This kind of rare treasure was simply too convenient. For those who delved into the study of mechanical secrets, it offered an unparalleled advantage—almost heaven-sent. What's more, the Primal Battle Armor was merely the prototype of the Illusory Armor, and did not hinder the final outcome in any way.
Mass production was the only way to rapidly deploy it across the entire Great Yi Dynasty at the earliest possible moment.
Otherwise, relying solely on the capabilities of the Heavenly Craft Pavilion, even working at full force, they might only produce a few pieces a day—sometimes not even one.
🔹 Spirit Bamboo and Pure Crystal – core materials required for forging the battle armor.
"The only limitation to mass production lies in one thing—namely, the vast quantities of spirit bamboo and pure crystal needed. These two are the core materials for crafting the Primal Battle Armor," said Master Lu.
Crystals and spirit bamboo were indeed the primary materials for forging the armor.
After repeated experiments, they had discovered that spirit bamboo and crystal were among the best materials for carrying runes and refining armor. When the two were fused, they complemented each other even more perfectly. The crystal fused into the bamboo fundamentally altered the bamboo's essence. Spirit bamboo, under normal circumstances, was vulnerable to fire and other elemental forces. But once fused with crystal, this weakness naturally disappeared, transforming it into an attribute-neutral state.
Although the lack of elemental attributes meant reduced offensive potential, it also implied unlimited adaptability.
Among many spiritual roots, spirit bamboo was a particularly unique existence.
"How many crystal mines have we discovered within Great Yi?" asked Yi Tianxing.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, we've discovered thirty-seven crystal mines so far," Xue Jin stepped forward and quickly responded. "Among them, two are large-scale, ten are medium-scale, and twenty-five are small-scale. These were all found incidentally. If we launched a dedicated search, we'd likely uncover even more."
He recited the information from memory—something a man in his position could ill afford to forget.
"Very well. We must pursue all possible crystal veins. From now on, pure crystal is to be classified as a rare resource and brought into the national treasury whenever possible."
Yi Tianxing nodded. These mines were sufficient for the present, but demand would continue to rise—more was always better.
"As for spirit bamboo, if I recall correctly, there's a large area of it near Emerald Bamboo City. Though its grade is only at the Yellow Tier, it is still spirit bamboo and fairly abundant. That region is very suitable for spirit bamboo cultivation. For now, we can use the Jade Bamboo there to supply the armor crafting process."
Outside Emerald Bamboo City lay more than just a bamboo grove—it was practically a sea of bamboo. The quantity of Jade Bamboo it held was astonishing. Most crucially, each spring the spirit bamboo produced a new wave of bamboo shoots that quickly grew into new stalks. As Yellow-Tier spirit bamboo, their growth cycle was short and highly renewable. Even with large-scale harvesting, the ecosystem would remain intact.
In fact, harvesting promoted new growth.
"By the way, I happen to have a batch of Tide-Sound Purple Bamboo—a top-grade Immortal-Tier spirit bamboo. It's barely a step away from a congenital spiritual root. Could we try using it to forge a few sets of Primal Battle Armor?"
Yi Tianxing spoke suddenly.
He naturally desired one of these Illusory Armors himself. Not only would it enhance his own strength, but it could also serve as protective gear for people like Cai Yan, a life-saving trump card in critical moments.
Of course, in reality, his own Heavenly Emperor Dragon Robe was the ultimate battle armor, perfectly tailored to him and capable of evolving along with his cultivation. No other armor could compare.
"Certainly," Master Lu replied with a smile.
"Once the Primal Battle Armor is forged, distribute it first to the army. Each corps can choose a specific phantom beast to integrate into it, but the selection must be uniform. That way, the armor can become a lifebound battle armor."
This kind of Illusory Armor needed to be implemented in the military first. Once completed, soldiers would no longer need to replace armor constantly, saving immense time and energy.
After the armor's trial phase was concluded, the grand court assembly resumed, covering various critical topics. The meeting lasted the entire morning before it was adjourned. Yet as the ministers departed, each bore an unsettled look on their faces.
Everyone was filled with eager anticipation for the Illusory Armor.
Who wouldn't dream of a battle armor that could grow alongside them, one that was truly unique, and capable of evolving endlessly in battle? Many had already begun secretly pondering what kind of phantom beast they would choose once large-scale forging began.
After the court session, Great Yi began executing widespread suppression of ferocious beasts. In the coastal regions, they began systematically hunting sea beasts, harvesting their souls and discreetly transporting them to the Phantom Beast Hall.
The Phantom Beast Hall could not generate phantom beasts on its own—it needed the souls of powerful beasts slain in battle. After realizing this importance, Great Yi took action.
Of course, this process excluded the major sacred races like dragons, phoenixes, and qilins. Instead, it focused on those mindless beasts that had been driven mad by fiendish energy and were attacking Immortal Cities. Since it wasn't wholesale slaughter, no one could object.
Time passed quietly.
Unknowingly, the annual Celestial Treasure Banquet was drawing near.
Within Great Yi, city lords from across the nation began arriving via teleportation arrays to Xuanhuang City, preparing to participate in this yearly event. None wished to miss this rare occasion.
The city had become livelier than ever.
When the lords arrived and saw Xuanhuang City, all of them couldn't help but marvel. This was the true heart of Great Yi. Its prosperity was beyond imagination—no other Immortal City could compare.
Suddenly, without warning, the entire city began to tremble. A deafening bull's roar echoed through the air like a divine thunderclap. It rumbled across all directions, shaking the city itself.
It was as if a peerless divine ox was roaring in rage.
The sound spread through the whole of Xuanhuang City.
Countless citizens were shocked, confusion written across their faces.
"What's going on? Where did that bull's roar come from? It's enormous! So ancient and overbearing!"
"I think it came from inside the city... but there aren't any beasts like that here, are there?"
"Look! It's the Iron Ox Statue—one of the Twelve Zodiac Statues. It's glowing! The roar came from it! I can't even look directly at it."
People instinctively searched for the source of the sound—and saw the Iron Ox Statue glowing mysteriously. Divine light swirled around it, and a powerful will could almost be felt emanating from within.
Whoosh!
A suit of armor suddenly flew from the palace's treasure tree, appearing midair above the Iron Ox Statue. It radiated a purple crystalline glow, flawless and translucent. On its helmet were two curved, divine ox horns, and deep within the armor, the form of a divine ox could be faintly seen.
"What's going on?" Yi Tianxing and others appeared immediately, puzzled by the scene.
"That armor was just forged using the Tide-Sound Purple Bamboo Your Majesty provided," Gongshu Lin explained. "It was placed in the Phantom Beast Hall, where it absorbed the soul of a bull-type beast. But the moment the fusion completed and we retrieved it, it suddenly changed, seemingly drawn by an unknown force, and flew straight here."
It was supposed to be a simple trial—to see how the armor crafted from the rare bamboo would evolve. No one had expected this.
The situation clearly pointed to a mysterious resonance with the Zodiac Statue—completely out of their control.
"The best we can do now is observe," Yi Tianxing said calmly, eyes glowing with curiosity.
He felt no ominous premonition.
Under the eyes of all present, the Illusory Armor slowly drifted toward the Iron Ox Statue.
As it approached, the statue let out another ox roar, then devoured the armor in one gulp. Instantly, the divine light vanished, and the statue returned to its ordinary form—almost as if nothing had happened.
The Iron Ox had consumed the Illusory Armor.
"Your Majesty, this may be a good omen," Master Lu said, his eyes gleaming. "The Iron Ox, one of the Twelve Zodiac Statues, has already birthed a congenital spiritual vein and is itself a unique artifact imbued with the Dao of the Zodiac. The armor fused with a bull-type phantom beast likely resonated with the statue's essence and was drawn into it for nurturing. That spirit vein carries innate Dao Rhythms, and once merged into the armor, it might actually... reverse its acquired nature and inherit Zodiac Divine Power."
Yi Tianxing activated his Innate Yin-Yang Eyes, peering into the Iron Ox Statue.
As Master Lu said, the armor now rested within the spiritual vein, wrapped in innate energy and Dao marks. Zodiac power etched itself into its form as acquired traits were continuously purged.
The armor was undergoing refinement—ascending to something far more powerful.