Chapter 773, Like Parasites

Translator: Silavin

 

Su Bai conducted experiments for several hours straight, with time stretching into the afternoon.

 

Lunch was hastily consumed inside the laboratory. Nothing more than a simple bowl of noodles.

 

“Having refined it to this degree, it should be good enough, right?” Su Bai muttered to himself.

 

He gazed at the several glass vessels arrayed on the table before him, each containing liquids of varying hues.

 

Deep green, pale green, yellow, and even some purple variants. The purified plant liquids exhibited distinctly different colours, potentially indicating variations in acidity levels.

 

“Though I must admit, even though deathly, these colours are rather aesthetically pleasing.” Su Bai nodded with satisfaction.

 

He lifted a glass vessel while wearing corrosion-resistant gloves, examining the liquid within and occasionally swirling it about.

 

This represented hours of experimental work. The refinement of plant juices required numerous procedural steps and considerable materials, though fortunately all the necessary materials could be sourced in this Primitive Era.

 

Consequently, extracting plant juices would not be too difficult, provided one knew how to do it.

 

“Right then, let’s first test the individual corrosive effects of these samples.” Su Bai murmured to himself.

 

He retrieved several fresh stone samples, using a test tube to extract minute quantities of plant juice and dripping them onto the surfaces.

 

When the System had initially provided this chemistry equipment set, Su Bai had considered it somewhat impractical. After all, developing a proper civilization in the Primitive Era would require many years. Where would one find time for chemical experiments?

 

Leading the Tribe’s people in farming and learning literacy proved challenging enough without adding chemical experimentation to the agenda.

 

However, through fortunate happenstance, Co Co had arrived at the Flame Dragon Tribe, and subsequently the System had gradually provided various chemistry textbooks.

 

This established the laboratory’s current significance and gave him materials for conducting experiments.

 

*Sizzle sizzle…*

 

The purified plant liquid, upon contact with the stone, immediately produced a hissing sound.

 

The stone visibly corroded somewhat, though the sound quickly ceased.

 

The corroded area remained minimal. It was merely a small patch that appeared, truly inconsequential.

 

“The purified liquid’s acidity is certainly higher, and the corrosion speed is faster, but still not enough…” Su Bai frowned.

 

He systematically tested several varieties of purified plant juices, receiving identical results across all samples.

 

Some exhibited considerable corrosive strength, but the corrosion time remained disappointingly slow. They were not that much better than the unpurified versions. The only improvement lay in the corrosive intensity.

 

“Relying on a single acid is not good enough. I think several plants must be combined to make it more effective.” Su Bai contemplated.

 

He deliberated carefully for some time, gradually retrieving glass vessels of various sizes.

 

The next phase of experimentation would commence, which was potentially more hazardous.

 

After all, combining multiple acids together could prove dangerous if improperly managed, potentially causing skin injuries.

 

“Another trial and error.” Su Bai drew a deep breath.

 

He resolved to persist inside the laboratory today until he achieved results. Without developing a passable acid, he suspected he would not be able to sleep at night.

 

Numerous glass vessels of varying sizes contained purified plant juices. He intended to experiment using various methodologies.

 

The simplest approach involved mixing methods, followed by distillation or fermentation techniques.

 

However, this was not straightforward. While the concept appeared easy, the operation carried inherent risks.

 

A single miscalculation could trigger an explosion. After all, certain chemical reactions were exceedingly violent.

 

Nevertheless, Su Bai harboured minimal concern over this. After all, he possessed the Danger Foresight Skill.

 

Before any chemical experiment produced an explosion, he could detect the danger rapidly, thereby avoiding getting into danger.

 

“Let’s first attempt mixing two acids to determine whether such a dangerous reaction would occur…” Su Bai furrowed his brow.

 

He poured a small quantity of purified plant juice into a glass test tube, then prepared to introduce the second type.

 

“Danger Foresight did not activate. That means no imminent danger.” Only then did Su Bai confidently pour in the second plant juice.

 

The pale green and dark green plant juices merged together, the colour intensifying considerably.

 

Simultaneously, bubbles could be observed forming within the liquid through the test tube’s exterior, suggesting highly potent acidity.

 

However, the bubbling ceased after mere moments. It took approximately several seconds before settling into stillness.

 

“Has it become ineffective?” Su Bai’s eyebrows arched slightly.

 

[That’s absurd. How can two relatively strong acids combining render it useless?] Su Bai did not overthink matters. Speculation proved less efficient than conducting a single experiment.

 

The mixed acid was poured onto stone. This time, not even a sound emerged.

 

Everything remained peculiarly silent. This scene created a somewhat awkward atmosphere.

 

“Perhaps it just needs more time? If I need to wait, then combining them would serve no purpose…” Su Bai grimaced.

 

He had anticipated that combining two acids would yield greater strength, yet the result proved inferior to using the plant juice directly.

 

Time passed. Outside, the once-prominent Sun gradually transformed into moonlight.

 

*Knock knock knock…*

*Creak!*

 

“Shaman, it’s dinner time. Shall we dine outside this evening?” Yu Ying enquired with concern.

 

She worried about the pervasive odours throughout the laboratory. Dining here would certainly be uncomfortable.

 

“Got it.” Su Bai removed his corrosion-resistant gloves.

 

He remained somewhat dissatisfied. An entire day’s work had failed to produce an effective acid.

 

“Shaman, why did you suddenly decide to create acid? Our current weapons are already so powerful.” Yu Ying asked curiously.

 

Observing Su Bai’s displeased expression, she recognized today’s experiments had proven unsuccessful.

 

Yu Ying considered the Tribe’s weapons already more than revolutionary. Other Tribes couldn’t surpass them, rendering such urgent development of new weapons unnecessary.

 

“This is called precautionary preparation. We cannot merely satisfy ourselves with the present situation. We must consider the future as well.” Su Bai spoke gently.

 

Merely sixty-odd days remained until the rainy season. Following the rainy season, the snow season would arrive soon enough

 

Before the snow season’s arrival, the period represented peak frequency for tribal warfare, as most Tribes sought new Tribes for ‘lodging’.

 

Those Tribes functioned like parasites. Having hollowed out their current host Tribes, they urgently needed to locate new hosts.

 

“I understand now.” Yu Ying didn’t quite comprehend the unfamiliar terminology.

 

However, Yu Ying understood the latter statement. These experiments were to prevent future problems!