Chapter 2398

The token is one-time use, and the future counts as a super powerful reinforcement that can turn the tide of war—of course that's very strong.

But what pleased Zhao Chi the most was still the Eternal Tree seed.

Li Ruanyu has no time now, but once they retreat back to Shubei Fort, there will be time to ask Li Ruanyu carefully.

So…

All things considered, Zhao Chi still felt it was very worth it.

So many overt and covert gains, the cost being only the resurrection time for Gu Qing and Zhuang Ya and the 4000 female soldiers—about two weeks—as well as 4000 sets of fashion and equipment.

This is entirely bearable.

Thinking of this, Zhao Chi's frustrated mood began to improve.

Qi Yue 【That's right, my lord, in the end the benefits are still greater】

Zhao Chi 【You think so too?】

Qi Yue 【Yes, my lord, what you were just thinking really is correct. Later, when Sister Gu Qing and Sister Zhuang Ya resurrect, if they learn the final outcome was this, they'll surely feel it was worth it too】

Zhao Chi 【That's good then】

Qi Yue 【The materials are ready, shall we begin?】

Zhao Chi 【Begin!】

During those previous 100 days, Zhao Chi had obtained a large amount of master-level tailoring insights and master-level forging insights, and had gradually begun putting them to use for the female craftsmen.

Among the female tailors led by Feng Xiu now, there are 200 master-level tailors.

With the profession bonus added, a total of 800 female tailors have already reached master-level strength.

There are also 700 female tailors at expert level, or who have reached expert-level strength; they all arrived not long ago and still need time to accumulate.

But it won't take long for these 700 female tailors to reach master level either.

It can be said that the tailoring talent and skill on Zhao Chi's side have both reached a very strong level.

However.

It's still that same reason.

The fashion materials Zhao Chi uses are too high-grade, and the crafting difficulty of the fashion is also too high.

Even master-level tailors find it hard to stably perform super-improvement.

But fortunately, having them perform ordinary improvements is still doable.

This also saved Zhao Chi an enormous amount of time.

There are still quite a few improved fashion pieces piled to the side now; Zhao Chi simply can't keep up with making them all.

Zhao Chi alone, of course, can't compare in speed to those 800 master-level female tailors, especially since they're all using Work-Speed Talismans too.

Going forward, if they make fashion for allied forces, there are plenty of ready-made fashion pieces that can be super-improved and sold.

However.

Zhao Chi now needs to make fashion for those 4000-plus dead female soldiers, and that means it must be excellent quality.

This is a real shame.

The female tailors led by Feng Xiu still can't produce excellent improved fashion.

Zhao Chi can only make them himself from scratch.

Additionally.

Among the master-level blacksmiths under Ding Dang now, there are already 300.

With the profession bonus added, a total of 1000 have reached master level.

800 have reached expert level.

Likewise, these 800 people won't take too long either; they can all gradually reach master-level forging skill.

Because the rare materials needed for forging are in short supply, for now they're still basically using refined iron to forge.

This difficulty is much lower than making fashion.

After the continuous forging and experience accumulation during those previous 100 days, Ding Dang and several female blacksmiths can now independently forge refined-iron-quality super-improved Mystic Maiden Armor, as well as weapons like Phoenix Cry Blade, and other equipment.

Of course, standard quality.

But this is already very strong.

At the very least, the equipment they produce can be sold directly to allied forces.

However, crafting ultra-heavy equipment is still somewhat difficult; they can't complete it independently for now and still need Zhao Chi to perform the final super-improvement step.

But the issue is, only the female soldiers on Zhao Chi's side can wear ultra-heavy equipment, and these female soldiers all wear excellent quality.

If Feng Xiu and the others produce regular-quality ultra-heavy equipment…

It's truly useless.

And can't be sold.

Even if made, it can only pile up in the storeroom.

It can only serve as backup equipment.

However, this is also a necessary process.

They must be allowed to practice.

Through constant practice, accumulating proficiency and specialization in crafting ultra-heavy equipment, only then can they later independently craft ultra-heavy equipment.

By that time, Zhao Chi will be freed from it.

Not yet, though.

But there is already hope.

No point thinking about it so much.

Focus on crafting.

Crafting items isn't easy.

And it comes with side effects from the Hasten-Work Talisman.

But for some reason, once Zhao Chi entered a working state, he felt it suited him perfectly, as if he had stepped into his area of expertise.

Although it wasn't easy, he didn't feel bored either.

Except for having Qi Yue by his side...

Perhaps... it's also because this is working for himself?

Crafting...

Rest...

Crafting...

Rest...

In total, he went through 4 crafting cycles, spending 12 hours, and produced 6,800 pieces of excellent fashion.

This time he lost roughly 28,000 pieces of excellent fashion, so in these 12 hours, he made back close to a quarter of the losses.

But what puzzled Zhao Chi was that 12 hours had already passed, so why was the outside still moving forward nonstop?

Wasn't it supposed to reach the Ironblood Army's Beiyao Town in an estimated 9 hours?

Now it had far exceeded that time.

Could it be that the Ironblood Army side wouldn't let them in?

Were they worried that once the World-Breaking Army entered, they'd seize the chance to start a fight and launch a surprise attack on them, so they backed out?

That shouldn't be the case, right?

Zhao Chi asked Li Ruanyu in puzzlement.

Li Ruanyu: 【I'm not clear on the specifics either, but the direction and position should be correct. We're still transferring within the spatial rift range of Snow Plain City. It should be that Commander Jiang and the others received other information and detoured some more, but they didn't send any special notification to explain.】

Zhao Chi: 【Okay.】

Perhaps it really was for this reason?

After thinking it over, he sent a message to Shangguan Ting again.

Shangguan Ting: 【Don't worry, I've calculated it. We're still in the space on the outskirts of Snow Plain City. We really are taking a detour, but it really will be safer. Do you want to come to my squad? Follow behind me, and if anything happens, I can protect you.】

Zhao Chi: 【Understood, I won't come over then...】

Shangguan Ting: 【Alright. Later when we return to the Greater World, I'll probably be very busy and won't be able to see you for a short while. Don't take it to heart.】

Zhao Chi: 【Huh? What would I take to heart? I don't mind at all. Go ahead and be busy with your things.】

Shangguan Ting: 【After all, I haven't formally thanked you yet, so it can only be postponed.】

Zhao Chi: 【You don't need to thank me. Mutual rescue among companions is perfectly normal.】

Shangguan Ting: 【Mutual rescue among companions is indeed perfectly normal, but Li Ruanyu said that enhancement skill of yours was used in actual combat for the first time? Under those circumstances, you still dared to rush up to save me — that's not ordinary companion rescue. You definitely have me in your heart.】