The Advancement of Technology Always Comes with Splendid...

Chapter 32: Technological Advancement Always Comes With Splendor

The Mythallar, the pinnacle creation of Netheril's Archmages, the crystallization of human wisdom, was comparable to a pearl on a divine crown.

Its function was simple: to directly extract the primal magical energy from the Astral Plane through the Mana Web's conduits, releasing a Mana Tide. This essentially provided the entire Netheril with an inexhaustible energy source.

Within the Mythallar's radiation field, all quasi-magic items could be used infinitely, freeing Archmages from the need to cast magic enchantments after creating them.

It was also the most crucial component that allowed Floating Cities to ascend into the sky.

In Li Wei's previous world, scholars had proposed extracting infinite energy through gravitational waves. If realized, it would have a similar effect to the Mythallar. However, until Li Wei transmigrated to this otherworld, he had only vaguely heard of such concepts. He had no way of knowing whether this theory was absurd pseudoscience or a viable direction.

Given such a convenient creation for extracting infinite magical energy, the development of more primitive, low-end kinetic energy would naturally be overlooked by the Archmages. Researching them would be a waste of their precious time.

After receiving the knowledge inheritance, Li Wei was actually very interested in Netheril's Mythallar. He always hoped to acquire one for research if the opportunity arose, perhaps even sparking some wonderful ideas by combining it with his "chicken rib" Black Technology data.

Unfortunately, Netheril had long since vanished into the dust of history. Even the few Mythallars occasionally unearthed, lacking the necessary base to connect to the Mana Web, could at best be used for collection or be directly seized by ambitious individuals as a last resort to threaten others into mutual destruction.

A Mythallar without any protective measures was essentially an unstable nuclear reactor exposed to the air. Anyone who came into contact with it would be instantly killed. If it exploded, all matter within a hundred-mile radius would likely be disintegrated.

It was a pity that he didn't have one in his hand right now. He didn't even have the chance to become a radical shouting "Allahu Akbar" while smashing people's faces. He could only start by hand-crafting a semi-finished, conceptual steam engine model to fool the Mages in front of him.

"Not bad. The Mythallar is indeed a pinnacle creation comparable to stealing the authority of the Goddess of Magic. But even now, very few people have heard its name. As for this creation before us, Master Hogg, could you introduce it to us?"

The first person to speak, a bald man in coarse linen, took over Li Wei's words. He walked over, bowed slightly to Li Wei, and then continued with a smile, "I forgot to introduce myself. I am from the surface city of Zalaser. I was formerly a 9th-level Evocation Mage/2nd-level Arcanist, a Red Robe Mage. My name is Fischer Taylor."

Upon hearing the notorious name "Red Robe Mage," another accompanying Mage showed no surprise, seemingly already aware. His self-introduction was much more concise:

"Igg Om, from the northern city of Water-Drawing City. A 3rd-level Arcanist. Greetings, Lord Hogg."

Li Wei nodded, thinking that he had finally met the right people. Huozi couldn't distinguish between psionics and arcane arts. The Calvin he brought might be skilled at breeding Cavens Rats, and his flexible mind could barely comprehend the principles of a steam engine.

However, without formal magical research and experimental experience, he couldn't offer any effective improvements.

If it weren't for the fact that Calvin had helped him solve the Cavens Rat breeding problem, Li Wei would have considered sending him back to the Cavens Rat Farm to avoid discouraging his work.

Unexpectedly, among the two Mages who arrived, one was from the renowned Red Robe Mage Association. They were the most active troublemakers and the biggest arms dealers in all of Coriel, often ostracized by many good and righteous factions, who even considered them a significant scourge upon Coriel.

However, setting aside the generally troublesome personalities of the Red Robe Mages, they could indeed be considered scholars with a spirit of exploration and research.

As for the latter, Li Wei didn't have much impression, because Water-Drawing City itself had gradually developed from a group of smugglers for their mutual benefit. It didn't have much magical lineage at its roots. Even if they attracted some magic-users with money to teach, their skill level was likely not very high.

Therefore, Li Wei temporarily labeled the latter as "just making up the numbers," similar to Calvin.

Li Wei didn't waste any time. He spoke directly to the two former Mages, "Excellent. On behalf of Hogg Mining, I welcome you. Although it's not something very profound, it still involves commercial secrets. Please sign this employment agreement first."

The two took the drafted employment agreement from Remlu. Upon seeing the relatively generous compensation and the not-too-restrictive non-compete and confidentiality clauses, they showed no dissatisfaction and readily signed their names.

"Very good. Then let's begin. What I need your help to create now is a metal artifact that has already been developed. Its inventor was a blacksmith named Newcomen, but it wasn't widely used at the time. However, it is very suitable for greatly improving our Zelandia's mining efficiency, so I plan to trial-produce it to test its effectiveness."

"I'd like to hear more." The two former mages grew serious upon hearing that mining efficiency could be greatly improved. Garvin nodded along.

"You see, this thing is mainly composed of a cylinder, a base, a piston, a crankshaft connecting rod mechanism, and a flywheel. Due to limited on-site conditions, I've only made one cylinder for now, but that doesn't affect understanding. Once water boils into steam and is sent into the cylinder, it will push the piston inside, ultimately causing the flywheel to rotate. If we add a linked turbine and drill bit behind this, it becomes a semi-automatic mining mule for excavating ore."

Its principle is actually very simple, so simple that even Li Wei, a former liberal arts student, had heard of it.

Yet, it was precisely such a simple machine that, in another world, liberated human and animal power, driving humanity's first Industrial Revolution.

However, in Coriel, where extraordinary power is ubiquitous, its appearance might not be as shocking as those beings with world-shattering might. But the change it could bring to Zelandia, which is trapped in the Dark Weave, would be absolutely tangible!

"A great invention! It can change the lives of every single person in our Zelandia!"

However, to everyone's surprise, the exclamation didn't come from the three mages in front of them, but from a Dwarf whose figure was obscured by the large kettle.

"Oh! Tiger! Why aren't you guarding your Golden Miner Brotherhood and instead coming to Hogg Mining? You're currently peeking at Hogg Mining's secrets. For this alone, I have reason to declare war on your Golden Miner Brotherhood!"

Li Wei had long noticed the boss of the neighboring guild sneaking over while he was explaining the principles of steam. He also knew what intentions he had for coming here at this moment.

The next moment, Tiger's self-deprecation confirmed his guess.

"Commander Hogg, you've already unleashed two trump cards. If I continue to resist, wouldn't that be asking for trouble?"

Li Wei continued to smile, "You could always go cooperate with those Drow."

Tiger shook his head, "The Drow are untrustworthy. To be honest, I was a bit apprehensive before coming here, but after seeing this machine, I've completely made up my mind. Anyone who can create such a wondrous object must have a deep love for ore. Boss Hogg, we are kindred spirits. Name your conditions, and we will be ready. Our Golden Brotherhood is prepared to merge into your Hogg Mining. But we can discuss all that later. This unfinished product makes me uneasy. Can we get a sample to try first? I'm already impatient!"

... Li Wei really wanted to say, "Besides you Dwarves, who the hell has a deep love for that stinky, hard ore! I, Li Wei, only love money!"

But saying such things at this moment would be pure self-torment.

And he truly hadn't expected that Tiger would be much smarter than he imagined. He saw the end of his continued resistance in advance and decided to minimize losses by choosing to merge immediately.

What surprised Li Wei even more was that during the subsequent manufacturing of the steam engine, the person who provided the most help to the progress wasn't the red-robed mage, but this seemingly old and clumsy Dwarf.

For parts like the piston, crankshaft connecting rod mechanism, slide valve distribution mechanism, and speed regulation mechanism, Li Wei only needed to give a simple description, along with diagrams drawn on the ground. This master, comparable to a fifth-level craftsman in various trades, could directly forge them with just a hammer and anvil.

The entire steam engine was being completed at a visible speed.

Originally, Li Wei was worried that he didn't have the conditions to smelt pure iron and suggested getting some high-purity iron ingots to make a new cylinder. However, Tiger said it would take too much time, and since it was just a model, he took a look. Li Wei's large iron stone box, though appearing somewhat pitted, had decent airtightness.

After toiling for half the night, Li Wei and his group finally assembled the world's first steam engine by hand in the mine pit.

"Quick, quick! Coal! Water! I can't wait!"

Tiger, the Dwarf, seemed even more anxious than Li Wei.

As river water was poured into the steam chamber and coal was ignited, slowly, as the water boiled, a fine sound came from the large iron box, and the piston began to move. Finally, the connecting rod drove the flywheel to spin rapidly.

The upper part of the entire steam engine was accompanied by an imposing white mist, emitting a piercing roaring sound, like a hundred kettles boiling.

The group looked at the operating machinery with excitement.

The dwarf Tiger seemed extremely excited, his eyes filled with fanaticism, "Hahahahaha! This is the power of the Steam Engine! Bigger machines, bigger mining drills, more ore, here we come!"

But just then, Li Wei heard the fine crackling sound from the iron box becoming more pronounced. A bad feeling welled up in his heart, and he immediately pulled Remlu away from the violently vibrating Big Iron Box.

Seeing their Master's posture was wrong, the alert Huozi also immediately got out of the way, followed by the three Mages who also sensed something was amiss.

"Eh?" When the Old Dwarf finally felt a faint sense of unease after noticing the crowd around him had suddenly cleared...

BANG!!!

With a violent Rumbling Sound, Coriel's first-ever Steam Engine, accompanied by splashing white mist, turned into a spectacular explosion.

Big chapter, not splitting it, will post and revise later. Thanks to student xiaotang246 for the Hundred Rewards.