Mountains and giant beasts, cabins in the woods

Liu Xingmo returned to his bedroom.

Su Mali flipped through the reference book, scribbling and drawing on the blueprints. This composed woman sometimes encountered difficulties, and could only rest her chin on one hand while deftly twirling the pen with the fingers of the other.

Upon closer inspection, Liu Xingmo realized it was a complex set of equipment driven by a steam engine.

Western alchemy had developed to the point of incorporating mechanical applications, with coal as the core power source for boiling water.

As for electrical equipment, it has been popularized by some reincarnated individuals, but it has not yet been integrated with local technology. Related research and development is the task of Sumari's generation.

I've heard that some Thunder Dao sects in the Central Plains are also exploring this cutting-edge technology.

Liu Xingmo pulled out a chair and sat down next to his wife: "How is it, Mary?"

"The material strength is too low, requiring frequent repairs. Since we can't find a good way to improve it, we'll have to frequently shut down the workshop for comprehensive maintenance." Sumari pointed to the blueprints, "It's right here; the mechanical movement keeps wearing down the rune array."

Liu Xingmo examined it closely; the steel components were entwined with intricate geometric patterns. "What's this thing for? Is it absolutely necessary? How about we just make it purely mechanical?"

"It's not that simple... The power transmission here needs to be changed from linear motion to rotational motion."

"Converting a linear motion to rotation? Just add a flywheel and gear linkage, like this..."

Liu Xingmo scribbled on the blueprints. Although they weren't professional engineering design drawings, the basic meaning was clear.

He slammed his pen on the table as he drew the last straight line: "That's it! What need is there for any convoluted formations when purely mechanical work can be done?"

"let me see."

Sumali didn’t pay much attention at first, but the more she looked at it, the more she felt that it made sense. She took out small parts from the toolbox, set up the model and started experimenting.

"It seems like it really can?"

Sumali looked at her husband with bright, sparkling eyes.

"Xingmo, how did you do that?"

"I've read some books on mechanical dynamics. I figured this structure could be used." Liu Xingmo made up an excuse, but he was actually using knowledge from his previous life.

He stared at the blueprints, feeling they were far more rudimentary than the illustrations in his history books from his previous life: "Who... designed this thing? How come they didn't even understand the steam engine?"

"This is the great alchemist Nutrike, from a hundred years ago..." Sumali explained carefully.

Liu Xingmo rolled his eyes: "A hundred years? That's already a dilapidated antique!"

"How could that be? There are many people this age in Black Dragon Village, like Liu San Niang..." Su Mali tilted her head. "Xing Mo, your sense of time is really strange!"

"Whether it's strange or not is another matter, let me take a closer look at your steam engine. If this old relic keeps breaking down, our family will suffer a huge loss."

Liu Xingmo and Su Mali carefully studied the alchemy equipment and improved and optimized many details.

The two, exhausted, didn't go to bed until dawn.

The next two days were also spent in a busy atmosphere.

Liu Xingmo went out to deliver goods in the morning, returned in the afternoon to study blueprints, and began cultivating whenever he had free time.

The needle tip grows taller and taller.

The peach trees are covered in pink and white blossoms, a sign of a bountiful summer harvest.

Since last year, this tree has been receiving the finest fertilizer—the excrement of auspicious mythical creatures. Even turtle droppings and bird droppings from the dead of winter are specially transported over and buried under the snow.

Liu Xingmo vaguely sensed that the nectarine tree he had lived in for eighteen years had been touched by a faint trace of luck.

Is it because luck doesn't dissipate, so it gradually accumulates?

How should we sell the nectarines harvested in the summer? Should we raise the price?

Liu Xingmo pondered trivial matters, finished washing up, and went to work.

Today I didn't ride the Baohei motorcycle, but walked on the main road of Xizhen.

The sky was blue and cloudless.

The fruit trees covering the mountains and fields are in full bloom with colorful and dazzling flowers, some vibrant and others elegant, overflowing into a boundless sea of ​​fragrance in the warm spring breeze.

Liu Xingmo walked on the stone-paved road.

The flowering trees, dozens of meters tall, provided a dense canopy, and their fluttering petals drifted like snowflakes.

Groups of children ran through the streets and rolled around on the thick carpet of fallen flowers.

Liu Xingmo rode in the Wild Rabbit Bus, speeding along the Birch Avenue.

Not only in Xizhen, but also throughout the mountains and rivers, vibrant flowers bloom, as if the magnificent clouds of the sky have descended to the earth.

Spring is the most beautiful season.

Liu Xingmo arrived at the library.

The giant macaque put down its book, rested its paw on its glasses, and carefully examined the young man before it, uttering a secret thought: "Incredible! Is this a case of two cultivators practicing the same path?"

"Director, you found out?"

"That's right. The higher-ups specifically ordered me to lend a hand. Liu Xingmo, from now on, you have free access to the inner library and can read all the books except for the forbidden ones. If you encounter any difficulties in your cultivation, everyone in the entire library will give you advice."

"Seriously? Why make it so conspicuous? What exactly are they planning to do?"

"Of course, we should promote the practice among fellow practitioners so that everyone can benefit from it."

"Huh? That's impossible, isn't it?" Liu Xingmo asked in bewilderment. "Aside from a special physique like mine, for an ordinary person to cultivate two paths simultaneously, unless... they accept someone else's soul imprint?"

"That's right. Blood cultivators imprint their souls on wood cultivators and infuse them with their blood energy. And vice versa. In this way, many people can cultivate both paths simultaneously. I've heard that they've found a few other promising talents and have already begun to try this path."

"This, this, this..." Liu Xingmo stammered, his face full of confusion. "This is completely inappropriate, isn't it?"

"Don't think about those things." The giant macaque took off its glasses, rubbed its red face, and said, "Parents who give their children a soul imprint, would they harm their own children?"

"That's still not appropriate! Parents' excessive desire for control will only bring disaster to the family, let alone absolute control like a soul imprint." Liu Xingmo scratched his head. "Director, you should talk to the higher-ups properly. This kind of thing absolutely cannot be done!"

"You brat, relying on your extraordinary talent, you're acting all innocent after getting the better deal. Think back to when you chose your cultivation path—did you ever hesitate? If you had the chance to cultivate two paths simultaneously, what a stroke of luck that would be! This old monkey missed his chance, but the young ones should seize it!"

"I..." Liu Xingmo hesitated, struggling for a long time before finally saying helplessly, "These things need to be done little by little. Let's start with a few families as a pilot program. If the results are good, then we can expand it. If problems arise, we should stop them in time..."

"Whether it succeeds or not depends on your performance. Xiao Mo, you need to write down the method for cultivating both paths simultaneously. I expect you to achieve something."

"Sigh! I'll do my best, curator."

With mixed feelings, Liu Xingmo arrived at his office.

Several employees were present.

Five pairs of eyes stared at them simultaneously, their eerie gazes sending chills down one's spine.

Liu Xingmo shuddered and asked, "What are you doing?"