The fourth floor introduces a total of five structures, namely the mill, clay workshop, brick kiln, undead barracks, and teleportation array, once the bewildering prefixes are removed.
The building descriptions also introduce new parameters, primarily the building level and construction quantity limit.
Previously, Night Three More was perplexed as to why he could only build one farm. Now, it appears that there were restrictions in place. However, after unlocking the fourth-floor structures, these limitations were lifted.
Upon observation, he quickly discerned the pattern. The building level is the current level divided by the maximum level, indicating how many upgrades can be performed. For instance, the corpse-stench farm is at a building level of 2/3, signifying it can be upgraded once more. The undead mill, on the other hand, is at 1/1, indicating it cannot be upgraded.
The construction quantity limit is more straightforward, representing the maximum number of instances for a particular structure.
The pattern is simple: subtracting the floor number where the building is located from the currently unlocked maximum floor and adding 1 yields the maximum number of instances for that building.
For instance, the corpse-stench farm is on the first floor, and Night Three More has illuminated the fourth floor. Therefore, the maximum instances for the farm are 4 - 1 + 1 = 4.
He can build up to 4 corpse-stench farms. The rotten pool on the second floor, being 4 - 2 + 1 = 3, signifies he can construct 3 pools.
However, the undead teleportation array, requiring a minimum of two structures to function, is not subject to this limitation and can be constructed up to 5 times directly.
Night Three More summarized the existing structures:
Corpse-Stench Farm: Building Level 2/3, Construction Quantity 1/4.
Undead Guardian Hut: Building Level 2/3, Construction Quantity 1/3.
Rotten Pool: Building Level 2/2, Construction Quantity 1/3.
Desolate Bone Tomb: Building Level 2/2, Construction Quantity 1/3.
Undead Construction Hall: Building Level 1/2, Construction Quantity 1/2.
Skull Miner Camp: Building Level 1/2, Construction Quantity 1/2.
Undead Swordsmanship Training Camp: Building Level 1/2, Construction Quantity 1/2.
Corpse-Stop Cabin: Building Level 1/2, Construction Quantity 1/2.
Undead Mill: Building Level 1/1, Construction Quantity 0/1.
Corpse-Water Clay Workshop: Building Level 1/1, Construction Quantity 0/1.
Bloodflame Brick Kiln: Building Level 1/1, Construction Quantity 0/1.
Restless New Grave: Building Level 1/1, Construction Quantity 0/1.
Undead Teleportation Array: Building Level 1/1, Construction Quantity 0/5.
"After building upgrades, subsequent structures won't require upgrades and will directly become the highest level buildings," Night Three More rubbed his temples.
Although this saved him a lot of trouble, it also meant a significant increase in the cost of each structure. With each level-up, the construction cost doubled, reducing the flexibility in resource allocation. Additionally, new materials like clay, stone, and bricks led to higher upgrade costs.
"Money..."
Night Three More sighed, looking at his nearly empty pockets. He quickly shifted his focus to the undead teleportation array, which intrigued him the most.
"The teleportation array has appeared, and it only requires blood as a cost. It's much more economical than those spatial teleportation arrays in big cities!"
The Holy Stone Continent was not a world reliant on foot traffic. In large cities, there were often teleportation arrays established by the Spatial Mage Association.
Those arrays had almost no teleportation restrictions, accommodating people and objects, with precise control over the distance. However, their maintenance and usage costs were exorbitant.
Even the affluent would only use them in emergencies. Ordinary people had no need and could only watch from the sidelines.
This was mainly because Spatial Mages were extremely rare, and those who could sense spatial elements were one in a million.
Whenever someone capable of sensing spatial elements appeared, they would immediately be taken away by Spatial Mages for training, becoming a strategic asset for the empire.
Coupled with the substantial elemental crystal consumption for each teleportation, each empire's Spatial Mage Association was entirely under imperial control, funded by the empire's finances. Otherwise, these teleportation arrays, which were used only a few times a year, couldn't be built.
In contrast, the undead teleportation array in Night Three More's hands not only required no maintenance from Spatial Mages but also only needed blood to operate. It was undeniably a lucrative deal that almost brought tears to his eyes.
"Unfortunately, it can only teleport undead, and the distance is limited. There's also the total soul energy constraint," Night Three More sighed.
With a maximum soul energy limit of 100, it meant that it could only teleport undead units with a total soul energy of 100. For instance, Sha Wencheng with 25 soul energy could be transported four times, not even allowing an additional skeleton.
However, this wasn't a problem. Once the building unlock levels increased, he could undoubtedly upgrade to a better state.
So, Night Three More's current challenge was singular: money.
After selling the armor, he was left with a mere 831 gold coins, insufficient to sustain further construction and upgrades.
"Money, money, money!"
Night Three More gazed at the freshly harvested potatoes in the field, his brows furrowing.
It seemed like the plan needed to be expedited.
"Old Sha, set off to Tianstone City now and bring that Yu Dafu over for me. Tell him I have a big deal to discuss."
"Alright."
As Sha Wencheng was about to leave, Night Three More called him back.
"Be cautious when you go. If anyone in Tianstone City troubles you, don't hesitate—just run! Your life is the most important thing, you understand?"
Sha Wencheng earnestly looked at Night Three More, nodding.
"Don't worry, with Iron Tooth around, it's not so easy for anyone to stop me!"
The land deed competition had passed for a week, and most of the hired land deed participants in Tianstone Territory had scattered. To retain Sha Wencheng, there would undoubtedly be a significant commotion.
However, after some consideration, Night Three More shook his head again.
"Take Weng Ling with you. With her status as a lord, Stone Dagang should be more cautious."
"Alright."
Sha Wencheng shrugged, pulling Iron Tooth along as they set off once again.
This poor crocodile, clearly unsuitable for long-distance travel due to its stamina, had been sent back and forth several times within a day...
After watching Sha Wencheng depart, Night Three More immediately began his busy work.
The first thing on his agenda was to invest all remaining gold coins in constructing new corpse-stench farms.
A level 2 corpse-stench farm had four plots, allowing the cultivation of 100 crops in total. Upgrading to level 3 would enable the construction of 10 plots, meaning he could plant 250 crops at once—clearly a more cost-effective option after the upgrade.
However, since upgrading to level 3
required new materials like clay, Night Three More could only build three level 2 corpse-stench farms for now, each costing 200 gold coins. He would think about upgrading them when he had more money in the future.
"Still have 200 gold coins. What to build..."
Watching the skeletons start working, Night Three More began contemplating new ideas.