Necromancer, summoning 055? What the heck?

Chapter 321 Spirit Crystal Allocation: The Budding Third-Tier Map of Eastern Xia

All the heads of departments related to psychic energy under the [Compassionate Voyage] Engineering Department gathered together. The meeting room was brightly lit and bustling with activity.

This is a "feast" concerning the future allocation of resources, and everyone is eager to grab this special "budget"!
The first to step forward was Minister Wang of the Psionic Industrial Applications Department, known for his outspokenness.

This big shot was a veteran, burly and tough. He started by banging on the table a few times, drawing everyone's attention, and then roared in his signature, slightly hoarse voice.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Industry is the foundation of a nation and the cornerstone of a strong country! I have said this for decades, and it remains an ironclad truth no matter what!"

"Over the past few years, how many experimental results related to psionic energy have our Industrial Applications Department achieved? How many engineers have devoted themselves to painstaking research and development, only to have their projects shelved and unable to be put into application due to the supply problem of psionic crystals?"

"What a huge waste of resources this is!"

The old minister slapped the table again, causing several upside-down white porcelain cup lids on the table to spin and rattle.

"Take the 'Controlled Nuclear Fusion Project under the Constraint of Psionic Array' for example. The prototype has been successfully tested long ago, so why can't it be put into application? Isn't it because they are reluctant to consume spirit crystals?"

"Our industrial sector has all the rice soaked in the pot, but we have no firewood!"

"Look, the input to the 'Silver Abyss' is electricity. It's the industrial sector that uses its precious electrical resources to support the production of spirit crystals!"

"We need to allocate as many spirit crystals as possible to the industrial sector to maximize efficiency..."

Before Minister Wang could finish speaking, Chief Engineer Zhao of Dongfang Industry, who couldn't stand it any longer, couldn't help but interrupt him.

Science students tend to think in a more straightforward way.

"Stop playing the victim here!"

"Your controlled nuclear fusion project, without using the psionic system, and following the original technical route, has reached the point of success. It's just a matter of a couple of years sooner or later."

"Why waste such precious special resources on a project that's already reached its end? Spirit crystals should be used where they're most needed!"

Minister Wang glared at him: "Hey, you old Zhao, what are you saying? This is a top priority concerning energy strategy. Does it matter if it's two years earlier or two years later?"

"How much can we accomplish in two years? How many opportunities can we seize?"

Chief Engineer Zhao retorted without hesitation: "What we lack right now is energy? Even if we give you spirit crystals to generate electricity, and the cost of controlled nuclear fusion is reduced to the bottom, shouldn't we consider the cost of spirit crystals?"

"This is simply not worth it. Unless you have an abundance of spirit crystals, don't even think about using them to generate electricity!"

The chief engineer, who was over sixty years old, turned around and ignored Minister Wang. Instead, he spoke earnestly to the several bigwigs who were sitting at the head of the table and who were the ones who could actually make the decisions.

While Dongfang Industry was called an industry, it was actually a military equipment manufacturing department.

"If you fall behind, you will be bullied! This is a principle that even elementary school students know!"

"Whether their industry uses spirit crystals or not is simply a matter of speed or cost. Even without using a single spirit crystal, they still possess a unique and powerful industrial system on Blue Star. Our weapons and equipment are a different story!"

"Whether or not one possesses psychic abilities makes a world of difference."

"Take the [Wave-Treading] ground-effect flying warship for example. Without the support of a psionic system, it can only slowly row across the sea. But once the psionic stabilization and enhancement system is activated, it becomes a 'super warship' that surpasses the current level of Blue Star's weapons!"

"Leaders, our conflict with the enemy has already broken out, and in the foreseeable future, there will be even larger-scale and more intense wars. Should we not use the spirit crystals to strengthen our military first, or save them to pay reparations to the enemy?"

"Pooh!"

This statement, which essentially gave himself a false sense of security, immediately sparked widespread discontent.

"Old Zhao, how dare you say such a thing?"

"Back then, our predecessors didn't lose despite such a huge technological gap in weaponry; they won with their flesh and blood against steel. Now that our country has developed to this extent, how can we possibly lose and have to pay reparations?"

"You're no good, get out of the way! My 100-year-old father would fight better than you on the battlefield!"

"In terms of military weaponry, we're already far ahead, with firearms completely overwhelming our opponents. Why would we need to compete for these special resources?"

Even the military representatives didn't speak up for them, but quickly distanced themselves: "The statements from the aforementioned departments do not represent the opinions of our unit! As long as the country is in danger, our unit will be ready to fight and win!"

Engineer Zhao seemed to realize the flaw in his words, scratched his head somewhat awkwardly, and still insisted on adding: "The situation on Blue Star is constantly changing. Prioritizing the military industry and establishing an advantage is always the right thing to do!"

Next up was the [Undead Biological Research Institute]. As a newly established and still-to-be-observed department, their voice was relatively weak. It was Xia Hong, the commander of the Undead Forces and the brigade commander of the [Nine Springs Independent Brigade], who stepped forward and tactfully stated: "Xiao Bai has worked hard and made great contributions, and 'A Fu' has been diligent and conscientious. They have both made huge contributions to the family!"

"Please understand, leaders, the [Nine Springs Independent Brigade] should receive a larger supply of spirit crystals!"

The scene was noisy and chaotic, filled with the smell of gunpowder, but two departments remained unmoved and calm.

As everyone argued, their eyes involuntarily drifted over.

Academician Zheng Yuanhang, seated to the left of the head of the table, smiled slightly, exuding an air of composure and confidence.

"Gentlemen, where is this place?"

"What does the 'Ziyun' National Ecological Reserve protect? Everyone remembers, right?"

"[Budding] has been in a growth bottleneck for a long time! What did [Wanderer] say in his last letter? Everyone should still remember."

Academician Zheng cleared his throat and, in the most standard tone possible, imitated the voice of a traveler far from home: "Since [Sprout] needs it, I'll hold onto my spirit crystals a little longer and send more home. I'll also try to get a relic core back as soon as possible! Don't be stingy with them!"

"So I don't think I need to say anything more."

"【Budding Sprout】is the son of 【Wanderer】, and now he's being raised by us grandparents. In another one or two stages of growth, he'll be able to support our nation's long-term plans and millennia-long foundation! We can't possibly not even feed our 'own grandson,' can we?"

Upon hearing this, the representatives from several departments, who had been arguing heatedly, suddenly fell silent, as if doused with a bucket of cold water, and hung their heads in dejection.

Of course, competitors still exist.

Gu Liyang, the deputy commander of the Cihang Project on behalf of the Spiritual Energy Cultivation Department, stood up, nodded to the senior figures at the head of the table, and then slowly began to speak.

"Everyone's points are very good; they are all acting with the public good in mind!"

"But here I have to say something about my own selfish reasons."

"Here, we have spirit crystal nests, the World Tree, and all sorts of psionic technologies. Everything is moving towards a virtuous cycle, but we mustn't forget the root of all this!"

"Personally, I think that [Wanderers] should be our top priority in Dongxia! It should be the highest priority, above all other specific projects!"

"We don't need to overthink the trade-offs or weigh the gains and losses. We should spare no expense to provide more security for those who are far from home."

Gu Liyang frowned: "For the sake of this core of the ruins, [Wanderer] just went to the front lines and risked his life!"

"The industrial sector, the ordnance sector, the military, and the psionic research institute have all been struggling to find a way to combine psionic energy and technology, but why can't we find a way out?" "We lack people, we lack professional and technical personnel, we lack professional and technical personnel who understand both technology and enchanting!"

This is indeed a rather troublesome problem.

So far, the combination of psionic energy and technological equipment can be seen as a kind of "hard assembly," just like if you can't pedal a bicycle fast, you'll get a car to tow it.

However, what seems like a simple task—installing a self-powered engine on a bicycle—is actually difficult to do well.

The core reason is that the enchanters of the Starry Continent, especially those enchanting masters who are proficient in formations, not only cannot understand many aspects of the technological field, but also have certain ideological conflicts with them.

The Vast Ocean Territory cannot open up its technology on a large scale; it can only ask its own relatively reliable enchanters to learn and explore slowly.

The power amplification composite magic array created by Master Anthony is the epitome of the highest level!
On the Eastern Xia side, there were no enchanters among the engineers and experts.

Although we have achieved many analytical results on enchanting techniques and magic circles, combining these with modern technology is not something that can be done with just theory; it requires countless repeated experiments and refinements.

Even with round-the-clock face-to-face guidance and discussion, an experimental project might take years to advance. Relying on Chen Mo's occasional altar communications each month, how long would it take to complete the communication?

"Therefore, we must train our own high-level enchanters!"

"I request increased investment in the psionic training department, greater training in magic, and the rapid development of a technical team that is cultured, knowledgeable, and capable of enchanting."

"Only in this way can we fully leverage the advantages of combining Blue Star technology and Starry Sky psionic energy to provide [Wanderer] with better equipment that is more adaptable to the local characteristics of the Starry Sky world!"

After a heated debate, and with the coordination of the national leaders, all parties reached an agreement on the first annual distribution plan for spirit crystals.

[Budding] has obtained the largest share, 40%, which may affect the future of Dongxia's civilization, and also because Academician Zheng has raised the banner of Chen Mo at the same time.

The World Tree is growing rapidly, which may enable cross-border communication sooner. At that time, not only can we send people to protect the "Wanderer," but we may also be able to bring the "Wanderer" back to comfort and thank this "unparalleled meritorious official" of Dongxia!
That way, no one can argue anymore!

The psychic cultivation support department received 21%, and the last one was obtained through Gu Liyang's persistent arguing and fighting.

The Ministry of Psionic Industry received 15%, the Psionic Armory and Equipment Institute and Eastern Industries received 12%, and the remaining portion was shared by the Necromancer Research Institute, the Starry Technology Reserve Bureau, the Starry Biological Research Institute, the Starry Materials Research Institute, and other departments.

Thus, this "cake-dividing" meeting, which would determine the future, came to a close. The spirit crystal production machines on Blue Star began their rumbling operation.

A steady stream of spirit crystals was sent to the core area of ​​the [Purple Cloud] protected zone, where they were transformed into even more concentrated spiritual energy within a magic array and then supplied to [Sprout].

With sufficient psionic energy support, the [Sprout] begins to brew the Fountain of Life, and then further [extracts psionic energy] from the Fountain of Life to obtain the higher-level [Moon Spring].

In the Blue Star world, no one can compete with [Sprout] for these things; [Sprout] can drink as much as it wants, until it's stuffed.

The effects were immediate, and [Sprout] began a new round of rapid growth.

Dongxia had to quickly patch things up everywhere, but fortunately, they had been preparing for a long time, so they weren't caught off guard.

But the sheer volume of work involved is undeniable.

“That ‘benchmark’ ancient tree in Leigong Mountain Nature Reserve, yes, the one with the number TH-07, grow a little taller and spread your canopy a bit more!”

"Yes, it needs to grow earlier. It can't grow dozens of meters a day when the [budding] stage is approaching!"

"Kunlun's Jianmu Group, step up your efforts! You need to solidify your position as the number one tree in Dongxia. Hurry up!"

"Growth data should be presented realistically and naturally, not haphazardly!"

"It's best if the budding trees don't make it into the top ten. Your ecological camouflage department needs to 'pull' up a few more big trees! Growing them vertically is difficult and time-consuming? Then let's have some that grow horizontally, with a large coverage area, like the large banyan tree groves that form forests on their own in the south!"

"Make sure to avoid the exact time when the satellite is overhead, calculate the orbit carefully, and take precautions against weather interference and optical camouflage to avoid giving yourself away!"

With one task after another being assigned, the bionics technology team in Dongxia looked bitter.

In the past, we spent many years and invested heavily in researching bionic birds, fish, and animals, achieving remarkable results that were even indistinguishable from real ones. But in the end, we discovered that the most urgent and in-demand bionic tree is actually the one we need most!
Moreover, it needs to be a biomimetic tree that can "grow rapidly" and conforms to the laws of nature!
This thing is so difficult!
Each time it "grows" a circle, the outer bionic bark has to be remade, spliced, and aged.
The internal support structure needs to be expanded synchronously, down to the synchronization of each branch, and expanded proportionally.

The tree canopy also needs to be supplemented with biomimetic leaves that reflect different growth stages...

But there was nothing I could do; it was a national order!
In an instant, from south to north, from east to west, from Qixian Mountain to Tiannv Valley, from Beiling to Luyi Peak, in the restricted areas that were strictly sealed off and claimed to be for "ecological restoration" or "protection of rare species," towering ancient trees sprang up like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, defying the laws of nature and reaching the clouds.

Only an "industrial powerhouse" like Dongxia, with its complete industrial system and the execution capabilities of a terrorist organization, could withstand this level and scale of resource consumption. In any other country, if a "tree" of this size were to "grow" continuously for a few days, its underlying execution and processing systems would certainly be exposed!

On the periphery, in order to pretend to conceal this scene of "vibrant life and thriving life", Dongxia had to stir up some more trouble outside and divert the attention of various "enthusiastic spectators" led by the bald eagle.

Dongxia even dropped an even larger "bioactive material" onto the lunar surface, successfully triggering another wave of lunar exploration frenzy among bald eagles.

Time flew by day by day, and finally the day came when the [Sprout] entered the third stage!
I don't know if it's because the replenishment of psionic energy is powerful enough, or because the nourishment of civilization is even stronger. It seems that it's not just the influence of psionic crystals.

After all, the elves could provide supplies of this scale, and the environment of the Starry Continent was far superior to that of the Blue Star World. However, after the World Tree collapsed, they never had a new World Tree to replenish it.

After entering the third stage, according to the records in the elven scriptures, the Tree of Life can be officially called the World Tree!

Researcher Zhang Changlin, who spends every day with the little guy from the past, now a behemoth, is radiant and full of energy. His connection with the World Tree has also entered a new stage, allowing him to perceive more, more detailed, and more specific information.

Then, Dongxia received a piece of news that left everyone speechless.

After the World Tree entered its third stage, it did indeed awaken an incredibly powerful ability that could be called a "miracle," namely the [favorable weather] and [avoidance of all calamities] recorded in the elven scriptures.

How large is this range?

Academician Zheng Yuanhang, who was in charge of the report, glanced at the leaders and then at the map.

I glanced at the leader again, then at the map.

His expression was a mixture of joy, surprise, and a hint of... regret!
"That's what you said!"

The most straightforward of the advisors, number three, was getting a little anxious: "Is it a radius of one hundred kilometers? A radius of two hundred kilometers? Or..."

Academician Zheng Yuanhang licked his lips and drew a large circle on the map.

"The World Tree is rooted in Dongxia and is connected to the Dongxia civilization."

"Its weather regulation capabilities cover the entire territory under the actual control of Dongxia... well, without even leaving the country!"

A long silence fell over the conference room.

On that map of the entire territory of Dongxia, the lines representing its outlines stood out starkly.

(End of this chapter)