44: The Mohist School's Intrigue: Deep into the Tiger's Den to Harvest Poisonous Mushrooms (Part 1)

Furnace Fortress, Allied Forces Operations Command Room.

The atmosphere was solemn and grim. Elwin, Brook Blackrock, Glick, and Bronzebeard (via remote projection)—who insisted on attending despite his unhealed injuries—along with Chen Hai, who had just performed a great service, were all gathered together. Lin Zhou's Divine Thought hung high above, presiding over this pre-war meeting that would decide the fate of Blackstone Territory.

On the central stone platform sat a jade jar emitting an ominous grayish-white light—the [nether-skeleton dissipation powder]. Even through the container, the powerful figures present could clearly feel the lethal threat it contained against the undead.

“Everyone,” Lin Zhou's divine oracle echoed through the room, getting straight to the point, “the key to breaking the plague and turning the tide of battle is already in our hands. However, though this item is powerful, it is not omnipotent. According to the Imperial Hospital's analysis, to completely eradicate the plague and destroy its source, we still need one more thing as a 'medicinal primer'—the core mushroom body of the [undead moss mother spore] growing in the deepest part of the Valley of the Dead, the core zone of the plague!”

Everyone's gaze instantly focused on Elwin. What she had brought back before was only the moss part of the mother plant, not the core mushroom body.

Elwin stood up and pointed solemnly at a crude but clearly marked map—a topographical map of the depths of the Valley of the Dead drawn at the cost of several scouts' lives.

“My Lord is wise. According to reconnaissance, the core mushroom body of the undead moss mother spore is located in the deepest part of the Death Swamp at the center of the valley. The concentration of Death Qi there is extremely high, having already formed a materialized [Death Field]. Any living being that enters will suffer continuous and violent life erosion and Soul pollution. Its concentration far exceeds any area we have encountered before.”

She paused, her fingertip resting on a location in the center of the map marked with a specially bolded red circle.

“More troublesome is that the core mushroom body is heavily guarded. Besides the Undead Warrior (LV35) and its subordinate Undead Guards (LV25) we encountered before, scouts also discovered at least three [Plague Abominations] (LV30-33, giant stitched monsters with [Disease Cloud] and [Flesh Hook] skills), as well as no fewer than ten [Wraith Mages] (LV28, incorporeal, specializing in necromancy and curses) roaming nearby. Moreover... we suspect that something even more terrifying may be lurking at the bottom of the swamp.”

Silence filled the command room. An LV35 hero unit, plus several elites over LV30, a structured undead army, and that Death Field constantly eroding life... This force was enough to easily crush Furnace Fortress in its prime!

Even with the [nether-skeleton dissipation powder], the cost of a frontal assault would be catastrophic. After the plague and previous battles, the allied forces' troops had already been reduced by nearly thirty percent; they could no longer afford a pyrrhic victory.

“Therefore, a frontal assault is not an option,” Lin Zhou's divine oracle voiced everyone's thoughts. “We need an elite squad to carry the [nether-skeleton dissipation powder] and execute a decapitation mission! Sneak into the core of the Death Swamp, collect the core mushroom body, and deal as much damage to or destroy the mother spore as possible!”

A decapitation mission!

The idea was bold, but it was also the plan that seemed to offer the smallest loss. As long as the mother spore could be successfully destroyed, the threat of the undead army and the plague, having lost their source, would be greatly reduced.

“The problem then,” Brook Blackrock's voice was low, “is who can act for a long time in such a Death Field? Who can break through layers of guards to reach the core? Ordinary warriors would likely be eroded into undead by the Death Qi before they even got close!”

This was precisely the crux of the matter! The Death Field was the biggest obstacle!

Everyone's eyes simultaneously turned toward Li Mo (consciousness projection), who was sitting in the corner and hadn't said much. His divine domain was 'Mechanical Goblinss,' and he was obsessed with all kinds of mechanical creations and black technology.

Feeling everyone's gaze, Li Mo pushed up his glasses—crafted from Divine Power and crystal shards, which constantly flickered with data streams—and an excited light shone in his eyes behind the lenses.

“Hehe, speaking of which... perhaps my boys have a way!” Li Mo rubbed his hands and stood up. “Isn't it just about resisting the Death Field and undead attacks? We can build a set of specialized—[All-Aspect Anti-Corrosion Stealth Infiltration Mech Armor]!”

“Mech Armor?” Glick asked shrilly, his Gnome nature making him interested in any novel creation.

“That's right!” Li Mo walked to the stone platform and traced his finger in the air, revealing phantom design blueprints that combined Lightforged Gnome engineering and Mohist Mechanical Arts.

“Based on the Death Field data and undead characteristics provided by Old Lin, I've designed a plan!”

He pointed to the core of the blueprint:

“Layer one: Absolute physical sealing and internal circulation System!”

“The main body of the armor uses a composite forging of [Furnace Black Iron] and [Isolation Lead Plates], with joints sealed using [Crypt Spider Silk] and [Elastic Memory Metal] to ensure that undead spores and the breath of decay cannot penetrate on a physical level. Internally, it integrates a sub-miniature [Air Filtration and Generation Mechanism] using [Activated Carbon], [Light-Attribute Crystal Powder], and [Holy Water (blessed by Lady Elwin)] as filter elements. It can provide up to 12 hours of clean, life-energy-rich breathing gas! This completely eliminates infection through the respiratory tract!”

【Design Component】: Internal Circulation Breathing Mechanism

【Quality】: Excellent (Green)

【Effect】: Provides clean air, weak resistance to negative energy erosion.

【Duration】: 12 hours (requires filter replacement)

“Layer two: Positive energy barrier generation matrix!”

“At key nodes of the armor, [Miniature Holy Light Rune Stones] (charged by Elwin's Vast Righteous Qi) and [Sunflare Crystal Shards] are embedded to form a continuous, weak positive energy barrier. This barrier does not seek to attack; it is only for passive defense. It can effectively neutralize low concentrations of Death Qi and cause continuous weak burning damage to nearby undead units, making them feel 'uncomfortable' and thereby lowering the priority of being actively attacked.”

【Design Component】: Positive Energy Barrier Matrix

【Quality】: Refined (Blue)

【Effect】: Generates a weak positive energy barrier, continuously neutralizing environmental Death Qi and dealing 1-3 points of holy damage per second to nearby undead.

【Energy Consumption】: Continuously consumes a small amount of the wearer's stamina or pre-charged Divine Power.

“Layer three: Mohist Stealth Rune Array and optical camouflage!”

“The surface of the armor is etched with miniature [Mohist Concealment Runes] and [Light-Warping Rune Arrays]. Once activated, they can greatly reduce the wearer's life aura fluctuations, heat dissipation, and optical visibility. Combined with [Shadow Affinity] type talents, the stealth effect is excellent! Unless it's a high-level undead with particularly sharp perception, it's very difficult to be discovered.”

【Design Component】: Stealth Rune Array System

【Quality】: Refined (Blue)

【Effect】: Significantly increases stealth level and reduces detection probability.

【Energy Consumption】: Continuously consumes the wearer's Mental Energy.

“Layer four: Emergency escape and support System!”

“The back integrates a one-time [Gnome Rocket Booster] (may fail, but has strong thrust) for short-distance burst displacement at critical moments. The shoulders are equipped with [Distress Signal Flares] (improved version; produces a holy radiance after firing, serving for lighting, positioning, and weak purification). Hidden at the calves are [Gnome Caltrops · Holy Version] (sharp iron caltrops coated with Holy Water, used to hinder pursuit).”

Li Mo introduced his design incessantly, his eyes flashing with the light of a creator. “As long as there are enough Materials, my Tian Gong Institute and Mechanical Goblins workshop can work together to build five such prototypes within 24 hours (Divine Domain time)!”

After listening to Li Mo's introduction, hope ignited in everyone's eyes in the command room. This Mech Armor was almost tailor-made for this mission! It perfectly solved the core problems of survival, stealth, and emergency escape in a Death Field environment!

“What about the required Materials?” Lin Zhou asked. This was the key.

Li Mo immediately recited a long list: “The main body needs a large amount of [refined black iron], [Isolation Lead], [Elastic Memory Metal]... the energy core needs [Sunflare Crystals], [Light-Attribute Crystals]... the rune engraving needs [Energy-Conducting Mithril]... also [Crypt Spider Silk], [Activated Carbon]...”

Most of these Materials could be met by Furnace Fortress's inventory; after all, conquering Furnace Fortress had yielded a massive amount of resources. But for rarer energy and conducting Materials like [Sunflare Crystals], [Light-Attribute Crystals], and [Energy-Conducting Mithril], the inventory was not large.

“I'll handle the material problem,” Lin Zhou said without hesitation. His consciousness sank into the Temple of Civilization and looked at the exchange list.

【Sunflare Crystal】 (Rare): 200 points/unit. (3 units needed)

【Light-Attribute Crystal】 (Excellent): 80 points/unit. (10 units needed)

【Energy-Conducting Mithril】 (Rare): 180 points/unit. (2 units needed)

Lin Zhou directly spent 200*3 + 80*10 + 180*2 = 600 + 800 + 360 = 1760 civilization points to exchange for the required key Materials.

【civilization points Deducted: 1760 points, Remaining: 4790 points.】

With a flash of light, these precious Materials appeared directly in the command room.

“The Materials are all here!” Li Mo shouted excitedly. “Don't worry, Old Lin, I'll personally lead the team to oversee the construction and guarantee it's finished on time and with quality!”

“Good!” Lin Zhou's divine oracle carried approval. “The crafting of the Mech Armor is fully entrusted to you. Elwin, you are responsible for coordinating all resources in Furnace Fortress to fully cooperate with Li Mo. Clan Chief Brook, Glick, continue to strengthen the outer defenses and create the illusion that we are preparing for a long-term defense to paralyze the enemy.”

“Yes!” everyone obeyed in unison.

The meeting ended, and the entire Furnace Fortress, along with the far-off Tian Gong Institute and Mechanical Goblins workshop in the Divine Domain, began to operate at high speed.

Li Mo's consciousness projection moved directly into Furnace Fortress's forging workshop, forming a joint R&D team with the Dwarf Great Master Craftsman designated by Bronzebeard and the Gnome engineers brought by Glick. On the Divine Domain side, the Dwarves and Mechanical Goblinss of the Tian Gong Institute also provided remote technical support and pre-processed some precision parts through the faith channel.

The crafting process was intense and orderly.

Furnace Fortress's core furnace blazed with fire once again, but this time it wasn't for forging weapons, but for smelting armor that provided sanctuary.

The Dwarf Great Master Craftsmen swung their giant hammers, beating out the basic components of the armor; their skill ensured the armor's Sturdiness and sealing.

The Gnome engineers were responsible for the fine internal circulation System, the embedding of the energy matrix, and the etching of the runes; their clever hands allowed the complex mechanisms to be realized.

The technical plans provided remotely by the Dwarves and Mechanical Goblinss of the Tian Gong Institute solved many technical problems regarding material Fusion and energy conduction.

Twenty-four hours of Divine Domain time passed quickly amidst the real-world waiting and the busyness inside the Divine Domain.

When Li Mo reappeared in the command room with an exhausted but excited expression, he was followed by five Dwarf craftsmen, each holding a set of full-body armor that flickered with the cold metallic luster of iron yet flowed with a faint positive energy glow.

These five sets of armor were sleek and precise in design, with a base of dark Furnace Black Iron. Key parts were embedded with pale-gold Sunflare Crystals and milky-white Light-Attribute Crystals, forming profound matrix patterns. The joints were tightly sealed, there were foldable booster modules on the back, and signal ports were hidden at the shoulder plates. The overall impression was one that was both sturdy and light, mysterious and powerful.

【Creation】: All-Aspect Anti-Corrosion Stealth Infiltration Mech Armor (Prototype)

【Quality】: Refined (Blue) - Growth Potential

【Type】: Special Equipment / Mohist Mechanism

【Effects】:

【Absolute Sealing】: Physically isolates undead spores, the breath of decay, and other pollutants.

【Internal Circulation Oxygen Supply】: Provides 12 hours of clean breathing gas.

【Positive Energy Barrier】: Continuously neutralizes environmental Death Qi and deals weak holy damage to nearby undead.

【Advanced Stealth】: Significantly enhances stealth effects and reduces life aura and heat radiation.

【Emergency System】: Rocket Booster (one-time), Holy Signal Flare, Holy Caltrops.

【Equipment Requirements】: Strength ≥ 25, Physique ≥ 30, possesses basic stealth ability.

【Durability】: 300/300

【Evaluation】: A perfect combination of Mohist Mechanical Arts and Gnome Engineering, it is an excellent safeguard for venturing deep into the land of death.

“It's a success!” Elwin stroked the cold surface of the armor, able to feel the ingenuity and power contained within.

Brook and Glick also gathered around, clicking their tongues in wonder.

“Now, then, comes the most important question,” Lin Zhou's divine oracle sounded. “Who will wear this armor and execute this near-certain death decapitation mission?”