Necromancer, summoning 055? What the heck?

Chapter 319 "The Silver Abyss": Dongxia's Breakthrough in Psychic Power
The people in charge of the [Cihang] project have experienced a rollercoaster of emotions lately, with a mix of surprises and delights!
The top-level alert sent back by [Wanderer] caused a huge uproar among the top officials of Dongxia. Even after subsequent information confirmed that he was out of danger, many high-ranking officials still slammed their fists on the table during the meeting.

"This is reckless, extremely reckless!"

"This behavior is unacceptable! It must be criticized, and severely criticized!"

Then he was reprimanded without any politeness by the Grand Elder of Dongxia.

"What's wrong? Are you acting like a 'father-son'?"

"To put it politely, they treat you as an elder, so you are the elder! To put it bluntly, someone like Xiao Chen who has made great contributions to the country, is it your place to tell him what to do? You should take care of your own spoiled brats first!"

These words were so blunt that several high-ranking leaders blushed and paled in turns.

Holding a high position while having unworthy descendants is perhaps the greatest pain in the hearts of some.

This is a world where information is too readily available.

In the past, relying on monopolizing access to knowledge to ensure that one's descendants continue to be superior to others is no longer feasible. They can only try to control some of the entry requirements and promotion channels.

But this ultimately cannot save the vast majority of families from the freefall of an outstanding first generation, mediocre second generation, and ordinary third generation.

The elder's mention of his family's children was indeed a bit too much of a slap in the face.

In any case, everyone breathed a sigh of relief that [Youzi] was alright, but the inability to utilize the core of the Fallen Feather Canyon Ruins inevitably dampened the spirits of the elders back home.

In Dongxia, there is never enough of this special energy source called spirit crystals.

Although the higher-ups have reached a consensus not to open up professional training on a large scale, even for a limited number of warrior, mage, and shaman units, the continuous supply of spiritual energy required for training is still enormous.

Blue Star itself has no psionic energy; everything depends on the supply from the Vast Ocean Territory.

This is like organizing swimming training in a dry, rainless desert, where the only small pool of water has to be transported by plane from millions of kilometers away – it's truly unbearable.

In addition, there is a rather troublesome problem: even if the analysis is completed and the principles are mastered, all the magic array-type props in Dongxia cannot be made by themselves.

This creates a two-way bottleneck with the Starry World. The Starry World lacks an engineering application system and also lacks senior engineers; while Dongxia lacks magic array materials and enchanters.

Among all magic-related professions, the enchanter is quite special. It requires a very high rank; rank three is just the starting point, and rank four is considered the entry level.

It not only requires practitioners to have a high level of magical skill, but also a deep understanding of magical principles and a unique talent for communicating with energy and matter.

This requires a lot of psionic feeding and experimentation.

As the professional's level increases, the resources required also increase exponentially. The few third-tier professionals that Dongxia has cultivated are all exceptionally talented individuals selected from among thousands, but there is little hope for them to advance to the fourth tier in the short term.

Another aspect concerns the growth needs of the future strategic project – [Sprout].

After an initial period of almost wild, rapid growth, [Sprout] successfully entered the second stage. However, like the growth problem of professionals in Dongxia, due to the lack of spiritual energy in the overall environment, the growth of [Sprout] was like a sapling growing on a cliff, and its speed inevitably slowed down significantly.

The good news is that, compared to the other nature reserves, the interference trees set up by Dongxia are inconspicuous and have never been included in the list of key concerns of hostile countries.

However, the bad news that accompanied this was that the expert group's report clearly pointed out that, at the current pace, it was a long way off for the World Tree to grow to the third stage.

Obtaining more psionic energy is a real need for Dongxia, but the problem is that the family cannot bring it up on their own initiative.

Unless the Han Hai Territory already has a large-scale stockpile that does not affect its security reserves, no one may make material requests to the Han Hai Territory at any time. This is an ironclad rule set by the Dong Xia side.

Everything must prioritize the autonomy of Chen Mo and Han Hai Ling.

Therefore, after missing out on the core of the Fallen Feather Canyon ruins, the entire [Compassionate Voyage] Engineering Command could only bury their regret in their hearts and continue to focus their efforts on other areas.

However, things took an unexpected turn. Chen Mo obtained the core of the ruins from Xiyue Royal City in a rather radical way, and suddenly, the clouds parted and the light appeared!
When this core was delivered to the secret base in Star Shield New City, the first to be excited were the expert team from Dongxia who were engaged in psionic research.

Following a brief period of research, the [Compassionate Voyage] Engineering Department convened a [Feasibility Study Meeting on the Construction of Special Psionic Nests].

At the meeting, the core of the relics sent back by the "wanderer" was first displayed.

The first thing presented to the leaders and experts was the core of the "Silver Abyss" relic, which had been sent back by the "Wanderer." It was a fist-sized, jade-like object, its entire surface shimmering with a soft, multicolored halo, and inside, it seemed as if countless silver threads of light were constantly being created and disappearing, swirling and lingering.

Under all-around lighting, it quietly exudes a mesmerizing glow.

"According to information provided by insiders in the Summer Moon Alliance, this relic core originated from an ancient relic on the Starry Continent, known as the [Silver Abyss]."

The [Stargazing] team was tasked with preparing a detailed report on the project.

What is shimmering in the Silver Abyss? It's silver!

The core of this relic itself originated from the Duchy of Silver.

"Dear leaders and colleagues, as instructed by the higher authorities, I will now, on behalf of the project team, report on the preliminary data compilation and analysis results for the 'Proposed Silver Abyss Nest'—hereinafter referred to as the 'Silver Abyss' project!"

"All information is based on Xiyue's historical documents, the application records of the [Silver Abyss] nest, and descriptions from relevant participants or those in the know, striving to objectively present its characteristics and potential risks."

"Part One: Overview and Historical Background of the Objectives..."

The report is quite detailed. In short, the formation of the Silver Abyss ruins originated from a former Grand Duke of the Silver Kingdom.

Because of the Silver Principality's abundant silver reserves, in addition to the various rare silver by-products that are born in the mining areas, there is also a small probability that some special "silver constructs" will be generated.

In a large forest, you'll find all kinds of birds; with abundant spiritual energy, anything can happen.

In the history of the Silver Duchy, there once existed a grand duke who was extremely ambitious and obsessed with alchemy, named Audrey.

This grand duke firmly believed that silver was not only a divine gift of wealth, but also contained the secrets to eternity and power.

To this end, he built a special "silver laboratory" deep in the rift valley of the mining area, attempting to actively induce and control this "silver construct" through research, with the ultimate goal of creating his ideal "Eternal Silverborn".

A creation that, in his ideal, is absolutely loyal and will never decay.

He gathered a large number of enchanters and dwarven masters, invested a huge amount of wealth, and was once very close to success.

By infusing different psionic elements into the giant alchemical matrix, the "Silver Laboratory" catalyzed the creation of "silver constructs." According to ancient records, depending on the volume, shape, and psionic elements of the silver infused, the "Silver Laboratory" has spawned more than a dozen constructs.

The "Silver Walker" is a humanoid, well-proportioned, and swift-moving creature whose arms can transform into silver blades or whip-like tentacles.
A "silver dancer" with a seductive appearance and a shimmering body, capable of creating small-scale illusions;
The "Guardian Silver Statue" is a massive, heavily armored, slow-moving but incredibly powerful creature.
In short, the experiment was a success, with only one minor flaw. These "silver-structured creatures" were not very obedient!

Audrey chose to increase his bet.

According to this Silver Grand Duke's understanding, silver creatures are also a type of elemental creatures. Elemental creatures are subject to the control of elemental lords. Summoners on the continent once communicated with elemental lords and ultimately achieved the utilization of elemental creatures.

As long as I keep experimenting, I will eventually find the legendary "lord-level" silver creature and be able to finally control this silver army.

At that time, relying on the vast silver mine resources of the Silver Duchy, wouldn't we have an endless, inexhaustible army of elements?
Of course, no one knows whether the "Silver Lord" was actually found. The laboratory was completely destroyed by a strange disaster, and the only things left at the scene were corpses and piles of silver.

The expert team member continued, "Based on subsequent investigations and speculations by the Grand Dukes of the Silver Kingdom, it's possible that the Silver Laboratory did indeed come into contact with a Lord-level creature, although this Lord's temper was probably not very good..."

"Not long after, the ruins of the Silver Abyss were created on the site of this laboratory."

"During the Second Qiyue Southern Expedition, a general from the Xiyue Federation, who was serving as an auxiliary force, led his troops to capture this place and sent the core of the ruins back to Xiyue, where it became a nest in the Xiyue Royal City."

With the main historical background explained, the next step is to discuss the "manifestation mechanism" previously recorded for this nest.

Clearly, inheriting the characteristics of its original construct catalysis, the manifestation of the guardians of the [Silver Abyss] nest is manifested by injecting silver.

"Therefore, this nest is not very popular in the Creek Moon Federation because the cost of manifesting it is relatively high!"

"Of course, the purity of the spirit crystals harvested is also much higher."

"In his letter, [Wanderer] said that, after careful consideration, this nest is quite a good match for us!"

The atmosphere in the venue became increasingly cheerful.

silver?

Well, this once precious metal is now just a byproduct of industrial manufacturing in Dongxia.

"Its manifestation mechanism is known in the stars as the 'Silver Pact'."

The reporter switched the screen, which displayed a large, silver creature.

"Once the nest is successfully activated and established, a leader-level creature, a seventh-tier, silver aberration, will be born inside."

"Any silver or high-purity silver alloy that enters the aberration's acoustic wave propagation range will be affected by the aberration's acoustic waves and become a manifestation catalyst. The final manifested nest guard type is positively correlated with the quality, purity, and physical form of the silver."

"Here is a document compiled by [Wanderer] regarding the manifestation mediums, biological characteristics, and combat capabilities of the relevant nest guards. Please refer to it, leaders!"

On-site staff distributed printed materials to the decision-makers present, which listed indicators accurate to the millimeter and gram, such as "silver ingot - standard, silver wire - woven state, silver foil - specific geometric shape..."

"Finally, after defeating these nest guardians, you can obtain spirit crystals of the corresponding purity."

"However, since our Blue Star world is a natural 'psychic desert,' it lacks the background psychic environment to support the operation and manifestation process of the nest. Therefore, during the construction phase of the nest, we need to 'ignite' and 'activate' it by investing a basic number of spirit crystals through a large-scale energy-gathering array that has been laid out in advance."

"Furthermore, during each subsequent manifestation of the guardian, the spiritual energy required to maintain the manifestation process, support the guardian's existence, and be consumed in combat also needs to be continuously replenished by this magic circle drawing energy from the stored spirit crystals."

"Therefore, a precise mathematical model cannot be provided to evaluate the specific 'input-output ratio' of spirit crystals at present. Accurate data can only be obtained after the actual construction is completed and multiple tests are conducted under various conditions."

Yes, this is a question about water inlet and outlet!
"This concludes the basic information report regarding the [Silver Abyss] lair. The corresponding technical risk assessment documents have passed three rounds of independent review by relevant departments, confirming that the risks are controllable. Now, on behalf of the project team, I formally submit an application to the command headquarters—to immediately commence substantive construction work on the [Silver Abyss] lair!"

"Please review this, esteemed leaders!"

The decision was unanimously passed after deliberation.

For this manifestation, Dongxia specially brought "Xiaobai" back from the moon to act as Chen Mo's agent and oversee the landing of the core of the [Silver Abyss] ruins.

The site selection for the nest had been completed long ago. After a brief discussion with [Sprout], Dongxia placed the [Silver Abyss] nest within the [Purple Cloud] National Nature Reserve.

The project team had originally planned a grand groundbreaking ceremony, but after being severely criticized by their superiors, they began the construction of the nest in a disheveled state.

There's not much to say about the process. Beneath the ground, there are countless metal lines shimmering with a ghostly blue luster, which combine to form special metal plates with intricate patterns. Through the inlay of nodes made of special materials, they ignite natural spirit crystals from the starry world, activating a large-scale spirit energy gathering array amplified by electricity.

The outer perimeter is a metal film coated with a special material called "Starry Sky" to prevent the dissipation of psionic energy.

In the area where psionic energy was most concentrated, the core of the ruins was placed, and Xiaobai, as Chen Mo's contracted creature, carried out the awakening procedure.

The countdown in the channel ticked away second by second.

"Reporting to Commander-in-Chief, the [Return to Home] base is ready! All magic array energy circuits have passed self-tests, the spirit crystals at all nodes are stable, external power supply is ready, and output power has reached the rated standard!"

"Request to awaken the core of the ruins!"

"Approved! Best wishes for your success!"

On the monitoring screen, the curve representing the concentration of psionic energy began to decline at a slow but steady pace, indicating that the core of the ruins was frantically absorbing psionic energy.

Under the watchful eyes of multiple surveillance cameras, the core of the relic seemed to begin to breathe slowly. The speed of the internal aura flowed significantly faster, and the silver light threads became denser and denser until they wove into a silver sphere.

These silver threads crawled out of the core in a strange way, with their ends still firmly rooted in the core of the ruins, while their front ends continued to expand and grow larger, eventually taking on the prototype of a giant monster.

A seventh-order silver aberration variant was born.

It stood there silently, its massive body composed of a layer of dim yet resilient silver light, resembling a twisted and robust beast-like creature, with huge protrusions on its surface that gave it an incongruous and strange appearance.

Its head has no obvious facial features, only a spiral structure that rotates and indents inward. Its tail, made of silver metal plates, sways slowly behind it. What is more eye-catching are its arms—or rather, arm-like limbs. These two upper limbs are exceptionally well-developed, with exaggerated, huge fists at the ends, like battering rams.

The mutant shook its head and let out a low growl.

A strange sound wave slowly spread out from it, and a silver metal plate that had been placed on the ground beforehand began to wriggle.

The first truly functional psionic nest in the history of Dongxia, capable of stably producing spirit crystals, was completed here!

A brand new era may be about to begin.

(End of this chapter)