Zhou Yi sized up the creature before him.

Its build was similar to that of a sand rat, with a thick fur, and its head was wrapped in a shell-like layer of what resembled coal, forming a small conical drill.

This creature seemed to enjoy burrowing, pressing its head against the ground and rotating its body, while using its claws to dig the earth, it quickly burrowed a hole.

They dove into the earth and then emerged from the ground on the other side.

Nemo explained from the side, "Chairman, this is the offspring produced by the Coal Shell Bug and the sand rat."

"After a period of nurturing and testing, I've found they possess the adventurous spirit of the sand rat and the sea floor survival skills of the Coal Shell Bug, and their temperament is quite stable."

"They don't have eyes or vision and, like the Coal Shell Bug, they observe the world using their shell, sensing Death Light and energy."

Zhou Yi picked up an amphibious mouse by hand.

Upon being lifted, it kept still and began to play dead.

Through the perspective of [Alert], this type of creature did not emit white light, indicating it was an ordinary lifeform, similar to sand rats and Coal Shell Bugs. They couldn't rely on Death Light for energy replenishment alone and required normal food intake.

Zhou Yi squeezed its drill-shaped horn helmet, feeling it was like bone or a layer of keratin.

The electromechanical mouse continued, "The Coal Shell Bugs live beneath the Dead Sea, and when they come to the Land, they show signs of maladaptation quickly. The low concentration of Death Light in this environment makes their bodies very heavy, dulling their senses."

"So aside from mating, they all retreat back into the Dead Sea."

Zhou Yi couldn't help but recall.

When he had previously seen the Coal Shell Bugs and sand rats interbreed, they did indeed look as slow as snails and strained in their movements, which was related to the Dead Sea.

"However, the hybrid offspring don't have this problem."

"They are capable of living on Land and entering the sea floor, and their shell has degenerated and shrunk to the head, which they utilize as a burrowing tool, very effective in the Dead Sea."

Nemo pointed with its tiny claws toward one side, "Chairman, they really like the food from the Land."

Zhou Yi saw that the group of amphibious mice were gathered, gnawing on sweet potatoes. Their mouths under the drill head shells, they used their claws to pick up and stuff pieces of sweet potato into their shell, munching loudly.

"They may well be the future for sand rats and Coal Shell Bugs."

The electromechanical mouse's electronic eyes glowed faintly, "Having evolved such a form, they can cater to the Land and Dead Sea, continuing to reproduce and grow in the unnoticed underground."

"Whether they have the ability to reproduce independently is still to be verified. If they can't produce offspring on their own, that would be quite regrettable."

Zhou Yi, holding the amphibious mouse in his hand, asked, "How is their intelligence?"

"Comparable to the sand rat, better than the Coal Shell Bug. It's probably still an issue of living space, they are born into a variety of spaces to be active, receiving more information and experience. Most Coal Shell Bugs hardly move underground, feeding on Death Light mud, causing their shells to grow thicker and thicker."

"I will use the teachings from the Sand Rat Tribe and educate them collectively, rest assured."

Nemo said, "Chairman, please give them a name."

Zhou Yi placed the little creature back on the ground. It ran off towards its kind, also going to gnaw on sweet potatoes.

"Let's call them Drill Head Rats then."

"Yes, Chairman."

...

A day later, Zhou Yi came to the entrance of the Yalong Bay cavern.

Today was surgery day.

Da Vinci was performing the third extraction surgery on Li Mo.

Taking advantage of the waiting time, Zhou Yi also had a chat with Yalong Bay, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.

Regarding the winter Honor War, the other party was indifferent.

"Sometimes wars are unavoidable, just hoping they can be settled quickly."

Yalong Bay was interested in the action planned for next spring.

"That entirely new life form from the Water Factory Dormitory, I wonder what it looks like."

"If this ability could be cloned, building lifeforms would no longer be constrained by the Dead Sea, and that would be a historic day."

The submarine base was very much looking forward to it.

But Zhou Yi was thinking about something a bit closer: "I was wondering if there is a chance to learn the existing connection technology of United City. They can connect Mei State Prison, Joy Valley Amusement Park, Kunming Station, and Water Factory Dormitory with each other, in theory, we should be able to do the same here."

"You're right."

Yalong Bay also agreed, "On this matter, they are forerunners and we are latecomers. United City hopes to liberate and unite all building lifeforms, and I think we can try to ask for their help."

Zhou Yi decided to give it a try, as it would not cost him anything.

He contacted Kunming Station through Red Kestrel.

The station replied, "Of course, that's possible. We are willing to share this technology with all building lifeforms."

"The entire process is not that complex, actually; all you have to do is open up a part of the body of each building lifeform and join them together to succeed."

"There are two main difficulties involved."

"First, before connecting, it's necessary to designate a common area. It's important to ensure that the consciousness moves and docks within this common area to avoid entering each other's deep consciousness, which could cause confusion of the original entities."

"The construction and refinement of the common area require a long time of mutual adaptation, somewhat like how your humans build friendships."

"The second difficulty is the need for mutual trust, which is the hardest part. At first, we made a risky attempt when damaged and in need of banding together for survival, but given your special abilities, this might not be difficult."

"There are also specifics..."

After listening, Zhou Yi expressed his sincere gratitude.

Kunming Station genuinely wanted to teach other members of its kind, allowing the community of building lifeforms to awaken and grow rapidly.

After hearing Zhou Yi's account, Yalong Bay exclaimed, "Remarkable exploration and discovery."

It wanted to connect with Jade City to try to construct the first common area.

Zhou Yi said, "No problem, I'll discuss this with Jade City later."

The two sides began discussing the details.

Unbeknownst to them, the surgery with Da Vinci had already finished, and they notified Zhou Yi to enter the cave storage.

The Mechanical Doctor lifted its mechanical arm, showing off its work, a new piece of Stress Source encapsulated in solgel.

"This time the separation was from the bone, just that the searching process took quite some time. To avoid disturbing the nerves and spine, we performed a minimally invasive operation; this one actually resulted in the smallest wound."

Zhou Yi looked at Li Mo inside.

The mutant child was sitting on the couch at this time, legs crossed like 'Erlang god', flipping through a comic book under the tunnel lights, showing no signs of being unwell.

Now, the cave storage had a leather couch, a Simmons bed, tables and chairs, a wardrobe, even an iron rack for displaying Li Mo's trophies, and a workbench specially used for making cups. Various foods were also regularly delivered here.

It had transformed from an abandoned building into a minimalist studio.

Having acquired the third Stress Source, Zhou Yi returned to the 31st floor of Jade City.

The radio, channel 5, turned on.

"223, 222..."

The countdown appeared once again.

...

Zhou Yi went back to the Sea of Gems, where all he could see were the flowing varieties of gems.

He peered into the Gem Room, wanting to check on the Kobolds.

Inside, only the White Gemstones remained on the floor, indicating the Kobolds had absorbed all the energy from the Blue Gemstones.

There were two red dots flying about erratically inside.

The Kobold chased after them.

"Stop, stop, come back!"

"Come back, you two disobedient things!"

What was happening?

Had it produced an Outer Elixir?

Zhou Yi observed with interest.

He quickly realized that the two red dots were not Outer Elixirs, but two eyeballs...

The Kobold's eyes were now detached from its body, and the two eyeballs outside were fighting, emitting red light.

Zhou Yi was a bit dumbfounded.

This was something he truly had never seen before.

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