Chapter 333

Actually, Luo De just blurted it out on a whim at that time.

This Oasis Source actually can't be used on the desert anymore.

Although adding another oasis in the desert would be a great deed of immeasurable merit.

But who would build it?

Sumeru is already out of money.

The Academy, which spends money everywhere, even has IOUs in merchants' hands, and its foreign debt may not be repayable in the next several years, or even ten or twenty years.

Under these circumstances.

Adding another new oasis, would we have to let the desert people build it themselves? Luo De had no doubt about that.

To fight for the right to use the oasis, there would inevitably be one bloody battle after another.

In that case.

The desert, which had finally been pacified, would thus fall back into chaos.

Even if the new oasis were extended to the border of Hope City.

As long as the Academy lacks funds for a day to build it and no one manages it, the new oasis will not have peace for a day.

Facing reality.

Luo De could only use this Oasis Source as the power source for Lei Dian Zhen's body.

Let an Electro Archon use a body molded from grass elemental energy.

This looks somewhat strange.

However, if it were someone else, they might still feel troubled by this.

But for Lei Dian Zhen.

She is the Electro Archon.

Regardless of whether there is a prefix before this deity's name.

She still possesses the status of an Archon, and remains inseparably linked to the Electro Archon's heavenly throne.

Therefore, in her case.

Even if her body's elemental attribute is inconsistent, it does not affect her essence as a deity.

Moreover, the combination of grass elemental energy and electro elemental energy itself will trigger a strong intensified reaction.

Although the electrograss reaction in the game is not quite the same as in reality.

But one point remains consistent.

That is, no matter whether grass or electro elemental energy initiates first, the reaction between electro and grass elemental energy will be equally intense.

Taking all this into account.

Using the Oasis Source to create an Electro Archon's body capable of manipulating grass elemental energy is not a problem.

Moreover, Lei Dian Zhen herself approved of this approach.

That is, the materials just obtained from Duo Li need to be exchanged.

Initially, Luo De's idea was to use a branch of the Oasis Source as the core of the puppet, which would not greatly affect electro elemental energy.

Therefore, the materials he prepared were mostly related to electro elemental energy, including the final energy core, which he also intended to fill with super-high-concentration electric crystals.

Now the Oasis Source serves as the core.

Luo De naturally also needs to replace the grass elemental energy materials prepared in advance.

Of course.

On the way, Luo De could also foresee what expression Duo Li would have at that time.

As expected.

When Luo De found Duo Li again and proposed to exchange the materials,

This merchant, who regards Mora as more important than his own life, immediately exploded.

No other reason.

The materials Luo De had previously arranged are not only extremely hard to find, but each is also costly.

What's more troublesome is.

Many of these materials are ornamental but useless, or nobody knows how to use them.

In other words, wanting to sell them again would become very difficult.

Put another way.

That is, these materials are likely to pile up in Duo Li's warehouse, only usable as display items.

Moreover, this batch of goods was given to Luo De for free by Duo Li, and she never received any payment.

Even though exchanging goods unconditionally for customers is Duo Li's business principle.

But just imagining her own Mora suddenly growing little wings and flying away makes Duo Li feel waves of heartache.

"Stupid mushroom!"

"You're messing with me, aren't you!"

Like a fur‑exploding little wildcat, Duo Li grabbed Lin Ye's clothes, shouting angrily: "Hurry up and say, you were just joking earlier, you actually don't need to exchange the goods, these materials are all usable by you!!!"

Before the words even fell.

Before Luo De could answer, Duo Li switched to a pitiful expression, hugging Luo De's leg, tears and snot streaming as she said: "Stupid, oh, no, good mushroom, if I were to exchange these goods for you, my Mora wouldn't come back; you, you wouldn't watch my Mora grow wings and fly away, would you?"

As for Duo Li's such face‑changing performance.

Luo De could only reply helplessly laughing: "Then I won't exchange the goods; I'll just buy new ones."

Almost forgot.

The goods I took from Duo Li actually didn't cost a single coin.

In this situation.

Luo De also felt he didn't need to insist on the exchange matter.

Having received a satisfactory reply, Dolly burst into laughter, giggling as she said: "Then you can go back first; same old rule, delivery in three days, Dolly's shop, honest to all."

"Good."

Luo De nodded in agreement, then took the original materials and hurried back home.

Although a considerable portion of these materials were to be discarded, there were still some left that could be used to first shape a framework for the puppet.

Saying it, he started doing it.

Leaving Dolly's shop, Luo De immediately returned home and began to consider how to get started.

He had prior experience.

This time, after only three days, Luo De easily completed the framework of half a puppet's body using the materials at hand.

"Huh, your skill is really not bad, almost on par with shadow."

Leidian Zhen spared no praise.

Looking at the puppet's torso in Luo De's hands, her voice grew ever more cheerful, also tinged with a hint of anticipation, as if she could already picture herself basking in the sunlight.

However, Luo De obviously didn't appreciate her boasting.

"Don't boast recklessly."

"Your sister is the strongest puppet master in Teyvat, isn't that what you said?"

"Now that you're praising me like this, don't you want me to stay humble and not overdo it?"

Luo De is self-aware.

His puppet-making skill looks decent, and he's quite proficient.

But that was when he was in Liyue, with the mechanical arts Zhongli gave him and after countless failures, he finally succeeded.

Compared to Lei Dianying, who can craft god‑level puppets.

His level of skill really amounts to nothing.

Now it was Leidian Zhen's turn to stay silent, merely chuckling there.

She no longer went around boasting aimlessly about Luo De, but instead honestly watched Lin Ye there polishing and assembling puppet parts, until Luo De finally produced something that looked somewhat human, yet in appearance and style was even more warm and smooth.

Just like that.

When Luo De's materials ran out, he immediately got up and went straight to Duoli's to fetch the remaining materials, also clearing the outstanding balance.

And Luo De, now with all the materials,

He then worked day and night with renewed vigor, eager to release Leidian Zhen.

Thus Luo De's home presented such a sight: whether day or night, he would hastily gulp a mouthful of food, then return to the lab to continue assembling the puppet.

Such behavior.

This quickly drew Dixiya's attention.

After repeated hesitation,

Dixiya still decided to come advise Luo De to relax a bit, absolutely not to exhaust his body.

"Huh?"

"You think I'm exhausted from working day and night on the puppet?"

Dixiya came over, and Luo De had to pause whatever he was doing to listen to her.

Just as Dixiya finished speaking,

Luo De couldn't help but burst out laughing.

He poked his temples and chuckled: "You haven't seen how I shaped the body for Fu She in Liyue; that was far more troublesome than this."

Luo De was telling the truth.

Back in Liyue, Zhongli gave him some of his treasures, each either lost or extremely rare.

These were completely different from the materials Duoli gathered through mercantile means.

Moreover, when previously making the puppet's body for Fu She,

Those materials often clashed, like the scattered consciousness fragments of Leidian Zhen—mutually needed yet mutually annoying; upon meeting they would fight to the death.

This was also why Luo De's progress was slow back when he was in Liyue.

Now the situation is different.

The materials Duoli procured are ready‑to‑use, and their mutual conflict is not severe, well within acceptable limits.

Besides, Luo De is now strong and healthy, so forced installation isn't a big hassle.

Thus, although Luo De appears exhausted to Dixiya and the others,

he is actually in high spirits, and his hand movements could even be faster.

"How many more days until this is done?"

After confirming Luo De's condition, Dixiya obviously relaxed a lot, a smile appearing on her face.

"About ten days?"

"Perhaps longer."

"It depends on the materials' compatibility; if they don't work, the time could be longer."

Lin Ye roughly calculated and gave an approximate time.

Completing a divine‑body‑level puppet in ten days is still fast.

"Then that's fine."

Dixiya let out a breath, looking as if a huge stone had fallen from her heart.

"Huh?"

Seeing her like that, Luo De paused for a moment, curiously asking: "What's wrong? Could it be that someone came to cause trouble again?"

It's not exactly trouble.

Mainly, after so many people were taken away, the city suddenly lost its backbone, and every day someone contacts the Dendro Archon of the Purification Palace for help.

But the Dendro Archon is swamped with affairs, and often replies are not timely.

Dixiya let out a helpless wry smile: "Everyone at the Academy knows you're back, and they know the Dendro Archon has handed over the administration of Hope City to you, so they simply don't report anything and just wait there for you to return, and as a result many places in the city have fallen into chaos due to lack of management."

.?

Tsk—

Looks like there are still some who slipped through the net.

Luo De wiped his hands, raised his eyebrows, and said.

"Fish that slipped through the net?"

Dixiya didn't understand.

After obtaining that list, she, Cyno, and Youla have already arrested everyone in Hope City who had ties to the Doctor and thrown them in prison.

Dixiya remembers it very clearly.

They have crossed off every name on the list.

Logically speaking.

With that settled, Hope City should get back on track and no longer be affected by outside forces.

But how come, according to Luo De, there are still fish that slipped through the net?

Regarding that.

Luo De gave his explanation: "Think about it—who are the people who don't come to see me and aren't willing to watch me give orders?"

Just a few words.

That sketches out the current state of Hope City's high-ranking officials.

Dixiya also understood his meaning: "You're saying that someone is deliberately weakening your authority in Hope City through seemingly reasonable rules."

Exactly.

Luo De said without worry: "Looks like some people, although they haven't joined the Duotuo Lei faction, still aren't on good terms with me."

The Academy people!

I don't know why, but after Luo De finished speaking, those few big words popped into Dixiya's mind.

Not just that.

There are probably such people among the Desert Folk as well.

Luo De analyzed: "You just go let them know I'm feeling unwell and will be working from home."

Is it really that simple?

Dixiya stared, unable to believe the solution was actually just a few easy words.

Yeah, no need for more trouble.

Or should I go arrest them too and completely paralyze Hope City?

Luo De chuckled: "These guys just still hold a prejudice against me; the Academy folks don't like me as a Desert Folk, and the Desert Folk don't like me as a Divine Envoy working for the Dendro Archon. They clearly know they can't oppose me by force, so they just play this seemingly passive protest."

A protest?

Dixiya didn't understand again.

These people just aren't working properly; calling it a protest, it doesn't really match what she understands as a protest.

Hmm.

Luo De nodded: "This can also be considered a kind of silent protest; they want to tell me that no matter how strong one's personal power is, ultimately one still needs people to help maintain order, and if I further infringe on their rights, they will retaliate in their own way."

Speaking

Luo De stretched out a long yawn, hearing a crisp sound from his waist, then said with a relaxed look: "Looks like your recent mass arrests in the city have already made some people uneasy."

Then

Just with your one sentence about working from home, they'll come to you voluntarily.

Will that really work?

Unlike Luo De's carefree expression, Dixiya still had some worries on her face.

And her words also seemed to remind Luo De.

Then saw him stroking his chin, thinking for a moment, then said: "Also right, just doing that isn't enough; the deterrence isn't strong enough. So, when you go to notify them, add this: anyone who fails to report on time will be sent to the desert to feed the sand scorpions."

Huh?

Dixiya felt a bit dazed.

Negligence of duty is indeed a crime.

But the sentencing standard for this crime isn't up to ten years in prison at most? When did a punishment of feeding sand scorpions get added?

Hehe.

Luo De handles cases, ignoring the law, with the death penalty as the starting point.

Just spread this rumor.

Luo De gave a hehe laugh: "My way of handling things, I believe some people still have a deep understanding of."

(End of chapter)