For the Spirit Source Land, don't even mention thousands or tens of thousands; the loss of even hundreds of Golden Body Realm Martial Artists would be a huge blow.
That's why the Spirit Source Land needs cannon fodder, and the Golden Armor Divine Generals are undoubtedly the most suitable, even more so than puppets.
Golden Armor Divine Generals are Yin souls; even if they're slain on the battlefield, their True Spirit remains in the Divine General Chessboard, and as long as the chessboard isn't destroyed, they can be reborn.
Furthermore, the longer they're nurtured, the stronger they become, potentially reaching the Golden Core Realm.
The materials for cultivating Golden Armor Divine Generals are ghost beings, with Ghost Generals being the best option, although if none are available, ordinary evil spirits can suffice.
