Chapter 533

Upon learning of the expansion of the Economic Trade Zone in Liyue Outer City, they scrambled to move in. They also actively cooperated with the "Penguin Logistics" companies operating across the country to build logistics storage warehouses in the large Mobile Cities.

With local logistics and storage warehouses, the speed at which buyers receive their orders will be greatly improved.

The 10 yuan per order logistics fee was too much for private companies to handle. As they gradually withdrew, the entire logistics market was monopolized by capitalists and Penguin Logistics. Even so, it was still cheaper for ordinary people to buy things than before. A true win-win situation for both buyers and sellers was achieved.

Capitalists who lost money in physical stores made up for it through online transactions. Benefiting from this, they no longer hire online trolls to spread malicious rumors or engage in other underhanded tactics.

After all, you can't afford to mess with Zhongli, the God of Wealth.

Shi Lei never looks at the evaluations of himself in the Liyue Circle or on forums. He is content with his life now, spending his days with his loved one and occasionally playing mahjong with friends.

In May 1099, Mudrock gave birth to a daughter for Shi Lei.

She has white hair and red eyes like her mother, as well as glossy Blackhorn. Apart from the Blackhorn, her other physical characteristics are more human-like. It can be inferred that she will definitely be a beauty when she grows up.

Originally, Shi Lei said that if they had a boy, they would name him Shi Ni) or Shi Yan). But Texas said that such a name would make the child unable to hold his head high, so the idea was dropped.

Fortunately, it was a girl. Seeing that Mudrock's white hair was as white as snow, Shi Lei eventually named her Shi Xue.

In July 1099, Texas gave birth to a son.

However, the child looks very human, showing absolutely no characteristics of the Lupos.

Shi Lei came up with a bunch of bad names, all of which were rejected by Texas. Considering the child's lively and energetic nature, and the fact that Shi Lei's true form is a golden dragon, they named him Stone Dragon).

Influenced by the traditional patriarchal values of Terra, Texas secured her position as the principal wife through her sons. Although Shi Lei loved both his eldest daughter and second son dearly and showed no personal favoritism, his veteran subordinates tended to side with Texas.

Shi Lei clearly stated that he would treat all his sons equally, but they ignored him. Moreover, most of these elders were familiar with Texas, so their bias was understandable.

Shi Lei has emphasized many times that the elders all say what they will do and I will do what I will do. Anyway, I am still young and healthy enough to handle three wives every night. Let them be biased if they want; it's still a long way off before we decide on an heir.

Knowing Mudrock wasn't very popular, Niyan comforted her with Botao's magnanimity. She said she was content to be with Shi Lei and didn't care about anything else. As long as the master treated her and her daughter well, she didn't care who inherited the family business.

The shameful things that Niyan used to do in front of Shi Lei's life-size Mudrock statue in the small secret room have now come true. Power and such things are indeed not within her consideration.

Perhaps because of the Sui Beast Fragment, Xi's belly didn't react whether she wore a condom or not. She could draw a child, but that would be too self-deceptive.

Compared to Mudrock, Xi has even fewer connections. Although her social anxiety has improved somewhat, she still doesn't have many friends.

Anyway, Xi is very open-minded; like Mudrock, she has no interest in power. She's content with her daily sexual encounters, and if she can't have children, she won't.

And to put it bluntly, Xi had already thought it through when she mustered up the courage to confess. Her greatest advantage as Long-lived Race was her lifespan; she was confident she would eventually succeed.

Wealth and power are external things; the care and love of a loved one is Xi's greatest pursuit in this life.

While in Texas and Mudrock for postpartum care, Xi learned how to care for two children from a postpartum nanny. She treated Stone Dragon and Shi Xue as her own children, becoming their Third Mom.

Xi had met Texas and Mudrock openly and honestly, and even shared the same elixir. Even if they were in excellent physical condition, they were still a bit weak after giving birth. They felt very reassured entrusting their situation to someone they knew well.

This blissful period lasted for more than two years. In December 1101, a distress message from Rhodes Island shattered the long-lost tranquility.

Perhaps it was Shi Lei's heroic act of piercing the Star Pod that triggered a sense of crisis among the Sea Creatures group.

They have evolved rapidly in just two years and recently launched an attack on the Iberia continent.

PS: The next chapter will be in five days. If I don't finish writing it, there might be a middle part to the grand finale.

Chapter 606 The Grand Finale (Part 2)

When Shi Lei received the message, he was making a handmade cake with his wife and daughter in the bakery. The family had just returned from a trip to Dossoles when they received Ines's report.

Texas and Mudrock also showed their mettle in the local competition, taking the top two spots.

This wasn't because of Shi Lei; it was entirely due to their own abilities.

After three years of development, Zhongli's name has become renowned Terra.

Even in remote countries like Iberia and Sargon, he has many fans.

Shi Lei has been most worried about over the years is the Sea God Temple, whose situation is completely unknown.

He didn't know what the Sea God Ishmarra inside had evolved into after three years.

Upon learning of Sea Creatures's unusual behavior, Shi Lei handed the child he was holding to his wife and made a phone call to Anmatar.

The signal coverage of the First Phase of the Cross-border Communication Network only covered the Sami Icefield.

The Second Phase Project will fill in the remaining areas, and the signal has now achieved full coverage in Sami.

Anmatar never used a mobile phone before; he communicated with the Sami People through dreams.

In order to stay in touch with Shi Lei at all times, he eventually asked Typhon to help him buy a mobile phone.

"Hello, it's me, Zhongli."

After the call connected, Shi Lei provided intelligence regarding Sea Creatures's attack on the Iberia continent:

"I forgot to ask last time because I was in a hurry, but I'm going to ask you clearly this time. Can you tell me all the information about Sea Creatures? As the saying goes, 'Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.' The more information you have, the easier it will be to deal with Sea Creatures later."

"Okay, please allow me to think about it."

Anmatar was silent for a moment, then replied:

"Sea Creatures was a planetary terraforming tool deployed by the Creator when he first arrived on Terra. I am not in charge of this section or project, and I only know some general information."

Sea Creatures are beings with a collective consciousness who constantly evolve and adapt to their environment. At that time, the Creator created four Primal Sea Creatures, each responsible for a different function.

The first one is responsible for reproduction, Sea Creatures through cell division. Only when there are enough Sea Creatures can Terra Planet be terraformed. Otherwise, relying solely on the Primal Sea Creatures, it's unknown how long it would take.

The second person in charge of environmental transformation aims to make Terra Planet a habitable environment for its creator.

However, the current Sea Creatures have been free from the control of the Creator for tens of thousands of years. Their function of modifying the environment has not changed, only the reference point has changed. The environment they have now modified is a more suitable breeding ground for the Sea Creatures.

The third is responsible for providing nutrition to sustain the daily energy needs of the ever-growing Sea Creatures population.

Just as humans discover a piece of fertile soil but cannot directly absorb nutrients, they need to plant crops on it and transform them before they can eat them.

I've seen this Primal Sea Creatures before; it resembles a Deep Blue Tree. But whether it possesses any function beyond providing nutrition, I'm not so sure.

This last one, the Primal Sea Creatures, should be related to evolution. It can Sea Creatures body parts that are more conducive to work based on the environment.

Mister Zhongli, I must remind you of this. This information is from ten thousand years ago. As for how Sea Creatures evolved recently, you will need to verify that yourself.

If you're going to venture deep into Sea Creatures's headquarters, it's best to take someone with you; you might be pleasantly surprised.

Upon hearing this, Shi Lei asked:

"Who?"

"The Doctor, the Doctor from Rhodes Island. Whether he has amnesia or not, as long as his fingerprints aren't Erosion, it's fine."

"With the Nuclear Energy supplied by the Creator, the equipment might still be operational. The Doctor is the last remaining spark of Pre-Civilization; going with him might lead to unexpected discoveries."

Once you understand the reason, things will be much easier:

"This intelligence came from Rhodes Island, so calling the Doctor shouldn't be a problem. What about you? Can you go?"

Shi Lei had helped close the Stargate from the Yinfei Icefield, for which he owed Sami a debt of gratitude akin to being given a second life. Anmatar, upon hearing this, agreed without hesitation.

"You toil for this land every day, and I wish to contribute as well. However, I'm not very good at fighting. Would it be alright if I were your guide?"

For the past three years, Shi Lei has devoted himself to his family, leaving all matters concerning Liyue to his subordinates. He only occasionally approves a few important documents submitted to him, essentially acting as a hands-off manager.

Hearing Anmatar praise him like that, he felt a little embarrassed and flicked his nose in response:

"Okay, I'll pick you up tomorrow if nothing unexpected happens. I'll call Rhodes Island to check. I'll hang up now."

After disconnecting the communication, Shi Lei retrieved the Doctor's number from his contacts. Seeing that no one answered after calling more than ten times, he then called Amiya, the leader of Rhodes Island.

Shi Lei needs to understand the situation clearly before he will go to the Iberia coastline to investigate.

Since nearly being defeated by the Demons Kresson three years ago, he has become increasingly cautious.

Everyone says that when the sky falls, someone will hold it up, but Shi Lei has unknowingly become that person who holds the sky up.

If he were to fail due to carelessness, there would probably be no one else in the world capable of dealing with the Sea God Ishmarra. Even though Shi Lei's Roleplay Value were sufficient to advance to the True God Realm, he still maintained a cautious attitude.

After he shared Alien Technology for free three years ago and gained massive global fame, the amount of Roleplay Value he earns daily has increased slightly, shortening the time it originally took to reach the maximum by six months.

"Click."

Lost in thought, the call connected. Before Shi Lei could ask anything, Amiya explained first:

"Mister Zhongli, are you calling me about Sea Creatures? The Doctor and Doctor Kal'tsit have already ventured deep into Iberia, where there is no Cross-border Network Signal, so I will be able to get back to you later."

"Yes, it's about Sea Creatures. When is a convenient time for you, the Doctor? I'll call back then."

Amiya for a moment and then responded:

"I'm sorry, Mister Zhongli. Almost all of Iberia's ships are currently damaged. I don't know when the Doctor and Doctor Kal'tsit will return."

"Oh, okay, then I'll call later."

Hearing that Shi Lei was about to hang up, she immediately called out to him:

"Hey, please wait a moment, Mister Zhongli! I have something I'd like to ask you for help with."

He didn't have the habit of agreeing first, and instead asked:

"What is it? Tell me first."

"Two hours ago, Specter and Skadi, Operator had been recuperating in the medical pod, went missing. According to the intelligence we have, they should have set off for the Saltwind City area of Iberia."

Doctor Kal'tsit once said that they were Abyssal Hunters created using the Sea Creatures- Sea Creatures. They might play a crucial role in the future battle against the Sea Creatures. But we simply don't have enough manpower right now. Could you please find them and bring them to join us?"

Skadi?

Shi Lei felt the name sounded familiar, and after a moment's thought, he realized who it was. Several years ago, when he participated in the Knight Competition in Kazimierz, he had met a cute-looking Operator Dobermann had mentioned.

Judging by its appearance, it seems to be related to marine life, but it turns out to be Abyssal Hunters modified using Sea Creatures.

"That's possible, but I need to go to Sami to pick up a guide. I'll be in Saltwind City by tomorrow or the day after at the earliest."

Amiya's Elite Operator were transferred by Doctor Kal'tsit, and the remaining available Operator did not have enough individual strength to penetrate deep into Iberia, so they had no choice but to ask him to come out of retirement:

"It's alright, your willingness to go is a great help. We'll settle the payment for you afterwards."

"Talking about payment is too formal. I'm not short of money right now. If they're really useful to Sea Creatures, what's wrong with me making the trip? Once you've contacted the Doctor, remember to confirm the meeting point and let me know via text message."

"Okay, thank you for your help, Mister Zhongli."

After ending his call, Shi Lei called AYA, whose life was fleeting. Thanks to the convenience of Cross-border Communication Network, he no longer had to worry about not being able to contact anyone.

He arranged to meet AYA in Saltwind City two days later, then hung up the phone and returned to the Cake Baking Workshop.

Texas, keenly aware of the anomaly, held the child and asked Stone Dragon:

"What happened?"

Shi Lei was usually a hands-off manager, rarely reporting on ordinary trivial matters unless he encountered trouble.

"The Sea Creatures along the South China Sea have been very active lately, so I need to go check on the coastline. You all stay home and take good care of the children; I'll be back as soon as I'm done."

Three years had completely erased the aloofness from Texas's face, replacing it with a mature, sweet, and mature charm. She wasn't so easily fooled by Shi Lei's arrangements and offered her differing opinions:

"Don't try to be a hero by yourself. No matter what, we'll go with you through thick and thin."

Upon hearing this, Mudrock chimed in:

"Yeah, we're not a burden. Helping you deal with the henchmen shouldn't be a problem."

Shi Lei shook his head, politely declining:

"This time the situation is different. The Sea Creatures are currently the greatest threat to Terra. If we can resolve this, they will be unable to cause trouble for the next hundred years."

Texas remains steadfast and refuses to back down.

"That's precisely why we need to stay by your side and offer whatever help we can. We're husband and wife; what difficulties can't we face together? I know you're doing this for our own good, but the good we want isn't just sharing wealth and prosperity, but also sharing hardship. We don't ask to be born on the same day, month, and year, but we ask to die on the same day, month, and year. I..."

"Stop, stop, stop."

Upon hearing this, Shi Lei immediately interrupted:

"What do you mean by 'die'? That's bad luck!"

Despite his outward anger, as long as he doesn't firmly refuse, there's still room for maneuver.

After all, they'd been married for three years; they knew each other's strengths and weaknesses. Shi Lei was completely under Texas's thumb and had no choice but to agree.

"I'll go to Sami to pick up Anmatar first. You guys get ready, I'll be back tomorrow and we'll set off together."

Seeing that he had changed his mind and agreed, Mudrock cast an admiring glance at Texas.

Both she and Xi have soft and gentle personalities; only Texas can keep their master in check.

"Go early and come back early, we'll be waiting for you at home."