My health recovery is incredibly fast.

For example, when boiling water for tea, the monks would rub their fingers together and use ignition and flame spells to light the fire in the stove. They would then use water control spells to pour in water, and once the teapot boiled, they would use extinguishing spells to turn off the fire. Finally, they would use wind hand to pour tea for themselves and bring it over.

If you don't want to frequently cast spells to boil water, you can create elemental minions to replace yourself.

If you're even lazier, you can buy an alchemical tea set, which includes a small storage space for storing tea and a container for heating tea. Simply turn the switch on the teapot—the lid or the handle—to retrieve the tea from the storage space and heat it.

All of the above operations are based on a very important premise:

The person boiling the water must be a sorcerer or have some knowledge of alchemy.

In Xia Zuo's words, it has a high barrier to entry, is not intelligent enough, not user-friendly enough, and is difficult for ordinary people to use.

The same applies to combat golems.

The mines launched by Huberon use magical energy combined with an auxiliary target acquisition system to aim at enemies; the sonic waves released from fingertips are powered by wind and water energy; the underwater propulsion system either uses elemental energy directly or the mechanical energy of torsion springs, but the latter itself requires a corresponding alchemical device for charging…

All of this is inseparable from elemental energy.

However, in Xia Zuo's eyes, apart from the need to use enchanted materials for resisting water pressure and night vision, many functions on the combat golem do not necessarily require elemental energy and can be completely replaced by a kinetic energy device.

This research and development direction is of great significance.

It can save the combat puppeteer's energy, reduce energy consumption, extend the duration of the battle, and use elemental energy at the most critical moments. Furthermore, since no spells are used most of the time, there is no energy fluctuation, which provides excellent concealment.

Gu Yingxia called this research direction of using kinetic energy to partially replace elemental energy "a method of using kinetic energy to fill the elemental energy consumption and improve the efficiency of elemental energy use", or "kinetic energy enhancement method" for short.

Has anyone in the world proposed a similar research and development approach?

Have!

And there are quite a few.

However, no one could persevere.

Because magic and alchemy are so convenient!

Not enough elemental energy? No problem, just absorb more obedient elements and practice basic meditation techniques. That way, you can power alchemical tools that consume more energy.

Against this backdrop, there were no research groups within the alchemy school that focused on kinetic energy, and there were almost no teaching materials or alchemical tools related to kinetic energy.

However, this does not mean that kinetic energy devices are a promising research and development direction.

In fact, due to the existence of magic and alchemy, many spells and alchemical tools have completely replaced the status of kinetic energy devices, resulting in no need for kinetic energy devices in the Mage Temple territory.

This is precisely the primary reason why the alchemical school completely abandoned kinetic energy devices after so many years of development.

Xia Zuo knew this clearly: the development of kinetic energy devices was only to assist elemental energy, not to replace it.

He also clearly knew another point:

Kinetic energy devices are linked to complex mechanical structures; the bolt action principle of kinetic energy weapons alone could keep him studying for more than a decade.

It would be impossible for him to develop a kinetic weapon with a firing rate of 1000 rounds per minute on his own.

Therefore, Xia Zuo devised a research and development method that was less difficult.

He plans to use enchanted materials and alchemical components to greatly simplify the operation of the kinetic energy device.

Inside the comprehensive alchemy lab.

Huberon controlled the combat puppet back indoors.

Danielle and Laurie are inspecting the condition of the combat golem, recording damaged areas, residual energy in the internal pipes, and occasional misalignment of parts.

Xia Zuo walked over to the two of them and looked at the data on the notepad.

As expected, the combat golem consumed a lot of elemental energy.

Before the battle began, Huberon stored a total of 15,000 energy points for the battle golems, and now there are less than 3000 points left.

If the last two rumbling oysters had held on a little longer, the combat golem would have been the first to shut down due to insufficient energy.

Xia Zuo wrote down the data in his notebook and then calculated how much elemental energy the combat puppet could save after using the kinetic energy enhancement method.

Since no relevant experiments have been conducted, the figures calculated by Xia Zuo are only approximate ranges, but they should be enough to persuade the team leader to allocate some research resources for Xia Zuo's use.

After Danielle and her companion finished inspecting the combat puppet, Hillenburg gathered the team members around the conference table to discuss their observations.

There weren't many people on site: Shazo, Mars, Huberon, Professor Allen, Hillenberg, Danielle, and Laurie. These were the main researchers developing the combat puppets, while the others were responsible for logistical matters such as maintaining the site.

Everyone spoke in turn, starting with Huberon.

“I’m telling you the truth, guys,” Huberon said, glancing at his colleagues and smiling.

"I think our assault combat puppet is almost on par with the Sharp Sword combat puppet I used in the military before I retired. Whether it's the handling, force feedback, synchronization stability, or the flexibility of energy allocation, it can be compared with the military's front-line combat puppets."

Huberon paused for a moment, then spread his hands. “However, we can’t be complacent. Late yesterday, I received some news from a former comrade-in-arms—the Federal Army has placed a procurement order with the Wildhammer Alchemist Association. They want to buy some combat puppets that can be used in conjunction with the Silver-Eating Insect Repair Technique.”

Hillenburg was somewhat moved. "Are you sure this news is reliable?"

Huberon nodded. "Yes, team leader. I never joke around. In a week or two, the general details of this deal will likely be released from the routine federal hearings."

Xia Zuo scratched his head, sensing that things were not so simple.

Within the territory of the Temple of Mages, there are many independently operating departments.

Territory troops, temple guards, and resident mages are the three most representative departments.

All three have strict entry and exit restrictions, and the personnel are relatively fixed and do not participate in any activities unrelated to their duties.

If they want to purchase something, it's definitely because the quality is high enough and the product is excellent; price is just an optional reference factor.

The fact that the Silvermoon Federation's army purchased combat puppets from the Desolate Hammer Alchemist Association, which is funded by the Desolate Hammer Kingdom, indirectly shows that the Desolate Hammer alchemists have developed a complete combat puppet system.

This purchase will definitely include additional services such as maintenance, damage repair, and parts upgrades. After all, buying and selling combat golems is not a one-off transaction, and the Wild Hammer Alchemist Association has an obligation to provide after-sales service.

Hillenburg said thoughtfully:

"It seems that the Wild Hammer Alchemist Association, like us, has been preparing for this tender for a long time. The Silver-Eating Insect Repair Method they revealed may just be one part of the entire research and development plan."

“Since this matter will be mentioned at the hearing, let’s just wait for the news.” Hillenburg looked at Xia Zuo and asked:

"Xia Zuo, how's the research on the self-replication function of the alveolar protrusions going?"

On the biomimetic material of the Magic Whale 1, the protrusions of the large alveoli can proliferate new small alveoli to replace the damaged small alveoli, giving the biomimetic material a certain self-repair capability.

This repair capacity has an upper limit, depending on the number of protrusions in a large alveolus. Generally speaking, a large alveolus can grow into about 10 small alveoli.

If the protrusions can self-reproduce, it indirectly enhances the self-repair capability of the Whale 1 biomimetic material.

This is the main solution proposed by the Hillenburg team for the silver-eating worm repair method.

Xia Zuolai is in charge of the research and development. He has been studying this every night for the past month or so.

"Team leader, I've made some progress." Xia Zuo said, handing over his notebook with his Wind Hand.

"I have found a way to make the protrusions self-reproduce once, which requires the use of an activator, which I have temporarily named the protrusion proliferator."

"Under current circumstances, after using proliferating hormone, there is a 90% probability that the protrusion will self-proliferate once, and a 10% probability that it will ulcerate, leading to unexpected damage to the alveoli."

“The proliferating protrusions can grow into 3 to 6 small alveoli.”

“Three to six…” Hillenburg looked at the experimental records in his notebook, thought for a moment, and said:

"This number of reproductions is sufficient. You should focus on increasing the success rate of self-reproduction..."

Hillenburg saw Chazor's research on the ulceration phenomenon on the page and said:

"Oh! You've changed your research focus."

"let me see…

"The ulceration stems from a mismatch between the dosage of glycogen and the concentration of the protrusion's sap. When the dosage is higher than the concentration, it triggers ulceration; when the dosage is lower than the concentration, it only slows down the self-proliferation process and does not interfere with the final outcome."

Hillenburg closed the notebook and handed it back. "Very good, Shazo. I have always appreciated your enthusiasm for research, and this time is no exception. I look forward to your final research results."

Xia Zuo smiled modestly, and Mars, standing beside him, gave him an encouraging look.

Hillenburg looked to the other side. "Daniel, how's the combat golem?"

“Not bad, team leader,” Danielle said, handing over her notebook.

"Before the actual combat training began, I specifically instructed Huberon not to conserve elemental energy, but also not to deliberately squander it."

"Overall, the residual energy level in the energy loop is in line with my and Laurie's predictions."

"However, if we take unforeseen factors into account, the remaining 3000 points of elemental energy are insufficient to cope with enemy assistance or other emergencies in a lightless environment."

Chapter 72 Underwater Bullets, Flying Sea Hare

Danielle sent each member a summary report of the practical training, and there were a few important points.

...

[Real-world environment] Training ground without light strip

[Targets] Three different styles of deep-sea monsters

[Actual combat duration] 0 hour 45 minutes 15 seconds

[Energy Circuit] 3000/15000

[Energy Consumption Details]

1. In silent state, a total of 2300 points have been consumed, accounting for approximately 20%.

2. In combat, actions such as moving, searching for enemies, and adjusting shooting angles will consume a total of 4000 points, accounting for approximately 33%.

3. In combat mode, emit detection sound waves, consuming a total of 1000 points, accounting for approximately 8%.

4. In combat mode, mines were launched, consuming a total of 4700 points, accounting for approximately 40%.

...

Under high pressure and dim lighting, Huberon's combat golem consumed 1.2 points of elemental energy in 45 minutes. To put it simply, 1.5 points of elemental energy can sustain its movement for about 1 hour.

If the actual combat environment is placed on the ground, the duration of the actual combat can be extended to 5 times, that is, 5 hours.

Considering the more complex environment in the deep sea, a one-hour range is clearly insufficient.

After reviewing the brief report written by Danielle, Hillenburg asked:

"So you think the combat golems' endurance in the deep sea will be our weakness, right?"

“Yes, team leader.” Danielle nodded, her ponytail swaying behind her head as she said: