Chapter 82 The Safe Zone is Destroyed and the Entire Town is Relocated
When news arrived that Star Territory had agreed to the teleportation, Dongling City had already assembled a team intending to go there.
Before stepping into the teleportation array, Qi Changkong straightened his robes one last time and said to the research dean beside him in a deep voice, "Remember, our primary purpose for this trip is to learn and cooperate. Stay humble."
"Understood, Mayor."
After everyone filed into the teleportation array, Qi Changkong solemnly clicked "Confirm".
When the light shone again, they found themselves in a completely different world.
The moist and fresh air after the rain, carrying the fragrance of bamboo leaves, wafts towards you, and what comes into view is a boundless sea of emerald green bamboo.
The acid rain continued to fall, but it was gently blocked by an invisible barrier. This barrier was gentle on the acid rain, but somewhat cruel to the monsters.
The monsters, ignoring the corrosive effects of acid rain, continued their relentless attacks on the barrier, but with each attack, their health dwindled at a visible rate.
"Mayor, look over there!" The research institute director excitedly pointed to the distance, "Those bamboos can actually survive acid rain, it's simply against common sense!"
Welcome to the Star Territory.
A clear, melodious voice rang out, and Qi Changkong turned around to see a young woman strolling towards him.
She wore a simple short-sleeved shirt and trousers, her chest-length hair was politely tied behind her ears, and stray hairs were held back with a delicate bamboo leaf hair ornament. A light smile lingered in her eyes.
Remembering the information his sister had given him, Qi Changkong stepped forward and, unusually, revealed a genuine smile. "Lord Lin, I have long admired your name. Thank you for agreeing to our visit."
"Mayor Qi, you're too kind." Lin Nanxing's gaze swept over the group of researchers behind him, all dressed in matching white lab coats. The group was excitedly observing the surrounding bamboo forest, whispering among themselves, their eyes gleaming with excitement.
She tilted her head slightly, revealing just the right amount of curiosity: "It seems you've brought a very professional team."
“I heard my younger sister Ruiyi mention that Lord Lin is a straightforward person who doesn’t like those insincere formalities, so I’ll be frank with you.”
Qi Changkong said frankly, "To be honest, although Dongling City has abundant resources, it is indeed struggling to cope with this sudden acid rain disaster. The bamboo products you provided have solved our urgent problem. Dongling City will remember this kindness."
He changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over the bamboo grove, which was becoming even greener in the drizzle: "However, it would be a waste to use such precious bamboo only to make simple household items."
"I strongly advocate for deeper cooperation between our two sides. Dongling City will provide a top-notch research team to oversee in-depth research and development, and will open up our sales network covering all safe zones. Xingxing Territory will provide the core raw materials. Dongling City will only take 20% of the profits. What does Lord Lin think?"
Lin Nanxing had long suspected the relationship between the mayor and Qi Ruiyi, so he wasn't surprised when the mayor brought it up. Listening to the mayor's formal and official phrasing, although he found the bureaucratic tone awkward, he could also sense the sincerity in his words.
However, no one expected the ruler of the largest city in the East to be so decisive, and even more unexpected was the incredibly generous offer.
For a mere 20% profit, you'd also get a free R&D team and sales channels?
This is practically free.
Lin Nanxing gently stroked a green bamboo stalk beside him, his gaze falling on a monster outside whose health had been whittled down by the barrier. "Mayor Qi's terms are indeed tempting, but I'm not satisfied with the profit sharing."
Upon hearing this, Qi Changkong frowned subconsciously. A 20/80 split was already the lowest line that Dongling City could concede. Did she really want to ask for an exorbitant amount?
This contradicts the information his sister provided him.
Lin Nanxing paused deliberately, noticing the dissatisfaction on the faces of some of the people, before slowly saying, "Since it is a deep cooperation, and Dongling City has shown sincerity, Xingxing Territory should naturally reciprocate. I suggest adjusting the profit distribution to 30/70, with Dongling City responsible for research and development and sales, and should receive more in return."
This reversal stunned Qi Changkong. He had seen too many negotiating partners who haggled over the distribution of benefits, but this was the first time he had encountered a partner who took the initiative to make concessions.
"Lord Lin, this is..."
For Dongling City, the only place that can produce corrosion-resistant bamboo is currently the Star Territory. Even if they are in charge of the entire process and only take 20%, Dongling City still benefits in the end.
But this is not a long-term solution. Lin Nanxing saw that the researchers' faces changed when they heard their mayor propose a 20% profit split. For the sake of friendly exchanges between the two places, Lin Nanxing did not mind giving an extra 10% of the profits.
From her perspective, this collaboration only requires the supply of bamboo, as bamboo is already being cultivated extensively in her territory.
After yesterday's upgrade, the territory has become quite large, but the number of residents has not kept up. Using all the empty land to plant bamboo is not a waste of resources; it is equivalent to obtaining extremely high profits with minimal costs.
It was difficult to say this aloud, so Lin Nanxing smiled and didn't delve into the matter, naturally changing the subject: "You've all come from afar, and I suppose you haven't had a meal yet? Would you like to try our restaurant's newly launched bamboo rice? It's currently the most popular dish in the territory, bar none."
Qi Changkong, being the kind of person he was, immediately and readily agreed, "When in Rome, do as the host says. Then we'll have to trouble Lord Lin to make a recommendation for us."
He didn't comment much on the fact that the Star Territory used such precious bamboo to make bamboo rice.
"This way, please." Lin Nanxing led everyone through the lush bamboo forest toward the center of the territory.
The members of the research team in Dongling City looked back almost every step of the way, their eyes fixed on the amazingly growing green bamboo along the route.
As they were about to leave, the research director finally couldn't contain himself any longer. Pointing to a patch of exceptionally thick bamboo not far away, he tentatively asked, "Lord Lin, may we be able to collect some samples?"
"Of course, please feel free to do as you please." Lin Nanxing nodded generously.
To show goodwill, Lin Nanxing personally led the Dongling City team on a tour of the Star Territory. In the end, these special visitors were properly accommodated in a new apartment that Lin Nanxing had specially purchased and built for them.
The efficiency of the elite team was astonishing. They had barely checked in and hadn't even had time to unpack when they eagerly brought out various precision instruments that gleamed with metallic luster and began preliminary analysis of bamboo samples on a makeshift workbench.
Looking at his subordinates who quickly got into work mode, Qi Changkong explained to Lin Nanxing, "I'm sorry to make you laugh, Lord Lin. That's just how they are. They work day and night when they encounter a research topic that interests them. The fact that Dongling City was able to restore some of the conveniences of a high-tech society on a small scale is all thanks to this group of people who are passionate about scientific research."
Looking at those focused figures, Lin Nanxing's eyes revealed genuine appreciation and respect: "They are all experts worthy of respect."
The next morning, Lin Nanxing received a system notification as soon as he opened his eyes.
Longda Village has been destroyed.
Qule Village has been destroyed.
Ninglai Town has been destroyed.
......
After seven safe zones were announced in a row, Lin Nanxing, who had just woken up, was stunned for a minute before he realized what "annihilation" meant.
This was the first time she had seen a server-wide announcement since entering the game. Several of the villages and towns listed in the announcement were safe zones that had refused to accept Star Territory deliveries the day before, demonstrating the game's cruelty to the fullest extent.
But life goes on. After a moment of reflection, Lin Nanxing turned off the game notifications, got up, and went to wash up.
Meanwhile, the residents of Yunpei Town also saw the system notification, and the management was arguing about it.
"I disagree!" Deputy Mayor Yun Zhengzhen slammed his fist on the table, glaring angrily at his sister. "This is our ancestral home. How can we just give it up like this?"
"Calm down, don't let your emotions get the better of you."
Yun Aobai's voice was calm, but the knuckles of his fingers gripping the dagger were slightly white. "Look at the water outside. Acid rain is still falling. The town's defensive barrier has failed, and the underground structure has been corroded. There is only one way out for those who stay."
Yun Zhengzhen disagreed with her point of view, "But this is only temporary. This acid rain is just sudden and may not last long. Our roots are here, and we are connected to the Star Territory by train. Life is much more convenient than before. Why would we need the whole town to surrender?"
"Exactly! Maybe the rain will stop in a couple of days!"
"We can rebuild!"
Opposition voices rose and fell. Standing at the edge of the open train barrier in the Star Territory, Yun Aobai looked at the town entrance in the distance, which was mostly submerged by acid rain. The townspeople's belongings that they hadn't had time to take were still floating on the water. His heart sank to the bottom.
In fact, over the past year, many players in Yunpei Town have become residents of the Star Territory. Even Yun Aobai had already bought a villa in the Star Territory and could leave at any time. The reason she is still staying here is that Yun Aobai has the responsibility of being the town mayor and wants to ensure that all the townspeople can live safely.
Now that Starry Territory has developed into a city, this is the most appropriate time to return it to the past, and it is also the best arrangement for the townspeople of Yunpei Town.
But looking at the townspeople in front of her who seemed to have suddenly become stubborn, she suddenly felt a little lost.
"Mom." A slightly cool hand gently grasped her wrist. Her daughter, Yun Junqi, had appeared beside her without her noticing. The girl's clear eyes were filled with determination. "No matter what you decide to do in the end, I will support your decision."
Yun Aobai felt a warmth in her heart. When she opened her eyes again, her gaze had become sharp. Her voice was not loud, but it silenced everyone. "I am not asking for your opinions. As the mayor, my duty is to ensure that as many people as possible survive."
She looked around at the faces, some angry and some confused: "Those who are willing to come with me, go and pack your necessities now. Those who are not, do as you please."
Yun Zheng stared at her in disbelief: "You're trying to divide Yunpei Town!"
Yun Aobai took his daughter's hand and turned to walk towards the Star Territory. "I'm leaving a seed for Yunpei Town. I can't let everyone be buried here."
All the survivors in Yunpei Town are inside the train barrier. For safety reasons, the train cannot depart normally. If they want to go to the Star Territory, they can only walk or rely on the summoner's contracted monster.
Lin Qiulan squeezed through the crowd, protecting the child beside her, while struggling to send a message to Lin Nanxing: "Nanxing, most of the people in our town are evacuating to your place. The roads are too difficult to travel; at this speed, we won't get there until dark."
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Author's Note: One good news, one bad news
The good news is that after two more seasons, Nanxing's story will come to an end. The bad news is that I've run out of drafts and will have to start writing naked QAQ
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