Kays Translations

Chapter 56: Black Iron (Xuan Iron)

After Fang Shijing left, Li Xian temporarily set the matter aside—whatever the situation, they would wait until Fang Shijing dealt with it before discussing it further.

This waiting lasted until noon the next day, when the temperature finally dropped to a level where they could barely enter.

Li Xian walked at the front. Inside the cave, it was still extremely scorching, and they had to use spells just to barely sustain themselves for a short time. The surroundings had clearly melted and cooled again, resembling the way wax cools after melting. The entire cave was like this. Jade and stone had fused together, and the copper wires around had been completely burned away.

The one-meter-sized iron ball that had originally been placed in the center had disappeared, leaving only a heap of melted ruins. Scattered around were some melted and solidified iron scraps, and in the very center were several scattered, hemispherical “black iron balls.”

These black iron balls were very shiny, glittering like black pearls, and their surfaces were reflective enough to mirror people’s images.

“Xuan Iron! This is Xuan Iron! We’ve really managed to refine Xuan Iron!”

Upon seeing these hemispherical black iron balls, everyone burst into cheers. At this moment, even those who didn’t know much about the wiring situation were exclaiming in amazement. With Xuan Iron, they could forge “magical treasures.”

Nowadays, with various spiritual materials nearly depleted, even Jindan-stage experts often used only “magical tools.”

But how could magical tools compare to magical treasures? With Xuan Iron, they could now forge magical treasures!

Ling Zhifeng stepped forward, picked one up, and shook his head slightly. “There are many impurities, and the quality isn’t as heavy as the legends say. This is just the lowest-grade Xuan Iron, only capable of crafting magical treasures for Foundation Establishment cultivators. It’s still far from the Xuan Iron needed to forge immortal artifacts.”

“Don’t be ungrateful!” Xu Ren said with a smile. “Even a piece of Xuan Iron like this could cause a major conflict if thrown out there.”

Li Xian picked one up and tested it. “Indeed, its conductivity to spiritual energy is very good. The many impurities are actually perfect. If we were to present better Xuan Iron now, we’d be asking for trouble. From my perspective, even this Xuan Iron is too good. We should lower the crafting requirements further—so long as it can conduct spiritual energy for Qi Refining cultivators, it will be sufficient.

Based on estimates, as long as it has the spiritual energy conduction efficiency of a fourth-level Qi Refining spiritual vein, it should meet all current needs. At most, we’d just need to increase the number of formations and the thickness of the wires.”

“Yes, more is absolutely unnecessary!” Tang Rong, who had long been influenced by Li Xian’s thinking, nodded in agreement.

Beichen Yuqing, hearing these wasteful remarks on the scene, gritted his teeth and said, “Although I know this approach is correct, I still have to say, you are too wasteful!”

Li Xian smiled and said, “Mr. Beichen, don’t worry. I will not give up researching better technology, better black iron, and other precious metals like fine gold, mithril, and red copper, or even more advanced metal smelting. However, when our capabilities are insufficient, we must hide our strength and bide our time.

For now, I don’t even dare to bring out the lowest-grade black iron; what we sell externally is just Sea Soul Silk. By controlling the market through Sea Soul Silk, we still need to trade with the sea tribes and gain profits from it.”

As Li Xian spoke, he looked at Xu Ren, his expression serious: “Sir,”

Xu Ren immediately straightened up.

Li Xian slowly began: “Sir, next we will initiate the ‘Explosive Growth Plan.’

First, all the machinery and equipment sold externally must use Sea Soul Silk as wiring.

Second, even internally, some items in the factory should also use Sea Soul Silk to cover our tracks.

Third, we will fully tackle electrical technology and the black iron issue. After solving black iron, we will study red copper, then fine gold and mithril, and finally delve into other metal refining issues.

Additionally, once we have black iron, we can attempt to forge magic artifacts, but they can only be for internal use, and this must be kept strictly confidential.

Fourth, we will research a standardized, industrialized, and efficient black iron wire with fourth-level Qi Refining transmission efficiency.

Fifth, the concrete project needs to accelerate; port construction cannot proceed without concrete.

Sixth, steel smelting technology must expand, with the first goal being the 500-ton ironclad ship project.

Seventh, we must fully expand the textile subsidiary. For at least the next ten years, textiles will be the largest profit generator.

Eighth, increase the production of bearings, spindles, and engines.

Ninth, locomotives, transmission machines, equipment, and machine tools must all keep pace; the metal smelting workshop must add metal drawing processes to prepare for wire production.

Tenth, education efforts must be fully ramped up. If we cannot cultivate successors, our industry will not last long. We need more like-minded people with sufficient ability to work together, and the most reliable ones will be those we train ourselves!

Finally, we need to establish our own Ministry of Commerce. The marketplace is like a battlefield, Mr. Beichen, you…”

Beichen Yuqing immediately straightened his face, “Young master, leave it to me. In at most three years, I will make the name of ‘Brilliant Star’ resound throughout the entire eastern region of Yingzhou!”

The success of black iron gave everyone great motivation—not only because it solved the wire issue, but also because it gave everyone hope—the hope of cultivation! This was just the beginning, and yet the material issue had already been partially resolved. What would happen if development continued from here? 

Everyone was smart, and they immediately envisioned a distant future.

Suddenly, Beichen Yuqing swore an oath to the heavens, declaring that as long as Li Xian didn’t disdain him, he would follow Li Xian forever.

Li Xian, of course, gladly accepted.

Beichen Yuqing made this oath partly out of necessity—he had arrived too late and wanted to integrate himself quickly. Swearing an oath was the best way to do so. On the other hand, he truly saw the future of technology, so he was taking a gamble! And if you’re going to bet, you might as well bet big!

After tidying up the scene and gathering all the black iron, Tang Rong immediately took his team back to begin their research. Meanwhile, Li Xian headed toward his usual office, which was actually not far from the research department.

Upon his return, Li Xian saw a blue dragon flying around in the spacious office. The floor was covered with all sorts of mirrors, glass crystal balls, some pretty colored lights, and glass vessels. The two-meter-long blue dragon was quite vain, occasionally flying to a full-length mirror on the wall to admire itself, striking a smug pose.

Li Xian watched for a long time, yet the dragon seemed completely unaware, still flying around. As it flew, it muttered to itself, “Haha, all of this is mine. Big sis was right—Li Xian is indeed hospitable.”

The blue dragon zipped around for quite some time before it finally “noticed” Li Xian. “Oh, someone’s here! Who are you? Did Li Xian send you? Hurry, hurry, take me to see Li Xian… No, wait, tell Li Xian to come see this Crown Prince. Hmph, tell him I have a big business deal to discuss with him!”

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