Yun Wei listened attentively as Xi De finished explaining the mission.
It's more accurate to call them three challenges than three test tasks.
The first challenge was that they had to take off under the watchful eye of the Alchemy City's magic cannons.
Sid said he would then go to Parliament to submit a formal application for flight permission.
This is technically against regulations, but considering the current power struggles within the city, Sid decides to conduct the test first and then use the final data to force the council to compromise.
Otherwise, based on past experience, no proposal will be able to pass before the seat competition concludes next June.
The second challenge is to reach the destination successfully within a month.
The airship's built-in data logger automatically records data for one month. Sid wants them to plan a flight path at a 90-degree angle horizontally to determine the winter weather conditions on the Continent of Elements.
Therefore, there are two options:
The route, from southeast to northeast, passes through the heart of the Red Moon Kingdom, between Moonflower City and Red Moon City, then turns to Xiegou, passes over Dragon Island, and then follows the edge of the Mermaid Beach to reach Bili.
The "Northeast-Southeast" route leads into the Kingdom of Blackthorn, deep into the Reflecting Water Marsh, reaching the edge of the far northern wasteland, then turning along the Storm Cliffs, hugging the coastline to reach the destination.
The two discussed the map for a long time before finally deciding to choose the first option.
The main reason was safety, because the area along this route was generally more densely populated, and Yunwei was more familiar with the terrain of Hongyue.
The third challenge is that they must try not to use their own magic on the airship, but instead rely on the airship's permanent magic array to survive.
After all, this is only the first flying machine on the Zhuyuan Continent. Sid has also conceived many possible uses for it in the future. The person operating it is likely not a high-level professional, or even an ordinary civilian.
For example, reconnaissance boats used for scouting increase the risk of exposure with each takeoff and landing, and need to stay in the air for a long time.
For example, weather boats that observe storms may spend even longer in the air.
Although many factors were considered during the design process, optimization and improvement are still needed based on the actual user experience.
Yun Wei and his group's month-long journey across most of the Zhuyuan Continent basically covered all possible scenarios.
After Sid finished speaking, he looked at Yun Wei and said, "Alright, that's about it."
Yun Wei quickly reviewed the content in his mind again, but said, "To be honest, I don't think it's actually that difficult."
Upon hearing this, Sid laughed and said, "Of course, mainly because you and Isaac have worked too hard these past two months and deserve a good rest."
The alchemist paused here, then raised the parchment scroll in his hand, "There's also a personal matter. When you meet the elders of Azure City, please pass this on to me."
He then handed the parchment scroll in his hand to Yun Wei.
Yun Wei had previously assumed that this was for him, something like an operation manual or driving guide.
It turned out that it was meant for Bili City.
He carefully took it, and couldn't help but ask in confusion, "What's written inside?"
He had never actually visited Bili, so he would probably have to ask Xie Mulang to help him deliver it.
“Some technology transfer agreements.” Sid looked at Yun Wei and winked playfully. “After hearing what you said that day, I was very inspired, and then I did discover that charcoal can actually lower the melting point of iron.”
At this point, the alchemy master said very sincerely, "Since Bili already has the advanced technology, I might as well just buy it directly. This way, I can avoid a lot of detours."
After listening to him finish speaking, Yun Wei frowned immediately. "But... if this kind of thing is a trade secret, others might not be willing to sell it to you, right?"
“That’s why we need to talk,” Sid said casually, as if he were quite familiar with the process. “Oh, Xiao Yunwei, it’s no problem. The main thing is that I need you to help me make the connection.”
“We haven’t had a chance to cooperate before, but this time I took the initiative to propose it, representing the territory of Bethlehem. We can offer some concessions. For example, they would definitely be interested in some high-level magic rune combinations…”
"Think about it, Bethlehem and Bili are located in the west and east, respectively, and they complement each other. Wouldn't we both earn more?"
Yun Wei then carefully put away the parchment scroll and emphasized again, "Let's make this clear first: I'm only responsible for delivering it. Whether the deal goes through or not depends on your own efforts."
“Of course.” Sid smiled, a barely perceptible smile playing on his lips.
...
That night, Yun Wei stayed in the laboratory the whole time.
It's not that he's dawdling, it's just that Sid has been leaving get off work earlier and earlier these days.
"Hmm, Xiao Yunwei, why aren't you going back to rest yet?" Sid stretched his arms and moved his neck from side to side. "The weather is getting colder and colder. It would be so comfortable to read a book by the headboard."
"I'll be right there, you go back first, don't wait for me." Yun Wei quickly waved to Xi De.
He was looking absentmindedly at a parchment scroll that recorded the local customs and culture of Bili.
However, Sid pulled up a chair and sat down next to him, hesitatingly asking, "By the way, could I ask you a rather personal question..."
"Ask me a question?" Yun Wei turned his head in surprise to look at the other person. "It's not going to be the myth from this morning, is it?"
"Hmm, no. Although that was interesting too, I need to process it a bit more." Sid's expression became increasingly conflicted.
Like a fish about to escape from the hook.
Yun Wei knew that if he joked about it again, the other person probably wouldn't ask anymore.
Yun Wei quickly turned to face the other person, leaned forward with concern, and assumed a posture for a heart-to-heart talk.
"Ask away. I will answer everything I know to the best of my ability," he said.
"Uh, wait a minute," the other person stammered, their face flushed red, "You should be, you should be, the one on the bottom, right..."
"Huh?" Upon hearing the other party's euphemistic expression, Yun Wei suddenly panicked.
He clearly understood what the other person meant, but it was precisely because he knew that he was so panicked.
But when he saw Sid's helpless expression—yes, Sid seemed even more flustered than him.
His eyes darted around, and he seemed about to say something but hesitated.
I felt restless and uneasy, as if I were sitting on pins and needles.
This gave him an eerie sense of confidence, forcing him to calm down.
Yunwei, you're a person from the 21st century, you can't show your weakness.
Besides, the fact that Sid mustered up the courage to ask you this clearly shows that he trusts you a lot, so you must not let him down.
"Cough, of course." Yun Wei's earlobes were burning, but he pretended to be relaxed and said, "You should be too, right?"
"Um..." Sid lowered his head in a panic and stammered, "I want to know, well... if the other person wanted it every day... how would you get used to it?"
Even when Sid spoke with utter shame and indignation, Yun Wei could instantly understand what he meant.
Help! Help!
He was on the verge of tears but had no tears left to shed.
If he were to confess at this point that he was still a virgin...
Then he's really bad at it.
If Isaac finds out from Silver tomorrow, he'll be impossible to appease.
"Ah...hahaha!" Yun Wei couldn't help but laugh with his hands on his hips, pointing at the landscape and saying, "That depends on you. If you're in a good mood, then agree; if you're not, then don't."
"I see." Sid lowered his head, almost burying it in the ground, but still nodded vigorously and praised in a low voice, "As expected of Xiao Yunwei, I have suddenly understood again."
"Haha, I'm glad I could help," Yun Wei said with a dry laugh.
But his heart was roaring with grief:
Please, Master Sid, have mercy, stop asking... if you ask again...
The child is about to be exposed.
To be honest, Sid is quite adorable when he's all shy and bashful.
He was genuinely afraid that Sid would suddenly revert to his inquisitive and demanding ways of getting to the bottom of things.
In the quiet laboratory, two young men, their faces flushed, were lost in their own thoughts when suddenly, there was a knock on the laboratory door.
"Knock knock—"
Yun and Wei raised their heads like startled birds, looked at each other, and then simultaneously looked away.
"Please come in!" Sid called out loudly.
He suddenly leaned over the workbench, frantically rummaging through the mountain of experimental notes, as if he had been busy the whole time.
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