Soft light poured down like water, casting a busy silhouette on the laboratory floor.
Twelve dexterous mechanical arms, resembling octopus tentacles, were covered in golden-blue flames, and dozens of intricately designed parts of various shapes were installed with the help of an alchemical auxiliary device.
Buzz!!
The energy matrix lit up with a blue-white light, emitting a pleasant buzzing sound like the flapping of bees' wings. The unique mechanical rhythm made Logo squint slightly.
As his mechanical skills improved, he could sense more and more differences. The machines seemed to have come to life, no longer dull and lifeless objects, but possessing their own unique characteristics.
"Is this the last core engine for the Golden Viper?" Crassus asked with a yawn, lounging on the table beside him.
"That's right, but the Minotaur have placed an additional order for two hundred units."
Logo stretched, his bones cracking, and his face showed a hint of helplessness.
Crassus licked his paws and said, "We should recruit more alchemists."
Rolling his eyes at the fat cat, Logo said irritably, "You think I don't want to recruit alchemists? The key is whether they're willing to come. Sunset Jungle is considered Savage land by most alchemists; they'd rather go to the Seven Magitech Nations, the Gonis City-State, or the Tia Empire."
Logo felt utterly helpless when the topic came up.
A month ago, he publicly recruited alchemists from across the entire Angedora Bay, offering very generous compensation.
However, very few people responded, and only five alchemists actually came to the Campbell Family. Two of them were alchemy apprentices, and the remaining three were all junior alchemists.
Expecting them to help manufacture the core components of the Golden Viper is wishful thinking.
Ultimately, it's because the family isn't well-known, especially in the alchemist circle; they're practically invisible and nobody pays attention to them.
In addition, the alchemical atmosphere in Sunset Jungle is almost non-existent, making it extremely difficult for even advanced alchemists to find someone to communicate with.
Like scientists, alchemists need to communicate and exchange ideas with other alchemists to make rapid progress. Therefore, a research atmosphere is very important to them. Thinking about it this way, it makes sense that they don't come to Sunset Jungle.
Logo knew that the current situation of lacking alchemists among his subordinates would not change in the short term.
To lighten your workload, you'll still need to rely on the alchemy assistants from the Maker series.
During this period, he successively created 12 "Maker I" type alchemy assistants and embedded the manufacturing process of related parts into their Consciousness Seed.
Currently, these alchemical assistants are in another laboratory, responsible for manufacturing parts for individual mechs.
With the funds obtained from the Yigeng Tribe, Logo purchased some equipment from the Seven Magitech Nations and assembled two mech production lines.
Due to limited funds, a small number of equipment units, and average quality, the two production lines have low capacity.
After a month, only 82 one-star single-soldier mechs were produced, ranging in quality from ordinary to high-quality. This was only after Logo personally adjusted and tested them; otherwise, the quality of these mechs would have been even lower.
However, as the number of alchemy assistants increases, the production efficiency of the mech production line will also rise accordingly. After the alchemy assistants are updated and iterated, the quality of the produced mechs will also be optimized.
The day before, the Yigeng Tribe placed an order for another 200 Golden Viper, and the deposit of 4 million Ta Pound had been transferred to Logo's account.
This money is enough for him to expand the mecha production line tenfold.
Of course, Logo couldn't invest all his funds in the mecha production line; he had too many other places where he needed money.
Recruiting alchemists.
To establish an alchemy academy.
To procure weapons and equipment for the family's newly formed second brigade.
The Heavenly Eye Special Forces need to maintain high-intensity training, and they consume a huge amount of supplies every day.
Logo himself also needs to cultivate, and he needs to make potions, various supplements, weapons and equipment, etc. He also keeps a fat cat. All of these things cost money.
Based on this calculation, four million Ta Pound is simply not enough to cover the expenses.
Fortunately, a few days ago, the three major clans officially entered the Sunset Jungle's arms market.
The weapons and equipment that had been stockpiled for nearly two months were poured out like a flood. Thanks to the Minotaur's channels and the fact that the equipment was indeed of high quality, the sales went very smoothly.
Although the price of the first batch of weapons and equipment was deliberately reduced by 20-30% in order to attract customers, there was still a considerable profit margin.
Moreover, compared to the minor skirmishes among the three major clans, the Royal Court was the real culprit.
Not only was its size hundreds of times larger, but its appetite was also astonishing. While selling weapons to various parts of Planet Oklo, it even set its sights on other planets.
Logo only needs to wait a little longer for the dividends to come in, and he will be able to temporarily get rid of his financial difficulties.
Buzz!
The laboratory door opened, and the butler, Lunbate, walked in, his face clearly showing delight.
"Young master, good news!"
"Oh? Tell me about it!"
"Just now, the Gnoll at the front line, using our Crimson Crystal series weapons, severely damaged an Hawkfolk force of four hundred men, with minimal losses themselves. No advertisement can better demonstrate the superior performance of our weapons and equipment than a glorious victory!" Lunbate said excitedly.
Logo didn't seem surprised by what he heard; this was something he had expected. He was now thinking about another issue.
"How is the Snake Gang's reaction?" Logo asked.
The Snake Gang is one of the arms dealers in Sunset Jungle, and its main business is the sale of gunpowder weapons. With the release of the Red Crystal Gunpowder weapons by the three major clans, the Snake Gang is the most affected.
Conflicts of interest are always the flashpoint for conflict, so even before preparing for the arms sale, Logo had Lunbate closely monitor the Snake Gang's movements.
After a moment's thought, Lunbate said, "The Snake Gang hasn't reacted yet, but they've purchased some of our weapons, equipment, and ammunition; they probably want to copy them."
After saying this, Lunba said with some worry, "Young Master, do you think the Snake Gang could actually replicate it successfully?"
Upon hearing this, Logo sneered, "Imitation? Let alone a mere Snake Gang, even the Crimson Alliance couldn't crack the technical codes of Red Crystal Gunpowder and Strong Vibration Steel."
Compared to the Aslant Civilization, the entire Elven Plane is nothing but a speck of dust, not to mention the forces within the plane. Although these two materials were only used to lay the lowest level of technical codes, they are still insurmountable mountains for civilizations below the Astral Realm level.
Boom!
Sparks flew, accompanied by loud explosions and piercing alarms.
A Snake People Race wearing a blue and white hazmat suit crawled up from the ground, his face charred black. Fortunately, he was strong enough to avoid being killed on the spot.
"Pah, pah, pah, damn it, why is this kind of gunpowder so difficult to crack?" Jiexi complained as he turned on the air Purification.
"So? Are you confident you can replicate it?" an old snake-man leaning on a cane asked as he approached.
Jiexi shook his head helplessly. "There's no hope of replicating it in the short term. The technical code hidden in the Red Crystal Gunpowder is more complex and intricate than I've ever seen in my life. It's unimaginable what level of alchemy skill the alchemist who devised this code must have achieved."
Looking at his grandson's adoring face, Old Snake was so angry he almost swung his cane at him, but in the end he just snorted and didn't make a move.
Jiexi is not only his grandson, but also the most talented alchemist of the Snake People Race, the precious darling of the entire race. If he were to be damaged, his old bones would probably be crushed by the chieftain.
"Continue the research. I'm going to report to the clan chief." The old snake-man snorted coldly and slowly walked away, leaning on his cane.
In the brightly lit room, a pink gauze curtain was laid across the bed, and through the thin gauze, a breathtaking silhouette was faintly visible.
"So? Whether it's the Red Crystal Gunpowder or that Strong Vibration Steel, we can't crack it, right?" A delicate voice, almost like a soft murmur, came from behind the curtain. Although the tone was calm, it made the two snake-men standing below, bowing, break out in a cold sweat.
Lafute, the current patriarch of the Snake People Race, is Legendary figure nicknamed the Madam Poison. She is ruthless and vicious. In order to rise to power, she killed all her brothers and sisters and even imprisoned the previous Snake King. In the Snake Gang, apart from Duke Gelute, no one is unafraid of this femme fatale.
"Yes, Chieftain, Jiexi said that the Red Crystal Gunpowder contains extremely advanced technical codes that are difficult to crack in a short time," the old snake-man said softly, his head bowed, as if afraid that raising his voice would disturb the Madam Poison.
Another snake-man beside him quickly chimed in, "The materials department is also helpless against Strong Vibration Steel. There's technical code interference, and they haven't even figured out the most basic material ratios."
The room fell silent; you could hear a pin drop. An invisible pressure pressed on their hearts, and the two snake-men dared not even breathe.
After a while, the pink gauze was lifted by a fair, jade-like arm, revealing a woman with a human body and a snake tail, whose appearance was stunningly beautiful. She was wearing very little clothing, with large areas of her snow-white skin exposed to the air, but the two snake-men below lowered their heads even further, not daring to look at her for long.
"I understand, you may leave!" Madam Poison waved her hand, and the two snake-men, as if granted a pardon, quickly turned and left.
What are you going to do?
A deep male voice came from the side.
Following the sound, they saw a man two meters tall, dressed in black armor, his entire body covered in metal, with only a pair of crimson eyes visible, slowly walk out and come to the side of the Madam Poison.
Duke Gelute, a human, Legendary being, the second- Snake Gang, and rumored to be the mistress of the Madam Poison.
"I just received news that the Three-Eyed People's Royal Court also launched a major offensive into the low-to-mid-range arms market on Planet Oklo around the same time. They're coming on strong."
"It seems these Three-Eyed People have been preparing for a long time. It's almost impossible for us to crack the technical codes of the Red Crystal Gunpowder and the Strong Vibration Steel."
"If open methods don't work, then we'll use covert ones. We can't control other places, but in Sunset Jungle, the gunpowder and weapons market must be controlled by our Snake Gang."
The snake's tail slammed against the floor, and a ruthless glint flashed in the Madam Poison's long, amber eyes.
"You decide, I'm going to cultivate!" Gelute nodded and turned to leave.
The Madam Poison wrapped herself around him from behind, the scales rubbing against the metal armor, producing a slightly grating sound. "Aren't you going to stay and keep me company?"
Her delicate, alluring voice was enough to break down most men's defenses, but the Duke remained unmoved. "Next time!"
Watching the man's departing figure, Madam Poison pouted in dissatisfaction.
What outsiders didn't know was that she did have a close relationship with the Duke, but it was only unrequited love.
The Duke came only to repay a debt of gratitude and had no interest in the Madam Poison.
Or perhaps the Duke had no interest in any women; his spiritual practice consumed him entirely, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him an ascetic.
The Madam Poison clapped her hands, causing ripples in the air, but nothing appeared.
"Go teach those Three-Eyed People a lesson," Madam Poison ordered to herself.
"Yes, sir!"
Bang!
A large crater appeared in the metal wall. Melier, wearing the Giant Mountain Mecha, withdrew his fist and looked around warily. Circles of earth-yellow light spread out from the soles of his feet, forming an earth element perception field with a diameter of 100 meters.
A dozen fierce family guards rushed forward and used a specially made net to capture the assassin who was in stealth mode.
"Reporting to the clan leader, the assassin is from the Hidden Demon Clan!" A soldier approached and Earth Dao on one knee.
Logo nodded slightly and stepped forward.
Just moments ago, he stepped out of the laboratory and was immediately assassinated.
However, ever since he became hostile to the Russell Family, Logo has kept Melier by his side at all times.
Wearing the Giant Mountain Mecha, Melier not only gained immense strength but also acquired various powerful abilities.
For example, the perception circle he is activating is actually the Giant Mountain Mecha's built-in detection and early warning system, which can form a function similar to thermal imaging scanning by using the omnipresent earth element.
The moment the assassin appeared within his perception range, Melier immediately detected him and retaliated, knocking the assassin unconscious with a single punch.
Four soldiers dragged a net over. Logo activated his Eye of Insight, revealing the creatures that had been invisible.
This is a humanoid creature with pointed ears, a broad nose, no lips, exposed fangs, silver-gray fur all over its body, sharp, long claws that gleam with a cold light, and a long tail trailing behind it with a tip that resembles a dagger.
The Hidden Demon Clan possesses Mid-Rank Transcendent bloodline. Their fur has a natural optical cloaking ability, allowing them to blend into their surroundings and possess extremely strong Concealment characteristics, enabling them to shield themselves from perception.
They are natural-born assassins, killing without a trace, and their numbers are few.
"Skin them and put them in the supply warehouse, feed the rest to the dogs," Logo said calmly as he turned around.
"Chieftain, shouldn't we interrogate the person behind this Hidden Demon?" the captain of the guard asked cautiously.
"No need, I already know who it is." Logo's lips curled slightly. As far as he knew, the Snake Gang had a Hidden Demon clan that had made many contributions over the years.
"Heh, that's really decisive. Is this some kind of show of force?" Logo muttered to himself. "Fine, at least it'll help me take the blame."