Yingtian Prefecture, a test site of the Ministry of Industry.

"The components here are incorrect..." A Taoist cloaked entirely in a black robe said.

Gu Lao Dao stood with hands on his hips, "What's wrong with it? I'm the head here now."

He unceremoniously interrupted the black-robed Taoist's words.

"Gu brat, how dare you talk to me like that."

"Uncle Master, I'm now the head of the Fang Immortal Dao, look at you, neither human nor ghost. If it weren't for me getting you out, you'd still be locked in the box, tsk-tsk..."

The black-robed Taoist was exactly Tianling Shangren.

After Xu Qing handed over the golden box imprisoning him to the old Emperor, Gu Lao Dao learned of it and volunteered his years of achievements to redeem Tianling Shangren.

The key point was, the old Emperor actually agreed.

After coming out, Tianling Shangren seemed to have some restriction placed on him, not daring to oppose the old Emperor, but he regained some freedom.

Of course, he had no choice but to thank his "good Master Nephew."

Being a Thunder Tribulation Ghost Immortal, it didn't matter if his body was destroyed.

Tianling Shangren hadn't yet reached the time for reincarnation, so he directly had Gu Lao Dao arrange a body for possession.

Now Gu Lao Dao is the head of the Heavenly Work Institute of the Great Yu Dynasty, and also the chief designer of the Xu Qing Heavenly Palace project.

The Heavenly Work Institute does not have any actual power, but gathers the best craftsmen nationwide. It is also the base camp of the physics faction, reorganized by Gu Lao Dao from the Fang Immortal Dao, including some local Great Yu Dynasty family scions.

Most of these elite children are low-ranked, with no hope of inheriting the family head, apart from idling away, enjoying wealth, they are practically doing nothing.

However, they are very interested in the physics faction and the strange things at the Heavenly Work Institute, and they don't lack funds.

Engaging in R&D has given them renewed life purpose.

In fact, sometimes Gu Lao Dao even needs to draw inspiration from these disciples.

Moreover, with their wide connections, if anything is lacking, they can quickly find someone to sort it out.

As for their family elders and family head successors, they are delighted these guys have something to do. Even if they don't create any value, it's better than indulging in vices.

If by any chance they create something profitable, the family could share in the bounty.

It's safe to say, with the Heavenly Work Institute, Gu Lao Dao's current potential influence is almost comparable to that of the officials of the Six Ministries.

The key is that the Heavenly Work Institute appears very harmless on the surface.

The old Emperor also favors this new institution and occasionally comes over to chat with Gu Lao Dao.

Perhaps the old folks have more common topics, reluctantly considered year-crossed friends.

Even though Tianling Shangren is a Thunder Tribulation Ghost Immortal, his status is much lower than Gu Lao Dao's.

Gu Lao Dao even invites those immortals from the Daoist School to the Qinhuai River to spar in bedroom skills every now and then.

Indeed, people move to prosper, while trees stay to die.

Now Gu Lao Dao, as Tianling Shangren's Master Nephew, is directly overwhelming Tianling Shangren.

Tianling Shangren, having no temper left under Gu Lao Dao's ranting, "You're just clinging to Xu Gongming's thigh, huh, I am not unfamiliar with Xu Gongming either."

Gu Lao Dao: "Uncle Master, I advise you not to get too close to Xu Gongming, the waters run deep here."

"Weren't you just in Xu Gongming's office yesterday?"

"Yes, but I can handle it. If you act rashly, I'm afraid you won't have a chance to reincarnate." Gu Lao Dao kindly advised.

Tianling Shangren snorted coldly, "I don't care about these things, your courage is growing fatter. You dare question what I say, tell me, is there a problem with this component or not, it should obviously be..."

It turns out Tianling Shangren still maintains an earnest attitude towards work.

The component he was referring to does indeed have a problem, another material should be used instead.

Gu Lao Dao explained a bit.

The current material is cheaper, not very durable, and the product quality is poor, but cheapness is its greatest merit.

This thing is also meant to be sold to the public, low cost gives it competitiveness.

As for the other material Tianling Shangren mentioned, the cost is too high, even though it slightly improves quality, it doesn't sell well. Besides, improvements can be made gradually later.

Market capture is the most important.

"How come you're now so tainted with the smell of money." Tianling Shangren acknowledged his Master Nephew's reasoning but still felt resentful.

Gu Lao Dao laughed, "The world hustles and bustles, all for profit; the world throngs, all for profit to come. This is Heavenly Dao, Uncle Master, you ended up like this because you didn't respect the Heavenly Dao."

Tianling Shangren sourly said, "If I had come to the Great Yu earlier than you, let's see if you could still reason with me."

Gu Lao Dao pulled a stern face, "At that time, I was inspired by King Hua to come, Uncle Master you're the one not understanding the times or large trends, becoming a prisoner, who can you blame?"

Gu Lao Dao had to admit that listening to Xu Gongming's persuasion to come to the Great Yu was his life's greatest blessing.

Choice matters more than effort indeed.

A sparrow clinging to the Great Roc's feathers can also soar up ninety-thousand miles.

Just say it, did it take off or not!

Tianling Shangren, being reprimanded by Gu Lao Dao, promptly changed the subject, "Humph, let's set these aside for now. What other whimsical ideas does your Heavenly Work Institute have?"

Though outwardly tough, inside he was filled with curiosity about the new gadgets at the Heavenly Work Institute.

Gu Lao Dao perked up hearing this, and dragged Tianling Shangren towards the depths of the test site. "Uncle Master, have a look at this!"

He pointed at a colossal mechanical device, his eyes glinting with excitement, "This is a new type of waterwheel we're developing, unlike traditional ones, it employs new mechanical principles, improving efficiency several times over. If promoted, agricultural irrigation will become much easier."

Tianling Shangren paced around the waterwheel observing, occasionally touching those intricate components, secretly amazed, and then said, "These principles aren't complicated, but having the ability to apply and combine them, you indeed have some skill."

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