Working From Home

One month later, at Victory Oilfield.

As far as the eye can see, there is a sprawling industrial landscape.

Twenty-one oil wells have been completed, and half of them are already in production.

The black nodding donkeys lined up along the sand, slowly nodding their heads.

Pipes of varying thicknesses extend outwards from the compacted sand.

Several storage tanks stood in the distance, their silver-gray lids gleaming in the sunlight, giving the illusion of swaying in the surging heat.

This is the Southern Hemisphere, and when the North Pole polar night arrives, it also signifies the arrival of summer here.

Further afield, numerous oil wells are still under construction.

Thousands of Gravel Scale Lizard roamed among them.

They carried pipes, dragged cables, and pushed mining carts loaded with sand and gravel.

They were communicating with each other in a low, murmuring manner.

When faced with more complex tasks or slightly modified equipment, the situation can become somewhat chaotic.

The Plow Bone Mad Machines member, who was in charge of the group, went over to give instructions.

After gesturing wildly with their hands and feet for a long time, the people still looked completely bewildered when they discovered the lizard.

The problem is, he himself is only a novice when it comes to oil extraction equipment.

Su Ming sighed and went over to personally give him some pointers.

This time, the team leader and the Gravel Scale Lizard finally understood and hurriedly took over the task.

****

At the oilfield's industrial control center, the remote control console has been debugged.

Rows of monitoring screens glowed with a pale blue light, displaying real-time data that scrolled continuously.

Wellhead pressure, production rate, associated gas recovery rate, equipment parameters, and pipeline flow velocity.

One of the status bars is flashing a yellow message: "Waiting for controller access."

Su Ming inspected the area but didn't find any major problems.

By eight o'clock in the morning, the sun was even more scorching.

The person in charge announced that work was over.

So the lizardmen returned to the complex to eat and sleep.

Su Ming asked the person in charge, "Why do I feel like most of the lizardmen are a bit tiring to look at?"

The person in charge quickly replied, "That's because they also have to attend basic knowledge training courses in their spare time."

"Those who are a bit slow might need several hours to finish their homework."

"Such a positive attitude towards learning?" Su Ming was somewhat surprised.

The person in charge had a complicated expression.

"This is Mr. Shadu's suggestion."

"The lizardmen who complete their assignments satisfactorily will receive a bag of fresh fruits and vegetables."

These Gravel Scale Lizard have never eaten these things before.

Su Ming raised his gaze and looked towards the perimeter of the Victory Oilfield.

Thanks to the Forest Dragon's continued work, large areas of green have appeared there.

The newly planted protective forest extends outward along the edge of the oil field, blocking wind and sand and creating a production environment for the oil field.

Many crops have been planted in the nearby shelterbelt.

Of course, the amount of water used was astonishingly high.

They rely almost entirely on wells to extract groundwater.

However, since we are currently in the development stage, Su Ming can only choose to overdraw some resources first.

As for subsequent sustainable improvements, we'll gradually follow up.

"This kind of worker from the Gravel Scale Tribe not only makes his family live well, but also brings them delicious food."

"The person in charge continued."

"Their enthusiasm is incredibly high right now."

"Reduce the workload of each individual lizard and increase the number of lizards," Su Ming instructed.

"Yes!"

****

Su Ming boarded the plane and returned to the Holy City.

He closed his eyes and slept for a while.

When Su Ming opened his eyes again, the outline of the Radiant Holy City was already visible outside the window.

The towers, city walls, and church domes, layered upon each other in the sunlight, were somewhat dazzling.

As the plane flew over an area east of the Holy City, the outline transformed into something else entirely.

A tall chimney.

The factory buildings are square and rectangular.

Transport tracks are laid out haphazardly between the factory buildings.

"Lower the altitude a bit," Su Ming said to the crew.

The plane descended, skimming close to the factory area.

The sign at the entrance I passed had large characters written on it:

Diamond Industrial Zone.

Some factory buildings were already completed, their exterior walls still bearing the clean patina of paint. Others were still under construction, with exposed steel beams and workers and skeleton servants moving back and forth among the scaffolding.

The first batch of crude oil storage tanks have been lined up and are all full.

A significant amount of refining and chemical equipment has been installed, but it has not yet been officially started.

In the open storage yard, a large number of components and equipment are stacked.

Some of it originated from transmissions from Earth.

The other part consists of locally produced sheet metal, pipes, and mechanical components. The workmanship is slightly rough, but they are already usable.

The warehouse area was piled high with raw materials and was somewhat messy.

The factory is ready.

The materials are available.

Infrastructure is under construction.

But the biggest problem:

There are not enough technical personnel.

Currently, the core personnel are two hundred necromancers transferred from the Ruby Base.

They can use magic to advance basic construction and rely on undead servants to complete a large amount of labor.

However, it is still a long way from being able to operate such a large industrial zone.

Unfortunately, the education level of ordinary beings in the Taya Plane is far behind the demand.

They can learn.

But it will take time.

What's needed is a sufficiently experienced engineer to teach them step by step.

****

Su Ming, carrying Ruixiuli, jumped out of the plane.

Dark gauze wings unfurled behind the two, lifting them as they descended rapidly.

Next to the base is a military camp.

The Newly Formed First Legion of the First Sunrise Republic is stationed on the outer perimeter.

The central area is equipped with twenty giant dragons, along with a team of observers.

When the soldiers saw Su Ming land, they all stopped what they were doing and raised their hands in salute.

Su Ming waved his hand in response, indicating that they should do as they pleased.

The two flew straight towards the building in the center of the camp.

It was a large, circular greenhouse.

The outer perimeter is surrounded by multiple defensive arrays, with faint Magic Power patterns of various colors that, when viewed from the sky, resemble a blooming six-colored flower.

Su Ming passed through the defensive array and landed inside.

In the center of the ground was an extremely complex magic array.

Its area is not large.

However, the materials used are extremely expensive.

The Magic Power crystals that power it are all flawless, with almost no impurities, and emit a clear light.

There are many scholars working inside.

Someone was lying on the ground checking the engravings.

Someone was repeatedly checking the parameters with a record board.

Chloe and Newman stood next to the magic circle.

The two men each held a stack of blueprints, their expressions focused.

Su Ming approached the magic circle first, stretched out his hand, and closed his eyes briefly.

Permanent type, Micro-Rift Magic Array.

Su Ming's perception extended along the lines.

Spatial Magic Power slid along the engravings inch by inch.

In his perception, the internal structure of the magic array was broken down into many layers, with circuits emerging one by one.

His perception paused at one point.

A few moments later, it stopped twice more.

Su Ming opened his eyes, raised his hand and threw out three orbs of light, which hovered above three different locations.

"There are some errors in these places," he said.

Chloe glanced at it and couldn't help but exclaim, "Spatial Magic Power is so convenient!"

"We've been checking these locations for half a day."

The researchers quickly gathered around and began correcting the three positions.

****

Not long after, a small box of materials was brought over.

The box was opened, and inside were Rock Core.

They were in irregular shapes, yellowish-brown in color, and had rough surfaces.

It looks no different from ordinary sandstone.

Su Ming picked up a piece and weighed it in his hand.

The feel is just average.

It's just a dry, rough stone.

"Was it this thing that burned the Bay Owl's eyes?" Newman asked curiously.

"Yes." Su Ming nodded.

"Her blue eyes are so bright, even a blind person could see," Newman said.

Chloe also picked up a piece.

"It looks unremarkable."

But this thing has an astonishing energy density.

"It's the material with the highest magic pressure that Taya could find."

"Yes."

Su Ming put the Rock Core back into the box and clapped his hands.

"Only it can support the opening of the spatial rift."

He looked at Chloe.

"Can it be started tomorrow?"

Chloe thought for a moment.

"After we install the core Rock Core, please come and check it again to make sure everything is perfect."

"Okay," Su Ming replied.

****

Not long after, Su Ming returned to his office in the Radiant Holy City.

He summoned Kaikelai.

This apprentice of Zijin, the president of the Blue-Eyed Chamber of Commerce, has now officially assumed the position of Minister of Commerce of the First Sunrise Republic.

"How's the investigation into Rock Core going?" Su Ming asked.

This unassuming stone is one of the most crucial materials for space teleportation.

Su Ming needs it, and so does the Plundering Clock.

Kaikelai immediately retrieved a document.

"This thing has few uses in the eyes of the general public in Taya, and its market price is not expensive."

"Therefore, over the past twenty years, the vast majority of Rock Core have been acquired by the Plundering Clock."

He opened the file and continued, "However, we have already intercepted all the existing stock on the market."

"The quantity is approximately thirty tons."

Thirty tons?

Su Ming began to make plans.

Galio collected approximately ten tons of [something] while researching teleportation.

This naturally fell entirely into the hands of Su Ming and Zijin.

The majority of the current reserves are nearly 100 tons of Rock Core found by Chloe in the Rift Ruins.

Of course, the degree of consumption of those Rock Core varied, and only a small number were actually usable directly.

A 40% discount would be about right.

"How much of the Plundering Clock did you collect?" Su Ming asked.

Kaikelai replied, "From over twenty years ago until now."

Approximately five hundred tons.

There was a moment of silence in the office.

"Continue the investigation, verify the data, and avoid any errors or omissions," Su Ming said.

"Furthermore, don't let any existing Rock Core in Taya go to waste."

"Understood, Chairman!"

****

Kaikelai left the office.

Su Ming leaned back in his chair and couldn't help but sigh.

The Rock Core material used in the Gravel Scale- Stone Pattern Altar and the two "guiding" magic circles discovered in Northern Ice Island were both around 100 kilograms.

The former received guidance from two Legendary Quarter Hand, while the latter received guidance from a Destiny Level Clock Hand.

So, how many Eden members could be summoned by 500 tons of Rock Core?

Although combat power cannot be calculated linearly, there are certainly other details involved.

But just thinking about it is a headache.

Su Ming connected with Wu Ling in Northern Ice Island.

What's the specific situation regarding your Rock Core mining operation?

"Production is not ideal at present," Wu Ling replied. "Monthly production capacity is less than five tons."

"Can it be increased significantly?"

Wu Ling shook her head.

"I'm sorry, President Su."

"The Rock Core samples are too scattered."

"We have increased our investment, but we expect the maximum monthly production capacity to be only ten tons."

Su Ming didn't say anything more.

The Rock Core was mixed with other ores, and in a very low proportion.

When not in use, it just feels like it's taking up space.

Now that we need it, we have to go out of our way to dig it up, and we find that there isn't enough and it's too slow.

Wu Ling then shared some good news. "But we've recovered about twenty-five tons from historical old ore reserves."

"If we wait another month, we can process another twenty tons."

A smile finally appeared on Su Ming's face.

"Good!"

The Feather Race's Minister of Minerals also joined the conversation.

"Commander Su."

"We organized personnel to conduct a thorough investigation into the distribution and formation of the Rock Core cores, which basically confirms the external origin theory."

The so-called "Rock Core- external theory" was proposed by Chloe.

The Magicules stored in the Rock Core has a completely different aggregated form from the Magic Power crystals commonly found in Taya.

They were determined to be magical ore deposits formed in an environment of prolonged and higher magical pressure.

Therefore, Chloe's analysis suggests that they must have fallen from "Eden" into Taya via a spatial rift.

This means that Rock Core are a scarce mineral throughout the entire Taya.

****

There was a knock on the office door.

The person who came in was Bowers.

He brought in a very small wooden box containing a piece of Purple Energy Crystal.

"President, here are the materials you requested."

Su Ming picked up the crystal.

Zijin possesses a pair of "Amethyst Storage Rings" that store her own Magic Power for replenishment during battle.

It was given to her by Atiya.

The pair of energy rings shattered during the battle against the Miasma Throat in the North Pole.

Su Ming then decided to make a new pair for her.

The obsidian crystal is quite heavy, with a deep color that is almost blackish-purple, while the lighter areas have a translucent sheen.

"This material is of the highest quality."

Bowers told Su Ming.

"But the impurity content is also very high."

"It's a material that's tasteless to eat, but a pity to throw away."

Su Ming unleashed his Magic Power, slowly seeping into the interior of the crystal. To him, those tiny impurities were like grains of sand mixed into a gemstone.

Su Ming locked onto one of them.

A gentle crushing motion.

The impurity dissolved silently, and the purple light within the crystal shone brightly.

Su Ming's eyes lit up.

Spatial power truly can do things that ordinary elements cannot.

Moreover, this process is quite good for developing control skills.

Su Ming was very satisfied.

"This is it!" he said to Bowers.

****

The next day, at the Rift Magic Array.

A large number of personnel are on high alert.

With the clear orders issued, the garrison troops on the perimeter raised their alert level.

Now even a bird can't get close.

Chloe installed the "Plane Boundary Nexus" gem in the center of the Rift Magic Array.

Then, Su Ming and Chloe stood facing each other.

The two raised their hands simultaneously, working together to activate the entire magic circle.

The flawless Magic Power crystals lit up simultaneously, their light spreading out in concentric circles along the engravings.

The Rock Core became active.

These earthen-yellow stones were awakened, and extremely subtle energy fluctuations began to emanate from within. They lacked the bright luster of Magic Power crystals, but rather resembled a slow, surging flame deep within the earth's veins—subtle and enduring.

Earth Support Base.

The "Plane Boundary Nexus" on the connected side responded.

Both gemstones at either end are simultaneously transparent and blurred.

A tiny spatial rift unfolds between two planes.

Su Ming's spatial Magic Power pressed down.

Chloe guided the overall structure of the magic circle, maintaining the stability of the rift.

The two worked together to lock the size of the spatial rift at a fixed value.

Inside the Earth Support Base, a large amount of data began to fluctuate on the screen in front of Sangzi.

Then things began to calm down.

"Communication established."

"Signal is stable."

Sangzi picked up the communicator.

"Su Ming, can you hear me?"

The voice came from the communication device in Su Ming's ear.

There is a slight distortion.

But it's very clear.

Su Ming looked at Chloe.

The two nodded to each other, then simultaneously withdrew their hands.

The magic circle trembled slightly.

The next moment, all the ripples were flattened back down by the magic circle itself.

Sangzi's voice came again.

The connection between the Red Spider Lily and its Other Shore Leaf is stable.

Can you hear me?

"Yes," Su Ming replied.

The connection between the two "Plane Boundary Nexus" remains intact!

After a brief silence.

On both sides, all participating teams cheered simultaneously.

The interdimensional link between Taya and Earth is no longer maintained by Su Ming's Magic Power, but is stable and sustainable.

It's finally set up!

****

But the work continues.

With the completion of relevant tests and adjustments, the quality of the communication link finally met the requirements.

"Ready!"

Sangzi relayed the message to Dodder.

Inside the Earth Support Base, a new office space has been set up.

Workstations for a thousand people are set up inside the factory.

Rows of long tables stretched from one end of the factory to the other, resembling a makeshift battlefield command center.

As authorization was granted, devices were gradually put online.

The screen lights up.

The indicator light changed from yellow to green.

The operators put on headphones and head-mounted displays and began logging in with their employee IDs.

"Attention, everyone."

The voice of the Dodder rang out through the radio.

The base latency is between one and two seconds.

"Because current bandwidth is limited."

"The temporary delay may reach two to four seconds."

"Everyone, pay attention to anticipation."

Repeat it once.

"Do not preempt commands, and do not overwrite commands consecutively."

This is a cross-dimensional remote operation.

"It's not a game."

Someone couldn't help but chuckle.

But soon, everyone quieted down and focused.

This group, officially named the "Taya Construction Corps" but jokingly referred to as the "Work-from-Home Corps," has officially launched.

****

Diamond Base.

The control devices, which had been waiting for a long time, began to be activated one after another.

The operating logic of these devices is very complex.

It wasn't originally designed for Taya people.

With the access of a large number of remote terminals.

Within the vast factory complex of the Diamond Base, it was as if countless hands had suddenly reached out from another world.

Then came a series of robots.

The operator is online, the robotic arm slowly rises, and the joints are calibrated.

The sensors on the wheeled chassis lit up with red dots.

They slid down from the standby platform and entered their respective work areas.

There, a large group of eager students awaited them.

***

Victory Oilfield.

A tracked robot crushed through the sand and arrived at the center of a group of lizardman workers.

Its camera circled once, and the robotic arm attempted to lift and then lower itself.

Then a mechanical voice came from the speaker. "Hello, please call me employee number 0348."

A member of the Final Bone Mad Machines also arrived.

He clapped his hands.

"Next, our group will work under the guidance of Teacher 0348!"

Several Gravel Scale Lizard workers looked at the robot blankly.

The robot raised its robotic arm and turned toward the storage yard.

"Now, we'll begin installing more advanced oil extraction equipment!"

"The first step is to collect and move the standard pipe fittings."

"Everyone, please write down the model number----"

The robot talked as it walked.

The Gravel Scale Lizard followed him one by one, crawling in single file.

"Okay, Teacher 0348!"

***

Under remote control, a large number of devices within the Diamond Base began to connect and calibrate.

The equipment started operating.

Machine tool area.

One after another, CNC lathes were remotely taken over.

The coolant pump starts.

The spindle rotates quietly.

The clamp closes.

The tool magazine rotates.

The alloy round bars produced by the first batch of soil are fed into the fixture.

After verifying the data, the Earth operator issues instructions.

Tool feed.

A piercing cutting sound rang out, and fine metal shavings were rolled out from the surface of the workpiece and flushed into the recovery tank by the coolant.

The milling machine next to it also started up.

The crossbeam of the gantry machining center moved slowly, like a steel behemoth that had just awakened, beginning to gnaw at the metal sheet in front of it.

The hammers of the stamping machine drop down one after another.

The bending machine presses the steel plate into a regular angle.

The welding robot lit up its electric arc, and the blue-white flames flickered deep inside the factory.

The air quickly filled with a mixture of smells of metal, engine oil, ozone, and coolant.

The members of the Final Bone Mad Machines, who were learning from the sidelines, wiped away a cold sweat.

One of them muttered, "How could anyone have thought they could learn how to operate these things just by reading a textbook?"

With the first batch of parts produced.

Data is logged into the MES management system.

The factory's logistics system began updating its instructions, sending the processed parts to the next workshop.

Logistics supplies from the periphery also began to flow.

The Diamond Industrial Base has finally fully awakened.

****

Ruby Base and Spinel Base.

The connection here is with the engineering team.

They communicated with local Taya technicians and began to work together to solve various problems.

An engineer watched through the screen as the necromancer on the other end clearly reversed several pipe connections, yet the production line...

Production and shipments are still ongoing.

In fact, their production capacity is not low.

He remained silent for about ten seconds.

Why didn't you explode?

The engineer earnestly sought advice.