The Dragon-man youth couldn’t personally test it, but through internal guild connections, he obtained detailed information about the magic constructs.
The performance parameters of the magic construct [Cold Pudding] are incredibly powerful.
It incorporates a considerable amount of new technology, equipped with as many as 11 types of magic, 6 of which can be switched within a certain range, offering flexible allocation options, making it a groundbreaking innovation in today’s mechanical world.
The military spent seven or eight years developing it. Its designated purpose is to vie for the crown at this year’s Warm Snow Cup!
The magic construct is composed of seven main components.
The energy core, called the [Vortex Energy Blue Gemstone], can convert Elemental Crystals into energy.
There are two defensive equipment pieces. The first one is a spherical light shield displayed in previous duels, providing 360° defense with no blind spots, the [Frost Rune Ball]. The second is the [Ice Shield Generator], which can instantly generate a Single-Arm Ice Shield to block melee attacks.
There are two attack components, namely the [Ice Spear Condenser] and [Ice Breath Sprayer].
The former, [Ice Spear Condenser], is used to amass ice and snow elements to form a battle spear with adjustable length. Although this battle spear is of Golden Level, it is limited in duration and classified as a consumable melee weapon. Of course, the short spear can also serve as a throwing weapon.
The latter, [Ice Breath Sprayer], mimics the breath attack of a White Dragon, but employs frost elements to construct Ice Breath. As the name suggests, the Ice Breath can release extremely low-temperature freezing air, shaped like an inverted cone, causing widespread frostbite to target areas. Sustained spraying can freeze enemies solid.
There is one mobility component, which is the [Ice Barrier Boots]. The Ice Barrier Boots contain propulsion runes and Ice Barrier runes. When activated, they can release the power of frost, not only increasing movement speed but also leaving icy obstacles in their footsteps, slowing down pursuers or creating traps.
The final component is a supply component, the [Pudding Condensation Box]. It can use Snow Honey to make puddings. Puddings serve as military rations, providing basic nutrition and calories. The highlight design comes in—[Pudding Condensation Box] connects with the energy core, allowing Snow Honey to transform within the box, filling the [Vortex Energy Blue Gemstone] with energy.
This means the magic construct [Cold Pudding] has two charging methods. One is the conventional Elemental Crystals, and the other is Snow Honey.
Adding an extra charging method might seem insignificant, but in fact, it is the biggest design highlight, with ample advantages.
The reason is, compared to the heavy, lower energy density Elemental Crystals, the energy density of Snow Honey is much higher, while also being lighter in weight.
This implies that the energy reserves carried by a single soldier are greater, which is highly beneficial for long-term deployments, significantly reducing the need for supplies.
For the users of [Cold Pudding], Elemental Crystals become the backup energy source, while Snow Honey becomes the primary energy source.
Zi Di, seeing this detailed information, immediately realized that the military of the Ice Sculpture Kingdom was making a strategic move.
On one hand, they are selling [Cold Pudding] abroad, and on the other hand, they are promoting Snow Honey.
The Ice Sculpture Kingdom has always been a major producer of Snow Honey. Not only does Shuanglian’s half-plane produce it, but each year the output of Snow Honey in the Ice Sculpture Kingdom is a massive number.
The crucial point is that Snow Honey is not a natural energy source but rather a processed one.
Currently, the Ice Sculpture Kingdom possesses alchemy techniques that can process and convert various natural energies, eventually turning them into Snow Honey.
As far as Zi Di knows, the Ice Sculpture Kingdom has multiple energy-processing alchemy factories spread across Ice Sculpture Island, capable of using solar, wind, electric, tidal energy, as well as consuming Elemental Crystals to refine Snow Honey.
This means that Snow Honey can be considered inexhaustible and unlimited in supply.
Snow Honey is the epitome of clean energy. After using Elemental Crystals, there are leftover discarded crystal fragments. Snow Honey, when burned, leaves nothing behind.
Snow Honey can also be consumed, and the resulting waste is almost negligible. This greatly aids in maintaining secrecy during military maneuvers.
The Dragon-man youth said solemnly, "The greatest advantage of magic constructs is the ability to be deployed."
"Because of the uniform equipment, after forming a squad, it’s very easy to achieve coordination."
"If equipping Golden Level fighters with this magic construct, they can carry out assaults, penetrate battlefields, and accomplish major tactical objectives. For instance, decapitation strikes."
Zi Di added, "Therefore, the primary sales target for the magic construct [Cold Pudding] is not ordinary Golden Level forces. For example, the Thorny Pirate Group, with only one Golden Level, buying such magic constructs is not worthwhile."
For forces with multiple Golden Levels, purchasing a few [Cold Pudding] can instantly form a Golden Level tactical squad. This kind of magic construct can allow those with ordinary Golden Level fighting power to possess peak Golden Level combat power immediately. With a little training, they can form a tactical squad, presenting a significant threat.
Take the Ice Sculpture Kingdom, where the heads of various locations are typically Golden Level. In Snowbird Port, there are four Golden Levels, occupying top positions of power. There are also many ordinary Golden Levels.
Such a force configuration makes it very difficult to resist 2-3 Golden Level fighters + a tactical squad equipped with [Cold Pudding].
Bear in mind that Snowbird Port is one of the Eight Great Trade Ports of the Ice Sculpture Kingdom, an absolute economic hub with already relatively strong defensive power.
To deploy a tactical squad to any other town would essentially be to ravage it.
The state guests represent major powers, all elite Golden Levels. What Zi Di and the Dragon-man youth thought of, they have also thought of.
Some are interested in magic constructs, some are not, but they must plan to purchase them.
Because if you don’t buy, others will. As other forces increase in threat, their military arsenal might greatly expand, and they might target you.
The arms race is like this. You don’t want to get involved, but others do, so for your own safety, you have to keep up.
It ultimately turns into everyone getting involved together.
When it reaches the extreme, every power is exhausted, the financial burden is immense, the people’s livelihood is withering, all classes are filled with grievances, and they are under tremendous pressure. In the end, mentally exhausted, combined with the factor of "harboring a killing heart with a sharp blade," a small incident could spark a war.
The trend of total war has already begun brewing in every corner of the Main Plane.
This is the theme of this era! The earliest initiator and agitator is the Holy Bright Empire. Under the decree of the Holy Emperor, the Empire invaded the Wilderness Continent with full force.
It’s like a massive rock thrown into a tranquil lake, instantly stirring up waves, and the resulting ripples continue to radiate outward.
This year, the new warships of the Ice Sculpture Kingdom officially went into service. Also this year, the military of the Ice Sculpture Kingdom rarely began to sell Golden Level magic constructs.
This arms race is clearly escalating. The Ice Sculpture Kingdom is not an exception; other forces are making similar moves.
On the surface, it seems to be only the Holy Bright Continent vs. the Wilderness Continent. This is merely the vortex center in the lake. The waves caused by the confrontation of two formidable powers have already radiated throughout the lake, and sooner or later will involve other forces.
In the exhibition hall of the Warm Snow Cup.
The troll Hwang Yagou directly threw the Wolf Fang Club to the ground and eagerly donned the magic construct [Cold Pudding].
[Cold Pudding] automatically adjusted its size, making it very comfortable for Hwang Yagou to wear.
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Hwang Yagou began to mentally control this set of equipment, activating several magic components one after another.
He tried the defensive and offensive functions in succession and then asked on the spot, "What’s going on, why doesn’t it have the beam attack used in the previous duel?"
The alchemy mage standing by immediately explained, "The construct used by Lord Bao Ligen in the duel had some additional components and is a modified version. What you’re trying out is the basic version."
"[Cold Pudding] is a magic construct carefully developed by our Kingdom’s military over nearly ten years. It can be modified on the basic version to add more functions and adapt more to specific battlefield environments."
"This is the modification list, everyone can take a look."
The modification lists were distributed around.
The representatives of various forces looked at them and found many listings on the modification table, very detailed, and each modification had a clear price tag.
The Kingdom military’s intention to make a hefty profit was very obvious.
Hwang Yagou glanced over it, his gaze pausing slightly. He saw one of the modifications, which included a small alchemy component called [Attack Form Converter]. This component would be mounted on the [Ice Element Emitter] component, allowing the Dragon Breath to be shaped into a slender beam form. Due to compression, this made the attack very sharp.
"Who wants to fight me in a match? Hwang Yagou put down the modification list, eager to try."
The alchemy mages next to him quickly stopped him.
They smiled but firmly refused, "Lord Hwang Yagou, this is an exhibition hall, not a battlefield."
This greatly displeased Hwang Yagou, "Is this a trial or just wearing it?"
The alchemy mages smiled even more, "Lord, if you wish to use it well, you can buy a set. For a strong person like you, price is not an issue."
"In fact, the quantity of stock in the warehouse is limited."
"After all, the manufacturing cost of a set of [Cold Pudding] is very high."
Our suggestion is, if you’re interested, please place an order as soon as possible. If you’re late and the stock is sold out, you will have to pay a deposit to reserve it."
The state guests upon hearing this, started complaining.
"This price is too expensive!"
"We came here as guests, not to be ripped off as fools."
"If it’s a trial, it’s not considered a trial if it’s not used for combat. Are you suggesting that this [Cold Pudding] performs poorly in combat, so you’re afraid?"
Some people outright provoked.
The alchemy mages remained unmoved, with one of them, the leader, looking around and loudly stating, "For the combat performance of [Cold Pudding], we will continue to demonstrate in the upcoming duels. At that time, if everyone has a purchase intention, you might want to observe the actual battle."
No matter how much they were taunted, these alchemy mages were unyielding.
The so-called trial was more of a gimmick, making the representatives of various forces itch with curiosity.