Chapter 12 Choices <TOC> Chapter 14 The Giant Who Couldn't Stand Up
Translator: SumTLMan
Zhou Yi flipped to the second page.
…
[Stinging Antlion]
Strength: D
Skills: F
Vitality: E
Class: E~D
Habit: Solitary. Possesses multiple pairs of spiny antennae with strong piercing power. Adept at ambush and camouflage beneath the desert sands. Can create human-shaped, animal-shaped, or object decoys to lure various life forms.
Value: Carapace, leg spines, antennae.
…
Gong Zheng’s profile matched the description of Night Claw; the Stinging Antlion is stronger than the Claw Boar.
Zhou Yi continued reading.
Interestingly, there was also a record of the Warrior Crab.
…
[Warrior Crab]
Strength: E~D
Skills: F
Vitality: E
Class: E
Habit: Gregarious and highly social with a strict internal hierarchy. Possesses strong endurance and a fierce fighting spirit. Their strength increases significantly when fighting in groups. In the environment of the Dead Sea, the combat power of Warrior Crabs is noticeably enhanced.
Value: Carapace.
…
In addition, there were illustrated guides for the Forest Goat and Red-Eyed Vulture, both Light Absorber species that appeared in this nearby area.
Zhou Yi asked: “How did you collect such detailed information?”
“This wasn’t made by me. I just noted down various details from it and replicated a part of the —Dead Sea Illustrated Guide—.”
Gong Zheng explained: “Every apprentice has to copy the —Dead Sea Illustrated Guide—. It’s intelligence gathered from around the world and then compiled by the Alchemist Association.”
“It not only records the forms and danger levels of monsters in various places but also provides detailed descriptions of the regions within the Dead Sea. It’s a very thick book. There are several versions of the Dead Sea Illustrated Guide. The one I can access is the basic version, which records monsters from E to D level, with few descriptions of the Dead Sea.”
“Only by becoming a formal alchemist can one read and copy the advanced version, which is limited to personal reading and cannot be shared…”
This is similar to a monster encyclopedia.
Zhou Yi pondered that he should get a copy when he has the chance.
He immediately said: “Welcome to the Wasteland Development Company.”
Gong Zheng’s tense body relaxed slightly: “Thank you for taking me in. May I ask, what do you need me to do?”
“You can read and write, so start as my assistant. Your main work is to keep various company records and help me handle some trivial matters.”
Zhou Yi described the plan of opening up wasteland and farming.
After listening, Gong Zheng showed a hint of surprise on his face: “Chairman, you mean you want to develop farmland here? But with your strength, you only need to dispatch Warrior Crabs to hunt monsters. Using monster materials, you can exchange a large amount of food with merchants.”
“Chicken Head Town to the west produces a kind of bean. It belongs to ‘Sand Port.’ Sand Port has trade relations with other cities, and various goods are abundant. Perhaps that city has the agricultural varieties you want.”
“If it’s just for the needs of the company, or even the hundred or so people in Grub Grain Town, trading is the simplest and most convenient.”
This assistant’s idea is that buying is better than planting.
Planting food on the surface is costly, with various factors like climate, soil, and monsters affecting it. If not careful, there could be a poor harvest, which is very risky.
Gong Zheng also raised a practical problem: “There are not many people who master surface planting techniques, and no one in Grub Grain Town has this ability. Only strong and prosperous cities with comprehensive strength can deter surrounding monsters and protect settlers, allowing them to dare to go out during the day to participate in farming.”
“Based on my life experience, even in many cities, mushrooms are used as the main food, and meat, beans, vegetables, and other side dishes are expensive, so the output is not much.”
“If there are no experienced planters, I worry that even if you get crop seeds, the land around here may not be suitable for planting.”
His words made Zhou Yi calm down.
Indeed.
The surroundings are all sandy soil, and being close to the Dead Sea, it’s unknown whether the soil is affected and whether crops can grow. Currently, there is not a single agricultural talent, and even recruiting mushroom growers——the people of Grub Grain Town are unwilling to come.
Suitable environment, professional talent, essential materials… None of the prerequisites are met.
Is forming a hunting team the only option?
Zhou Yi fell into contemplation.
Hunting Light Absorber species actually carries certain risks. These risks are not limited to uncertainties during combat and are also difficult to sustain.
During the journey hunting through the bottom of the Dead Sea, Zhou Yi summarized a pattern.
If a certain Light Absorber species population or regional species is massively hunted, it will cause the local environment to change rapidly, stimulating the birth of some unpredictable mutant species.
It’s somewhat like the saying “times create heroes,” where high-pressure environments force accelerated evolution.
Many of those mutant species are quite troublesome and will gather their groups to launch crazy counterattacks against the hunters, becoming stronger the more they fight.
In the end, either kill all the nearby species or leave the area.
Zhou Yi named this phenomenon “High-Pressure Mutation.”
He also began to exercise restraint, hunting only to meet basic needs. Fortunately, as Light Absorber species, the Warrior Crabs can absorb energy from dead light and are not very desperate for food.
Various thoughts flashed in his mind, and Zhou Yi finally said: “I’ll think about it. You go settle into your room first.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
…
Dawn was breaking.
Zhou Yi was still frowning.
An electronic voice came from the remote control: “If you want to grow crops, I have a way.”
Zhou Yi was stunned: “Let’s hear it.”
Red Falcon said: “In Recursion City, there are Mechanical Light Absorber lifeforms specialized in agricultural machinery. Just like I’m proficient in rescue, they have full capabilities in planting, maintenance, and harvesting, and most of them accept external employment. They have operated many farms.”
Zhou Yi became excited.
How could he have forgotten this!
Sowing, farming, fertilizing, all have corresponding agricultural machinery.
He suddenly thought: “Would they be willing to come over? What remuneration do they need?”
Speaking of which, Zhou Yi knew very little about Mechanical Light Absorber lifeforms, only that they need energy supplies.
“Agricultural machinery also needs to further evolve and perfect their abilities through farming, and develop new skills from it. So as long as there’s an agricultural development demand, they are willing to accept the challenge.”
Red Falcon said: “However, there’s one thing: agricultural Mechanical Light Absorber lifeforms usually require absolute farm management rights. They determine the land area to be sown, crop varieties, and necessary materials, and prohibit interference. They will also make various material demands, and the costs are quite high.”
“In the past, some large cities hired them to open up and maintain farms, but many expelled them after dismissing them…”
Zhou Yi was puzzled: “Why?”
“During the employment period, they will turn the farm into their own ‘nation within a nation,’ not accepting any external guidance, ensuring the independent operation of the farm, and they don’t guarantee the final output.”
Red Falcon explained: “Besides, they need timely energy supply. You need to pay them Light Seeds regularly, with a price range of 1 to 3 Light Seeds per natural month, which can be considered as remuneration for their labor services.”
“No problem.”
Zhou Yi thought, consuming resources is acceptable; what he needs are experienced professionals.
All the farm work is handed over to them, and he can comfortably be a hands-off boss, just waiting for the harvest.
This is exactly what he dreams of!
“I have repositioned Recursion City, which is 1,926 kilometers from here. A one-way trip requires at least 5 hours, plus time to find targets and negotiate employment… If all goes well, considering avoiding dangers along the way and complex terrain, it’s estimated to take about 10 to 15 days.”
After refilling its energy, Red Falcon spread its wings and flew, disappearing into the high sky.
Chapter 12 Choices <TOC> Chapter 14 The Giant Who Couldn't Stand Up