Cultivation is just so scientific!

Chapter 571: Chapter 332 Launch

The six major sects of Beishu Continent were tense. The Nascent Soul Ancestors of the six major sects patrolled their territories from time to time, an unprecedented development.

Even the recent conflicts between Senluo Sect and Qianye Temple were set aside. Internal issues within Beishu Continent could be resolved at any time, but external troubles needed to be faced together.

All this seemed unrelated to Li Shiming, who had resumed a life akin to seclusion at Sword Holding Peak.

Nobody knew that every other day, an unmanned drone would be launched.

For the time being, Li Shiming had no plans to deploy drones outside the territories of the three major Righteous Path sects. Even within the three sects’ territories, the drones had to fly for a long time to reach the furthest points.

Days passed by, and in the blink of an eye, two months had gone by.

Patriarch Weng Zhao of Skywalk Trading Company, who held the title of Supreme Minister, had seemingly vanished, and Li Shiming was the only one who knew his whereabouts.

After leaving that day, Patriarch Weng Zhao disappeared at the peak of a mountain.

Li Shiming was certain that this mountain was one of Skywalk Trading Company’s secret bases. He didn’t share this information with the sect mainly because he wanted to keep his surveillance methods confidential.

Over these two months, he had finally completed the first phase of deploying the drones, with fifteen drones monitoring the territory of the Righteous Path sects.

Of course, he had manufactured more than fifteen drones. Some were spare drones that would replace any drone that encountered mishaps in the sky.

However, based on the drones’ capabilities, the chances of being discovered were very slim.

Unless specifically scanned by a Nascent Soul Cultivator, they wouldn’t be easily detected.

Each drone was equipped with a self-destruct device. If any fell into the hands of another cultivator, the built-in artificial intelligence would initiate a self-destruction, completely destroying the drone.

He wasn’t worried about the drones falling into other cultivators’ hands for decryption or usage, as the technology used in the drones was entirely different from that of the Cultivation World. Deciphering it was virtually impossible, let alone using it.

He could have entirely used flying formations from the Cultivation World like those enabling Flying Boats to float or fly instead of drone technology.

But that would increase the drones’ emissions of Spiritual Power Patterns significantly, which did not meet his requirement to conceal the drones.

Even if the drones were covered in numerous micro-level Concealing Arrays, the less Spiritual Power Patterns the drones themselves emitted, the lower the chances of cultivators detecting the drones.

The technology used in the drones, which came from his previous life, is almost considered mundane. Except for the spirit stone motors that convert energy, most parts of the drone function using past technology, enhanced by some Artifact Refining methods which allow the drones to perform far beyond their previous designs without material limitations.

Most cultivators in Beishu Continent would probably never guess that Li Shiming had established a surveillance network covering the territories of the Righteous Path sects in just over two months.

The network, formed by fifteen drones, could completely replace the current communication methods, creating a brand new communication system.

The system inside the drone was manufactured to satellite specifications, with a communication system capable of handling the video communication load of tens of thousands of people simultaneously.

Had it not been for Li Shiming’s lucrative income as an Alchemy Master, he might have started selling Cultivation World version cell phones in Beishu Continent just as he had on Sky Sea Island.

Now, with the support of the drone satellite network, he could design Cultivation World cell phones under an independent and closed communication system, unaffected by the external world.

But selling cell phones for a small profit didn’t appeal to him; selling phones would only earn Spirit Stones, which are not very important for cultivators in the Golden Core Stage.

Most Tier-3 resources could not be bought with Spirit Stones but required exchanges of Spiritual Objects.

Of course, he also manufactured a few cell phones for testing. While they might not be deployed, it was crucial to keep up with technological developments.

In the morning, he called Ye Lingyun, who had become the manager of Sword Holding Peak. She handled all external affairs of Sword Holding Peak.

Even the salary of the three attendants was allocated annually to Ye Lingyun by Li Shiming and dispensed by her periodically.

All issues from seeding to harvesting to trading in the spirit field of Sword Holding Peak were managed without Li Shiming’s involvement.

Ye Lingyun was loyal indeed. As Li Shiming’s attendant, her position in both the Cultivation World and Shushan Sect was completely reliant on Li Shiming.

“How are Wan Qian and Lu Yingtong doing?” Li Shiming asked upon seeing Ye Lingyun.

“My lord, Wan Qian has successfully advanced to the Foundation Establishment Stage. Lu Yingtong, not wanting to interfere with her duties, has staggered her timing. She will likely attempt her breakthrough in about three months!” Ye Lingyun answered respectfully.

Her voice was filled with gratitude. All three attendants owed their current opportunities to Li Shiming.

“From now on, Wan Qian’s regular payment will be set at ten percent less than yours. Once Lu Yingtong has advanced, follow Wan Qian’s adjusted rate!” Li Shiming thought for a moment and instructed.

The regular payment referred to her salary, and ensuring Ye Lingyun’s status as manager, he intended to maintain varied pay for the three attendants.

“I will convey their thanks, my lord!” Ye Lingyun bowed and said.

“I need you to make another trip. This time, head to Thousand Illusion Sect first. Deliver this to Yin Shilan. If Yin Shilan is in seclusion, let Liang Yexuan take it to pass it on. This storage bag needs to be sent to the checkpoint via the most secret channels!” Li Shiming took out two storage bags and instructed.