Mobile phones, communication base stations, computers, and internet technology all piqued the interest of the major families, especially after witnessing Yabus play Minesweeper. Their interest only intensified.
Before Li Lin talked about artificial satellites, each of them spent quite some time playing on the two computers.
Even Caitlyn and Tobias tried their hand at it.
Lady Cassandra refrained from playing herself due to her dignity as a council member, though she was itching to give it a try.
Of course, Caitlyn was undoubtedly the fastest to clear the levels. She had already figured out the pattern after watching Yabus and the other family representatives play, and completed the game in just two or three minutes.
And that wasn't even her best time.
Seeing how enthusiastically they played, Li Lin had originally planned to introduce them to "Spider Solitaire."
But upon checking the time, he realized nearly two hours had passed, and they hadn't even finished discussing the main topics. He decided against it.
Just then, a maid hurriedly ran over and whispered something to Cassandra.
Following that, Cassandra addressed the room, "Everyone, I think we'll call it a day... Professor Heimerdinger has arrived."
As the computers were shut down, the representatives were left wanting more, but none of them complained.
As an esteemed councilor of Piltover and the head of the academy, Heimerdinger held a high position.
Even if he didn't hold much power at the moment, other council members still had to give him some respect, let alone the representatives of these families.
Yabus also became serious, "Then let's go meet Professor Heimerdinger first."
A few minutes later, everyone returned to the sitting room along the corridor.
As soon as they stepped through the side door into the hall, Heimerdinger's sharp voice rang out, "Ohoho~~ Li Lin! You've invented a personal flying device!"
Heimerdinger hurried over to Li Lin, his face full of excitement as he patted Li Lin's leg twice.
Following behind Heimerdinger were Jayce, Viktor, Skye, as well as several well-known professors from across the upper city.
To Li Lin's surprise, Valentina Zidelo was also among them, and she seemed to have recovered quite well judging by her complexion.
Unlike Heimerdinger, who was only enthusiastic when it came to science and technology, Jayce, Viktor, Skye, and the other professors first greeted Cassandra before exchanging greetings with Yabus and then finally turning their attention to Li Lin.
"I heard the news about your invention and wanted to come find you right away, but some professors who approached me were also interested in this matter, so it took a bit of time."
"You're too kind, Professor Heimerdinger." Li Lin smiled politely and replied softly.
"Where's your flying device? Can we take a look? Or perhaps you could demonstrate it for us directly."
"Professor..." Viktor, who was behind Heimerdinger, hesitated before speaking, "we still have important matters to discuss."
Although Viktor had transitioned from being an assistant dean to a lecturer at the academy, due to his inconvenient mobility and his outstanding contributions, the academy rarely assigned him tasks to teach students.
Most of the time, apart from conducting his own research, Viktor still stayed by Heimerdinger's side, studying some high-level technologies together, but he no longer had to do miscellaneous tasks like before.
"Oh, yes, of course, it seems I was being thoughtless." Heimerdinger blew on his mustache and immediately waved to the crowd, "You don't have to mind us, continue with your discussion... If it's inconvenient, we can step aside for a moment."
"No, actually, your timing is perfect, Professor," Li Lin said, "We're just about to discuss a technology I mentioned to you before."
"Oh?" Heimerdinger raised an eyebrow, "Is it about computers... or computing?"
"No, we've already discussed cooperation and investment related to that," Li Lin invited him to sit on the nearby single sofa, and the others followed suit, returning to their previous positions.
Tobias, who had been occupied, stood behind Li Lin and Cassandra, standing shoulder to shoulder with Caitlyn.
"It's something else... an achievement for all of humanity in Runeterra."
*Cough cough cough...* Yabus, who was drinking tea to clear his throat, almost choked. He poked his ear, thinking he misheard.
The only technology Li Lin had mentioned before was artificial satellites.
Yabus originally thought he was joking.
Cassandra, Jayce, Viktor, Skye, and the Kiramman couple didn't react much, as Li Lin had mentioned these to them before.
The professors from the academy, on the other hand, looked incredulous, curious about what exactly Li Lin was referring to.
As for the other family representatives, they exchanged bewildered glances, mixed with a hint of numbness.
After all, if Li Lin could go to space, and even develop computers, what else couldn't he do?
"You mean artificial satellites?" Heimerdinger stroked his beard, silent for a few seconds before continuing, "I thought... you were joking."
Li Lin hadn't expected Heimerdinger to dismiss his idea entirely. He replied solemnly, "How could that be? I even showed you the blueprints and asked for your help in securing investment."
Heimerdinger seemed hesitant. "I did see the blueprints, and theoretically, it is feasible, but..."
"Professor, what exactly do you mean by artificial satellites?" A man with a bald head and golden-rimmed glasses spoke with confusion. He was Professor Fernand.
"Artificial satellites have many uses. They can assist in scientific experiments related to atmospheric and astronomical phenomena, act as communication relay stations, explore resources in Runeterra, and even venture into outer space, what we call the 'cosmos'," Li Lin explained.
After hearing Li Lin's description, the professors fell into contemplation, while Yabus and other family representatives furrowed their brows deeply.
They considered such a venture entirely impractical. Even if they could launch a satellite into space, its value wouldn't outweigh the investment required. At least not for them.
Li Lin understood their capital-oriented thinking. Convincing them solely based on his words was impossible. He had to rely on Heimerdinger.
But Heimerdinger's next words poured cold water on his plans. "Child, have you considered the issue of the celestial gods?"
Li Lin was taken aback. He hadn't paid much attention to this aspect. Runeterra was highly regarded by the celestial gods, and it was unlikely they would allow human development beyond their control.
Li Lin realized that launching artificial satellites might provoke the celestial gods, leading to catastrophic consequences.
"Runeterra is a favored land of the gods... I mean, it's not quite appropriate to say 'favored,' but it doesn't matter."
"Giant gods? Celestial beings? Isn't that the legend of Mount Targon?" scoffed another with a disdainful tone. It was a professor, known as the "King of Inventions" in Piltover, with his former academic assistant, standing beside him.
"That's ignorant talk!" Heimerdinger glared at her, his tone unusually serious.
"Bandle City has been looking up at the stars for thousands of years. There have even been yordles who climbed Mount Targon... Besides, the difference between the spiritual realm and the material realm is significant. Our research on the cosmos far surpasses that of you humans!"
"The celestial gods were born from the heavenly realms during the Primordial Age. The constellations worshipped by you are their embodiments... constellations such as the War, Twilight, Sun, and Moon, which are the most familiar and widely worshipped gods.
"And then there are other races, such as our yordles, non-human races from certain peaks of Mount Targon, or branches of the Vastaya and minotaurs, who worship constellations like the Trickster, Faithful, or Destroyer.
"But personally, I believe these constellations are vastly different from the celestial gods. I prefer to call them 'Celestial Behemoths'..."
As Heimerdinger's words trailed off, the room fell silent.
Li Lin was shocked that Heimerdinger knew so much about the secrets of the heavens, even understanding the true forms of the Celestial Spirits and Celestial Behemoths.
Others were stunned that there were even more powerful 'celestial gods' in the world than demigods, and doubted their existence.
"So... child, are you still determined to launch artificial satellites?" Heimerdinger's eyes flashed with seriousness, "Even if it risks angering the celestial gods?"
Li Lin remained silent for a long time before shaking his head, "No, I don't think it would anger them."
He met Heimerdinger's surprised gaze and continued, "They value Runeterra greatly, and we are far more important to them than we imagine.
"Otherwise, why would they have taught the people of Shurima to build the Sun Disc and ascend to demigods, allowing human civilization to prosper? Why would they choose human hosts, granting them power or descending to the mortal realm?
"The technology to create artificial gods is far beyond what launching satellites can achieve."
"This..." Heimerdinger was speechless, having never considered this perspective.
Seeing Heimerdinger wavering, Li Lin pressed on, "And, if we don't try, how will we know if they agree?"
"Are you suggesting..."
"We launch a satellite first. If the gods destroy it, we'll know their stance, and we can refrain from further development. But if they don't, we can vigorously pursue space technology. Soon, it won't just be satellites... Habitats for humans in space, exploring other planets beyond Runeterra, will all be within reach!"
Li Lin stood up from the sofa, passionately surveying the room, taking in everyone's reactions.
"Is merely being inhabitants of a single planet truly your wish? There are vast uncharted territories beyond the cosmos for us to explore. Even if we can't achieve it in our generation, we have descendants, and their descendants. We can lay the groundwork for them!
"Our goal should be the boundless cosmos!"
As Li Lin spoke, everyone present, including Caitlyn and Jayce, who knew about his theory of artificial satellites, were dumbfounded.
His bold ideas far exceeded their current understanding of the world.
However, their perceptions of Li Lin were superficial. He had much more in mind than they realized.
Exploring outer space? He was thinking too far ahead. Li Lin was merely presenting grand ideas to entice them.
His primary goal was something else entirely.
The Void.
Another dimension of the universe, another plane of existence.
The Watchers in the Void had awakened, eyeing Runeterra, this planet intertwined with countless realms.
It was special enough to be their gateway to infiltrating the material universe.
Without the power to surpass planets, dealing with the Watchers in the Void...
Given everyone some time to process, Li Lin looked at Heimerdinger with a serious expression, "Professor, I believe we must try."
(End of this chapter)