[NR] Fire And Ice Aren't Just Hot And Cold - Chapter 710

Courtney frowns, “Well, if we have to test specifically this plant, we know how to do it.”

Jason laughs, “I will admit, this was a little specific. Though the general concepts will transfer. We are missing the key tool for those without the ability to sense power to do this.

“A solution or tool to test which of the basic and derivative elements a power is a part of. Of course, an actual tool is best. You can probably source something tech-based for this and I can help calibrate the thing. 

“Otherwise, you’ll want to find a bunch of bits similar to the leaves, one for each element you want to test for. Then you mix them together with a bunch of trial and error until you get a solution that when mixed with something like the juice that came out of the stalk, will react depending on the element.

“And of note, it would be a mistake to only have it change colors based on what is there. That seems simple enough, but it can miss important differences. Oh, and don’t have opposite elements produce the same sort of reaction. Fire and Ice both changing the temp could result in a plant with both showing only minor fire reactions when, in reality it is heavy fire and medium ice.”

Rosha, “But aren’t hot and cold just the same thing? A sliding scale and not separate?”

Jason shrugs, “Yes, but no. At the basic level, it is all temperature. Some things even lean into such revelations. Who needs ice when rock is frozen lava?

“But that very revelation also shows how the two can exist together. Hot and cold? Those are just subjective marks on the temp scale. Besides, the powers don’t have to be mixed. A fire and ice lotus could have a fire aligned flower, but the seeds are ice aligned. A symbiotic relationship where the flower pulls any heat that tries to enter the seeds.”

Courtney sighs, “I’ll look into energy sensors rated to detect this stuff. They’re a bit locked down as they are at least passively attempting to keep this stuff secret. However, it isn’t like they can completely block it since everyone is advancing, if only to claim to be the best and even garage grown gear is getting to the point of sensing this stuff. Though whether that is because they’re sensitive enough or the energy density has increased enough is a bit up in the air.”

Jason shakes his head, “We need sensors that are sensitive. If it’s just energy density being detected, they won’t do any good. In fact, the more sensitive, the better. We’re looking for any trace of power. Low end plants aren’t going to be brimming with power.”

Courtney, “So, what kind of plants are we looking for? Because it clearly isn’t more clovers like that one.”

Jason shrugs, “We will need a fun mix of the most worthless and most expensive. All singled out by how odd they are. Some? Scientists will have analyzed them, found that while they had some energy, it was mostly gone and the plant seemed healthy.

“Others will be packed with power for no reason. And of course some will be like this clover, but just a bit different compared to others of its own kind. The current value will be left entirely up to whether scientists found their oddities worth further research or not.

“Honestly, if you could get me into a place selling the plants, I would be able to point out plants of interest. Otherwise, I can explain what we will need and have you looking for them. Because even if the power within them doesn’t match what I remember, they should still have the same effects we’re looking for.”

Courtney, “So, you just got to the peak of meridian clearing and need to handle the extraordinary ones. What are we looking for there?”

Jason, “We’re in luck as it is early enough that we don’t need any truly rare herbs. Nothing spontaneously formed from power. Also, for this we will simply need a single plant for each meridian and they’ll be farmable. Oh, and you don’t need full-blown alchemy to take them. Some you will simply eat the entire plant. At most, you’ll be grinding up a specific piece of the plant to help release the power.”

Rosha, “Oh! These are the plants that will make us money early on.”

Jason nods, “Yes, but only early on. They were only rare in my last life because whenever found, people would strip the land of them and any that survived would be controlled by powerful organizations. With how this world works?

“Well, undoubtedly people will quickly figure out how to grow their own. More than that, the simple preparation works, but I’m sure science will refine it. That simply didn’t happen because those with the knowledge to do so were well past meridian clearing. So, they’d either be focusing on their own bottlenecks or maybe trying to fix their own flaws. At most, someone might whip up a personalized solution for a descendant.”

Rosha yawned, “Cool, so, let’s get back into NR and you can blabber on about it with Courtney while I hit the hay.”

Courtney smiled, “Fair enough. Jason, do you need some time to clean up? Oh, and what do you plan to do with the clover?”

Jason looks down at the remains of the plant. “Hmm, I’ll just eat the flower and dispose of everything else. There’s nothing overly harmful here and while the energy isn’t one of mine? Well, the concept of earth can be filtered for elements useful to my cultivation.”

Courtney nods, “Fair enough, see you soon.” And Jason cuts the livestream.

He looks around the room, “Welp, better clean this up.” And Jason picks up the flower and pops it in his mouth.

Jason makes a face, “Yeah, there’s a reason sugar gets mixed into medicine so often.”

Then he tidies up the room, tossing the rest of the plant, and making sure the cameras are properly back in their docks.