The elements chosen by Jade City are quite special.

"It's silicate."

"A complex compound composed of silicon, oxygen, and metal elements."

"It is a mineral form with abundant reserves, accounting for 90% of the Earth's crust, and it's the absolute majority of terrestrial planetary rocks."

"Councilor, when I was condensing the Light Core, I consulted with Shi Gandang, aiming to find the most common material that exists in other worlds too. With such material as the element, regardless of the damage, materials can be found for repairs and the most houses can be built."

Zhou Yi was initially puzzled.

Could complex compounds also serve as elements?

But he immediately thought that his element was a cellphone, which is much more complex in composition than silicate.

"Recently, the company is developing Mars and the Moon. So, I thought, if I can adapt to the environment there and build structures that can support human life, it will allow more people to settle and work there."

"That's also why I chose silicate."

"Both Mars and the Moon are terrestrial rocky planets. Therefore, regardless of which Jade City arrives there, sufficient elements can be obtained for body expansion."

"If you agree, I want to send Buildings 5 and 7 to Mars and the Moon respectively to start building their communities. They have matured and reached A-grade strength, capable of withstanding most radiation and impacts. I can connect to them and bring them over as part of my body."

Only then did Zhou Yi realize that the evolution direction of Jade City was closely related to the company's strategy.

Although the idea was good.

Unfortunately, current conditions were not mature.

Zhou Yi had to explain: "For humans or flesh-and-blood lifeforms to settle in those places, protective buildings are not enough; they also need water and oxygen. Most life on Earth is carbon-based, and cannot survive without these two essentials."

"Water exists there, albeit in the form of ice. Digging and processing can yield water, but oxygen is the main shortage. Synthetic oxygen is very costly..."

As he spoke, Zhou Yi suddenly fell silent.

Wait.

This might not be impossible.

He immediately convened a meeting with the Agriculture, Medicine, Manufacturing, Power, and Program Departments.

Zhou Yi asked everyone: "Currently, if we officially migrate to the Moon or Mars, is it technically feasible?"

Da Vinci, representing the Medicine Department, spoke: "Most life on Earth needs water, oxygen, and food as basic survival supports. Water can be obtained through the collection, conversion, and processing of local ice layers, but it requires cost for excavation and conversion, necessitating the deployment of Wasteland Armor for extraction."

"The environment there is sterile, with no biological pollution issues, but long-term survival under low gravity may cause bone and muscle diseases. However, if one is an enhancer and continually consumes Dead Sea Fruit to enhance physical fitness, this is not a problem."

The representative from Recursive City, Karting Sigma, followed up: "Chairman, since the old human era, the idea of colony migration to other planets has always existed."

"Mechanical City has also conducted related attempts and beta tests, but gave up due to excessive costs. However, the technical system framework is not a secret."

"Taking the Moon as an example, the oxygen generation technical plan relies on electrolysis of Moon Soil and polar ice electrolysis."

"Moon Soil contains 40-45% oxygen, mainly in the form of silicates and oxides. After collecting Moon Soil, oxygen can be obtained through hydrogen reduction and molten electrolysis methods. The molten electrolysis process is the simplest but requires heating the Moon Soil to 1600°C, and its energy consumption and cost are higher compared to the hydrogen reduction method."

"Electrolyzing Moon Soil also produces iron as a byproduct, which can be used for local building frameworks and equipment parts."

"Electrolysis of polar ice involves melting and then electrolyzing it to obtain oxygen and hydrogen, with hydrogen recycling to reduce Moon Soil."

"Overall, it primarily involves the electrolysis of Moon Soil, supplemented by the electrolysis of polar ice."

"The Moon has virtually infinite Moon Soil, so this method can provide sufficient oxygen for a long time."

It paused, and the speaker continued to emit sound.

"The water generation plan mainly includes hydrogen reduction of Moon Soil, utilization of solar wind protons, and wastewater recycling. Approximately 1 liter of water can be extracted from each ton of Moon Soil."

"The entire project encompasses oxygen production from Moon Soil, hydrogen reduction to water, and closed-loop recycling - a three-in-one system sufficient for long-term survival of Earth-based life on the Moon."

"However, to establish this recycling water and oxygen supply system and keep it running, we lack a complete supporting industrial system and cannot achieve the precision the old humans once had. We can only compensate for this by quantity and power, leading to high losses and low utilization efficiency."

"In terms of our current power units, supporting a minimal water and oxygen system for 100 people requires about 2000 float units, meaning each person needs 20 float units of power equipment support, along with continuous supply of matching raw materials."

Zhou Yi had an immediate understanding.

He asked, "Is there a way to grow crops or synthetically produce food on the Moon?"

"With current technology, the biological hybrid method is viable for long-term use."

Sigma replied: "First, use the Bosch reaction to convert CO₂ and H₂ into formaldehyde, with a laboratory conversion rate of about 60%, producing 0.3 tons of formaldehyde from 1 ton of CO₂."

"Then, using an ancient Chinese artificial starch pathway, the formaldehyde undergoes a condensation reaction to generate a C₃ intermediate, followed by an 11-step enzyme-catalyzed reaction to polymerize the C₃ units into starch. A 1 cubic meter bioreactor can produce starch annually equivalent to 5 acres of cornfields, enough to sustain 5 people."

"Based on energy consumption calculations, synthesizing 1 kg of starch requires about 1 hour of operation for a 200 float power device."

"The overall cost is extremely high."

"The cost problem?

Yes, the energy cost is extremely high.

Zhou Yi was actually relieved.

In the past, that would have halted the project.

But with the White King and the Sun Eye Generator system, these issues are no longer valid.

The Circular Flow is a natural infinite energy source.

"If there is a Pupil-shaped Body power station on the Moon, how many people can it support?"

After a moment.

Sigma concluded: "Chairman, the efficiency of a Pupil-shaped Body power station is 1.11713 million float units. For a normal human, daily food intake is 1 kg of starch, and combined with the water-oxygen system, the per capita efficiency is 28.4 float units. Theoretically, one Pupil-shaped Body can support the survival of 39,335 people."

Da Vinci then added: "But just starch is not enough."

"Even in extreme situations, starch needs to be supplemented with some other foods, at least beans for protein and fats for fatty acids. To reduce other diseases, more vitamins, dietary fibers, and combinations are needed."

"I recommend using canned food for these supplements, which can be transported there for long-term storage."

Zhou Yi looked at everyone again: "Besides these, is there any other issue?"

Each department added some supplemental points in their respective fields.

Only Yuan Tong from the Manufacturing Department and Zheng Tao from the Agriculture Department exchanged looks, as if there was something they were reluctant to say.

Zhou Yi named them on the spot: "Old Zheng, Old Yuan, speak up. The company operates on a realistic basis. If it works, it works; if not, it doesn't."

In the end, Zheng Tao spoke up: "Chairman, there's a small problem."

"Our employees... might not want to go to Mars and the Moon."

"The environment there is harsh, and although the company builds safe bases, living conditions can't compare to here. Long-term residence in the base, except for work, leaves almost no chances to go outside. It may not be easy to get them to go voluntarily."

Zhou Yi proposed: "What about double salary and the highest level of travel allowance?"

"The effect might still not be good."

Zheng Tao smiled wryly: "Back when the company was first established, many people would have volunteered. But now, life is good, and in the Development Alliance's regions, employees are used to the high-quality life here. It's easy to go from frugality to luxury, but difficult to go the other way."

Yuan Tong then said: "Chairman, the old employees don't want to move mainly because most have families now. With families, they don't want to be far from home. Furthermore, the convenience of life in Jade City, such as free healthcare and education, is incomparable elsewhere..."

"Recently, we only needed to recruit two food factory engineers, and the number of applicants reached 400, with very impressive resumes... Even senior registered craftsmen from the Craftsmen Guild and Silver Badge Alchemists from the Alchemist Association came to apply, with fierce competition."

"They are all attracted by the company's healthcare and education benefits."

The one-eyed minister continued: "Chairman, if we are to officially develop the Moon and establish a department there, it might be more effective to recruit new employees. Newcomers are more enthusiastic and have a spirit of advancement."

Zhou Yi felt somewhat helpless when he heard this.

He didn't expect that the Wasteland Development Company now also had the common big-company problem.

Red Kestrel suggested: "What about recruiting Mechanical Lifeforms?"

"Mechanical Lifeforms have better adaptability to the environment. Currently, there are still many unemployed Mechanical Lifeforms, as well as second-generation Mechanical Lifeforms awakened by semi-sentient bodies."

"Developing the Moon base requires professionals in all fields, creating a large demand suitable for Mechanical Lifeforms."

"The Moon is unaffected by Heavenly People and is beyond the constraints of various agreements, being an area with force majeure. Mechanical Lifeforms can break existing constraints, fully utilizing their collection, excavation, production, and processing abilities. With strong energy support from the company, their main defects are compensated, allowing them to maximize their advantages."

"There should be many Mechanical Lifeforms willing to go."

"If possible, I suggest building the city with the Legal Front. The benefit is that we can deploy various advanced professionals through the Legal Front and also provide a fallback and refuge for Mechanical City."

"This option is hard for them to refuse and ensures tighter mutual interests, making it difficult for the Legal Front to turn against us in the future."

Zhou Yi's eyes lit up: "This is a great idea."

The inclusion of Mechanical Lifeforms will also advance research and analysis of Gem Cells in the future.

That's their area of expertise.

He immediately decided to proceed on both fronts.

On one hand, he issued an internal recruitment notice to company employees, seeking to establish the Moon Affairs Department and encouraging participation in the recruitment process from the minister to the staff.

On the other hand, Zhou Yi first obtained Night God's consent and then contacted Vivian to discuss the construction of the joint city.

The response was prompt.

"We are very willing!"

Vivian flew directly to Jade City for a face-to-face discussion: "The Legal Front highly values this project. The data center and the prophets conducted simulations, indicating a significant opportunity for Mechanical City to break through the existing A-grade level on the Moon."

"We have drafted the first batch of dispatch lists. It includes 12 mechanical experts, 36 B-grade professionals, and 79 C to E-grade professionals, totaling 127, to participate in the city's construction. Please review it…"

Zhou Yi glanced at the enhanced controller, feeling amazed.

Among the 12 mechanical experts, 4 are A-3 grade experts—the highest level of talent in the mechanical society system.

Each professional has either extensive experience or significant achievements, making it a super talent team.

Ultimately, it was decided to name the jointly built city [Guanghan Palace], with Night God as the mayor. However, she generally does not interfere with the city's internal operations, serving more as a spiritual and cultural leader.

Vivian added: "Mr. Zhou, we have a special Death Light Technology we wish to apply on the Moon, which could be very useful."

"This technology is called 'Bottle Homunculus.'

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