Chapter 684: Goblin Empire: Mechanical Plane
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The bullets that shot out exploded violently.
The massive rampaging bulls all collapsed to the ground.
The violent explosions within their bodies effectively countered their twisted tissues and organs.
The body of the heavy shotgun glowed slightly, activating an array that enhanced stability and flight control.
The high-penetration and explosive rounds had miniature thrusters attached to their tails.
They required greater control and precision.
This new type of bullet was inspired by explosive arrows and developed by analogy.
The original intention of the researchers was to test how the experimental heavy shotgun would perform against different enemies with varying levels of destructive power.
The special destructive effects it displayed truly surprised the Dragon Warriors.
Tom, who had gathered plenty of data, saw all the bulls fall and immediately ordered several Dragon Warriors to collect damage data.
The heavy shotgun was originally intended for defense.
It was expected to deal damage to large numbers of twisted monsters simultaneously.
However, in the earlier battle, Tom had already seen through its potential.
The original rounds of the heavy shotgun were adequate for wall defense.
But they didn't achieve the anticipated powerful destructive and impactful results.
Instead, the explosive rounds brought a pleasant surprise, sparking more ideas in Tom's mind.
Data on the explosive rounds showed they had the best kill effect within 250–300 meters.
But Tom wasn't about to stick rigidly to that. Seeing the next wave of large twisted monsters, riddled with wounds, charging through the artillery bombardment—
Tom decisively gave the order to fire when they reached around 200 meters.
Each Dragon Warrior pulled the trigger three times, watching as the explosive rounds, accelerating and trailing jet flames, whistled toward the targets.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
The explosive rounds remained as fierce as ever, viciously drilling into the large twisted monsters.
The charge speed of the large twisted monsters wasn't significantly affected—they kept roaring and running.
But after a series of violent explosions, the fearsome monsters collapsed, wailing in agony.
Smoking bloody holes appeared all over their bodies, and they lay on the ground, struggling weakly.
The Dragon Warriors were just about to keep firing—
Only to find the enemies were already down.
The weapon's brutal killing power left them all stunned.
Even Tom was greatly surprised, realizing the power and value of the explosive rounds. He immediately recorded the data and sent a message to Jifan:
"The explosive rounds work really well. They have the potential to become the main ammo used by Dragon Warriors in the territory."
"The experimental heavy shotgun is average in performance. For defensive purposes, we can keep increasing the caliber."
"Dragon Warriors can handle greater recoil. The current recoil isn't even a challenge for them—it's not thrilling enough to shoot…"
This message made Jifan feel a bit amused and exasperated.
Jifan flipped through the battle footage and data and instantly fell in love with the accelerating explosive rounds.
"Using a heavy shotgun to fire explosive rounds feels like overkill…"
"Maybe we can borrow the shooting mode of heavy shotguns and explosive guns and combine it with high-performing explosive rounds to develop an entirely new explosive gun."
"By removing unnecessary functions, the remodeled explosive gun should perform even better."
"Maybe it could become the standard weapon for Dragon Warriors…"
With hopeful eyes, Jifan submitted the data and his ideas to the battle command center.
Hopefully, the new weapon would arrive sooner!
Angela and many commanders saw the footage of large twisted monsters being easily wiped out by explosive rounds and revealed faint smiles.
Finally, a single-soldier weapon capable of dealing with the enormous threat posed by large twisted monsters.
Although the weapon had drawbacks like low accuracy, high cost, strong recoil, and being unusable by regular soldiers—
That didn't stop them from planning mass production to further strengthen the city's defense and firepower.
Angela had a faint premonition that this breakthrough in conventional weaponry could greatly enhance the combat capabilities of Bay Territory's regular forces.
This truly showcased the foundation and strength behind Bay Territory's development.
When faced with different types of enemies—
They could quickly devise solutions.
And achieve remarkable results.
This was what Lord Matthew expected of his territory, and it was also one of the goals of this war.
Angela didn't hesitate to send Jifan a positive reply.
At the same time, she issued orders to the Joint Research Center to fully improve the "Heavy Shotgun" with dual-damage mode and develop the "Explosive Gun."
She also issued unified approvals for other improvements and experimental versions of war weapons, vehicles, golems, engineering machines, and potions.
Materials that met the usage standards were to enter mass production immediately and be quickly equipped by Bay Territory's forces.
Experimental models that didn't meet the standard would be evaluated based on their effects and discrepancies.
What could be improved would be improved, and what needed to be scrapped would be scrapped.
Fast pace, timely discussions, proper arrangements.
In just a few days, Bay Territory's forces in the Catachan demi-plane began a complete upgrade of their weaponry.
Flame-soldier battle armor, longer-range and more destructive cannons, heavy shotguns, explosive guns, explosive crossbow bolts and arrows, and other gear and weapons—
All transformed Bay Territory's battle strategy from relying solely on artillery bombardment to maintain defense lines.
Not only did most soldiers get involved in the fighting, but they also played much more critical roles.
It also drastically honed Bay Territory's research and manufacturing capacity.
After being equipped with the upgraded gear, Bay Territory's soldiers and cities had basically held off the "Green Tide."
The attention of Bay Territory's battle command center could finally shift to the other Catachan tribes.
Under the Green Tide's assault over the past few days—
Several Catachan tribes that had closer ties with Bay Territory—
With the help of Bay Territory's Dragon Warriors and adventurers—
And by purchasing various combat supplies from Bay Territory, they managed to withstand the twisted monster army's assault.
They eliminated many large twisted monsters, collected their corpses and materials, and exchanged them at Bay Territory for valuable combat supplies and gold.
Overall, during this extremely dangerous battle—
These Catachan tribes not only held on under pressure, but they also recovered most of their investment.
Their cooperation with Bay Territory would deepen further.
In fact, quite a few Catachan warriors had already started trying to make contact with Bay Territory.
Their enthusiasm and initiative—
Stemmed mainly from how other Catachan tribes suffered tremendous losses under the terrifying Green Tide.
Three tribes with populations over 200,000 and long-standing histories spanning over a thousand years—
Were annihilated!
Bay Territory recorded how they tried every tactic but still couldn't withstand the Green Tide, ultimately ending in destruction and death.
Only some women and children escaped in advance via Bay Territory's teleportation arrays.
The rest of the tribes were swallowed whole by the twisted monster army.
Entire tribe wipeouts had happened before in Catachan history—
Nearly every year, the Green Tide was a deadly trial for all Catachans.
They could only fight with everything they had, even sacrificing themselves to preserve more of their people.
When news of other tribes being destroyed was told by fleeing refugees—
It certainly made them uneasy, but the fear didn't fully sink in.
At most, it just seemed slightly more dangerous than what they had faced.
Until Bay Territory's image-recording crystals were gradually distributed to the other tribes—
Letting them witness firsthand how familiar and unfamiliar Catachan cities were devoured by twisted monsters and vanished into the jungle.
An indescribable terror gripped every Catachan heart.
They never expected—
When those twisted monsters stormed the walls—
Devoured defenseless Catachan kin—
Destroyed their homes—
And finally occupied their sacred places—
The scenes would be so horrifying and shocking.
Even the most stubborn Catachans began to worry about the future and feared the advancing Green Tide even more.
Would they end up like those tribes in the magical footage?
The Bay Territory staff and adventurers who seized the opportunity quickly stepped forward.
They provided even more magical footage.
These contained records of many things.
What drew the most attention from the Catachans was undoubtedly the footage of Bay Territory cooperating with Catachan tribes in battle.
Their combat units used all kinds of new weapons to resist the Green Tide and slay large twisted monsters.
Among them, Bay Territory killed over a dozen twisted treants, defeated more than 20 Catachan demons, and the Ironbone Tribe wiped out the Green Tide army with ease.
This sparked countless discussions and exchanges among the Catachans.
"Is this real? Bay Territory is that powerful?"
"Those are Tree Kings. Bay Territory actually killed them?"
"Didn't the Insect King also fall to them? I believe it's all true. Otherwise, why would they bother coming here?"
"That's a member of the Ironbone Tribe. They visited us before."
"Are those weapons also from Bay Territory? They don't look hard to operate..."
"The ones recommended by Bay Territory? Are they really that strong?"
"The details seem different. Definitely better than what we have..."
"With these weapons, can we really hold off the monsters?"
"Bay Territory only wants gems and ores. We have plenty—what matters is trading for real weapons."
"We definitely can't end up like those tribes that got wiped out..."
"..."
As they discussed, more and more Catachans gathered around.
Intense artillery fire, terrifying explosions.
Heavy crossbows and dragon-hunting crossbows capable of shooting hundreds of meters.
Explosive guns that could easily kill large twisted monsters.
Flame throwers that spewed fire dozens of meters long.
Not to mention Yaya, the undisputed sky dominator—even just a magical projection instilled fear and dread in them.
It was a kind of bloodline pressure that made their whole bodies tingle and tremble.
The Catachans couldn't comprehend Yaya's existence.
And Yaya-1's combat performance left them even more stunned and bewildered.
They had never seen a weapon with such destructive power as Yaya-1.
Especially watching those usually fearsome twisted monsters being shredded to pieces effortlessly.
Their hearts involuntarily filled with longing and anticipation.
If Yaya-1 and those many other weapons fought for them—
Maybe they could stand against the "Green Tide" too!
If the Ironbone Tribe and others could do it, so could they.
As more people joined the discussion, the weapons demonstrated by Bay Territory staff looked increasingly impressive.
Many very stubborn Catachan warriors and chiefs who were originally wary and resistant to Bay Territory—
Worried that Bay Territory had some plot or scheme—
Gradually changed their minds after seeing the weapons demonstrated by the adventurers and staff.
Tradition mattered, yes—but in the face of death and the destruction of their tribes, it didn't matter as much.
After all, these weapons from Bay Territory would still be under their control.
Seeing more and more people begin to waver—
Many of the "clever ones" among the Catachan tribes sighed in relief.
They began to step forward one by one.
Representing both individual and collective interests of the Catachan tribes, they entered negotiations with Bay Territory staff and adventurers.
Likely hoping to get better deals or more "discounts" from Bay Territory's trades.
This way, after the trades succeeded, they could maintain influence and rebuild their authority within the tribe.
Every place has its "clever ones."
Bay Territory's cooperation had never been shortsighted.
They didn't deliberately manipulate the Catachan tribes. Instead, they completed the earlier trades at relatively fair prices that pleasantly surprised the tribes.
The benefit of doing this was simple—
To quickly build mutual trust and lay a solid foundation for deeper cooperation in the future.
Once they got their hands on the various weapons from Bay Territory, the Catachan warriors quickly learned how to use them.
They used these weapons to attack twisted monsters—
And the results were immediate!
Effective group-based damage drastically reduced the tribes' defensive pressure.
Casualties dropped significantly, the defensive lines barely held, food supplies increased, and the wounded were quickly treated.
All kinds of benefits led to a complete shift in how the Catachans viewed Bay Territory.
They no longer rejected or resisted Bay Territory's staff.
And welcomed interactions with the adventurers "assisting" them in battle, engaging with more warmth and friendliness.