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Chapter 428: The Soul-Saving Lamp
🕑 Added 2024-10-14 10:25:41 +0000 UTCThe flat land suitable for the four races to live on was scarce, surrounded by mountains and cliffs, making space very tight. Each household’s dwelling was built to be as small as possible while ensuring comfort, and the houses were packed tightly together, making natural light scarce.
In Xiao Jiang's memory, his home had always been dimly lit. This was the first time he had seen his house so bright, and he excitedly ran around inside, filled with joy.
Lin Qian sat quietly at the dining table, watching Xiao Jiang’s exuberant behavior with a smile of satisfaction and anticipation. He believed that once this invention spread across the Hua Xia Empire, many other children would be just as excited as Xiao Jiang was now.
"Your Majesty, what is this? Is it the legendary soul crystal lamp?" Xiao Jiang knelt on a chair, propping his elbows on the table, full of curiosity as he leaned closer to Lin Qian.
Lin Qian, feeling uplifted by Xiao Jiang’s joy, patiently explained, "This is even better than a soul crystal lamp. I’ve named it the Hua Xia Soul-Saving Lamp!"
"Hua Xia Soul-Saving Lamp?"
"As the name suggests, it conserves soul energy. Unlike the soul crystal lamp, this soul-saving lamp consumes very little energy, making it extremely efficient," Lin Qian explained, pointing upwards. "Its effects are also impressive. You can control it with voice commands to turn it on and off effortlessly."
He continued, "Moreover, if the weather is cold, the heat from the lamp will increase to keep you warm. But in hot weather, it won’t emit heat, so you won’t feel uncomfortable."
"And it can absorb the surrounding spiritual energy on its own, converting it into the necessary light. Isn’t that amazing?"
As Lin Qian explained the functions of the soul-saving lamp, Xiao Jiang listened in awe, repeatedly exclaiming in amazement.
"Your Majesty, what’s the command for this soul-saving lamp?"
Lin Qian raised a finger, signaling Xiao Jiang to wait. He hadn’t yet asked Zhuge Ming about the command for the lamp.
However, Xiao Jiang watched as Lin Qian’s previously cheerful expression gradually turned grim. Slowly, Lin Qian covered his face with his hands, clearly troubled.
"How could Zhuge Ming come up with such a command?" Lin Qian grumbled internally as he reviewed the system framework and the description of his subordinates’ attributes. Finally, he sighed in exasperation and slapped his forehead.
"Such foolishness in some areas!"
Peering through his fingers at Xiao Jiang’s expectant eyes, Lin Qian reluctantly stood up. He realized that sending the soul-saving lamp back to Zhuge Ming for modification would take time and might disappoint the eager child in front of him.
"Well, he’s just a kid. It should be fine," Lin Qian reassured himself, though he still hesitated.
In the end, under Xiao Jiang’s hopeful gaze, Lin Qian decided to go through with it.
Xiao Jiang watched in amazement as Lin Qian raised his right arm, palm facing upward toward the soul-saving lamp.
"Day and night alternate as natural law, darkness descends—extinguish, Soul-Saving Lamp!" Lin Qian intoned in a low voice, clenching his open hand into a fist and bringing it to his chest.
At that moment, the lamp adhered to the beam began to dim until it finally went out.
Then, Lin Qian swiftly raised his arm again, this time with his fist pointed at the lamp.
"Darkness shall fade, and light shall return—shine forth, Soul-Saving Lamp!" he declared loudly.
In response, the lamp flared back to life, illuminating the room once more.
After finishing the commands, Lin Qian anxiously glanced at Xiao Jiang, only to see the boy staring at him in stunned silence.
"That was so cool!" Xiao Jiang suddenly exclaimed, leaping off the chair, his excitement evident. He began mimicking Lin Qian's actions, shouting commands at the lamp with enthusiasm.
"Phew!" Lin Qian let out a sigh of relief, watching Xiao Jiang play with the soul-saving lamp. "In the end, he’s still just a child."
Lin Qian's voice then echoed in Zhuge Ming's mind through the Hua Xia Empire's communication system: "Zhuge Ming, from now on, any command names must be approved by me before being finalized. Understood?"
"As you command!" Zhuge Ming had no choice but to comply with Lin Qian's directive, though he couldn't help but mutter regretfully, "Such a great command, what a shame."
In the past, all names had been chosen by Lin Qian, so he hadn’t noticed Zhuge Ming’s peculiar tendency until now. If not for this incident with the soul-saving lamp’s command, Lin Qian might have remained unaware of his prime minister’s quirky naming habits.
While Lin Qian observed Xiao Jiang playing happily with the lamp, he resumed his conversation with Zhuge Ming: "What have you discovered about the Spirit-Absorbing Earth?"
"Your Majesty, this Spirit-Absorbing Earth is extraordinary!" Zhuge Ming's voice trembled with excitement, making Lin Qian chuckle.
"Calm down and explain it clearly. What’s so special about it?" Lin Qian urged, amused by Zhuge Ming’s enthusiasm.
Zhuge Ming took a moment to compose himself before explaining his findings in detail.
"Your Majesty, this Spirit-Absorbing Earth can be used in our puppet body project!" Zhuge Ming’s excitement was palpable. Lin Qian could now understand why he was so animated; any progress in the puppet body project would be thrilling news.
"This Spirit-Absorbing Earth can not only store soul energy but also withstand the shock of soul energy fluctuations. After being refined, it can replace a dantian and be used in the puppet bodies."
Zhuge Ming could hardly contain his excitement as he continued, "With the Soul Beads and Spirit-Absorbing Earth, we’ve solved the two most difficult aspects of the puppet body project—the soul and the dantian. Now, we only need to find a suitable material for the body, and the puppet body project will be complete soon."
"Once the puppet body project is completed, Your Majesty will never again face a shortage of capable subordinates!"
"If the puppet body project had been finished earlier, when we attacked the Qin Empire, Your Majesty could have personally led six legion commanders and two beast generals to storm the capital and decapitate the Qin Emperor. They would never have escaped!"
Listening to Zhuge Ming's words, Lin Qian's eyes filled with nostalgia. "I too wish for the day when the six legion commanders and two beast generals stand by my side, helping me overcome all obstacles."
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