27: The battle over crystal nuclei

Shen Xiaochuan put down his bowl and lightly ran his fingertips across the table. A piece of paper was spread out on the table with "Exotic Beast Meat Efficacy Comparison Table" written on it, and the line for black rock giant bear meat was circled three times.

He opened the Faith Mall and found Zhang Heng's name.

"When does the crystal core refresh?" he messaged.

A moment later, Zhang Heng replied: "In three hours, at coordinates [2439, 3900], with an error of no more than fifty meters."

Shen Xiaochuan stared at the string of numbers, silent for two seconds.

"Have the people from Japan and Kimchi Country arrived?"

"They've set up camp twenty miles away, bringing the Thunder Axe Regiment and the Fire Feather Bow Squad, at least three hundred people."

"The third crystal core can only refresh once."

"I know."

Shen Xiaochuan said, "You've been watching for six hours; is the information reliable?"

"I traded a town map for the intel; a remnant from a fallen Nordic Divine Realm saw the crystal core rising from the ground with his own eyes."

Shen Xiaochuan didn't ask further.

He closed the mall page and tapped the corner of the table three times.

He couldn't let outsiders get it.

The crystal core was a key material for upgrading the Divine Kingdom; it couldn't be traded or replicated, only fought for. Whoever got it first would be the first to break through to a Level 3 Divine Realm. He knew exactly how many people in the entire server were stuck at Level 2 Peak.

Footsteps came from outside the door.

Light and steady, each step leaving a clear impression.

The door creaked open slightly, and Lilith walked in carrying a bowl of porridge, followed by Lilia, who held a bamboo basket containing a few pieces of roasted flatbread.

"Lord God, millet porridge. I added new wheat flour and boiled it five minutes longer than last night," Lilith said, gently placing the bowl on the table.

Shen Xiaochuan didn't look at the porridge first; instead, he looked at her hands.

Her nails were short and clean, and her sleeves were free of oil stains.

He picked up the bowl and took a sip.

Warmth rose from his stomach.

combat power increased: 168→169.

"Chen Yan, you drink the rest."

Shen Xiaochuan handed over the half-bowl of porridge. "From today on, go to the registration desk to collect a breakfast like this. Make sure the thirty soldiers on duty today get some. From now on, the entire army will have unified meals."

"The whole army eats the same thing?"

Chen Yan's eyes lit up. He took the porridge and downed it in one gulp. "Understood!"

"As long as you understand." Shen Xiaochuan nodded.

Chen Yan turned and left, his steps much lighter than when he arrived.

Shen Xiaochuan stood up, put on his work clothes, and pushed open the door.

Dawn was just breaking, and the morning light spilled onto the dirt road. A few children were squatting by the roadside playing with pebbles; seeing him pass, they immediately stood straight and shouted, "Lord God!" He nodded with a smile and continued toward the Blacksmith Shop.

The furnace fire had already been lit.

Lolia stood before the anvil, wiping a blade with a damp cloth. Hearing footsteps, she looked back and immediately stood up straight.

"You're here," Shen Xiaochuan said.

"Mhm."

Lolia held up the blade. "I did as you said."

The blade glowed with a faint blue light, and a hint of numbness could be felt when getting close to it.

Shen Xiaochuan took the blade and drew it slightly.

There were fine patterns on the edge, like flowing electric currents.

System prompt: [fine grade · Lightning Warblade]

Critical Hit Rate +8%, Lightning Damage 12-18 points.

"It's done," he said.

"I used the bloodline ore dug yesterday and added powdered horn from a Lightning Horned Bull. It was forged seventy-two times and quenched three times."

Lolia said, "The success rate is extremely low; this is the only successful one."

Shen Xiaochuan sheathed the blade and hung it at his waist.

"Keep making them. I need one hundred and fifty blades, finished within seventy-two hours."

Lolia was stunned. "So many? There aren't enough Materials."

"What's missing?"

"Only thirty percent of the bloodline ore is left, the Lightning Horned Bull horn powder is exhausted, and I need twenty catties of refined copper for the induction rings."

"I'll have someone restock them."

"And..."

She paused and bit her lip. "I need two people to help. I can't manage alone."

Shen Xiaochuan looked at her. "Who do you want?"

"Lilith and Lilia can try. They are steady at cutting meat and have patience."

Shen Xiaochuan thought for a moment. "Fine. From today on, the kitchen is under your management. You have the final say."

Lolia lowered her head. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me,"

Shen Xiaochuan said, "The blades you make can save lives on the battlefield."

She looked up, a glimmer of light flashing in her eyes.

Shen Xiaochuan walked toward the door.

Just as he opened the door, Chen Yan ran over with five soldiers.

"Lord God!"

Chen Yan panted, "The first batch finished eating. We tested the combat power of ten people; it rose by an average of two points, with the highest rising by four."

"The food really works?"

"It works! Karl has already started scheduling, preparing to distribute meals across the board."

Shen Xiaochuan nodded. "Notify everyone that they must eat the kitchen's food before 8:00 AM. Those who don't eat aren't allowed on duty."

"Yes, sir!"

Chen Yan was about to turn and leave but was called back.

"Wait."

Shen Xiaochuan said, "Call Ling Feng here, and have him bring his short blade."

"Testing weapons?"

"Not just weapons."

Shen Xiaochuan patted the long blade at his waist. "It's the overall combat effectiveness."

Chen Yan sprinted away.

Shen Xiaochuan stood at the door, looking back at Lolia.

"You said the success rate for this blade is very low?"

He walked to the furnace, reached out to touch the furnace wall, and asked.

"Zero point three percent."

Lolia shook her head. "I tried seventeen times and only succeeded once."

"Then try another seventeen times," Shen Xiaochuan said.

"But the Materials..." She looked troubled.

"I will replenish them."

"Can I build a High-Pressure Forging Machine?"

She looked down at the blueprints, her fingers tracing the lines.

"I can,"

she said, "but I need a stable power source and titanium alloy brackets."

"I have a way for the power source. The titanium alloy will be delivered later."

"When do you need it?"

"Within seven days."

She looked up. "Are you going to build a factory?"

"More than that."

Shen Xiaochuan said, "I want every weapon in Skydome City to have attributes."

Lolia's breathing quickened slightly.

She folded the blueprints neatly and tucked them into her shirt.

"I won't sleep tonight."

"You won't be doing it alone,"

Shen Xiaochuan said, "Tomorrow I'll send you three apprentices. They were all picked from the refugees; they're strong and willing to learn."

"Will they be okay?"

"As long as you can teach them."

At that moment, Ling Feng arrived.

He was wearing leather armor with a short blade tucked into his back, walking soundlessly.

"Lord God."

"Give me your blade."

Ling Feng unfastened the blade and handed it over with both hands.

Shen Xiaochuan drew it slightly.

The blade was ordinary and lacked any luster.

"How many people have you killed with this blade?"

"Twenty-three,"

Ling Feng replied, "All at night."

"It's time for a change."

Shen Xiaochuan took off his own Lightning Warblade and handed it to Ling Feng.

"Try it."

Ling Feng took it with both hands and drew the blade from its sheath.

A flash of blue light.

His arm vibrated slightly.

"Powerful," he said.

"It suits you,"

Shen Xiaochuan said, "From now on, every member of the patrol team you lead will be equipped with a lightning-attribute weapon. The first batch of fifty pieces will prioritize the night patrol group."

"Yes, sir!"

"Also,"

Shen Xiaochuan looked out the door. "Have the kitchen prepare fifty special meals with double meat and send them to the training ground by 8:00 PM tonight."

"Extra meat for the whole army?"

"It's not an extra meal,"

Shen Xiaochuan said, "It's combat readiness."

Ling Feng's eyes narrowed.

He gripped the hilt tightly. "Where are we hitting?"

"[2439, 3900]."

Shen Xiaochuan said, "The crystal core refresh point."

"The people from Japan?"

"And Kimchi Country."

Ling Feng asked no further questions.

He dropped to one knee and raised the blade. "I am willing to be the vanguard."

Shen Xiaochuan helped him up.

"No rush."

He said, "When there are enough blades and everyone's had their fill, the dawn will naturally come."

He walked out of the Blacksmith Shop, sunlight falling on his face.

Chen Yan was already waiting outside with the Personal Guard Squad lined up.