Chapter 117

“What exactly is a portable Ice Storage Machine?”

“A fridge the size of a pendant?”

“Feels like it can’t even hold half a cup of water—how’s it supposed to make ice?”

…

At this point, staring at the so-called Ice Storage Machine and the air Purification Machine, not only Liu Xiaoyuan but also countless netizens were completely baffled.

The Ice Storage Machine, also known as an ice maker, typically uses air-cooling technology to turn tap water into evenly sized ice cubes. It’s mainly used in cafés, bubble tea shops, hotels, and other beverage-serving venues. Most commercial ice makers on the market range from 15 to 50 kilograms. But now, Longxia Academy of Sciences was claiming theirs was “pendant-sized”… Netizens tried to picture it, but their minds just couldn’t stretch that far.

After reading the description of the Ice Storage Machine, everyone turned to the air Purification Machine.

The air Purification Machine primarily uses adsorption and positive/negative ion technology to cleanse the air. Each unit typically weighs between 10 to 50 kilograms. Ever since the sandstorm in March, air purifiers had consistently ranked in the top three best-selling appliances nationwide. People were very familiar with them. But now, Longxia Academy of Sciences was claiming theirs weighed only 0.15 kilograms… Again, completely unimaginable.

“Is this just a concept product or actual research?”

“The news clearly says, ‘On May 15th, Longxia Academy of Sciences developed—’”

“Is there anyone in the know? Please explain!”

…

With global air quality deteriorating, stepping outside felt like entering an oven. When it’s cold, you can always put on more clothes. But with the national average temperature at 35°C, air-conditioned rooms and the outdoors felt like two different worlds.

Now that the ‘Ice Storage Machine’ and ‘Purification Machine’ had been successfully developed, even though no one knew exactly what the products looked like, the name “Longxia Academy of Sciences” alone was enough to fill people with anticipation.

On the morning of May 16th, Longxia Academy of Sciences released the latest data on both devices through the Long Xia Daily.

The so-called portable Ice Storage Machine uses advanced technology to store tap water in a compact refrigeration unit. The device offers 60 temperature settings ranging from -10°C to 50°C. Users can control the surface temperature via a mobile app. Thanks to its core constant-temperature technology, the product can be made into various wearable forms—pendants, bracelets, belts, even windbreakers.

In simple terms, if you set your pendant to -10°C, it becomes a -10°C pendant—you can use it like an ice cube. Set it to 45°C, and it becomes a mini hand warmer.

“So… it’s an ice cube that doesn’t melt?”

“I’ve dreamed of owning a temperature-adjusting jacket—if it looks good, even better!”

“It’s so hot right now, I want to hang Ice Storage Machines all over me—on my wrists, waist, neck!”

…

Netizens began fantasizing about wearing Ice Storage Machines all over their bodies. After a burst of excitement, they turned their attention to the air Purification Machine.

The Longfeng Air Purifier was about the size of a mask, with a small spherical air filter on top. While in use, the mask automatically filtered out dust, heavy metals, formaldehyde, bacteria, and other air pollutants, allowing users to breathe in air that was 90% purified.

“This is amazing!”

Netizens examined the Air Purifier images over and over again.

With vegetation disappearing and acid rain running rampant, global environmental pollution had reached critical levels. What was once considered Level 3 pollution was now classified as mild in urban areas. In late April, the Shuilan Alliance released a global air report stating that although countries were attempting to grow food crops, the impact of such greenery on global air quality was minimal.

Air pollution causes eye irritation, skin infections, respiratory issues, and a host of other health problems. These days, everyone steps outside wearing sunscreen and masks, and the more cautious ones even carry portable oxygen tanks.

Air quality is a matter of survival. While the air Purification Machine can’t solve the pollution crisis, it’s far more effective than a regular mask—giving people more confidence when venturing outdoors.

“When will it hit the market?”

“Can we pre-order?”

“Which platform will have the first release?”

…

Questions poured in from all directions, until someone finally asked the most critical one: How much do these things cost?

“Feels like it’ll be over ten thousand yuan.”

“Ice Storage Machine ten thousand, purifier ten thousand… we’ve got five people in the family… oh my god!”

“Probably not that expensive, but definitely around seven thousand.”

…

Everyone tried to guess the lowest possible price. Even if 17,000 yuan sounded acceptable, for an average family of three, at least six units would be needed. At 7,000 each, that’s 42,000 yuan…

“That’s our entire annual income.”

“With the economic crisis these past two years, we haven’t been able to save anything.”

“Why am I so poor?!”

…

The Ice Storage Machine and Purification Machine were both tied directly to survival. As people calculated the cost, they felt a deep sense of helplessness wash over them.

More and more netizens began focusing on the price. By noon, the hashtags [Ice Storage Machine Price] and [Purification Machine Price] had climbed to the tail end of the trending list.

…

“Is this the Technology Factory?”

“Looks like it.”

…

While netizens were still speculating about the price of the two products, at Fengshan Farm, Qin Yun and a group of farm researchers stood before a massive black-and-silver building. It was a sprawling factory covering five hundred mu of land. The sleek black-and-silver structure loomed before them, its entrance guarded by a ten-meter-wide high-security code gate. Above the gate hung a futuristic sign: [Giant Technology Factory].

“Quite the name,” Liu Wensheng joked with a grin, then turned to Sun Yiping. “Looks like the Technology Group really pulled it off.”

Sun Yiping beamed, unable to hide his excitement. “Just lucky, that’s all.”

Since late February, after acquiring the Virtual Lab, the Technology Group had been working around the clock on scientific research.

With global pollution worsening, the lab’s primary focus had been on air quality and temperature regulation. After nearly three years of data accumulation, just yesterday morning, the Technology Group successfully developed the [Ice Storage Machine] and the [Purification Machine]. The moment the research was completed, the system updated: “Congratulations, Host has achieved a Technological Milestone. Achievement Reward: Giant Technology Factory.”

[Giant Technology Factory]: A multifunctional electronics factory, honored construction of Planet DH36. (Mid-tier Building)

The Giant Technology Factory was an unexpected windfall. After reviewing its specs, the team immediately reported it to the Longxia Team. Given the factory’s vast footprint, Longxia conducted a professional site analysis and ultimately selected three potential locations. After thorough consideration, the farm team chose the area east of the Virtual Lab—leading to the scene before them now.

The group stepped inside the factory. The interior revealed a colossal technological production line, intricate and sprawling. Standing at the heart of it all, they felt like they’d entered a mechanical labyrinth.

After touring the facility, they learned that the Technology Factory’s primary function was the mass production of farm-related technology.

Take the [Longfeng Ice Storage Machine], for example. The farm would prepare the necessary materials for the Ice Storage Machine, input the desired production quantity on the LCD interface, and the factory would automatically adjust the production process. With its fully automated system, the factory could produce at seven to ten times the efficiency of standard operations.

“Can we replicate this?” Liu Wensheng was already thinking beyond the products—he wanted to understand the factory’s structure and apply it to modern industrial production.

“We haven’t studied that yet, but I’m sure we’ll gain something from it…” Sun Yiping replied thoughtfully. If this had been three years ago, he would’ve been utterly awestruck by the factory. But over the past three years, the farm had dismantled and studied wheat machines, harvesters, irrigation systems—all projects of the Technology Group.

The moment he stepped into the Technology Factory, he was already analyzing the principles behind the machinery. And this time, he wasn’t completely lost—he had a rough idea of how things worked. It was the result of three years of accumulated knowledge.

“Study it well!” Liu Wensheng encouraged.

“I will,” Sun Yiping replied with determination.

“So jealous…” Xiang Qingchuan muttered sourly, shooting a look at Sun Yiping. Three months ago, when the Technology Group got access to the Virtual Lab, he’d already been green with envy. Just as he was starting to get over it, now came the Giant Technology Factory…

Too much. Just too much!

“You all got Wishing Pool rewards too—everyone’s been jealous,” Sun Yiping shot back without missing a beat.

The Wishing Pool Reward was a self-directed reward system. The process was simple: the farm proposed a reward, the system reviewed it, issued a task, and upon completion, granted the reward.

The Wishing Pool was an annual task system. Previously, the farm had considered a soil-related reward, but it didn’t meet the system’s criteria. After fierce competition among dozens of project teams, the reward direction was now leaning toward the Biology Group. The exact reward was still under review.

After hearing that, Xiang Qingchuan felt a little better.

Now that they had the Technology Factory, the next step was testing.

The group completed their tour of the facility, and Qin Yun activated the factory.

Inside, the machinery roared to life like the gears of a colossal clockwork engine.

As everyone observed the factory in motion, Qin Yun suddenly froze. A new mission had just appeared—

Host Name: Qin Yun

Current Mission: Sell 50 million Longfeng Ice Storage Machines and 50 million Longfeng Purification Machines.

Mission Reward: Random Laboratory

…

The moment the system task appeared, everyone immediately recalled the wheat sale mission from two years ago.

With Longxia’s current influence, was this task difficult?

Not at all.

This was a classic “low-hanging fruit” mission—simple in concept. The real challenge lay in production and pricing.