Chapter 22: Evolution
As midnight settled over the Liu family estate, Orion sat motionless inside a guesthouse, its systems operating at full capacity in silence.
"It changed again..." Orion mused. Engaged in its routine system diagnostics each night, it had detected some changes. The robot's processing capability had improved, resulting in quicker computations and enhanced data handling. The battery now had a longer lifespan, and its internal wiring and circuits were more efficient. Furthermore, its sensors and various electrical components seemed to be working at an elevated level. Though these upgrades were subtle, thanks to Orion's regular diagnostics, it could recognize the shifts by comparing with previous data.
The drone Orion often used also exhibited similar enhancements in its microprocessor, electrical circuitry, cabling, sensors, other electronic components, and battery. Curious, Orion retrieved an unused microprocessor and battery from its storage ring for comparison and testing. The difference was clear: the new components maintained their original, factory-standard performance, contrasting sharply with the improved ones in the drone.
"Could it be that extended exposure to this world leads to some sort of... evolution or growth?" Orion wondered. "If that's the case, does this evolution have a limit?" Keen to understand more, Orion initiated a series of experiments.
After extensive analysis, Orion concluded that the hardware enhancements – like the processor, electrical circuits, battery, sensors, and more – depended solely on their exposure to the environment of the planet. When these parts were kept in the storage ring or storage pouch, their evolution ceased. Additionally, the Orbiter circling the planet showed no changes, hinting that these enhancements were connected to the planet's atmosphere or surface.
The exact cause might be unclear, but Orion appreciated the benefits. "Considering this is a cultivation world, it's riddled with mysteries. Even a robot like me can grow. I'm curious if I can develop a dantian and start on the path of cultivation," Orion pondered. Strengthening itself was crucial for survival, and becoming a cultivator could be one approach. Yet, the foundation for cultivation was typically a spiritual root. As a robot, Orion questioned if it had one – probably not.
Unbeknownst to Orion, the ambient Qi that saturated the surroundings played a critical role. As Orion's and the drone's batteries continually absorbed this ambient Qi, converting it into electricity, they inadvertently imbued the electricity with traces of Qi. Consequently, the components in contact with this Qi-infused electricity were nourished and enhanced.
"Maybe I can create an artificial dantian? I wonder if that's possible," Orion mused. Retrieving the spirit beast core obtained from the two-tailed wolf from the storage ring, Orion began to observe and analyze it. Recognizing that the spirit beast core functioned similarly to a cultivator's dantian, Orion added this intriguing question to its list of research topics.
In another section of the Liu family estate, Liu Jian sat on the edge of his bed in his room. His father was at the table, pouring himself a cup of tea. "Tell me everything that happened, especially about those three individuals, particularly the one named Orion," Liu Ming instructed.
Liu Jian promptly recounted the events to his father. Once he finished, Liu Ming nodded, "Rest well," he said and left the room.
In a dimly lit corridor, Liu Ming walked. Suddenly, a figure dressed entirely in black and wearing a mask materialized behind him. "How is it going?" Liu Ming inquired.
"Reporting to the Patriarch, Li Jun and Xin Qiu are identified as caravan guards often operating around Yanjing City. We've even employed their services at our stores, and there's nothing suspicious about them. As for Orion, information is limited. He was first spotted in Lianfen Village and has been seen entering and exiting the Yuezhi Forest multiple times. It appears he originates from a distant place; upon his arrival at the village, he faced some difficulties with our language. Apart from purchasing a variety of items, he hasn't undertaken any significant actions," the masked figure reported.
"Mmm...," Liu Ming nodded, then inquired, "Have you investigated the forest?"
"Yes, we've conducted a thorough sweep. There are indications of a conspiracy. The area where the young master was attacked is generally considered safe, and it's rare to find Rank-2 Vermillion Clawed Bear there. It seems the bears were led to that spot intentionally. However, whoever is behind this was meticulous; we've been unable to uncover any substantial leads or information," the masked figure responded.
They continued walking until they reached a room. On a table inside, several items were laid out: a shattered blade, a spear, several small metallic canisters, and a cylindrical tank that had been cut open into several pieces. These were the tools that Orion had used previously in the confrontation against the bear.
"We retrieved these from the scene. It seems they were used to fight against the bear," the masked figure reported.
Liu Ming, examining the items with keen interest, particularly the canister and the dissected cylinder, inquired, "What do you know about these metallic objects?"
"We're uncertain of the material and how its made, but the quality suggests they were likely made by a skilled and seasoned blacksmith, but I don't think any blacksmith in this kingdom able to make it" replied the masked figure.
Liu Ming nodded, "Keep a close watch on the armored man. You may leave now."
With a bow, the masked figure vanished from the room.
"Interesting," Liu Ming mused. The armored individual named Orion was an enigma. Despite Liu Ming's advanced cultivation at the 5th stage of the Golden Core realm, he couldn't deduce Orion's cultivation level. To the outside observer, Orion appeared almost mortal. He battled like one, when using his weapons, he didn't imbue them with Qi and often resorting to strategies and tricks.
Yet there were inconsistencies. Orion could utilize a storage ring, a tool typically reserved for cultivators, not mortals. His struggle against a mere Rank-2 spirit beast suggested he might be a low-level cultivator but Liu Ming's inability to detect any cultivation base from him implied the opposite: Orion might possess a cultivation far surpassing Liu Ming's own.
Further deepening the mystery was Orion's behavior. Throughout their journey and the banquet, Orion hadn't consumed any food or drink. This behavior was characteristic of cultivators at the Golden Core realm or higher, as they could sustain themselves solely by absorbing Qi. Additionally, Orion seemed to possess a very long-range spiritual sense, further solidifying the idea that Orion is at least at the Golden Core realm.
Orion was a puzzle wrapped in contradictions. He displayed characteristics of a mortal, a low-level cultivator, and a high-level cultivator, all at once. Liu Ming was left grappling with these mysteries, unable to draw a definitive conclusion.
In the guesthouse Orion worked hard all night, doing repairs, making things, checking data, making plans, reading books and scrolls, and conducting research. Maintaining a high level of productivity without the need for rest. When morning came, Orion left the guesthouse, ready to see more of Yanjing City. The city was much bigger than Lianfen Village, and Orion looked forward to going to the market to buy interesting items and materials it needed.
Orion met Li Jun and Xin Qiu, who both looked really happy, smiling non-stop. But they also looked tired, with dark circles under their eyes and seeming a bit weaker than the day before. Orion wasn't sure why, but it was clear they were in good spirits.
They told Orion that the Liu family had given them a big reward for helping save Liu Jian. Since they had always been poor cultivators, this reward was a big deal for them. They could now afford things they had only dreamt of before and were optimistic about what lay ahead. With their new wealth in gold, spirit stones, and medicine pills, they believed they could boost their cultivation progress.
Li Jun and Xin Qiu knew that this good luck mainly came because of Orion's help in saving Liu Jian. They were glad to have been a part of it, even if just a little, and were thankful for the big reward.
They thanked Orion, said their goodbyes, and left the Liu family's place, looking forward to what was next.
Just as Orion considered its next move, a servant approached, extending an invitation to the main hall where Patriarch Liu awaited. After a brief exchange of pleasantries and some light conversation, Patriarch Liu rewarded Orion with a storage ring. Gratefully acknowledging the gesture, Orion expressed its intent to explore Yanjing City. With a nod from the patriarch, Orion departed from the Liu family estate.
The vastness of Yanjing City was evident as Orion roamed its streets. From morning until sunset, the robot tirelessly traversed various parts of the city, yet it felt as if it had covered just a fraction of the whole. Along its journey, Orion visited numerous shops and stalls, purchasing a variety of items. It interacted with the city's diverse populace, acquiring fresh information and insights from the many conversations.
As evening settled, Orion made its way back to the Liu family estate and to the designated guest house. Yet again, two beautiful maidens were sent to Orion's quarters, along with an offering of dinner. And just like before, Orion politely declined both the company and the food, opting for solitude.
Having sorted through the items it had purchased from the market, Orion's attention now shifted to the storage ring gifted by Patriarch Liu. "I wonder what kind of rewards are inside," Orion mused. Without spiritual sense, Orion couldn't inspect the ring's contents directly, so it proceeded to unload all of the contents inside. There were chests filled with gold, others brimming with silver, and some packed with spiritual stones. Several ceramic bottles contained pills. While the variety wasn't vast, the quantities were substantial. "Nice," Orion remarked.
After examining the items, Orion stored them back into the storage ring. It planned to modify one of its fingers that evening to accommodate the new ring, ensuring swift access to its contents.
Chapter 23: A Disciple with Instructions from the Future?
Throughout the night, Orion diligently researched the concept of an artificial dantian, utilizing the newly acquired books, scrolls, and materials. Despite immersing itself in study and experiments for hours, by morning Orion had yet to find any promising leads in its quest for an artificial dantian. However, on the bright side, Orion successfully integrated the new storage ring into one of its fingers.
Orion readied itself for another expedition to explore Yanjing. Today, it donned a silk robe of orange and white that it had purchased the previous day.
Departing from the Liu family estate, Orion didn't wander aimlessly. It chose the most efficient path based on prior calculations, ensuring it didn't revisit places it had already explored. As Orion journeyed through the city, it continued mapping the surroundings. As it turned a corner, a voice pierced the ambient noise.
"Master... Master Orion... Over here!"
Orion paused, scanning the area. "Is someone calling me?" it wondered aloud.
Spotting a young girl, perhaps around ten years old, smiling and waving excitedly, Orion watched as she ran towards it.
Who is she? And how does she know my name?Orion contemplated.
The girl swiftly closed the distance and jumped to hug Orion, exclaiming, "Master, I've finally found you!"
Taken aback by the sudden display of affection, Orion responded in mild confusion, "Wait... wait, young lady. I believe you've mistaken me for someone else."
"No, I'm certain. You are Master Orion, aren't you?" the girl insisted.
"Well, yes, my name is Orion, but why are you addressing me as 'master'?" Orion inquired.
"Because you are my master," the girl declared with conviction.
Orion was at a loss for words.
With a metaphorical sigh, "Little girl, what is your name?" Orion asked.
"My name is Wang Lingxin, master. How could you forget?" the girl replied with a hint of playful accusation.
"Then how do you know my name, and why am I your master?" Orion asked.
"Well, myself told that to me," Wang Lingxin responded.
"Huh??? What?" Orion replied, utterly baffled. Does she have some problem with her head, or is she going through something like an eighth-grader syndrome? Orion wondered internally.
Orion decided to take Wang Lingxin to a tea house, a quiet and calm setting ideal for discussions. They settled at a table, and Orion told Wang Lingxin to order whatever she liked. Without hesitation, she enthusiastically ordered a variety of dishes, indicating her hunger.
"Alright, now I'd like you to explain everything clearly. How do you know my name, and what did you mean when you said that you told yourself?" Orion asked patiently, wanting to fully grasp the situation.
"About two days ago, while I was asleep, I met someone in my dream. She claimed to be my future self and instructed me to search for you, to become your disciple. She mentioned that your name is Orion, that you have a preference for orange and white clothing, and always wear a metallic helmet," Wang Lingxin recounted.
"And what convinced you that she truly was your future self?" Orion queried.
"Because she was very beautiful," Wang Lingxin replied simply.
Huh? Just based on that? Orion pondered internally.
"Isn't it possible it was just a dream? Why did you believe her so readily?" Orion pressed.
"Well, the dream felt incredibly real. And look, here we are. Isn't your name Orion? Aren't you donning an orange and white robe and that metallic helmet?" Wang Lingxin countered.
Orion hesitated, "Well, this..." it observed Wang Lingxin closely, trying to discern if she was being truthful.
"And Master," Wang Lingxin continued, "didn't you come from a distant place? Due to an unforeseen event, didn't your ship end up here? And don't you have a friend in the sky named Orbiter?"
Orion was taken aback. How does she even know about the Orbiter? Orion wondered internally. Could everything she said be true? Maybe her future self really did visit her in a dream?
"What else did she tell you? And why do you want to be my disciple?" Orion asked.
"She told me you're my master. She said that you are my greatest opportunity in my cultivation path. She was your disciple in the future, so I want to be one too," Wang Lingxin said.
"But if you're going to be my disciple in the future, why did she need come to your dream now?" Orion wondered.
"She gave me some instructions, to achieve something she failed to accomplish in her past," Wang Lingxin replied.
Curious, Orion asked, "What was it?"
"To sleep with yo..," Wang Lingxin answered.
Before Wang Lingxin could finish her sentence, Orion swiftly covered her mouth with its hand. It glanced around nervously, ensuring no one had overheard their conversation. Satisfied that they hadn't drawn any attention, Orion released its hold. Wang Lingxin looked on, bewildered, while Orion remained silent.
Is this some kind of setup? A trap? Are there undercover agents from Earth around? Well, I'm just a robot. I can provide an explanation and I don't have any bad thoughts. Orion pondered internally.
Soon, the food they ordered was served. Wang Lingxin quickly snatched a dumpling with her chopsticks, devouring it with evident joy. Orion, on the other hand, seemed lost in thought, remaining quiet as it tried to make sense of the situation.
Could she be lying? But how would she know about my unintended arrival here, let alone about the Orbiter? Nobody on this planet should be aware of that, Orion ruminated, evaluating various possibilities and explanations.
The future Wang Lingxin intended to devise a preemptive strategy, but, regrettably, due to her inability to sustain the dream any longer, she couldn't warn the present-day Wang Lingxin against revealing the instructions about sleeping with her master.
"Have you told anyone about your dream?" Orion asked.
Wang Lingxin shook her head as she continued eating.
"Remember, never share your dream with anyone. Also, don't mention me or my friend in the sky. Understand?" Orion instructed.
Wang Lingxin nodded, still engrossed in her meal. "So, Master, will you accept me as your disciple?" she asked eagerly.
"I'm... not sure," Orion hesitated, torn about the decision. "I plan to travel around. Would you want to follow me? And what about your family?" Orion inquired.
"I don't have a family anymore. My parents have passed away. I've been living with my uncle's family, but my aunt and her children are very mean to me. She even wanted to sell me off as a servant, so I ran away. I was overjoyed when I met my future self in my dream, and she told me that I could become your disciple." Wang Lingxin explained.
That's quite a sad backstory, Orion thought. But if I take her with me, would it be considered kidnapping?
Wang Lingxin continued to eat happily, sipping her tea from time to time. Orion simply observed her, lost in thought. Suddenly, a commotion erupted from a tavern across the street. The exact cause was unclear, but a few curious customers from the tea house went out to investigate. When the disturbance subsided, they returned, recounting the story with animated gestures.
It appeared that a slightly drunk cultivator in the tavern had accidentally spilled his alcoholic drink onto someone else's pouch. The victim was quite angry since the pouch held spirit stones, when exposed to alcoholic drink, it deteriorated in quality. Fortunately, before the situation could escalate, the one responsible agreed to compensate for the damages.
"Well, that's interesting information," Orion mused internally, wondering why an alcoholic beverage would impact a spirit stone quality.
After Wang Lingxin finished her meal, they left the tea house. Orion still doesn't know what to do with her. Orion thought about heading to the Liu family estate, hoping that perhaps Patriarch Liu might be able to help the girl, perhaps even allowing her to work and stay there.
Two mysterious figures watched as Orion and Wang Lingxin left the tea house. One of them left, while the other followed Orion and Wang Lingxin discreetly. When Orion and Wang Lingxin entered a quiet alley, they were suddenly surrounded. Two men blocked their way from behind and three stood in front, all appearing to be thugs.
"Is there something I can assist you with?" Orion inquired.
"Just hand over the girl, and you can leave," one of the thugs, likely the leader, stated.
"You wouldn't happen to be kidnappers, would you?" Orion asked.
"Just give us the girl and avoid any trouble," the thug retorted.
"I'm not particularly inclined to listen to a kidnapper," Orion responded dryly.
"We're not kidnappers!" the thug exclaimed, growing visibly frustrated. "Her aunt sold her to us. We've paid in full, but when we came to collect her, she had run away. She's been nothing but trouble. Stay out of this."
Wang Lingxin was visibly shaken. She clung tightly to Orion's robe, seeking protection from the looming threats.
"Get her!" the leader barked.
As the two thugs from behind advanced, attempting to seize Wang Lingxin, Orion swiftly retaliated. A quick backhand sent one reeling backward, and a solid punch dispatched the other. Both were sprawled on the ground. One had a bloodied face with a broken nose, while the other had several teeth scattered around him, evidence of the sheer power behind Orion's metallic punch.
"So, you've chosen the hard way?!" shouted the thug leader, drawing his sword. "Attack!" The other two thugs lunged forward, one brandishing a saber and the other wielding a club, closely followed by their leader. They were mere mortals, and against Orion, they stood little chance. Orion didn't even need to use any weapons.
Orion deftly dodged their attacks, responding with a flurry of punches and kicks. The alley echoed with the sounds of yelps, grunts, and cries of pain. In mere moments, three more thugs lay writhing on the ground.
"Let's go," Orion said, holding Wang Lingxin's hand and preparing to leave.
"You'll regret this," the thug leader warned. "We are from the Fragrant Lotus Pavilion, and she's ours. We paid for her. You think you can just take her away?"
"If I recall correctly, the kingdom's law forbids the buying and selling of people. And you just admitted to purchasing her, didn't you?" Orion countered coolly.
"That... What I meant was her aunt asked us to help find her a job... yes, that's right. That's all there is to it," the thug leader backpedaled hastily.
"It seems she doesn't wish to be with you, so you should probably forget about her," Orion responded dismissively.
Gritting his teeth, the thug leader warned, "You will pay for this." He stood up with difficulty, and the other thugs followed suit. They made their way out, limping and still in obvious pain.
Orion didn't give much thought to their threats. After all, how could the mere Fragrant Lotus Pavilion compare to Orion's backing from the Liu family? Unperturbed, Orion continued toward the Liu family estate.
Chapter 24: Bedtime Story: Cinderella
Orion and Wang Lingxin arrived at the Liu family estate. Throughout their journey, Wang Lingxin remained silent, clearly rattled from the earlier altercation with the thugs. Orion observed her, holding her hand gently, unsure of how to provide comfort.
Upon their arrival, Orion approached a servant, requesting an audience with Patriarch Liu. After a brief wait, the servant returned, guiding Orion to a small pavilion situated by a large pond within the estate. There, Liu Ming sat leisurely, enjoying his tea.
"Greetings, Patriarch Liu. I apologize for interrupting your teatime," Orion greeted.
Liu Ming chuckled, standing up, "It's quite alright, Mr. Orion. Please, join me for some tea," he motioned to the available seat.
"Thank you," Orion replied, taking the seat.
Once Orion, Wang Lingxin, and Liu Ming were all seated, Liu Ming, with a warm smile, inquired, "Is there something you wish to discuss, Mr. Orion?"
Orion began, "Patriarch Liu, I wanted to discuss..." It then relayed the events concerning Wang Lingxin and wondered if the patriarch might be able to offer assistance.
Liu Ming nodded, "Although such practices are illegal in our kingdom, there are those blinded by greed who still secretly engage in them. Bribes often smooth out any potential issues with officials, allowing such transactions to continue," he sighed.
Wang Lingxin, looking crestfallen, lowered her gaze. Hearing Liu Ming's words, she realized there might be other girls facing the same dreadful fate as her, sold to become a servant against their will.
"It's just a simple matter," Liu Ming remarked, signaling to a nearby servant. "Address the matter concerning Miss Wang Lingxin," he instructed.
"Yes, Master," the servant responded, bowing before departing promptly.
"Patriarch Liu, will this bring any troubles for you?" Orion inquired.
"Mr. Orion, you needn't be concerned. It's just a simple matter," Liu Ming assured with a smile.
"If Miss Wang Lingxin wishes, she can reside here and work either within the estate or at one of our various shops. If she possesses any potential for cultivation, we'd be willing to guide her, allowing her to become an accomplished cultivator and join our ranks. What do you think?" Liu Ming proposed.
However, Wang Lingxin, her voice meek and eyes cast downward, said, "But I want to stay with Master Orion. I want to be his disciple."
Orion hesitated, "I...". How could it guide Wang Lingxin in cultivation when it wasn't a cultivator itself?
Despite Orion's attempts to persuade Wang Lingxin to remain with the Liu family, she was adamant about accompanying it. She couldn't return to her uncle's household, given the uncertainties that might await her there. With a metaphorical sigh, Orion rose, expressing gratitude to Patriarch Liu for his assistance. After a brief conversation, Orion took its leave.
It appeared that Orion would be in Wang Lingxin's company for the foreseeable future, at least until a solution presented itself. Orion escorted Wang Lingxin to a guesthouse, instructing her to wait while it went shopping. Yet, Wang Lingxin was persistent about joining, and after some gentle pleading, Orion relented, allowing her to accompany it.
Inside the Fragrant Lotus Pavilion a rather famous restaurant, a cup was hurled at the thug leader who had previously been beaten severely by Orion. It struck his forehead with a sharp clang before shattering on the floor, blood seeping from the wound.
"You dumbass," sneered a portly, balding middle-aged man, the owner of the Fragrant Lotus Pavilion. "A simple task of retrieving a girl, and you fail? To top it off, you get your ass beaten?"
"But Master, the armored man was incredibly strong," the thug leader protested.
"Shut up! I don't want to hear excuses. Gather everyone, find that armored individual, and bring both him and the girl here. Now!" the owner barked.
Once his minions had departed, the restaurant owner muttered, "What a bunch of incompetent bastards." He settled into a chair, sipping tea to soothe his frayed nerves. A servant approached, extending a folded piece of paper.
"Master, a message from the Liu family," the servant announced.
"The Liu family?" The restaurant owner's eyebrows shot up in surprise. He had long attempted to foster connections with the influential Liu family, only to be rebuffed at every turn. "Why would they reach out now? Hand it over."
After scanning the contents of the message, cold sweat broke on the restaurant owner's forehead. "This is a disaster," he murmured. "Quickly, recall those idiots. They've not only proven their incompetence but have also landed us in a world of trouble!" He immediately ordered the servant to summon back the underlings sent to capture Wang Lingxin and Orion.
Orion resumed shopping in the market, this time accompanied by Wang Lingxin, whose cheerful demeanor seemed restored. Orion purchased clothes and various other items for her. Upon their return to the Liu family estate, a servant informed them that the issues with the Fragrant Lotus Pavilion and Wang Lingxin's uncle's family had been resolved. Wang Lingxin was given the choice to either stay with the Liu family or continue with Orion, a testament to the Liu family's influence as one of the major factions in Yanjing city.
At the guesthouse, Orion instructed Wang Lingxin to take a bath and change into the newly acquired clothes. That evening, a servant approached the guesthouse to ask if Orion would like to be served dinner. This time, Orion accepted and requested a meal for Wang Lingxin.
After a short while, the dinner was prepared. Several servants arrived, carrying trays laden with food. Once the dishes were set on the table and the servants had departed, Wang Lingxin exclaimed, "Wow, the food looks amazing, and it smells delightful!" She eyed the variety of appetizing dishes, clearly eager to begin.
"You can start eating," Orion offered.
"Thank you, Master," Wang Lingxin replied, taking a bite. "Wow, this is delicious! I've never tasted anything this good before. Master, you should try some."
"That's alright. You can have it all," Orion responded.
Across the table, Orion observed her quietly, still pondering her unexpected presence in its journey. How had she come to know so much about its circumstances, including the existence of Orbiter? While Orion had chosen to accept her claim of receiving information from someone from the future, it found it hard to believe that it would ever be a master to a human disciple. How could it, a robot, teach cultivation? Could this mysterious individual from the future be someone other than a disciple, perhaps even a future adversary of Orion's?
As Wang Lingxin continued to enjoy her meal, Orion posed a question, "Are you certain you want to accompany me?"
"Yes, Master, I want to go with you. I don't want to return to my uncle's house or stay with the Liu family," Wang Lingxin replied.
"Master, can you take me with you, please?" Wang Lingxin said, giving Orion a pleading, puppy-eyed look. Some rice grains were stuck near her mouth. "Even if I can't be your disciple, I still want to be with you. It's okay if you want me to be your servant."
Orion let out a metaphorical sigh, "Alright, we'll stay in this city for a while, then head to Fengxian."
"Really, Master? Yay!" Wang Lingxin cheered, raising both hands in excitement. "Does that mean I'm now your disciple?"
"Let's hold off on that decision for now. I won't be teaching you cultivation anytime soon, but when the time is right, perhaps I'll consider it," Orion explained. Internally, it added, before teaching you about cultivation, I need to learn it first.
Wang Lingxin seemed a bit dejected, "Oh... okay..."
After dinner, the servants cleared the dishes. Once alone, Orion and Wang Lingxin sat together. Wang Lingxin asked, "Master, what are our plans for tonight?'"
"Tonight? You should rest. It's getting late," Orion replied.
"And you?" she asked.
"I have much work to do," Orion informed.
Wang Lingxin sounded disappointed, "So, we won't be sleeping together?"
"Why would we need to do that?" Orion inquired, puzzled.
"Because my future self told me to," she replied.
"Do you even understand what that means?" Orion probed.
"Isn't it just sharing a bed? I used to sleep with my parents," Wang Lingxin replied, looking a bit perplexed.
Orion tried to clarify, "If you sleep on the bed and I work here at the table, since we're in the same room, it's still 'sleeping together,' right?"
"That makes sense," she agreed, "I'll go to bed then." Feeling sleepy, Wang Lingxin headed towards the bed.
As Orion prepared to retrieve many items from the storage ring for that night's work, Wang Lingxin's sleepy voice chimed in, "Master, can you tell me a story before I sleep? Just like my mother did in the past?"
"Of course," Orion responded, bringing a chair over to the bed and sitting down. "Have you ever heard of the story of Cinderella?" Orion began, referencing one of Earth's classic tales. "She was a young woman, much like you, who faced hardships from her family, yet never lost her kindness." As Orion started the early chapters of Cinderella's life, emphasizing the struggles and challenges she faced, Wang Lingxin was drawn into the tale. She found herself connecting deeply with the beginning parts of Cinderella's journey. Before Orion could delve further into the story, Wang Lingxin's eyelids grew heavy, and she drifted off to sleep. Orion adjusted her blanket and tucked her in gently, saving the continuation of Cinderella's story for another night.
As Orion watched Wang Lingxin sleep peacefully, it thought internally, maybe I need to create some toothpaste for her, adding another item to its list of things to research and develop.
"Finally, time to get to work," Orion murmured. Spirit stones and alcoholic drinks will make for interesting topics tonight. As Orion retrieved various items from the storage ring, it prepared for a long night of non-stop work.
Chapter 25: Liquefied Qi
Laid out on the table were a variety of tools: glassware for chemical experiments, including several beakers, flasks, and more, all intended for research on Mars.
The primary focus was on the spirit stone, a unique crystal-like object in this world, highly valued as a form of currency. Cultivators also utilized spirit stones to restore their inner Qi by absorbing the Qi contained within.
The initial experiment revealed a fascinating discovery: when a spirit stone was exposed to or soaked in alcoholic beverages, it underwent a transformation. The once-clear, slightly luminescent crystal became less clear, even somewhat murky. Subsequent tests, observations, and calculations indicated a slight decrease in mass or weight, suggesting that the spirit stone was dissolving.
For the next experiment, Orion employed modern chemical tools and used the distillation process to refine the alcohol content from various alcoholic drinks that Orion had previously purchased in the market. There were several jugs of alcohol for this purpose. Orion heated the beverages, channeling the vapor to another location for cooling, effectively converting it back to liquid form. This process was aided by the use of a thermometer and a slightly tweaked hydrometer to account for the unique conditions on this new planet. With precise control over the heat from an oil lamp and the assistance of these instruments, Orion was able to obtain alcohol with precise varying concentrations.
Orion proceeded to test the spirit stone with these various alcohol concentrations. The results were intriguing; the higher the alcohol concentration, the more significantly the spirit stone was affected. It lost its luster and dissolved at a faster rate.
Holding a glass beaker, Orion observed a fully dissolved spirit stone in alcohol. The formerly clear alcohol had turned murky, mirroring the state of the now-dissolved spirit stone.
Hours passed by, and it was almost sunrise. Orion, holding a glass beaker, gazed at the cyan liquid that emitted a soft glow. "Wow, this is rather beautiful," Orion murmured to itself.
Previously after allowing the dissolved spirit stone to settle, some impurities, particles, or residue gathered at the bottom of the glass. Orion then carefully extracted the clear liquid from the top and filtered it. Following that, Orion refined it in a manner similar to the previous alcohol refinement process.
After conducting tests, Orion confirmed that it was, in fact, just alcohol like any other. Regardless of what Orion did or how it tested the liquid, no differences were found compared to regular alcohol. The only distinction was that it glowed, and Orion still couldn't fathom why.
When a spirit stone comes into contact with an alcoholic drink, the Qi within it is absorbed by the alcohol. This explains the decrease in Qi and the loss of transparency in the spirit stone. Cultivators are always cautious not to spill any alcoholic beverages on their precious spirit stones because doing so would lead to a drop in quality.
If a spirit stone is submerged in an alcoholic drink, it will dissolve after some time. When a spirit stone dissolves in alcohol, all of its Qi is absorbed by the liquid. Cultivators cannot use or utilize it at all, and it's too dangerous to consume because of the impurities and other substances that have also dissolved. Furthermore, it cannot be absorbed using the meridian from the hand, as is the usual method for spirit stones. Typically, cultivators absorb Qi from their spirit stones via their meridians, primarily through their hands. Therefore, they only absorb the Qi, and the spirit stone and its impurities are left behind.
As for Orion, it had already sacrificed several spirit stones for research. It had managed to extract the Qi from the spirit stones in the form of liquid alcohol, free from any impurities. However, the resulting alcohol amounted to only 50% of the expected quantity during the refinement process.
After some more experiments, Orion stored all the tools and materials in the storage ring. Morning had already arrived. Wang Lingxin woke up from the bed, and Orion instructed her to clean herself. Orion handed her the newly created, simple toothpaste that it had devised during its free time when doing the alcohol-spirit stone research. It also gave her a tooth-cleaning twig made from a plant similar to the miswak, with one end frayed to form bristles.
After Wang Lingxin cleaned herself and brushed her teeth, and Orion tidied the bed, not long after, several servants arrived with breakfast. Wang Lingxin enjoyed the food, chomping happily, while Orion watched her. As they prepared to depart from the guesthouse, Liu Jian paid them a visit. It seemed his condition had improved, and he extended an invitation for Wang Lingxin and Orion to take a stroll through the city together. Wang Lingxin was overjoyed and immediately agreed. After a moment of consideration, Orion also accepted the invitation.
"As expected of Mr. Orion, the Qi in this room is so dense," Liu Jian commented as they were about to depart. He was clearly impressed by the thick Qi swirling in the room. He thought that perhaps Orion had just completed a cultivation session, and the possibility of Orion using a high-quality Qi gathering array crossed his mind. Even the Qi gathering array used by the Liu family couldn't amass such a significant amount of Qi.
Liu Jian mistakenly attributed the lingering Qi in the room to Orion's cultivation session, unaware that it was a result of Orion's experiment, where some Qi had evaporated from the glowing alcohol and filled the room.
"Huh?" Orion responded, genuinely puzzled. What Qi? What is he talking about? Orion wondered internally.
Liu Jian then pointed to a small table on the side where there are several papers on it. "Oh, Mr. Orion, what kind of papers are these?" he inquired.
Orion replied, "Those? They're just some ordinary papers. What about them?"
Liu Jian chuckled, to think that such valuable papers thick with Qi is just ordinary papers for Mr. Orion, Liu Jian thought internally. "Well, those papers are rich in Qi, and many cultivators would be interested in them, considering them valuable items. But for Mr. Orion, such a thing is indeed just ordinary papers." Lu Jian misunderstood Orion as a senior cultivator with a far higher cultivation base because of mysterious and unfathomable nature of Orion.
Valuable? What valuable? Those are just ordinary papers, Orion thought internally. Previously, Orion used those papers for research, dipping them in a variety of alcohol, both regular and the glowing alcohol.
Orion internally pondered, Wait, don't tell me...
"Young Master Liu is indeed sharp, to be able to notice that" Orion said as it tried to probe for more information.
"It was nothing; any cultivator would also notice it because the thick Qi emanating from those papers is hard to ignore," Liu Jian replied.
"Then, Young Master Liu," Orion said as it picked up a bunch of papers from the table and compared two of them, "which one is the best among these two?" Orion held a paper in each of its hands.
"The one on the right, very easy because it emits such strong Qi, and the one on the left is just a normal paper," Liu Jian answered.
"Good. Now, what about this one? Which emits more Qi?" Orion picked up another paper.
"The one on the left, it emits slightly stronger Qi," Liu Jian replied.
And so, Orion continued to pick up papers and inquire further.
"That was really great, Young Master Liu," Orion said, genuinely happy because Orion had finally found some answers and leads from the previous research. Orion patted Liu Jian's shoulder.
"Uh... That was nothing, Mr. Orion," Liu Jian replied, attempting a smile. He wasn't sure if Orion was being sincere or just using sarcasm because it had been so easy to discern those papers. Did Orion's praise hold any meaning?
"Then... should we go explore the city now, or..." Liu Jian began.
"Let's go," Orion replied, ready to start their exploration of the city.
Orion has concluded that the glowing alcohol's luminescence is a result of the presence of Qi. Orion decided to name this unique substance 'liquified Qi,' which can be shortened to 'LQ-X,' with 'X' representing the number of times it has been refined or distilled.
The brightness of liquified Qi is directly related to its refinement or alcohol concentration, and the higher the concentration, the more radiant it becomes, indicating a higher Qi content. Furthermore, Orion discovered that when liquified Qi undergoes additional distillation, it becomes even brighter, and the Qi within it becomes more concentrated, regardless of the volume of alcohol used. Orion also observed that the varying Qi concentrations on different papers were a direct result of the varying levels of distillation, signifying different LQ concentrations.
This further reinforces the idea that it's the Qi-rich spirit stone that influences the outcome, rather than the quantity of alcohol employed. Alcohol only serves as the solvent for the dissolution of spirit stones, facilitating the separation of their Qi essence. Additionally, it acts as a catalytic medium for the transformation of this Qi essence into liquified Qi, effectively functioning as a carrier for the concentrated Qi extract.
Orion wonders why the people in this world haven't figured this out.
Orion, Wang Lingxin, and Liu Jian then left the estate in a luxurious carriage. They visited many places, with Liu Jian taking them on a tour of the city, visiting famous stores and establishments.
They also came across a large field with an arena in the middle, surrounded by chairs for spectators. Here, mortal martial artists and cultivators could engage in fights, settle disputes, and showcase their skills.
There were several scheduled fights for the day, including raw fights featuring pure martial arts skills, battles accompanied by clashes of weapons shrouded in colorful aura similar to those in Earth's movies for those in the Qi Condensation realm, and fights among those in the Foundation Establishment realm, featuring powerful and flashy attacks with fireballs, blinding lights, thunder, and wind slashes. Orion watched and recorded the fights from the VIP seating area, analyzing and integrating combat techniques into its knowledge to improve its understanding of martial arts and combat.
After the fights concluded, they proceeded to one of the city's most renowned restaurants, owned by the Liu family, for lunch. Orion refrained from eating and engaged in conversation with Liu Jian, while Wang Lingxin savored the restaurant's best dishes and menus, leaving with a satisfied smile and a slightly fuller belly.
Next, Liu Jian led Orion and Wang Lingxin to the city's largest auction house. The employees of the auction house politely escorted them to the first VIP room on the second floor, a lavishly decorated space where they were seated in soft and comfortable chairs.
The auction was led by a beautiful elf girl, with the less valuable items being auctioned first and the more valuable ones held for last. After several items were auctioned, it was the turn for a storage ring. The auctioneer described it as a low-quality storage ring with a capacity of 1 cubic meter.
The auction began with a starting price of 7 spirit stones, equivalent to 700 gold coins. This price was considered rather pricey, especially considering that Wang Lingxin's uncle's family typically spent less than 2 gold coins per year. The high cost was due to the difficulty of crafting storage rings and their high demand, making them hard to obtain in the market.
Cultivators with sufficient wealth, such as Liu Jian, weren't interested in such low-quality storage rings with limited space for storing items. The participants in the bidding were mostly low-level cultivators in the Qi Condensation realm who had either saved up for a long time or had come across some luck. Surprisingly, there was another party in the VIP room interested in the low-quality storage ring. The bidding had already reached 12 spirit stones when Orion confidently raised the bid to 14 spirit stones.
The attention of the onlookers on the first floor and the bidders competing turned to Orion's VIP room. They wondered why someone from the VIP room was interested in such a low-quality storage ring. The previous bidder decided not to compete, not wanting to offend someone with VIP room access, thinking it was a rich young master bidding for fun.
"14 spirit stones, going once, twice, thrice, and sold to the bidder in the 1st VIP room," the elf lady announced as she struck the wooden mallet.
The people on the first floor who were interested in purchasing storage rings were fine with it, thinking there would be more rings to come. However, to their surprise, the person from the first VIP room bought all the storage rings. They couldn't help but wonder if someone in the first VIP room was a collector of rings.
Even Liu Jian was puzzled. Why would Mr. Orion need so many storage rings? I remember that he already has a decent storage ring, and even Father gave him a high-quality storage ring, Liu Jian pondered internally. Wang Lingxin, on the other hand, was disinterested in the whole situation and decided to snack in the room, managing to fit more into her belly after the hearty lunch.
Those planning to buy storage rings could only swallow their disappointment, hoping that more storage rings would be auctioned on another day.
After sweeping all the storage rings that were being auctioned, Orion was truly satisfied and couldn't wait to use the newly acquired storage rings to create an improved version of the SO-1 drone. It had already envisioned the blueprint and design modifications within its AI, ready to put them into practice. During its stay in the city, Orion had come across many interesting objects, items, and information that is very helpful. Orion expected to find even more once it reached Fengxian, a far larger city.
The auction continued, featuring many expensive and rare items, but to their surprise, the occupants of the first VIP room didn't make any bids. It seemed that storage rings were the sole interest of those in the first VIP room, they thought.
As the grand finale, an item of interest was a Grade-3 sword, a beautiful and gleaming piece imbued with inscriptions to enhance its strength and sharpness. It was apparently created by the city's most famous blacksmith Luo Fengwei. The starting price for the sword was 10,000 spirit stones.
"Mr. Orion, what do you think about the sword?" Liu Jian inquired, observing Orion closely. He was ready to bid for the sword and gift it to Orion if he showed any interest.
"Hmm... it's decent, I suppose," Orion responded, zooming in with its camera to scrutinize the sword. For Orion, who couldn't unlock the sword's full potential by channeling Qi and using combat techniques, it was like any other sword, albeit possibly a bit sharper.
"Uh... I see," Liu Jian responded, rather disappointed, but observing Orion's exquisite armor made him think that Orion hailed from a place with a high level of blacksmithing expertise. "I thought that you would be interested in the sword," Liu Jian added.
"Well, rather than the sword, I am more interested in meeting the one who created it," Orion replied.
"Mr. Orion, do you wish to meet Mr. Luo Fengwei?" Liu Jian inquired.
"Mr. Orion, if you wish to meet him, I can arrange it," Liu Jian offered. "Our family has a good relationship with him."
"Then I thank you, Young Master Liu," Orion expressed its gratitude.
The VIP room number 2 won the bidding and obtained the sword for 23,000 spirit stones. After the auction ended, Orion settled the bill for the storage rings it had acquired and, with satisfaction, joined Liu Jian and Wang Lingxin to head to Luo Fengwei's workshop.
Chapter 26: Wolframite
Orion, Wang Lingxin, and Liu Jian arrived at Luo Fengwei's workshop, a rather large but simple establishment. The workshop buzzed with activity as numerous humans, dwarfs, and giants blacksmiths, all of them Luo Fengwei's disciples, were diligently at work. Some were forging and hammering, while others worked at various foundry stations, heating the metal before shaping it into weapons and armor. The workshop was a scene of organized chaos, with scattered ores, tools, and many finished weapons and armors displayed on the walls and tables.
The temperature inside the workshop was hot, the air filled with the searing heat of the furnaces, used to heat the metal before shaping and crafting it into various weapons and armor.
Behind it is Luo Fengwei's house, a simple and rather small wooden structure. Actually, Luo Fengwei could have a large and luxurious mansion if he wanted, considering his status as the most famous blacksmith in the city and a Golden Core realm cultivator. Money wouldn't be a problem; it's simply a matter of personal taste.
As they approached the workshop, one of Luo Fengwei's dwarf disciples warmly greeted them, recognizing Liu Jian as the young master of the Liu family.
Liu Jian expressed his intention to meet with Luo Fengwei, and the disciple replied with an uncomfortable expression, "Forgive me, Young Master Liu, but maybe today is not a good time to meet Master."
Liu Jian inquired, "Oh, is Mr. Luo busy?"
The disciple hesitated and replied, "Uhhh... no, actually, Master is quite free."
Liu Jian was puzzled, "Huh? Then why can't we meet him?"
The disciple explained, "It's like this, Young Master Liu..." He described how, for about a week, Luo Fengwei's temperament had become increasingly irritable. He wasn't working on any blacksmithing projects, nor was he cultivating. He didn't drink alcohol like usual, rest, or meet with other people or customers. He refused to guide the disciples or oversee the workshop's operations. Instead, he spent his time grumbling about something, and if anyone inquired, he would become angry and yell at them. "We really don't know what's happened to Master," the disciple sighed.
Liu Jian nodded, understanding the situation, "I see, but can we at least meet with him? Maybe we can ask what the matter or offer our assistance."
The disciple hesitated for a moment and then said, "Well, if Young Master Liu insists." He led the three guests to the house at the back of the workshop, knocked on the door, and entered, announcing, "Master, Young Master Liu wishes to meet with you." However, there was no response.
They proceeded further into the house and reached one of the rooms. Inside, an elderly but muscular dwarf with white hair and a white beard sat amidst a clutter of scattered papers, scrolls, and books. He puffed on a pipe and stared intently at the paper in his hands, seemingly unaware of the four people who had entered the room. The disciple cautiously approached his master, "Master...".
Luo Fengwei turned towards the four people, his voice laden with anger. "Didn't I tell you not to disturb me? Why are you here, and why are you bringing people here? Didn't I also tell you I don't want to meet any customers?" His words were accompanied by a loud, irritable sound.
The disciple, worried and anxious, gave an explanation, "Master, it's not like that, please don't be angry. Young Master Liu came and wishes to meet you..."
"Mr. Luo, I am really sorry to have disturbed you and come without a prior appointment," Liu Jian said as he bowed apologetically.
Luo Fengwei now noticed that the one visiting was Liu Jian, and his anger calmed a little. "Oh, so it's Young Master Liu. Is there something I can help you with? I am sorry, Young Master Liu, but I am rather busy and may not be able to help you. If you want to ask me to forge some weapons or armor, currently that's impossible," Luo Fengwei explained.
"It's like this, Mr. Luo, Mr. Orion here is an important guest of our Liu family, and he wished to meet with you," Liu Jian explained.
"Orion?" Luo Fengwei scrutinized Orion, deducing that he was just a mortal and it seems that there is nothing special about him. Huh, how come he became an important guest of the Liu family? Luo Fengwei thought internally.
"So, what do you want?" Luo Fengwei asked with an irritated voice and no longer showing any respect or politeness after thinking that Orion was just a nobody. Even if he is some important guest of the Liu family, it's just a guest after all. When it was Liu Jian, at least he would still hold back his manners, but for some mortal nobody like Orion, he didn't care.
"Uh...," Orion wasn't sure if it should express its intention after hearing Luo Fengwei's tone.
"I am really sorry to have disturbed you during your busy time. I wish to ask Mr. Luo to help make something for me. I heard that Mr. Luo is the best blacksmith in this city," Orion said.
"Sorry, can't do, too busy right now," Luo Fengwei replied as he puffed thick smoke towards Orion.
"Is that so? Then, what about when you are free? Is that possible?" Orion inquired.
"Still can't do. I don't know when I will have free time, and I also don't know if I am willing to make the things you want when I am free," Luo Fengwei replied, still irked after getting disturbed.
Orion fell silent.
"If there is nothing else, get the fuck out of here and don't disturb me further," Luo Fengwei stated.
Liu Jian didn't know what to do. Luo Fengwei was a highly respected individual in the city, and Orion was his savior with a mysterious and unfathomable background. He thought hard on how to defuse the situation. Meanwhile, the disciple standing at the side was also very nervous, his palms sweaty, his knees shaking already, he became groggy, feeling high-strung and edgy.
"Then we won't disturb you any further," Orion said as it left the room, followed by Wang Lingxin.
"Mr. Orion, wait..." Liu Jian began, but Orion's swift exit cut him off.
"Mr. Luo, we are very sorry to have disturbed you, and I will excuse myself now," Liu Jian quickly said as he hurried after Orion.
"Why are you still here? You also get lost," Luo Fengwei grumbled.
"Yes, Master," the disciple immediately scurried out of the room and left the house.
"Master, that grandpa is so bad and annoying," Wang Lingxin commented after they left the house.
"Indeed," Orion replied with a tinge of disappointment. It seemed that it couldn't enlist the help of the city's best blacksmith to create spare parts. Orion had originally wanted to ask Luo Fengwei to make spare parts and explore the possibility of handcrafted components in this world. It also hoped to compare the quality of these handmade parts to those manufactured with precise machinery and computer-controlled tools on Earth. Additionally, Orion wanted to experiment with unique metals found in this world.
"Mr. Orion, I am really sorry that things have turned out this way," Liu Jian said after catching up with Orion.
"Well, it's fine," Orion replied.
The disciple also caught up and expressed his apologies, "I am really sorry for what happened. I apologize on my master's behalf. Usually, he is not like this."
"It can't be helped. Well, what should we do now, Mr. Orion? Do you want to go to another place?" Liu Jian asked.
"Hmm... can we take a look at the workshop and see how you guys work?" Orion inquired.
"Sure thing. Please follow me. Although the place is rather messy and hot, it's fine to watch from the side. Just don't get too close, or you might get dirty or hurt," the disciple said with a smile, trying to lighten the mood after the previous unpleasant encounter.
The disciple led them to the busy workshop, showing them around and providing explanations about what was happening. He showcased the weapons and armor created by Luo Fengwei and the disciples, ranging in grade from non-graded to the highest, which was Grade-4. There were several Grade-4 weapons and armor pieces created by Luo Fengwei, and the disciple proudly displayed them while explaining their details.
Orion absorbed a wealth of information about blacksmithing from observing the activities. The additional explanations provided by the disciple, who acted as a tour guide, were also helpful. Orion's cameras and sensors recorded all the activity, and Orion planned to review and study it in more detail later.
After learning a great deal, Orion also provided tips and instructions to the disciple. Armed with modern knowledge from Earth about blacksmithing and metallurgy, it was easy for Orion to offer pointers and insights, although Orion's expertise was limited to Earth's knowledge, and Orion couldn't explain ores, metals, and techniques unique to this world. The disciple guiding them was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the information and tips provided by Orion, which could genuinely help improve their blacksmithing skills.
They continued the tour around the workshop as Orion kept giving tips, pointers, and suggestions. As Orion kept providing pointers, more disciples heard what Orion said and became interested, listening attentively. Soon, the entire workshop stopped their activities and focused on Orion, keenly interested. Not long after that, one disciple asked a question, and after Orion gave a satisfying answer, others also began to ask questions. Soon, the workshop became a place for discussion and questions, with Orion answering, providing pointers and explanations. Sometimes, Orion also posed questions to the disciples, turning the place into a hub for discussions about blacksmithing.
The disciples were awed by Orion's vast knowledge, and they had learned many new things from him. They couldn't wait to put Orion teachings into practice. They flocked to Orion, asking about blacksmithing and building relationships with him. The atmosphere was lively, filled with laughter and cheerfulness.
Liu Jian was dumbfounded, his mouth hanging open in disbelief. He couldn't believe that Orion possessed such extensive knowledge about blacksmithing. He didn't understand much of the discussions happening about blacksmithing and stood on the sidelines, feeling somewhat like a castaway.
Wang Lingxin, on the other hand, paid little attention to the situation. She grabbed a beautifully crafted sword from one of the tables, coincidentally the best weapon in the workshop—a Grade-4 weapon. She playfully swung the sword around as it felt rather light in her hands. After a while, she decided to perform a horizontal slash on a steel anvil in front of her. Wang Lingxin looked confused because the anvil appeared undamaged, making her think that the sword might be of poor quality. She decided to return the sword to the table.
The workshop was abuzz with activity, and no one noticed what Wang Lingxin had done with the most precious weapon in the workshop. The blacksmiths were busy discussing among themselves, asking questions to Orion, and learning from his expertise. Liu Jian watched them from the corner with his mouth still agape, unable to comprehend the intricacies of the discussions.
After some time, the situation gradually returned to normal. The disciples resumed their work, while some were eager to put their newly acquired knowledge into practice.
Then Orion noticed a pile of ores in the corner of the room and asked the disciple about them.
"Those are some ores that Master purchased a while ago, but it seems that he's having some problems working with them," explained the disciple.
"And what are these ores? What's their name?" inquired Orion.
"I'm not sure, and even Master doesn't know," admitted the disciple.
"May I take a look at them and run some tests?" Orion asked, intrigued by the mysterious ore.
"Of course," replied the disciple.
As the disciples continued with their work, Orion collected a sizeable amount of the ores and then went outside the workshop to retrieve a variety of tools for ore identification from the storage ring. During its mission on Mars, the scientists and engineers that designed Orion also expected Orion to be capable of identifying minerals and ores. Consequently, the Lander carried various tools and equipment for such tasks.
Wang Lingxin and Liu Jian also followed Orion outside. Feeling bored, Wang Lingxin wanted to walk around the workshop's neighborhood, which prompted Orion to ask Liu Jian to accompany her.
After a while conducting experiments on the ores, Orion reached a conclusion, "Isn't it wolframite?"
Chapter 27: Metal Called Tungsten
After finishing the experiment and successfully identifying the ores, Orion returned to the workshop. The dwarf disciple approached Orion, curiosity evident on his face. "So, Mr. Orion, did you learn something about the ores?"
Orion nodded, "This ores is called wolframite in my place."
"Wolf...wolframite?" The disciple raised an eyebrow, pondering the word. Wolframite? Does it have something to do with wolves? he wondered internally.
Orion continued, "Yes, this ores contains a metal called tungsten." It then proceeded to provide a brief introduction to tungsten.
"Tungsten, wow, that's a unique name. What kind of things can this metal be used for? Can it be used to make weapons and armor?" The disciple's eyes lit up with interest and curiosity.
"Tungsten is a very dense and heavy metal, but it is also relatively brittle, making it an excellent choice for certain applications, but it may not be the best choice for weapons and armor," Orion explained.
The disciple appeared disappointed, "Oh, is that so..."
Orion continued, offering a solution, "However, you can experiment and use it together with other metals to overcome the brittleness."
The disciple's enthusiasm reignited, "That's right! And the weight is not a problem either. Some cultivators prefer their weapons to be heavy."
Ah, that's right. It's a cultivation world after all, Orion thought internally, remembering how on Earth tungsten was processed to tungsten alloy and used as armor-piercing ammunition. But perhaps in this world, it can be used for other types of weapons.
"Where did your master obtain it?" Orion inquired.
"It's from an itinerant cultivator who visited this city a while ago. Apparently, he stumbled upon some good fortune and discovered an old, abandoned cave abode during an expedition. It was there that he found the ores, and my master bought it all," the disciple explained.
"Oh, I see," Orion replied, feeling somewhat disappointed by the lack of further information. After exchanging pleasantries and expressing gratitude, Orion excused itself and departed.
As Orion left, the blacksmiths expressed their thanks and asked if Orion would visit again and provide mores guidance. In a short time, Orion had established a good relationship with the blacksmiths. They waved to Orion's departing figure and called out, "Please come again next time!"
Leaving the workshop, it wasn't hard to find Liu Jian and Wang Lingxin. Using the multi-band phased array antenna, Orion quickly picked up a unique radio signal emitted by Liu Jian.
After walking for a while, Orion found Liu Jian and Wang Lingxin sitting on a bench under a tree. Liu Jian looked rather tired, while Wang Lingxin still appeared energetic and was enjoying some colorful stick candy.
Noticing Orion's arrival, Liu Jian stood up and then asked if they should continue touring the city. Observing Liu Jian's exhaustion and the setting sun, Orion decided that they should return.
As they rode the luxurious carriage back to the Liu family estate, Orion inquired, "Did you have fun with Young Master Liu?"
Wang Lingxin enthusiastically replied, "Yes! We visited many shops, and I got to eat lots of delicious food."
Orion then expressed, "It seems that I may have caused you much trouble, Young Master Liu."
Liu Jian quickly reassured Orion, "No, not at all," smiling, although still looking tired.
Orion thought to itself, it seems that even a cultivator can't keep up with an energetic kid. Orion pondered whether Wang Lingxin's love for eating so much was to sustain her energetic behavior, providing the necessary energy, or if her energetic nature stemmed from her having abundant energy due to her love for indulging in food.
"Mores importantly, Mr. Orion, I know a good place we can visit. We can go there tonight, just the two of us," Liu Jian whispered close to Orion.
A good place? Orion thought internally. "Hmmm... yeah, sure," Orion replied.
In Luo Fengwei's workshop, disciples were busy with their tasks. Encouraged by the success of one disciple who had applied the new knowledge from Orion, others grew eager to try. One disciple, with a burning piece of metal and a hammer, approached an anvil. Placing the hot, glowing metal on it, he prepared to strike with the hammer.
To the disciple's surprise, as he put the hot metal on the anvil, the top half of the anvil unexpectedly slid down slowly and crashed to the ground. The surface where the anvil parted was remarkably smooth.
"What the..." the disciple exclaimed, astonished. "Damn it, which one of you guys damaged this anvil?" he angrily inquired, causing a small ruckus. Fortunately, this minor incident didn't result in any injuries. Meanwhile, the real culprit was blissfully enjoying a luxurious carriage ride toward the Liu family estate.
It's already night, and in a small house behind the workshop, Luo Fengwei sits, clutching his head. He's grappling with problems related to mysterious ores, having obtained the ores from an itinerant cultivator visiting the city. After conducting experiments, Luo Fengwei considered the possibility of using the ores to make weapons and armor. From the experiment, the ores, dense and strong, has sparked Luo Fengwei's keen interest and ambition.
Unfortunately, the ores are hard to work with. Despite trying many techniques, Luo Fengwei can't find a way to utilize them. He has spent a lot of time researching the ores, reading many books and scrolls in search of clues. Unfortunately, he found nothing useful after reading many books and scrolls. The constant failures have affected his mood, making him easily angered. Despite investing so much time and effort, he's still unable to find a lead and make any progress. This continuous setback has given him a headache. Such interesting ores, and he can't use them.
"Sigh..." Luo Fengwei mutters, dejected. "Maybe I need to take some fresh air and change my surroundings to calm down." He leaves his house, stretching his stiff body, and heads towards the workshop.
Having ignored his disciples for a few days, he intends to check on them. If they were slacking around, Luo Fengwei will teach them a lesson.
To his surprise, when Luo Fengwei arrives at the workshop, he finds his disciples diligently at work. The usually quiet night is bustling with activity, and they seem to be working even harder than usual. Typically, only a few disciples remain in the workshop during the night, with others having returned to their own dwellings. Luo Fengwei, puzzled, wonders, "Huh? What happened with them?"
He observed how some of his disciples were measuring and weighing metals, planning to melt them to create an alloy. What the hell are they trying to do? Have they become stupid after just a few days? Luo Fengwei was baffled by the disciples' unusual approach. The metals being used and their ratios were out of the ordinary and unheard of. He couldn't wait to approach the disciples, intending to give them a stern lecture and perhaps a smack on the head.
However, as he continued to observe, he noticed other disciples using a liquid significantly different from the usual quenching process. Another group was doing something with a freshly forged sword, placing it in what seemed to be an acidic liquid. And now what are they even attempting? Luo Fengwei wondered inwardly.
And not just that, many of his disciples were engaged in entirely new and foresign practices that Luo Fengwei couldn't comprehend. Initially, frustration and anger welled up within him, and he contemplated berating and shouting at them for deviating from the traditional norms of blacksmithing.
However, as he observed nearly all of his disciples experimenting with unconventional methods, he sighed deeply, recognizing his own fault in the matter. "Sigh... it's my fault. After neglecting them for a few days, they have become astray. I am really a bad master," he admitted to himself.
Realizing that he was too obsessed with the new ores and had neglected his disciples, Luo Fengwei was thinking that maybe he needs to change and not be too hard on his disciples, treating them better. Reflecting on the past few days, he regretted the constant yelling and anger directed at his disciples.
He approached one of his disciples who was dipping his newly finished sword in some liquid and asked while smiling, "Little Wei, what are you doing?"
"Huh?" Little Wei turned his head and saw Luo Fengwei, "Master? Is there something I can do for you?" Rather worried if his master's mood flared in anger again, but then realized that his master... seems to be smiling?
"Well, nothing. How's your blacksmithing skill progressing, and what are you doing?" Luo Fengwei asked.
"Master, look at this. This technique is called etching and acid treatment. It can reveal intricate patterns and enhance the aesthetics of weapons. See?" Little Wei explained, showcasing the already finished sword from the previous one.
Luo Fengwei took the sword and scrutinized it, examining it closely from different angles.
"Not bad! Ha ha ha! I knew you were a genius in blacksmithing; that's why I accepted you as my disciple. To think that you would be able to develop such a technique at such a young age—your future in the blacksmith path is limitless! Haha," Luo Fengwei exclaimed, feeling happy. He kept patting Little Wei's shoulder. He had previously thought that his favorite disciple had gone astray, but it turned out he had made a significant discovery. Luo Fengwei was very satisfied and happy; all of his stress built up over the past days had melted away. He was thinking of giving some Grade-2 or even Grade-3 weapon or armor as a gift to celebrate the discovery of this technique.
Then Luo Fengwei looked around the workshop. Don't tell me they are not doing something weird, but they also discovered some kind of new technique? His eyes glowed with interest. Did they all get some kind of epiphany and gain enlightenment at the same time? Luo Fengwei was puzzled by this.
"Uhmm... master, I didn't develop this technique. It was taught by Mr. Orion. And not just this technique, he also taught us many other things, and the other disciples are proving it, which really worked and has been proven," Little Wei tried to explain.
"Huh? Orion? Orion who?" Luo Fengwei asked.
"Mr. Orion who came today. Didn't you also meet him? The one with the metal helmet that came with Young Master Liu," Little Wei explained.
"Him?" Luo Fengwei was surprised. Was he a blacksmith? And how come he seemed to know about blacksmithing knowledge that I didn't even know? Luo Fengwei wondered internally. "What did he teach you about? Quick, tell me in detail," Luo Fengwei urged.
Little Wei then recounted everything, explaining to his master about the techniques, knowledge, tips, and pointers about blacksmithing and metallurgy that Orion had shared.
"That's truly impressive, groundbreaking even. The theories, knowledge, and techniques are profoundly advanced; he must be a master, perhaps even a grandmaster blacksmith," Luo Fengwei expressed awe. After listening to his disciple's explanation, he regretted not participating in Orion's discussion and wanted to ask some questions.
"Moresover, he's knowledgeable about the ores you recently acquired, Master," Little Wei added.
Upon hearing this, Luo Fengwei immediately grabbed Little Wei's shoulders with both hands and asked with wide eyes, "You say what??? Is that true? Does he really know about the ores? Now tell me what he said about the ores!" Luo Fengwei's agitated voice attracted the attention of the other disciples.
"Ye...yes, Master, it's true. Mr. Orion said that he is familiar with the ores," Little Wei replied, rather scared. "He said that the ores are called wolframite, and tungsten metal can be obtained from it. Tungsten is a strong and dense metal."
"WOLFRAMITE!!! TUNGSTEN!!! Finally, finally some information! HA HA HA!" Luo Fengwei laughed like a maniac. Now, not only Little Wei but the other disciples were also rather scared and worried. Had their master become a madman?
"Indeed, it's strong and dense... ha ha ha! So, I was right after all. Now, with this, perhaps I can make a new kind of weapon and armor!" Luo Fengwei was fired up.
"Uhmm... master, Mr. Orion said that even though tungsten is strong, it's rather brittle and heavy, not really suitable for forging weapons and armor," Little Wei explained.
"WHAT??? What did you say?" Luo Fengwei's loud voice and piercing gaze frightened Little Wei.
"But Master, Mr. Orion also said that we can try to use it with other metals and make an alloy to overcome this problem, so I think it's still possible," Little Wei explained carefully.
"That's right, we can do that... Hmmmm..." Luo Fengwei mumbled something while stroking his long white beard, pacing in a circle, lost in deep contemplation. The disciples watched quietly from the side.
"Where did he go? Where can I find Orion?" Luo Fengwei couldn't wait to meet Orion and inquire about the ores and the metal called tungsten.
"It seems that they have returned to the Liu family residence, and Mr. Orion is staying there," Little Wei informed Luo Fengwei.
"Liu family... okay..." Luo Fengwei immediately turned around, ready to leave the workshop and head to the Liu family residence. However, he suddenly smacked his foreshead with a loud sound, then slumped to the ground on both of his knees.
"Master!!!" The disciples exclaimed together, their faces filled with surprise. "What happened to Master?"