had been there.
However, one can't have too many skills. This function would come in handy sooner or later...
In terms of kinetic weapons,
If the second-generation Infinite Armor could load 1000 rounds and 20 mini-rocket missiles.
Then, with "high-density compressed ammunition" and "ammunition loading efficiency," the third-generation Infinite Armor could hold up to 2500 kinetic rounds and 45 mini-rocket missiles!
Coupled with "electromagnetic weapons" and "ammunition enhancement" technology, a compressed round could be launched at nearly four to five times the speed of sound, penetrating almost anything.
The upgrade design for the third-generation Project Genesis · Infinite Armor was quickly completed.
Li Lin still had no plans to change its appearance, only adjusting its functionality.
It was still early, so he began designing the fourth-generation Infinite Armor, also known as the "biological armor."
With the characteristics of Zac cells, the biological armor had extremely strong environmental adaptability and could transform into any style of ordinary clothing for daily wear.
The premise was that there needed to be a template for scanning and recording, and depending on the quality of the clothing material, it could only record 3-5 sets of outfits at most.
In times of crisis, just one command could activate it, taking only three to four seconds to form a full-coverage armor.
Both in appearance and touch, it would be no different from ordinary clothes.
The armor Li Lin planned to tailor for Caitlyn was also based on the Project Genesis · Infinite Fourth Generation.
With the fourth-generation armor, there would be no need to wear a suit of iron out on the streets.
However, every advantage has its disadvantage.
Because nano-technology hadn't been achieved yet, the weight of the fourth-generation Infinite Armor was not light, and it was cumbersome to wear on a daily basis, unable to completely remove any piece of clothing independently.
Although its weight was only a quarter of the third-generation armor, it lacked any power support when it wasn't activated, weighing close to 100 pounds.
With Caitlyn's petite frame, wearing it would probably only allow her to take a few steps.
Of course, this set of fourth-generation armor should be used in conjunction with gene-enhancing potions, so there would be no burden at all.
Li Lin planned to give Caitlyn the improved potion and armor in a few days.
In addition, the fourth-generation armor's defensive capabilities and attack methods were also far inferior to the second-generation armor.
Firstly, convenience needed to be considered.
Since the crystal armor coating couldn't be changed, only compressed materials could be used on its defense armor.
As a result, weapons like the somewhat unstable plasma cannon, plasma thrusters, Gauss machine guns, mini-rocket missiles, and folding high-frequency vibrational knives couldn't be applied to this armor.
Fortunately, the electric shock palm cannon, shoulder cannons, high-energy ultraviolet laser beams, and functional and defensive modules could still be used, which was much stronger than the first-generation Project Genesis · Infinite.
At least the suitcase folding powered armor could be completely phased out.
With the design drawings completed, Li Lin rushed to his workshop.
First, he went to the biochemical laboratory to drink the third bottle of gene-enhancing potion, then controlled the second-generation Infinite Armor to return to the large workshop outside, starting the upgrade work.
Once completed, a series of tests would be needed to ensure its normal operation and to prevent any mishaps in critical moments.
Today would be another busy day.
(End of this chapter)