Wasteland Development Diary

Da Vinci lectured: "Existing medical databases contain no record of such a life form. The closest match would be atmospheric organisms, but their gaseous structure contains a mixture of different elements."

"This hydrogen-based life form, however, contains no other elements. It's isolated from the outside world by a sealed device."

"This sealed device acts as both a culture dish and a safety capsule. When the internal temperature drops below -259.1°C, the hydrogen transforms into snowflake-like solids, or solid hydrogen."

"Based on Cat Da Li's description and the device's mechanism, its continuous high pressure, extremely low temperature, and the movement of the solid hydrogen organism are all heavily reliant on external energy input."

"I'm uncertain whether it can even be called a life form. If it lacks the ability to survive independently and only exhibits movement, or even a degree of consciousness, within a specific environment and with specific equipment, certain biological experiments can achieve the same. The simplest example is the knee-jerk reflex of a frog's leg, or a specific program constructed in a data environment—like the currently popular [Jurisprudence]."

"However, considering the Fireflower Plains, which have existed for many years, it should be a high-value life form. Otherwise, it's logically impossible to explain why it has become the core around which the local electric cats revolve, and the ultimate destination for energy convergence."

"Maintaining its operation requires the allocation of extremely large amounts of electricity."

"To keep it in a long-term solid hydrogen state, at least 300,000 floats of efficiency are needed, equivalent to 43,000 second-generation hearts upgraded to 7 floats generating power continuously."

"This would require allocating at least one-third of the company's current power generation facilities, including some Stone Molt reactors, placing a significant strain on the company's overall electricity reserves."

He found it difficult to judge the hydrogen-based life form, so he kept thinking about how to view this phenomenon.

But with limited information, Da Vinci could only offer a conservative preliminary conclusion.

Zhou Yi looked at the transparent, house-shaped container. Colorless and odorless hydrogen flowed and existed inside. Visually, it was hard to imagine that a living being was surviving within.

This containerized life form might already be in a state of respiratory distress and physiological weakness.

He had to decide whether to consume half of the company's electrical equipment to provide it with sufficient external energy.

"It's worth it. Da Zhou, we have to nurture it."

Xiao Fu suddenly suggested, "It's a very pure hydrogen-based life form."

"Hydrogen-based life form?"

Zhou Yi asked, "Is it common?"

"On a cosmic scale, hydrogen-based life forms are very common."

The Soaring Originator explained, "Because most celestial bodies contain large amounts of hydrogen. In the known universe, hydrogen is the most abundant and largest in reserve single substance. By mass, the universe is approximately 74% hydrogen."

"They are the majority on various celestial bodies."

"And hydrogen-based life forms are life forms that use hydrogen as their core energy source or key metabolic substance."

"There are two main types. The first type is primitive organisms, which may also exist on Earth, such as Dead Sea plankton. They generate chemical reactions by using hydrogen to obtain energy or metabolize hydrogen-based compounds. Due to their primitive structure, they are difficult to grow, and other life forms don't pay attention to them."

"The second type is fluid organisms, which exist in a gel-like or fluid state in high-pressure, low-temperature environments."

"Fluid types are the most watched hydrogen-based life forms. It's very difficult to form such a life form. Due to their innate adaptation to hydrogen environments, they can enter almost any region of this universe."

Xiao Fu said, "Just to mention one point, for most life forms, spatial passages, whether space bubbles or space holes, if it is this type of fluid hydrogen-based life form, they can pass through without obstacles."

Zhou Yi was puzzled, "But it's also a material life, right? Is it because its innate energy level has reached the light core body?"

"Not so."

Xiao Fu explained, "Materially, space passages are composed of hydrogen and helium, which are inherently compatible with fluid hydrogen-based life forms. Hydrogen and helium can naturally pass through passages and flow freely in various spaces. Even in higher dimensions, they can enter."

"They are inherently unrestricted life forms, capable of easily traveling between worlds. As long as they are careful, they can escape from almost any disaster."

Zhou Yi was horrified, "That's indeed amazing."

"Because they are very mysterious and rarely appear, it's impossible to determine what other abilities they have."

The Soaring Originator continued, "Fluid hydrogen-based life forms have innate advantages, but they also have a huge flaw, which is slow growth."

"Fluid types have a low birth rate and a long growth cycle. There were high-level civilizations that found fluid hydrogen-based life forms, but those two civilizations failed to incubate self-awareness in them until they went from their peak to decline and then to destruction."

Zhou Yi looked black-faced as he listened, "Then why are you still telling me to raise it?"

"Don't worry, listen to me."

The Soaring Originator's speech suddenly sped up, "This one is different; it already has a vague consciousness."

Zhou Yi fell into thought.

The hydrogen-based life form that can travel through space passages is very attractive.

These hydrogen-based life forms were clearly cultivated using special culture mediums, under the guidance of the Golden Elephant Herders. They had constructed transparent castle systems with Electric Cats on both Earth and Mars, all for the purpose of cultivating these hydrogen-based life forms.

They evidently possessed the relevant technology and experience for cultivating this life form.

With ready-made culture mediums, the entire cultivation process would be much easier and more efficient, significantly shortening the growth cycle.

Zhou Yi immediately decided: "Then let's raise it!"

Upon his command, the electrical engineers began modifying the circuits, connecting the power grid to the Dead Sea area where the hydrogen-based life form was located.

Fortunately, the containers built by the Golden Elephant Herders were highly automated. Once the electricity was connected, the entire transparent container began to glow, with streaks of electric arcs flowing inside.

Energy continued to surge.

After three days of efficient mobilization and modification, the final result proved that Da Vinci's assessment was still conservative.

Maintaining the extremely low-temperature, high-pressure environment of the cultivation chamber required 350,000 units of floating energy from the power generation equipment, consuming a solid half of the company's power facilities.

However, this series of operations also yielded immediate results.

White snowflake-like solids appeared within the transparent cultivation chamber, finally recreating solid hydrogen.

However, unlike the clear humanoid silhouette on Mars, the solid hydrogen here resembled scattered iron filings, slowly moving around as if being pulled by invisible magnets.

Two more days passed.

The scattered white flakes within the cultivation chamber began to connect and combine, slowly condensing and gathering into a cone-shaped pile.

It looked like a novice's attempt at building a snowman.

Under the 'Vigilance' perspective, it was purple, indicating an A-level life form.

The only pity was that it was still impossible to communicate with it.

But Wuhu Overpass said: "Chairman, its condition has improved significantly. The current environment is allowing its consciousness to recover and stabilize. Next, we should give it some time."

"It's growing very quickly. If you look closely, you'll see that it's imitating the outside world."

Zhou Yi also noticed it.

The snowman-like hydrogen-based life form used solid hydrogen to construct a pillar, sculpted a sphere on top of the pillar, and then added circles of coils below.

It was actually imitating the electrical equipment connected to it, as well as the Electric Cat's cat house. A dedicated A-level Electric Cat remained there, constantly monitoring and observing its condition.

"Chairman, Guan Zhong suggests assigning an observer to specifically care for the hydrogen-based life form, using our various tools or items to help it gradually imitate."

Zhou Yi said: "Who do you think is suitable?"

Guan Zhong then spoke up: "The ideal candidate should be younger, as young people are more receptive to new things. The same applies to the hydrogen-based life form; it will also imitate, and a vibrant young person will influence the hydrogen-based life form's consciousness, making it more active and willing to interact with us."

Zhou Yi pulled up the company's employee list and screened it.

The candidate was quickly decided and brought over.

Zhou Yi said to the young man before him: "Beta, this is a top-secret mission for the company. Apart from me, you must not reveal the nature of your work to anyone."

"Every day, you will come here and stay for an hour, writing a daily log. This is a challenging and unknown task. This work may change the world, or it may be fruitless."

"Are you willing to accept this challenge?"

The young man nodded without hesitation: "Chairman, I am willing! I will definitely obey your orders and never leak any secrets, even if it costs me my life."

Zhou Yi smiled slightly and extended his prosthetic right hand.

"Then, a handshake will be considered an agreement."

Beta also extended his right hand, also a prosthesis, but more slender and rudimentary.

The two artificial hands shook.

Zhou Yi couldn't help but laugh and say: "We are quite destined, both one-armed, both right-handed."

The young man scratched his head, feeling a little embarrassed.

Beta revealed a curious expression: "Chairman, why did you choose me?"

"The person who carries out this mission must be reliable, intelligent, adaptable, and good at handling interpersonal relationships."

Zhou Yi pointed to the transparent cultivation chamber: "You will be the first friend it makes in this world."

"I have a deep impression of you, and I have also asked people who know you."

"Doctor Feng Ying said that you are an optimistic person even in dire straits. She also said that you take me as your goal, actively studying and solidifying various foundations, and are not eager to produce any results, which is very similar to me."

Zhou Yi showed an admiring gaze.

Sometimes, slow is more valuable than fast.

Among the three heroes of Mushroom Forest Elementary School, Beta was the most inconspicuous.

Bai Shier transformed the Yellow Giant Mushroom and promoted Cat Knight to solve the social problem of unemployed Electric Cats, and Chen Ji explored the floating heart cultivation method, all of which were well-known.

Beta seemed to be far behind them.

Many outsiders felt that this child had become mediocre and was getting further and further away from those two true geniuses.

But he remained calm and unhurried, going to school to listen to classes every day, and going to the programming department to write code after school, focusing on his own affairs.

For a young person, it is very rare to be so calm.

"Therefore."

Zhou Yi looked at Beta: "This hydrogen-based life form, half of the company's electricity, and a hope to change the world, are entrusted to you."

The young man said with a serious face: "Yes, Chairman! I guarantee to complete the mission!"