Chapter 31 of 100

Chapter 31

15 min read3,635 words

The sales strategy of scarcity marketing firmly captured the public's interest; the 16 branches of Caiyi Cloth Store sold only 50 to 100 bolts of cloth each day, completely at random, which further piqued the public's curiosity. However, this tactic also tied the public to the store, so much so that they didn't even consider other cloth stores.

Every day, carriages would come from Anyang to Wuyang, unload their goods, and immediately return to Anyang, shuttling back and forth. On the first day, 1,000 bolts of cloth were delivered; on the second day, 1,200 bolts; on the third day, 1,600 bolts; and on the fourth day, 2,000 bolts! Wuyang City became even more bustling.

After that, Li Xian did not increase the number of looms, maintaining a stable production rate of about 2,000 bolts per day. This speed was sufficient for the current needs, and the raw materials were not very abundant.

However, as carriages shuttled through the Qingyun Valley, making it more lively than ever, Li Xian remained frowning. The issue of conductors was causing him great distress.

Others only saw that the sea soul silk could be used temporarily and the temporary prosperity of industry, but they didn't know how great the demand for materials would be in a truly developed industry! Once the industry took off, conductors would be used in tens of thousands or even millions of kilometers. Relying solely on the sea soul silk obtained from the sea creatures was far from enough; not to mention that the sea soul silk was too expensive!

Naturally, the research on conductors ended in failure once again that day.

"Let's continue tomorrow," Li Xian sighed. Although he knew that this matter couldn't be rushed, he couldn't help but be anxious! Developing an industry without conductors was a bizarre situation!

Suddenly, a newly joined cultivator stood up, hesitated for a moment, and then walked to Li Xian, still looking hesitant.

Seeing his hesitation, Li Xian took the initiative, "Yang Qianjiang, what's the matter?"

This newly joined Yang Qianjiang was at the Foundation Establishment stage but was a disabled soldier; his right arm was severed at the elbow, and his left hand was missing the thumb.

Foundation Establishment cultivators should be full of vigor, but severe injuries had almost destroyed Yang Qianjiang's confidence. Now, facing Li Xian, he didn't dare to speak up.

Only when Li Xian asked did Yang Qianjiang hesitantly say, "Young Master, I... I... I want to tell you a... story."

What?

Yang Qianjiang's words surprised everyone. "You want to tell a story to Young Master?"

Li Xian was also taken aback but then smiled, "Sure."

Yang Qianjiang stammered, "Legend has it that ancient immortals used celestial fire... used celestial fire... to refine pure gold from gold, secret silver from silver, red copper from purple copper, and black iron from black iron. It is said that these four metals can be used to forge immortal artifacts."

There are legends that say one thousand pounds of gold can refine one pound of pure gold; others say one hundred pounds can refine one pound.

But... but... but it seems no one has succeeded."

Upon hearing this, Li Xian suddenly stood up, his heart echoing with a loud boom: "That's right, that's right. I always thought about alloys but never considered further refining. This is a different world, after all, and there might be different rules.

Try it, try it, try it! I must try it!

But, what is celestial fire?"

Thus, Li Xian immediately asked the group, "Does anyone know what celestial fire is? Or what are its characteristics? Legends are also fine!"

Everyone immediately started discussing:

"Nobody has seen celestial fire. It is said that in ancient times, celestial fire was already rare."

"It is said that celestial fire appears during the tribulations of ascending to immortality."

"It is said that only immortals can control celestial fire."

"It is said that celestial fire is extremely hot, and nothing can withstand its burning."

"Legend has it that celestial fire can burn through the earth."

"Legend has it that celestial fire is golden yellow."

"No, it's pure white."

"Neither, it's crimson red, like fine jade."

"It's purple."

"It's blue..."

Li Xian didn't laugh but took notes seriously, constantly thinking about the characteristics of celestial fire.

Extremely high temperature, capable of spontaneous combustion, able to destroy almost all substances, with a luster like jade, and an uncertain color. Considering all these properties, Li Xian thought of one thing—plasma!

Plasma, with a variety of colors, but all with one characteristic—extremely high temperature! In another world, the temperature of plasma can reach at least 6,000 degrees, and all materials in the material world can be destroyed! In laboratory conditions, sustained high temperatures of one million degrees and instantaneous high temperatures of 300 million degrees have been achieved!

Yes, it's plasma! Celestial fire is plasma!

A door opened in Li Xian's mind! It must succeed, this time it must succeed! Conductors, conductors.

Since it's plasma, the next step is easier. Ordinary combustion cannot reach the temperature of plasma; on Earth, ultra-high temperatures are achieved using ultra-high voltage electricity.

So, how to generate ultra-high voltage electricity?

Build a power plant! Build a power plant at any cost!

No, just as he was determined, Li Xian thought of a problem. To build a power plant, with his current capabilities and foundation, it was almost impossible—taking at least a few years, which was unacceptable. What about using array techniques?

Right, lightning techniques, palm lightning!

"Does anyone know lightning techniques? Or arrays for lightning techniques?"

Just as he mentioned conductors, he switched to lightning techniques, which left everyone momentarily confused.

Fortunately, someone responded, but the result was not optimistic.

Tang Rong said, "Young Master, palm lightning does exist, but it's not real lightning; it's just a simulated attack using true essence. Moreover, there are no lightning attributes in the world, only yin, yang, and the five elements. The lightning in the sky is just a change in yin, yang, and the five elements."

Li Xian didn't give up: "Is there an array that can generate lightning through the changes in yin, yang, and the five elements?"

"Never heard of it."

Li Xian looked around, and everyone indicated they had never heard of it. Even Xu Ren, the strategist, said he had never heard of it.

Li Xian was disappointed. With so many people saying they had never heard of it, it was almost certain that such arrays did not exist. But why, in this realm where cultivation techniques were everywhere, were there no lightning techniques?

"It's useless!" Everyone gave this straightforward answer.

Useless... Li Xian was speechless, but after an explanation, he understood.

What is the purpose of cultivation? Simply put, to ascend to immortality. Since this is the goal, naturally, the easiest cultivation techniques are chosen. Naturally, resource-rich techniques of the five elements became popular, while resource-poor lightning techniques and other cultivation methods gradually disappeared.

Moreover, the combat ability of lightning techniques was not as good as that of general techniques—after all, many people studied general techniques, and various attack methods were constantly being developed. Moreover, there was no lightning attribute in the world, only yin, yang, and the five elements.

Furthermore, was powerful combat ability more practical than quickly advancing to the next level? Clearly not! Quickly advancing to the next level meant you could easily crush enemies with just two fingers, and a higher level also meant a longer lifespan.

In short, palm lightning exists, but it's just a simulation; true lightning techniques and arrays... Young Master Li Xian would have to research them himself.

Although he encountered difficulties, Li Xian still rewarded Yang Qianjiang with 10 taels of gold, as he had provided a research direction.

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