The Foundation of Research

After opening the Lead Box containing the ore samples, Richard's expression beneath his Hazmat Suit mask turned serious, and he quickly got to work.

First, he took a sample and placed it into a large blue container, adding a prepared Alkali Solution. He let it react to remove impurities and obtain a relatively pure sample. Then he added several different liquids in succession and allowed them to react, only stopping once a white precipitate formed in the pale green liquid.

Next, Richard took another sample. This time, he placed it in a large cyan container and added a prepared acid solution, allowing it to react and remove impurities. Afterward, he filtered and crystallized the product, then added various liquids to react with it, stopping only after brown flocculent matter formed.

After completing the two testing experiments, Richard rested briefly and made several notes on a Papyrus Scroll. After pondering for a moment, he took out a third sample. He leached it with an Alkali Solution, then placed it in a crucible and continuously heated it in isolation from the air until it melted, observing the results.

Then came the fourth sample. This time, Richard added yellow sulfur and heated it for a reaction...

For the fifth sample, Richard introduced colorless nitrogen gas, controlling the temperature at around 400 degrees Celsius and allowing it to react...

For the sixth sample, Richard added jet-black carbon and raised the temperature to around 1,250 degrees Celsius, allowing it to react...

The seventh sample...

The eighth...

Richard remained busy without pause for most of the night, conducting all kinds of tests on the powdered ore samples and sometimes using various devices for assistance.

Several hours eventually passed.

Richard observed the final sample. Seeing a precipitate gradually form in the pale green acid solution, he