Chatting away, Qian Su smoothly transitioned back into sales mode.

"Mr. Zhou, would you like to purchase some more 'Paralysis Bullets'? Paired with the Light Blocker, they're great for capturing live Guangna Species. Those who've used them say they're excellent."

She took out a cloth-wrapped bullet sample from her satchel, explaining that it could cause paralysis, making it difficult for the target to move or exert force. However, it was only effective against creatures of Rank D or lower.

"There's also the 'Light-blocking Powder Puff', which can conceal the glow of the Light Blocker, preventing it from being detected as an anomaly."

This item looked like a large sponge full of pores, paired with a powder box. A pat would create a shower of white dust. Applied to the Light Blocker's casing and Chain Line, it could conceal its energy fluctuations and optical reactions.

"'Maintenance Paper' is also an essential must-have. Would you like to stock up on some? This is a consumable item."

The girl took out a roll of oil paper, stating it could be used to wrap and seal various devices, providing moisture and insect protection to prevent rust and passivation, making it a necessity for weapon storage.

The material she had dropped in the sand dune area during weapon testing was used Maintenance Paper.

...

The price of these items wasn't below 2 Light Seeds.

In comparison, the prices offered by the Agricultural Machinery Brothers could be described as a model of industry integrity, basically giving away their services, motivated more by finding the right environment to hone and demonstrate their skills.

To speak frankly, Zhou Yi was interested in quite a few of Qian Su's products.

But now, a great battle was looming.

The Dead Sea Knights' battleships could appear on the sea surface at any moment, and Light Seeds could be timely supplied to Jade City.

Zhou Yi remained unmoved throughout, and Qian Su's attitude didn't change either. She was still amiable and enthusiastic, displaying excellent professional conduct.

"Boss Qian is eloquent and not afraid of hard work; I'm sure your business will continue to grow."

"Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Zhou."

The girl adjusted her hat, wiping the sweat from her forehead and neck with a towel: "I'm just a humble merchant, running around to make a modest living. Wherever there's a need from customers, that's where I go. That's simply business for you."

Zhou Yi glanced at the heavy-duty truck: "It looks like you sleep in the truck during your business trips, Boss Qian?"

"Correct."

Qian Su pointed to the vehicle: "I forgot to mention, that's my partner, 'Mission'."

With his [Alert] ability, Zhou Yi saw a faint green glow emanating from the truck, with a strength of at least Rank C. Its surface showed clear energy fluctuations, and he wondered what kind of abilities it might be deploying.

With such a powerful partner by her side, Qian Su indeed could roam freely across these lands.

"Normally, I sleep in the compartment of Mission's trailer. I made a small partition in there, perfect for taking a nap during long hauls."

"I have a batch of goods that need to be delivered to the customer on time, so I must take my leave now."

She came quickly and left just as swiftly.

The large truck turned around with the roar of the engine, its headlights casting two straight beams of light across the night sky, heading off into the distance once again.

...

As soon as Qian Su left, Zhou Yi instructed the samurai crabs to immediately install the Light Blockers.

With the completion of the installation of two Light Blockers, three homemade charging stations began to draw Dead Light from the Dead Sea, supplying power to Jade City.

Enemy approaching or not, they had to charge as much as they could.

Zhou Yi also announced to his company's employees that they had entered a period of combat, warning them not to leave the building.

This tense atmosphere lasted for two days and one night.

Yet the Dead Sea remained completely still.

Zhou Yi even began to suspect whether Qian Su had concocted this false news simply to move stock.

On the second night, he awaited the return of the Red Kestrel.

The quadcopter drone's appearance hadn't changed much, with a small black box added on top and its four cameras now five. Its flight behavior was still nimble and agile.

"The mission is complete."

"This time my hardware upgrades are as follows."

"I replaced the charger, increasing the endurance by 25%. I can recharge through natural 'Death Light' exposure during the day, allowing for longer flights and searches. This expense cost 22 Light Seeds."

"I upgraded the image transmission processor, extending the effective transmission distance of audio-video signals to 20 kilometers, with precision search covering a 5-kilometer diameter range. It can scan and obtain basic data on recorded vessels, producing relatively clear images even at night. This cost 12 Light Seeds."

"I installed a micro Guangna Box, spending 2 Light Seeds."

"I also installed a new set of signal transceivers, opening up access to Recursive City's data stack services. The new equipment and installation cost 25 Light Seeds, with an annual service fee of 50 Light Seeds, totaling 75 Light Seeds."

"Body measurement and maintenance costs, 5 Light Seeds."

"Customized one translation device and 12 pairs of transceivers, for 45 Light Seeds."

"I bought two sortable Guangna Boxes, 4 Light Seeds."

"The total expenditure this time amounts to 165 Light Seeds."

Zhou Yi gave the Red Kestrel 166 Light Seeds, practically using up all of them.

Whether it was increasing endurance, upgrading transmission distance, night imaging, or self-installing Guangna Boxes, all were practical necessities.

It was this data stack service that Zhou Yi didn't quite understand.

The Red Kestrel replied, "A data stack is a type of information transmission control protocol. It is a secure information channel, and Recursive City is one of the service providers. By activating this service, you can always get the latest information from Recursive City."

"For example, if an unidentified Guangna Species creature is discovered, you can send the information to Recursive City through the data stack. The database in Recursive City would provide feedback and detailed intelligence on the creature."

"My own database capacity is limited, and expanding it based on what I already have is costly and would inevitably lead to increased weight, adding more burden to my frame. Given our current environment, I believe it is necessary to activate this service. It can access the vast amount of data accumulated by Recursive City, serving as a foundation for reference and decision-making."

"By activating the data stack service, there's no need to travel back and forth to Recursive City. You can check Recursive City's real-time prices, product lists, available personnel for hire, and various news without stepping outside."

"This is an expensive yet highly practical service."

Zhou Yi's eyes lit up, "Not bad, this is of great significance to us. Well done."

This was the large local network that Recursive City operated.

Even though the annual service fee was considerable, as a seasoned netizen, Zhou Yi was all too aware of its value.

After installing the data stack, a new icon appeared on the screen of the remote control, shaped like a dictionary.

After Zhou Yi tapped on it, the screen transitioned to a brand-new page.

The page header displayed news, finance, technology, health, and other categories. Interestingly, there were no ads, giving it a pure feel reminiscent of the early days of the internet.

Zhou Yi felt somewhat mixed emotions.

The information world created by the network era was now inherited and continued by electromechanical beings.

But most importantly.

In the Wasteland Era, grandpa can surf the internet too!

While Zhou Yi was relishing the sensation of returning to the network with each click, the Red Kestrel suddenly issued a warning.

"10 kilometers off the eastern shore of the Dead Sea, a suspicious vessel of the combat class has been detected."

"Cross-referenced with the Recursive City database, the target is identified as the 'Accordion' of the Dead Sea Knights' Seventh Fleet. This warship is rated C, with a cruising speed of 10-15 kilometers per hour. It is equipped with one C-ranked main gun and two D-ranked high-speed secondary guns."

"The Accordion is heading directly towards Jade City, expected to arrive within an hour."

"Database intelligence indicates the Accordion specializes in bombardment from the Dead Sea, often undertaking such combat missions. It's highly likely that it will initiate bombardment against us."

Zhou Yi felt a surge of anger.

You don't show up when I wait for you, and as soon as I get online, you make me log off.

You're intentionally causing trouble, aren't you?

All right, all right.

If you come, don't expect to leave!