Full health is the kill threshold, no matter if you're a god or a demon!

"The most important thing is the repair of the energy core and the restoration of the main energy network, right?" Liu Nian asked.

"Yes, Master," Arachne confirmed. "The stabilization and repair of the Eternal Psionic Core is key to restarting everything. The required materials include: 'Astral Radiance Powder,' 'Entropy Reduction Crystal,' and 'Stable Void Anchor Fragments'... These are all legendary-grade materials, difficult to obtain, and require advanced energy harmonization and rune re-engraving techniques, as well as corresponding workshops. Once the core is initially restored, the main energy network can be gradually activated, at which point the 'Magic Servant Workshop' can be launched. With sufficient material input, magic servants can replace most engineering robots, systematically repairing the entire city with greater efficiency and professionalism, significantly accelerating the city's repair progress."

In short: Arachne provided the knowledge and blueprints, while Liu Nian was responsible for procuring astronomical sums of money and materials.

This is a massive project that would deter any individual or organization from undertaking it.

Liu Nian pondered. For the time being, he didn't intend to rely on the power of Longyuan or Longxiang Guilds to fill this bottomless pit. The reason was simple—ownership and control.

Anaxim is his city, and he is its sole "lord." If large-scale funding and manpower from Longyuan or Longxiang are brought in, what will be the roles of Wu Zhan and Wang Mian in this city? How will their power be distributed? How will their interests be divided? Who will lead the future development of the city?

The relationships involved can become extremely complex and may even create hidden dangers.

"Perhaps... I need to establish a completely new force or guild that belongs entirely to me, specifically to be responsible for the repair and operation of the floating city." This thought flashed through Liu Nian's mind.

With his current reputation, if he were to raise his arm and call for help, countless top players and even small and medium-sized guilds would be willing to join him.

But the timing is very delicate.

With the upgrade war imminent, aggressively recruiting members and establishing associations now will inevitably dilute the cohesion and resources of the Dragon Clan and even the human camp, and will also send the wrong signal to the outside world that there is internal instability.

"Let's wait until after the war is over before making any decisions," Liu Nian quickly decided. "If we win, everything will be fine, and our reputation and resources will skyrocket. If we lose... all these plans now are just empty talk."

For now, we should assist Wu Zhan in the construction of Dragon City. With Ascalon's technological prowess back then, we believe that restoring some of the technology workshops will greatly benefit Anaxim and accelerate the repair of the floating city.

He explained the situation clearly to Arachne, instructing her to lead the engineering robots and begin the most basic cleanup work according to the established plan.

He himself found a relatively clean room to rest.

Silent all night.

The next morning, in the scree canyon.

The human mission arrived on time.

Wu Zhan walked in front, his ghostly form moving silently. Liu Nian and Wang Mian followed closely behind, their expressions calm.

Behind them were seventeen carefully selected entourage members, all of whom were members of the negotiating team.

Almost at the same moment the human delegation took their positions, the sound of wings cutting through the air came from the other side of the canyon.

Twenty figures, like a precisely formed fighter jet, swooped down from the sky, gracefully tracing arcs as they approached the ground, landing lightly with hardly raising any dust.

The entire Eagle Delegation was present.

Most of them are tall and slender with perfect proportions, and their appearance combines the beauty of an elf with the fortitude of a raptor.

What is most striking are the large, powerful wings that fold up behind them.

The wings are of various colors: pure white like snow, gray like rock, and blue like the tempered sky, which not only demonstrate the strength of the individual, but also subtly represent different family traditions or territorial characteristics.

Their attire consisted mainly of lightweight and flexible leather armor or cloth armor inlaid with metal plates, with a gorgeous yet practical style, decorated with feathers, wind patterns, and unidentified gemstones.

The leader was none other than Duke Yang Lavie of Wind Howl Territory.

His attire today was more formal than when they last met; the wind patterns on his light armor were outlined in mithril, shimmering softly in the morning light.

His golden pupils still carried that gentle, spring-like smile, but upon closer inspection, beneath that smile lay a deep, calm stillness.

Beside Yang Lawei were three other Eagle Descendants, each with a distinct temperament, but all exuding a powerful aura and majesty.

On the left stands a male eagle descendant with deep grey wings, sharp, piercing eyes, and a angular face that exudes the ruggedness and sternness of a soldier. He is Duke Salvador of Riftcloud Territory, renowned for his bravery and strictness.

On the right is a female Eagleborn, with pure, flawless snow-white wings and an exquisitely beautiful face, yet she exudes an icy, aloof air. She is Duchess Alicia of the Sky Palace, said to be proficient in Holy Word magic and the mysteries of the stars, holding a transcendent position among the Eagleborn.

Standing slightly behind was a man with thick purple wings and a more robust physique than the other eagle descendants. He was taciturn, but his gaze was as steady as a mountain, giving him a sense of reliable gravitas. He was Duke Gustav of Far Howling Peak, whose territory was renowned for its rare minerals.

Following a pre-arranged, simple diplomatic protocol, both sides greeted each other from a distance of several meters. There were no elaborate formalities, but every action was meticulous and ceremonial.

The representatives from both sides then took their seats on either side of the long table that had been set up.

On one side of the long table were humans, and on the other side were eagles, clearly separated.

Yang Lawei spoke first, his voice still carrying that unique, melodious rhythm like the whisper of the wind, clearly resonating throughout the entire venue:

"First of all, please allow me, on behalf of Wind Howl Territory, Cloud Rift Territory, Sky Palace, and Far Howl Peak, to extend our sincerest greetings to our friends from the human realm."

His gaze swept over the human delegation, finally settling on Liu Nian, his golden pupils revealing undisguised admiration:

"We especially extend our congratulations to our distinguished guest, His Excellency Liu Nian. To subdue a great being who has entered the realm of eternity is a legendary chapter worthy of being recorded in the annals of any civilization! Your courage and wisdom are truly astonishing!"

As he spoke, the Duke of Salvador, the Duchess Alicia, and the Duke of Gustav all focused their attention on Liu Nian.

In that gaze, there was curiosity, assessment, respect for power, and a subtle, almost imperceptible, complex emotion about "someone of our kind being able to accomplish such a feat."

In fact, just as Wu Zhan had predicted, the four dukes of the Eagle Clan eventually agreed to push for this alliance, and the emergence of Liu Nian as a "variable" played a crucial catalytic role.

The future potential of a human force possessing Eternal-level Contractors and the role it might play in the upcoming war warrants that they set aside some internal differences and demonstrate sufficient sincerity in negotiations.