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Jian Mo remembered and nodded.
De Jiang said, "They used water to power large stone mills a long time ago, but unfortunately, they didn't allow ordinary people to visit, nor were they willing to teach this technology to other tribes. We've always wanted to learn, but we haven't had the chance."
Jian Mo: "I roughly understand the principle; it shouldn't be difficult to test it out."
Qing Kuo patted his shoulder with a smile, "You really are from our tribe... What's that saying again? Oh, lucky star!"
Jian Mo's first time firing glass, and she didn't know how long it would take.
However, according to common sense, the longer the firing time and the higher the temperature in the kiln, the easier it is to succeed.
So they started burning it in the morning and kept burning it until the stars filled the sky at night. Only when all the charcoal had been put in and burned did they stop.
After a day of working by the kiln, everyone was covered in ash and smelled of smoke.
Looking at everyone's mottled faces filled with hope, Jian Mo comforted them, "It's alright. Even if we don't succeed this time, we'll gain experience and try again next time."
Wu Jiong nodded in agreement. "You're right, this was a very valuable attempt."
Qing Kuo glanced at Wu Jiong and said politely, "Other tribes want to try but don't have the chance. Our tribe is really lucky to have found Jian Mo."
Jian Mo was almost lost in the praise, and a faint blush rose to the tips of her ears.
They left the orcs who were patrolling today outside the kiln to guard it, and then went back together.
Upon returning to the tribe, Qing Kuo and the others took soap and went to the river to wash their hair and bathe.
Jian Mo's constitution was not as good as theirs, and she couldn't stand the temperature, so she found some clothes, boiled water, and washed herself in the animal skin shed behind the house.
Today was both tiring and nerve-wracking. Jian Mo was a little too excited. After eating and washing up, she lay in her animal-skin quilt but couldn't fall asleep.
The giant wolf stood guard beside him, listening to him ramble on and on. After a while, it suddenly transformed back into human form, wrapped itself in an animal skin robe, and went downstairs.
Jian Mo assumed he was going to the restroom or something and didn't think much of it.
Unexpectedly, after a while, Wu Jiong suddenly brought up a small pot of fruit wine, heated it on the charcoal brazier, and then gave it to Jian Mo: "Drink this, you'll be able to fall asleep after you drink it."
After the fruit wine was boiled, some of the impurities evaporated, making it more fragrant and flavorful.
Jian Mo sniffed and muttered, "Actually, it's not that bad for me to have insomnia."
Wu Jiong offered him the fruit wine, which he eventually took, gulped down about half of it, and then gave the rest to Wu Jiong: "I can't drink anymore, you drink it."
The tribe had limited supplies, but Wu Jiong didn't seem to mind. He took the fruit wine and drank it all in two gulps.
The alcohol greatly relaxed Jian Mo's mind and body, and he quickly fell asleep while holding the giant wolf's front paws.
When he woke up the next day, it took him a moment to process what had happened. He asked the giant wolf, somewhat dazed, "Has the kiln cooled down? Did anyone come looking for us?"
The giant wolf's voice was deep. "The patrolling orcs came by at dawn and said we could open the kiln. Everyone's waiting for you."
Jian Mo immediately got up and put on her robe. "Quick, quick, let's go take a look."
They rushed to the kiln.
They weren't the only ones anxious; everyone involved in firing the kiln came over.
Everyone chatted around the kiln, and although they were a little anxious, they patiently waited for Jian Mo to come over so they could open the kiln together.
Upon seeing Jian Mo, Qing Kuo immediately called out to him, "Hurry, hurry, we're just waiting for you to take the first piece of clay from the kiln."
Jian Mo jogged over. "You're here! Has the temperature inside the kiln dropped yet?"
Ye Luo: "It feels about the same temperature as when we fired the kiln before. Maybe it's because of the cold weather that the temperature dropped quickly. It's only a little warm now, so the pottery inside probably won't get too hot."
Everyone worked together to remove the clay sealing the kiln opening. De Jiang went inside to test the air and temperature, and seeing that there was no great danger, he waved behind him, signaling that everyone could go in.
Jian Mo and the others couldn't wait to squeeze in.
The temperature inside the kiln was actually quite high, a bit like a sauna, but it was bearable.
Jian Mo, wearing animal skin gloves, took down the nearest piece of pottery and examined it closely.
The pottery has a lustrous, brownish-yellow color, which is much better than the grayish-white pottery they fired before, which was made at insufficient temperatures.
Jian Mo looked at them and felt that these pottery pieces were not much different from modern pottery on Earth, except that the shapes were slightly different due to different aesthetics.
That's amazing, you've made such progress in such a short time.
Qing Kuo noticed him staring intently and asked, "What's wrong?"
Jian Mo: "The glaze is fired quite well; it looks much smoother than before."
He tapped it with his finger; the animal hide made a dull sound as it touched the pottery.
When Qing Kuo flicked the pottery, his joints made direct contact with the pottery, producing a crisp "clang" sound.
At this moment, Qing Kuo nodded in satisfaction, withdrew his hand, and urged Jian Mo, "We can get a general idea of the pottery at a glance, and then take a closer look later. Let's look at that glass you mentioned first!"
Jian Mo glanced down. "I can see the glaze plate; it doesn't seem to have been very successful."
Wu Jiong, who was standing nearby, picked up a small piece of glazed tile.
The glazed plate was burned into pieces, but the piece that Wu Jiong picked up had already been sintered.
This is a piece of translucent yellow glass, about the size of a palm. Even in the dim cave, its gem-like texture is still visible.
Qing Kuo reached out and took it, holding his breath as he said, "This is glass? It's so beautiful!"
Jian Mo: "The transparency isn't high enough; it would be better if it were higher."
Qing Kuo handed the glass to Di Ya for a look. "This is enough!"
Di Ya read it and passed it on to Ye Luo.
Ye Luo examined the glass carefully. "It's a very good piece. If you didn't tell them, people from other tribes would never guess that this glass was made by firing."
Wu Jiong reminded everyone, "Remember to keep this a secret."
Everyone present agreed.
De Jiang said, "From now on, when we're making pottery kilns, we'll have to send someone to guard the area."