Chapter 220: Departure, Heading to the Dwarf Tribe

【Ding!】

At sometime past ten in the evening, a notification suddenly came from Su Hao's communicator; upon checking, it was a message from Tie Geda.

【Tie Geda: Su Hao, we have prepared the items; due to the large quantity, if we use the trade module, it would consume a large amount of energy crystals. I want to personally deliver them to you—may I ask for your territory's location?】

……

「That's also true; a trade of this size would likely cost thousands, even tens of thousands of energy crystals. 」

After seeing Tie Geda's message, Su Hao suddenly realized.

If using the trade module for remote transactions, one would need to consume energy crystals according to the distance between the parties, as well as the supernatural grade and quantity of the traded items.

The distance between Su Hao and Tie Geda cannot be determined for now, but this transaction involves a sizable quantity, and it also includes silver ore, a third‑tier supernatural item.

If the trade module were really used, it would definitely consume a large amount of energy crystals—something Su Hao could not accept under any circumstances.

On his territory, there are already many things that require energy crystals.

Before obtaining a stable source of energy crystals, he uses them sparingly, avoiding waste whenever possible.

However, the evil god's power has already interfered with this world, and undead calamities could break out anywhere.

If we let that rusty Tie Geda bring black iron ore, copper ore, and silver ore over, and luck is bad, he might be wiped out by an undead army shortly after leaving.

To avoid any mishap, after a moment's hesitation, Su Hao firmly rejected Tie Geda's proposal.

【Su Hao: The world is unsettled now; rashly going out could bring disaster. Tell me your location, and I'll come get it myself.】

Since he didn't want to waste energy crystals and didn't want Tie Geda to meet with an accident, he had no choice but to go himself.

Coincidentally, the area around Su Hao's territory also lacks significant scouting value; he had originally planned to explore farther afield in the next couple of days.

Currently, the territory houses nearly ten thousand low‑tier Pale Skeleton Warriors.

The high‑tier Pale Skeleton Warriors number over five thousand, as do the Pale Skeleton Mages; there are over two thousand Pale Skeleton Warhorses, and over eight hundred Pale Bone Dragons.

With such a scale of undead army, it's time to head out again.

【Tie Geda: Then it's up to you, Su Hao.】

Naturally, Tie Geda had no reason to refuse Su Hao's proposal.

In this day and age, if one could avoid going out, everyone would choose to stay in their shelter.

Now that Su Hao is willing to come himself to complete the trade, that could not be better.

Tie Geda immediately used the locator function built into his communicator and sent Su Hao a location.

However, this location isn't very accurate and can sometimes have a large deviation; to avoid mishaps, Tie Geda also hand‑drew a simple sketch of the surrounding area for reference.

With the location and the surrounding map, Su Hao immediately knew where Tie Geda was.

The place where Tie Geda is located is precisely the dwarf settlement beside Sunset Volcano; this way, he can stop by Sunset Volcano on the way to complete the trade of the Fire Storage Bag.

Afterwards, Su Hao replied to Tie Geda with a message for the next couple of days, then summoned Hua Yao, temporarily handing her the Light Storage Bag and asking her to gather the rice.

Once the rice is gathered, Su Hao will be about ready to set out.

But before that, Su Hao couldn't just idle; he went to the experimental base intending to produce more Magic Flame Pumpkin Heads to take along.

With the army of Pale Undead creatures, the Tyrant Magic Ox has little high value left—that's the importance of the Magic Flame Pumpkin Head, which remains irreplaceable.

Judging solely by instantaneous burst power, the self‑detonation of the Magic Flame Pumpkin Head is even stronger than the Bone Dragon's death breath.

Furthermore, now that we have the Bone Dragon as an aerial unit, we can completely treat the Magic Flame Pumpkin Head as a projectile for high‑altitude bombardment.

If used properly, throwing it into the enemy's densest output position could instantly decide the battle's outcome.

Now that we have the Death Tombstone, we can also, by consuming energy crystals, add a layer of Dragon Soul Guard to the undead's livelihood, shielding them from a single lethal attack below fifth‑tier supernatural.

That is to say, with the Dragon Soul Guard, the Magic Flame Pumpkin Head's self‑detonation can be increased to two times; two consecutive point‑blank self‑detonations would be impossible for most third‑tier supernatural beings to withstand.

Moreover, through these past few days of spare‑time trials, Su Hao also discovered that the intensity of the Dragon Soul Guard can be freely controlled.

The strongest Dragon Soul Guard can deflect part of a fifth‑tier supernatural attack, but the energy crystal consumption is also terrifying.

From start to finish, Su Hao never considered using this Dragon Soul Guard.

Come on, these third‑tier supernatural undead creatures—if they truly faced a fifth‑tier supernatural enemy, even if they could immune one attack, the outcome would still be the same; why waste so many energy crystals setting up a useless fifth‑tier Dragon Soul Guard?

The same reasoning applies; a fourth‑tier Dragon Soul Guard isn't very useful either.

So Su Hao plans to give the elite forces and the Magic Eye Pumpkin Heads a single layer of third‑tier Dragon Soul Guard—that will be enough.

For these third‑tier undead creatures, as long as they can block a single lethal blow of third‑tier strength, the impact on the situation would be enormous.

After all, their main opponents are third‑tier supernatural enemies and occasional fourth‑tier supernatural bosses.

A third‑tier Dragon Soul Guard is fully sufficient; a fourth‑tier would be somewhat wasteful.

After all, Su Hao's energy crystals are quite limited; he cannot afford to squander them.

……

Upon entering the experimental base, Su Hao immediately saw the grimy‑faced Andrew Grandpa.

Obviously, Andrew Grandpa's attempt to test the new formula was not going smoothly.

After a simple greeting, Su Hao began mass‑producing Magic Flame Pumpkin Heads.

Andrew Grandpa seemed stuck in some technical problem, as if he hadn't noticed Su Hao's arrival, muttering to himself in words Su Hao couldn't understand.

As for that, Su Hao could say he didn't care at all; if things go well, when he returns next time there will appear a new and stronger regional demon beast formula.

The Hell Demon Beast Component Device can mass‑produce hell demon beasts; with sufficient materials and energy crystals, it can produce over a thousand Magic Flame Pumpkin Heads in one batch.

By noon the next day, outside the experimental base floated more than three thousand Magic Flame Pumpkin Heads.

With so many Magic Flame Pumpkin Heads, even a fourth‑tier supernatural enemy would likely struggle to withstand a round of explosions.

"It's time to set out!"

Afterwards, Su Hao gathered everyone in the shelter, including Xue Nv, and assigned future development tasks. Simply put, Hua Yao and the others remain responsible for planting, and they should quickly expand the cultivation of supernatural plants.

Furthermore, Su Hao used a synthesis opportunity to combine three ordinary rice grains into a first‑tier supernatural rice, named First‑Rank Spirit Rice.

Compared to ordinary rice, it grows more slowly, but once mature it yields more food.

First-rank spirit rice is an extraordinary thing; eating a single grain is equivalent to eating several bowls of rice.

Translation: First Rank spirit rice is an extraordinary thing; eating one grain is equivalent to eating several bowls of rice.

First Rank spirit rice is an extraordinary thing; eating one grain is equivalent to eating several bowls of rice.

The energy in spirit rice is released slowly, so as long as you don't eat too much at once, you won't feel stuffed.

Translation: The energy in spirit rice is released slowly; as long as one does not eat too much at once, there will be no feeling of being overfull.

Usually, eating a dozen or so spirit rice grains is enough to sustain a day's needs.

Translation: Usually, eating a dozen or so spirit rice grains can sustain one's daily needs.

More importantly, as an extraordinary plant, consuming spirit rice can slightly increase one's physical strength.

Translation: More importantly, as an extraordinary plant, after consumption it can slightly increase physical strength.

This increase may be trivial for Su Hao, but for ordinary people and even first-rank extraordinary beings, the improvement is quite noticeable.

Translation: This increase, for Su Hao, is naturally nothing; but for ordinary people and even First Rank transcendent beings, this improvement is quite noticeable.

Spirit rice is also a primary crop for Hua Yao and her team going forward.

Translation: Spirit rice is also a key planting target for Hua Yao and her group in the future.

Unfortunately, these spirit rices can only provide life-sustaining energy to living beings; they cannot serve as a universal energy source like energy crystals.

Translation: Unfortunately, these spirit rices can only give energy needed to sustain life to living beings, and cannot provide universal energy like energy crystals.

After synthesizing the spirit rice seeds, Su Hao had a sudden idea: he took an energy crystal and combined it with the spirit rice seeds.

Translation: After Su Hao synthesized the spirit rice seeds, he once had a sudden idea, taking out an energy crystal and the spirit rice seeds to synthesize together.

The result was merely a special energy crystal; it could not cause the seed to germinate and grow into an energy crystal.

Translation: The result was merely a specially synthesized energy crystal; it could not let the seed take root, sprout, and grow into an energy crystal.

This means Su Hao wasted two synthesis attempts today for nothing, which makes him feel a bit regretful.

Translation: This means Su Hao wasted two synthesis opportunities today for nothing; just thinking about it makes him feel a bit heartbroken.

But what's done is done; feeling regret won't change anything, so he didn't dwell on it and continued to outline future development plans for his territory.

Translation: However, the event has already happened; no matter how heartbroken, it's useless, he didn't dwell on it further, and continued to arrange future development matters for the territory.

Ling Shaer and Pu Wenyao's task remains to set up the trade guild, with future trade focusing on spirit rice and other extraordinary plants.

Translation: Ling Shaer and Pu Wenyao's task remains to set up the trade guild; in the future, the main trade goods will be changed to spirit rice and other extraordinary plants.

Wait: The names: Ling Shaer and Pu Wenyao. We haven't listed these characters. They appear in line 72. Need to add them to glossary as characters. They are person names. So we need to include Ling Shaer and Pu Wenyao. We'll romanize: Ling Shaer, Pu Wenyao. Original terms: Ling Shaer, Pu Wenyao.

We missed them earlier. Also line 72 mentions the Trade Guild, which we already have.

Thus we need to add those.

After all, these extraordinary plants can enhance both physique and mental power to some extent, making them a very practical commodity for most traders.

Translation: After all, these extraordinary plants can certainly enhance physique and mental power to some extent; for most traders, they can be considered a very practical material.

Furthermore, their next trade mission prioritizes obtaining the blueprints for the mechanical vehicle factory, as well as gathering five million units of wood and stone.

Translation: Furthermore, their next trade task prioritizes obtaining the architectural blueprints of the mechanical vehicle manufacturing factory, as well as five million units of wood and stone.

Andre Daya's task remains unchanged: continue researching new regional demon beast formulas based on the available materials.

Translation: Old Grandfather Andrew's task remains the same; based on these existing materials, he continues to research new regional demon beast formulas.

We have 'Old Andrew', which is likely a nickname for Andrew. Should we list him as a character? He's a person (perhaps a dwarf). We'll add him as a character: Old Andrew.

But we need to be careful: The glossary didn't list it, so we need to add.

Also line 75 mentions the regional demon beast formula, which is a generic term.

The giant panda and the bone dragon are responsible for leading troops in battle, although the pale undead creatures summoned by Su Hao do possess some intelligence.

Translation: Da Xiong Mao and the Bone Dragon are responsible for leading troops in battle; although the pale undead creatures summoned by Su Hao all possess a certain intelligence.

However, this is only relative; they have no trouble fighting, and each of them is a seasoned veteran warrior.

Translation: However, this is only relatively speaking; letting them fight is naturally no problem, each of them is a veteran warrior who has experienced a hundred battles.

Expecting them to communicate with opponents and discern whether they are enemies would be overly demanding.

Translation: To have them communicate with opponents and discern whether they are enemies would be too difficult for people.

The role of the giant panda and the bone dragon Xiao Bai is to act as leaders, commanding these two forces.

Translation: The role of Da Xiong Mao and Bone Dragon Xiao Bai is to serve as a leader, responsible for leading these two troops.

If they encounter already corrupted monsters, there's no need to hesitate—death is the only fate for them.

Translation: If encountering already fallen monsters, there is nothing to hesitate about; death is their only destination.

If they encounter uncorrupted, communicable species, they should try to persuade them to surrender.

Translation: If encountering beings that have not yet fallen and can communicate, then try to persuade them to surrender.

Once Su Hao decides to wage war in all directions, expanding his territory will require recruiting more personnel to manage it, which becomes absolutely necessary.

Translation: Once Su Hao chooses to wage war in all directions, his territory will gradually expand; recruiting more personnel to manage it becomes a very necessary matter.

If the opponent refuses to surrender, the only option is to send them on their way.

Translation: If the opponent refuses to surrender, then we can only send them on their way.

Moreover, the targets for persuasion also need careful consideration.

Translation: Moreover, the objects of persuasion also need careful consideration.

For example, goblins are outright excluded without a second thought.

Translation: For example, goblins—no need to think, directly exclude them.

The main duty of these two elite fighters, Snow Girl and Ling Er, is to hold the line; if they encounter a fifth-rank extraordinary enemy, they will step in to deal with it.

Translation: The main task of Xue Nv and Ling Er, these two high-end combat forces, is to suppress the formation; if encountering a Fifth Rank transcendent enemy, they will step forward to deal with it.

In this regard, neither Ling Er nor Snow Girl hesitates; they simply agree.

Translation: As for this, neither Ling Er nor Xue Nv had any hesitation; they simply chose to agree.

Especially Snow Girl, upon seeing Su Hao finally give her something to do, immediately shows a moved expression.

Translation: Especially Xue Nv, seeing Su Hao finally give him something to do, immediately showed a moved expression.

She thinks, 'I can finally repay Su Hao's kindness; I no longer have to freeload or worry about being driven away by him.'

Translation: Thinking, I can finally repay Su Hao's kindness, no longer needing to freeload, nor worry about being driven away by Su Hao.

Su Hao naturally has no idea what Snow Girl is thinking.

Translation: As for what Xue Nv thinks in her heart, Su Hao naturally does not know.

After giving these instructions, he set out with a thousand flame pumpkin heads, a thousand pale skeleton warriors, and a thousand pale skeleton mages, riding on the backs of three hundred bone dragons toward the dwarf tribe of Iron Lump.

Translation: After finishing arranging these matters, he then took a thousand Magic Flame Pumpkin Heads, a thousand Pale Skeleton Warriors, and a thousand Pale Skeleton Mages, riding on the backs of three hundred Bone Dragons, heading toward the dwarf tribe of Tie Geda.

Following Su Hao's departure, the giant panda and the bone dragon Xiao Bai, as he commanded, divided the undead worshippers' army and the remaining flame pumpkin heads into two groups, marching out of the territory in grand fashion.

Translation: Following Su Hao's departure, Da Xiong Mao and Bone Dragon Xiao Bai, according to his orders, divided the worshiping undead army and the remaining Magic Flame Pumpkin Heads into two teams, and departed the territory in a mighty manner.

From that day onward, the dark forest never returned to its former tranquility.

Translation: From this day onward, the dark forest is no longer peaceful as before.

Those who follow me prosper; those who oppose me perish!

Translation: Those who follow me prosper; those who oppose me perish!

Wherever the undead army passes, all fallen creatures—whether first, second, or third rank—become souls beneath their swords.

Translation: Wherever the undead army passes, all fallen creatures, whether First Rank, Second Rank, or even Third Rank, become souls beneath their swords.

Finally, even the corpses of these monsters were fully utilized.

Translation: Finally, even the corpses of these monsters were fully utilized.

Either they are transformed into undead beings by death tombstones, or they are carried by the pale undead army and summoned in the next battle as skeleton warhorses to join the fight.

Translation: Either they are transformed into undead creatures by the Death Tombstone, or they are carried by the Pale Undead Army and, in the next battle, summoned as skeleton warhorses to participate in this fight.

Su Hao did not give much thought to the combat performance of the pale undead army.

Translation: Regarding the battles of the Pale Undead Army, Su Hao did not take them to heart.

Given the strength of the pale undead army, as long as they avoid provoking dangerous places like monasteries, no mishaps are likely to occur.

Translation: With the strength of the Pale Undead Army, as long as they do not provoke dangerous places like the monastery, no accidents will occur.

At this point, Su Hao spent most of the day and finally arrived above the Iron Lump tribe's settlement.

Translation: At this time, Su Hao spent most of the day and finally arrived above the tribe of Tie Geda.

In terms of movement speed, these pale bone dragons are slightly slower than the giant panda.

Translation: Speaking solely of movement speed, the speed of these pale bone dragons is somewhat slower than that of Da Xiong Mao.

However, bone dragons can fly through the air, ignoring obstacles, and advance straight toward their target.

Translation: However, bone dragons can fly in the air, without worrying about obstacles, and can advance straight toward the target.

Naturally, the time needed for bone dragons to reach their destination becomes shorter as a result.

Translation: Naturally, the time needed for bone dragons to reach the destination also becomes shorter.

Moreover, during this process, Su Hao used his remaining two synthesis opportunities today, targeting the bone dragon's dragon crystal.

Translation: Moreover, in this process, Su Hao used up today's remaining two synthesis opportunities, the synthesis target being the bone dragon's dragon crystal.

After witnessing the bone dragon's death breath, Su Hao greatly coveted that ability.

Translation: After witnessing the bone dragon's death breath, Su Hao greatly coveted this skill.

Su Hao's preferred combat style has always been to rush up to the enemy and deliver close-range attacks.

Translation: Su Hao's preferred combat style has always been to rush up to the enemy and deliver close-range output.

If he could possess the death breath ability, he could rush up to an enemy and blast a foul gust into their face, which sounds quite thrilling.

Translation: If he could possess the death breath skill, he could rush up to the enemy and spray a mouthful of foul gas at their head; just thinking about it feels very stimulating.

Unfortunately, even after synthesizing the black dragon's crystal, the chance of obtaining death breath remains low; after some thought, Su Hao forgot about using it immediately.

Translation: Unfortunately, after synthesizing the black dragon's dragon crystal again, the chance of obtaining death breath remains low; after some thought, Su Hao forgot the idea of using it immediately.

Anyway, it's already dark; it won't be long before tomorrow arrives, bringing new synthesis opportunities.

Translation: Anyway, it's already dark now; it won't be long before the next day arrives, and then there will be new synthesis opportunities.

Based on this consideration, after using up his remaining two synthesis chances, Su Hao stopped, waiting until tomorrow to regain synthesis attempts and try again.

Translation: Based on this consideration, after using up the remaining two synthesis opportunities, Su Hao stopped, waiting until tomorrow to regain synthesis opportunities before synthesizing again.

Just as Su Hao rode his bone dragon to the air above the dwarf tribe, Iron Lump saw the bone dragons in the sky and his face suddenly changed.

Translation: Just as Su Hao rode the bone dragon to above the dwarf tribe's airspace, Tie Geda, upon seeing the bone dragon in the sky, suddenly changed expression.

(End of Chapter)