There are Light Core Level Electric Souls at the top of the Martian dust storm.

Zhou Yi was initially a bit surprised, but he quickly came back to his senses.

Electric Souls are inherently suited to high-energy environments. The energy density in a Martian dust storm is over a hundred times that of Earth, making it an ideal environment for their birth.

Over a prolonged period, it's natural that some electric cats evolved into Electric Souls.

"Chairman, I found out that Electric Souls can actually operate externally for long periods,"

Cat Dali said, "Electric Souls inherently possess Adhesion and Jet abilities. Our company's Electric Soul employees, such as Shali Huo, are used for defense, but Martian Electric Souls are different. They use adhesion to capture all kinds of energy substances, primarily the energy and particulates in the dust storm."

"Look, it's like this."

It elongated its arc-shaped body into a circular plane, within which were luminous streams of light, resembling a large electric disc.

Particles from the indoor air were absorbed into it, forming a ring structure similar to a planetary ring.

"Chairman, that's roughly how the Electric Souls over there look. I can't fully replicate it because there's still a significant structural difference between them and electric cats."

Cat Dali continued, "They compress energy and matter to the extreme, storing them within their bodies, and then propel themselves in a specific direction through jet-like mechanisms. This allows their endurance to far surpass electric cats, but their energy consumption is also more than a hundred times higher, with clear advantages and disadvantages."

"For them, dust storms act like refueling stations."

Zhou Yi recalled the runaway Electric Soul, Shari Qing. It tried to break through the atmosphere in a similar manner, trying to reach space and collect more energy.

But even if it broke through Earth's gravity and reached near-earth orbit, it would still face the Star Axis Matrix led by the former king.

That area was a restricted zone that even the Heavenly People could not touch; it would be shot down or even obliterated there.

On Mars, blanketed with dust storms, was a haven for their wild growth.

Zhou Yi asked again, "So most Martian Electric Souls are active near the dust storms?"

"Yes, Chairman."

Cat Dali reverted to its Cat Head Swordsman form, its electric-arc head nodding, "Each of them has its own territory and can't get too close because they would entangle and interfere with each other, eventually merging into one. It would cause prolonged turbulence, which is similar to our side.'"

"The Electric Souls over there don't have names. After discussing with one of them, I helped it choose the name, Huo Chu. It means the first Electric Soul I encountered on Mars."

"Huo Chu was very intrigued and envious when it heard about our situation. It was even more eager than the electric cats, wanting to come and live with us directly but felt it couldn't survive here due to our lower energy density, so it's hesitant."

Zhou Yi found it odd, "That side should be the most suitable area for Electric Souls' survival, right? Why would it want to leave?"

He was even planning to send the company's Electric Soul employees to Mars periodically for accelerated training.

But it turned out the locals wanted to leave.

It seemed Mars also had a castle phenomenon; those inside wanted to leave, and those outside wanted to come in.

"Because it's dangerous."

Cat Dali's voice grew heavier, "The dust storms provide Electric Souls with the energy and matter they need most, allowing them to have ultra-long endurance, but it's not all beneficial."

"There's a unique life form there that hunts Electric Souls."

Zhou Yi was a bit stunned.

Could there really be a predator for energy state life forms like Electric Souls?

"It's a peculiar form of life, glowing all over, resembling a rod with multiple pairs of triangular wings, although its form is in a constant state of flux. Huo Chu called it a Piercing Monster."

Cat Dali changed its form again, becoming a two-meter-long electric arc rod with three layers of wings, resembling a rotating short spiral drill.

Zhou Yi remembered an event from his childhood that had been a media sensation— the "flying rods" event.

These were mysterious objects captured on camera, appearing to move with an elusive speed. Later, scientists clarified that flying rods were caused by flying insects passing in front of the camera.

The thing before him was a Martian flying rod.

Could it be that these creatures actually existed?

He considered whether Earth might have had Piercing Monsters in the past as well.

Cat Dali said, "At high speed, Piercing Monsters can pass through dust storms, stretching their bodies very long. These things are incredibly fast. Based on Huo Chu's witnessed distance, I tested and found them to be traveling at over 14,400 kilometers per hour. Electric Souls can't escape based on speed alone."

Zhou Yi did some quick calculations in his mind.

The speed of sound is 1,225 kilometers per hour, so Martian flying rods achieve 11.76 times the speed of sound, or 11.76 Mach.

He asked, "Are Piercing Monsters at the Transmutator Level?"

"No."

Cat Dali's electric arcs sizzled, showing frustration, "Chairman, that's the biggest problem. If it were about rank suppression, everyone would understand that. A difference of an entire life level makes confrontation impossible."

"But those Piercing Monsters are merely Light Core Bodies, inherently suppressing Electric Souls."

"Electric Souls can't touch or harm Piercing Monsters, but Piercing Monsters can penetrate Electric Souls' bodies, like parasites, continuously siphoning off their stored energy until the Electric Souls become too weak to fly, at which point the Piercing Monsters leave."

"They are like Martian bandits, waiting for the Electric Souls to work tirelessly and then coming to rob them! Absolutely detestable!"

Zhou Yi frowned as he listened.

No wonder even Light Core Level Electric Souls wanted to leave. Being exploited day after day would indeed be unbearable. Unable to run away, unable to fight back, being completely drained and helpless.

"The flying rods don't target the regular electric cats?"

"You mean Piercing Monsters... so they're called flying rods... no, they don't."

Cat Dali thought for a moment, "The energy storage of electric cats is limited, which is likely the reason. A hundred Light Core Level electric cats' stored energy can't compare to one Light Core Level Electric Soul, so the Piercing Monsters have likely planned it out for efficiency."

"Chairman, do you know the background of these flying rods? Can you reveal a bit?"

Zhou Yi replied, "I've heard of them but never had direct contact... are you sure the flying rods are sentient beings?"

"Absolutely."

Cat Dali confidently said, "Huo Chu told me that Electric Souls, although scattered and unable to get too close, communicate remotely through the dust storms."

"They have been oppressed and robbed by flying rods for years and have been studying these creatures all this time, not remaining idle."

"Flying rod activity is irregular. When their energy is nearly depleted, they come out to plunder."

"Another principle is that flying rods avoid meeting each other."

"Once, an Electric Soul witnessed two flying rods colliding for unknown reasons, causing a massive local explosion and radiation, instantly destroying both rods. Based on the immense energy feedback released, they must have died, indicating collision and proximity cause explosions."

"However, such instances are extremely rare, happening only once."

Zhou Yi asked, "Is there more?"

Cat Dali continued, "Besides avoiding each other, flying rods don't enter the ground. They always stay away from rock layers, as thick substances might harm them."

"Though they absorb a lot of energy, they fear extreme high-energy sources. Flying rods avoid giant dust storms, whose intensity is at least Transmutator Level."

Zhou Yi speculated, "Electric Souls can't get near giant dust storms either?"

"No, they can't."

The Cat Head Swordsman gravely said, "Even Electric Souls would have their structures destroyed by the high-energy radiation near giant dust storms, leading to annihilation."

"Huo Chu formally requested our help to solve the flying rod issue."

"It said that if we could deal with the flying rods, the Electric Souls would help us collect Light Seeds from the dust storms. Though there are only about a dozen on Mars, their collection speed far exceeds that of electric cats, being very stable and efficient."

Cat Dali noted, "I calculated that Huo Chu alone could collect 100 million Light Seeds per month!"

"Chairman, do you think you can come up with some solution to help them?"

Zhou Yi's breath quickened.

They were truly like Martian money-printing machines!

He calmed down a bit and thought about it.

The mechanisms and principles behind flying rods were still unclear. Addressing the issue required a gradual, step-by-step approach. Thankfully, flying rods only plundered and didn't harm the Electric Souls' lives, so it wasn't an urgent, life-threatening matter.

After a moment of contemplation, Zhou Yi said, "Okay, once Jiong Hecang completes its rank advancement, I'll send it to Mars. Its observational and cutting abilities make it the best candidate for on-site investigation. We'll first gather information about the flying rods and then devise ways to address the group."

"That would be wonderful!"

Cat Dali's electric arcs brightened, "Chairman, as long as you take action, we'll definitely succeed!"

Zhou Yi's expression turned quirky, "You rascal, you haven't promised to help them again, have you?"

"It's of a personal nature... as a friend, helping find a solution."

Cat Dali cautiously said, "It's definitely not mixing business with personal matters, Chairman, you must trust me... I just think that within the company, we rely on it, but outside we rely on friends, so it's always good to make more friends..."

Zhou Yi nodded, "That's true, quite understandable."

"Let's proceed with your plan, but be careful. Don't get yourself chased again; there might not be a place for you to hide next time."

"Yes, I guarantee no trouble for the company!"

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