Spirit Oak Demon Tree Forest.
Liang Ming, a Grade B Craftsman from the Celestial Craft Hall—who had been threatened by his master with the "Birdie Start Machine"—was leading several apprentices in assembling parts.
Ever since he had resolved to follow Lord Envoy and strive for a boundlessly bright future, he had become far more proactive.
A test machine happened to require on-site assembly today, so Liang Ming had volunteered to bring people over.
Of course.
Other than this craftsman, no one knew it was a test machine.
Everyone who had heard about it assumed it was another new toy of Envoy Cheng's.
Bang! Bang!
Clang! Clang!
After the apprentices hammered away for a while.
A round, metallic cylinder over eight meters long was nearly assembled.
Liang Ming first gave it a rough inspection, then turned to the apprentices and ordered, "You lot, go bring over the wings and tail assembly."
The apprentices answered and obediently went off to do the heavy lifting.
The hierarchy within the Celestial Craft Hall was just as strict. Master Artisans ordered craftsmen around like grandsons, while craftsmen treated apprentices like livestock.
Forget the 996 grind—working 007 was utterly commonplace.
Very soon.
The group hurried through the forest for several dozen meters, entered a simple little warehouse, and emerged carrying several parts.
One apprentice glanced around and muttered softly, "Working here feels like countless eyes are watching us. It makes my skin crawl."
As soon as he said that.
The conversation immediately took off.
"I heard news from the Envoy's Living Quarters that these Spirit Oak Demons can not only understand human speech, but can also talk and sing."
"A lot of people say Lord Envoy has lived here for over a month, using some powerful secret technique to inject a soul into every Spirit Oak