The Divine Clothing service at the clothing factory has begun, and the sea lords of the Development Alliance were the first to come and customize their orders.

Zhou Yi could understand that several others had also placed orders, which could be seen as a way to facilitate business dealings with the outside world, equivalent to a self-promotional business card with a lie detector.

But when it came to the two mechanical sea lords, Duke Beidu and Steel Refining Lord, placing their orders as well, Zhou Yi was a bit perplexed.

Logically, they had no need for this at all.

Duke Beidu explained: "Mr. Zhou, wearing the Divine Clothing daily can increase our visibility among the populace. In fact, most residents know very little about us sea lords, and more attention translates to greater cohesion."

Steel Refining Lord also said: "In our territory, there will always be residents who have opinions about us, but there are also those who support us as well as those who are neutral. The Divine Clothing can help solidify the latter two groups."

Zhou Yi sighed: "You guys have really figured out how to make the most of this Divine Clothing."

Steel Refining Lord is a mobile crushing station, also considered a mine cart, directly donned with a car cover.

As for Duke Beidu, being a ship of considerable size, Xiao Chu had to make a banner for it in the end.

Meanwhile, Pikachu and his team's eight-day vacation came to an end.

After reporting to Zhou Yi, they headed back to Mars under Ice Pot's leadership for the next round of Light Seed Ore development.

...

This summer was unusually long; by this time last year, it had already cooled down and entered autumn. However, the current sun showed no signs of relenting, instead climbing to a temperature peak of 40 degrees. The weather was dry and sunny, and the lack of rainfall still hadn't improved.

Most company employees worked indoors, which increased the consumption of cooling coal and the purchase of more cold drinks.

The Agriculture Department was the most affected by the high-temperature drought, as they had to work outdoors. However, with the installation of new irrigation equipment and the construction of indoor planting facilities, the workload for farmers was greatly reduced, and their work hours were shortened in the mornings and evenings.

Outside, bad news continued.

Heat diseases and infectious diseases ravaged Glass Castle, with the death toll reaching 200 people this summer alone.

In Cotton and Hemp Land, pest infestations led to significant damage to cotton crops and a drastic reduction in grain production, causing food prices in the entire region to soar fivefold.

Fanyun City was the most outrageous, as its sea lord sold off the entire city at a low price and then fled.

Zhou Yi was shocked to hear this: "Is this even possible?"

"Though rare, it does happen."

Red Kestrel said: "Fanyun City is a small city. Over the past two years, its permanent population has shrunk from 37,000 to 35,000, losing 2,000 people. Considering that those who dare to leave are mostly young adults, this proportion is already quite alarming."

"That area is hilly, and its pillar industry is stone exports, mainly used in construction. With the mass promotion and rollout of Mushroom House, Fanyun City was directly impacted, causing its already declining stone industry to plummet further."

"The area lacked good directions for transformation, and several attempts to change failed, leading to increasing city debts. The sea lord's choice to cash out and leave was a common practice."

"This summer's severe drought, water, and food shortages led to a large population exodus, further accelerating the process."

The person who took over was an unremarkable enhancer named He Qiang.

He brought a group of people and took control of Fanyun City.

According to the past experience," said the drone, "this He Qiang was highly likely the leader of a Pillage Group, who had amassed his initial capital through plundering. This group would find various ways to launder their name. However, such a large-scale acquisition of a city for direct management is still rare."

"But at present, acquiring a city is indeed a good low-cost opportunity."

Zhou Yi remembered He Qiang's name.

The persistent high temperatures and drought didn't affect the further extension of Wuhu Elevated Bridge.

It completed its cross-sea connection with Tree Monster Territory.

As of now, the Development Alliance only had the farthest northern Shuanghe Region yet to be incorporated into the cross-sea bridge system.

The elevated bridge stated: "Chairman, that area is too far from my main body in a straight line, requiring multiple Space Holes as interchanges. We need Ni Ge to set up the Space Trees along the route to ensure this long-distance cross-sea bridge can remain continuously stable and robust."

"Currently, we estimate it will take 90 days to complete."

Zhou Yi instructed it to proceed step by step, without rushing.

"I have another idea."

The elevated bridge said: "From Jade City to Shell City, the total distance is 340 kilometers. At the highest speed lane of 80 kilometers per hour, it will still take more than 4 hours."

"Even while sitting inside the car, enduring such a long journey can make passengers feel fatigued. They tend to develop negative emotions, which slightly affects my collection of Consciousness Fragments."

"Hence, I plan to further accelerate and add a fast lane of 110 kilometers per hour. The bridge structure needs to be uprated to Grade A to maintain this speed reliably. Therefore, it will take several more months to complete these cross-sea bridge enhancements."

Zhou Yi was more concerned: "Won't the load be very large?"

"Primarily, it will require time for gradual strengthening and modification. The energy itself is fine as it can be sourced from the Dead Sea."

The elevated bridge said: "Chairman, I plan to establish some service stations along the cross-sea bridge route, placed on the Space Trees along the way, where vehicles can temporarily stop to rest. Passengers can disembark to relieve themselves, resupply, eat, repair vehicles, refuel the Floating Hearts, recharge the electric cats, etc."

If service stations are established at each section of the cross-regional bridge, it will break down the long journey into shorter segments, reducing the travelers' fatigue, and improving their vehicle experience."

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