114: Chapter 114 Rainbow Dao Array

Strategist Zhu Ge stared blankly at the pile of Black Iron Rank Runestones that had suddenly appeared in his arms.

His lips parted slightly, and subconsciously, he wanted to ask Zhou Yun where he had obtained so many rare treasures.

But as the words reached his lips, he ultimately just shook his head, a helpless, self-deprecating smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he forced the question back down.

After all, the miracles Zhou Yun had produced were too numerous, and every single one was incredibly rare.

Being able to produce these Runestones now, while unexpected, was perfectly acceptable.

The director-general stood to the side, her scarred face softening as she felt genuinely happy for the Strategist: "Since the City Lord can produce so many Runestones, the Strategist can finally put his skills to use."

"With these, setting up the Sweet Dew Array will be no problem at all." Strategist Zhu Ge nodded excitedly.

But as his fingers gently stroked the rough stone surface, his tone carried a hint of regret,

"It's just a pity that these are all Black Iron Rank. If I had Bronze Rank Runestones, with my current Silver Rank strength, I could set up the 'Hongdao Array'."

"Hongdao Array?" Tie Shan was originally squatting on the ground touching the stones, but upon hearing this new term, he immediately looked up, his face full of curiosity. "What kind of thing is that?"

Strategist Zhu Ge smiled and explained to everyone: "By setting up two Formation bases at a certain height, the Formation will condense a solid path in mid-air, ignoring the terrain's undulations. When people and supplies travel on it, their speed can increase tenfold."

As soon as he finished speaking, the wind in the fields seemed to stagnate for a moment. Wasn't this just like the highways on Blue Star?

The four ministers instantly understood the terrifying value of this, and immediately began to discuss it heatedly.

Minister Wang Fugui's fingers, which were fiddling with his abacus, trembled uncontrollably, and his voice changed pitch due to excitement:

"If we built the trade routes in the sky, how many times faster would the mobilization of supplies be? The trade routes of our Flower City would definitely be smooth sailing!"

The director-general's pen tip recorded rapidly in her notebook, her eyes flashing intensely:

"It's not just trade routes; the speed of information and government decree transmission will also double, and the internal management efficiency of the entire Flower City will undergo a qualitative change."

"And the satellite settlements we want to build!" Tie Shan slapped his thigh hard, his rough face turning bright red,

"With this thing, wouldn't moving those heavy construction materials be like flying? Construction efficiency would definitely be greatly improved!"

Lei Lie didn't speak, but his two fists clenched until they cracked.

Speed is the essence of war!

If the army could avoid the physical exertion of long-distance travel and use the Hongdao Array to arrive at the city walls in an instant, it would be an invaluable trump card on the battlefield.

"Wait," the director-general suddenly stopped her pen, looking thoughtfully at the young man in the wheelchair. "This Hongdao Array sounds… like a weakened version of a Teleportation Array?"

Strategist Zhu Ge nodded with a smile: "The director-general is sharp. If my strength could reach Platinum Rank, and with the assistance of Platinum Rank Runestones, a true Teleportation Array could also be set up."

The whole place was shocked, and everyone looked at Strategist Zhu Ge with disbelief.

An instant transfer Sharp Weapon—that was a strategic foundation that, according to legend, only superior cities were qualified to possess!

"That's not right," Minister Wang Fugui keenly grasped the gap in the words, his shrewd little eyes darting around,

"Black Iron Rank for Sweet Dew Array, Bronze Rank for Hongdao Array, Platinum Rank for Teleportation Array… then what about Silver Rank and Gold Rank? What can you set up using Silver or Gold Rank Runestones?"

Strategist Zhu Ge waved his feather fan and smiled nonchalantly: "For the Silver Rank Formation, allow me to keep you in suspense for now. But if my strength can step into Gold Rank, and I have Gold Rank Runestones as Formation bases, I can set up a type of 'Magic Guidance Array'."

"Magic Guidance Array?" Upon hearing these three words, Tie Shan jumped up abruptly. "Are you talking about… the Formation used to make Magic Guidance Cannons?"

Strategist Zhu Ge looked at the old craftsman with some surprise and nodded in admission: "Minister Tie is knowledgeable; it is indeed this Formation. The main purpose of the Magic Guidance Array is to manufacture Magic Guidance Cannons."

"Cannon?" Lei Lie was extremely sensitive to this word and immediately leaned in. "Is this some kind of high-damage Sharp Weapon?"

This time, without waiting for Strategist Zhu Ge to speak, Tie Shan answered for him directly:

"It was mentioned in my master's incomplete notes. That is the living ancestor of mountain-cleaving and city-defending! If a Gold Rank Magic Guidance Cannon fires, even a Platinum Rank expert who takes it head-on will be blown half to death on the spot!"

Everyone was shocked.

It can even blow someone half to death across ranks with one shot?

This is simply too terrifying!

When looking at Strategist Zhu Ge again, everyone's eyes were different.

Before, they felt this Wolong Formation Master was extraordinary, but now, upon seeing this, their evaluation was even higher by several points!

With him, Flower City is like a tiger that has grown wings. If such a person were an opponent, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Feeling the scorching gazes around him, Strategist Zhu Ge shook his head helplessly and pushed his wheelchair again:

"Those are all things for the future. With my talent, I don't know when I will be able to advance to Gold Rank. For now, I'd better go and set up the Sweet Dew Array first."

"Wait." Zhou Yun's gentle voice sounded from behind.

He stopped his movements and looked back.

He saw Zhou Yun with a smile on his lips that made people feel like they were bathed in a spring breeze, his tone calm:

"The capable should do more. If the Strategist has time, after the Sweet Dew Array is set up, why not set up the Hongdao Array as well?"

Strategist Zhu Ge was slightly stunned: "City Lord, setting up the Hongdao Array requires Bronze Rank Runestones…"

Before he finished speaking, Zhou Yun had already casually taken out another Black Iron Rank Runestone.

Then, with a thought, his eyes suddenly turned golden.

City Lord Skill!

Touch of Gold!

Hum!

The sky trembled!

Golden characters appeared in the sky with a boom!

[Flower City City Lord Decree: Touch of Gold!]

As the skill was activated, a mysterious fluctuation instantly enveloped the Runestone in Zhou Yun's hand.

The originally dull Black Iron Impurities peeled away layer by layer like flying ash under this fluctuation.

A glowing green light shone from the heart of the stone, instantly filling the entire stone.

Amidst everyone's exclamations, a Black Iron Rank stone was just like that, forcibly advanced to Bronze Rank!

Zhou Yun handed this brand-new Bronze Rank Runestone to Strategist Zhu Ge.

The moment Strategist Zhu Ge's fingertips touched the stone, a crisp System notification tone sounded on time in Zhou Yun's mind.

[Ding! Successfully bestowed Runestone (Bronze Rank) * 1, triggered 10,000x critical hit, obtained Runestone (Bronze Rank) * 10,000!]

Strategist Zhu Ge held the green-glowing Runestone with both hands, his fingertips trembling slightly.

Although the Bronze Rank Runestone was in his palm, a trace of heartache flashed in his eyes:

"City Lord, a single Bronze Rank Runestone is indeed rare, but using your City Lord Skill for it is really not worth it…"

Zhou Yun just maintained a gentle smile and didn't speak.

He knew clearly in his heart that the Hongdao Array was the most perfect accelerator for Flower City right now.

Using Touch of Gold for this was completely worth it.

At this moment, Strategist Zhu Ge looked at the lonely stone in his hand and sighed with some regret: "Furthermore, the Hongdao Array stretches for several miles, and the required Bronze Rank Runestones are not something that can be satisfied with just one…"

…