Wasteland Development Diary

Zhou Yi turned to the second page.

...

Antlion

Strength: D

Skill: F

Vitality: E

Rating: E～D

Habits: Solitary, possesses multiple pairs of spiky antennae, strong piercing capabilities, excels in ambushing and camouflaging underground in deserts, can create humanoid, animal, or object lures to attract various lifeforms.

Value: Carapace, leg spikes, antennae.

...

Gong Zheng's profile matched Ye Zhao's description; the Antlion was more powerful than the clawed pig.

Zhou Yi continued to read.

Interestingly, there were also records of the samurai crab.

...

Samurai Crab

Strength: E～D

Skill: F

Vitality: E

Rating: E

Habits: Social and lives in groups, with a strict internal hierarchy, possesses great endurance and combat will, and shows greater strength when fighting as a group. In the environment of the Dead Sea, the combat power of samurai crabs is significantly enhanced.

Value: Carapace.

...

In addition, there were entries for the Forest Sheep and the Red-eyed Vulture, two of the Guangna Species, both of which had been spotted in the nearby region.

Zhou Yi asked the other party, "How did you manage to collect so much detailed information?"

"I didn't make this myself, I just recorded various details and made a clone of part of what's in the 'Dead Sea Atlas.'"

Gong Zheng explained, "Every apprentice must transcribe the 'Dead Sea Atlas', which is a compilation of information collected by the Alchemist Association from all over the world."

"Not only does it record the appearances and danger levels of monsters from various places, but it also provides detailed descriptions of each region in the Dead Sea. It is quite a thick volume. There are a few versions of the Dead Sea Atlas. The one I'm allowed to see is the Basic Version, which records monsters from E to D level and contains fewer descriptions of the Dead Sea."

"Only by becoming an official Alchemist can one read and transcribe the advanced version, which is strictly for personal use and cannot be shared..."

This was similar to a monster compendium.

Zhou Yi thought about it; he needed to get a copy when he had the chance.

He promptly offered, "Welcome to the Wasteland Development Company."

Gong Zheng's tense body relaxed slightly, "Thank you for taking me in. What would you like me to do?"

"Since you can read and write, start by being my assistant. Your main job will be to keep various records for the company and help me deal with sundry matters."

Zhou Yi went over the plan for farming and land development.

After listening, Gong Zheng's face showed a trace of surprise. "Chairman, are you saying that you want to open up farmland here? But with your abilities, you could simply send out samurai crabs to hunt monsters and trade their materials with merchants for a large amount of food."

"The town of Chicken Head to the west produces a kind of bean, and it is part of 'Sand Port.' Sand Port has trade relations with other cities, a wide variety of goods, and it's possible that this city has the agricultural varieties you are looking for."

"If it's just for the company's needs, or even just for the needs of the hundred or so people in Mao Valley Town, trading would be the simplest and most convenient option."

This assistant thought it was better to buy than cultivate.

Farming on the land was costly and affected by various factors such as climate, soil, and monsters. A slight mishap could lead to a poor harvest, which posed a great risk.

Gong Zheng also raised a practical problem, "Very few people possess the technology for surface farming, and no one in Mao Valley Town is capable of doing it. Only very powerful and prosperous cities with comprehensive strength can deter the surrounding monsters, protect settlers safely, and enable them to dare to go out and participate in farming during the daytime."

"From my life experience, even in many cities, mushrooms are the staple food, with meat, beans, and greens as expensive side dishes," he said, "so their production isn't high either."

"If we don't have experienced cultivators, I'm worried that even if we obtain seeds for crops, the land nearby might not be suitable for planting."

His words sobered Zhou Yi.

Indeed.

The soil around here was sandy, and with its proximity to the Dead Sea, it was uncertain whether the land was affected and if it would be difficult for crops to grow. They didn't have a single agricultural professional, and the people of Mao Valley Town were unwilling to come even when they tried to recruit mushroom farmers.

The ideal environment, professional personnel, and necessary materials... they lacked every prerequisite.

Could they really only start a hunting group?

Zhou Yi fell into deep thought.

Hunting Guangna Species themselves was actually quite risky. The risk was not limited to the uncertainties during combat but also the challenge of sustainability.

During his hunting excursions to the bottom of the Dead Sea, Zhou Yi had discerned a pattern.

If a Guangna species or regional creatures were extensively hunted, it could rapidly alter the local environment and provoke unpredictable mutant species.

There was a sense of 'times create heroes'—a high-pressure environment forcing accelerated evolution.

Many of these mutants were quite troublesome and would rally their own communities to launch furious counterattacks against the hunters, growing stronger with each battle.

In the end, one would either have to eradicate all of the particular species in the vicinity or leave that place.

Zhou Yi named this the "High-Pressure Mutation Phenomenon."

As a result, he began to exercise restraint, hunting only enough to meet basic needs. Fortunately, as Guangna Species, the samurai crabs could draw energy from Death Light and were not in desperate need of food.

As various thoughts flashed through his mind, Zhou Yi finally said, "I'll think about it. You go settle into your room."

"Yes, Chairman."

...

The sky gradually brightened.

Zhou Yi's brows remained furrowed.

An electronic voice came from the remote controller, "If you want to grow crops, I have a way."

Zhou Yi was startled, "Let's hear it."

Red Kestrel spoke, "In Recursive City, there are Electromechanical Life forms specialized in farm machinery. Just like I specialize in rescue operations, they have complete capabilities for planting, maintenance, and harvesting, and most of them take on external employment, having operated numerous farms."

Zhou Yi listened excitedly.

How could he have forgotten!

There were corresponding agricultural machines for seeding, tilling, and fertilizing.

He suddenly thought, "Would they be willing to come here? What would be their compensation?"

Speaking of which, Zhou Yi still knew little about Electromechanical Life, aware only that they required energy replenishment.

"The farm machines also need to farm to further evolve and perfect their capabilities and develop new skills. So as long as there is a demand for agricultural development, they are willing to take on the challenge."

Red Kestrel said, "However, there is one thing—agricultural Electromechanical Life forms usually demand absolute farm management rights. The scope of land they sow, the varieties of crops they grow, and the materials they need are all determined by them, and interference is forbidden. They will also make various material demands, which can be quite costly."

"In the past, some large cities have hired them to establish and maintain farms, but many have dismissed them and sent them away..."

Zhou Yi was puzzled, "Why?"

"During their employment, they would turn the farm into their own sovereign territory, not accepting any external guidance and ensuring the farm's autonomous operation without guaranteeing final production."

Red Kestrel explained, "Moreover, they need timely replenishment of their energy consumption. It is necessary to periodically pay them Light Seeds; the price range is 1 to 3 Light Seeds per natural month, which can be considered their labor service compensation."

"No problem."

Zhou Yi thought to himself, consuming resources was no issue as long as they had experienced professionals.

Leaving all the farm work to them, he could comfortably sit back as a hands-off manager, waiting to reap and eat.

This was his long-cherished dream!

"I have repositioned to Recursive City, which is 1,926 kilometers from here. A one-way trip takes at least 5 hours, plus the search for targets and employment negotiations... If all goes well, considering avoiding dangers and complex terrains en route, it is estimated to take about 10 to 15 days."

After refueling energy, Red Kestrel soared into the sky and disappeared into the high altitudes.