The Pastoral Life of a Cultivation Master

Chapter 3016 Determining a Plan
With a "thud!", the entire defensive structure was easily overturned by the person inside. They looked at each other with lingering fear before bursting into laughter.

This left the other martial artists remaining at the campsite completely bewildered, wondering what these people were laughing about. They were even more confused when they saw Qian Ying and Zhou Zixing laughing as well.

However, upon seeing the defensive structure's pitiful state, they began to discuss it amongst themselves. It seemed the structure had suffered a severe attack from the alien beast, resulting in this condition. But why were they laughing under such circumstances?

Chen Mo and Ouyang Nan followed the others and came over to see what had happened. During the earlier experiment, Ouyang Nan and Chen Mo hadn't participated; only the Qian and Zhou families, Han Chengye, Ouyang Min, and a few others had pushed the defensive structure through the experiment.

"What are they laughing at?" Ouyang Ruoxi asked quietly, somewhat curious.

"Perhaps it's because he survived a disaster, or perhaps the defensive structure achieved its intended effect, which is why he's laughing," Chen Mo guessed.

To his surprise, his guess turned out to be spot on.

After they pushed the defensive structure back to end the experiment, although there were quite a few dangers in the process, the defensive structure had withstood many attacks. It was only after the Red One and Red Bee changed their attacks that the entire defensive structure was destroyed to such an extent.

However, the idea of ​​creating a defensive structure is not problematic.

That's why they laughed heartily after sensing the danger had passed. The precious honey was already beckoning them, and tonight might be the harvest time.

"Elder Qian, I think this defensive structure needs to be thickened a bit more, so it can last longer," Zhou Zixing said to Qian Ying after everyone had finished laughing.

Qian Ying nodded and said, "That's right, we need to thicken and reinforce the inner and outer branches to better absorb the impact. After all, the collision between the First Line Red and the Red Bee caused too much damage. Thickening the branches and reinforcing the inner defensive soil layer will allow us to hold out for longer."

"Elder Qian, how about we get two defensive bodies? What do you think..." He gestured to Qian Ying and the others, then found a tree branch and started drawing on the ground: "If there are two defensive bodies, one can enter the black soil, and the other can stay in the area where the first red line appears before the passage gets close."

At night, as long as there's minimal disturbance, the red bees won't come out. Even a single red line will take significantly longer to break through their thickened defenses. This gives us more time to dig tunnels and collect honey.

However, by the time we were to return, the defensive structure that had been used for excavation and collection had likely been nearly destroyed by the Red Line. Therefore, the backup defensive structure inside the passage could be used to pick up the collection personnel.

Using the backup defensive structure, rush into the black soil. Then, push away the first defensive structure right next to it. Then, move the second defensive structure above the excavation tunnel. All personnel then enter the second defensive structure and quickly return to the tunnel.

This way, we can not only reduce our energy consumption, but also replace the first defensive structure that has been destroyed, thus better protecting everyone's escape.

"Excellent, excellent, that's a good idea," Qian Ying said with a smile. However, after thinking for a moment, she continued, "Elder Zhou, your method is good, but there's a problem: how do these two defensive structures communicate?"
After all, once the first defensive unit enters the black soil, the time for digging and collecting honey is uncertain, as is the evacuation time. So when will the second defensive unit arrive to pick them up? If they enter too early, the second unit might be severely damaged, making it better to use the first unit for evacuation. If they enter too late, it will waste time and delay evacuation. If any problems arise during this process, it could cause serious trouble.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zixing nodded in agreement, saying, "Elder Qian is right; the connection between these two defensive structures is a problem."

It's a real headache. After entering the valley, all the complex electronic devices stopped working. Otherwise, they wouldn't have had to spend so much effort to explore the entire valley. They could have just used drones to explore the whole valley.

Furthermore, there are other electronic devices that can be used. However, because no electronic devices can be used except for flashlights in this valley, it's quite a headache.

“Huh?” Zhou Zixing suddenly fell into deep thought.

"Elder Zhou, what did you think of?" Qian Ying asked immediately after hearing Zhou Zixing's exclamation.

"I've figured out how these two defensive structures can communicate."

"Oh? Elder Zhou, please tell me."

“Elder Qian, our honey-gathering operation will take place at night. The entire valley should be pitch black with no light at all, right?” Zhou Zixing said. “You mean, using artificial light?” Qian Ying thought of the lighting equipment they had. In the dark valley, if there was a light source, it should be visible from afar.

“Good. The second defensive unit will wait in the area less than the first line of red activity zone, and will dig a path through the bushes upwards, allowing someone to observe the direction of the black soil from the treetops. This way, once the collection is nearly complete, they can signal with a light, and the other side will receive the signal and send back a light, and then set off to meet them. Wouldn't that establish a communication link?” Zhou Zixing said.

"Excellent, really excellent. This way, we can better support the data collection team." Qian Ying nodded in agreement, thinking of using optical communication.

After all, in the pitch-black valley, any light can be seen from a great distance, allowing the second defensive unit to quickly set off to provide support. The key is to have a rough estimate of the time it will take for the second defensive unit to reach the black soil rendezvous point, ensuring timely support.

However, the time estimate should be easy to calculate. If the collection team arrives at the appropriate time, they can be picked up and taken away in time.

"Elder Qian, there are also two defensive entities. We need each of us to be responsible for one. What do you think we should do?" Zhou Zixing asked. He had no objection to this. Whether they were in charge of gathering or providing support, the two of them, both innate masters, had to each be in charge of one team.

Qian Ying nodded, and after thinking for a moment, said, "Elder Zhou, since we're each responsible for one defensive structure, then I'll take charge of the first one and collect the honey, while you provide backup. How does that sound?"

“Okay, it’s settled then. Also, you need to arrange the members of the honey-collecting team, as well as the members of the support team,” Zhou Zixing added again.

After discussing it again, the two gathered all the post-natal level 10 experts and post-natal level 9 experts in the entire team. They then decided that since they needed to dig holes and collect honey in the first defensive structure, they would need more people, while they would need fewer people to provide backup. Otherwise, it would be too crowded when they entered the defensive structure.

Then it was decided that the first team, including Qian Ying, would consist of about ten people. This way, they could take turns digging the tunnel, saving energy. The support team would consist of five people, including Zhou Zixing. After all, the task was to push the defensive structure to provide support, so there was no need for too many people.

Four people are enough to push the defensive structure. In fact, two martial artists at the tenth level of the Acquired Realm could push the defensive structure forward quickly, but having two more people, making it four people working together, is a good way to prepare more manpower and prevent accidents.

After all, no one can guarantee that something unexpected might happen during the operation.

Once the two had finished discussing the matter, they began to have people cut down bushes and branches, searching for thicker branches to serve as inner and outer defenses, and this time the thickness of the soil in the middle would also be increased.

Therefore, more water was needed, so most of the team members were assigned to fetch water.

However, fewer people were available to cut down branches and build internal and external defenses.

Furthermore, Qian Ying and Zhou Zixing plan to make three defensive structures this time. The extra one is for backup.

After all, no one can guarantee that they won't alert the Crimson Bees during an operation. If they are alerted, having an extra one on hand increases the safety factor. The defensive structures are readily available; they only consume some of the martial artist's stamina, so making an extra one is no big deal, it just takes a little more time.

This time, Chen Mo was assigned to cut down bushes, while Ouyang Nan, Ouyang Ruoxi, and Ouyang Nana were assigned to the water-fetching team.

However, Chen Mo did not agree and directly objected. As Ouyang Ruoxi's boyfriend, he was worried about his girlfriend's safety and decided to follow her wherever she went.

Qian Wantong, who was in charge of arranging the manpower, originally wanted to make a few sarcastic remarks, but in the end, he thought that the affairs of his own elders were the most important, so he could only endure it and agree to arrange Chen Mo to join the water-fetching team.

"Alright, how about you switch places with Qian Zhenghao and go fetch water?" Qian Wantong said helplessly.

"Okay, thank you, Manager Qian." Chen Mo smiled and nodded in agreement, then quickly stepped forward to Ouyang Ruoxi's side.

Looking at the smiles on Ouyang Ruoxi and Chen Mo's faces, Qian Wantong felt a pang of bitterness. Damn, the stench of love! He really wanted to break the two of them up right then and there.