NEC Chapter 117: Resurrection Necromancy and Letter from Frost

The cooperation with Farrell not only provided Chen Mo with effective supplements for magical tools and spell crystals, but also added some assistance to Chen Mo's always stumbling cultivation career.

For example, the cultivation insights of necromancers, and the summoning true name pathways of some major and minor lords of the underworld.

In other words, a new summoning contact list.

There was a factual situation that no one had ever explained to Lord Chen Mo before: for necromancer summoning, the lower the level of the lord contacted, the greater the cost usually was.

During the Black Crow Castle period, Chen Mo's level was too low to access this type of information.

The instructors at Hal's Mage Tower were not of the necromantic school and didn't understand this. Although they later helped him find some necromancer journals, diaries ultimately could not replace textbooks.

Now, through the Magic Academy's channels, Chen Mo finally obtained a standard set of "Basic Outline for Necromancers."

This allowed him, this necromancer who had always neglected his main profession and wholeheartedly devoted himself to researching East Xia's technological path, to begin re-examining and contemplating the feasibility of developing along the necromancer route.

The textbook's explanation was quite clear: necromancers summoning from the underworld needed to pay two types of offerings.

The first was energy, which was the spiritual power guided by the necromancer himself, combined with casting materials and a large amount of spiritual energy input into the altar.

This was the baseline requirement. Without this, you couldn't even achieve basic communication with the underworld lords.

But baseline energy only brought baseline creatures: apprentice-level skeletons for preparatory apprentices, zombies for apprentices, ghosts for star fragments...

Each level corresponded to its level, not a cent more or less. Only when spiritual power levels increased and one could guide more energy input could they summon the next tier of baseline creatures.

The second offering was various physical items dedicated to the underworld lords.

Under the premise of summoning the same type of undead creature, the more your additional offerings matched the other party's needs, the more powerful the undead creature you obtained would be.

But even with abundant energy and suitable offerings, necromancers communicating with underworld lords of different levels would see vastly different summoning effects.

Undead society was a pyramid structure of absolute control, where lower-tier undead commanders had to pay tribute to higher-tier undead lords.

If you summoned skeleton spearmen from the village chief, assuming the White Bone Village Chief charged you one hundred, the village chief would have to pay eighty to the White Bone Town Chief.

So if you could summon directly through the White Bone Town Chief, you might only need to pay ninety, since you'd save one level of handling.

Following this logic, the higher-ranking underworld lords you could establish relationships with, the more summoned creatures you could potentially obtain for the same value of magical materials and offerings.

Now Lord Chen Mo, being wealthy and resource-abundant, had gained some bargaining power with the underworld lords.

Based on some true names provided by the Magic Academy, after full communication with a certain regional lord of the underworld, Chen Mo obtained the undead creatures he wanted.

Elementary Resurrection Necromancers!

Resurrection Necromancers were a type of dark magic unit in the underworld, with poor physical combat power, which could be clearly seen from their appearance.

Their skeletal frames were a full size smaller and weaker than regular skeleton spearmen, like malnourished teenage skeletons. A tattered piece of cloth that could barely be recognized as having once been a robe hung loosely on their frames.

The resurrection necromancers held smooth black bone staffs in their hands. The staffs were slender with tops that curved in a subtle arc, vaguely forming an abstract snake head design.

In the underworld's system, this was called a "snake staff," the unique signature weapon of resurrection necromancers.

Most eye-catching were the exaggerated long horns on both sides of their skulls. The horns curved with left and right extensions that almost reached two-thirds of their arm span, giving the illusion that these resurrection necromancers might collapse under the weight of this "crown" at any moment.

To put it crudely, these guys probably couldn't even lift their heads in the underworld!

Of course, for undead beings that relied purely on energy to maintain movement, physical "unreasonableness" was often irrelevant. Even liches without feet could float around freely and move at will.

The "Basic Outline for Necromancers" recorded that resurrection necromancers were divided into elementary, intermediate, and advanced tiers, with each advancement awakening a spell ability.

The elementary tier mastered a spell called "Skeleton Resurrection." As for intermediate and advanced abilities, Chen Mo's current level couldn't summon them, nor did he care about them.

Elementary tier was quite good: low consumption, relatively sufficient summoning numbers, and perfect skill compatibility.

Chen Mo first summoned ten elementary resurrection necromancers.

Necromancer undead summoning directly obtained creatures from the underworld, but the resurrection necromancer's "Skeleton Resurrection" was different. It required materials from the real world as carriers: the basic skeletal framework to form the skeleton's physical shell.

Each elementary resurrection necromancer carried sixteen lowest-tier undead soul fires. With sufficient skeletal frameworks provided externally, they could complete sixteen skeleton resurrections within four days.

If these low-tier skeletons were destroyed and their soul fires extinguished, they could regenerate another soul fire after about six days.

In short, given time, they could always maintain a team limit of sixteen skeletons.

Vast Sea Territory had plenty of skeletal frameworks. The local residents had no habit of cannibalism, and even if they might have had such practices in the past, under the great and wise lord's leadership, they had long abandoned these bad customs.

The skeletal frameworks of the previously attacking bandit gang were preserved quite intact, though the missing heads were somewhat troublesome.

But who said skeletons couldn't be used without heads?

Walking used feet, working used hands, sensing used soul fire. Upon careful consideration, skulls really didn't seem very useful.

Although these resurrected skeletons had low intelligence, moved slowly, and had essentially no combat capability, any adult with tools could easily defeat them, Chen Mo didn't need them for fighting anyway.

From a work perspective, never sleeping or resting, never needing food or drink, working during the time humans spent washing, dazing, courtship, reproduction, and even using the toilet, could there be more suitable construction skeletons than these?

Thus, such scenes began appearing on Vast Sea Territory's construction sites.

Resurrection necromancers with large horns, leaning on staffs as tall as a person and a half, slowly wandered back and forth behind the construction sites like old men taking walks in the park.

Meanwhile, on the nearby construction sites, dozens of skeletons wrapped with simple cloth strips around important joints wielded pickaxes, shovels, spades, and even wheelbarrows, working enthusiastically.

Well, skeletons didn't even sweat, saving time that would be spent wiping sweat.

For Chen Mo, this was equivalent to instantly gaining one hundred sixty somewhat frail but round-the-clock laborers! This played an irreplaceable key role in liberating the territory's productivity and greatly increasing residents' study time.

Shifting from military skeletons to civilian skeletons, Chen Mo had taken an important step in grasping both aspects.

In early May, Patrol Captain Lynn returned from the Resting Moon Dynasty, bringing Lady Frost's personal letter.

The little girl's excitement practically jumped out from between the lines to directly pounce on Chen Mo's face.

From the fact that the little girl could casually give out a "Everchant Essence", it could be seen that Frost was the type of girl who had no concept of money or material wealth. But perhaps because her mother died early and her father showed little affection, the little girl valued emotional worth very highly.

The unintentional gesture that resulted in that thermite incendiary bomb's stroke of genius had the little girl repeatedly mentioning it countless times to her team.

Chen Mo's gift delivery this time undoubtedly provided maximum emotional value.

Explosively maximum!

After that scene at the school gate spread, the entire Royal Central Spiritual Energy Academy, from instructors to students, from cafeteria staff to gatekeepers, spent almost entire weeks discussing, inquiring about, and speculating on this little girl's identity.

In Blue Star terms, all media platforms had trending topic number one, with consistently high heat.

From the illegitimate daughter of the Emerald Duchy's ruler to the posthumous child of the Elf Queen, from the saintess of Mistmoon Divine Court to the apocalyptic shaman of the orc camps...

Basically just wild speculation.

Of course, the academy quickly investigated and roughly understood what was happening: some pioneering lord with personal connections to the little girl had discovered some ruins or obtained some spiritual objects and conducted some benefit exchanges with Mistmoon's trading companies.

Speaking of which, the Resting Moon Dynasty and Mistmoon Divine Court were enemy nations.

However, hostile relationships couldn't change the mutual respect between the high levels of both sides. Or to put it realistically, some enemies might receive additional bonuses. In Blue Star terms, this was called strategic value.

The academy generously sent people to assist the little girl in delivering the gifts Chen Mo had prepared for her, turning the heat into a degree of positive reputation.

Regardless of what everyone really thought, having received gifts expressing "gratitude for care," they couldn't very well gossip behind someone's back anymore.

Besides those who had truly "cared for" Lady Frost, other students now greeted her with smiles and exchanged pleasantries when they met.

And then there was that unicorn.

Although it was a sub-adult, this creature's combat power was historically documented. The academy didn't dare let it wander freely.

If left outside, what if it got an itch and went to rub against some pillar? Which building could withstand that? They couldn't put magical protection on the entire academy!

If placed in the beast pen, what about the other warhorses and war beasts? What if they annoyed this little ancestor and it got violent?

Moreover, this wasn't a wild beast but a high-tier magical beast that could discharge electricity. What were they supposed to let it practice on?

At the critical moment, Vice Principal Hodi had to step forward.

Having one clear-headed sage in an academy could sometimes save a lot of trouble.

Vice Principal Hodi had firmly prevented excessive punishment of Frost last time, so Frost still respected this grand mage quite a bit. When the old man came to talk, Frost immediately agreed to the school's suggestion to place the unicorn in an independent breeding area established by the academy.

"Don't worry, the breeding area is not far from your dormitory. You'll be able to see it every day, and absolutely nothing will go wrong," Archmage Hodi said with a smile as he walked with the little girl, continuing the deeper conversation. "Unicorns are powerful but also precious. The difference between good care and poor care is enormous!"

"Those ordinary caretakers in the beast pen definitely can't provide such good care. I'm planning to transfer some professional breeding experts to specifically serve this little one for you. What do you think?"

"Money? No money needed. The academy will cover all breeding expenses."

"I won't hide it from you, unicorns are mainly rare. Observing its habits and characteristics more is useful for us, so you don't need to feel bad about it. In fact, we're the ones taking advantage of you. We have plenty of caretakers, but where can we find unicorns?"

Frost quietly thanked him. The old man stroked his beard with satisfaction and laughed heartily, "You haven't adjusted your mindset yet. Your academy account already has over a thousand gold coins. You're someone who doesn't need to worry about money anymore, haha!"

Frost clutched the corners of her clothes with her hands, took several deep breaths, and finally gathered courage, "Then, can I, can I take 'Big White' to mounted combat?"

That's right, after naming rights were transferred to the princess, remembering Little White from years past, the princess named the little one Big White.

Archmage Hodi stopped walking, turned around, and faced Frost solemnly, "I understand your feelings, but this kind of high-tier magical beast is hard to control if taken to mounted combat."

"High-tier magical beasts all have their own temperaments. If their killing intent rises, even you as their master trying to stop them will make them unhappy. The teachers on site won't be effective if they intervene lightly, but might hurt it if they intervene heavily. I think you wouldn't want to see that happen either, right?"

Seeing Frost nod somewhat dejectedly while kicking roadside pebbles intermittently, the old man smiled broadly again and clapped twice lightly.

A servant led out a big furry creature.

"Come, ride this one. I guarantee you won't be disadvantaged in mounts. Let's see who dares kick your mount in the future!"

"They won't want their legs anymore!"

This was a pure black panther, about two and a half meters long with an elegant form. Most mesmerizing were those deep blue eyes that seemed to contain dark lake water.

"Shadow panther, purebred from the Gloomy Forest. It's already caught your natural scent. Look, it quite likes you!"

The black panther stared straight at Frost, its nostrils twitching. Without any handler's urging, it actively approached Frost and circled around the little girl.

Frost carefully stroked it with her hand. The panther tilted its big head, actively rubbing the side of its head against Frost's small hand, its eyes slightly squinting with an extremely content expression.

The little girl's regret about not being able to ride Big White into battle instantly vanished completely.

Girls just liked elegant and beautiful creatures. Big White was still too robust...

After blissfully petting the panther's head and chin for a while, Frost looked up.

"Teacher Hodi, um, I thank you for your care, but why didn't anyone help me when they bullied me before?"

Hodi was somewhat surprised. After looking into the little girl's raised eyes for a while, he gave an answer Frost hadn't expected.

"I don't want to lie to you. The fact is, the academy has over a hundred regulations, but there's specifically no rule against bullying classmates!"

"Bullying can't be defined."

"If they challenge you in combat class and you can't beat them, that's your problem. If you could beat them, you could pin them down just the same, and the academy wouldn't interfere either."

"Child, this is just that kind of world!"

"The academy still has basic rules. Outside, it's an even more cruel and real world."

"Your territory just suffered an enemy attack. The duchy, your allies, who would care about your survival?"

"Avoid enemies you can't beat now, work hard to become stronger, or..."

"Find a more powerful backing!"

That afternoon's mounted combat saw the shadow panther tear a long gash in Lucia's warhorse with one claw. Watching the other party dispose of her mount with red eyes, Frost suddenly felt much more refreshed.

In the letter to Chen Mo, the little girl wrote at length about the various trivial matters that had happened during this time.

The attentiveness of dormitory roommates.

Having made several new friends in class.

Shadow panther "Little Black" would accompany her for walks every day, then hiss fiercely at "Big White" from a distance, looking fierce but not daring to approach.

It seemed Frost's naming style had indeed been influenced by Chen Mo.

"Now teachers often give me individual tutoring, and I feel my cultivation speed has increased again."

"Maybe next time you see me, I'll already be like Uncle Paven and become a first-rank swordsman!"

"Too bad Uncle Paven and Aunt Linda can't see it..."

"Sometimes I dream of them at night. Although I can't see their faces clearly, I know it's them."

"The cafeteria food is always bad, but I'm used to it now."

"I heard some classmates say the cafeteria's head chef is the dean's relative, which is why the academy doesn't allow us to eat outside."

"If you come again next time, don't send money or gifts anymore. Bring me some good food, just a little bit is fine!"

"Oh right, I've written the letter for auntie. I helped you ask them, but I don't know if they'll agree."

It could be seen that the little girl really tried her best. In this separate letter, she wrote in an almost coquettish pleading tone, creating this letter to be forwarded to the elven race.

This was a nearly perfect harvest.

Next, they needed to arrange personnel for another mission to Red Tree Highlands, continue expanding the territory's material reserves, increase the intensity of purchasing mana crystals, and find stable, preferably multi-channel sources of iron and coal mines...

Of course, there was also the territory's never-ceasing rapid development and active construction.

In this atmosphere, in late May, a new visitor came to visit Vast Sea Territory, accompanied by Seven-Radiance Garland and High Priest Farrell.

A magical scholar from the northern branch of the Magic Academy.

He brought a topic that completely surprised Chen Mo.

After the Magic Academy obtained the equipment Chen Mo had sent, what interested them most was electricity.

Transforming the vast power of lightning into trickle-like energy was simply an irresistible wonderful idea for the scholars.

Thus, the scholars quickly struck at the core, proposing the same major topic as Blue Star's experts.

About the electrification of spiritual energy, or the spiritualization of electricity!

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