Zhou Yi examined the details of United City and discovered many cities participating in trade cooperation, yet only the Wasteland Development Company was involved in strategic cooperation.
He contacted this Alien City.
"Congratulations on establishing a completely new urban form."
Kunming Station replied, "Thank you. I believe in terms of architectural life, our goals should be aligned, which is to liberate their productive forces, allowing them to utilize their true value and obtain the rights they deserve."
Zhou Yi expressed his agreement.
"We understand that to truly grant architectural beings the freedom and respect they deserve, it cannot happen overnight."
Kunming Station continued, "The first challenge is that architectural life possesses inherent characteristics of independence and seclusion. We need to teach everyone to open up and cooperate with other architectural beings."
Zhou Yi said, "You have the experience and technology in this area."
"Yes, although it's different than your method. Your ability is an exception and cannot be widely promoted, whereas our method has more general applicability."
"Another real dilemma is that the Dead Sea heavily restricts architectural life, making it difficult for us to leave our respective lands."
They methodically stated, "What we can do for now is to develop United City well and through our partners, bring rescued architectural beings here to connect with us."
"Only by uniting can we better protect our existence and dignity."
"Mr. Zhou, have you considered relocating your company to United City?"
They started to persuade him, "If the Wasteland Development Company is willing to come here, you can choose any agricultural land, and we will provide a one-time subsidy of 200,000 Light Seeds to help restart your industries. In addition, basic services regarding security and defense will be provided and funded by United City."
"Your company only needs to focus on development, and you won't need to pay taxes for the next twenty years. We need your company to bring vitality, improve population quality, and foster creativity. Feel free to make any requests, and we shall strive to meet them with the most proactive attitude, ensuring both parties' rights are protected through the Mechanical City agreement."
"Our side has learned that Duke Destructive has already declared a war of honor on Shell City, Steel Refining City, and Sand Port City, and will start the war this winter. If your company relocates, it would completely avoid this risk."
Zhou Yi had to admit it was tempting.
This was indeed a generous offer.
It showed United City's sincerity and financial strength.
The Wasteland Development Company had also never been valued this highly, attracting investment from an A-class emerging city.
Zhou Yi replied, "Thank you for the generous offer from United City, but our company does not plan to relocate its headquarters. We will strive for a peaceful conclusion to the Winter's War of Honor."
Kunming Station added, "We believe that the Wasteland Development Company can handle and overcome this challenge, looking forward to your good news."
They continued, "Next spring, we will go to retrieve a special architectural life and hope Yalong Bay can assist in its transport. We are willing to pay a fee of 140,000 Light Seeds for this, and could advance half of it."
Zhou Yi was somewhat stunned.
That's incredibly lavish!
Does United City really earn money that easily?
Zhou Yi asked, "What type is it? I need to assess the risk."
"You might have heard of it."
Kunming Station introduced, "It's known as the 'Deathmatch Arena', its real name being the 'Olympic Sports Center', which has destroyed four cities and killed the local Heavenly Kingdom Governor. The Heavenly Kingdom has even offered a reward of 100,000 Light Seeds to expel it from the land."
"The costs this time essentially cover the 100,000 Light Seeds the Heavenly Kingdom has posted, plus an additional 40,000 Light Seeds for labor costs, totaling 140,000."
Zhou Yi remembered this.
Qin Xie had talked to him about it before, even asking if he wanted to try it.
This was an A-class architectural life with a notorious reputation.
Zhou Yi felt a bit uneasy.
I need money, but I don't want to risk my life...
Zhou Yi's silence also made the other party sense something.
"Don't worry about the risks. The Water Factory Dormitory will take care of it."
The Water Factory Dormitory was where Li Mo had once hidden, in the Shadow Building.
Zhou Yi was surprised, "It has regained consciousness?"
"The situation at the Water Factory Dormitory is quite special."
Kunming Station said, "The damage to the Water Factory Dormitory's consciousness was not just due to its participation in battle causing mechanical destruction; the real main reason is that it had been conducting a special experiment quite early on."
"It had always been attempting to extend its enclosed consciousness outward, targeting not architectural life but regular intelligent life. However, the entire attempt was not smooth and also resulted in severe damage to it."
"But these sacrifices and dangers were worthwhile."
Kunming Station continued, "What I can tell you is that architectural life now has a new form of existence, and the Water Factory Dormitory has already completed negotiations and communication with 'Deathmatch Arena' in this manner."
"Therefore, I can responsibly say that the Deathmatch Arena is not as brutally murderous as it appears from the outside; it had to take certain actions to ensure its own independent safety. I will explain the specific details to you later."
Zhou Yi was somewhat stunned.
This time, the amount of information was overwhelming.
United City was actually conducting a dual operation.
The visible thread was the public stance of rescuing architectural life through trade and cooperation.
The covert thread was that they had mastered the technology to detach the consciousness of architectural life from its structure, which allowed them to quietly finalize the incorporation of the Deathmatch Arena. This was their real core competitiveness.
After much thought, Zhou Yi decided to take on this task.
With the great battle imminent, having more Light Seed reserves offered more options.
He also wanted to see what United City's new form of life really looked like. Going to the Deathmatch Arena would also likely provide some intelligence.
"With your company's assistance, we feel much reassured."
"Then let us sign the agreement now."
A contract appeared on the tablet display from the other side.
Zhou Yi carefully reviewed it back and forth; it only covered the transportation affairs of the Olympic Sports Center, requiring the entire collaboration to be kept confidential, with a hefty penalty for any leaks.
Thus, he signed his name.
The agreement took effect immediately.
Then Zhou Yi saw that the Wasteland Development Company's electronic account in Mechanical City had instantly received a payment of 70,000 Light Seeds.
Zhou Yi's mood lightened somewhat.
With money in his pocket, there was no panic in battle.
"I'll see you in the spring then."
Kunming Station said, "The invite from your company remains effective long-term, and should you have any ideas, you are welcome to contact me at any time."
"Additionally, if you find yourselves in a crisis, United City will also dispatch a Peacekeeping Team this winter to warn and deter Duke Destructive."
This was indeed good news.
An additional force brought an additional chance of victory.
Zhou Yi turned around and immediately found Yalong Bay, sharing the news with him.
Hearing that architectural life had other forms, Yalong Bay immediately became very interested, "Other similar beings are indeed exploring in different directions; this time could significantly broaden my horizons. I will make full preparations so that by next spring, I can set off in the best condition."
The consciousness extension capability of the Water Factory Dormitory was completely baffling to Yalong Bay.
It followed the path of pioneers, focusing on internal communications among architectural life.
Zhou Yi then called out Xiao Fu.
"The domain of consciousness is intricate and vast, and Reverse Flow has only touched a little bit of it with Circular Flow Technology, far away from the direction of the Great Holy Spirit."
"As for the form of architectural life... it's actually not hard to understand. They have only two directions to choose, either extreme individual evolution or changing bodies."
"It seems the Water Factory Dormitory went for the latter, so its original body fell into a state of unconscious operation. You can't have a dialogue with it." Follow current novᴇls on ⓝovelFire.net
Reverse Flow said, "But honestly, it's quite astonishing that the native life forms of this world could achieve this by themselves. It's like a monkey learning to dive while up in a tree."
Yet, how the change was made and into what kind of structure remains unknown.
Two large transport ships arrived at the pier of Yalong Bay.
The Northern Ocean Army had arrived.