After breakfast, Zhou Yi first went to assess the academic progress of the new employee, Liang Zi.

"Are you adapting well?"

Faced with the inquiry, Liang Zi's face showed a hint of confusion: "Mathematics and electricity are difficult, but political economy is quite interesting... Chairman, does every new employee need to study to this extent?"

Zhou Yi remembered the radiance and vitality of this Angel of Death post-surgery, resembling a college girl on vacation.

Now, that melancholic look resurfaced on Liang Zi's brow.

Zhou Yi said: "Actually, not really. But you are the company's outer sea advisor, your work involves negotiating and cooperating with various groups in the outer sea. Mathematics is the foundation of calculations, and electricity is to give you some understanding of electrical power. The essence of the Electric Cat System is the application of electricity. These two areas don't need deep learning, but basic concepts and understanding are necessary."

"I plan to make you head of the company's Outer Sea Affairs Department, allowing you to establish this department. In the outer sea, you represent the company, so the personal requirements for you are higher."

At first, he had doubts.

After all, Liang Zi had just joined the company. According to investigations in Recursive City and Star Axis, she indeed had been doing business in the outer sea for many years, with transactions involving various parties, without any major negative incidents.

Being an outer sea advisor was certainly no problem, as advisors are talents who excel in specific fields.

But for such a newcomer whose capabilities beyond beauty were yet to be exhibited, was it too risky to authorize her to establish an Outer Sea Affairs Department?

Zhou Yi later reconsidered.

Yuan Tong, Zheng Tao, and Qian Su had swiftly transformed under pressure. Actions speak louder than words; suitability and ability to excel are only known after actual work is done.

In this wasteland era, Earth has become a two-layered world.

The lower layer is the Inner Sea on the surface, surrounded by the Dead Sea around some small islands and lands, housing the majority of life forms.

The population still includes a large number of new humans, technologically dominant mechanical life, and Guangna Species living in various regions of the Dead Sea, mostly in this circle.

The upper layer is the outer sea in the sky, where the Dead Sea density is higher, energy flow impact is more intense, and the environment is more perilous, but this is where Skywalkers mainly thrive.

The Inner Sea's Firewood Mound is monopolized and regulated by Heavenly People, while the outer sea is unrestricted, showing that Heavenly People encourage Inner Sea life to grow further and then survive in the outer sea.

Since the outer sea has a point of entry, it must be tried.

Zhou Yi ultimately decided that if Liang Zi really couldn't manage in the outer sea, then he would simply replace her.

"Me... head of Outer Sea Affairs Department?"

Liang Zi was astounded: "But I just joined the company and am still in the training stage..."

"Timing is crucial."

Zhou Yi said seriously: "The company also needs to manage our products and market in the outer sea, and our inventions and creations must be used to create value. We also need outer sea employees to promote them there and find potential customers. Are you unwilling?"

"Willing! I am willing!"

Liang Zi hurriedly nodded: "I will complete the studies here as soon as possible, please rest assured, Chairman."

Upon hearing she was appointed as department head, Liang Zi's spirit returned, seemingly rekindled with motivation, her face radiating more vibrance.

Next, Zhou Yi flew to Yalong Bay on Hei Fu to check the growth status of Pan Trees.

Not seen for a while, these Otherworld giant trees remained stable at a height of 40 meters, but their trunks and branches had become more robust and lush.

With the structure winding like mosquito coils filled with many leaves and creepers, they had become truly broad canopies.

Under the trees, Ni Ge was erecting fences.

Using mud tablets, he encircled the Pan Trees with walls layer by layer, decreasing in height from inside out, resembling a maze.

Zhou Yi wondered what he was doing.

"Chairman, this is a tree enclosure that promotes upward growth. Light Amber is now almost unlimited, so we can make this thing."

Ni Ge continued the mud tablet construction while saying: "In our Mud Tribe, every Sky-reaching Tree needs a tree enclosure, this task is managed by us."

"Tree enclosure is our Mud Tribe's exploration, must use high purity mud to build, keeping certain distance from the tree to ensure each layer's 'enclosure' remains connected with mud paths to the tree."

"Actually, the more layers of enclosure, the higher the technical requirements because the mud paths connecting each layer with the tree shouldn't intersect. To avoid disordered connections, soil is needed for isolation."

"If the connections become imbalanced, it will cause the tree enclosure to disorder and generate energy turbulence, not only failing to promote the tree's growth but also harming it."

Zhou Yi observed carefully.

White walls made of Light Amber, with black isolating columns and transfer support structures built with Light Soot, forming a black-and-white layout like some ancient ritual altar.

In this area of the Dead Sea, a small reverse vortex formed, where numerous light mists ascended towards the tree.

Suddenly, Zhou Yi thought.

Isn't this the Light Amber Track?

Leshan Buddha once used the Light Amber Track structure to alter the local flow in the Dead Sea.

Zhou Yi grabbed Ni Ge who was still building the tree enclosure: "How long can this last?"

"A long time, if there are no monsters… those Guangna Species impacts, or sudden explosions and external destructions. With regular repairs, the tree enclosure can last indefinitely."

"Every Sky-reaching Tree in our tribe has a tree enclosure, therefore they grow quickly and absorb the surrounding Dead Sea energy, ascending higher."

Ni Ge proudly said: "In this regard, while I may not be the best, I am definitely skilled. Without expertise in mud and soil, one cannot be an explorer."

Zhou Yi's thoughts raced.

It seems that whether on Earth or in Mud Tree World, some natural laws of the Dead Sea environment are similar.

Ni Ge's Light Amber Track technology combined with Leshan Buddha's strength and volume might expedite the regional Dead Sea modification faster than expected.

When Buddha returns, this must be attempted.

Bringing his thoughts back, Zhou Yi found Tree Demon Ye Qing: "Earlier, you said the Pan Trees can further enhance if Light Amber is abundantly supplied. Is it sufficient now?"

"Plenty, Chairman, very sufficient! With continuous Light Amber supply, Ni Ge's tree enclosure, and our existing fertilization techniques, the combined effect is excellent!"

Tree Demon's vines excitedly swung on the Pan Trees.

"However… the cost is far higher than I anticipated."

"I am currently monitoring this Pan Tree, known as the First Tree after Hei Fu completed its second development. We named them First to Eighth Trees by their planting order."

"The First Tree has recovered rapidly, see, it is basically back to last year's condition and is bearing fruit."

Zhou Yi looked at the canopy.

Indeed.

If not reminded by Ni Ge, he would have forgotten that this Pan Tree was recently in a wilting state, almost drained by Hei Fu.

The vitality of this plant is truly astonishing.

Ye Qing continued: "I discussed with other Tree Demons on the Pan Trees, and we all reached a consensus."

"To advance a Pan Tree to the next stage of qualitative transformation, it requires 4 million Light Seeds of Light Amber. Without Ni Ge saying we now have a medium-sized Light Amber Mine, we wouldn't dare proceed. We are focusing on enhancing the First and Second Trees to see the final result."

Zhou Yi's smile froze.

One Pan Tree needs 4 million Light Seeds for upgrading.

This will consume a small mine.

No wonder Ye Qing hesitated earlier, only mentioning high consumption without revealing this huge number.

Zhou Yi looked at Ni Ge still plastering walls: "Are your Pan Trees so demanding in consumption?"

"Trees must absorb well to stay healthy."

Ni Ge said indifferently: "Yet our Dead Sea intensity is much higher, more energetic, and has the Purple Sun, which accelerates this process. Pan Trees and Sky-reaching Trees grow fast under Purple Sun. They absorb more power, although other monsters go berserk under Purple Sun."

Zhou Yi could only sigh.

Mud Tree World is indeed advantaged, enabling Pan Trees to evolve into Sky-reaching Trees, forming the foundation of Mud Tree Human civilization.

Further growth requires time.

Ye Qing estimated that by winter this transformation would be completed.

...

Zhou Yi then visited Qing Liu in Secret Room No. 1, followed by observing Turing's testing and recombination of Gem Cells in Secret Room No. 2.

Returning to Jade City was already late night.

Zhou Yi lay on his bed ready to rest.

Suddenly, he remembered something and asked Red Kestrel via tablet: "Has the Legal Front's envoy left?"

"It is still waiting downstairs in Jade City."

"Unwilling to leave without seeing me?"

"It said it has a mission and seeks the opportunity to meet you, prepared for a long wait."

Despite everything, this work attitude deserved praise.

Zhou Yi put on his jacket: "Let it come up."

A few minutes later.

The envoy who had waited over 24 hours finally stepped into Room 3101.

The visitor resembled Maria's Iron Nurse, with the same smooth metallic face, copper wire-wrapped hair, and slender female body.

Unlike Maria, the envoy openly displayed its mechanical body without clothing.

"Good evening, Mr. Zhou. I am Vivian, an investigator from Suzheng City and a legal advisor, here as an envoy of the Legal Front."

No wonder the resemblance.

Zhou Yi thought. Maria was modeled after Suzheng City's investigators; this is the original.

He said: "Would you like something to drink? Motor oil? Power steering fluid? Differential oil?"

Since Bai Bi once drank motor oil, Zhou Yi had prepared some to entertain mechanical life.

"Thank you, motor oil will do."

Yuan Xiao poured a cup of motor oil for the visitor.

Vivian concealed her face with a metal arm, lifted her smooth silver face, pouring oil into a small tube filled with interwoven mechanical and cable structures.

Then her face closed, returning to normal.

"Mr. Zhou, I am here because your company has taken our electromechanical expert, Turing. He is influential in programming and involved in many confidential projects. Turing is also a legal advisor for the Legal Front, offering technical advice."

"His departure and defection have severely impacted Mechanical City."

"We strongly protest your technological sanctions and unilateral talent acquisition!"

"Your company's unilateral hegemonic actions severely harm mutual interests; please stop this behavior!"

Late at night, Zhou Yi found it amusing.

"Wasteland Company simply develops new technologies to optimize people's lives at lower costs. We also profit from this."

"If developing new technology is a sanction on old technology, then it means old technology is indeed outdated and should be abandoned."

"Talent acquisition is even more unfounded. Turing voluntarily joined us. For such top talent, we certainly wouldn't refuse. We just solved his issues and paid his penalties."

"Hegemonic actions are ungrounded. Speaking of hegemony, the Legal Front has been consistently sanctioning us, right?"

Zhou Yi crossed his legs: "But I believe you are here not to say such things. Let's discuss practical matters, Vivian. Talk something useful."

The visitor paused.

"The Legal Front wishes total reconciliation with your company."

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