Technological advancement begins with devouring.

“Indeed, that’s a problem…” Jiang Chen nodded slightly.

Due to the limitations of Earth's technology, it is impossible to build a 'miniature nuclear reactor' that meets the requirements; therefore, it can only be powered by batteries.

This means that the boxer's maximum sustained fighting time is only a maximum of ten minutes.

Of course, if it is not started at maximum power, this time can be greatly extended.

In 'semi-energy-saving mode', maintaining the speed and power of a warrior-level fighter for two or three hours is no problem at all.

Replacing the battery is not difficult and can be done in just two minutes.

However, in high-intensity battles, the issue of endurance must be addressed; otherwise, the practical value of the [Boxer] will be greatly diminished.

“There’s another problem,” Jarvis continued, “The vast majority of the core components of the Boxer require the use of ‘A3-3221 alloy.’ This alloy is produced in very low quantities, and obtaining a sufficient share is not an easy task.”

Alloy A3-3221 is an extremely strong metal. Even planetary-level powerhouses would find it difficult to destroy this alloy, and it has a wide range of applications in many fields that require high metal strength.

However, the metal called iridium-193, which is needed to synthesize alloy A3-3221, is extremely rare on Earth and very difficult to mine, which severely limits the production of alloy A3-3221.

Even Jiang Chen would find it difficult to obtain a large quantity of 'A3-3221 Alloy'.

The total annual output is limited, and all sectors need it, so after it's distributed, there's not much left.

One Boxer powered mech requires approximately 1.5 tons of 'A3-3221 alloy'.

Jiang Chen hadn't really noticed this issue before. It was only after Jarvis reminded him that he realized some scarce materials could also affect his progress in building the [Boxer] powered mech unit.

"Besides 'A3-3221 Alloy', are there any other materials that are difficult to obtain in large quantities?" Jiang Chen couldn't help but ask.

Jarvis paused for a moment before speaking, "If we want to carry out automated transformation for self-driving cars, the production capacity of the 'Dragonway IV chip' will also be insufficient."

As he spoke, a series of data appeared on the screen, listing the production volume of 'A3-3221 Alloy' and 'Dragonway IV Chip' that Jarvis had found through the internet, their approximate fixed allocation destinations, and the remaining share that Jiang Chen might receive.

“Master, this data comes from publicly available information online and may not be entirely accurate. If you grant me authorization to hack into the HR Alliance’s encrypted servers, I can obtain more accurate information,” Jarvis cautioned.

Both materials are produced and supplied by HR Alliance, and HR Alliance's database naturally contains more detailed and accurate information.

"Forget about hacking the server." Jiang Chen shook his head, not agreeing.

As one of the most powerful forces on Earth, the HR Alliance is quite likely to possess auxiliary intelligence.

Jarvis is just a rudimentary form of artificial intelligence. If it were to fight against an intelligence from outer space, regardless of the outcome, the likelihood of it exposing its own existence would greatly increase.

Jiang Chen didn't want to take that risk.

The main problem is that we are currently severely lacking in our own strength, so we have to be more careful in our actions.

“Alloy, chip…” Looking at the information Jarvis provided, he began to ponder.

Finding a suitable alternative was not difficult for Jiang Chen.

Whether it's an alloy with sufficient strength or a chip with sufficient computing power, the system's blueprint database contains the necessary components.

As long as we select the most suitable one, produce it, and then gradually expand production capacity, we can meet the needs of the [Boxer].

Of course, this will take a lot of time.

At the same time, it also costs a lot of money.

The manufacturing cost of the first experimental model of the "Boxer" was as high as tens of billions. Even if it can be reduced somewhat after large-scale mass production, it will not be reduced by much.

New alloy formulas and new chips require huge amounts of financial support to transform from system blueprints into physical products and achieve mass production.

Without money, nothing can be accomplished.

"Jarvis, how much money do I have left?" Jiang Chen asked.

Jarvis quickly retrieved Jiang Chen's financial information and reported, "Master, you have 22 billion in cash in your account, and the studio has 65 billion in cash on its books, totaling 87 billion. However, you still owe 780 billion in debt, mainly an interest-free loan to Jiangnan Bank, which needs to be repaid within a year."

Jiang Chen: "..."

I thought that after the collaboration with [The Ripper], I would no longer be short of money, but a few months later, I am still in debt.

Jiang Chen did know about the debt.

The main expenses are for building the supercomputing center and the factory for producing the "Boxer".

Jiang Chen used the subsequent dividends from "The Ripper" as collateral to borrow a huge sum of hundreds of billions from Jiangnan Bank, almost all of which was invested in the supercomputing center and factory buildings.

Jiang Chen immediately asked, "Haven't I received any of the follow-up revenue from [The Ripper]?"

"The patent dividends from the last settlement have already been directly transferred by Jiangnan Bank to offset debts." Jarvis's mechanical, synthesized voice sounded incredibly cold at this moment.

"Tch..." Jiang Chen then remembered that in the contract he signed with Jiangnan Bank, the patent dividends transferred to him by the military would be used to pay off debts first, and would only be deposited into his account after the debts were paid off.

This is also one of the conditions for waiving loan interest.

"In other words, if I want to expand the scale of [Boxers], I need to raise a large sum of money," Jiang Chen muttered to himself.

The money problem isn't unsolvable.

Jiangnan Bank granted Jiang Chen a loan of 500 billion yuan, but he only used 100 billion yuan. He still has 400 billion yuan left to borrow, which he can repay gradually in the future.

Jiang Chen hesitated about whether to use this money as 'seed capital'.

Or, could we find another way to make some more money?

Jiang Chen had no shortage of things that could be sold for money. Not every blueprint provided by the system was useful, but quite a few could be sold for a high price.

However, both paths seem to carry some risks, no matter which one you choose.

"The key is still one's own strength. If one's own strength is strong enough, why would one need to hesitate and look back..." Jiang Chen couldn't help but mutter.

“Master, regarding the plan to form the [Boxer] unit, I suggest we conduct a real-world test before making a decision.” Jarvis suggested, “This experimental model only needs simple modifications: add a computer and remove the communication module. This will allow us to simulate and test whether it can achieve the expected independent combat capability under extreme conditions.”

Jiang Chen pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly and said, "Okay, let's do it that way."