MTLNOVEL Chapter 232 Target - Coastline_2
The Absorber was a bit afraid.
Then it said another sentence, "Get some good rest."
This had nothing to do with the ability to control.
It was simply influenced by human society.
From the state of an insect egg, it had been nurtured by human culture. On the other hand, after devouring the Green Grass People's bloodline, its thoughts actually leaned toward the Green Grass People.
If a human were to live with wolves again, they would become a wolf child; likewise, if a wolf were raised by humans from a young age, it might come to think it was human.
The same was true for the Worm King. Although they were naturally combative, living here, they would also pick up human habits.
...
After three days, the other two Worm Kings returned as well.
Both were a mess, looking utterly depleted, and as soon as they returned, they ate enormously, nearly collapsing from exhaustion.
These guys brought back quite a rich trove of intelligence.
Lu Yuan and the others had come from the direction of Rize Civilization, that is, from the west, where the desert's edge extended at least 20,000 kilometers.
The desert to the north was 16,000 kilometers.
The east was slightly better at around 10,000 kilometers.
"There's a very large abyss in the east that emitted a lot of poison gas. It almost killed me."
And to the south, there was surprisingly a mountain range, and... an immense ocean!
The Worm King · Lu Xiao, responsible for exploring the south, nearly cried when remembering past experiences.
Initially, it had grand ambitions, wanting to explore just how vast this ocean was.
But it ran out of energy halfway through its flight!
Though the ocean had plenty of food, there was nowhere to rest, and with the incredibly powerful deep-sea monsters, it almost died out there.
Other than offering some words of comfort, Lu Yuan could hardly say anything else.
"How far is that ocean from here?"
"The nearest coastline is about 1500 kilometers... I've drawn a map of the coastline. Alas, I couldn't find any closer oases, which is frustrating," Lu Xiao said, unsure if its intelligence was low or if it was mocking the other two Worm Kings.
1500 kilometers!
A perfectly acceptable distance!
Lu Yuan turned his head and looked at Old Cat.
Old Cat was also pleasantly surprised, examining the assembled map...
"This desert is really huge, almost comparable to the size of Earth."
"Then how vast could the ocean be? We obviously don't have the capability to cross it."
Sky City also needed to replenish resources and maintain equipment.
Flying over the continent, they could still find a flat spot to land for a brief rest.
If they crossed the ocean, they would have to do it in one go. If an accident happened midway, wouldn't they just sink?
Lu Yuan thought hard for a while, realizing that with their limited knowledge, the risk of the city sinking was indeed not low.
However, near the ocean, there were some sea breezes which would likely be a bit more humid.
"At worst, we can use distillation to get some fresh water."
1500 kilometers, compared to 16,000 kilometers, was an acceptable distance.
Lu Yuan nodded. Their immediate priority was to overcome the water crisis and then return to the territory of the Rize Civilization to trade for a large batch of industrial products.
He slapped the table firmly, "So, the first stop for raising Sky City is officially decided, the southern coastline!"
...
...
"Extra, extra, a huge ocean discovered beyond 1500 kilometers!"
"Overcoming the water crisis is within reach!"
"And there are various seafood to catch!"
Various rumors spread through public opinion, causing a tremendous shock among the citizens of Green Grass Town.
Water in the reservoirs was diminishing day by day, and it had reached the point where usage needed to be restricted.
The townspeople were anxious seeing this, feeling desperate in their hearts.
Having enjoyed such a prosperous lifestyle, who would want to return to the brutal days of the great famine?
But in such matters, being anxious was useless!
They could only work overtime, tirelessly, hoping to raise Sky City earlier.
There was some good news, and suddenly, everyone was invigorated. Each individual was discussing it, whether they were clocking in or out of work, all of them seemed absent-minded.
"What is the ocean?"
"It's a very, very large puddle of water. Dad, you need to enhance your cultural studies; seawater is salty."
Due to the influence of Green Grass Paradise, the young ones had broader knowledge than the adults.
"At that time, everyone will be able to use water freely!"
"However, I remember that seafood is toxic, right?"
"When do we officially set off?"
In the face of the noisy public questioning, Lu Yuan felt it necessary to form a proper propaganda department.
As of now, the transmission of news relied solely on word of mouth, undoubtedly generating many rumors.
"My friends, with the help of the Insect Soldiers, we indeed have found a place where we can replenish our water supply."
"If nothing unexpected happens, in a month or two, our Sky City will be able to rise."
What he hadn't expected was that, as soon as he uttered those words, the plaza erupted into a noisy clamor and shouting.
"It can really rise?"
"Where?"
Hope is indeed a precious thing.
Without hope, everyone is a thug.
With hope, everyone is a striving youth.
Someone in the crowd shouted, "Captain Lu, what should we do?"
"What thing am I supposed to deal with?"
"You said earlier... you had said earlier... Captain Lu..." That elderly man, with complex emotions, shouted.
Lu Yuan was slightly stunned, seeming to understand, it was an older tribe elder, who seemed to be looking forward to something.
This group of people had always been there, and it was understandable.
"Then, let us strive together toward our goal!"
Lu Yuan roared, his voice so loud that it drowned out the noisy clamor.
Then, he made a few gestures, signaling everyone to be quiet: "But, there are some harsh truths I must state upfront."
"First point, I know that some people find it difficult to adapt to the current lifestyle."
"The new epoch moves too quickly and leaves some people behind."
"Various policies, it is normal that everyone does not understand or accept them."
"Here's the deal, when we reach a place with beautiful mountains and clear waters, a safer place, I will give everyone a choice, whether to stay in this city and become citizens or to stay there, living the life you want, like in the past."
In the past two years, the number of talents has indeed surged forth.
Epoch-making educational methods have changed a lot.
But the hardest thing in the world is to transform the mindset of an adult with a mature worldview.
Why are children a blank slate, while adults are hard to transform? It's because their thought processes are already set in stone.
At least half the population can't keep up with the new era; they lack learning abilities and job skills, can't earn money, let alone afford fruits and vegetables.
The increasingly high productivity doesn't relate to them whatsoever.
Things like "Green Grass Paradise," they are also unwilling to try.
Forcing this group of people to learn modern knowledge is truly more difficult than killing them!
Therefore, this group of people living here always feels incompatible.
Lu Yuan will give them a chance to leave.
When the time comes, do whatever you want!
As for epochal disasters and such... that's also something tens of thousands of years in the future; no one has foreknowledge of what will happen in ten thousand years.
It's possible that by that time, Lu Yuan will have long been dead, Sky City fallen, while the descendants of those who fled are still alive...
Who can clarify these matters?
Lu Yuan paused for a moment, then loudly said, "If you want to leave, I will provide about a year's worth of provisions!"
"I'll help you establish new homesteads, will also gift some agricultural tools, and throw in some technological industries, as a farewell since we've known each other."
"I won't stop you from leaving."
"You also don't need to feel burdened, everyone has their own aspirations, let's each go our way."
The noisy crowd suddenly quieted down.