Chapter 535: Upgrading the Puppet Factory

“Hey, are you free, brother?”

Upon returning to the Immortal Sect, Chen Mobai’s first call was to Ming Yihua.

“I’m quite busy, but if a Kaiyuan Hall Councilor like you asks, I’ll certainly make time.”

Chen Mobai chuckled at Ming Yihua’s playful tone and then got straight to the point.

When he formed his Golden Core, Blowing Snow Palace gifted him a third-tier Water Mist Ice Crystal. This crystal was perfect for integrating into his Crimson Cloud Smoke Silk, upgrading it to a third-tier magical artifact.

Ming Yihua was already a third-tier artifact refiner before graduating, and the Crimson Cloud Smoke Silk was a renowned artifact of the Dance Weapon Academy, making him exceptionally skilled in its refining process.

Thus, as soon as Chen Mobai mentioned it, he confidently guaranteed the upgrade would be completed.

“I’ll give you the address; just send the items over. It should be ready in about half a month.”

After hanging up, Chen Mobai checked Ming Yihua’s address, surprised to find it was located within a military compound.

It seemed his close friend had been directly recruited by the Immortal Sect after graduation.

Once the items were dispatched, Chen Mobai emerged from seclusion to fulfill his duties as a Kaiyuan Hall Councilor.

In Yumucheng, as the primary official, he consistently advocated a hands-off approach to governance.

In other words, his presence or absence made little difference, an approach that garnered unanimous praise from the local Immortal Sect system.

He first visited Qingsang Academy, and when his interest was piqued, he even audited a full day of classes. There, he witnessed the most crucial aspects of silkworm cultivation, spiritual mulberry planting, and weaving, gaining a more concrete understanding of the academy.

The following day, he went to the Yumucheng Immortal Sect Hall. City Lord Wen Ping, along with the heads of various departments, reported on the events of the past year.

After listening, Chen Mobai gained an understanding of Yumucheng’s public welfare, economy, and other aspects.

Yumucheng was a blessed land city that thrived on its spiritual wood industry, with over thirty percent of its fiscal revenue derived from taxes on the sale of various types of spiritual wood.

The remaining revenue came from various industries related to spiritual wood, including talisman paper, furniture, wooden crafts, printing, and potted plants, collectively forming the diverse facets of Yumucheng.

Chen Mobai had always been a hands-off manager within the Immortal Sect. After instructing Wen Ping to handle governmental affairs as usual, he began to explore the city’s talisman paper industry.

Given its rich spiritual wood resources, Yumucheng boasted three renowned talisman paper factories. Each was a large-scale manufacturer with a complete production system for first- to third-tier talisman paper.

Chen Mobai's first order of business was to visit these three factories.

Having formed his Golden Core, his skill as a talisman master would naturally rise to the third-tier with diligent study.

While the Feitian Talisman Factory in Danxia City, thanks to over a decade of significant investment and technical assistance from the Yan family, could reproduce third-tier Jadeite Aura Talisman Paper and Rainbow Flight Talisman Ink, their quality was merely passable.

After touring the three Yumucheng factories, Chen Mobai recognized the significant disparity between their operations and his own.

“Councilor Chen, this is a fourth-tier Spiritual Elm Talisman Paper, jointly refined by our three factories. We hear you are also an excellent talisman master; please accept a piece as a souvenir.”

A beautifully packaged, palm-sized, pale yellow talisman paper was presented to Chen Mobai.

This talisman paper represented the pinnacle of Yumucheng's technological prowess, though its production demanded excessive spiritual wood resources. Consequently, it could only be refined upon official order and authorization from the Immortal Sect.

The last time Yumucheng mass-produced fourth-tier talisman paper was when the Talisman Master Association sought to restore an ancient talisman, requiring a substantial quantity of Spiritual Elm Talisman Paper. Only after Venerable Yu Yi issued a unified directive to the Yumucheng Immortal Sect system were the three factories permitted to refine it.

As a Kaiyuan Hall Councilor and the current top official of Yumucheng, Chen Mobai also possessed this authority.

However, fourth-tier talisman paper was still a bit too advanced for him.

Therefore, after gaining a general understanding of the Spiritual Elm Talisman Paper's production methods, he began discussing with the technical staff of the three talisman paper factories about manufacturing high-tier talisman paper using automated puppet factories.

Chen Mobai’s automated puppet factory, situated on the wasteland between Danxia City and Yumucheng, had largely become old and obsolete after nearly twenty years of operation.

After all, back then, he had insufficient merit points, and to save costs, all the puppets were constructed using the simplest Red Sun Spiritual Wood.

Even though Chen Mobai himself was a top-tier puppet master, and despite consistent maintenance and repairs, the puppets had reached their operational limit after years of continuous use.

Nevertheless, this automated puppet factory had enabled Chen Mobai to achieve his initial capital accumulation in both realms.

The talisman paper produced allowed his Xiaonanshan enterprise to spread across half of the Eastern Wilderness, and within the Immortal Sect, it enabled him to accumulate over a hundred million merit points in his account.

With these accumulated resources and his current standing, he could now prepare to construct a more advanced automated puppet factory.

According to Chen Mobai's plan, the new factory should be capable of producing not only first-tier talisman paper but also second- and even third-tier versions.

However, within the Immortal Sect, most talisman paper above the second-tier was still produced manually by cultivators. Only a small fraction, those with high demand, could be manufactured through automated machinery.

As for third-tier talisman paper, only a scarce two or three types within the Immortal Sect could be produced via assembly lines.

Chen Mobai discussed with the chief engineers of the three talisman factories, gradually refining the blueprints for his automated puppet factory.

During this period, he also made several calls to his teacher, Che Yucheng, to discuss the detailed aspects of puppet upgrades.

After forming his Golden Core, Chen Mobai’s network of connections had expanded incomparably compared to when he was at the Foundation Establishment stage.

“A third-tier Heavenly Calculating Orb!”

Upon receiving Chen Mobai's call, Fu Borong, the director of Butian Dao Academy, felt a slight predicament. However, considering Chen Mobai's potential for Soul Transformation and his likely future as one of the Immortal Sect's top figures, he still agreed to use his influence to assist Chen Mobai.

Third-tier Heavenly Calculating Orbs could only be custom-made within the Immortal Sect. Given their extensive utility, the waiting list typically stretched for decades.

Furthermore, being on the waiting list was one thing; whether Butian Dao Academy would actually accept the order was another matter entirely.

Chen Mobai’s influence proved sufficient. After Fu Borong intervened, the head of Butian Dao Academy’s Mathematics Department reluctantly accepted the order.

Once the order was taken, it signified the commencement of the custom production of the third-tier Heavenly Calculating Orb.

Chen Mobai paid a deposit of ten million merit points. With this critical core component secured, he began to enlist help.

Puppet construction was once again entrusted to Chai Lun. This time, Chen Mobai ensured he wouldn't need to front the funds, instead using his influence to grant Chai Lun free access to Yumucheng's various spiritual wood resources.

Initially, he had planned to use metal, but since the third-tier Heavenly Calculating Orb consumed nearly half of the total budget, only inexpensive timber remained for the rest of the construction.

Primarily, Chen Mobai's position as Yumucheng's top official allowed him to acquire spiritual wood at nearly cost price. He could also incorporate second-tier Verdant Sun Spiritual Wood, synthesized with the Jia Mu Art from the Divine Tree Secret Realm. Considering these advantages, the more expensive spiritual metal materials were naturally ruled out.

Nevertheless, this time his funds were considerably more robust than during his Foundation Establishment stage. Moreover, his status as a Kaiyuan Hall Councilor allowed him to maximize the amount he could borrow from the Immortal Sect Bank.

The Yumucheng Bank confirmed that all available funds could be provided, amounting to approximately eighty million merit points.

With ample merit points, Chen Mobai felt confident and began contacting the other two members of his original team who had helped create the Formless Puppets.

He planned to use biomimetic materials for critical components of the puppets, such as joint mechanisms, while continuing to use spiritual wood for less vital parts. This approach would significantly extend the puppets' operational lifespan, potentially allowing them to function for fifty to sixty years with proper maintenance.

“It’s a minor matter; just send me the blueprints, and I’ll arrange everything immediately.”

Wenren Xuewei had assumed Chen Mobai was contacting her for something significant and had even interrupted her tea time specifically for his call.

“I’ve successfully cultivated the Enlightenment White Tea plant you gave me, and I’m already drinking its second-tier leaves…”

Since he had her on the phone, Chen Mobai also took the opportunity to foster their relationship, given that she had mastered the Evergreen Art and was, without a doubt, destined to form a Nascent Soul.

“So, how is it? Does it taste good?”

At the mention of tea, Wenren Xuewei's previously casual tone instantly shifted to keen interest. She began to meticulously question Chen Mobai about his various observations and experiences while cultivating the spiritual tea plant.

Fortunately, Chen Mobai had been very concerned about the Enlightenment White Tea's survival and frequently asked Zhuo Ming about it. Although he wasn't as knowledgeable as Zhuo Ming, who had personally cultivated it, he had still inquired about the entire process, from the tea plant's initial planting and rooting to its upgrade to the second-tier. This made his conversation with Wenren Xuewei seamless.

Indeed, by relaying some of the most authentic experiences of the tea plant, which Zhuo Ming had gained through her 'Spiritual Insight of All Things,' he actually stunned Wenren Xuewei.

She hadn't noticed these details during her own cultivation and transplantation. Apparently, at a certain point, the tea seeds felt joyful when spiritual water was dripped onto them...

“If you were to fully dedicate yourself to spiritual plant cultivation, your achievements would be no less impressive than your sword dao.”

Wenren Xuewei remarked with a hint of admiration, believing Chen Mobai had personally cultivated the tea seeds to survive and advance in tier.

Although she had long known him to be extraordinarily brilliant, capable of achieving anything he set his mind to, being genuinely surpassed in her most proficient area—spiritual plant and tea seed cultivation—left Wenren Xuewei feeling a profound sense of awe for the first time.

Previously, her inferiority to Chen Mobai stemmed from her inability to defeat him in combat.

This time, however, it was in the domain where she felt most confident.

“Oh, not at all, it just happened to thrive…”

Chen Mobai didn't dare to continue the conversation.

Since Zhuo Ming had only cultivated this tea plant to the second-tier, there wasn't much more he could truthfully say. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, he mentioned that there were still machine customization details to discuss and hung up.

For the assembly line production of talisman paper and ink, Chen Mobai naturally turned to Tiangong Artifact Factory. Like Wenren Xuewei, Zhou Tiangong only charged him the cost price. He personally assisted with the machine's design and debugging, and even factored in its interface with the puppets, the integration of the Heavenly Calculating Orb, and the overall factory layout and upgrade.

Once the four crucial areas—the core chip, raw material supply, machinery, and puppet manufacturing—were all meticulously arranged, Chen Mobai finally had time to meet with a good friend.

“Your cultivation progress is quite rapid; you’ve already reached the sixth layer of Foundation Establishment.”

Chen Mobai and Yan Bingxuan walked beneath the trees' shade, breathing in the fresh forest air, chatting and laughing.

“Compared to you, it feels a bit slow.”

A rare, faint smile touched Yan Bingxuan's lips as she looked at Chen Mobai.

As Chen Mobai required approval from the Kaiyuan Hall to leave Yumucheng, Yan Bingxuan was the only one who could visit him annually. She was studying Ice Soul Divine Light at Butian Dao Academy, and whenever her progress stagnated, she would come here to clear her mind.

Chen Mobai greatly cherished their conversations. Since he formed his Golden Core, she was the only one among his high school classmates who still regularly kept in touch.

The others, perhaps feeling his elevated status, had consciously stopped proactively interacting with him.

Yan Bingxuan stayed in Yumucheng for three days. Chen Mobai treated her to rice flower fish brought from Xiaonanshan, and they spent what felt like his most carefree period since forming his Golden Core.

“Well then, I’ll be going now. See you next year.”

After Yan Bingxuan spoke, Chen Mobai, with a touch of reluctance, saw her off at the aircraft.

His time with Yan Bingxuan made him feel an unprecedented sense of comfort and ease.

When he was with her, his mind would completely empty, freeing him from any worries or anxieties.

However, such carefree days could also erode his drive. Chen Mobai was, at heart, a very ambitious person.

After seeing Yan Bingxuan off, just as he was about to call Qing Nu to invite her to visit Yumucheng, a call came in that made him frown.

It was Lan Haitian!

Seeing the caller ID on the screen, Chen Mobai strongly considered hanging up immediately.

However, remembering Lan Haitian's words during their time in Wangwu Blessed Land, and knowing that Qing Nu was still part of his Heaven-Mending Team, he hesitated, then answered the call.

Lan Haitian: “I thought you wouldn’t pick up.”

Chen Mobai: “What do you want?”

Lan Haitian: “I have good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?”

Chen Mobai: “The good news.”

Hearing the good news first would give him a positive mood, at least for a while.

Lan Haitian: “I’m arriving in Yumucheng soon. You’ll be glad to see me, right?”

Chen Mobai: “I wouldn’t call that good news.”

Lan Haitian: “This time I’m leading a team on a mission, and one of its members is your good friend. You’ll get to see her very soon. Isn’t that good news?”

Qing Nu!

“What do you mean by this?” Chen Mobai’s eyes narrowed sharply upon realizing the implication, and his tone instantly turned cold.

Lan Haitian: “It’s just that there’s been decisive progress recently on that old case from years ago, and a key figure involved in it relates to her, so I brought her along. Don’t misunderstand; she wasn’t specifically assigned to this mission because of you.”

After hearing Lan Haitian’s explanation, Chen Mobai’s frown deepened.

That old case from years ago involved two Golden Core True Persons from Danxia City.

Chen Mobai: “What kind of progress?”

Lan Haitian: “I can’t discuss this over the phone, and I can only tell you once you agree to get involved.”

Chen Mobai said nothing further. He had already guessed the bad news, so he simply hung up the phone.

At that moment, his only relief was that he had sent Yan Bingxuan away beforehand.

Chen Mobai pondered in his courtyard.

Lan Haitian had mentioned that old case from years ago, which was connected to Qing Nu, during their time in Wangwu Blessed Land.

The worst-case scenario was that the Immortal Sect had already identified Scarlet Robe True Person Yu Tianguang as a suspect, and the Heaven-Mending Team’s collective deployment this time might be to apprehend him.

So, how could he avoid this situation?

As Chen Mobai was deep in thought, his phone suddenly pinged with a new email.

Dear Councilor Chen Mobai, the Immortal Sect’s Heaven-Mending Team recently has a mission to carry out in your jurisdiction. We kindly request your assistance if convenient.

The email was from the Kaiyuan Hall Committee.