"We have decided to participate for a period of time."

Zhou Yi told the Old King: "If the results are good, the company will make long-term investments and promote this project. But if both the process and results are unsatisfactory, I will promptly cut losses and exit."

"Understood, of course."

The Old King stated: "Star Axis will provide the base and local information, you will handle the Light Seed ore mining, with the profits split fifty-fifty. These profits include not only the Light Seed but also the subsequent development of the Mars Base, as well as the Artificial Circulation still in internal testing."

Star Axis offering considerable concessions made Zhou Yi realize that Mars development had indeed encountered difficulties.

The Old King bluntly said: "Star Axis Matrix has been developing Mars independently for many years and urgently needs powerful collaborators, especially Light Core Bodies and specialized labor."

"Professionally trained Working Electric Cats over there are the best explorers and collectors. We are offering a fifty-fifty profit share hoping to establish long-term extraterrestrial development cooperation."

"Currently, our goal is to make the extraterrestrial project actually profitable; if this phase cannot be achieved, everything else is just empty talk."

"The first step to success is the most important."

The Old King's attitude was clear and pragmatic.

Both parties quickly reached a major consensus.

Zhou Yi dispatched the Light Core Body, Ice Pot, whose Gold Touching Skill form can operate in various planetary environments.

The first batch of Working Electric Cats heading to Mars was led by Pikachu, including eight members from the Scavenger Team, such as Electric Treasure.

The entry point to Mars's Space Bubble was in the Beiyang Region, so the company's Mars team directly accompanied Ding Ye. Ice Pot enlarged itself to carry them swiftly to the destination; Ding Ye, now an Iron Soldier, wouldn't be overwhelmed by the high speed.

The Old King activated a dedicated satellite channel connected with the Red Kestrel to facilitate mutual contact.

Zhou Yi felt somewhat unreal.

He himself hadn't expected it.

The first place to initiate Otherworld development was neither the earliest Moon nor the highly profitable Mud Tree World, but suddenly emerged Mars.

Life sometimes changes unpredictably.

As extraterrestrial development began, there were also important matters to handle here.

The destruction of Spring City began to ferment, and several sea lords of the Development Alliance sent messages inquiring for details.

Zhou Yi simply issued a formal announcement through Recursive City.

—The Legal Front has long been stealing and using Wasteland Development Company's unique patents, ignoring the company's protests and legitimate requests, blatantly plundering the knowledge achievements our company painstakingly researched using blacklists and sanctions. This completely contradicts the fair and transparent procedures always showcased by Mechanical City.

—For this reason, the company launched armed enforcement and destroyed Spring City. If the infringement continues, the company's enforcement actions will also continue, never compromising with malicious forces!

Upon the announcement, Recursive City immediately received private messages from all sides.

Everyone's main concern was which city would be next to face armed enforcement.

Some openly supported Wasteland Company's enforcement, showing interest in joining and protecting their own legitimate rights.

Others suggested attacking certain cities, providing secret information and weaknesses of those Mechanical Cities, obviously wanting to get a share.

The Legal Front remained in a state of playing dead.

Zhou Yi waited patiently.

He didn't wait for their response; instead, the Warlord sent a message via Bai Bi's communicator.

"The battle scene at Spring City was really something; now everyone truly knows about you."

The Warlord joked: "How does it feel?"

"The feeling is that Mechanical City is indeed strong."

Zhou Yi was straightforward: "They managed to make the arm of the Light Core Giant into a Giant Slayer controlled by David. I suspect they have other Heavenly Person Weapons; their mastery is more diverse and powerful than expected."

"Not surprising. Anything they consider valuable will be explored and researched. Plus, Mechanical City has accumulated centuries of wealth and resources, enough to support trial and error in various fields."

The Warlord seemed indifferent: "Let me tell you another piece of news. Although few people know, Mechanical City has captured atmosphere creatures and is conducting domestication experiments, trying to replicate warriors like Ice Pot."

Zhou Yi was shocked.

Holy shit.

The Legal Front is completely copying his homework.

It's as if a pair of cold electronic eyes in the darkness are constantly watching him, recording his every move in a small electronic notebook...

"Do they have a base in the Outer Sea?"

"Yes."

The Warlord said: "As long as sufficient compensation is paid, Light Core Bodies can also be hired. Atmosphere creatures are extremely dangerous for Skywalkers, but Light Core Bodies can capture them."

Zhou Yi was puzzled: "Why do they always target my methods for replication?"

The Warlord laughed: "It shows they rate you highly. Mechanical City has its own calculation model; they will gather computing power from data centers worldwide to quickly learn the technology of leading figures for rapid catch-up."

"In their assessment, your mode and technical system is superior to that of existing Mechanical City."

"They view your side as an advanced quality template."

Zhou Yi felt no joy.

The Legal Front learns things too fast.

They replicate Floating Heart, Electric Cat System for production and construction, and now want to create atmosphere creature weapons for combat, along with their existing technology reserves and weapons like Giant Slayer...

He understood the Warlord's apprehension about them.

Mechanical life is a ruthless learning machine; although their independent innovation ability is limited, replicating existing technology and individual training is their comfort zone.

No wonder Skywalkers are always vigilant.

Still, Zhou Yi was not worried.

Because the company's core competitiveness lies in innovation.

Humans and flesh beings have inherent advantages in this area.

Moreover, there are limits to Mechanical Life's learning and replication abilities; they can't replicate things like the Heavenly Person's Gem Cells as the knowledge isn't in their database.

Ice Pot's Gold Touching Skill form achieved its fusion by chance.

Replication is almost impossible.

Zhou Yi then spoke to the Warlord about the Black Emperor's invitation and the Old King's visit.

"Going to the Black Emperor is also beneficial for you, as Heavenly Kingdom has the largest population and territory in this world, and is acknowledged by Heavenly People as a ruling state."

The Warlord said: "The Black Emperor focuses on development and expansion on the consciousness side, enhancing Heavenly Kingdom's influence and strength in that realm. On the material side, it has long been inclined towards stability and conservatism."

"This conservatism allows a country of such scale to be stable for a long time."

"As for Star Axis..."

He paused: "For extraterrestrial development, my understanding is limited and I can't comment much. But the Old King has always been about breaking the existing system from outside; following a predetermined path made by others limits its maximum potential."

"When dealing with Heavenly People, it planned to use satellite signals to interfere and control the descending Light Core Giants, turning them into usable allies. Unfortunately, it failed."

"Developing Mars extraterritorially is indeed its kind of decision."

"Good luck to you."

"Many things depend on luck."

Zhou Yi said: "Thank you, I will handle it with care."

He was grateful to the Warlord.

Without his guidance and help, there wouldn't be Witch Hunter.

Ice Pot wouldn't have broken through the existing mist state constraints with the Gold Touching Skill form, let alone become a Light Core Body.

The Warlord asked: "How is Witch Hunter?"

"She cooperates well with me, working diligently and responsibly, with high aspirations and standards. But she has run out of ammunition, and I plan to send someone to buy some bullets from you."

"That's easy; I'll have Bai Bi bring a few boxes of bullets over as a congratulatory gift."

"Thanks."

The Warlord hesitated: "Has Witch Hunter exhibited any... odd behaviors?"

"Odd behaviors?"

Zhou Yi thought for a moment.

Not really.

She tends to get red-hot and emit smoke during intense battles, has a cold personality, and likes finishing off strong beings.

After running out of bullets, she reverts to a stationary gun form. She still responds when Zhou Yi talks to her.

"That's good."

The Warlord said: "It seems she is growing smoothly without developing any aversion or fatigue towards you."

Finally, he reminded him: "Mechanical City's situation just needs waiting quietly. They cannot deal with the security threats faced by large cities currently, so they will give you an explanation. But this time there are many variables and huge calculations, it will take them a long time to arrive at what they consider the optimal result."

Zhou Yi thought, "So that's it."

In other words.

The Legal Front is calculating the compensation amount.

...

In Mirror City's data center, massive information was being quickly processed and projected on crystal screens around.

[Analyzing Spring City's ruins... Current progress 77.1%]

["Giant Slayer" confirmed deceased.]

["David" No. 21, confirmed deceased.]

[Final confirmation of deceased residents: 17,912]

[Estimated total loss value of the city: 75.342 million Light Seeds.]

[Estimated attack energy level: Between LV3-LV4 Light Core, currently only Mirror City among Mechanical Cities can defend against such an energy level attack.]

[Holy Mountain safety rating downgraded to: A]

[Snow County safety rating downgraded to: A]

...

[Threat assessment of Wasteland Development Company upgraded, danger level: EX]

[Possesses extremely dangerous Light Core atmosphere creatures.]

[Possesses LV3 or higher Light Core level explosives.]

[Possesses an unknown number of A-level Electric Cats.]

[All Mechanical Cities prohibited from taking any action against Wasteland Development Company and Development Alliance until final evaluation results, awaiting subsequent simulations.]

[Legal correction underway.]

[Legal calculation error.]

[Legal correction underway.]

[Legal calculation error.]

...

[Legal calculation error too large, restarting.]

[Legal system restarting...]

[Legal system restarting...]

[Program correction.]

[Activating external information collection and manual intervention mechanisms.]

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