Legend of the Cyber Heroes
Chapter 424 - 68: Quantum Chip

Chapter 424: Chapter 68: Quantum Chip

Xiang Shan gently tapped the box with his stick.

The box was a common one, only a bit thicker in panel.

However, the contents of the box were anything but ordinary.

It contained isotope batteries that could drive ordinary Martial Artists to desperate measures—thirteen or fourteen of them, each in immaculate condition, even including bits of connectivity components that had been torn off.

It appeared they had been forcefully dismantled.

Neatly arranged on top of the batteries was half a skull.

This design style subtly resembled the type commonly used by people of Jianghu, yet was distinct enough to be noticeably different, falling somewhere between "a unique Great Hero" and "government official."

"Life-Chasing Cavalry..." Ai Tielang sighed, "This..."

It was the brain of a Life-Chasing Cavalry, bisected. At that time, three cavalrymen had not been taken away by Xiang Shan’s witnessing in one sweep; possibly they had downloaded extra patches beyond the government’s "standard issue," thus they had resistance to the "curse" Xiang Shan had chosen at that time. Two of these Life-Chasing Cavalry had their brains damaged in the mutual brawl, so Xiang Shan had pulled out this third person’s motherboard along with the skull, planning to study it slowly.

This device didn’t self-ignite immediately. Apparently, it wasn’t some "still secret project’s new design" that had resisted the curse Xiang Shan chose, it might just be a non-essential patch that the government itself didn’t value much, which blocked his curse.

Xiang Shan had brought this device back to study it.

Besides that, there were also a few Sonicon Blade pieces, just cluttering around.

Even the usually composed Kiambang was taken aback, saying, "How... how could there be so many? Are these all... all... batteries?"

"Yes, just like the ones you’re thinking of," Xiang Shan nodded, "Isotope batteries, capable of providing energy continuously for ten years. With these, one can operate continuously in the dark, further reducing logistical demands."

Xiang Shan had dared to go out this time taking just a few spare limbs, riding a motorcycle directly, because he had a fission reactor. He was no longer bound by solar power; as long as the part wear could keep up, there were no issues. Three years ago, he had to have a large vehicle and its solar panels to manage his energy and supply needs.

This continuous source of energy greatly enhanced the mobility capabilities of a Hero.

For this reason, the government would rather let huge vehicles that couldn’t be hidden carry reactors to charge soldiers equipped with lower-performance batteries than to equip frontline soldiers with these devices. Although the government now had the resources to do so, the mobility of frontline soldiers was already high enough. Further enhancing it would serve a purpose, but the value was diminishing marginally. In comparison, "the potential risk of a Hero getting these batteries" was far more daunting.

Only cavalrymen with high martial arts skills, who could in turn hunt down Heroes single-handedly, were permitted to be equipped with isotope batteries.

Merciless Cavalry and Life-Chasing Cavalry generally operated alone. The Iron Hand Cavalry, recognized for their Inner Strength, were tasked with finding traces of Heroes in the digital world—these guys were tough to kill. Additionally, they hardly ever gathered together.

Yet when a dozen cavalrymen gathered together, they could even wipe out many Sects.

"No mistake, the specifications of these isotope batteries are almost consistent..." Gaoqiao Ziyi adjusted her Prosthetic Eye and scanned a few exposed product codes, "Even the batches are close. Are these from a production line on the Moon?"

"How is this possible?" Kiambang looked at Xiang Shan in astonishment, "This is too unbelievable..."

He had meant to say "unrealistic". Unless one was a powerhouse who had crossed the First Layer Heavenly Land, no one could oppose a whole squad of cavalrymen. And as everyone knows, the Moon’s cavalrymen were elites among elites—after all, the cavalry system was created by the Fire God King.

Xiang Shan said, "They were just the Life-Chasing Cavalry directly under the Kings. Just a coincidence. There were originally more, but my martial arts haven’t been perfected yet. Many isotope batteries were damaged in the fight."

As he spoke, Xiang Shan tapped the box, "There are a total of fifteen isotope batteries inside. I’ve kept a few for myself. I can trade eight isotope batteries with you for that one Quantum Chip."

Compact high-performance isotope batteries and Quantum Chips were of similar technological levels. Both were devices difficult to manufacture by Jianghu, but with different orientations.

The conditions for manufacturing Quantum Chips were even more stringent, and Heroes found it difficult to produce them on their own. The total output in Jianghu was significantly inadequate; they had to be snatched from Houndhawks. Whereas with isotope batteries, the raw materials were controlled by Houndhawks, but there was a way to obtain some raw materials from Burrow Dragons.

Therefore, trading a few isotope batteries for one Quantum Chip was reasonable.

Moreover, isotope batteries were more suitable for mid-level Heroes.

Gaoqiao Ziyi stood up, saying, "Senior, the terms you offer are too generous."

Xiang Shan nodded, "So, do we have a deal?"

Gaoqiao Ziyi glanced at Kiambang. The two exchanged several years’ worth of information through high-speed infrared communication. Then, they went their separate ways, apparently to contact their Sect.

Soon, they returned.

"We can," Gaoqiao Ziyi no longer hesitated.

"Can I see the goods first?" Xiang Shan asked.

Gaoqiao Ziyi nodded, and the armor plate behind her opened, ejecting a cylinder. The cylinder was about the size of a mineral water bottle and made entirely of steel.

"It contains liquid nitrogen, please be careful..."

"I know," Xiang Shan inquired, "What are the specifications of this device, what K environments can it operate under?"

K, Kelvin, is the thermodynamic temperature scale or absolute temperature scale. A change in temperature of one Kelvin is equivalent to a change in temperature of one degree Celsius, the difference being only in the starting point. Zero degrees Celsius refers to "the freezing point of water at one atmosphere of pressure", whereas zero Kelvin means "absolute zero". 1K implies only one degree above absolute zero.

In the early 21st century, the operating environment for Quantum Chips was 4K or -269.15°C. Even slightly higher temperatures or stronger radiation, and the ambient background temperature would interfere with the delicate quantum bits, easily damaging the chips.

"Ah, this chip can operate at 80K, or minus one hundred ninety-three point five degrees Celsius—quite an advanced process," Gaoqiao Ziyi said.

Xiang Shan nodded, "Not bad at all."

To be honest, compared to the quantum devices he had used in the past that generally operated below 20K, this was really quite good.

"So, the next issue is... how to maintain such an environment inside the body."