Chapter 681: Solar Energy

The original domain has been compromised. Please remember the new domain: www.biquzw789.info

“Solar… power?” Sect Master Chi was stunned. As the leader of the Resplendent Sun Sect, he understood everything about the sun, but what exactly did "solar power" mean in Junior Sect Master Lu's words?

“Literally, it seems to refer to the sun’s energy?”

“In a rough sense, yes, that’s what it means.”

Lu Yang suddenly brought up another topic. “You just mentioned that the Sun Ascent Project has repeatedly failed. I presume this project only began in recent years; before that, your research into solar energy was always conducted from a distance.”

“Given that, why do you need to ascend to the sun to study it?”

Sect Master Chi sighed, “Junior Sect Master Lu, you might not be aware, but our research into solar energy recently hit a bottleneck. The radicals then proposed ascending to the sun for close-up study. But the sun isn't so easy to approach; several Integration stage cultivators have already been burned alive by it.”

Lu Yang leaned languidly back in his chair, picking at non-existent dirt under his fingernails. “Your sect has quite the nerve, daring to ascend to the sun.”

“Do you know that the myriad stars in the sky were originally mere phantoms? Over a hundred years ago, a supreme, powerful being used awe-inspiring methods to fill the void where these phantom stars once were?”

Sect Master Chi knew all too well; the previous Sect Master had been sacrificed to the heavens because of this very matter.

“That supreme, powerful being is someone even our Celestial Court Sect finds incredibly troublesome to deal with. Yet, your Resplendent Sun Sect dares to ascend to the heavens to explore the sun? Aren’t you afraid of touching upon that being’s taboo, leading to the instantaneous annihilation of your sect?”

Cold sweat beaded on Sect Master Chi’s brow. An entity troublesome even for the Celestial Court Sect indicated that this supreme, powerful being was an immortal. The Resplendent Sun Sect’s ascent to the sun was akin to causing trouble right under an immortal’s nose. A single inadvertent action could displease the immortal and bring about the sect’s complete destruction. He had opposed the Sun Ascent Project from the start, but the higher-ups were dead set on inviting doom. Now, he thought, they could just wait for an immortal to wipe them out.

“Then, in Junior Sect Master Lu’s opinion?”

“The objective of the Resplendent Sun Sect is to spread faith, not to ascend to the sun, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Sect Master Chi should know that the power of the sun encompasses both light and heat. Light provides illumination, and heat provides warmth.”

Sect Master Chi nodded. This was written in the "True Understanding of Solar Power," a text every member of the Resplendent Sun Sect knew, and it was a mandatory topic on the year-end exam. The "True Understanding of Solar Power" was an internal book of the Resplendent Sun Sect, with every member required to have a copy.

Lu Yang then produced a magnifying glass. “This is the cheapest magnifying glass. If you place it under the sun, the sun’s power will converge at a single point, capable of burning ants at a minimum, or even causing fires. This is a preliminary manifestation of solar power.”

Sect Master Chi continued to nod. What Lu Yang was explaining was basic knowledge, and furthermore, he himself had invented the magnifying glass, so he was intimately familiar with it.

“Since the sun possesses energy, why not utilize this energy?”

“We already are, by researching solar power cultivation techniques and methods to increase the efficiency of absorbing solar power.”

Lu Yang calmly shook his head. “That’s not the kind of utilization I mean. Why would cultivators practice the techniques you’ve written, just because they are solar power techniques?”

“There are countless types of cultivation techniques, from yin and yang to the Three Powers, Four Symbols, and Five Elements. Do cultivators really need to choose yours?”

“If cultivators don’t choose your techniques, your belief in the sun won’t spread, and you won’t gain public recognition.”

Sect Master Chi recalled the Resplendent Sun Sect’s actions over the past sixty thousand years and realized this was true. Most cultivation techniques in the world centered on spiritual energy, and despite their painstaking efforts to research solar power techniques, very few people paid attention, making the spread of their faith difficult.

“Please enlighten me, Junior Sect Master Lu.”

“I’ve already told you the method: utilize solar energy. Not by writing solar power cultivation techniques, but by bringing solar energy into the homes of ordinary people. For example, storing solar energy and using it for illumination?”

“How is it possible for ordinary people to also utilize solar energy?” Sect Master Chi exclaimed, never having considered such a possibility.

Lu Yang smiled carelessly. “How is it not possible? Daoist Master Taoyao Ye of the Dao Seeking Sect researched the 'Dream Mirage,' which even common folk can afford. Can’t you use formations to accumulate solar energy and then release it at night?”

“As for the spread of the Dream Mirage, Sect Master Mu has the most authority to speak on that.”

Mu Baiyi nodded. The wider the Dream Mirage spread, the more renowned their barbecue restaurant became, and the more prosperous their business. This was directly reflected in their profits.

“Even a disciple from the Dao Seeking Sect could research something like this. Is it possible the Resplendent Sun Sect cannot?”

“If this research succeeds and candles are replaced, with every household possessing an invention from your Resplendent Sun Sect, how could you possibly fail to spread your teachings?”

Lu Yang looked at Sect Master Chi meaningfully. “If you want the world to believe in the sun, the first thing you must do is let them benefit. Sect Master Chi, you should understand this principle.”

Sect Master Chi suddenly felt a profound enlightenment. As expected of someone from an ancient great power, their level of understanding was a whole tier above his own.

“Of course, using solar energy for illumination isn’t something that can be achieved overnight. How to collect, store, and release solar energy, how to simplify structures, how to reduce costs, and so on—these are all issues that require in-depth research. Your esteemed sect can proceed step by step.”

“Moreover, this is just an example I randomly gave. There are many more things solar energy can accomplish. Sect Master Chi, you can research them slowly after you return.”

Research was Sect Master Chi’s forte; he had become a high-ranking member of the Resplendent Sun Sect precisely because he had invented the telescope. Furthermore, this proposal was far more reliable than the Sun Ascent Project and was sure to be approved by the higher-ups. If they could achieve results, wealth and fame would continuously pour in. This was a once-in-a-millennium development opportunity for the Resplendent Sun Sect! He resolved to lead the research himself and keep the results in his hands, so the higher-ups wouldn’t dare sacrifice him to the heavens whenever they encountered difficulties. This was a win-win situation!

Sect Master Chi’s excitement was beyond words. Was this the wisdom of an heir from an ancient great power? In just a few sentences, not only had he solved the Resplendent Sun Sect’s problems, but he had also resolved his own predicament! If the heir was like this, what astonishing wisdom must the legendary Revered Bean Celestial possess!

Lu Yang turned his gaze to Mu Baiyi, remaining silent, which created a subtle sense of pressure on Mu Baiyi. After a long moment, Lu Yang spoke.

“Regarding the barbecue restaurant’s taxes, Sect Master Mu, you might consider collaborating with the Resplendent Sun Sect.”

“Collaboration?” Mu Baiyi was exceptionally surprised. Setting aside the fact that their two sects represented yin and yang, inherently incompatible in nature, even if they were inherently compatible, how would a collaboration even begin?

Seeing Mu Baiyi’s bewildered expression, Lu Yang knew she hadn’t understood his meaning. “Sect Master Mu, you don’t know as much about the Great Xia’s policies as I, an ancient one, do.”

“Are you aware that Great Xia has tax incentive policies for research-oriented industries? And significant tax reductions, even exemptions, for the development of new technologies? Furthermore, there are substantial tax reductions, even exemptions, for using energy sources other than spiritual energy?” Lu Yang looked at Mu Baiyi as if she were an idiot. “And you’re a sect master? You don’t even know as much as I do.”

The Whitest Crow reminds you: After reading, remember to bookmark biquzw789.info. That way, it’ll be convenient for you to continue reading when I update next. Look forward to more excitement!

The original domain has been compromised. Please remember the new domain: www.biquzw789.info