Above The Sky
Chapter 756 - 756 16 Magnetic Storm Coil_2

756: Chapter 16 Magnetic Storm Coil_2 756: Chapter 16 Magnetic Storm Coil_2 Thus, Baron Leyan did not develop the region, leaving the mines idle in that area; after all, given the richness of resources in South Ridge, it was cheaper to sell Dawn Glow Grass Extract and then buy ore with the money than to mine it himself.

But now, Ian was certainly going to restart the development of these mines and wastelands, as it’s common sense that significant resource development cannot rely entirely on imports.

In the Barony, Leyan Territory could be said to have the highest level of configuration.

One must know that Ian’s hometown, overseen by Viscount Grant of Harrison Port, though large in area, only had a slightly larger population than Leyan Territory.

As for wealth…

as a major trading port, it could be considered on par with Leyan Territory.

For example, Viscount Awak’s territory with nearly a million people, three medium to large cities, hilly mining areas, and flat planting zones had various industries which were complete and even capable of producing military alchemy apparatus—this is the real configuration of a Viscounty.

Viscount Grant would die of envy.jpg

Leyan Territory had resources like those of Viscount Awak’s territory and even greater potential than an average Viscounty, but they were still undeveloped.

But that’s where the problem lay—Leyan Territory had everything, and even if not now, it would surely have everything in the future under Ian’s development.

But it lacked the most crucial thing, energy.

Elemental Crystals were the bottleneck.

As a special material that emerged on the Terra Continent only after the Calamity of Heavenly Fall, Elemental Crystals were the power source for Alchemy Furnace Cores and even Aether Furnace Cores, and similar to Charged Rifles, a kind of alchemical firearm.

They could provide an extremely strong energy source, akin to cheap civilian rocket fuel and were truly strategic materials; no country or force would allow them to be traded privately.

Only if there were Elemental Crystal production lines within the territory could it be considered truly self-sufficient.

Viscount Grant had previously assisted Master Gossay and others in exploring and developing Glinting Crystal Clams, in order to give Harrison Port its own independent Elemental Crystal production line—he had the technology but lacked the raw materials.

However, Leyan Territory did not have any relevant technological reserves.

This was The Empire’s restriction on the Mountain People…

As long as Elemental Crystals were controlled, the Mountain People would never be able to develop high-level alchemy skills, let alone manufacture powerful alchemical cannons and Armor Suits for warfare.

For two hundred years ago, this policy was indeed not bad.

But two hundred years later, especially now that it was Ian’s turn to rule Leyan Territory…

that was a big problem.

“Right now, I can barely manage with my own output, but later on construction is a must.”

Ian lifted his left hand, his eyebrows slightly knitted.

His arm, inhabited by the Aether Crystal, had blue Source Quality patterns flowing on its surface.

Under the Dragon Worship Sect’s Secret Technique, the constantly revolving Aether Crystal kept producing highly concentrated Source Quality Crystals, now amounting to a small bag’s worth.

To drive the Armor Suit was troublesome, but meeting the daily needs of the troops was not a problem.

This was because Ian had the Aether Crystal—if it were anyone else, they would be depleting themselves as if mining a quarry, and in a few days, they would be useless.

“There are many things to be done.”

Placing the documents in his hand down, Ian sighed, “The principle of the Elemental Crystal production chain is not complex.

I could build one myself, but from growing the raw material sources to the production line, it’s at least a year’s project.”

“Let’s put it aside for now.

Who knows what the future holds?

Maybe Marquis Barton, seeing my service against the Mountain Tribe in South Ridge, will gift me one,” he mused.

Giving away an Elemental Crystal production line was certainly not feasible, but other things should be no problem.

Imperial Capital, Upper City District.

Marquis Barton was having tea with Second Prince Michael.

The old general suddenly interrupted the conversation about the Western Region war zone, making a gesture as if he was listening intently.

Then, with a smile and a nod, he said to Michael, who raised his eyebrows with interest, “Did you hear that, Your Highness?

He pacified Leyan Territory in two days and incidentally took care of all his competitors.”

“They say he’s even developing new-type armaments… This kid, his potential is astonishing!”

As he spoke, he laughed and took a sip of tea, “He’s got the military prowess, decisiveness, and strategy.

You really can’t underestimate the young… Looks like I won our bet, didn’t I?”

“Indeed.” Ian turned toward the direction of South Ridge, somewhat surprised.

After Marquis Barton arrived at the Imperial Capital, he talked about how Ian would develop his territory after returning.

Knowing that a part of the Mountain People in South Ridge had some small conflicts with The Empire, he had exclaimed that Ian was really unlucky.

Originally intending to return to his territory with the funds to construct an Alchemy Workshop, he now had to put it aside to fight, thereby wasting precious time for no reason.

Unexpectedly, Ian managed to take down Leyan Territory with thunderous might and even fully grasped the intentions of Marquis Barton and Colonel Majorva, completely eliminating all the Hillsman Knights without leaving a single one behind.

When Ian sent someone to scatter the ashes of those knights, even Second Prince Michael, accustomed to grand scenes, couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

“But he is still young.

Alchemical weapons naturally have enormous power, but only elite troops in the military use them, and there is a reason for that—the Elemental Crystals in Leyan Territory must be exhausted by now, and he’s probably worrying about it.”

In his heart, Marquis Barton sighed.

In his many years of military career, Ian’s abilities could be described as first-rate talent.

His own son, Majorva, was far from comparable, especially being so young—the future protagonist of Nanling Province could be none other than Ian.

If that’s the case, then let’s make it convenient for him.

“Open the trade channels for Elemental Crystals to Leyan Territory.”

As he pondered silently, Marquis Barton communicated long distance with Colonel Majorva in South Ridge, “We can’t provide him with soldiers, but we must give him ample supplies—go ask Ian what materials he still needs and sell them to him at cost price.”

“General?” Colonel Majorva usually addressed his father this way.

He was somewhat surprised, “Isn’t Ian just taking down Leyan City?

He hasn’t even blocked the vanguard yet, why suddenly open such a big supply channel…”

“Leyan City?

If he had just driven out the Mountain People, then you would be right, but he has shattered the core forces of three Mountain Tribes.” Marquis Barton said, “Moreover, it was a professional interaction before, but now it’s a private investment, and there’s no need to mention that this investment is a gamble I won from His Highness Michael.”

“But don’t make the support too obvious.

He seems to be quite proud, and if we offer it openly, he might not accept.”

This clearly was another person who overestimated Ian’s sense of morality—too proud to accept benefits?

Was that the kind of person he was?

If something was truly given for free, Ian would only gladly accept it, and at most, say ‘thank you’ sweetly.

Colonel Majorva understood, “Received.”

Three days later, Ian received the supplies from Nauman City.

The one leading the team delivering the supplies wasn’t a soldier, but a well-known mercenary from Nauman City and his team, who were known as the Electric Blue Iron Folk.

Of course, he couldn’t possibly be a real mercenary.

In actuality, Electric Blue was one of the many scouts collecting information under the command of the Governor’s Mansion, who just happened to make his cover identity as a mercenary too convincing.

It became so prominent in the mercenary industry that he carved out a reputation, and he simply hung another title at the Governor’s Mansion and took two salaries.

Marquis Barton was never stingy with capable subordinates; if they could do multiple jobs, he paid them accordingly, which is why his people were always fiercely loyal.

The Iron Folk with dark blue hair and a full beard arrived at Leyan City and was surprised to find that the city, which had been devastated by the Mountain People, had already been mostly repaired.

The damaged buildings on the outskirts of the city had been cleared away, fenced off with railings around the base, left for future reconstruction, and along the sides of the streets, some tents had been erected, forming a small camp, providing shelter for those without homes.

As winter drew closer, the sawmills were operating at full capacity, and every household began to stockpile fuel.

Leyan City had returned to normal.

But what really caught Electric Blue’s attention wasn’t these scenes of post-war recovery, but a peculiar tower at the edge of the city.

Clearly modified, the original top floor of the tower had been removed and replaced with a huge metal coil that rose high in the air, with obvious electric arcs flashing on it, oozing with a sense of danger.

Being a Sublimator attuned to lightning attributes as well, Electric Blue couldn’t help feeling a sense of kinship and curiosity—he approached a resident who seemed to be in a hurry and quickly got the answer he was looking for.

“Magnetic Storm Coil?”