"Chairman, the Breaking Ground Light Explosion transformation was successful!"

Shi Gandang spoke at an extremely fast pace: "Working with Jade City and based on the structure of low-rise buildings, we've incorporated E-3 grade 'Desertification,' 'Evaporation,' and 'High Temperature' capabilities on top of the basic requirements of 8 Light Imprints for Light Burst, to power these three abilities upon detonation."

"Theoretically, it can radiate across a 30-kilometer radius of farmland, inducing intense desertification in a short period of time."

"As per your request, its direct lethality is very low; to increase its effect on the ground, it will only cause mild concussive impacts on people."

This was precisely the outcome Zhou Yi wanted.

Duke Destructive could regard the population under his rule as numbers and expendables, but not farmland, a resource that's difficult to regenerate, which even he could not easily acquire.

Zhou Yi continued to make further confirmations: "Could the carrier of the Breaking Ground Light Explosion be intercepted or detonated prematurely?"

"That won't happen."

Shi Gandang stated with certainty: "Because the carrier is an integral part of Jade City's structure, it has high strength and can withstand impacts from B-grade energy levels."

"To ensure maximum lethality and to prevent dilution and buffering by ground layers, it will detonate 2000 meters above ground level, ensuring the maximum coverage area."

"According to historical data, even with traditional alien detonations, there has never been a case of external destruction causing interruption."

"With the short amount of time it falls from the sky, the air defense capabilities of the Shuanghe Region will not be able to effectively intercept."

"After the strategic strike commences, Jade City just needs to mount Buildings 3 and 4 onto its structure and perform the high-altitude drop. However, to guarantee that there is no overlap, it would be best to reassess and calculate the detonation spacing."

With Red Kestrel and satellites for assistance, there is no need to worry about this aspect.

Since everything was ready, Zhou Yi immediately began organizing the action plan.

He first instructed Cao Dayuan to evacuate Buildings 3 and 4 again, temporarily relocating the residents to the Mushroom House.

"Tell everyone that during this special time, we hope for their cooperation with our work."

Cao Dayuan nodded: "I will evacuate as quickly as possible."

With his proactive promotion and going door to door, the entire relocation was swiftly completed within half a day. Then Cao Dayuan helped the residents settle into the backup Mushroom Houses.

Meanwhile, Zhou Yi controlled Jade City's First Building, bringing Buildings 3 and 4 to Yalong Bay.

All check procedures were complete.

Night fell.

The two low-rise buildings were attracted to the left and right sides of the First Building, achieving structural connection.

Jade City shone with white light, soaring into the sky.

This time, Zhou Yi took off with Building 5, the combat unit of the Jade City collective. The residents of Building 5 were temporarily notified of the restrictions - they could enter but not exit, following the company operations, which they were clearly informed about upon moving in.

The two high-rise buildings soared into the cloud layer.

Above ten thousand meters high, the sky was clear.

The situation Zhou Yi was most worried about did not occur. There were no other powerful aerial forces in the Shuanghe Region, and the Thunder Beast could not fly at such heights.

Three hours later, Jade Twin Cities arrived again above the Shuanghe Region.

Red Kestrel synchronized the navigation data.

"Harvest City is 25 kilometers straight ahead, and the drop points this time are to the north and east of Harvest City, which are the most fertile farming areas."

On the tablet, the green dot representing their side coincided with the first red target dot.

"Lower altitude to 4000 meters."

After descending to the designated altitude, they indeed encountered aerial forces led by Thunder Beast attempting to intercept and attack.

At this point, Building 5 came into play, its building units equipped all over the body functioned like rocket projectiles, conducting extensive bombings on the enemy.

In fact, the attacks of Thunder Beast and the others couldn't prevent Jade City at all.

After descending to the predetermined altitude.

The lights of the city below also became much clearer.

Zhou Yi ordered: "Release Building 3."

Jade City's Building 3 on the left side slowly detached, falling straight down in a free-fall state.

Red Kestrel carried out real-time tracking.

"Building 3's altitude above ground is 3811 meters."

"Altitude above ground is 3404 meters."

"Altitude above ground is 2729 meters."

...

"Altitude above ground is 2022 meters."

"Initiate detonation!"

A surge of light burst forth from the surface of Jade City's First Building.

The falling Building 3 exploded into a bright light instantaneously, illuminating the large square farmlands below.

In the blinding flash, it exploded violently.

The explosion sound and shockwave took a few seconds to reach the First Building.

Which caused the floor-to-ceiling windows to tremble slightly.

Zhou Yi looked down at the ground.

The bright Light Burst created a circular shockwave, which instantly dried up and shattered various crops in the soil.

A vast amount of white mist rose from the ground, sweeping in every direction with the circular shockwave.

Zhou Yi didn't have time to continue observing; he simply commanded Jade City to move to the next drop location.

Over the agricultural region to the east of Harvest City, high above the farmland.

Building 4 left the main body of Jade City, plummeting towards the ground.

With the successful experience of the previous time, the entire process was even more swift and clean.

Building 4 was detonated at an altitude of 1900 meters above the ground, triggering a high-luminance flash and ring-shaped shockwave.

The dust rising from the earth obscured the changes happening below.

The bombardment was complete.

Zhou Yi immediately pulled up in altitude, bringing Building 5 back home.

They had just reached the stratosphere.

United City requested a dialogue immediately.

"Mr. Zhou, I have observed through the satellite that you detonated its two parts. Does this method pose a danger to Building Life?"

Zhou Yi replied, "That would require a case-by-case analysis. For Jade City, the loss and reconstruction of this part of the body has no impact."

The upper levels are replicable.

Only the high-rise 33rd floor possesses a complete self-awareness; Buildings 5, 6, and 7 are all precious.

"I didn't expect that not only do you have mastery over flight, but you can also use Light Burst technology. Truly enviable."

"After this time, Duke Destructive should be aware of what it's up against."

The satellite station said, "You must have many matters to deal with, so we won't disturb you further."

The conversation on this end was closed.

Zhou Yi saw on the homepage of Recursive City and Coral Port, news about his own deployment of detonating the Alien had emerged again, it seems Mechanical City was closely tracking the incident.

Not much later.

Red Kestrel, through a satellite view, completed the assessment of the strategic strike.

"This time, the delivery strikes of Buildings 3 and 4 covered a land area exceeding 62 kilometers, strategically bombing 2300 acres of high-quality farmland."

"Currently, these areas are still in a state of high temperature, with a large amount of water vapor already evaporated, and localized desertification taking shape."

Zhou Yi looked at the control screen.

On the two farmland regions outside Harvest City that had been bombed, vast crops were withered and dried up. The ground appeared as if scorched by great fires, still emitting smoke incessantly.

Shi Gandang on this said, "This time, the Light Burst has disrupted and transformed the soil quality and environment at the energy level, radiating down to deep layers of the earth. It will take decades for natural regeneration."

"Even disregarding costs to supply water, fertilizers, and professional equipment for ongoing repairs, expenses would reach more than 3 million Light Seeds. Even so, it would take at least five years to restore the farmland."

Zhou Yi had a personal understanding of this.

Making a piece of land fertile again is far more difficult than destroying it.

On the day following the bombardment.

Red Kestrel formally concluded: "Desertification strategy strike confirmed successful."

"Desertified land now accounts for 33% of the two areas' surface, and it's still growing. Desertification will continue to radiate and spread to the surrounding geopolitics."

In the screen, the two areas outside Harvest City that had been bombed were now barren.

The ground exhibited large-scale cracking due to drought and water loss; even though nearby channels were constantly drawing water, it was a drop in the bucket for land restoration.

Red-eyed Vultures circled overhead, diving down occasionally to peck at animal carcasses on the ground.

Harvest City resembled an ant hill breached, with masses of residents scrambling in all directions for a way out.

However, Zhou Yi remained unfazed.

He simply continued to instruct Shi Gandang: "Further strengthen research, strive to further optimize the Breaking Ground Light Explosion. Continue to develop other areas of strategic strikes, focusing on destroying existing non-renewable core resources."

"Yes, Chairman."

...

In Shuanghe Region.

At the Governor's Palace.

On the stage, a young puppet was holding a chair and slowly dancing, yet without music, the scene seemed rather eerie.

General Bai Xing and Lin Qin stood below the stage and didn't dare to speak.

As it danced, the puppet suddenly grabbed the chair and smashed it forcefully onto the ground, instantly scattering debris.

"Very good."

"Very good!"

"You did well!"

Duke Destructive snarled through gritted teeth, his eyes turning blood red.

Moments later.

Duke Destructive's eyes regained their clarity, and he straightened his collar and sleeves.

"I lost this time."

The puppet calmly said, "Lin Qin, go negotiate. However much he wants, I'll give."

"Yes, my lord."

Lin Qin said respectfully.

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