"Whew…"
Su Han was quite satisfied with the power of the technique, but the drain on his strength was far too severe. Three uses was pretty much his limit.
Ganyu watched him with concern and asked, "Are you alright?"
"Mm, I'm fine. I just wanted to try out a new technique. It seems powerful, but I'll need more training."
With the defeat of the Pyro Regisvine, the surrounding fire elemental energy quickly dissipated.
Seeing no further danger, Su Han and Ganyu returned to Guili Plains.
On the way, they talked about many things, such as how Mondstadt had been recently, and some trivial matters about the manga. When Ganyu heard that Su Han had encountered Dvalin, her small face immediately tensed up.
"Su Han, were you injured? I heard from the True Lord that the East Wind Dragon, Dvalin, is unimaginably powerful, and his strength can even command the skies."
"The Anemo Archon was present, so of course I wasn't injured. I only felt some exhaustion afterward."
"That's good."
Hearing that Su Han was fine, Ganyu let out a deep breath. She said, "You shouldn't be so reckless in the future. If you feel you can't win, it's better to retreat back to Liyue. Here, it's not just me; the True Lords will also help."
"Mm, I understand."
If he couldn't win, he would call for help. Su Han had always liked that approach. As for the incident a few days ago, it had simply been too urgent for him to think of anything else.
By the time they returned to Guili Plains, it was already three in the afternoon. As soon as Su Han and Ganyu landed, they saw a Millelith soldier running toward them with excitement.
"My lord, you've finally returned! Lady Keqing is waiting for you. She said the experiment has achieved preliminary success."
"That fast? Come on, Ganyu, let's go see."
"What experiment?"
Ganyu looked confused at Su Han's excited expression. When she went out for patrol earlier that morning, there had been no experiment underway. How could anything meaningful be produced in such a short time?
Su Han said proudly, "You'll understand when we get there. This thing will change Liyue for the better."
Under the Millelith soldier's lead, they soon arrived at the entrance of a temporary laboratory. Keqing and Ningguang, who had been discussing something, smiled when they saw Su Han return.
"You look happy. Was the cement produced?"
"Yes. Among the alchemists, a young alchemist was the first to complete the experiment. But without the rotating kiln you mentioned, the quality isn't high enough. Surprisingly, though, we found other alchemical materials that speed up the cement-forming process." (TL/N: Rotary Kiln is a device that rotate slowly, raising materials to a high temperature. Perfect for creating cement)
Under Keqing's lead, Su Han saw the Teyvat version of cement. After being heated and cooled, it had taken on the familiar color he recognized.
After inspecting it and confirming it was roughly the same as the product on Earth, Su Han asked, "Have you tested it?"
"Yes. The building next to us was constructed with this cement. As for the rotating kiln, we're still researching it. We'll probably need more time. Many techniques are not yet refined."
"The technique isn't refined?"
Su Han frowned slightly. The new city was urgently needed. If progress stalled because of the rotating kiln, it would be a huge waste of time.
Ningguang explained, "Liyue has never focused heavily on alchemy. We need to recruit people temporarily. I'm even considering poaching some talents from Mondstadt."
Money had its advantages. When you lacked talent, you could simply hire people from another nation.
But Su Han shook his head. "There's not enough time for that. Let me handle it. I'll try to resolve the rotating kiln problem within three days."
"Three days? That's impossible. Not even the most talented alchemist could complete such a furnace."
Nearby alchemists shook their heads vigorously. They said Su Han was delusional. If the furnace were that simple, they would have completed it long ago. It needed to reach a temperature of 1,400 degrees, after all.
Su Han said dismissively, "What about the genius alchemist Albedo? Even he can't do it? Besides, I know someone who is just as capable as Albedo. Just wait here. I'll be right back. The progress of the new city must not be delayed."
Ganyu came back to her senses and asked, "Are you going to look for the True Lord?"
Su Han nodded with a smile. "Yes. In all of Liyue, only she can help us."
"But the True Lord doesn't like troublesome matters."
"That's for everyone else. It's different when I ask. Ganyu, just wait. I'll bring the True Lord—"
Su Han stopped mid-sentence, stunned. He rubbed his eyes, wondering if he was hallucinating. Why did the crane on the opposite mountain look more and more familiar? Light blue eyes, dark blue wings… Wait. It really was Cloud Retainer! She had come to eavesdrop again.
Keqing looked at him and asked with confusion, "What were you saying about the True Lord? Why did you stop talking?"
"No need to go. The adeptus is already here."
Everyone was shocked and quickly followed his gaze. Sure enough, a crane was standing on the distant mountaintop.
Ganyu exclaimed, "True Lord, why are you here?"
"Ahem. This adeptus was passing by and heard someone calling my name, so I came to take a look. So it was you. If there's something important, perhaps we should discuss it elsewhere."
Cloud Retainer became uneasy seeing so many people beneath her. However, knowing Su Han had encountered difficulties, she couldn't bring herself to leave and suggested changing locations.
Ningguang and Keqing exchanged looks. They knew they weren't familiar enough with the adepti. If they spoke carelessly, they might say the wrong thing. It was better to let Su Han and Ganyu handle it.
But before they could speak, Ganyu panicked and said, "I just remembered I have many things to do. Su Han, you go alone. I… I'll get back to work. Goodbye." She fled immediately.
Su Han chuckled. He knew this would happen. Fine, he would meet the adeptus alone.
He flew to a nearby mountain peak using his artifact. There was no construction there and no one around, making it a good quiet place. As soon as he landed, Cloud Retainer's voice reached him.
"You mentioned a furnace earlier. Is there some mechanism you cannot complete?"
"Yes, True Lord. It's a rotating furnace that can heat up to 1,400 degrees. Its purpose is to raise the temperature of the materials used in cement. I don't know if you could lend a hand. The new city's construction cannot be delayed. If we rely on ordinary people alone, it will take far too long."
Hearing Su Han's request, Cloud Retainer said with disdain, "A mere furnace is nothing. It cannot trouble this adeptus. Also, I heard earlier that cement requires stone to be crushed? I will make that for you as well. Let those ignorant mortals see that what they cannot do does not mean the adepti cannot."
Su Han smiled inwardly. This haughty adeptus was clearly provoked, but that also meant the rotating kiln would definitely be completed.
So he said politely, "Then I'll trouble you, True Lord."
"These are small matters. I shall return shortly."
Cloud Retainer spread her wings and flew toward Jueyun Karst. The items needed were too large, and Madam Ping's materials would not be enough. She needed to return to her own dwelling.
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