[You have killed the Elite Elemental Dragon for the first time. Level up by 2 levels. Received 10 skill points, 2000 Blue Essence, and 200 Orange Essence.]
[You have slain the Elite Flame Elemental Dragon, Yvva. Level up by 4 levels. Received 8000 Blue Essence, 800 Orange Essence, and 50 skill points.]
[Your current level: 69]
[Health Points: 20496/20496]
[Mana Points: 10525/10525]
[Combat Power: 86]
[Remaining Skill Points: 67]
[...]
Li Lin's attention lingered on the series of notifications from the system in his mind, feeling a hint of confusion.
The rewards from killing the dragon were decent, but the level-up surprised him greatly.
When he defeated Urgot, his level increased by 5. Now, even with the experience from slaying an elite dragon, it only went up by 6 levels.
Although the dragon was not considered a hero, Yvva's threat and combat power were far higher than Urgot's, making the level gain seem insufficient.
Could it be that after reaching level 60, the experience from killing "minions" and "wild monsters" is greatly reduced?
This was the only guess Li Lin could make at the moment.
Oh well, my main way to level up is by crafting mythic quality gear. If killing monsters levels me up slowly, so be it.
He thought silently.
There are many technologies unlocked at level 65, but the one Li Lin was most eager to master was "Fusion Theory."
Besides this, the Inventor class at level 65 also unlocks "3D Printing Technology" and "Matter Compression Technology."
With these two, he no longer needed to expend mana for "Quick Assembly" to rapidly build mechanical devices; he could use pure technology with 3D printing.
Combined with the newly unlocked "Replicator" in the combat system, even the production speed of the factory assembly lines could increase severalfold.
This way, the expected production of 2000 Kog'Maw war mechs by the end of the year could be moved up by a few months.
Additionally, in the combat system, Li Lin was amazed to find that level 65 also unlocked large-scale, growing war mechs like Cho'Gath, and the first colossal mech.
In the individual enhancement system, he could also unlock "Gland Adaptation" and "Gene Editing," allowing for small, specialized genetic modifications.
Such as enhancing his own strength or nerve response speed, slowing cell aging, etc.
If all these new technologies were applied, Li Lin's combat power would significantly increase again.
Especially the "Fusion Theory" corresponding to "Fusion Strategic Missiles" and the new colossal mech blueprint, which in the main universe corresponded to Malphite's "Colossus."
However...
"Although production technology and speed have increased, mass-producing my own mechanical army and large mechs without selling them, along with maintenance costs...
"Hiss, even with my current wealth, it might not be sustainable."
Li Lin felt a bit heavy-hearted.
Those councilors had already witnessed Malphite's power and ordered an enhancement of Piltover's military strength, but it was still quite limited.
After all, Piltover's Hextech, especially weapons, were strictly controlled and limited in export.
The great families of Piltover only cared about money and their own interests, with a very short-sighted view.
Since this military equipment couldn't bring practical benefits and required a large amount of money for maintenance, the other families, known as "stingy iron roosters," certainly wouldn't invest in producing much.
Hextech weapons were already like this, not to mention the mechanical army with higher costs and maintenance fees.
"It seems that unless there's a world-shaking event like the 'Ruination' or the 'Invasion of the Undead Army,' those councilors won't take the military power seriously..."
While Li Lin was analyzing the situation, the AI suddenly spoke something unexpected:
[Or, you could take complete control of Piltover.]
"Hmm?"
[According to my statistics, if you choose to take over the Twin Cities, your support rate in Zaun is 83.66%, and in Piltover, it is 55.36%, considering the influence of other families.]
[Moreover, your actions will lead the Twin Cities to a new era and a bright future. One of your loyal allies, Janna, the Goddess of Wind, supports you.]
[Piltover is ostensibly glorious, known as the "City of Progress," but in reality, every aspect is controlled and limited by the great families. Everything is just superficial "beauty."]
[You should bring true change to the Twin Cities, not just in technology and lifestyle, but also in the dark political realm.]
[Managing your base well and bringing these two city-states under your control is the only way to face the future "Apocalypse Day" with a non-zero chance of victory.]
[Creator, Master, if you truly want to save this world, this is what you must do. It is your inescapable responsibility.]
The AI's words left Li Lin in deep silence.
It wasn't until Gaboga's detection system alerted him to the approaching Demacian Dragon Cavalry scouting team that he snapped back to reality.
"Let's head back first. This... I need to think it over."
He glanced at the "mangled" corpse of the flame dragon without its head.
Every part of the dragon's body was precious magical material, especially the dragon scales, claws, and the special organs used for gathering magic and spewing flames.
However, Li Lin already had the celestial iron given by Zoe, material even used by celestial beings to craft weapons, making the dragon's body materials unappealing to him.
Unlike the dragon slayers of Valoran who needed "magic to defeat magic" by turning dragon scales and claws into armor and weapons to fight dragons, achieving unexpected results.
After some thought, he still controlled Gaboga to carry the body, set the academy's coordinates, and initiated the teleportation.
He didn't need the dragon, but Heimerdinger definitely did.
And this time, following Heimerdinger's instructions to privately deploy Gaboga, killing this elemental dragon would silence those few inexperienced councilors from other families.
As the arcane circle formed beneath Gaboga's feet and it emitted a dazzling light.
When the Demacian scouting team saw a light source as large as a hill in the distance, it vanished, turning into arcane particles and teleporting back to Piltover.
Another dozen seconds passed before the Demacian troops finally arrived.
"By the wings of the protector... what on earth was that?!"
(Chapter ends)