Chapter 244: Test Explosion

Seeing the target rock explode.

Luo De made no further comment and immediately began comparing it to the original factory's magic ring.

After all, he never intended to match the quality of the genuine product.

After all, Selina was only one person, while the Heavenly Flower Nation was a complete national apparatus—its quality control was incomparable.

The explosion startled the land naga in the Death Desert.

They did not dare delay; their leader, the priestess, brought only one guard and hurried over to pay a visit.

Land naga are always bullies who cower before strength.

The forest's power had already been demonstrated beyond doubt; the priestess dared not offend.

She brought a bundle of naga molts and teeth as a gift.

Though she did not know what use they served.

But Luo De still accepted them and nodded.

He merely explained they were practicing a new spell here.

The priestess, named Shaya, sighed in relief:

"Forgive me, Lord Luo De. We have endured too many setbacks here and have grown overly timid. Please understand."

Luo De waved his hand, showing no intention to speak further with her.

The priestess's upper body was as curvaceous as Eve's, but she wore a tightly fitted leather armor.

Seeing his casual demeanor and lack of words, the priestess Shaya could only offer a bitter bow and step back.

Halfway to the exit, she turned and bowed to Luo De again.

"Lord Luo De, on the night of the banquet, it was your intervention that saved my life. Thank you once more."

With that, she straightened up and departed with the same pride she had shown when first arriving at Shi Ying Town.

Luo De paid it no further mind.

After all, his impression of the priestess was mediocre.

Zombie Selina: "Continue the experiment, my master. She has no experimental data from the magic ring on her buttocks."

"Nonsense! I didn't look!"

But Budebushuo, although naga have serpentine lower bodies, there is still a slight curvature to their hips.

Quite alluring.

It made him miss the land naga Eve.

After the interruption:

The test explosion was very quick.

It ended in less than half an hour.

Selina scribbled in her notebook.

After a while, she frowned and said:

"The overload ring's power is only 60% to 75% of the original factory's normal version, and it consumes slightly more mana. Ordinary magic rings require similar mana, but during spiritual transmission, overflow occurs, leading to duds and reduced power."

She shook her head, dissatisfied with her craftsmanship.

She also felt a flicker of shame—how could she dare present such low quality as the first batch of prototypes?

But that shame, under the effect of the emotional blockade spell, never reached her heart.

"Not bad."

Luo De smiled.

He examined the magic ring left behind—a dud.

Its appearance differed little from the original Heavenly Flower Nation ring, yet it unmistakably evoked association with the Heavenly Flower Nation.

"It's too different from the original."

"You're mistaken, Selina."

Looking at the gloomy zombie girl, Luo De rested his elbow on top of her head.

"Our magic rings aren't meant to match the Heavenly Flower Nation's premium goods—they're mid-tier products: slightly inferior, cheaper, and more affordable."

"Huh?"

"Our goal is still profit, Selina. Magic rings on the market are exorbitantly priced, especially now that the Heavenly Flower Nation is in conflict with Aitheron and has cut exports. This is our chance to rise."

"But what about quality?"

"Is there a risk of self-explosion? Could it hurt the user?"

"No. The notebook you brought has detailed descriptions of the fuse mechanism. I believe our rings are as safe as the Heavenly Flower Nation's—only the mana circuit sealing may fail, causing duds."

Hearing there was no risk of explosion, Luo De grew even happier.

Duds?

What's a dud?

As long as you don't kill anyone, bring me back a dud ring—I'll replace it!

Hmm. Not necessarily. Let's first check the cost and output.

Selina thought for a moment:

"If I work nonstop, thirty days a month, I can produce about 180 magic rings."

"Do you think I'm a slave master? Factor in rest time."

She felt a faint warmth in her heart.

But in truth, Luo De feared her lack of rest would compromise quality.

"Then 150 per month. Cost is about 15 to 20 Jin Along per ring—this craft is mainly labor-intensive."

Cost: 15 to 20 Jin Along each.

【Fire Branding Technique】, fifth-rank spell, official price: 540 Jin Along

Damn, this is a profit bonanza!

Of course, this doesn't include labor, taxes, maintenance, shipping, and other costs.

Don't think the other world doesn't have taxes!

Luo De waved his hand: "You deliver me 100 per month. I'll give you a cut based on quantity. I have other tasks for you—don't put everything into this."

One hundred per month is a very small number.

But that's the advantage of a small workshop: small batches, room for trial and error.

We can increase output once sales smooth out.

"Also, keep the technology secret. Our industrial structure isn't as comprehensive as the Heavenly Flower Nation's—we're essentially copying and pirating—but we can't let others copy us!"

The tree spirit, hugging his arm for warmth, was half-asleep.

Hearing the loud voices, she opened her large, glowing white eyes.

Luo De pinched her soft cheek and smiled:

"When our business runs smoothly, I'll plant trees across the entire Death Desert—and give them all to you."

Vivian didn't understand his boasting, but she nestled her small head against his chest, breathing in his scent, feeling calm.

"By the way, Kali said you traded something with her. Why didn't you come to me?"

Luo De suddenly remembered.

Last night, he'd been carried away—Vivian had barely entered the room before he pulled her into bed.

Vivian blinked her big eyes, nudging her head gently against his chest.

"Tree spirit, same kind, call, return."

Luo De had spent much time with her; he easily understood her meaning.

Even if he didn't quite grasp it, repeated phrases made sense eventually.

In short, it meant: "Other tree spirits, through 【Tree Realm Arrival】, have contacted her, urging her to return to her birthplace."

As for why—likely due to some emerging crisis.

After all, new dangers have appeared across the continent.

Vivian naturally refused to return; she had no attachment to her birthplace. Not just her—this call from the tree spirits would probably fail anyway; few tree spirits would leave their current forests.

Her reason for approaching Kali was to ask her to use a spell to decline the invitation.

"Why hide this from me? Kali's too stiff and proper."

True—elves are always like that.

"Also."

Vivian spoke again, pointing to her abdomen.

"Water, spray, dirty, mattress. Vivian, afraid, Luo De, dislike. So, learn, cleaning spell."

Luo De paused.

Vivian's water content was indeed quite high.

He burst out laughing and pulled her tightly into his arms.

"What's that? I love this about you. I love Vivian the most—I'll never dislike you."

(End of Chapter)