On the wasteland.
The "Deep Blue" immediately retracted its lift platform and returned to combat readiness.
One kilometer away.
Although the process of establishing communication was interrupted by unexpected guests, both sides lowering their lift platforms clearly expressed a stance of goodwill.
Thus, without any further exchange, the other party restarted their power furnace and raised their cannons.
The targets were the two raider cities!
Consequently, "Deep Blue" tacitly formed an alliance with the other party, standing united against the external threat.
Before long.
Two raider cities, flying the bright red Dragonhunter Flag, arrived at the battlefield. Their agile wheels moved constantly, eager for action.
The four cities formed a quadrilateral.
In the center of it all.
Was the wreckage of the raider city "Roar."
The newly arrived two raider mobile cities were equipped with Level 1 Cannons, while "Deep Blue's" temporary ally had none.
On paper, Jiang Zhixu's side was at a disadvantage.
However, after a few minutes of standoff, the two raider cities chose to retreat!
They merely wanted a share of the spoils, not to leave in disgrace.
In a 2vs2 scenario, even if they could win, it would be a pyrrhic victory!
The gains might not even cover the cost of repairing their cities.
After they left, Jiang Zhixu finally established contact with the temporary ally.
"Elegy"!
That was the name of the other city.
"City Lord of Deep Blue, I am Zhou Yi, the City Lord of Elegy. It's a pleasure to meet you!"
A young voice came through the communicator.
He only said one word, appearing somewhat aloof.
Zhou Yi didn't mind, continuing enthusiastically, "We rushed over as soon as we received the broadcast from the previous City Lord of Deep Blue, but we were quite far away, so we only just arrived."
The previous City Lord had maximized the broadcast range, reaching cities within a 300-kilometer radius with his dying curse and the attached location information, but not all cities chose to come and see.
Jiang Zhixu was curious about the other's intentions, "So... what do you want to do?"
Zhou Yi's tone was straightforward, "I thought raider cities would definitely come for you.
"If we arrived early, we'd form a temporary alliance with you to fend them off. If we were late, we'd take in your remaining resources and survivors... Survivors without support can't survive on this wasteland."
His words were very frank.
Even if "Deep Blue" were destroyed, the raider cities couldn't take in all of Deep Blue's people.
So they could still come to pick up some slaves to take back, whether to fill their city's population or sell them, at least to cover fuel costs.
However, Zhou Yi didn't expect that they indeed arrived late, but it was the raiders who were destroyed, not Deep Blue!
The strength of Deep Blue left him somewhat shocked.
"I see, thank you for your goodwill."
Jiang Zhixu chose to trust the other party for now, after all, they had just scared off two raider cities together.
But gratitude was out of the question.
If the other party hadn't blocked the way, they would have already left!
Zhou Yi obviously knew this too, he didn't claim credit for the matter, instead, he asked, "Do you still want that raider city over there?"
Fearing Jiang Zhixu might misunderstand, he quickly added, "I mean, if you're willing to give me their population, I can help you dismantle the city, and all the materials will be yours!"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhixu was surprised, he asked incredulously, "You can dismantle it? How?"
Zhou Yi's tone carried a hint of pride:
"We, Elegy, are a purely industrial-type city with powerful industrial processing capabilities.
"We also have a Level 2 Component — the 'Goblin Smelting Furnace.' As long as you throw parts into it, they can be re-smelted into various raw materials, though there is some loss."
Then, considering Jiang Zhixu was a new City Lord, he proactively explained the types of cities.
In simple terms, mobile cities are divided into combat-type, industrial-type, and hybrid-type.
This classification is based on the modification components the city possesses.
If the majority of Level 1 Components are combat-type, it's a combat-type mobile city, with very strong combat capabilities, raiders are generally this type. Read this novel at g.com for the best experience.
The same logic applies to industrial-type, with generally average combat capabilities but powerful industrial production capabilities, usually earning money through contract manufacturing or city repairs.
These two paths are very extreme, so the most numerous is the third type, hybrid-type.
Capable of doing everything, but excelling at nothing, with strong environmental adaptability, but basically doomed when encountering raiders.
While Zhou Yi was explaining, Jiang Zhixu was also contemplating his own direction.
After much thought, he felt that comprehensive development was more suitable for him.
With the "Omni-Crit Lv. 1" talent, he shouldn't lack resources too much, as long as he has one, he can crit dozens — unless he's extremely unlucky.
And he can also perform quality crits.
Jiang Zhixu hasn't tried it yet, so he doesn't know if a tenfold crit can turn ordinary items into Level 1, or Level 1 items into Level 2.
Anyway, from now on, a hybrid-type mobile city seems to be the most suitable route for him!
"Goblin Smelting Furnace? You're really lucky!"
Jiang Zhixu sincerely praised and asked, "Where did you get it?"
"A finished product dropped by a wild boss!"
Zhou Yi didn't hide anything... of course, there was no need to.
Boss drop rates are random, and even the bosses that refresh are random, making it impossible to replicate.
—The previous City Lord was truly useless.
Jiang Zhixu thought, "Deep Blue" doesn't even have a proper Level 1 Component, while others, also a Level 1 city, already have Level 2 Components!
Returning to Zhou Yi's initial request, Jiang Zhixu said, "Alright, Roar is yours."
"So it's called Roar?"
Zhou Yi hadn't heard of this city, guessing it had just become a raider, he didn't think much of it, happily activating "Elegy," and soon arrived in front of "Roar."
He sent people in to drive everyone out, and then Jiang Zhixu saw "Elegy" extend long mechanical arms and a metal spiral destructor, thrusting fiercely into Roar!
Accompanied by the screeching sound of twisting metal.
The massive spiral destructor began to drill frantically, and Roar's sturdy outer armor was as fragile as paper in its presence, easily torn and twisted, revealing the intricate network of pipes and chambers inside.
Then several thick mechanical arms plunged into the city's wreckage, some tearing off large metal structures like giant claws, while others extended cutting blades, precisely dismantling valuable components.
Sparks flew, and thick smoke billowed.
The once formidable and menacing "Roar" was rapidly dismantled amid the teeth-gritting cacophony, countless parts swallowed by the gaping "maw" of "Elegy."