Chapter 603: Corpses Like Tides
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Massive machines kept operating, stamping out slightly rough steel parts.
Taking advantage of the parts' malleability at high temperatures, further processing and polishing were carried out before they cooled completely.
343 did not bother with the parts; ensuring the production equipment's state was enough.
With a somewhat helpless expression, she turned to Matthew and said:
"Only a third of the spellcasters and apprentices sent to study at Bay Territory are willing to return."
"Those who returned are also demanding higher treatment..."
Matthew nonchalantly shrugged, gazing at the surging magic channels around them, and asked with a smile:
"So, are they worth it?"
Trusting her calculations, 343 nodded without hesitation, her expression puzzled but her words clear:
"Although their remuneration is over four times higher than before, their efficiency improvement exceeds eight times, and their competitiveness has significantly increased."
"From the results, it's very worthwhile..."
Matthew naturally detected 343's confusion and, not thinking this special Tower Spirit had any "exploiter" thoughts, explained with a smile:
"More work, more pay—that's the simplest form of reward."
"When factories see workers as partners, sharing benefits and development, progress comes faster."
Reflecting on Bay Territory's factory systems, 343 instinctively raised her eyebrows and made a decisive decision:
"I'll try some experiments first, and if it works, I'll promote it more widely..."
Matthew expressed his anticipation, hoping Bloodmoon City could change and become stronger, helping share Bay Territory's development pressure.
Matthew greatly welcomed this lord who only needed gold and resources.
After all, today's investment would yield massive returns in the future.
343 quickly absorbed the development data and plans Matthew handed over.
She always had her own ideas and novel judgments, often inspiring Matthew.
Otherwise, Matthew wouldn't have arranged a meeting with her.
Of course, the most important thing right now was obtaining some underground ruin data from 343.
In the past, these materials were of vital importance to Bloodmoon City.
Bloodmoon City lived off ruin excavations—it was their lifeblood!
But now, ruins had become a stable, long-term source of revenue.
Their overall contribution had dropped from 50%-60% to just 25%.
Ruin income hadn't decreased much; rather, Bloodmoon City's overall income had surged.
Thus, if Matthew wanted to explore or develop a ruin, 343 would absolutely welcome it with open arms.
Bay Territory never monopolized benefits; any cooperating force would always get a big share.
Just like the previous "technical exchange" between Bay Territory and Bloodmoon City.
Bay Territory obtained teleportation array manufacturing techniques, leading to the development of their teleportation warfare system.
Bloodmoon City improved their golem and war puppet integration technologies.
Not only could they now produce more powerful, distinctive constructs, but they also received nearly a quarter of Bay Territory's golem production orders.
Both sides got what they wanted and enjoyed a highly successful cooperation.
343 also held many technologies invented or stored by her Lord, as well as special tech and devices unearthed from ruins.
If Bay Territory found good things, they could bring them out for trade too.
This was why Matthew was so willing to cooperate with 343.
Browsing through the many familiar yet unfamiliar ruin materials, Matthew felt a surge of emotion.
He had personally excavated a considerable portion of these sites.
Others he had only heard of, but now he saw records of them here.
After skimming through, he quickly found his target.
Several goblin ruins and ruins fields.
Matthew examined the various items found at the ruins, many being parts of high-level war puppets and golems.
Although most parts were damaged by time, they still provided abundant information.
Nearby, Orianna and Yaya curiously discussed while examining parts.
Yaya used time-reversal techniques to restore the parts' appearances.
Though the parts remained fragile, they revealed much valuable information.
By analyzing their shape, one could deduce their functions and understand their construction.
Structural design insights brought bursts of inspiration.
But more importantly, they provided Bay Territory with brand-new metal formulae.
Bay Territory's major manufacturing institutes had realized:
The upper limit of weapons and equipment design depended on their maximum enchantment level and material strength.
Golems and war puppets, being combat units with material-based bodies, were even more dependent on material strength.
By analyzing these materials and deriving metal formulas, they could easily make their first profits.
Of course, these profits would belong to Yaya and Orianna's personal treasure vaults—they'd earn a fair share using the formulas and materials.
Importantly, by analyzing material strength and corrosion time,
Matthew could accurately pinpoint the ruins' active periods and match them to his targets.
Soon, Matthew locked onto his goal, found the ruins' location, and prepared to form a team.
Bay Territory's army was too busy, and the adventurers also needed to focus on their own strength-building.
Both sides were in critical growth stages foundational to Matthew's future surgical reforms, so he couldn't waste their time.
Thus, Matthew decided to act personally.
Another major reason was that Bay Territory was temporarily out of money and couldn't afford mass army mobilization rewards.
In two months, when Bay Territory's accumulated funds and resources returned, they could ramp up operations again.
Learning Matthew's intent, 343 was very willing to assist and quickly posted a mission notice at Bloodmoon City's Adventurer's Hall.
"Major Ruin Exploration Mission, Difficulty: Advanced."
"Mission Target: Excavation and exploration of the Fourth Level, Lost Tower area."
"Mission Content: Excavation, patrol, protection, combat, reconnaissance, logistics."
"Mission Rewards: Based on combat performance, material contributions, and completion of temporary tasks, participants will earn fixed posts and corresponding merits."
"Regular daily work earns 8 merit points. 200 points can be exchanged for high-grade magical equipment and items."
"Current number of high-grade magical equipment and items available: 3,000!"
"Registration Requirements:
Individuals: High-tier Professionals, must purchase 5 sets of Bay Territory Adventurer Kits, recognized as Bloodmoon City Senior Adventurers.
Teams: Advanced Adventurer Teams, must purchase 10 sets of Bay Territory Team Adventure Packages, plus 2 combat golems and 4 engineering golems.
Note: Half deposit allowed for advance material purchase; upon mission completion, half deposit can be refunded or converted into full purchase."
Upon hearing this news, the vast majority of adventurers in the hall couldn't help but widen their eyes.
They hadn't expected Bloodmoon City, which hadn't issued an official ruin excavation mission for so long, to suddenly be this generous.
3,000 pieces of high-grade magical gear and items, worth over 10 million gold coins!
This was a huge opportunity!
However, when they saw the registration conditions, many were dismayed.
The high-tier Professional requirement alone eliminated over 90% of adventurers.
Fortunately, the other two requirements were achievable for most veteran adventurers.
However, the high standards for adventurer teams troubled many team commanders.
The Bay Territory team adventure package was manageable—1,000 gold coins per set.
It could sustain 200 adventurers' combat and adventure needs for about a week—very cost-effective.
Most adventurer teams stocked several sets for emergencies.
But the golem requirements were problematic.
Unless a team had long-term collaborating spellcasters, they typically lacked construct deployments.
Moreover, constructs were strategic materials rarely available on the market.
"Lucky for you all, today is your lucky day!"
"That's right, everyone, come have a look!"
Working in tandem, Dazhuang and Dapeng quickly drew everyone's attention.
Dazhuang showcased several high-grade magical longswords, demonstrating their sharpness and effects.
The handles bore beautiful dragon-shaped markings—the manufacturing insignia of Bay Territory.
The brilliant spell patterns made many adventurers' eyes light up.
The magical projection behind him confirmed the quantity of available weapons.
Qualified adventurers were immediately tempted.
"Isn't it just ruin excavation? What adventurer in Bloodmoon City hasn't done it?"
"For such excellent magical weapons and gear, let's go all out!"
With a chubby, cheerful face, Dapeng said to the tempted high-tier adventurers:
"This ruin excavation is jointly undertaken by the Lord of Bloodmoon City and Bay Territory."
"Professional personnel from Bay Territory will direct the operations, thus the generous rewards."
"If you're tight on funds, you can pay half the deposit now and settle after completing the mission."
"If your merits aren't enough to exchange for magical gear, Bloodmoon City will buy back the items based on merit points."
"By then, you'll still get corresponding gold or materials according to your merits."
"Don't worry about golems either."
"We'll sell a batch of constructs to better support your ruin excavations..."
"Registration is now open. Come sign up!"
Having finished showcasing the magical gear, Dazhuang immediately arranged for the golems to appear.
Towering steel golems stirred the ground with every movement.
Seeing that the Lord meant business, more adventurers gathered in the hall.
Many adventurers and teams who had been exploring the ruins rushed back.
The joint operation between Bloodmoon City and Bay Territory, along with the lure of 3,000 high-grade magical items, was irresistible.
Senior adventurers quickly chose to trust Bloodmoon City and Bay Territory, rushing to sign up.
In no time, over 300 high-tier adventurers had enrolled.
These famous, admired adventurers gathering together created great excitement.
Everyone loved a lively scene—and reaping some "benefits" from it.
For ordinary adventurers, Bay Territory and Bloodmoon City were mighty forces.
If the two forces joined hands, it certainly wasn't for a small ruin!
Learning the ruin type and preparing early would mean profiting greatly once excavation began.
Other ruins' earnings were mediocre lately, so adjusting their state and waiting for the grand feast was smarter.
While the big forces ate meat, senior adventurers would drink soup, and the rest could enjoy the leftovers.
Compared to the excitement, high-tier adventurer teams were calmer.
For good reason: apart from a few independent teams, most had backers.
Although tempted by the profits, decision-makers often considered deeper factors.
What were Bay Territory and Bloodmoon City's true goals?
Had they really found a valuable ruin?
Or was it a cover for other plans?
Seeing their hesitation, 343 grew a little anxious.
"Everything's ready for you. Why are you still hesitating?"
She had prepared a large batch of golems, just waiting for adventurer teams to buy them.
Noticing her expression, Matthew remained unhurried and didn't bother checking the Tower Spirit's properties or status.
While browsing parts and reviewing enrolled high-tier adventurers, he comforted her:
"Don't worry. Proceed steadily. Those guys will bite sooner or later."
With over ten million gold coins plus ruin loot, the temptation was irresistible.
For the greedy types, it was an offer they couldn't refuse.
After all, Matthew wasn't targeting the leaders—but the adventurer teams under them.
October 3rd.
Bloodmoon City.
Underground ruin entrance.
Many curious adventurers and residents watched with bright eyes as massive engineering golems marched in neat formation.
Large crawler chassis with four treads, gigantic mechanical arms seven to eight meters long, and silver-white metal exteriors that gleamed faintly.
These were steel creations most adventurers and residents had never seen before.
More surprising than the golems were the diverse warriors and workers from Bay Territory.
The once-timid and cunning goblins now walked proudly with their chests out, their brilliant eyes full of spirit.
Piloting humanoid exoskeleton constructs about two meters tall, they marched in tight formations past the amazed adventurers and residents.
The goblins weren't smug but instead focused, expertly operating their exoskeletal constructs.
This was the first-generation product of the Clockwork Spirit Research Institute created by Yaya and Orianna—the Exoskeleton Armor.
It was divided into civilian and military models.
The former was durable, sturdy, and lightweight.
It was very suitable for carrying loads and physical labor, providing necessary strength enhancements for workers like goblins lacking physical power.
The latter was flexible and robust, assisting in combat.
It could provide powerful combat support for small combat personnel.
Though slightly clumsy, it performed excellently in formation combat tests.
Now, these trial-phase products needed practical application in work and battle.