FVN Chapter 175 Sea Fortification
Chapter 175 Sea Fortification
"I might be throwing everything we have into this," he said.
It shows how determined the Nine Cauldrons Sect is in supporting Alkaid.@@@@
Third Generation Flying Swords.
This amounted to a transformation from nothing to something for the Nine Cauldrons Sect.
In the past, although the Nine Cauldrons Sect could refine treasures, they were primarily First Generation Flying Swords, and the Second Generation was completely reliant on an all-out effort with materials.
The Third Generation Flying Swords had to be bought from the outside, sometimes costing hundreds of thousands of Spirit Stones per piece, compared to their costs of twenty to thirty thousand, the markup was more than just substantial.
However...
"Bankrupting ourselves is not necessary. The power of interior-grade Flying Swords is still significantly less than that of superior-grade Flying Swords. If we truly want a complete overhaul, we should keep half of the cost-effective interior-grade swords for routine patrols. The other sword cultivators should be equipped with superior-grade ones,"
Alkaid said.
"Superior-grade Flying Swords!?"
The implications revealed in these words filled Xu Quexing and Dong Liu with uncontrollable excitement.
"You... you have an idea?"
"Yes, I've been focusing on refining the Purple Cloud series. I can't guarantee the performance of other types of Flying Swords, but for the superior-grade model of Purple Cloud 13—Purple Cloud 15, I've already made some progress,"
Alkaid said, adding, "Of course, it still requires time. By refining Purple Cloud 13 and improving upon it, while continuously perfecting the relevant techniques, and learning while refining, until we completely design the new Purple Cloud 15 Flying Sword."
He smiled slightly, "Once the Purple Cloud 15 is refined, that will be the time for us to heavily equip it."
"Purple Cloud 15!"
Xu Quexing and Dong Liu gasped.
Alkaid had even the Flying Sword's number planned out, as shown by his confidence in designing the Purple Cloud 15 superior-grade Flying Sword.
If he really could design such advanced superior-grade treasure Flying Swords...
Even if they only reached the Second Generation standard, it would enough to significantly enhance the strength of the entire Nine Cauldrons Sect.
"Before that, to avoid unnecessary waste, I wish to ask a presumptuous question—just how many elite Foundation Establishment sword cultivators, specifically those in the late stage of the Third Rank, do we have?"
Alkaid looked at Xu Quexing.
The number of great cultivators a sect had was always top secret. Not just any person, but even high-ranking officials like Zhao Siliang and You Qianshan might not be able to provide an accurate figure.
But Xu Quexing was born in the main sect...
And, being the deputy sect master also holding the position of Artifact Refining Hall Master, he was naturally informed about these numbers.
Alkaid was asking for the number of elite Foundation Establishment sword cultivators, not all great cultivators, which didn't touch the core data. At that moment, Xu Quexing communicated through divine sense, "The sect has three hundred elite Foundation Establishment sword cultivators."
"Three hundred..."
This number was more or less what Alkaid had anticipated.
It was even a bit more.
After all, the Nine Cauldrons Sect outwardly only had eight or nine hundred great sword cultivators, which meant the Third Rank late-stage foundation establishment sword cultivators made up over one third.
Before Alkaid could speak, Xu Quexing changed the subject, "But... you should know, our Nine Cauldrons Sect allows local sects to preserve their own legacies. The Hundred Refinements Sect, where you once resided, is an example. There are indeed some civilian Foundation Establishment sword cultivators like Sect Leader Zong Lian. If we count them, there are five hundred elite Foundation Establishment sword cultivators."
"Five hundred!?"
This number...
Was no less than the openly acknowledged number of elite Foundation Establishment sword cultivators in the Great Sun Sword Sect.
"Additionally... we from the Nine Cauldrons Sect have many subordinate worlds, right? The quality of some subordinate worlds is actually not bad. Although spiritual nodes cannot compare with the homeland, some worlds also have three to five. These spiritual nodes can sustain some Foundation Establishment cultivators. Including those from the subordinate worlds that haven't returned to the main sect... roughly seven hundred,"
Xu Quexing candidly spoke.
"???"
Alkaid looked at Xu Quexing with a face full of astonishment.
Xu Quexing also seemed a bit helpless, "Our Nine Cauldrons Sect is one of the existence at the level of the ten great Immortal Sects. The remaining Six Great Immortal Sects in the world do not wish another Immortal Sect to arise and share the spoils with them... To avoid arousing the restrictions and blockades from these top sect-level forces too soon... we have to keep some cards hidden."
Keeping some cards hidden.
Is this called keeping some cards hidden?
"Yes,"
Alkaid nodded. "Without understanding Formation Patterns, Flying Sword Model 3 is the limit. We will never be able to keep up with the Limitless Star Palace and refine a Flying Sword Model 4."
Formation Patterns were actually a research direction that dealt with localizing and miniaturizing formations.
Although they were less complicated than full formations, due to their emphasis on miniaturization and compatibility with magical treasures, they required higher Divine Sense.
Dong Liu deeply agreed.
"After all, our Nine Cauldrons Sect has once experienced destruction. It has only been just over eighty years since our rebirth. I believe that given another eighty years, we will be able to catch up to the world's forefront, restoring the glory of the Sect when it was among the top ten Immortal Sects,"
Xu Quexing said smiling.
He only dared speak of catching up to the glory of the top ten Immortal Sects.
As for catching up to the Limitless Star Palace...
It wasn't even a consideration at the moment.
Even if including the hidden strength of the Nine Cauldrons Sect, it was still weaker by half compared to the Great Sun Sword Sect, let alone being the strongest in the world, casually sending out a dozen or so Patrol Heaven Warships to block them like the Limitless Star Palace could.
Alkaid didn't continue the topic.
What about the future? Who could say.
He directly stated, "Since the Sect has so many people, and the Nine Heavens Domain also has the Eastern Sea to defend, arrange a group for me; I plan to experiment with a new combat system."
"Arranging a group?"
Xu Quexing looked at Alkaid, "If you chose the third suggestion, to engage in Artifact Refining research, we indeed planned to establish a new combat department here. It would be fine for you to take charge, but... wouldn't this make you too busy? Don't let these matters delay your own cultivation; that would be putting the cart before the horse."
"No worries, I can handle it well,"
Alkaid responded.
"Since that's the case, then as you said, what are your requirements for personnel?"
Xu Quexing inquired.
"I need seventy-two Foundation Establishment Sword Cultivators, thirty-six Technique Cultivators, twelve Divine Cultivators, totaling one hundred and twenty Great Cultivators,"
Alkaid directly stated his requirements.
A Patrol Heaven Warship, a Sect Anchoring Divine Artifact, was something he would inevitably refine in the future.
And a Patrol Heaven Warship's standard deployment often included thirty-six Foundation Establishment Sword Cultivators, twenty-four Technique Cultivators, twelve Primordial Spirit Cultivators, with adjustments based on specific performance.
However, when Alkaid refined a Patrol Heaven Warship, he would only proceed when at least Second or Third Generation technology reserves were available.
The number of Great Cultivators required for a Third Generation Patrol Heaven Warship was significantly higher than that for a First Generation one.
A little over a hundred personnel was appropriate.
"One hundred and twenty people would precisely form a reinforced compound combat department,"
Xu Quexing said, then asked, "Don't you need body cultivators?"
"No need; the threat in the Nine Heavens Domain is the Eastern Sea Archipelago. Naval combat makes body cultivation inconvenient,"
Alkaid explained.
Body Cultivators could fly utilizing Stellar Power Fields, but their speed, compared to Sword and Technique Cultivators, was far behind.
"Alright, within a month, one hundred and twenty Great Cultivators of at least Second Rank will arrive at Dragon Majestic City,"
Xu Quexing agreed, adding, "This combat department is mainly for defending Purple Cloud Courtyard, so it's hard to ensure all members are Third Rank. I hope you understand."
"Understood,"
Alkaid nodded.
"Have you thought of a code name for this combat department?"
"Code name..."
Alkaid pondered. The main battlefield for this combat department was undoubtedly the Eastern Sea Archipelago.
Since the main battlefield was the Eastern Sea Archipelago...
"Call it 'Sea Fortification'."