Chapter 371：Steam rifle

"Prepare the carriage, I'm going to the Temple of Elements." Dudian ordered the Kroen as he went to change his clothes.

Kroen ran out to make sure the carriage is ready. Dudian changed his clothing and put on raincoat. The carriage was waiting for him as he stepped out of the castle. Kroen opened the door for him.

Dudian nodded and entered the carriage.

The carriage began to move as it slowly went out of the castle.

The raindrops fell onto top of the compartment.

Dudian quietly sat inside the carriage as he listened to the sound of rain. After half an hour the carriage came to the front of Church Mountains. He got off the carriage and used umbrella as he went on the mountain road to his castle. He looked at the guard: "Is there any letter for me?"

"You are ... ... you!" The guard was surprised to see Dudian: "There are way too many letters. I'll give you all of them."

"I don't want the ones from the past." Dudian added.

The guard immediately replied: "There are few from today." He pulled out a drawer and took out four or five letters.

Dudian took the letters and thanked the man. He went into his building and opened the envelopes one by one. In addition to the notice issued by the Temple the other letters were sent by the other architects. Some of them were asking about the problems they faced while the others wanted to make deals.

"Temporarily unable to assess the level? I have to personally get involved in the discussions? Strange... Can't they analyze the designs? Or is it possible that they can't understand the mechanical energy?" Dudian's eyebrows wrinkled as he skimmed through the content. He put away the envelope and left the building. He used the umbrella to walk to the Temple's Council hall.

Dudian saw seven or eight carriages parked outside the hall. The flags above them were wet and he couldn't identify the patterns.

Dudian's eye lit up as he went to the gates of the hall step by step. The guards stopped him but recognized Dudian after he moved the umbrella that covered his face. One of them respectfully said: "Welcome architect."

Dudian asked: "Are the masters inside the hall?"

One of the guards replied: "The masters are discussing things. We have been informed about your visit so please go in."

Dudian nodded and handed over his umbrella to one of them. He shook his sleeves to threw the rain and he stepped into the hall.

"Architect, please this way." The maid greeted Dudian and showed him the room.

Dudian was led by the maid to the second floor of the hall. She knocked the door and gently pushed it after a voice echoed from inside.

Dudian's eyes swept over the eight figures sitting around the table. All of them were old. The youngest would be at least 40 or 50 years old. Most of them had white hair. Dudian looked at the thin old man sitting at the top: "Greetings master Skagen. Greetings to all the masters."

The old man laughed: "Architect Dean you don't have to be polite...Oh... Perhaps after the change I will have to call you master Dean."

Dudian was surprised even though he was psychologically prepared for the moment: "Master Skagen, what do you mean?"

"Haha ... ..." Master Skagen laughed: "Of course, I mean what I say. Your invention has been identified and according to the Temple you have the qualification to become a 'master'! Its too late today or else the news about you becoming a master would have already released. But I can assure you tomorrow morning all the nobles and whole of commercial district will know your name!"

Dudian was startled. Although he had expected the invention to be a legendary level but he didn't imagine the Temple to be so efficient in assessment. It seems the Temple was determined to help him this time.

Dudian smiled: "Thanks masters! I'll be in your care!"

Skagen was surprsied to see Dudian to be so calm. Perhaps he had expect to be a master and it was his long term goal. Skagen smiled: "We were looking for you because we want to discuss your incredible invention. We have talked with masters and Lord made the proposal so we won't be evaluating your invention neither as a five star item nor a legendary. It will be a faction on its own! The new, tenth faction will be born in our Temple!"

Dudian was surprsied when he heard the word faction. It has been so many years but except nine basic elements no new faction was born. However his 'steam engine' and kinetic energy ideas would end up as tenth faction!

Is it acting like a foundation?

Skagen saw the dumb expression on Dudian's face. He said: "Master Dean, I admire the new idea that was proposed by you. I had seen the new textile machine invented by you and I faintly felt inspiration. But after seeing your new concept called 'steam' I suddenly woke up from slumber. This is exactly what I was inspired about but couldn't put it into words. Moreover you have manufactured the idea into applicable product. Its perfect... Impeccable...Haha.. "

Dudian heard the man's hearty laughter. He had good impression of the man. Dudian smiled: "It's the result of my works after the new textile machine. That's how I was inspired too."

"A predecessor of ours had made a well which he called 'cloud'. He had used some kind of technology similar to 'steam'.."

"We only marveled at his invention for so many years but never thought that steam can be used to propogate kinetic energy... A difference of thinking...A different mindset... "

"It's not about thinking a lot of times but thinking the right way. Actually you may never know if you had the right idea or not." Another thin old man agreed with Skagen.

Skagen smiled as he continued: "We will give you the choice to name the new faction. Don't rush to answer now and think about it."

Dudian pondered a bit and replied: "I'll use a simple word to describe the faction's name. It should be called 'Qi' faction. What do you think?" (Qi as in air, gas or steam)

"Qi?" Skagen was surprised: "Alright, It is your right. We can't interfere with the naming. But it can't be an ugly name you know!"

Dudian smiled.

"In addition to the concept of the kinetic energy you have submitted two pieces of designs related to new two products. The first is called steam engine and the second one is called steam rifle. We have taken liberty and produced both of them. Its effects indeed are the same as were written in the notes in the drawins. That's why we had to delay for two days before informing you. I hope you won't be offended by our move." Skagen said.