Chapter 364: Chapter 364. Zillium Mines

“Zillium?” Amon asked. He was chatting with Shi Zi as they continued working through the night.

“Yep. That is the name of the rare material required to produce a battle puppet’s power source,” Shi Zi answered. “This material is incredibly rare. As of this moment, we only know two mines from which to source this material. The one most countries get their Zillium from is the mine in the Xandar Region.”

“Xandar region,” Amon muttered. He remembered seeing this name on the world map in the Royal Academy. It was one of the numerous no-man-land regions around the six great countries. These no-man-land regions existed because they were controlled by powerful clans or sects unwilling to bow to the existing countries, or because they were ruled by powerful spirit beasts. The Xandar region was the former type.

“The Xandar region is controlled by an ancient Xei Clan. It was said their ancestors came from even before the current epoch,” Shi Zi explained. “They were respected enough the countries that border them, Kazhan, Gyleth Marx, and ours, never invade them to take over the region.”

“They must have good battle puppets,” Amon conjectured.

“On the contrary, they are terrible at it,” Shi Zi said. “They use almost no battle puppets. All the Zillium they mined was sold to the five countries for profit and cultivation resources. They gain great wealth because of it. Their clan leader was the only one with Lord Stage cultivation outside the six countries. If you ask me, I say they made the right decision selling the Zillium instead of utilizing it. It is the true reason they are not invaded.”

Amon nodded. He could understand Shi Zi’s thoughts. “By trading with the other countries, they kept those countries as deterrence to each other. None of the five countries would want either one to control the mine. If one invades, the others will do so as well. It will be unending chaotic battles. In the end, a treaty will be made for fair usage of the Zillium mine. If that is the case, why not just let the Xei Clan facilitate that?”

“Exactly!” Shi Zi exclaimed. “Though I don’t think the current peace will last for long. When war breaks, the five countries will try to get their hands on the Xandar Region.”

“You think a war will break?” Amon asked.

“I still have connections in the palace to get the latest news. From what I heard, it doesn’t sound encouraging. Oredolia has been fiercer in spreading their faith lately. This causes a lot of friction with the other countries. It is probably in response to Gyleth Marx. That country has the largest territory, and it has been systematically suppressing the Temple of Divinity inside its country. It also ceaselessly builds its military force without any sign of stopping. It is as if they are ready for a war… or to start one. That’s why I must prepare as well.”

“You must prepare? You mean with this runic-level battle puppet?” Amon asked.

“This is one of my preparations. I have another contingency. Ah…, if only I can get enough Zillium,” Shi Zi lamented.

Amon didn’t understand what the old puppet maker meant. His speech sometimes wandered off from the topic. He asked something to make Shi Zi return to the topic, “What about the sixth country? The one that has Zillium mine inside their territory.”

“That is Khode,” Shi Zi answered. “It is the only country devoid of the Temple of Divinity’s influence. The temple has no branch there. If there are followers of the temple, they perform their faith in secret.”

“Considering they could resist the temple’s influence, they must be pretty strong,” Amon remarked.

“They are, but maybe not in the way you meant,” Shi Zi said. “Their upper echelons might be as strong as the higher-ups of the other countries, but in terms of average cultivation level, theirs is the lowest.”

“Really?” Amon asked with surprise.

“I’m telling the truth,” Shi Zi replied. “Their strength lies not in the number of their cultivators. You see, while the Xei Clan chooses not to utilize their Zillium mine, Khode does the opposite.”

“They rely on battle puppets?”

Shi Zi nodded. “They have the largest force of battle puppets this world has ever seen. Not only that, but they also possess the best weapons, armor, and tools. Their border is protected by massive formations filled with talisman traps. They might not excel in cultivation, but none of the other five countries can compete with them on specialized jobs. They have the best puppet makers, smiths, talisman masters, engravers, and formation sages.”

’In other words, a country that relies more on technology,’ Amon thought.

“They are also the most secluded,” Shi Zi said. “They rarely interact with outsiders. They don’t welcome people. To visit their country, you must go through the mazes and traps laid throughout their border. People from Khode also rarely come out to visit other countries.”

“Considering it is a country where puppet makers thrive, you should have thought about going there,” Amon said.

“I had. Youthful desire. I almost died when trying to cross the border. Decided to stop midway and came back as a wiser adult,” Shi Zi said.

“So, this is made of Zillium?” Amon asked. He had finished his task, and Shi Zi hadn’t given him any new tasks. He was studying the power source he brought back from the pocket world.

“It is, but it is made of high-tier Zillium,” Shi Zi answered. “This type of Zillium is no longer available in this era. Or, at least, no one has found it yet. The ones mined from Khode and the Xandar region are mostly low-tier Zillium. Sometimes, on rare occasions, a mid-tier Zillium was found. The low-tier Zillium can only be used to construct the power sources of engraved-level battle puppets. To construct the power sources of runic-level battle puppets, we require mid-tier or high-tier Zillium.”

“This means this thing is extremely valuable,” Amon remarked.

“Extremely,” Shi Zi agreed.

Amon thought about the other power source in his inventory. There was also another power source inside the pocket world, still inside the warden puppet he deactivated. He didn’t take that power source because the warden puppet stood too close to Yuka’s prison when it was deactivated. He didn’t want to risk going near Yuka, even if she appeared to treat him like an ally.

“Is it ready to be installed inside that battle puppet?” Amon asked.

“Soon,” Shi Zi answered. “By tomorrow night, I believe I can put this power source in and reap the result of my hard work. Unfortunately, you and the others must return to the Royal Academy in the morning, or do you wish to stay? I can talk with Ji Zhi to let you stay. I like you. You are smart and a quick learner. I hate dumb apprentices. That’s why I don’t have one, but you are different. I don’t mind teaching you my knowledge if you are willing to follow me.”

“I’m flattered, but I intend to finish my study at the Royal Academy first. Perhaps I will come here instead of joining the kingdom after I graduate.”

“That’s okay. My door will be open for you. Just announce yourself when you come to visit. Don’t make suspicious moves. There had been several occasions when passerby was killed by my guard puppets because they made dumb decisions. Most of the time, I only learn about it too late when I had a rare walk outside.”

“I will remember that,” Amon said.

“Look at the time! I can’t believe we worked until this late. I am exhausted. I will continue tomorrow,” Shi Zi said.

“Do you mind if I stay in this place for the rest of the night?” Amon asked.

“I mind. No one is allowed in here unless I am present,” Shi Zi answered. “You should take a rest as well. It’s not healthy for a young man like you to neglect sleep. Leave now. This room will be locked until I return tomorrow.”

Amon complied with the request. He followed a worker puppet that showed him to the guest room.

*

The next morning, everyone gathered outside Shi Zi’s mansion. Ji Zhi used the whistle to call Ha Gild’s great eagle. Shi Zi set the formation so it opened a path for the great eagle to enter.

Ji Zhi talked with Shi Zi while the students jumped onto the howdah atop the great eagle. When Ji Zhi climbed aboard, the great eagle took to the sky. It flew out of the formation and headed in the direction of Qishurg City.

Amon sat cross-legged at a corner and cultivated. Tuang Yin approached him. She still felt pain in her body, but it was much better now after a full night’s rest.

“What a trip, eh? It is sad we lost two top students. I guess we will have new neighbors when we return,” Tuang Yin said.

Amon glanced at her before shutting his eyes. “I want to cultivate. Do not disturb me.”

“Aiya! How can you treat your girlfriend like that? As a friend, I must admonish you,” Huang San said.

“Forget it. I’m used to it,” Tuang Yin said.

Huang San shook his head and said, “That man doesn’t know how to appreciate a pretty girl. Come, sit by my side. Perhaps he will get jealous enough and thus, treat you better.”

“I will take you up on your offer,” Tuang Yin said and sat next to Huang San.

Amon opened his eyes a little bit to look at them. He closed his eyes again soon.

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