The Cryo Archon didn't interrupt Ningguang, who continued:

"Once the main-world constructions are basically completed, assign personnel to mine and gather resources.

Whether these resources are sold or used by yourselves is up to you."

"After that, assign personnel to the Nether to gather materials—especially Wraith Tears, Blaze Rods, and so on.

These are the most essential ingredients for alchemical potions and absolutely cannot be missing.

"Next, you need dedicated personnel to handle Nether fortresses to obtain Wither Skeleton Skulls.

Wither Skeleton Skulls can summon Wither Storms, and the Nether Stars dropped by Wither Storms form the core of beacons.

In fact, Wither Storms are now linked to Resurrection Totems, so they are indispensable."

The Cryo Archon furrowed her brow and raised a hand:

"Sorry to interrupt, but beacons…"

"You mean the things you previously used to provide battlefield coverage boosts on a large scale, right?"

Ningguang nodded:

"Exactly. But to achieve coverage as extensive as ours, you need suitable bases.

These are like the gold and iron blocks you saw stacked in the Jade Chamber before.

Qualified beacon bases require massive resources, and you must coordinate their collection with Lucky Blocks.

"By the way, you'll also need dedicated personnel to learn how to activate Lucky Blocks.

Lucky Blocks can yield many rare materials, such as Totems of Undying and Ender Pearls.

But at the same time, Lucky Blocks can spawn dangerous monsters and traps, so learning how to safely open them is quite complicated.

You need people who can master some of these techniques."

The Cryo Archon felt a bit disheartened—yet another task requiring a large workforce…

She nodded and gestured for Ningguang to continue.

"After dealing with the Nether, you'll need personnel for the End, where Ender Dragons reside. Killing Ender Dragons grants Dragon Eggs.

These form the foundation for Dragon Riders, which is what we are currently preparing with the Dragon Legion.

"Once that's resolved, you also need people to learn the various techniques for crafting firearms. Due to the special nature of firearms, these personnel should be well-managed.

The materials for firearms can only be obtained from mines, so one base is not enough.

You'll need to continue exploring other regions to find new bases and new mines.

"Once all this is done, basically…"

Ningguang paused, then nodded:

"You should be able to reach the current progress of Mondstadt."

The Cryo Archon remained silent. After a while, she rubbed her forehead in frustration:

"If we want to reach Liyue's level of progress, how many people would we need, and how much time would it take?"

Ningguang smiled wryly and shook her head:

"We in Liyue joined earliest and started development earliest. As of now, it has already been over four months."

"The personnel we have stationed in Ryen's world number nearly four thousand, including the Qianyan Army, miners, architects, designers, and the weapons forging department…"

"Basically, all departments and professions in Liyue have already been assigned."

"So, this forms the foundation for us to start building a city; we can sustain an entire city in that world."

"If Snezhnaya wants to reach our current progress… with only seven hundred people…"

Ningguang didn't continue.

Beside her, Jean spoke tactfully:

"In fact, even in Mondstadt, the members currently stationed already number fifteen hundred.

Even so, we're conducting a lot of work simultaneously, and manpower is still insufficient.

Our plan is to first expand the stationed members to three thousand…"

The Cryo Archon lowered her head slightly, looking troubled.

"Three thousand… so with only seven hundred people, we really can't advance progress quickly, can we?"

Keqing nodded seriously:

"Frankly speaking, with just your seven hundred people, once you build the base and complete the structures…

Then disperse personnel to the Nether, the End, and other regions to collect mines, etc.,

there's basically no way to continue progressing other plans.

So my suggestion is to bring in at least fifteen hundred people."

Rosalyne leaned close to the Cryo Archon and whispered:

"Your Majesty, what Ningguang said is true. Seven hundred people really can't accomplish anything.

During Beidou's navigation, a new continent was discovered. Afterwards, Liyue and Mondstadt will continue developing the new continent.

Beneath the Twilight Forest, we need to clear all the monsters, which also requires manpower for construction and resource collection.

The Twilight Forest is extremely dangerous; stationed members must all carry firearms, and the main world must continuously supply them with alchemical potions.

Our preliminary estimate is that no fewer than five hundred members will be needed just to handle the Twilight Forest.

Your Majesty, we need more personnel!

Otherwise, when the next module is activated, we'll fall behind again."

The Cryo Archon rubbed her forehead in frustration.

"I understand… I understand…

I'll find a way. Don't worry, I won't let a lack of personnel drag down our progress!"

The Cryo Archon had never felt such a mix of emotions in her life.

Seeing that world and hearing Ningguang and the others outline their plans and progress, she really saw unprecedented hope.

As long as there are enough people, Snezhnaya could spread its wings and advance rapidly.

But now…

Because she couldn't find enough personnel, progress was immediately stalled.

Just as Rosalyne said, Liyue and Mondstadt have been developing along the path Ryen's modules established; they aren't going to slow down for her.

Over time, Snezhnaya would only fall further behind, completely unable to catch up.

This was not how an alliance should operate.

She couldn't just expect them to constantly lend a hand.

But recruitment was a real bottleneck for the Cryo Archon.

The Fatui forces couldn't be mobilized for now; the Arlecchino and the Harbinger were already wary.

Yet most of Snezhnaya's armed forces are Fatui.

She couldn't allow Fatui who might not be loyal to her, only to Snezhnaya, to join the exploration.

At this moment, the Cryo Archon felt unprecedented regret.

She shouldn't have formed the Fatui!

She shouldn't have accepted the Arlecchino and the Harbinger!

~~----------------------

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