Zhou Yi had specifically conducted body measurement for Kobolds at Coral Port.

He remembered the specific parameters clearly.

Sky Dog

Strength: B

Skill: B

Vitality: C

Rating: B

The Kobold possessed three modified enhanced bodies.

Its left foot had "propulsion," and the right foot was "body control"; although these abilities were greatly strengthened after being infused with Blue Gemstone, they were still quite common.

The "Radiation" in the eyes of the Sky Dog, however, was much rarer.

The receptionist Snowman said, "Controllable radiation is a double-edged sword. Its destructive power is unquestionable, and it is lethal to most forms of life."

"But this ability is also used in important areas such as Light Imprint processing, medical surgery, and precision measurements. It's an indispensable tool."

At that time, listening filled Zhou Yi with mixed feelings.

He was glad that this ability had many potential applications but worried about its strong destructive power, as it was considered a major weapon.

He had to restrain the Sky Dog, making it understand that this power should not be misused.

Especially since, like Li Mo, the Kobold had lived in the Heavenly People's Gem Room from the beginning of its memory and had no contact with the outside world; adapting to the external group society would take some time.

Thus, Zhou Yi placing it in the cave warehouse at Yalong Bay was also meant for Li Mo to mentor the newcomer and teach it some survival rules of the Wasteland World, guiding it in the correct way of living.

Unexpectedly, its "Radiation" caused a peculiar chemical reaction with Li Mo's cups.

The Kobold could not explain it clearly.

"Brother Mo said he wanted to make a cup that could truly ignite, to show the company's people a high-end cup, so I wanted to give it a try. Then I found that the light emitted from my eyes could melt and ignite the Light Soot Sand, and thus the fire could be contained inside the cup."

"I don't know why it keeps burning."

Zhou Yi summoned Red Kestrel over.

The drone scanned the Flame Cup carefully with its electronic eyes.

Ten minutes later, the voice from Red Kestrel's speaker finally announced, "I've compared and searched against Recursive City database and identified the reaction mechanism."

"Under natural conditions, Light Soot absorbs Dead Light Energy, but the absorption and release are synchronous, preventing it from accumulating energy."

"Intense focused radiation can melt Light Soot, transforming its loose porous structure into a closed-loop structure, allowing it to store energy for a longer period."

"The Sky Dog has altered the light soot layer in the cup. When the Flame Cup is immersed in the Dead Sea, it can continuously absorb Dead Light Energy until its structure reaches its limit."

"This accumulated Dead Light Energy, when rubbed with a kindling material, will ignite and result in continuous high-temperature release."

Red Kestrel continued, "Its basic principle is consistent with that of the Energy Pack. The difference is that the Energy Pack uses a metal shell to encase the fully charged Light Soot."

"The energy level of the Flame Cup is much lower, sufficient only for ignition and heating."

Yet Zhou Yi's eyes lit up hearing this.

A low energy level didn't matter.

The Flame Cup was essentially a small furnace using Dead Light as fuel, always ready to provide warmth and fire, which would be extremely useful for ordinary people.

Immediately, Zhou Yi called Cao Dayuan and Yuan Tong.

Both of these veteran employees hailed from ordinary people and were very familiar with the current state of new human survival.

After hearing about the Flame Cup, Cao Dayuan's eyes widened with surprise, "There's such a great thing?"

"Chairman, warming and lighting fires is something everyone must do, and the consumption of firewood each year is significant."

"We need warmth in cold weather, and it is best to boil water for drinking; some foods must be cooked before eating, and our Jade Soup tastes better with hot water."

"Though Jade City can provide heating and hot water, those outside do not have such luxuries. Now as autumn cools, firewood consumption is also increasing, and it will only worsen in the winter."

He said excitedly, "Every household needs this! With it, winter deaths from freezing could be avoided, and one could have warm water while traveling. It really is a treasure, a great one indeed!"

Yuan Tong touched the outer wall of the Obsidian cup and displayed a look of surprise, "It doesn't burn the hand at all, yet the temperature inside is quite high."

"Li Mo's Obsidian craftsmanship is heat-insulating, but the inside gets very hot when it warms up."

Zhou Yi told him, "Just toss some sand in, and the fire will stop."

Yuan Tong grabbed a handful of sand from the ground and poured it in.

With the sand covering, the red light inside the cup extinguished after a short moment, leaving only wisps of hot air drifting out.

"Is this how the fire is extinguished?" Yuan Tong asked, puzzled.

Zhou Yi shook his head, "Actually, the sand blocks the Light Soot layer from contacting the outside, making the energy in the Light Soot return to its stable, sealed state."

"When you want to use it again, just pour out the sand and rub a kindling inside to reignite. You can also keep sand in it normally to ensure it won't ignite accidentally."

Yuan Tong, looking at the Obsidian Flame Cup, had admiration in his eyes, "This is a very practical warming tool, irreplaceable for humanity. But Light Soot production must be expensive... ordinary people would find it hard to afford."

The smile on Cao Dayuan's face faded momentarily.

Zhou Yi smiled faintly, "Inside, only a little Light Soot Sand is needed to create a focal point for the fire; the high-temperature radiation can melt it into a thin film. About 2 grams is enough, roughly 10 copper, which is 1000 mushrooms. What do you think we should price this at with such a cost?"

"10 copper?"

"It's that cheap!"

The two veteran employees were instantly overjoyed.

"An affordable, rechargeable warming tool for the common people!"

"Chairman, how much should we set the price?"

Zhou Yi raised his hand and made a gesture, "Just to confirm, ordinary people should have no problem operating it, right?"

"Absolutely no problem."

Cao Dayuan fiddled with the obsidian cup in his hand, "It's not difficult to place the cup into the Dead Sea. We have dams here, and we can use ropes or nets to safely lower it into the sea."

Yuan Tong also picked up another cup, looking it over from all sides, "This is essentially a portable bonfire, convenient to carry, and something everyone can use. The only question is, how many can Li Mo and his team produce in one day?"

Zhou Yi said, "I plan to also entrust the Flame Cup to Coral Port for mass production. This way we can drive down costs, and only large-scale manufacturing can increase efficiency and output."

"Just like with Jade Soup, I want to distribute the Flame Cup to every Human City, and sell them to every household at as low a price as possible."

"What do you think?"

Hearing this, Cao Dayuan was somewhat excited as he raised the cup in his hand, "Chairman, you're willing to cut into your profits—this thing can save many lives."

"A lot of Scavengers lack that bit of fire in winter. Just having access to a Flame Cup can help several people survive. It's a wonderful thing that will aid many people living in hardship to get through it! They'll remember you, remember the hope the company gave them!"

After some thought, Yuan Tong said, "Coral Port has a huge group of factories that can rapidly produce a large number of Flame Cups for distribution everywhere. Even if we make them cheap and cut some profit, it's beneficial for the company as a whole."

They all agreed, so Zhou Yi immediately got in touch with Jin Yi of Coral Port.

After hearing the details, the other party said, "This is a civilian heating appliance. There are dedicated members in the procedural department for this; I'll contact them for you."

Zhou Yi spoke up, "Can we streamline the process, so I can discuss this directly with you?"

"One moment, I'll apply with the procedural department."

Half an hour later.

Jin Yi stated, "The application has been approved. I've been authorized by the procedural department, so for any future projects involving Coral Port, feel free to communicate directly with me."

Zhou Yi didn't waste any words and showed the Flame Cup through the lens of Red Kestrel.

"I'll come over right away."

Jin Yi once again hurried over to Jade City on an official aircraft.

This electronic bee flew straight to the storeroom where, under the demonstration of Li Mo and the Kobold, Jin Yi saw the entire manufacturing process of the Flame Cup and also tested the cup.

After testing it twelve times.

Jin Yi appraised, "This is indeed a nice improvement. The Light Imprint Structure 'Radiation', heat-resistant material obsidian, and cup molding can all be replicated and prepared, allowing for completion through an assembly line."

"The procedural department has approved the final audit. Coral Port is willing to partner with your company for the manufacturing and sale of the Flame Cup, sharing the benefits."

Zhou Yi perceived something.

This collaboration, unlike the previous Jade Soup, was merely about joint production and sales, and there was no patent or promotional branding involved. It was obvious that Coral Port placed much less importance on it.

But it didn't matter—as long as they could mass-produce and sell it.

"As per your focus request, treating product dissemination and influence expansion as the most important objective. We've increased their weight in our calculations and adjusted the pricing accordingly."

"Ultimately considering the actual purchasing power of mainly human consumers, we suggest setting an initial price point at 15 copper or 1,500 mushrooms."

Jin Yi emphasized, "But this means that, after deducting processing, wastage, and transportation costs, the profit margin for each Flame Cup is estimated to be just 10-50 mushrooms, or even lower."

"Can you accept that?"

Zhou Yi agreed briskly, "Accepted, let's go with that price."

Ignoring the pressure of a price war strategy, affordable enough, even a Scavenger can afford it. Looking at the long term, it could raise the survival rate of the new humans, allowing more of humanity to get through the winter.

He didn't plan to profit from this—the reputation gains would suffice.

Mentioning the Flame Cup would lead to talks about the company and Jade City. That was enough.

For attracting talents from all over in the future, the promotional effect inherent in such products would be immense.

Following that, Zhou Yi and Jin Yi signed an electronic agreement, officially entrusting the Flame Cup to Coral Port for production and external sales.

...

A few days later, the company's employees were the first to use the batch of Flame Cups.

However, everyone used the individually handcrafted versions made by Li Mo and Sky Dog, each unique, a company perk.

Zhou Yi observed that employees quickly came up with various uses for them.

Some fitted a ceramic cup on top of the Flame Cup, enabling them to drink hot water and papyrus-infused broths at any time.

Some fixed a rhombic stone on the cup, which, through high temperatures, acted as a sophisticated crystal lamp.

Some even used it as a miniature forging furnace, trying to fire different ceramics, and some used it to smelt copper and iron—but due to energy level limitations causing insufficient temperatures, these attempts all failed.

Clutching their own Flame Cups, some packed them in backpacks and cases, others held them in their hands, creating an effortless trend.

Half a month later.

The first batch of Flame Cups coming out of Coral Port was distributed everywhere, initiating a large-scale product rollout.

Thanks to its affordability and practical function, the Flame Cup quickly became an essential tool sought after by everyone.

Sand Port City, Steel Refining City, and Shell City also purchased large quantities of Flame Cups at the earliest opportunity, to help city residents get through winter.

Nearly a month later.

The cities' fierce competition for Flame Cups eventually prompted Coral Port to change plans, investing more promotional resources into the product.

They began packaging the "Jade City Set," which included "Jade Soup" and the "Flame Cup." The latter could process and cook the former, and both began to be sold as a bundle, far and wide to many towns.

While the profits were slim, the market response was incredibly positive.

Suddenly, a large influx of people from other regions flocked into the Sand Port Region. They came from various cities, traveling by boat to try their luck at the Wasteland Development Company, and the area's population surged.

Red Kestrel conducted a count: "This month, the net inflow of people into the Sand Port Region is over 1,200 individuals, with the Flame Cup and Jade Soup being the main attractions."

Zhou Yi was very pleased with this.

The effects were immediate.

As long as these everyday consumable products continued to sell and their distribution expanded, the company's name would continue to spread far and wide.

In the midst of this flourishing scene, the first snow of winter fell unexpectedly.

The opening shot of the honor war also rang out promptly.

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