I can find treasures in my dreams.

Upon hearing the words coming from the passage, Gabamuda instantly understood.

Zhao Xiaoying, the second-in-command of the Human Alliance, is temporarily putting aside her busy official duties to temporarily "guest-star" as a tour guide, receiving a student tour group from all over Canglan Star.

Gabamuda had already heard of these student tour groups.

However, this is the first time I've seen it with my own eyes.

According to Iron Fist Warriors, the tour groups usually consist of about one hundred middle school students. Almost every other week, a tour group will pass through the Gate of the World and enter the Pioneer City for a visit and study.

This was not a temporary arrangement, but a long-term, regular educational activity carefully planned by the People's Federation Education Department in conjunction with Kaituo City.

The students selected for the tour group are all top performers chosen from middle schools in various administrative districts. They not only have excellent grades, but many also possess preliminary potential for special abilities or have shown extraordinary talent in fields such as scientific research and engineering.

From the moment they cross the Gate of the World, the students will spend the next three days visiting various departments of the pioneer city and learning how the city continuously obtains massive resources from the dangerous Black Sand Sea.

For example, resource development.

From the exploration, mining, and transportation of exotic mineral deposits to the refining and processing of minerals.

Another example is urban defense.

From the operation of unmanned swarms to how the military dispatches small teams to regularly clean up the areas surrounding pioneer cities, and then to large-scale legion operations.

The deeper significance of this educational activity goes far beyond simply "broadening horizons".

When students witness everything within the Pioneer City firsthand, the seed of "I want to be like the people of Pioneer City in the future, developing the original resources for the Alliance and contributing to the Azure Civilization" will naturally be planted deep in their hearts.

Not far away.

Gabamuda quickly retreated to avoid disturbing the energetic team.

He stood against the cold alloy wall, his gaze fixed on that dashing and beautiful figure.

Zhao Xiaoying, dressed in a white uniform and with her long hair tied in a neat ponytail, was calmly leading a large group of students into the transfer area.

"Om-"

The isolation grating suddenly trembled, and a visible energy film appeared in mid-air, a sign that the protective force field had been boosted to its maximum power.

This force field isolates most of the remaining mental pressure from the corpses, minimizing the negative impact on these young students.

"My God! That's terrifying!"

"My legs are covered in hangnails, I feel goosebumps!"

The students' gasps and whispered exclamations rose and fell.

Zhao Xiaoying stopped and raised her hand to signal the students to maintain order; the exclamations immediately ceased.

The long-legged girl smiled and said, "Students, don't be afraid. It has lost all its threats and has become a sample for the Azure People to study and understand the Black Sand Sea."

She then changed the subject: "The Pioneer City has been stationed at the front line of the Black Sand Sea for so many years, and has killed countless monsters, many of which are even more ferocious and terrifying than this one."

"I firmly believe that among all of you here today, there will be someone who will one day personally kill a monster even more powerful than the Shadow Spider."

These words of encouragement immediately boosted the students' morale.

Many students nodded vigorously, clearly having made up their minds to dedicate themselves to the great cause of developing the Black Sand Sea in the future.

Gabamuda couldn't help but ask himself a question: "Would an ordinary Iron Fist have ambitions like those of Azure Student?"

His answer was—no!
Ordinary Iron Fist people spend their entire lives thinking only about awakening their superpowers, climbing to a higher social class, and enjoying a life with more abundant resources.

Gabamuda's gaze swept quickly across the young faces, and he sighed inwardly.

This scene would be nothing short of a fantasy in the world of Tekken, where hierarchy is extremely strict; it would be impossible.

In the world of Tekken, the area where the World Gate is located is an absolute forbidden zone.

Only outstanding soldiers who have passed more than ten rounds of rigorous tests and have made outstanding contributions are qualified to set foot in it.

Even if an ordinary person accidentally approaches the boundary of the restricted area, they will be immediately detained by the patrol team and face severe penalties such as exile to a mine or lifelong forced labor.

None of these Azure students were true superhumans; at most, they had only awakened weak superhuman abilities. Yet, they were able to pass through the Gate of Worlds smoothly and even observe the corpses of knight-level monsters up close.

A high-ranking knight like Zhao Xiaoying would actually set aside her busy official duties to act as a guide for a group of ordinary students, patiently answering their questions.

In the Ironfist Civilization, anyone who dared to suggest that the Guardian "condescend" to explain things to ordinary people would be charged with the serious crime of "disrespecting the Guardian's dignity."

In the Azure Civilization, all of this happened so naturally that no one thought it was too outrageous.

After observing for a while, Gabamuda couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "Our civilization is really too rigid."

The various drawbacks of a society based on iron fist are not unnoticed.

In recent years, many insightful people have deeply reflected on the problems of powerful clans monopolizing resources, rigid hierarchy, and resistance to innovation, and have put forward many suggestions for improvement.

But to use a proverb I learned on Azure Star—it's all for naught.

What impressed him most was that when Mota the Great Axe of the Great Axe Clan was promoted to knight, he joined forces with a group of Ironfist warriors to launch a vigorous civilization revolution.

Mota the Giant Axe had been stationed in the Frontier City for a year, witnessing firsthand the openness and vitality of the Azure Civilization. He was determined to emulate Azure's system to break the clan monopoly and completely reshape the foundation of the Ironfist Civilization.

However, the civilizational innovation ultimately touched upon the core interests of the old clans and some guardians, which triggered overwhelming attacks and resistance.

Finally, when the conflict reached a critical point, a brutal civil war broke out.

Mota the Great Axe died in a final battle against two conservative guardians, and his followers were either slaughtered or exiled, severely weakening the Ironfist civilization.

Today it is today.

Even though the Guardians were aware of the flaws in civilization, they tried to implement some small-scale changes.

However, these measures deliberately avoided the core issues of hierarchy and resource monopoly, resulting in minimal effect and failing to truly unleash the creativity of ordinary Iron Fist soldiers.

The longer Gabamuda stayed on Azure Star and the deeper his understanding of this civilization became, the more he realized that its excellence was no accident.

Not long after.

This special "cutting-edge observation class" has now come to an end.

The students were still buzzing with excitement, huddled together in small groups, discussing the topic quietly, their faces still showing lingering excitement and awe.

Led by another guide, they slowly left in an orderly line.

Zhao Xiaoying stayed where she was. As the second-in-command of the People's Federation, her daily schedule was already packed. She had only temporarily filled in as a guide for a short while, which was her limit. She couldn't possibly be a guide for the whole day.

The long-legged girl turned to look at Gabamuda, who was standing quietly in the corner, and a faint smile returned to her lips: "Mr. Wang Tie, it's been a long time. How have you been?"

Now that she is a powerful knight, if it weren't for the fact that Gabamda was an old acquaintance of her husband Yang Fan and that it concerned the cooperation between the two civilizations, she wouldn't have needed to take the time to meet him in person given her current status.

"Greetings, Commander Zhao!" Gabamuda strode over and solemnly performed a servile salute typical of the Iron Fist Civilization.

The Iron Fist Warrior's eyes were filled with barely concealed urgency as he earnestly explained his purpose: "Commander Zhao, the Iron Fist Civilization has always been the most loyal ally of the Azure Civilization. Could the Human Alliance approve the export of the Soul-Controlling Beast Souls used to equip the Expansion City to the Iron Fist Civilization?"

He added, "We are willing to pay a price that satisfies the Federation!"

The shadow of crisis in the depths of the Black Sand Sea is growing ever stronger. All the surrounding civilizations have keenly sensed the danger and are working hard to strengthen their own military power. The Iron Fist Civilization, of course, dares not slacken its efforts in the slightest.

Previously, on the battlefield of the Necromancer Vortex, he witnessed firsthand how a mere three Soul-Controlling Beast Souls could directly kill a mid-level knight-class monster, demonstrating a power beyond imagination.

If we were to spend a lot of money to purchase fifteen Soul-Controlling Beast Souls, wouldn't that be equivalent to gaining five extra knight-level combat power out of thin air?
If you can't buy fifteen, then nine or even six will do!

What the Ironfist Civilization lacks most right now is powerful knights. The Soul-Controlling Beast Soul, a heavyweight strategic equipment that "makes up for the gap in high-level combat power with equipment," is exactly the "lifeline" that the Ironfist Civilization urgently needs.

Therefore, he couldn't help but be anxious, and he couldn't help but be tempted by the iron fist of civilization.

Zhao Xiaoying's gaze fell on Gabamda's anxious face, and she shook her head calmly: "Mr. Wang Tie, it's not that I'm unwilling to compromise, but the Soul-Controlling Beast Soul is an extremely special strategic equipment. If the Iron Fist Civilization were to obtain it rashly, it would not only fail to enhance its combat power, but might also bring about its own annihilation."

The core of the Soul-Controlling Beast Soul is the Soul-Devouring Demon-Faced Beast, which originates from the mysterious and unpredictable Fallen Abyss Secret Realm and carries a rich aura of the secret realm's origin.

The reason why Azure can be used safely is because Yang Fan has mastered a secret technique to conceal the aura of the secret realm, and he also has ways to exploit loopholes in the rules of the secret realm.

However, the Iron Fist Civilization lacks such means. Once they possess the Soul-Controlling Beast Soul, they are highly likely to be detected by the consciousness of the secret realm. At that time, what awaits the Iron Fist Civilization will inevitably be a crazy revenge without regard to the cost.

Gabamuda sighed, his heart filled with disappointment.

The Iron Fist Warrior didn't inquire about the specific reason, but instead offered a backup plan: "Since there are some inconveniences in leaving the country, may I make another request? If the Iron Fist civilization were to face an irresistible catastrophe in the future, could you hire Cang Lan to lead a team of Soul-Controlling Beasts to enter the Iron Fist world and assist in the battle?"

Fearing that Zhao Xiaoying would refuse, he quickly added, "Please rest assured, we fully understand the value of the Soul-Controlling Beast Soul, so the Iron Fist Civilization Award will do its utmost to ensure the safety of the Soul-Controlling Beast Soul."

In Gabamda's understanding, the power of the Soul-Controlling Beast Souls was so terrifying that even if the Azure Civilization possessed them, the number would certainly not be large, and they might not be willing to lend them out easily.

however.

Zhao Xiaoying's response far exceeded his expectations.

The long-legged girl's tone was crisp and decisive, without any hesitation: "No problem. The Iron Fist Civilization is a friend of the Azure Civilization. Mutual assistance is only right and proper. Whenever needed, the Soul Taming Beast Spirit Team can enter the Iron Fist world to fight."

"Thank you, Commander Zhao!"

Gabamuda's face showed genuine gratitude, and he once again solemnly performed a humbly bow, saying, "The Ironfist people will forever remember the immense help from the Azure Civilization!"

He could never have imagined that the Azure Civilization had captured more than 720 Soul-Devouring Demon Beasts from the Fallen Abyss Secret Realm.

Although only one-third of them have been refined into Soul-Controlling Beast Souls, these two hundred or so are already a terrifying combat force that would make most civilizations take notice.

Zhao Xiaoying suddenly changed the subject: "Although Soul-Controlling Beast Souls cannot be exported, we have recently developed a new type of equipment that can be considered a low-level version of Soul-Controlling Beast Souls. I wonder if Iron Fist Civilization would be interested?"

Gabamuda paused for a moment, then asked hesitantly, "A low-level version of the Soul-Controlling Beast Soul? I wonder what its combat strength is?"

"Our combat strength isn't top-tier," Zhao Xiaoying replied frankly. "Most of our combat strength falls between mid-level and high-level warriors, with only a few surpassing the level of high-level warriors."

Gabamuda's expectations sank completely.

The Ironfist Civilization has never lacked mid-to-high-level warriors, so this kind of equipment doesn't really hold much appeal for them.

Zhao Xiaoying smiled slightly and dropped a bombshell: "This low-grade version of the Soul Beast Soul is called 'Ice Soul Pearl'. Although its combat power is not strong, its biggest advantage is that it can be supplied on a large scale."

"Due to limitations in materials and manpower, the supply this year may be less, but starting next year, we can stably supply at least 50 pieces per year. If we have enough manpower, 100 million pieces is not impossible."

"what?!"

Gabamuda gasped in shock, his eyes filled with astonishment.

There's a saying that goes, "Quantitative change leads to qualitative change," and that couldn't be more fitting here.

50 Ice Soul Beads, equivalent to those of a mid-level warrior, are enough to completely turn the tide of a civilization at a crucial moment.

They can form an invincible army. More importantly, the combat power driven by these Ice Soul Beads requires no logistical support and is not afraid of death. They are truly "death warriors" who can be sacrificed at will.

"Are you interested, nobles?" Zhao Xiaoying asked softly with a gentle smile on her lips.

"Interested! We are very interested!" Gabamda realized what was happening and nodded frantically.

His tone was so urgent that he was almost incoherent: "However much the Azure Civilization is willing to sell, our Iron Fist Civilization is willing to buy! Whether it's payment in exotic materials or other resources, we have no problem!"

He didn't even consider consulting the guardians of the Ironfist civilization first.

Strategic resources of this caliber must be acquired at any cost; the Guardians would never object, and would instead reward him for facilitating the deal.

Gabamuda's curiosity surged like a tide, and he couldn't help but probe, "Commander Zhao, if I may be so bold as to ask, where did the Azure Civilization obtain such a massive quantity of Ice Soul Beads? The scale of this production is truly astonishing!"

Zhao Xiaoying did not hide anything from this "major client's" question: "Starting three months ago, the Canglan Civilization officially launched the development plan for the Tianzhu Ice Plain, and the core raw material of the Ice Soul Pearl comes from this primordial perilous land."

"The Heavenly Pillar Icefield?!"

Gabamuda listened with a look of astonishment.

He was certainly aware of the fame of the Heavenly Pillar Ice Plains, a primordial forbidden land several times more dangerous than the Black Sand Sea of ​​Death.

One statistic is enough to demonstrate its terror: the density of knight-level monsters in the Sky Pillar Icefield is at least ten times that of the Deathly Black Sand Sea.

Moreover, the climate of the Tianzhu Icefield is extremely harsh, with average daytime temperatures dropping to minus fifty degrees Celsius and nighttime temperatures plummeting to minus one hundred degrees Celsius.

Simply dealing with such extreme environments is a headache, let alone fighting monsters in such environments.

In Gabamda's understanding, only top civilizations with a Venerable One in charge usually have the ability to develop the Heavenly Pillar Ice Plains.

But Zhao Xiaoying's words overturned his understanding.

The Azure Civilization has only been around for twenty years, yet it has already begun to develop and utilize the resources of the Sky Pillar Ice Plains.

Judging from the information that "hundreds of thousands of Ice Soul Beads can be supplied every year", the Azure People's development efforts are by no means superficial, but have made groundbreaking progress!

For the first time, Gabamuda deeply realized that the gap between the two civilizations had widened to such an extent. (End of Chapter)