Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8343: Power (1)

By the time Zhao Hai escorted the Sect Master and the accompanying officials to the lower level, they observed that the area had been repurposed for refining and methodical assembly. Ten production lines were operational here as well, though they eventually merged into a single, larger primary line. Numerous puppets were stationed alongside these tracks. These constructs varied in form; one type featured a hand-like appendage, while another consisted of a rapidly rotating body. As metal blocks descended from the floor above, these puppets would use their spinning limbs to polish the material, sending sparks flying in every direction. Once processed, the blocks were passed to the next station. Ultimately, the components reached a massive metal dais where specialized puppets performed the final assembly. Upon completion, the combined metal blocks emitted a crimson glow, and a peculiarly shaped puppet would rise from the platform and walk away.

The appearance of these puppets was undeniably bizarre. They possessed square heads and bodies composed of five distinct segments. Their limbs were lined with metallic blades resembling sword edges, giving them an appearance that was both strange and somewhat clunky.

Upon leaving the assembly platform, each puppet marched toward a nearby magic array. As the array pulsed with white light, a specific seal was branded onto the puppet’s frame. Once marked, the construct would walk to a designated pit, leap inside, and vanish from view.

The Sect Master and his group noticed, however, that some puppets remained on the platform after assembly. Instead of the usual process, the white light would flicker and transform into a cluster of radiance, leaving a red mark on the puppet instead. These specific units would then fly out through the windows and disappear into the distance.

Confused by this distinction, the Sect Master turned to Zhao Hai and asked, "Zhao Hai, what is the reason for this? Why do some puppets jump into the hole while others fly out the window? What causes this difference?" He was deeply intrigued, as the puppets appeared identical and should, logically, be handled the same way.

Zhao Hai replied with a faint smile, "Sect Master, because these puppets are mass-produced, a few will inevitably have manufacturing flaws. Those with defects fly back to the top floor automatically to be melted down and recycled. The ones jumping into the pit are the qualified units ready for combat. The levels below serve as storage. That white seal is a mark of quality, but it also functions as a self-destruction array. Should these puppets sustain damage exceeding fifty percent, they are programmed to explode immediately."

The Sect Master’s eyes brightened with interest. "Lead the way," he commanded firmly. "Let us descend to the next level. I wish to see the storage facility for these constructs." He was genuinely fascinated and eager to see the scale of Zhao Hai’s production and the final result of his work.

"As you wish," Zhao Hai answered, guiding the group further down. The sight on the next floor left the Sect Master speechless. Several ghosts in the form of skeletons occupied the space, each holding an interspatial bag. Behind them stood rows of shelving units stacked high with similar bags. As puppets arrived from the floor above, they gathered in an open area. Once a sufficient number had assembled, the skeletons would open a bag and store the puppets inside.

Pointing toward the workers, Zhao Hai explained, "These skeletons are basic ghosts I've summoned. While they lack combat strength, they possess enough intelligence to manage the storage process. The bags on the left side of the shelves are empty, while those on the right are filled. Each bag holds exactly one thousand puppets."

Surveying the mountain of bags, the Sect Master remarked with a smile, "Judging by the number of bags here, your production must have already reached nearly one hundred thousand puppets, hasn't it?" Even though only a portion of the shelves were filled, the sheer volume of bags—each containing a thousand units—suggested a massive army was already prepared.

Zhao Hai nodded in agreement. "It is slightly under one hundred thousand, but close. Sect Master, would you care to witness their combat capabilities?" Since the Sect Master had seen the efficiency of the forge but not the puppets in action, demonstrating their power was essential for deciding how to deploy them.

The Sect Master nodded, his curiosity piqued. "Very well, let us see their strength. I am eager to know if these strange creations are truly formidable or merely numerous." He knew that if their combat power was insufficient, their numbers would mean very little.

"Follow me," Zhao Hai said. He retrieved one of the interspatial bags and led the group outside. Once in the open air, he tapped the bag, and one thousand metal puppets surged out, instantly organizing themselves into a disciplined mid-air formation.

Zhao Hai addressed the group while looking at the constructs. "These puppets do not contain dark spirits, as those are difficult to acquire without taking lives. Consequently, controlling them requires a portion of my own divine sense. This presents a limitation, as a Cultivator's divine sense is not infinite. Currently, I can manage a thousand units simultaneously. If we were able to refine Yin souls into their cores, the number we could command would increase significantly. With souls, they would gain basic intelligence and follow verbal commands more easily."

With a shift in his hand seal, Zhao Hai commanded, "Change!" At his word, the ungainly puppets suddenly contracted. Before the eyes of the shocked onlookers, they transformed into massive swords, each two meters long and a meter wide, resembling heavy iron doors. Zhao Hai pointed toward a distant target and shouted, "Strike!"

The mass of blades whistled through the air at incredible speeds, creating a terrifying spectacle. They slammed into a small hill Zhao Hai had designated. With a thunderous roar, the hill was obliterated, leaving nothing but a massive crater in its wake.

"Return!" Zhao Hai ordered. The puppets immediately flew back to his side. He explained, "Several vital arrays are etched into these puppets, the most critical being the control, Qi gathering, and transformation arrays. They can draw in the blood mist from the Blood Sea and convert it into internal energy. I kept their functions simple, focusing on three attributes: physical power, speed, and sharpness. While they might look basic in sword form, their edges are sharper than many standard magic tools, making them excellent for shattering enemy defenses."

After a brief pause, he continued, "They also possess a rudimentary capacity for melee combat." He performed another hand seal and commanded, "Transform!" The puppets returned to their original shapes, extending their bladed limbs. They began to whirl violently like high-speed tops, their spinning blades creating a lethal perimeter.

After a short demonstration of the spinning attack, Zhao Hai stopped them. "Beyond these forms, their offensive options are limited. However, as mentioned, they will self-destruct if heavily damaged, which serves as a final, powerful strike against an opponent."

The Sect Master and the Elders nodded, their expressions filled with approval. Though the puppets’ tactics were straightforward, their destructive potential was undeniable. More importantly, the ease of their manufacture was a game-changer. If the Sect could mass-produce units with the strength of the Foundation Establishment or even the Profound Dharma realm at this speed, they would become an unstoppable force in the Blood Sea Realm.

Zhao Hai was also pleased. These constructs were far superior to the ones he had utilized in the lower realms. They were crafted from high-grade materials and powered by the potent energy of the Blood Sea. This refined energy allowed them to achieve combat levels comparable to true magic power.

The Sect Master looked at Zhao Hai and asked quietly, "Is the simplicity of their attacks due to a lack of complex arrays on their bodies?" He suspected that the "stupid" look of the puppets was a byproduct of keeping the enchantments minimal to ensure production speed.

Zhao Hai confirmed this. "Yes, because the magic formations are essentially stamped onto their frames during the automated assembly, we cannot use too many. Complexity increases the risk of errors and lowers the success rate. Higher-tier puppets require more intricate parts and manual labor, making them much harder to produce. For this level of mass production using scrap materials, we must keep the designs efficient and simple."