The electromechanical mouse on the table was unremarkable in appearance, yet it led the local sand rats to build a massive underground city and breed a defense line of Antlions, becoming the underground ruler of the region.

The clawed pig tribe challenging and slaughtering the sand rats died justly.

Zhou Yi was quite interested in the details of breeding Antlions.

"What do you feed the Antlions? They are not small in size."

Nemo did not conceal anything. "The newly transformed Antlions are not big, and they mostly sleep. We just move them to a pre-planned underground area for settlement."

"We regularly drop food there, including various fruits and insects, as well as some rotting corpses we find. When their size grows to a certain scale, they require more food."

"Sometimes we take risks, luring clawed pigs, red-eyed vultures, and northern forest sheep into the Antlion hunting zones. Hunting Guangna Species lets the Antlions grow faster."

Zhou Yi thought to himself, good grief, they even lure creatures in.

Nemo continued, "The Antlions prevent humans from coming en masse from the west. Although people here have built market towns, the threat has significantly diminished."

"But rainfall is becoming increasingly rare, and the weather is getting windier. The lack of water and loss of soil fertility lead to a continual decrease in plants. Compared to the degradation of the environment, the localized desertification caused by the Antlions is a minor issue."

"Humans are just outsiders. They can leave here, and the clawed pigs might return to the northwest region. But this has been my home for hundreds of winters, and I have nowhere else to go."

Nemo fell silent for a while.

"Like it or not, we must find a way to transform the environment and adapt to the new era."

It moved its forelimbs, lightly tracing on the table's surface, "After investigations and trials, I have made two plans."

"The first is to scatter and live, allowing the sand rats to disperse among every human settlement centered around Sand Port, relying on obtaining human's rotten food or stealing a small portion of stored human food to maintain the basic survival of the tribe."

"This will significantly alleviate our food problem."

Speaking of the theft strategy, Nemo was very straightforward, "Saving more than we spend can buy us valuable time to achieve our real goal, which is the second strategy."

"I plan to spend a hundred winters transforming this entire land, so we need to build an extensive underground pipeline system. Bringing water sources from the Northern Forest and rivers south of the Mushroom Forest to restore moisture to the Oasis, and then extracting volcanic ash from the volcano to repair soil fertility via underground transport to expand the size of the Oasis."

Zhou Yi felt a surge of admiration for such Herculean courage and execution.

"Unfortunately,"

Nemo's voice suddenly turned a bit downcast, "Although we've prepared a lot and overcome many difficulties, facing nature, the power of the sand rats is limited."

"Before this winter, a large number of laboring sand rats suddenly suffered a massacre by a group of clawed pigs, with a total death toll exceeding 7,000, which had never happened before."

"All along, clawed pigs hunted sand rats either as a food supplement or to train their young to hunt. Sand rats are ordinary animals, with limited appeal to the Guangna Species."

"Unable to capture enough forest sheep in the north, and with increasingly intense tribal competition and threats from human hunting groups, under pressure, they became crazed and vented their stress by slaughtering sand rats."

"We've always avoided and stayed silent because confronting the Guangna Species would come at a great cost. But this time is different."

The electromechanical mouse said in a firm and clear voice, "This battle is not my decision, but the collective will of all sand rats."

"Even if it requires great sacrifice, they want to avenge their fallen kin and retaliate. They are willing to battle formidable enemies anywhere, whether in the wilderness, mountains, rivers, or deserts. They are willing to sacrifice themselves, take on roles of Death Soldiers, repairmen, scouts, and more; they are determined to counterattack the enemy at all costs until they win this battle!"

This was unexpected by Zhou Yi.

The naturally timid sand rats, restraining their innate fear, united their entire tribe to counterstrike an unbeatable past opponent, which was already a sign of budding intelligence and civilization.

Nemo said, "I am just following their voices to make detailed plans."

Zhou Yi knew most of the subsequent events.

The sand rats used poisoning to incapacitate many members of the hostile clawed pig tribe.

Then, inside the dead volcano, they used the sulfur dust prepared underground to Detonate and maximally reduce the remaining combat-capable clawed pigs.

In this process, more than 500 sand rats were sacrificed.

Another thing Zhou Yi didn't know was,

"We still have a group of sand rats. When the mature clawed pig attacked this area, we dug open their cave where they kept their young, exposing them to the open air. The red-eyed vultures will hunt those young ones; they won't survive this winter."

Nemo said calmly, "This is a battle of life and death between two groups, and I won't give them any chance to fight back."

Zhou Yi looked again at the small electromechanical mouse on the table.

Its original job was a pipeline worker.

But years of leading the sand rat community had transformed Nemo into an outstanding leader.

Zhou Yi immediately extended an olive branch to the electromechanical mouse, "I have come to understand the difficulties you face. I would suggest you consider joining our Wasteland Development Company. With the company's help, life here would be much easier and more convenient for you."

"The hunter that captured you belongs to my Patrol Guards, and this place, Jade City, you've seen it before as the Dead Sea Alien buildings, they are my company's office and staff. We also have a battle-hardened team of samurai crabs; they are professional warriors and engineers, and they form part of the company's security system."

He raised his finger, "The benefits my company can offer include, first, safety within the company's radiation range, so you no longer have to worry about clawed pigs threatening your community. Company employees are protected by the company."

"Second, the labor support you need. The underground water pipelines and volcano ash excavation that you need to set up are too time-consuming for sand rats, so samurai crabs will help you complete the construction."

"Third, food security. If the sand rat community lacks food or materials, you can apply to the company. If we do not have supplies in stock, we will procure them collectively from other market towns or cities to ensure your survival is not affected."

"Fourth, an independent path for growth. The sand rat community here already possesses the beginnings of intelligence, and the company will maintain your independence, much like the Mushroom Forest. We will assist you in times of difficulty and require you to share the outcomes with us."

"All this is predicated on the leadership of the sand rat community you lead."

Zhou Yi's goal was very clear.

With Nemo's sand rat tribe, there was development presently unseen elsewhere.

The electromechanical mouse was key.

Such a near-immortal leader had unquestionable influence among the sand rats.

After some thought, Nemo asked, "What would we need to do after joining the company?"

"In the long term, develop well."

Zhou Yi said with a slight smile, "But in the short term, you have lived on this land for many years and must be very aware of everything happening around you. The company needs your intelligence network."

Nemo was decisive, "Thank you for the invitation. We're honored to be part of such a strong organization."

Zhou Yi was reassured, "The sand rat community operates independently inside. Just continue what you're doing and report directly to me. Do you now lack food? Or need help digging pipelines? Do you need Light Seeds?"

A glint appeared in the electromechanical mouse's eyes, "Light Seeds... can we apply for those too?"

"Yes, as long as you have a sufficient reason."

"To be honest, sand rats can do without them, and I don't need Light Seeds myself as charging during the day is sufficient. My skill is pretty basic, just 'Construction Pipeline,' which can make reasonable use of space and the existing environment to build underground pipelines."

Zhou Yi then looked towards the hovering Red Kestrel, "Nemo, you should be able to carry it, right?"

"No problem."

"Then take it to Recursive City to get some hardware upgrades. Repair what needs to be repaired, add what needs to be added; the machine's body is too fragile right now. Discuss which parts to upgrade. Here is the budget."

Zhou Yi transferred 200 Light Seeds from the Guangna Box to the Red Kestrel's public fund.

Nemo's mustache bristled with excitement, "Mr. Chairman, I will not let you down! Before that, I ask to first meet with the sand rats to reassure them and inform them of this news to prevent any panic and loss of order."

Zhou Yi nodded, "No rush, I still have another idea. Regarding a new style of cooperative relationship between sand rats and humans..."

After listening, Nemo's eyes gleamed red and he rubbed his plastic claws, "The strategy you've proposed is full of challenges, but also limitless possibilities. I will do my utmost to promote this initiative quickly."