Ambassador Feng Che was a Golden Owl, draped in dense, golden feathers.

"Mr. Zhou, the majestic power you demonstrated in Spring City was truly awe-inspiring and heart-stirring."

Its tone was gentle and courteous: "His Majesty the Black Emperor has been keeping an eye on your company for a long time, and he had instructed me to give a detailed report. His Majesty believes that the Wasteland Development Company is both highly creative and proactive. Unlike other purely profit-driven groups, your company has consistently been dedicated to improving the living conditions of ordinary people, enhancing the quality of their lives, and promoting higher birth rates among all intelligent entities."

"His Majesty the Black Emperor greatly appreciates the universal values you advocate."

Zhou Yi replied politely, "His Majesty the Black Emperor flatters us. Our company's concept is simple: true goodness is when everyone benefits. If humans, the Guangna Species, and Mechanical Lifeforms in this world continue to dwindle, the company will struggle to thrive."

"You put it very well."

Feng Che's large eyes sparkled as it shook its feathers with a smile: "During this visit, under His Majesty's command, I am here to extend a formal invitation to you."

"The Heavenly Kingdom sincerely invites you and the Wasteland Development Company to participate in this year's autumn 『All Things Expo』. It will be held in Xianzhi City, Panda Autonomous Region. If you have time, you must attend. His Majesty the Black Emperor wishes to have a private chat with you at that time."

Zhou Yi was hearing this name for the first time and couldn't help but ask, "What is the 『All Things Expo』?"

Feng Che explained, "It is a long-standing grand event. At the founding of the Heavenly Kingdom, many sea lords would annually visit His Majesty the Black Emperor with gifts."

"His Majesty then established a specific time each autumn to meet with visiting sea lords, strengthening their connections through gatherings."

"During this period, sea lords would exchange gifts and display the specialties of their territories. His Majesty eventually turned this practice into a public exhibition, which is now the All Things Expo."

"In simpler terms, each organization invited by the Heavenly Kingdom is given a space at the expo to showcase various goods and treasures, which can be purchased if someone is interested. The Heavenly Kingdom does so as well."

"The event is extensive, with the most influential organizations worldwide participating. Often, there will be items that catch everyone's eye, sparking the year's trend, so the commercial effect of the expo is very significant."

Zhou Yi understood.

It was originally a tribute event, later transformed by the Black Emperor into a trade fair where everyone could buy and sell with each other.

The All Things Expo, hosted by the Black Emperor, invites only the top tycoons and rulers of the Wasteland World.

It can be seen as an aristocratic club created by the Heavenly Kingdom.

The explosion in Spring City had directly earned recognition from the Black Emperor, granting an entry ticket.

Zhou Yi thought it was a good opportunity.

In autumn, he would indeed make a trip to pitch products to this world's tycoons.

Zhou Yi said, "Thank you for His Majesty the Black Emperor's invitation. I shall come this autumn."

"That is wonderful!"

Feng Che said in a low voice, "If you go, I won't have to stay in the Shuanghe Region. As your guide, I can accompany you."

Zhou Yi smiled, "That's great. It won't be boring along the way with a familiar face."

"Heh, I'm just riding on your coattails."

The owl spread its wings: "I shall take my leave now. I won't waste any more of your time. In autumn, I will come to pick you up."

"Take care."

Zhou Yi watched Feng Che leave.

Then he once again focused on the Armed Rights Protection Squad.

"Continue. Do you have any other findings on the『Giant Slayer』?"

Ice Pot explained, "Chairman, the Giant Slayer has a very dangerous characteristic: it can intercept and capture external consciousness. When confronting it, it cut my consciousness into fragments and captured them one by one."

"If ambushed during an encounter, it would be very perilous."

Zhou Yi thought to himself, of course.

This is the gem technology of the Heavenly People, with devices crafted from their gem cells.

The Black Gemstone is a tool specifically designed to act on consciousness.

"There is also another thing. I reverse-read the source of the Giant Slayer, and in the base connected to its crystalline body, there is some residual consciousness."

Ice Pot continued: "It comes from a creature called the『Light Core Giant』, with one arm separated and transformed into this device. But no more details can be obtained."

Zhou Yi raised an eyebrow.

No wonder it's called the Giant Slayer.

This device's prototype is the arm of the Light Core Giant.

At this moment, the Red Kestrel suddenly flew in: "Zhou, there are new visitors."

"Who?"

"An envoy of the Old King."

Zhou Yi thought, these people are quite pragmatic.

After Spring City was bombed.

First, the Black Emperor invited, and now the Old King's envoy visits.

In the past, he never received such recognition and treatment.

"Bring them in."

A few minutes later, the Red Kestrel brought a person in.

The visitor was an Iron Soldier carrying a sword, clad in a black robe, with two dark eye holes on a bronze mask.

Zhou Yi scrutinized the figure: "Ding Ye?"

"Hey! Mr. Zhou, how did you recognize me?"

The person was taken aback.

"I am very familiar with the Beiyang Sword on your back, and the way the hilt is wrapped is your distinctive style."

It instinctively touched the hilt behind its back.

"So that's how it is... An hour ago, I suddenly received a special order from the『Sword Tomb』, and I was flown here to visit you."

"After arriving, I received subsequent orders, learning that the Old King had personally issued the instruction. I felt rather puzzled, thinking there might have been a mistake."

Ding Ye stretched his arms: "But this was to avoid information leakage, so I made this trip."

Zhou Yi asked, "What message does the Old King want you to deliver?"

"Not a message, the Old King wants to use me as a medium to converse with you." Ding Ye replied.

"Then connect us."

"Okay."

Suddenly, the Iron Soldier's body stiffened, the eye holes on its mask flashed red, and then stabilized into a green light.

"Hello, Zhou Yi."

The same tone and voice.

But Zhou Yi knew the other party wasn't Ding Ye anymore, but the Old King, commanding thousands of satellites.

"Hello, Old King."

The other party said, "The Sky Patrol Telescope has observed and analyzed Spring City's explosion. The explosive weapon you used was LV4 Light Core Material, indicating you already have the capability to handle affairs at the Light Core level."

The older generation of resistors had a high level of understanding and mastery over Light Core Bodies.

Zhou Yi said noncommittally, "It's not so much about being able to handle, but rather sheer frustration. We young people, refugees are prone to impulsiveness and fervor."

The Old King replied, "Being impulsive is a good thing. The true tragedy lies in the absence of impulse and courage. You did the right thing; strength should be displayed. When Mechanical City infringes on your interests, attacking is the best form of negotiation."

Although it was their first interaction, Zhou Yi found the Old King's character quite to his liking.

It praised: "The Floating Heart you created is very useful, an outstanding invention."

Zhou Yi responded, "It is the engineers in our company who invented it, credit goes to their skills."

"Individuals and collectives are never sharply divided. The environment of the collective is necessary for individual creativity, and the collective's survival and growth require individual ambition and further self-development."

"Without the platform provided by the Wasteland Company, they couldn't have turned their ideas into reality and intervened in material transformation."

"It is undoubtedly an excellent individual invention, but it is also the success of Wasteland Company's nurturing."

The Old King spoke with a straightforward, pragmatic tone, quite scientific-minded.

Completely different from what Zhou Yi had imagined.

"Let's skip the small talk. The reason I reached out to you is that your abilities are sufficient. I hope you can join our Star Core Matrix in developing outer space and other planets."

What?

Zhou Yi's smile froze.

Develop outer space and other planets...

Isn't this taking too big a step?

The Old King said, "Mastering controllable Light Core power, whether in Light Core Bodies or Light Core Level devices, provides the foundational capability and qualification to leave this world."

"The Heavenly People dominate this world. This situation is foreseeable to persist for a long time. Therefore, no matter how we develop or change here, the world's upper limit will always be locked."

"So I always believe that we need to go out and find new territories. Otherwise, the higher the development on this world's surface, the more restrictions we face."

Zhou Yi's expression became solemn.

This was quite accurate.

He asked, "Is Star Axis already working on outer space projects?"

"Indeed."

The Old King explained: "We are currently focusing on 'preliminary exploration and camp development on Mars' and 'tiny controllable Circular Flow outside Earth.'

Zhou Yi gasped.

This Star Core Matrix's outer space development was in a class of its own in the Wasteland World.

He immediately asked, "Controllable Circular Flow... Are you creating an artificial Dead Sea? You've reached this stage?"

"It is still under development. Although this project has been ongoing for 74 years, new problems constantly arise, and it requires much more time to progress."

The Old King said, "Both projects are being carried out on Mars."

"The two closest celestial bodies to Earth, or this world, are Venus and Mars. Comparatively, Mars has richer resource potential, more suited for future development and utilization."

"Mars' surface is rich in metals like iron, nickel, aluminum, and titanium. Iron oxide gives Mars its red color, providing ample metals for making various devices and infrastructure."

"The crust is rich in silicate minerals, useful for glass, ceramics, and building materials."

"Mars has vast reserves of water ice at the poles and underground, essential for supporting life and producing oxygen and fuel. The atmosphere, rich in carbon dioxide, facilitates oxygen and methane fuel production."

It concluded, "That's why we chose Mars as our first extraterrestrial base."

"The basic camp is already operational, but resource drilling still faces many challenges."

"Mars' average temperature is about -60°C, with lows reaching -125°C, presenting significant equipment challenges. The Iron Soldiers activated can be greatly affected by prolonged low temperatures."

"The local atmosphere is about 1% of Earth's, with high cosmic and solar radiation intensities significantly reducing the lifespan of both early engineering machines and current Iron Soldiers…"

Zhou Yi couldn't help but interrupt, "You're using Iron Soldiers for Mars development?"

"Yes."

The Old King was forthright, "In fact, Iron Soldiers are entirely developed by the Star Core Matrix, with the Bone Man and Northern Ocean Army credited as inventors to avoid unnecessary trouble."

Zhou Yi's gaze became solemn: "What is your relationship with the Bone Man?"

The other party chuckled: "The Bone Man has always been the primary ethnicity absorbed by the Star Core Matrix."

"We select outstanding Bone Men to grant them the status of Star Core Electors. Willingly, we help them become Iron Soldier forms, enabling activity on both Earth and Mars, also allowing them to live as Data Voters within satellites."

It seemed the Northern Ocean Army was really just a front for the Star Core Matrix.

Like the Spring and Autumn Chamber of Commerce to Recursive City.

"From our observations and investigations, we confirmed that life exists on Mars, and not just one kind."

The Old King paused, "Especially, we discovered numerous Horror Claws there, also known as Electric Cats."

"Does the Wasteland Development Company have any interest in developing Mars with us?"

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