Chapter 268: Gunpowder, Bombs

"I must go to the Sunset Forest to take a look. He just came out of Slaughter City and heard the news of Tang Hao's death. In his state, without anyone to restrain him, it is highly likely he will return to the path of Devouring he took before to increase his strength."

Shi Quan's figure vanished from the room, soaring into the air and flying straight toward the Sunset Forest. He traveled rapidly, and upon flying to a location where Ten Thousand Year Spirit Beasts haunted, he found an open space and slowly descended to sit on the grass.

Just after landing, a blue-gold light lit up from Shi Quan's right hand. His Seventh Soul Ring flashed into existence beneath him, and the blue-gold color spread over his entire body; Shi Quan had entered the state of his Blue Silver Emperor Tree True Body.

At the same time, the Blue Silver Domain unfolded. In an instant, under the effect of the Blue Silver Emperor Tree True Body, the Blue Silver Domain expanded geometrically, extending rapidly outward toward every direction of the Sunset Forest.

Between his brows, the Samsara Mark flickered with light, and his massive Mental Power completely merged into the Blue Silver Domain. The Blue Silver Emperor Tree slowly grew out from behind Shi Quan, its drooping Blue Silver Vines shimmering with golden patterns.

A rich force of vitality spread out, and countless plants, nourished by Shi Quan's Blue Silver Domain, contributed their power without reservation.

The vast aura soon spread to the entire Sunset Forest; Shi Quan seemed to have become the master of all the plants in this forest.

Shi Quan was not there to absorb the life force within them, but to search for traces of Tang San.

A massive amount of information was transmitted from the countless plants.

Such Spirit Beast corpses were most numerous in this Poisonous Miasma Land.

Being able to confirm that Tang San was not dead was enough.

There was no need for Shi Quan to personally research these practical operations; he only needed to set aside half an hour to an hour each day to inquire about the situation and offer some suggestions.

Shi Quan could only take off and leave.

Shi Quan had experimented before; once this tiny bamboo tube was triggered, the Firework inside was enough to fly to a height of several tens of meters.

After dismantling the Gunpowder from it, Shi Quan directly distributed the raw materials to the people below, letting them research it. Regarding the Gunpowder, Shi Quan was only responsible for leadership and directional guidance.

Soon, Shi Quan screened out information regarding Tang San, though it was not from the present, but from the past.

One month later.

Shi Quan's figure instantly turned into a blue-gold afterimage and vanished from the spot.

Shi Quan's figure plunged straight into it. Looking at the withered Spirit Beast bones on the ground, Shi Quan raised his eyes and couldn't help but sigh: "Tang San has completely fallen now."

Of course, this group of people were all confidants of Xue Qinghe; if Gunpowder is used well, it is absolutely a great lethal weapon in war.

"So cautious; it seems he won't be easy to find." Shi Quan shook his head. There are quite a few Spirit Beast Forests on the Douluo Continent, and with Tang San's cautious personality, coupled with his disguise techniques, it really isn't easy to find his tracks.

Three days later.

Unable to find Tang San's exact tracks, Shi Quan could not waste too much time and energy on him.

Shi Quan was dismantling a tiny bamboo tube. This bamboo tube was exactly what Xue Qinghe had obtained from Ning Fengzhi, and what was inside was the Firework that Tang San had made.

Poisonous Miasma Land.

"It's just a pity that Tang San has already left the Sunset Forest." Shi Quan shook his head and sighed. It must be said that Tang San is cautious; at the slightest sign of trouble, Tang San immediately slipped away.

With Shi Quan's current strength, he believed it impossible for Tang San to escape his search. If he couldn't find him, it could only prove that because of the previous events, Tang San already felt the Sunset Forest was no longer safe, so he had transferred to another Spirit Beast Forest to hunt Spirit Beasts.

These researchers were all found by Xue Qinghe according to Shi Quan's requirements to assist him.

Through the search, Shi Quan only found some of Tang San's past traces.

This was the Gunpowder that Shi Quan was looking for.

Boom!

A violent explosion sounded from within the research institute.

"It's done, it's done!" the researchers in the institute shouted excitedly.

The first generation of Gunpowder bombs was successfully researched.

The powerful force was enough to rival the full-strength strike of a Soul Ancestor.

Shi Quan nodded in approval as he looked at the research report sent by the researchers. Compared to single-shot Fire Muskets, larger Gunpowder bombs were undoubtedly more suitable for combat and also easier to develop. It took only one month to successfully develop them, and the results were very gratifying.

Soon, Shi Quan had someone send the first generation of bombs to Xue Qinghe. After Xue Qinghe experimented with them, he arrived at the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's research institute at the first opportunity.

"The Gunpowder bombs this time actually yielded results so quickly?" Xue Qinghe asked excitedly upon arrival.

"If it weren't for you obtaining the fireworks from Ning Fengzhi, the speed wouldn't have been this fast."

Xue Qinghe nodded, then asked the question he cared about, "Can the power of these bombs continue to be increased? How about the production aspect?"

"This is only the first generation of bombs; there is a lot of room for improvement in terms of power. As for production, it is relatively simple; even ordinary people can make them. Although I have already planned and designed the process, you also know that this thing will cause a chain reaction if one is not careful, so the production process still requires extra caution." As he spoke, Shi Quan handed the process he had listed to Xue Qinghe.

"Good, good, good!" Xue Qinghe looked at the drawings in his hand excitedly and said 'good' three times.

"Also..." Shi Quan took out a few more blueprints filled with pictures from the side, "These are blueprints for a Machine Gun. They are portable weapons I conceived based on Gunpowder, for ordinary people to use. They are also some research directions for the future. There are also War Chariots, though for these vehicles, they might require the soul power of a Spirit Master to drive."

These blueprints were all drawn by Shi Quan based on some videos he watched in his past life, combined with the reality of the situation. On the basis of the bombs, with the guidance of these blueprints, it would only take more detailed research and experimentation to develop them. With the current researchers, it was enough to handle.

After Xue Qinghe finished reading the blueprints Shi Quan handed over, he couldn't help but praise them as ingenious ideas.

If the same things were placed in front of him, he would absolutely never have thought of so many clever uses.

"With the support of Gunpowder, inheriting the throne shouldn't be a problem, right?" Shi Quan looked at Xue Qinghe.

"Enough, having these to rely on is enough!" A sharp light flickered in Xue Qinghe's eyes, unable to hide his excitement. For the first time, he felt the throne was so close to him.

Shi Quan nodded upon hearing this, "I look forward to the day you ascend the throne."

Xue Qinghe chuckled, "It's all thanks to you."

"We're friends, it's a small matter." Shi Quan waved his hand.

There were only the two of them in the research institute, so they were not as polite as they were outside.

"After inheriting the throne, what other plans do you have?"

Ambition appeared in Xue Qinghe's eyes, "I will first unify the Heaven Dou Empire, and then unify the continent."

Shi Quan shrugged upon hearing this, "And after the unification?"

Xue Qinghe paused and said, "Strive to become stronger, I suppose."

Shi Quan nodded, "The matter I mentioned to you last time, did you ask?"

"You also know that my identity is special, and it's not easy to return to Wuhun City. I sent someone to my grandfather to ask about the situation, but the result I got was also vague. I really don't have time to return to Wuhun City, so this matter has been delayed."

"Hmm."

It must be said that sometimes this person Qian Renxue is indeed profit-oriented. Facing the true cause of her own biological father's death, she could endure and hold back until now without being willing to return to the Spirit Hall to ask clearly; she is truly capable of enduring.

"Power is intoxicating; you had best not lose yourself in it," Shi Quan advised.

"Are you worried about me?" Xue Qinghe's lips suddenly curled into a smile, and then the tone of the conversation shifted, "By the way, you don't know my true appearance yet, do you?"

Xue Qinghe took a step forward, drawing close to Shi Quan—or more accurately, Qian Renxue. As she drew near, a pale golden radiance bloomed from her chest. Her fair skin was like congealed snow, with a straight nose and slender phoenix eyes; in terms of beauty alone, Qian Renxue's face was absolutely among the most beautiful on the continent.

It had to be said that Bibi Dong's genes were truly strong; Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong were seven or eight parts similar, yet both possessed their own unique beauty.

Looking at the stunning face right before him, Shi Quan could not help but feel his heart race and his face flush. He hurriedly took a step back, cleared his throat twice, and said, "Ahem, what are you doing?"

Qian Renxue smiled sweetly, "Nothing, didn't you say we were friends? Isn't this just letting you see my true face?"

Shi Quan smirked and said, "You are so beautiful, and you're standing so close to me—aren't you worried I might have ulterior motives?"

Qian Renxue covered her mouth and chuckled, "Come on then? Do you dare?"

Shi Quan's expression faltered; he had not expected Qian Renxue to be even bolder than him. He hurriedly waved his hands in surrender, "I dare not, I dare not. I'm afraid your grandfather would fly straight over from Wuhun City to pummel me."

"Is that so? Are you not afraid of your three little doting wives?" Qian Renxue chuckled.

"Afraid, I'm definitely afraid," Shi Quan admitted defeat directly.

"Xiao Quan, Oscar is here," at this moment, Ye Lingling's voice came from outside the research institute.

Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue also took a step back, her figure shifting rapidly, and in the blink of an eye, she transformed back into the appearance of Xue Qinghe.

"Is the Crown Prince here?" Ye Lingling pushed open the door to the research institute and paused slightly upon seeing Shi Quan and Xue Qinghe inside. She looked at Shi Quan, "Xiao Quan, should I have them wait for a moment?"

Xue Qinghe smiled and shook his head, saying, "Since Brother Shi has things to attend to, I won't disturb you. I shall visit again next time."

As he spoke, Xue Qinghe nodded briefly to acknowledge Ye Lingling, left Shi Quan with a teasing smile, and then turned and left.

"Xiao Quan, what's wrong?" Ye Lingling came to Shi Quan's side; she noticed that Shi Quan's expression seemed a bit off.

"It's nothing," Shi Quan adjusted his breathing and asked, "Did Oscar come alone?"

"Ma Hongjun came as well, but I noticed that Ma Hongjun's state seems a bit off."

Hearing this, a smile also appeared on the corner of Shi Quan's mouth, "Let's go, let's go take a look..."