On an ordinary day, a notice was released on various public information platforms.

——To let the impoverished mechanical life-forms feel societal care and to genuinely solve their economic difficulties, we have decided to make our latest scientific achievement, the "Floating Heart," available to the world for free.

——This device is created by inventors Liu Fusheng and Chen Ruixiang. Its mechanism utilizes the Dead Sea's plankton, filling into a specially made mechanical pump to become an energy heart...

——We sincerely hope that with everyone's combined efforts, the "Floating Heart" can be rapidly developed and mass-produced to address the longstanding poverty issues of mechanical life-forms and alleviate the current energy shortages in various places.

——An ancient adage says, "Solo journey is fast, group journey goes far." It is an era that competes over who truly represents the more advanced productive forces. We are very willing to join everyone to change the face of the entire world and create a better living environment.

Signed: Wasteland Development Company

…

Dead Sea Knights, Young Officer Club.

Many knight officers clink glasses, getting to know and exchanging information with each other — with charming ladies, noblewomen, and merchants coming and going, each taking what they need.

Qin Xie grabbed a glass of wine and stood on the balcony.

Teddy lowered his voice and said, "This is a major earthquake... the Floating Heart matter has exploded."

"According to my information, there has been a fallout within Mechanical City. Floating Hearts with basic functions have already been replicated; many smaller cities have requested the formal commencement of research and manufacturing of Floating Hearts, and there are internal disagreements within the Five Great Centers."

"Holy Mountain agrees, Mirror City and Snow County oppose, and eventually, the general agreement was not passed."

"Small cities are becoming increasingly dissatisfied. Already there are two cities, where the Program Department has started the process, trying to split from the Mechanical and Electrical City Group and transform into Human City..."

Qin Xie took a sip of wine, "When it comes to survival issues involving personal interests, people will no longer compromise and give in. With the impact of the 'Sunday' and 'Family' programs, the old battle lines of Mechanical City are now riddled with holes."

"The pace of Zhou Yi is both fast and steady... I finally honed my ping-pong skills and just got promoted to Deputy Commander of the Seventh Fleet, and yet he has already stirred up the entire Mechanical and Electrical City Group."

Teddy couldn't help saying, "Was that because of ping-pong? It's clearly due to family connections."

"There are family relationships, but also my own efforts..."

"Indeed. I didn't expect you to win the favor and recommendation of Governor's wife Mei. What does she like about you? As far as I know, you're not the type to flirt and create an atmosphere."

"You don't know about that."

Qin Xie whispered, "She used to like my father, but my father firmly refused, so I became a substitute for my father. That added a layer of thrill for her."

"..."

Teddy slapped his leg, "Brother, you're really burdened."

"It's okay. Mrs. Mei is beautiful, and she's straightforward in her words and actions, we get along harmoniously. Let's not talk about her here."

Qin Xie looked at the distant moon, "Floating Heart... do you want to install one too?"

Teddy hesitated for a moment, "I do want to, it can save 88% of energy consumption..."

Qin Xie stretched, "I'll ask Zhou Yi for it. But I can't reach him right now, everyone is probably looking for him, he must now be the center of the world's attention."

…

Recursive City.

Inside a sealed room of the Program Department.

Seven workers of the Program Department gathered together.

Presiding this resolution was Sigma on a kart, "Now, let's start the anonymous voting."

"The usual rule, please open the distributed uniform envelope, use the number 4 bold pen, and complete your vote on the paper inside."

"This vote involves a sensitive major decision, there will be no file and data records kept. So please choose carefully, prioritizing the city's interests."

Before long.

One envelope after another was placed in the ballot box.

Sigma extended its mechanical arm and began counting the votes.

"Agree."

"Agree."

…

"Seven votes agree, unanimously carried."

It immediately declared, "I announce, the Program Department has decided to allocate 800,000 Light Seeds from this city, and the Spring and Autumn Consortium will start the research and manufacturing of the 'Floating Heart.'"

"Also, officially upgrading Wasteland Development Company's partnership importance to the first sequence. Arrange the first batch of mechanical life to install the heart, striving to become the earliest Mechanical City to acquire the Floating Heart."

…

Shuanghe Region, Shuanghe City.

Earth official Lin Qin and General Bai Xing stood quietly, waiting for the ruler's decision.

The young puppet on the chair gently patted the armrest.

"Now I have to admit, Zhou Yi's ambition and strategy match his strength; indeed, he is an impressive person."

Duke Destructive praised him.

"The Floating Heart move is very elegant, sharing it openly, directly leading the entire situation. Everyone has to hustle around this new technology, and those who lag behind will become the ones whom the pioneers can consume the dividend of."

"The sanctions against Mechanical City have now become a joke."

Duke Destructive paused, "Contact Zhou Yi, say we hope to become the core collaborative producer of the Floating Heart, Shuanghe Region will fully open to Wasteland Development Company."

"We are willing to provide all commodity OEM and manufacturing, be it Jade Soup, Flame Cup, or gliders, we can make them and provide policy and resource inclination."

Lin Qin was somewhat concerned, "But sir, if Wasteland Company enters, our local products will face a huge impact. Just the Mushroom House alone would completely render many of our current construction materials obsolete... even leading to our population migrating and moving there."

"This might have indeed been unacceptable in the past, but not now."

Duke Destructive's eyes moved, looking at Lin Qin, "With the birth of Floating Heart, the important time to compete for and divide mechanical talents is coming."

"Mechanical and Electrical City Group will not give up its dominance, but the appearance of the Floating Heart puts them in a dilemma."

"If they acknowledge the Floating Heart, they will be led by Wasteland Company, and sanctions will be out of the question. If they ignore it, then the general agreement rule loses its foundation and soil."

"The upper echelons still have room to maneuver, the economically tense mechanical life, a part of them will definitely migrate and leave."

"Where can they go? The ideal refuge is the Wasteland Development Company in Sand Port, but they can't accommodate so many mechanical professionals."

"In the nearby area, only Shuanghe Region has enough land and positions to accommodate them."

"Our cooperation with Wasteland Company is to strive for the cooperation zone title, to smoothly capture this batch of migrating talents."

Duke Destructive said, "Either keep up with change or be abandoned, the world has always been so."

Lin Qin sighed: "I know, I just can't accept it... I didn't expect to lose to Wasteland Company even in civil and manufacturing fields."

"Victory and defeat are common in military affairs."

Duke Destructive didn't care: "I agree with Zhou Yi's view. To go further, one needs to find companions, and from this perspective, we are quite fortunate to have a strong partner nearby."

The silent Bai Xing suddenly spoke: "We have advantages."

"Glider, coupled with Floating Heart, the combination of technologies, is sufficient to become a flight vehicle with high-speed mobility and strong endurance, and our air power will shine brightly."

"Militarily, our biggest advantage is air power and aerial combat experience, as we are the region that first acquired gliders and flight capabilities. We need to capitalize on this head start, both in military and civilian terms, to gain a huge advantage."

Lin Qin was stunned.

Duke Destructive then asked: "Is the glider's strength sufficient?"

"Sufficient."

Bai Xing, with a cigarette in his mouth, said: "Air deterrence isn't about how strong the flight bodies are. It's about having enough numbers to achieve multi-model coordinated combat."

"Reconnaissance, harassment, bombing, escort, and disruption—different flight units working together in coordinated formations, could unleash tremendous combat power."

"Endurance and speed are the most important in the air. Floating Heart can solve this problem; I believe that in the near future, everyone will step into the era of aerial combat."

"Now the advantage is on our side, I think the adult's words are correct. Forming a de facto alliance with Wasteland Company as soon as possible is of great military value and strategic significance."

Lin Qin waved his tentacles: "Alright, alright, being the only stubborn old-school left, it seems my mindset is the most rigid. I'll go to Sand Port to visit Mr. Zhou and learn some new things."

...

Forbidden Continent, Golden Elephant Valley.

A man with heavy dark circles squinted his eyes, resting on the thigh of a female warrior named Lan Liao, while a rabbit-eared girl Bai Bi fed him grapes.

The female warrior said solemnly: "Sir, should we also acquire some Floating Hearts? After all, this could greatly reduce energy consumption."

The Warlord hummed, slowly opening his eyes: "Indeed, it's a fine item."

He yawned: "Floating Heart is an outstanding energy device. Zhou Yi turned it into a sharp blade, offering it to everyone. Now, only the Mechanical Cities are without such blades, putting them in a bind... But this approach is correct. As long the application is wise, everything in the world can be a weapon."

"Bai Bi, make a trip for me, buy more Floating Hearts from Zhou Yi."

The rabbit-eared girl, resolute: "As you command, Sir!"

Suddenly a thunderous roar of anger erupted nearby.

The Warlord frowned: "Be quiet, Gold Elephant."

Not far behind stood four towering golden pillars touching the clouds, their bodies unseen, the voice coming from above the clouds.

After being scolded, it immediately fell silent.

...

Heavenly Capital, Dawn City.

In an extremely modest room, a commanding voice echoed.

"...Floating Heart... proclaim to the world... force Mechanical Cities... interesting."

"Zhou Yi, Wasteland Development Company. Add to priority watchlist."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Said the follower in the dark.

...

On a huge and secretive screen.

[Laozi]: Wasteland Development Company took out the Floating Hearts, a great gift to all mechanical lives. This device has resolved our biggest energy issue, and we should respond in a manner that meets this standard.

[Zhuang Zi]: What do you mean?

[Laozi]: Release file number three.

[Zhuang Zi]: !

[Zhuang Zi]: It's indeed a good opportunity! Let's show everyone that it's time for machine lives to be completely liberated from their shackles!

[Laozi]: Once released, we will enter extreme danger.

[Zhuang Zi]: Isn't that something we've known for a long time? I wouldn't be sitting here if I was afraid!

[Laozi]: It's an honor to be your partner.

[Zhuang Zi]: Enough talk, let's make a big move!

...

Meanwhile.

In Jade City, Zhou Yi welcomed the long-awaited winter. The first snow of the year began to fall outside.

The Land God is finally coming back!

As he and Yuan Xiao were eating hotpot and singing, suddenly the figure of the Night God in palace attire appeared.

"Is my timing off?"

"Your timing is perfect."

Zhou Yi warmly welcomed: "More people, just an extra pair of chopsticks. But, do you eat?"

"Yes, I eat. Although I can't digest, it's still lively."

Thus, the Night God also joined the hotpot team.

"I actually came because of something."

"Floating Heart?"

"Not that, although there's that too... I am here on behalf of the Land God, it couldn't make it this year."

Zhou Yi fumed: "It promised to come this year, how did it default!"

"Let me explain."

Night God soothed: "The Land God ran into a little trouble."

"What trouble."

"Land God was killed."

"..."

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