Zhou Yi took his first trip to Shuanghe City aboard the flights of Jade City.

As the absolute core of the Shuanghe Region, this city built on the plains is vast, about three times the size of Harvest City, with very clear ring road planning.

The density of buildings inside the city is high, and the market area is bustling with people; one can see Bone Men, Guangna Species, and even Mechanical Life forms.

Zhou Yi discovered that there is a hill outside Shuanghe City that has been transformed into an airfield where gliders take off and land. Below the hill, a road leads directly to the city, with many travelers heading up the hill to board the planes.

Earth official Lin Qin, accompanied by two Mountain Dogs, had been waiting outside the city for a while.

"Mr. Zhou, please follow me, Duke Destructive awaits you at the Ambassador Mansion in the city."

The Ambassador Mansion is located on the north side of Shuanghe City and is a humongous estate.

Inside the courtyard, there are dedicated people trimming lawns and bushes, and there is also a small lake. Thick winter snow covers the trees and the grass, and snow removal workers are clearing the ground with salt and brooms.

In the main mansion of the estate, Zhou Yi met Duke Destructive.

It had activated the previous young puppet and was now sitting in a chair chatting with a Golden Owl and a burly scar-faced Panda Man.

Seeing Zhou Yi coming in with Yuan Xiao, Duke Destructive said, "Mr. Zhou has arrived, let me introduce you."

"Heavenly Kingdom Ambassador to Shuanghe, Feng Che."

Zhou Yi nodded to the Golden Owl, "Long time no see."

The Owl responded in kind.

"This is the head of the second execution department of the Panda Administration from Heavenly's Citizen Department, Meng Liang."

The scar-faced Panda Man clasped his fists in a greeting: "I have long admired Mr. Zhou's great name."

"Politeness, Head Meng, hello."

Zhou Yi also clasped his fists in return.

Meng Liang had several old scars on his right face that did not grow hair, giving his face a fierce look.

But, in reality, he spoke in a calm and steady tone.

The Panda Head wore a blue crossed-collar long shirt with a belt tied around it, and a leather case hung on his waist, giving off a vibe of Hanfu or Tang dress.

Zhou Yi examined Meng Liang, and the Panda Man also observed him.

At this moment, Duke Destructive spoke again: "Time is precious for everyone, so let's not beat around the bush. Feng Che, according to Heavenly Kingdom's law, how do we go about redeeming Tuo Zhu?"

The Owl blinked: "According to the laws and regulations related to Panda People, first and foremost, the embezzled 30,000 Light Seeds need to be recovered. Based on successful recovery, there will be a punishment of 1 to 15 days of detention, which can be substituted with 1,500 Light Seeds."

"Regarding the obligation to reproduce, since there has been continued postponement under various conditions previously, and there are no force majeure reasons now. Hence, if one wishes to further postpone for a year, 10,000 Light Seeds as bail must be paid."

"Combined together, 40,500 Light Seeds needs to be paid, and accept educational criticism. Head Meng, is my understanding correct?"

The scar-faced Panda Man pondered for a while: "This conforms to the current legal process. However, the Panda Administration has also introduced a new rule this year, that is, when paying bail, a guarantor needs to sign."

"If the autonomous region citizen fails to report to the Panda Administration within the prescribed one month, or fails to contact the Heavenly Kingdom Ambassador, Governor, or the dispatched agency to complete written reporting, it is considered a breach of obligation, and the guarantor will also need to assume joint liability."

Duke Destructive immediately said: "If we need to go through this process, I can be the guarantor, any problem?"

Meng Liang replied: "Of course."

Zhou Yi then said: "I want to meet Tuo Zhu first. Because I actually do not know it, it was recommended by a friend to come to me."

"That's possible. But according to the rules, I need to be present," said Meng Liang.

Panda Man Tuo Zhu was not locked in a prison, but in a small detached villa.

The room was covered with soft thick carpets, and there was a stove in the middle for heating. At the moment, it was holding a liquor gourd and guzzling down drink after drink.

"This is Mr. Zhou Yi, you two talk," Meng Liang said a word and then stood still by the door.

"Are you Zhou Yi?" asked Tuo Zhu.

"I am."

Zhou Yi nodded: "To get you out, it will take more than 40,000 Light Seeds, I need to confirm if you're worth that price."

The Panda Man scratched its short ears with its paw: "I'm doomed, I might really not be worth that money. My savings have all been spent, and I have no means to make money. From childhood to adulthood, I just don't know how to earn money, I only know how to spend it."

"..."

Zhou Yi laughed.

This kid is honest.

"Didn't you say you can construct special buildings that can gather and summon Energy State Life?"

"I can indeed build. But to be honest, this thing is not really worth much."

The Panda Man took another gulp from the liquor gourd: "If it were really valuable, then the Empire would definitely pay me. But I've had the administration apply several times, and except for the first time, all subsequent review results have been the same."

"Having certain research value, classified as E-class special building, prize of 1,000 Light Seeds."

"However, Guste mentioned that you have a keen eye, and you might see its value."

Zhou Yi pointed at the gourd and asked, "What's in there, alcohol?"

"It's not."

The Panda Man shook the gourd in its hand: "It's tea. Young Panda People drink alcohol, but we adults drink tea. It's for health preservation, moderate tea drinking is beneficial for longevity. My tea gourd has been nurtured for many years, it has a special flavor when you drink it, do you want a taste?"

"...No need."

Zhou Yi further asked, "What kind of energy state life can the buildings you construct attract?"

"Electricity."

Tuo Zhu put down the gourd and said, "The Curved House I built can attract electric-form energy state life, which is called 'Electric Ball.' You know about Electric Balls, right?"

Zhou Yi shook his head.

"It's a type of electric-form life that looks like the inner lining of a kettle. However, unlike heat, light, or wind energy states, it can only be generated during lightning storms."

The Panda Man explained, "They are lifeforms with very short lifespans, born in an instant and dying in the next. Have you seen lightning?"

"The flickering lightning isn't the same one each time; they are individual bolts being born and dying repeatedly. These are energy state life forms with incredibly brief life cycles. They don't possess much intelligence and were even thought to be just natural phenomena in the past. Only later did everyone realize that they are also a form of life."

Zhou Yi's interest was piqued. "How was this determined?"

"Electric Balls undergo metabolism, they absorb energy, grow, develop, and reproduce. Although these processes may occur in the span of an instant, they're so fast that they appear never to have existed."

"Reproduction? You mean, Electric Balls reproduce Electric Balls?"

Zhou Yi was surprised.

"Yes."

Sitting cross-legged on the carpet, Tuo Zhu said, "Electric Ball reproduction is different from us flesh and blood beings. They don't produce little Electric Balls, but electrical sparks, like constantly striking a spark. Most sparks die soon after birth; only a few grow into Electric Balls. It's like using a flint to start a fire; you have to strike many times before it ignites."

"Electric Balls will only emerge in a relatively stable and enclosed environment. During the era of divine beings, there was something called a battery; that was a container for Electric Balls. The Old Humans in that aspect were truly remarkable."

"They have played with everything, and what we see and touch today is what they left behind from many years ago."

With a sigh, the Panda Man said, "Inside a battery, Electric Balls can survive for a longer time. Otherwise, once they enter the outside world, they would dissipate quickly as well, essentially still being electricity."

"It's like fish, which can only live in water; if you throw them in a desert, they will die. However, Electric Balls die faster and more thoroughly."

Various thoughts flashed through Zhou Yi's mind.

Energy state life, electric form, Electric Balls.

This meant, if one could gather enough Electric Balls, could electric energy be revived?

As the energy system that ruled the world during the Old Humans' era, electricity could be said to be the cornerstone of modern society.

"So, you mean to say your building can attract Electric Balls?"

"Yes. However, it's best during thunderstorms, as natural lightning produces the best effect. To be precise, Electric Balls will enter and can exist inside for a short while."

Zhou Yi thought to himself no wonder.

This thing could only be used as a decorative house.

Of no practical value, it can neither store Electric Balls nor utilize them.

The 1,000 Light Seed bonus from Heavenly Kingdom was already giving face.

Seeing Zhou Yi silent, Tuo Zhu added, "However, during thunderstorms, it's quite magnificent to see Electric Balls discharging electricity, like trapping lightning inside the house."

"…"

Although the company had millions in its account, money doesn't come from the wind to be squandered so recklessly.

Just as Zhou Yi was pondering how to decline politely, Tuo Zhu suddenly said, "If you're not interested in Electric Balls, I have something else."

It picked up a thick bamboo stick next to it and twisted it open, revealing a simple storage container.

The Panda Man took something out and handed it to Zhou Yi.

"This, I give to you, you help me."

Zhou Yi took a closer look.

In Tuo Zhu's claw were two seeds, big and small, but both resembling fruit cores.

"Aren't you planting trees and engaging in cultivation? Those Otherworld trees and fruits, these are seeds passed down in my family. My dad said they were also obtained from the Otherworld."

"I give this to you, help me out, I don't want to go back and bear panda cubs."

Zhou Yi nodded immediately: "Deal."

The other party was overjoyed: "That's great!"

Then Zhou Yi turned and started the process: paying the money, with Duke Destructive acting as the guarantor. Tuo Zhu also signed its own service deferment application and admitted to its faults without equivocation, receiving a lecture from Chief Panda Officer Meng Liang.

"Thank you all for the help. If there is anything I can assist with in the future, please feel free to come to the company. I'll take Tuo Zhu back now."

Zhou Yi clasped fists towards Duke Destructive, Feng Che, and Meng Liang.

The officials across also happily accepted the gratitude.

His arrival was swift, and so was his departure.

After bringing Tuo Zhu into Jade City, skyscrapers rose from the ground.

Zhou Yi stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the two seeds in his hand.

This seed, one shaped like a gourd, was too familiar in both appearance and texture – it was a Pan Tree Seed.

The other seed, however, was shaped like a mulberry with many small grains, unknown as to what kind of tree it was.

But to be placed together with a Pan Tree Seed, it must also be something special.

He decided to go back and consult Ni Ge.

Just these two seeds alone were worth 40,000 Light Seeds.

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