Zhou Yi sized up the object in front of him.

Stone Shedding is a rectangular stone formation, with a very clear geometric structure. It's entirely lead-gray, with a surface that resembles the wave patterns of forged metal.

It is continuously releasing radiation.

-1

-1

...

The damage numbers kept flickering, but they were ineffective under Zhou Yi's high-intensity Defense.

The testing area is in a controlled region of Yalong Bay, so ordinary people need not worry about radiation exposure.

Jade City said from the side, "Commissioner, this thing can radiate up to a 225-meter radius, the same as [Flying House Bombardment]."

"It is a part of a chaotic mechanism that I stripped and compressed."

Zhou Yi immediately realized. Stone Shedding indeed resembled a miniaturized Jade City, except it lacked carved windows and exterior walls, more like a mold embryo.

The Program Department then conducted several tests.

703 stated, "Chairman, the radiation source is very strong, having undergone high-temperature multidirectional compression and hammering, almost like special forging, hence the visible layering and patterning."

"Due to external compression and structural fixation, it is in a relatively stable state of radiation energy release."

"If we further accelerate its energy release, the resultant energy would be considerable. However, specific results would still need experimental testing to ascertain."

The Mechanical Programmer Walker then said, "Radioactive radiation is its energy essence. To harness this energy, first, we need to restrict its radiation range. Lead is very effective in this scenario; a few centimeters of lead can shield it."

"However, considering we need to use a considerable amount of Stone Shedding, perhaps tens of centimeters of lead would be necessary to ensure high energies do not affect the surroundings."

"For conducting related experiments, we need to purchase large quantities of lead to build shielding protective facilities."

"Chairman, there's another problem. The radiation from individual Stone Sheds is already causing disruptions to our mechanical life. Although the variance is minimal, if it continues, calculation errors will start to compound. So we also need special protective devices—but once isolated, lacking high-precision corresponding equipment, it becomes difficult to ensure accurate experimental observations."

"..."

High-precision large-scale devices are only available in the Five Great Centers, and their sale is strictly restricted. In the past, other Mechanical Cities had to send samples there and rent their laboratories for testing.

Stuck there.

Zhou Yi pondered deeply and suddenly thought of two people.

He had Yuan Xiao call them over.

After a long time without seeing him, Li Mo still looked like a child, his physiological development having ceased due to extensive full-body modifications.

Heavenly Dog, however, had become rougher and unkempt, appearing untrimmed and still sporting that not-so-smart look in his eyes.

Zhou Yi asked, "This radiation source, does it affect you much?"

The two mutants approached Stone Shedding and began fiddling with it.

Li Mo said, "Basically no effect. We both have very high radiation resistance. We were radiation sources ourselves, and although it was removed surgically, our body's resistance remains."

He observed for a while longer, his expression gradually turning serious: "This thing is very intense, wrapped in layers, with the energy core inside."

The Kobold then stuffed Stone Shedding into his mouth and bit down: "Very hard."

Then its eyes emitted a red light, [Radiation] ability unfolded.

Under the continuous red light, the water patterns on Stone Shedding's surface turned bright red, accompanied by a faint buzzing sound. Its surrounding area's temperature kept rising, the high heat causing light and shadows to distort.

Zhou Yi then felt its radiation intensity increase.

-2

-3

-4

-5

...

-10

The radiation intensity increased to -10 before the Kobold ended the activation. As the glow in its eyes faded, the glowing red-hot Stone Shedding quickly returned to a dull state, emitting wisps of white vapor.

Heavenly Dog said, "Chairman, I just tested it a moment ago. My [Radiation] can activate its interior, making it more active in releasing energy outward."

"Just repeated testing needed, and I should be able to further ignite it, enhancing its energy release. If necessary, we could also acquire radiation devices to stimulate it at specific power levels."

Zhou Yi was overjoyed.

Li Mo and Heavenly Dog, being mutants, have extremely strong radiation resistance. They could serve as frontline observers and experimenters, directly interacting with Stone Shedding.

Heavenly Dog also provided a practical, controllable method to activate Stone Shedding.

Yet, another problem presents itself.

Difficult communication.

To utilize Stone Shedding for radiation power generation, the Program Department and Li Mo could communicate without issues, but the crucial Jade City and Shi Gandang were unable to interact with the outside world.

Zhou Yi sync-asked, "Shi Gandang, how much progress have we made on the Alien Language?"

"Chairman, we have written 1200 characters so far. The common part of the language is almost completed, totaling about one-third finished."

Progress wasn't slow.

Zhou Yi remembered, 1200 characters was about the level of fourth or fifth grade in elementary school.

Converted, that would be the level of Nobita Nobi from Doraemon.

Basic communication was enough.

Zhou Yi immediately declared, "Starting now, we initiate the Stone Shed Reactor Research Project."

"Program Department to provide data, equipment, and experimental technical support."

"Li Mo and Heavenly Dog, as researchers involving in frontline experiments."

"Jade City and Shi Gandang will officially join this project, with Shi Gandang serving as the overall project leader."

Upon hearing Alien employees joining, the two mutants and 703 were surprised.

"Who is Shi Gandang?"

"Chairman, but Jade City it..."

Zhou Yi said, "Don't worry, they already possess basic communication capabilities."

"Just by establishing a projection wall here in Yalong Bay, Jade City can directly converse with you."

"Here I must introduce, Shi Gandang is a Light Seal Expert, skilled in dynamics and engineering, very knowledgeable in the field of Building Life, and now it is Jade City's partner."

Shi Gandang's identity was sensitive; Zhou Yi gave it a pseudonym to avoid unnecessary trouble.

The crowd was excited upon knowing this.

This marked the first-ever collaboration between Alien employees and other staff, pioneering an unprecedented event.

Zhou Yi turned and asked, "Also, how are you two doing with your Alien Language studies?"

Li Mo and Heavenly Dog's smiles vanished, and they fell silent, heads bowed.

Clearly, they hadn't learned at all.

Zhou Yi frowned, "You haven't been assigned any tasks either. I've said before, use your free time to learn. Are my words falling on deaf ears?"

Li Mo stammered, and Heavenly Dog's ears drooped.

703 said, "Chairman, please rest assured, our Program Department and the projection wall's database are synchronized, and we can accurately interpret the meaning of the alien language."

Zhou Yi's expression eased slightly, "It's always you who reassure me."

He redirected the conversation: "The core of the Stone Shedding Reactor is to use this radiation energy for power generation, to supplement our increasingly high demands for electricity. Therefore, you also need to communicate more with the electricity department to better convert our research into practical applications."

Everyone responded, "Yes, Chairman!"

...

Besides school, Zhou Yi now mostly focuses his energy on the Electric Cat domain.

This differed from his past projects like the Jade Soup, Flame Cup, and flying thread.

The Electric Cat, a form of electric life, had very high potential for shaping; around it, a vast array of industries could be developed, constructing a brand-new technological system that the Wasteland World had never seen before.

Zhou Yi inquired daily from Lord Sand Sea.

He now also experienced what Duke Destructive felt when asking him about the Electric Cat.

"Any new Electric Souls?"

"No..."

"Today?"

"Still no..."

"There must be some today, right?"

"Ah..."

Initially, Lord Sand Sea was very optimistic, thinking that by taking the cat house into the Dead Sea and activating his invincible catalyst ability, it would mutate into a powerful Electric Soul form.

However, its efforts to artificially mutate the Electric Cat were not ideal.

Up until now, besides the initial Electric Soul "Shali Huo", only another Electric Cat "Shali Jian" was successful.

"The probability is very low… I've been using the catalyst, but often it mutates halfway and then quickly degenerates back."

Lord Sand Sea said weakly, "Look at me, I'm in a state of overdraw every day. I feel like I have become a slave to the Electric Cats..."

The once robust seal now appeared listless, shoulders drooping, eyes tired, visibly exhausted.

"But it's not entirely without gains; I've indeed discovered two patterns."

"Mr. Zhou, only the members of the Thunder Group can transform into Electric Souls."

Lord Sand Sea summoned some energy, "The Electric Cats of the Flash Spirit Team show no response to the catalyst. They are too stable and generally timid; if the catalyst continues, they might even run away and hide inside the cat house."

"The Thunder Series is different; they are daring, smarter, more aggressive, although they are also harder to maintain. Some of them like the catalyzation process, and it seems the mutating that strengthens them is something they are willing to undergo."

"Of this batch of Electric Cats, I received three from the Thunder Group; one was successful. The other two, one was not interested in mutating and would even resist my catalytic effect, and the other directly zapped me, detesting mutation."

He said, "After all, it's really up to the Thunder Series Electric Cats themselves. I merely accelerate this process."

Zhou Yi nodded as he listened.

There was quite a bit to learn about the process of mutating Electric Cats.

Electric Cats of the Thunder Group, inherently different in temperament, so it also depended on luck.

"But in fact, the number of Electric Souls is not many, it doesn't make a big impact."

Lord Sand Sea added, "Because they are an electric structure, they can instantly travel throughout Sand Port. Theoretically, one Electric Soul is sufficient to cover this area, forming a reflective barrier."

That was indeed true.

But Zhou Yi always believed in the principle of 'the greater the force, the greater the distance covered'.

Rather than one running around Sand Port, he preferred Sand Port to be filled with Electric Souls.

Zhou Yi said, "You must continue your work. I will find you some more Electric Cats from the Thunder Group, the more Electric Souls the better."

"Understood. I'll continue."

After ending that conversation, Zhou Yi returned to Jade City, starting to discuss treasure hunting with Xiao Fu.

As they talked, a knock sounded from outside.

"Chairman, it's me, A Jin."

A Jin had now grown into a big lad. When Zhou Yi first met him, he was only 13 years old, but five years have passed, and he had turned into a spry young man of 18, his voice no longer immature.

He had grown to about 175 cm, his hair cut short, wearing a windbreaker, carrying a large backpack, and his skin a tad darker – the result of being frequently exposed to the sun and constant traveling.

Yet his eyes remained clear, and he smiled brightly.

"Chairman, I have some good news for you!"

Zhou Yi handed him a can of Coke.

The young man pulled the tab, took a big gulp, closed his eyes, and showed a delighted expression, "The beverages from the company are still the tastiest, outside, I can only drink rainwater."

"Chairman, we have a new Spark Knight!"

Zhou Yi appeared surprised, "How come Ye Zhao hasn't mentioned this?"

"Because it doesn't know yet. Hehe."

The young man smiled slightly, "Come with me."

He was keeping Zhou Yi in suspense.

But Zhou Yi followed A Jin out nonetheless.

They arrived at a vacant area outside Jade City where an old, dilapidated high-rise building stood.

It was Jade City Tower 7.

Among all the high-rises, Tower 7 was best at flying and was a natural-born adventurer.

But it was unclear what had happened to it; its surface was pockmarked, looking like it could collapse at any moment.

Zhou Yi also saw a wounded Weapon Master wrapped in bandages,

it was Xie Xun, the captain of the Scavenger Team.

"Good day, Chairman." It bowed through the signal transceiver.

Zhou Yi's eyes lit up instantly, "Xie Xun, you're a Spark Knight now?"

"No... not me." Xie Xun quickly waved his paws.

"Chairman, it's this."

A Jin patted the high-rise.

Tower 7 suddenly became enveloped in lightning, transforming in an instant into a massive electroluminescent entity, emitting crackling electric arcs that created a hair-raising oppressive feeling.

Zhou Yi exclaimed loudly.

Weren't they still conducting integration tests on ordinary life?

How did a Spark Alien come about!

The young A Jin said with a laugh, "Chairman, let's start from the beginning…"

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