Master of Strange Dao

The small town of Dazhen indeed looks far less prosperous than that of Daqian.

During this season, even in the warmest southeastern part of Dazhen, it's still winter, let alone the inland areas near the southwestern Hengduan Mountains.

The small town appears somewhat desolate, with few pedestrians on the streets. Only at the city gate can one see wagons pulled by exotic beasts.

Some burly men, steaming with heat, wearing beast skin vests, shout as they come and go.

Yu Ziqing could still sense some unstable fluctuations emanating from the wagons.

These were newly extracted ores, without preliminary processing, making them quite unstable.

Usually, a single mine wouldn't produce just one kind of ore; various ores are mixed together, often with low-purity Spirit Jades mixed in.

The composition is too complex and unstable, so they can only be transported like this.

If placed in a storage ring with too much accumulation, it could explode.

Typically, preliminary sorting, smelting, refining, and other processes are completed nearby.

Only after these processes are completed do they become some kind of raw material circulating in the market.

If it's more advanced composite materials, they're usually refined in small batches personally by an Artifact Refiner.

After all, there's actually a slight difference between each piece of material.

It's not a big deal for low-level magical treasures, but for high-level ones or array bases, even a small difference can have a significant impact.

The difference between a one percent drop in a hundred and a one percent drop in a billion is completely different.

And now, for the large project needed, constructing a Super Large Spirit Transformation Array, Dazhen has ordered one, and Dadui has planned three for themselves.

The resources required for that are enormous, and a big project isn't the most important thing.

The industrial chain derived from this is what's most beneficial for Dazhen.

Even after this major project ends, Dazhen will have a new support point to continue other projects.

After all, Dazhen actually has many minerals, and many unique ones, plus after northern four seasons like winter, it will actually produce a lot of unique materials.

Dadui gave a big project without requiring upfront payment, allowing Dazhen to complete the transformation and avoid this chaotic period in the middle.

Yu Ziqing has only seen the tip of the iceberg here, seeing the bustling crowd at the gate, he roughly knows that everything is relatively smooth.

Perhaps the preliminary preparations and initial construction can be started.

He guessed that Emperor Zhen wanting to meet him this time is not just to thank him in person, perhaps also to discuss the matter of the Super Large Spirit Transformation Array.

In a restaurant in the small town, Emperor Zhen rolled up his sleeves and was busy in the kitchen himself.

He didn't bring others, he was alone, gave the restaurant a sum of money, and borrowed a kitchen.

When King Xiang arrived with Yu Ziqing, they saw Emperor Zhen walking grandly, holding a large platter in one hand and a wine jar in the other.

"You're here, please sit down. Just two dishes left, they'll be ready soon. It's been a long time since I've cooked, luckily my skills are not rusty."

Emperor Zhen laughed heartily, not being overly formal.

A moment later, Emperor Zhen carried the last dish and soup into the private room, glancing at King Xiang in passing.

King Xiang, seeing that look, immediately said.

"Second Uncle, you chat with my little uncle, I'll keep an eye outside, I won't let anyone disturb you."

After saying this, King Xiang quickly ran out and indeed stood guard outside the restaurant.

After sitting down, Emperor Zhen opened the clay seal, unleashing a clear wine aroma, with a hint of a strange tea fragrance.

"I know you enjoy tea and not wine. This jar of wine was brewed from the only fruit of the Enlightenment Tea from that year, with a mellow tea aroma and mild wine aroma, suitable for cutting the grease."

Emperor Zhen personally poured the wine, raised the cup, and said.

"Though it might be a bit cliché, I must thank you in person for this occasion and for previous ones. Thank you very much."

Emperor Zhen finished his drink in one go. Yu Ziqing raised his cup as well.

"You're too kind."

"Come, taste my cooking. In my childhood, when I followed my elder brother, I was the one in charge of cooking."

"Every time I secretly ate the spiritual beasts we raised, it was always my elder brother who took the beating for me."

"Actually, spiritual beasts don't taste good, too bland, just rare, so they're memorable."

"I actually prefer the beef raised by herdsmen."

"This time, I personally picked a cow to prepare, have a taste."

Yu Ziqing tried the spicy fried beef and found the flavor truly exceptional. At least the ingredients were better than those from Jinlan Mountain.

"The taste is excellent, and the materials are great too. Later, give me some, let Wang Fugui handle it."

"Alright." Emperor Zhen responded with a slight smile.

"On the way here, I checked the raw materials produced from this area. I'm not sure how the preparations are going here?"

"Everything is proceeding according to plan, and can start within these two days."

"No need to wait any longer, the preliminary preparations can start now. I'll go back and inform them."

"The site selection has also been completed, feel free to come, anything needed will be provided."

Emperor Zhen secretly breathed a sigh of relief; he indeed wanted to discuss the Super Large Spirit Transformation Array, but Yu Ziqing had brought it up first.

In a few words, the matter of this major project was briefly discussed; everyone was well aware, with the basic tone set, and the details left to others to handle.

While eating and drinking, they both tacitly avoided discussing identities, chatting about other topics instead.