Chapter 16 Sustainable Harvesting <TOC> Chapter 18 Tianjin Knight
Translator: SumTLMan
Sitting on the sofa, Zhou Yi recalled the television that kept endlessly replaying —Journey to the West—.
What a pity.
If it hadn’t broken down, at least there’d be something to watch.
Zhou Yi mentioned this to Red Falcon, asking whether prolonged exposure to the Dead Sea’s Dead Light would cause Mechanical Light Absorber lifeforms to end up like that.
“Long-term exposure to the Dead Sea’s Dead Light radiation does indeed result in various anomalies,” the drone replied: “But the situation you described seems more like it suffered significant damage during its awakening, or was affected by drastic environmental changes, preventing it from completing the awakening process. Such Mechanical Light Absorber lifeforms are called Uncivilized Bodies; they are quite numerous but usually cannot communicate.”
“If placed in a stable and suitable environment, given enough time for self-evolution and correction, they might fully transform into intelligent beings.”
Zhou Yi immediately realized: “You mean, if found early and sent to Recursion City, it could be saved?”
“Yes, Recursion City has sound infrastructure, rescue teams, and repair and maintenance centers.”
Zhou Yi sighed: “If only I’d met you sooner, maybe it would still be fine…”
At least he could have watched TV.
Red Falcon suddenly spoke up: “Are you cultivating farmland here merely to satisfy your own appetite?”
“That’s right,” Zhou Yi nodded.
“But from my perspective, you don’t seem to have such survival needs. Although I don’t have precise surveying capabilities, I can observe that your physical strength is astonishing. Whether in the Dead Sea or on land, you can efficiently absorb the free Dead Light energy.”
“In terms of physiological structure, you should have no need for so-called conventional food.”
“In other words, you merely resemble a human in appearance but are more like a special Light Absorber species somewhere between Flesh and Mechanical Light Absorber life.”
Red Falcon said: “Therefore, I can’t understand why you have a special desire for such low-conversion-rate natural food.”
“Are you really human?”
“I believe I am…”
Previously, the drone gave Zhou Yi the impression of an emotionless workaholic——no idle chatter, only discussing work, not personal matters.
His relationship with Red Falcon was limited to business partners.
This was the first time the drone showed interest in getting to know Zhou Yi personally.
After pondering for a moment, Zhou Yi finally spoke: “Do you know why I came ashore?”
“You said it was for a stable and safe living environment.”
“Yes.”
Following his own thoughts, Zhou Yi said: “I don’t know the evolutionary path of Mechanical Light Absorber life, but from my experience, flesh-and-blood beings are born fragile, and precisely because of that fragility, they always race against time——making every second count to find food, secure shelter, seek mates, and accumulate resources needed for survival.”
“On this foundation, various desires emerge: physiological needs, wealth, power, the need for respect, self-actualization… It’s desire that fuels accelerated progress.”
“Coming ashore is to fulfill my desires.”
“I want to savor all kinds of delicacies, I want to find companions who interest me, I will build a prosperous and powerful city here, I want the people of this era to live better lives… I want it all!” Zhou Yi clenched his fist.
These strong desires made him acutely aware that he was truly alive.
Zhou Yi counted on his fingers: “Ultimately, I want to transform the Dead Sea. If I don’t want to be unilaterally influenced and transformed by the Dead Sea, then I must learn to harness it.”
“Madness,” Red Falcon commented.
“You have a human-like body; I can’t determine what kind of lifeform you are,” the drone said: “But you indeed possess the human trait of arrogance and wild fantasies.”
Zhou Yi spread his hands: “Then let me put it another way. The Dead Sea has near-infinite energy. What I ultimately aim to do is develop and utilize it in various ways, and transform this extreme environment.”
“In this way, both the Light Absorber species and humans can reap the benefits. Of course, I personally will take the lion’s share.”
“Transforming and utilizing the Dead Sea is not a task that can be accomplished overnight. How was the Dead Sea formed, what specific components does it include, how many species inhabit it… These preliminary questions need to be answered one by one. So I came to the more stable land, to build a solid base, conduct long-term observation and experiments on the Dead Sea, and then gradually promote progress.”
“That’s why I established the Wasteland Development Company.”
“Doesn’t that sound more reasonable now?”
“…”
The drone’s camera lens flashed red lights rapidly, as if pondering.
It said: “Can it be understood that you want to conquer the Dead Sea?”
“You could say that.”
“Madness.”
Red Falcon’s evaluation remained unchanged: “This is indeed a grand plan and also an almost impossible task. But I understand your idea now. Although my individual strength is insignificant, I will do my utmost to accompany you on this journey.”
Zhou Yi cupped his fists: “Thank you for your support.”
Actually, there was another reason he hadn’t mentioned.
Although he didn’t know exactly how ancient human civilization was destroyed, from the current situation and results, it couldn’t be separated from the Dead Sea, this phenomenon that engulfs the world.
As the only surviving ancient human, Zhou Yi had harbored such a strong desire from the day he woke up.
In the last era, humans were utterly defeated and annihilated.
In this era, he wanted to regain lost ground and give it a good fight!
Starting with the Dead Sea!
—
After nightfall, Zhou Yi prepared to lead a team to go fishing in the sea again to obtain Light Seeds.
Because Red Falcon indicated that its body was somewhat outdated and needed upgrades to maintain surveillance and information coverage in this area.
This time, he planned to venture into a more distant region.
While Zhou Yi was still organizing preparations, Gong Zheng came over on crutches.
“Chairman, the merchant Cui Mao has arrived in Grub Grain Town. He hopes to meet you and trade with our company.”
A merchant visiting?
Zhou Yi asked him: “Do you know this person?”
“No.”
Gong Zheng shook his head: “Merchants’ routes pass through many cities and towns, buying and selling along the way, lasting from several months to several years. Our place is the last stop in the east; profits in Grub Grain Town are very thin. Merchants who have come once have never returned.”
“Chairman, this Cui Mao brings valuable goods.”
He said: “First, he has a copy of the —Dead Sea Atlas—. Although it’s a basic edition, this book is revised and supplemented annually, and the records and descriptions are more accurate.”
“Another is a medicinal hood. Wearing it can prevent inhaling toxins.”
“With the hood, A Jin and I can enter the outskirts of the Mushroom Forest. There are many good things there, including edible mushrooms, tools left by hunting teams that perished inside, and lots of excrement—the Claw Boars love to defecate there. They gnaw on some mushrooms to help them relieve themselves.”
Zhou Yi was taken aback.
So mushrooms actually have a laxative effect, and Claw Boars treat the Mushroom Forest as a public toilet.
Merchants’ books are indeed important information sources for understanding surface cities and populations.
“Bring him over.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
Zhou Yi was somewhat troubled that while Bird’s-Eye View was a divine skill that could directly suppress the opponent’s psychological price, using the remote control would be quite noticeable.
Suddenly, Red Falcon’s voice sounded in his mind.
“If it’s inconvenient, I can communicate directly with you via consciousness signals.”
Zhou Yi’s brows immediately relaxed.
Previously, he had used this method with the Warrior Crabs, and because he had input a large amount of energy into Red Falcon, it seemed both parties had successfully synchronized frequencies.
That made things much easier.
Soon, the merchant Cui Mao was brought over.
Red Falcon immediately reminded: “He is not an ordinary person; he is an Enhancer.”
Zhou Yi’s gaze sharpened.
This merchant did not seem simple.
Chapter 16 Sustainable Harvesting <TOC> Chapter 18 Tianjin Knight