Ethylene Oxide

However, Su Ming's chemistry skills were truly lacking. Although the production equipment had been transferred and Dodder had provided detailed technical documentation, Su Ming was still completely baffled.

The Zijin also encountered difficulties. The precise temperature and pressure control, reaction curves, and catalysts of Earth's organic chemistry were completely different from the alchemical approach of the otherworld.

"We'll definitely capture Peacock Man later," Zijin complained. "That guy's the top alchemical materials scientist. He's definitely better positioned to get into these places."

"Is it Blue Peacock?" Su Ming asked, "Titled Scholar?"

"His nickname is indeed Blue Peacock, but he dresses extremely flamboyantly and has a very loose private life," Zijin explained. "So everyone actually calls him Peacock Man."

Su Ming recalled a question, "I remember you said that you're the only living Titled Scholar left—or, including Newman, whom we helped to bring back, two?"

"That's right," Zijin said, "But not all of them died. For example, this Peacock Man was stripped of his scholar title."

"Sorry, the Peacock Man is dead too!" said the female necromancer who was assisting the two. "Lady Bay Owl, your information is outdated. That scumbag peacock died half a year ago on a woman's belly."

"Then I'll catch the others!" Zijin said resentfully.

Soon, the Dodder Group made adjustments. They found a site with conditions similar to the other world, set up an identical set of chemical equipment, and started production on-site. Su Ming was able to directly observe the formal operation process and operate the equipment under the guidance of the chief engineer.

Although chemical reactions were somewhat difficult for Su Ming to understand, he could grasp standardized industrial production processes. Basically, it involved setting the system parameters, feeding ethanol as a raw material, executing a series of processes, and then producing ethylene oxide.

This is exactly what I like!

****

While Su Ming was engrossed in his studies, Rupert suddenly came to report: another escape had occurred in the First Construction Regiment.

Su Ming was very confused because although the workload had been heavy during this period, the team's living conditions were quite good, and their food and lodging were well arranged. He really couldn't understand why anyone would choose to run away.

After a detailed investigation, it was found that the person involved was student number 28. To be precise, he attempted to escape but then voluntarily surrendered.

According to his confession, Number 28 invited almost all of his companions to escape together. Although no one betrayed him, they all refused his offer. In the end, disheartened, Number 28 chose to surrender to Rupert.

After repeated verification, Su Ming discovered that this was indeed a mage who had not committed any crimes, and the aura emanating from his affiliation was a pure silver. Judging from his personality, he was clearly a coward.

"So why did you run away?" Su Ming looked directly into the other person's eyes, his tone serious. "Don't waste time, tell the truth!"

Number 28 lowered his head and remained silent.

According to the regulations in the "Management Manual", those who attempt to escape but do not actually do so and voluntarily surrender themselves will be given a lighter punishment, with a deduction of some points and a labor service penalty, which is not severe.

Su Ming never expected this clause to actually be used, but reality is right before his eyes.

"So how should the rest of you be punished?" Rupert was furious. He had been taking good care of everyone during this time, and this was the result.

Bowers, who was standing to the side, hesitated for a moment, but ultimately wisely remained silent.

Su Ming was also very troubled. Recently, the team members' work performance had indeed been remarkable, and the atmosphere among them was quite harmonious. Many of them were looking forward to their new life after leaving the Northern Lands.

Why hasn't anyone reported number 28? That's impossible, Su Ming, feeling a little insecure.

"Corporal punishment is inappropriate, running laps is also not allowed, everyone has been working very hard lately." Su Ming pondered possible punishments, "We can't exactly have another 'concert'?"

Hansite, who had been waiting for a long time, immediately replied, "No problem, I'll get on it right away—28 songs this time, right?"

Newman was thrilled, "Perfect timing to try out our new piece!"

Su Ming felt something was off, but the number 28 also startled him. "Aren't you two afraid of burning yourselves out? Halve it."

Hansite's lips curled into a wide grin. "No problem, or we can split it into two sessions!"

Su Ming waved his hand, indicating that they could decide this matter themselves.

"What should we do with number 28?" Rupert asked.

Su Ming thought for a moment, "Don't deal with it." He made his decision, "Find out who's coercing him, and find out their reasons. If it's not too serious, punish the coercer by making them take 28 cold showers in the snow!"

****

The fermentation of Qiluo progressed rapidly, with the first batch of fermented liquid successfully produced within two days.

It was no wonder that Su Ming had coveted the unicorn's rapid fermentation technology back on Brown Gold Island.

Although she most likely took on the part-time job as a planter because of her love of food, this skill is a perfect match for the agricultural, forestry, and chemical engineering system.

This batch of pale yellow liquid emitted a strong alcoholic odor. Preliminary testing indicated that the ethanol content was approximately 10%, requiring further purification through multiple processes such as crude distillation and rectification before it could be processed further.

Instructor Rupert followed the smell of alcohol and arrived, only to sigh with regret at the sight of the scene.

Although these industrial alcohols, like edible wines, are produced through fermentation, the use of these various raw materials can easily lead to excessive methanol levels. Furthermore, the lack of control over processes such as microbial flora and fermentation temperature can also generate other toxic impurities.

"Have a taste," Su Ming advised. "Drinking just a little won't kill you."

Rupert rolled his eyes at Su Ming, "Even if you become blind, it won't work!"

Many people in the Northern Lands use inferior ingredients to brew wine, a situation that has caused Rupert, a seasoned wine drinker, considerable suffering.

Su Ming laughed, "You didn't drink it yourself, so don't say I didn't offer you a drink."

Rupert went to find Qiluo to discuss brewing some rice wine from sweet potatoes. Although this sweet potato wine was not distilled, had a low alcohol content, and was cloudy, its main selling point was its simplicity and large quantity.

"We can add it to the points redemption system for First Construction Regiment," Rupert suggested to Su Ming. "This will be good for everyone's work enthusiasm and the atmosphere of communication!"

Su Ming himself doesn't drink, but he doesn't discourage this relatively common preference. "Be careful to limit your intake, and no alcohol for six hours before starting work."

"No problem!" Rupert replied.

****

Regarding the purification of ethanol, Su Ming had already prepared the corresponding Earth distillation equipment, but Zijin firmly opposed the continued introduction of Earth's chemical equipment.

The scholars' reasoning is quite sound: under such small-scale production conditions, Earth's separation technology does not offer a significant advantage.

More importantly, teaching these trainees who have never been exposed to modern equipment to become familiar with a set of chemical machinery requires a lot of effort. Even Zijin herself needs a lot of time to adapt, so it will only be more difficult for others.

Ultimately, Zijin selected a few people from the First Construction Regiment to build a processing device based on otherworldly alchemy. A few days later, they delivered the first batch of industrial ethanol, which was about 96% pure, to Su Ming.

The purity could be increased further, but it wouldn't make much difference. Anyway, if the raw materials for making bombs are of lower purity and the product has more impurities, the "users" who get blown up won't complain.

With high-purity ethanol available, Su Ming was finally able to begin the production of ethylene oxide.

The Dodder Group chose the partial oxidation of ethanol as the process route for him.

This novel process doesn't exist in a factory; it's merely a laboratory concept. This isn't because it's high-tech, but because the method has low yields, less versatility than current mainstream methods, and involves complex catalyst structures.

Techniques that simply won't make you money!

However, this technology also has its advantages: it uses a one-step reaction molding process, the reaction conditions are mild, and it does not require high-temperature and high-pressure equipment.

This greatly reduces the complexity of the operation. More importantly, it significantly reduces the risk that Su Ming, a chemical Xiaobai, might lead the otherworldly newbies to turn the production line into a massive explosion site.

It must be said that the Dodder Group went to great lengths for Su Ming's safety!

In short, the reaction tower was started, and the production of ethylene oxide officially began.

These necromancers, skilled in alchemy, had only a vague understanding of the specific reaction process, but their safety awareness was exceptionally high. They were fully armed, with masks covering their heads and multiple layers of air filtration spells.

They donned magical shields, leaving all uncertain and risky operations to the skeletons and zombies.

"They're all quite safety-conscious," Zijin praised.

The skeleton laborers carried large barrels of ethanol directly and poured them into the reaction vessel. When they accidentally spilled liquid, they wiped it up with a rag.

As a result, the rag accidentally fell into the reaction vessel. The necromancer immediately manipulated a skeleton to jump into the vessel and retrieve the rag.

When the finished products were produced, these dangerous and toxic explosives were simply packed into ordinary barrels and piled up outdoors at temperatures of minus 20 or 30 degrees Celsius.

The benefits of the low temperature at the foot of the snow-capped mountain are also becoming apparent: ethylene oxide has a boiling point of around 10 degrees Celsius, and low temperatures can greatly reduce volatilization.

But Su Ming suspected that if any safety supervisor from a chemical plant on Earth came and saw these scenes, they would probably faint on the spot.

****

Located 18 kilometers from the Sheltered Valley construction site, Sea of Divine Grace.

The academy lies quietly in a natural depression on the southern slope of the Dome Mountains. This circular complex of buildings is built according to the terrain, like a jewel set in a valley.

The main buildings of the academy are predominantly blue, consisting mostly of spacious and bright classrooms and elegantly decorated dormitories. Due to its location in a high-altitude, cold region, all the buildings are closely connected, linked together by short but sturdy corridors, forming a well-organized and staggered whole.

The complex is surrounded by a thick stone wall ten meters high, with dense defensive runes faintly flowing across it, like a silent barrier. At intervals on the top of the wall stands a statue of a griffin or Kodo Beast, appearing particularly solemn in the cold wind.

Chimneys stood tall throughout the college, belching plumes of smoke day and night. Coal mined by convicts from nearby mines burned brightly in various fireplaces, providing endless light and heat for these distinguished students.

The heat was intense, forcing many rooms to leave their windows half-open to dissipate the accumulated heat. Wisps of white steam often billowed from the windowsills, condensing into tiny ice crystals in the cold air before gently falling.

In the center of the complex is a wide plaza paved with bluish-gray flagstones. Beneath the polished flagstones lies a large, fixed magic array base, inlaid with an astonishing number of magical crystals.

In the very center of the magic circle stood a tall stone tablet with an extremely sharp shape, its entire surface covered with densely engraved runes, exuding an invisible sense of oppression.

This is the core of the academy's proud giant magical defense weapon: "Everwatching Obelisk". Once activated, it will release surging Magic Power, resonating with the outer rune wall to construct an indestructible giant ring-shaped energy shield that will envelop the entire Sea of Divine Grace Academy.

Although all the functional components of the "Everwatching Obelisk" have been completed, according to the design, a second phase of construction will be carried out when the snow melts—adding exquisite wing-shaped decorative structures to both sides of the obelisk, ultimately presenting a solemn and sacred cross shape.

****

At this moment, in the spacious office on the top floor of the office building, Principal Javier was in a rather gloomy mood.

The merchant Ruogejin, who had made the appointment, suddenly disappeared without a trace. This meant that the carefully selected girls he had promised to "deliver" were likely to be a disappointment.

The religious prisoners held in the Divine Might Prison were suitable for hard labor and training, but they wouldn't be fit to be used as playthings by those pampered young masters and ladies. What was currently popular among these privileged children was a pitiful, youthful beauty—anyone who was older would be criticized and disliked.

Of course, there are exceptions, such as the unbelievably handsome Ruixiuli. Even gender doesn't matter; both male and female students drool over him. But Ruixiuli is extremely resolute; he actually poured a putrid potion on his exquisite face, ruining his good looks.

Javier was furious. These wretches were all stubborn and unyielding, preferring to toil in the coal mines until their hands and feet were cracked and bleeding, rather than kneel down and fawn over these future pillars of the religion.

Javier knew that many of these prisoners chose to live so that one day they could take revenge on their bullies. He recalled once again those hateful eyes.

"Then let these lowly people toil to death with their laughable hopes!" the headmaster said bitterly, turning to walk towards his desk.

He took out a piece of rune-inscribed paper and began writing a secret letter. There was no possibility of "developing" anything with the prisoner, so the girl's matter had to be resolved as soon as possible.

Javier came from an ordinary middle-class priest family, with neither a distinguished lineage nor extraordinary talent. He was able to climb to his current position entirely through "diligence" and painstaking scheming. There were some things he couldn't compromise on, but minor matters like arranging for commoner "maids" to work in the Sea of Divine Grace were negotiable.

After all, these minor dignitaries studying here will become top figures in the temple in the future. I absolutely cannot afford to offend them; I must cultivate good relations with them!