Chapter 219: Next Step

Chapter 219: The Next Step

The public had long been astonished by the first-generation Material Machine. Even though the second-generation model's appearance was more stunning than they expected, that initial sense of awe wouldn't last long.

Ordinary people were more concerned about issues closely tied to their own interests—the price of the Material Machine, its newly added functions, and whether the Material Codes subsequently developed by the Ember App would be free or paid.

But no matter how much they hoped the Material Machine would be affordable, ideally within everyone's reach, a harsh reality stood before them—the first-generation model had already been resold for up to 80 million yuan.

The price of one Material Machine could buy 100 homes in a small city!

This price was terrifying. Ordinary people didn’t even dare to imagine it, fearing they could never earn that much in a lifetime.

Those male compatriots who had clamored online to boycott Tianqiong Group’s products and bankrupt the company after Shi Nianan’s incident were met with nothing but scorn:

"LOL, with your 3,000-yuan salary, what are you even boycotting? Instead of wasting time typing, why not tighten a few more screws so your boss can upgrade to a BMW sooner?"

Industry experts widely believed that the second-generation Material Machine couldn’t be priced below a million.

Therefore, no matter how hard ordinary people tried to scrape together funds, they still couldn’t afford it. They could only hope that in a year or two, the price would drop, and then they could buy one.

Viewers in the livestream took it in stride.

"New tech products are always like this. When cell phones first came out, only the rich could afford them."

"Exactly. In a while, the price will definitely drop, and everyone will be able to buy one."

"Naive. Tianqiong has no competitors right now. Why would they lower the price?"

"Does anyone really think female capitalists are charitable? Wake up—capitalists are capitalists. They’ll exploit you regardless of gender."

"Where are those trolls who mocked Huangtian for working on the Material Machine? Bet they’re stunned now."

At this moment, Chi Jing, sitting quietly in the back row of the venue, watched the live comments with a cold smirk.

These foolish humans truly knew nothing about Tianqiong’s capabilities.

On stage, Shi Nianan stood beside the second-generation Material Machine. The flowing silver light from the machine illuminated her gentle, smiling face, adding a touch of mystery.

"...Additionally, regarding the issue everyone is most concerned about—the price—after unanimous discussion within the company team, the final price of the second-generation Material Machine is... just 9,999 yuan. It is now officially available for sale on the Ember App. Welcome to purchase."

The crowd: !!!

"Really? How much? Did I hear correctly?"

"Oh my god! It seems like I can afford it if I stretch my budget!"

"If I had a Material Machine, I could save a ton of money on food and daily necessities—no, I wouldn’t need to spend extra money at all."

"Sci-fi has truly become reality."

"I declare that from now on, Shi Nianan is my goddess. I won’t allow anyone to disobey you!"

"I should’ve downloaded Ember earlier. Is it too late to download and grab one now?"

People flooded into the Ember App to make purchases. Attendees at the venue lowered their heads, and even reporters set aside their cameras to pull out their phones and join the rush.

Jin Feifan stared intently at the constantly refreshing sales data on the screen. In just five minutes, 2 million units were sold out.

"Ahhhhh!" Jin Feifan was so excited she nearly screamed, forcing herself to bite down on her hand to suppress the sound.

No one could have imagined the 2 million units would sell out so quickly. Many, due to slow internet speeds, found them sold out the moment they reached the order page.

"Ahhhhh! I’m crying! Why are your hands so fast?!"

"I managed to grab one. I wanted to buy another, but there’s a purchase limit per account..."

"Good thing I pre-ordered—got it easily."

Shi Nianan hadn’t expected the second-generation machines to sell out so quickly either. She thought it would take at least until the end of the launch event.

Although the second-generation machine was priced cheaply, the Material Codes on the Ember App were quite expensive.

Of course, basic daily necessities were free—enough to meet a person’s daily needs for food and clothing, even allowing free synthesis of precious metals like gold and silver. What required payment were more complex finely processed foods, custom high-end clothing, high-precision industrial supplies, luxury goods, and so on.

"Tianqiong set the price of the second-generation machine so low precisely because we hope more people can use our products. However, I also know there are many in this world who may not even have 10,000 yuan to spare. Some worry daily about their next meal, living strained and exhausted lives, never able to escape poverty and busyness."

"Therefore, to allow more people to enjoy the convenience of the Material Machine, the Ember App has also launched a monthly membership plan. Users need only pay a 100-yuan monthly fee to receive a 500kg material quota. Currently, Tianqiong has set up smart service points in various cities. Place an order, and it will be delivered to your home in real time."

"Additionally, the Ember App has already released Material Codes for menstrual products. All female users who have completed real-name verification can receive a free menstrual care package every month."

This announcement caused an immediate uproar.

The venue erupted with angry shouts. Investors who had put money into daily necessities, industrial supplies, and feminine hygiene products turned pale with rage.

A 100-yuan monthly membership was practically giving it away for free. Was Tianqiong trying to wipe out all these related industries?

And free menstrual products? How many people relied on them to make a living? Who could tolerate such livelihood-destroying behavior?

"This is malicious competition! Are you trying to drive traditional industries to ruin?"

"Using low prices as a cover for dumping, and prettifying it as letting more people enjoy free products—in reality, you’re putting thousands of workers out of jobs!"

"Who knows if the food produced by your Material Machines is even safe? If someone dies from eating it, you’ll be jailed for sure!"

The troublemakers were quickly escorted out of the venue, but related short videos spread rapidly online, directly trending on social media.

However, netizens weren’t capitalists. Seeing these pot-bellied investors hopping mad only made them gloat.

"Well done! I’ve had enough of those expensive and poorly designed sanitary pads!"

"Serves the capitalists right. Exploiting workers and deceiving consumers—companies like that should go bankrupt sooner!"

"LOL, when my boss thought AI could replace me and laid me off, he never imagined he’d be crushed by Tianqiong’s even more groundbreaking technology, did he?"

"You women are something else. If factories shut down, what will everyone do for work?"

"Are you stupid? With a 100-yuan monthly fee covering food and drink, why would you need to work? Do you really enjoy making money for your boss to buy a Land Rover?"

"Since when must people work to live? Enjoying life, developing personal interests, delving into art, pursuing dreams—aren't all these more meaningful than grinding away at a job?"

Before the heat from Shi Nianan’s announcement had faded, Tianqiong once again astonished the world. Whether people paid attention or not, no one could remain untouched by this upheaval.

However, those currently arguing for or against Tianqiong had no idea that, in the near future, Tianqiong Group would overthrow the entire empire.

————

That night, in the virtual meeting room of the Sky Foundation, all core members of the first batch were in attendance.

Chi Jing sat at the head of the table, a faint, elusive smile on her face, her indifferent gaze sweeping over everyone present.

Her gaze lifted, starting from Lin Wei, the Foundation Director seated at her right, and landed on Jin Jianmin, the current Chief Justice of the Supreme Court seated at her left.

Unlike the calm Chi Jing, those gathered around the table all displayed varying degrees of excitement and eagerness.

With the foundation's assistance, Jin Jianmin had successfully ascended to the position of Chief Justice, and just as President Zhou had predicted, Shi Nianan was acquitted.

Yet, aside from them, no one knew it was the foundation pulling the strings and exerting influence behind the scenes.

Due to the judicial principle of "treating similar cases similarly," with Shi Nianan's case setting a precedent, judges now had ample grounds to acquit defendants in comparable situations in the future.

The foundation had turned the seemingly impossible into reality—so what couldn't they achieve?

Considering this, who wouldn't be thrilled, exhilarated, and proud to be part of it?

Chi Jing rapped the table with a knuckle, and instantly, a cup of light red juice appeared before each person.

With elegant grace, she raised her goblet. "A toast to celebrate the foundation's first victory!"

Everyone raised their glasses, downed it in one gulp, and then exchanged astonished glances.

They had assumed everything in this virtual space was not real, yet the juice genuinely burst with a rich, refreshing sweetness on their tongues.

Tasting the sweetness on her palate, Jin Jianmin, who had maintained a stern expression until now, finally broke into a genuine smile.

Heaven knew how unbelievable it felt when she received the appointment letter stamped by the former judge.

And how torn and conflicted she was when, seated in the courtroom, she realized Shi Nianan might have intentionally committed murder.

No matter how much she favored Shi Nianan, she couldn't defy judicial integrity to sentence a murderer to death.

Fortunately, the outcome was positive—everything had unfolded remarkably smoothly.

Now, only one question remained for her. "Chairwoman, there's one doubt I've never been able to clarify. Might you provide an answer?"

Chi Jing looked up at her. "Go on."

"I wish to know how you persuaded the former judge, Wang Deming."

Chi Jing smiled faintly. "You've all reviewed the materials from the last meeting. I held evidence of Wang Deming accepting bribes from the litigant, Qiao Zhizhang. He had no choice but to recuse himself."

Jin Jianmin suddenly understood—so that was how it was?

She breathed a deep sigh of relief; she had feared Chi Jing had employed some illegal methods.

Noting her instantly relaxed demeanor, Chi Jing inwardly sneered. How could she ever use such straightforward methods?

That day, after knocking Wang Deming unconscious and taking him away, she held a gun to his head, forcing him to write the letter of appointment. Then, she reduced him to a drooling fool, afflicted with such severe dementia that Judge Wang had no option but to retire.

But these details were unnecessary for the foundation members to know.

She lifted her gaze to the group, smiling meaningfully. "Now that Ms. Jin has successfully assumed the seat of Chief Justice…"

"Let us proceed to the next phase of our plan."