Chapter 155: Chapter 149: Short on Funds

Disconnecting from the communication with Professor Clark, Jeming sat in his chair, gently tapping his fingers on the table.

The issue of the Seventh Level Elemental Pool couldn’t be resolved for now, but that didn’t mean he had to remain stagnant.

“The elemental pool issue can be figured out gradually,” Jeming pondered, “but the development of the Purgatory Sulfur Plane is urgent.”

He reopened the Magic Network Terminal and entered the internal recruitment platform of the Nolun Workshop.

Since large equipment required time, the preparation of manpower at an early stage could be initiated immediately.

He needed an efficient construction and reconnaissance team to survey more detailed mineral vein distributions, establish initial bases, install necessary protective facilities, and prepare for large-scale future development and transformation.

Jeming found a logistical team through the Nolun Workshop’s channels, composed of dozens of Low Tier Wizards.

Most had just completed military service and lacked resources to advance, or were those who had been injured on the battlefield needing recuperation.

Due to the enormous number of planes requiring transformation, teams with such expertise were generally experienced and plentiful.

More importantly, with the workshop as an intermediary for contract signing, these people’s credibility was also high.

Jeming had a brief communication with the head of this construction squad.

The two sides devised a detailed plan, including how to conduct basic geological surveys, install various permanent arrays, and collect mineral samples for analysis during construction.

Initially, Jeming didn’t view the foundational construction work too seriously, but reality struck him with a blow.

Even just for constructing a small part of the plane, he encountered the issue of points once again.

This Low Tier Wizard team was indeed professional, equipped with necessary protective gear, basic alchemy equipment, short-range transport tools, and supplies needed for survival in the Purgatory Sulfur Plane.

However, undoubtedly, the cost of these items had to be shouldered by Jeming.

Moreover, for constructing even a part of the plane, the quantity of required materials was significant.

Although the Purgatory Sulfur Plane contained a wealth of metal materials internally, which could replace some conventional building materials and fuel,

the specialized materials for Wizards, treated through special processes, and components for various precise arrays needed to be purchased from the workshop, in astonishing quantities.

Even if the Purgatory Sulfur Plane could self-sustain a part, the remaining procurement amount was not to be underestimated.

Furthermore, the expenditure of hiring these Wizards was not low.

Although they were Low Tier Wizards, their time and labor had a clear price in the workshop.

The high labor costs, together with the materials needed for constructing permanent arrays and various basic buildings, resulted in a considerable total points expenditure.

Jeming checked his remaining points and awkwardly found that after years of consumption, what was left could only cover the upfront deposit for the early stage.

“It seems that points are the greatest obstacle faced by Wizards,” Jeming sighed helplessly.

He now felt like a rich man with a mountain of gold, only to realize he didn’t have enough cash to hire a mining team.

“Spending money like water, in the blink of an eye, I’m broke again,” Jeming muttered softly.

However, Jeming didn’t mind this; he was even quite happy about it.

The power of a Wizard has always been built upon immense resources, all of which require points for exchange.

The stronger one’s abilities, the higher their earning capacity, but simultaneously, their spending ability also increases.

While Jeming’s spending capacity was moderate during his Wizard Apprentice days, it became increasingly extravagant at the Wizard Level.

Every point spent would ultimately transform into his own strength, and the more spent, the stronger he became.

Without any hesitation, Jeming used his remaining points as a deposit to hire the engineering squad composed of dozens of Wizards and planned an initial development scheme for the Purgatory Sulfur Plane.

This included establishing a temporary base in relatively stable areas, deploying high-temperature protective arrays, and initiating basic mining of some exposed low-grade metal ores.

Looking at the empty points balance, Jeming started contemplating ways to earn money.

After accumulating so many years, Jeming actually had quite a few techniques that could generate income, but few could earn large sums.

“Whether something can make money depends on two aspects: the demand and the value-to-cost ratio,” he said.

For example, the Refined Gold Jeming had relied upon for a living previously, due to its extremely biased characteristics, was rated as a Fifth Level Material but had the corrosion resistance of a Sixth Level Material.

Thus, the sales of Refined Gold had always been good.

After all, being able to purchase material with Sixth Level characteristics at the price of a Fifth Level Material made it a priority choice for most Fifth Level Wizards, regardless of any inherent attribute biases it might have.

Even after the Shadow Plane had been conquered, many Wizards still preferred this material.

Moreover, its cost was extremely low, which had always sustained Jeming until now.

If an ordinary Wizard had this technical patent, even Fifth Level Wizards would not pose a concern.

However, for Jeming now, the income from Refined Gold was too slow!

“The circumstances of Refined Gold are clear; it cannot be mass-produced on an industrial production line, so each piece requires additional time and effort from me,” Jeming thought with closed eyes.

In reality, it’s not just refined gold; other materials and products related to the cultivation immortality realm also require Jeming’s contribution because Spiritual Qi must be involved in their manufacturing process.

Given the development level of wizard civilization, once detailed technology is obtained, many raw materials can be produced automatically.

This is considered Jeming’s only disadvantage.

“So selling new raw materials is meaningless; selling high-margin products is more suitable.”

As long as the technology is advanced enough, the profit margin between raw materials and finished products is a chasm that’s hard to imagine.

Various items he had crafted over the years flashed through his mind, and soon Jeming decided on two targets: “First, the qualification-enhancing magic potion made from Eastward Purple Qi…”

After a brief thought, Jeming shook his head with regret and gave up on it.

The qualification-enhancing magic potion indeed has a satisfactory effect and could be sold for a high price with expected sales, but the drawback lies in the limitation of raw materials.

Though Eastward Purple Qi has no cost during extraction, only a wisp can be extracted each day, severely limiting the potential profits from the qualification-enhancing magic potion.

“Then the second one…”

Thinking of this, Jeming took out a vial of potion emanating brilliant colors from his internal space.

This is a potion refined from normal Red Dust Qi. If its effect matches Jeming’s estimation, he will have found a new source of income.

“Unfortunately, the specific efficacy cannot be tested for now; I can only wait until next month. Thankfully, the elemental pool isn’t urgent, so there’s plenty of time.”

“Alas… Why can’t I control my hands?!” Jeming couldn’t help but pat his wrist.

Other items are manageable, and the price of the seventh-level large elemental pool has even approached the value of the Purgatory Sulfur Plane itself.

Professor Clark’s advice was not unfounded; as a mere energy source for the wizard tower, a fifth-level large elemental pool is sufficient, and even a sixth-level is overkill.

But… that’s for a “wizard tower.”

What Jeming wants to create is not just any “wizard tower.”

If it were just an ordinary plane, Jeming wouldn’t be so impulsive.

However, the Purgatory Sulfur Plane itself is a subordinate plane of the Elorcia Plane Community, which means… the Purgatory Sulfur Plane also has a natural divine power faith network.

Though incomplete, for Jeming’s prevailing ideas at the time, the incompleteness is actually an advantage.

“Forget it, forget it, without dreams, what’s the difference with a salted fish?”

After some thought, Jeming decided to temporarily set aside his research and first refine refined gold to gather funds for the “construction team.”

So, for the whole month that followed, Jeming completely immersed himself in the underground laboratory of the Golden Garden, engrossed in producing refined gold and earning points.

This was not his favorite research. To Jeming, it was merely tedious and repetitive manual labor.

Unfortunately, there was a contract to uphold, so Jeming felt it was best to play it safe.

Every time Jeming completed the refinement of a piece of refined gold, he would sell it through the workshop’s recycling channel, watching the points number on the magic network terminal climb slowly and steadily.

Time flew by in the roar of the furnace, making Jeming almost forget the concept of time.

Until the alarm he set on his magic network terminal emitted a crisp sound, awakening him from this near-mechanical work.

“One month…” Jeming set down the refined gold ingot and rubbed his somewhat sore eyebrows.

He stretched, feeling deep within his mind.

The fatigue accumulated from the last immersion in Red Dust Qi had completely dissipated, replaced by an unprecedented clarity and vitality.

Mind invigorated, soul pure.

Jeming knew it was time.

Time to test the efficacy of the potion refined from Red Dust Qi and Hundred Flowers Dew.

This potion bore his highest hopes and might be the key to solving his current predicament.

He carefully retrieved the potion emitting a colorful halo from the storage space.

Prior to this, various toxicological tests on this potion had been completed; what remained was a personal experience.

Jeming took a deep breath, then unhesitatingly drank the potion in one gulp.

As the potion entered, it did not cause the same violent shock as when directly immersed in the soul before.

It carried the unique fragrance and warmth of Hundred Flowers Dew, sliding down his throat like sweet spring water, then quickly permeating his soul.

After drinking this potion, he could clearly feel a stream of diverse emotions.

Happiness, anger, sorrow, joy, love, and hate, life’s vicissitudes… they continued to vividly replay like slides in his spiritual world, allowing him to personally experience all facets of human existence.

But Jeming immediately sensed a difference!

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