Above The Sky
Chapter 932 - 932 76 The Rapid Development of Xia Hui Territory 6000_2

932: Chapter 76: The Rapid Development of Xia Hui Territory (6000)_2 932: Chapter 76: The Rapid Development of Xia Hui Territory (6000)_2 It’s not their fault, as no one but Ian himself knows how much energy technology he possesses, and it’s impossible for them to consider the concept of ‘perpetual maintenance’.

“Really, is it that impressive?”

Adalbert is a very clever man.

He didn’t grasp the situation at first, but now his reaction is swift, and he can’t help but widen his eyes, “Yes, indeed—it’s a method far superior to what the Duke of Sorin had in mind!

And it doesn’t require a full Deceased Monarch; it’s a shelter that people build on their own initiative!”

—Still hung up on that Duke of Sorin, huh?

That old thing should have exited the stage long ago.

That’s what Ian thought, but he also understood that it was normal for the other party to be fixated, as Deceased Monarch Researchers have always held a grudge, wanting to prove their former employer’s strategies were wrong.

However, to tell the truth, it’s quite fascinating.

Adalbert is someone who, each time, aims for a modest vision of his own, yet creates results that far exceed the requirements of the idea itself.

Take this time, for example—he merely wanted to find a better and quicker method to protect ordinary souls, but ended up creating the prototype of an Artificial Underworld.

It was the same with the Deceased Monarch and the Artificial Soul; at first, he simply accomplished the task set by the Duke of Sorin.

One can only say that Adalbert’s talent is truly incredible, and it’s no wonder the Duke of Sorin valued him so much that he even entrusted him with all of Inaga’s Legacy.

Of course, the technology for the Artificial Underworld is presently no more than a prototype of a prototype, it could be said that they’ve only just created a folder and written up two PowerPoint presentations.

There are many technical difficulties that have yet to be overcome.

For example, how to adjust the Meditation Technique, how to create the Spirit Machine Core, and how to harness Artificial Intelligence to speed up the reaction times of ordinary people—such as using AI to monitor the surroundings so that when someone attacks, the Spirit Energy Network can immediately notify everyone, thereby accelerating the speed at which the shelter’s shields are raised.

Overall, there are many problems that need to be solved.

And the most important is…

“Ian, I still need funding.”

Adalbert looked at Ian earnestly: “The last allocation of two thousand talers is almost spent, and even the experimental version of the miniaturized Spirit Machine Core requires materials costing over five hundred talers.

Taking into account experimental loss and trial and error…

five thousand five hundred talers are essential.”

“Alright.

But you’ll have to wait a moment.”

Ian managed to keep a calm facade, but inside he was feeling the strain — five thousand five hundred talers wasn’t actually that much, considering a house in the Imperial Capital costs three times that price, not to mention the recent large-scale infrastructure constructions in Xia Hui Territory have totaled nearly seven thousand talers.

But as a researcher himself, Ian was well aware what Adalbert’s request for five thousand five hundred talers implied…

this was just the first phase of experiment funds, and at least three or four more phases would require continuous investment before any results could be produced!

And that’s not even taking into account that the funding for other projects is also separate.

As expected, Adalbert then honestly submitted the cost reports, listing developmental funds for technologies like ‘Artificial Intelligence’ and ‘Practical Use of Artificial Souls’, pushing the total funding needs beyond the ten thousand talers threshold.

Seeing Adalbert’s expectant face, how could Ian possibly admit, ‘I’m out of money!

Really out of money!’?

All he could do was nod calmly: “Leave it to me.”

It must be said that Adalbert is a man full of surprises, whether it is the speed of his technological development or the scale of his funding requests.

“Swindling funds from higher-ups and others, then allocating them to my own researchers…

Is this the daily life of a mid-tier noble in The Empire?”

After leaving the Alchemy Laboratory, Ian shook his head and sighed, “Forget it, at least Adalbert doesn’t embezzle funds—if it were me, with so many projects, I wouldn’t even complete the first phase without tens of thousands of talers!”

This was not Ian being greedy—the Artificial Intelligence issue alone would surely require millions of talers in research funds from The Empire, and that’s just for preliminary studies.

Subsequent improvements would amount to another significant sum.

If Ian hadn’t freeloaded the most expensive portion of the technology, it would be utterly unaffordable for Xia Hui Territory!

“Seeking investment is imperative.”

After returning to the Lord’s Mansion, Ian pondered for a while and decided to contact everyone he knew: “Marquis Barton, Firestone Group, Platinum Iridium Workshop, the Second Prince, and the Fae…

I will reach out to all potential collaborators.”

“Although the Mountain People are poor, they still represent a sizable market.

I believe some will be willing to explore new markets at this time.”

Currently, Xia Hui Territory, apart from the traditional ‘Spirit Energy Nourishment Extract’, also boasts a number of competitive products.

Recently, Ian had submitted patents for the Charged Rifle and Magnetic Storm Generator through the Platinum Iridium Workshop’s channels, and the Firestone Group showed a great interest in these products.

Marquis Barton seemed quite optimistic about the new agricultural cultivation that Ian wanted to develop.

Of course, it might just be an investment in Ian himself, but for Ian who had perfectly accomplished all his missions, Barton was sure not to be stingy with his funds.

The most important thing was that Ian had a military position.

If push came to shove, he could also request military funds—the unit that routed the Constructed Knight is just asking for a bit of military funding, Marquis Barton couldn’t possibly refuse, could he?

And regarding the Fae contacted through Hua’an, the primary focus is the Fairy Den in the South Sea Great Labyrinth.

As the Labyrinth Master, Ian believed he had many things to discuss with them.