For example, the copper and iron metals used in the forging of bows, crossbows, and weapons by the Mechanical Technology Department, as well as the saltpeter and charcoal used by the Thunder and Fire Department.
It’s fair to say that the reason the Mechanical Technology and Thunder and Fire Departments can so recklessly delve into mechanics and gunpowder is largely due to the reliance on their senior brothers from the Celestial Craft Department, who are skilled in construction.
As someone who has dealt with civil engineering and iron and steel for a lifetime, when Huang Liang saw this incredibly massive Black Ship, his first reaction was how could this thing have been built?
Despite being deep inland, Huang Liang had some research on shipbuilding and knew that such a steel behemoth, if designed properly, could indeed sail on the sea.
The key is how complex the casting techniques for such a massive ship must be.
At least Huang Liang couldn’t imagine what methods could cast such a vast hull.
Unlike Huang Liang, who was obsessed with construction, Jing Rou was also very excited.
However, his excitement was entirely different from Huang Liang’s.
Looking at this Black Ship, Jing Rou’s mind raced, calculating just how much explosives it would take to blow up such a giant object.
The final result was also astonishing.
After a series of calculations, Jing Rou realized that unless there was a way to infiltrate the hull, relying solely on the power of explosives outside wouldn’t be able to shake this giant ship.
However, the more this was the case, the more frustrated Jing Rou became.
He simply couldn’t believe that there was something in this world that couldn’t be solved with an explosion.
Therefore, in his mind, he began to outline the contours of this giant ship, trying to find its stress points.
The reactions of the other disciples from the Mechanical Sect were pretty much the same.
Kong Xiangdong didn’t dare to rush them and just stood by quietly waiting.
Since he was like this, naturally the others in the camp didn’t dare to even breathe heavily.
Finally.
Huang Liang was the first to react, then looked at Kong Xiangdong and the others.
"I’m sorry, we’ve never seen such a massive ship, so we lost our composure for a moment."
"You’re too polite. Please come in, the feast is already prepared." Kong Xiangdong warmly invited them.
Although this place is at the edge of the Northern Realm’s snowfield, as winter approached, the temperature here plummeted.
Although the Mechanical Sect had made some preparations before setting out, they still found it hard to adapt to such extreme cold at once.
Fortunately, Kong Xiangdong was very thorough in his preparations, with fire pits already burning inside the tents, along with steaming hot food and drink, allowing those who had traveled for days to relax.
During the feast, Huang Liang and Jing Rou asked Kong Xiangdong many questions. Kong Xiangdong answered everything exhaustively and shared all the previously recorded materials he had.
After reading these materials, Huang Liang and Jing Rou fell into deep thought.
They certainly noticed the buzzing noise.
But for the time being, they couldn’t understand what it was.
Fortunately, the Black Ship showed no other changes, so the people from the Mechanical Sect settled down temporarily.
Their arrival also enlivened the gradually quieting camp.
Yang Zhan could also finally rest his worried mind somewhat.
The Mechanical Sect is a renowned major sect from Beyond the World, and their arrival at least proved one thing: that Kong Xiangdong and his people were not a forgotten isolated force.
Not only Yang Zhan, but others in the camp also couldn’t help showing smiles that had been absent for a long time.
After all, facing such a giant ship that exceeded common understanding all day, no matter how optimistic you are, you’re bound to feel depressed.
Now, the arrival of a new force greatly alleviated this emotional state.
The next day, the Mechanical Sect began to set up defenses.
For this expedition, the Mechanical Sect brought out everything they had saved for emergencies.
There were countless new-style artillery pieces and crossbows, which greatly enhanced the camp’s sense of security.
Without being prompted by Kong Xiangdong, the people there began to help on their own initiative, utterly fascinated with the giant shiny cannons.
Even so, Jing Rou, Huang Liang, and others dared not relax in the slightest.
Because the more they understood mechanical construction, the more they realized the terror of this giant ship.
So, no amount of caution was excessive at this time.
While the Mechanical Sect arrived at the Northern Realm’s snowfields and began their heated preparations, in the Azure Dragon Temple, Shen Yunshen, now shrouded in killing intent, finally returned with his team.
In fact, he was a bit reluctant to come back, but since the departure time had arrived, he had no choice but to return.
When he saw Zhao Ya and Qin Jianji, Shen Yunshen grinned widely.
"Heh heh, mission accomplished. The task you gave me is all done."
Actually, he didn’t even need to say it; just by the thick smell of blood on him, everyone knew what he had done this time down the mountain.
Zhao Ya calmly nodded.
"Good. Did you use the poison I gave you?"
"Oh, I was just about to tell you. This poison is very effective. No matter how arrogant a Martial Artist is, after taking this Poison Pill, they become obedient. Didn’t you see those people waiting for orders down the mountain?"
Zhao Ya had indeed seen them.
Since yesterday, people had successively arrived at the foot of Azure Dragon Mountain, waiting forlornly for judgment.
No need to ask; it was all Shen Yunshen’s doing.
"Good, then after we depart, we’ll still require Elder Shen to handle many things."
"Temple Master, how can doing things for our Azure Dragon Temple be considered troublesome?"
"Besides, these opportunistic people truly need a lesson. Otherwise, they’d think no one in the world could manage them."
Shen Yunshen is delighted with his work, without a care about offending anyone.
Meanwhile, He Nandou and Shangguan Jianmei, who were guests at the Azure Dragon Temple, were somewhat surprised.
Although they knew previously that Shen Yunshen had gone down the mountain to deal with unruly sects.
However, they didn’t expect Shen Yunshen to return so quickly with such fruitful results.
Even though he mostly dealt with second-rate sects, the fact that it was resolved so quickly and cleanly showed the strength of the Azure Dragon Temple.
As the first day of the eleventh month approached, the base of Azure Dragon Mountain became lively.
When Jiang Shengwu personally led the Wanghai Tower team to arrive, several sects had already gathered at the foot of the mountain.
However, when He Nandou and Shangguan Jianmei accompanied Zhao Ya’s arrival, Jiang Shengwu couldn’t help but secretly regret.
He hadn’t expected that the usually reserved Celestial One Pavilion and Purple Swallow Forest Pavilion would be so eager this time; had he known earlier, he’d have come early too.
Not for anything else, but just to establish good relations.
But now it’s too late for regrets.
After Zhao Ya briefly greeted the major sects, he already had an idea in his head.
As expected, besides the Celestial One Pavilion and Purple Swallow Forest Pavilion who arrived beforehand, the other significant sects that arrived were Wanghai Tower and Pure Zen Temple.
Pure Zen Temple was here mainly due to its connection with Purple Swallow Forest Pavilion.
Aside from those, there were several medium-sized sects and some small sects.
The sect elders who were poisoned and driven here by Shen Yunshen were not among these ranks.
Once Zhao Ya was clear about the situation, he wasted no time and immediately ordered the people in the temple to start packing their bags and gather for departure.
Guo Luming personally descended the mountain to see them off.
With little in terms of words, Guo Luming simply advised Zhao Ya to act according to circumstances.
Zhao Ya understood his master’s concern, fearing he might act recklessly without consideration.
If things were to become unfeasible, it would be wise to extract oneself early.
Zhao Ya simply smiled and nodded, then waved his hand.
"Set off!"
The team set out, heading grandly northward.
As Guo Luming watched their figures disappear into the horizon, he sighed inwardly.
He truly didn’t know how many of those setting out this time would return safely.
Since they were all powerful Martial Artists, with the lowest reaching the Fifth Realm, the speed of their march was considerably fast.
Despite this, Zhao Ya was still somewhat dissatisfied.
At this rate, it would take at least half a month to reach the Northern Realm.
But Zhao Ya did not hurl out any urgings.
He understood that although these sects temporarily formed a team, they lacked any real unity.
Let alone expecting them to act promptly on orders.
So Zhao Ya said nothing, leading the team northbound instead.
Soon, they reached the first major sect along the northern route, before Wuliang Mountain.
This was also a sect that had remained unmoved even after receiving the Azure Dragon Order, even mocking it with words.