Before Ren Yi could react, Wang Zhixin began to explain volubly.
"Mr. Ren Yi, I've researched the existential traits of NPCs. It's unrealistic to expect to create a large number of NPCs that don't need to eat in a short period of time."
"Furthermore, aside from when an Instance is active, NPCs need to maintain their existence. The energy for this usually has to be purchased by the Instance Boss, which counts as a fixed expenditure."
"But with this, we wouldn't need to buy anything from the outside. We can be completely self-sufficient within the Instance."
"Excess grain can also be converted into energy to catalyze flesh. Combined with soul technology, we can rapidly manufacture bodies for NPCs."
"Additionally, we can use soul technology to catalyze ordinary livestock into mutant beasts."
The more he spoke, the more excited he became, and his originally slow speech pattern quickened.
"Oh, I'm not sure if you saw the 'Instance Minion Shop' next door earlier?"
"I believe we could also sell the mutant beasts as Instance minions in exchange for energy crystals."
"This way, besides dealing with Instance Participants, we can produce by-products and create a virtuous cycle."
As he spoke, he began to mutter calculations. "Based on one pound of raw grain per adult per day, a thousand people would eat about 365,000 pounds a year. With this giant millet, about twenty acres of land would..."
Ren Yi stood by, already dumbfounded by what he was hearing.
Population economics? Grain yield per acre? He didn't understand any of this.
Meanwhile, Wang Zhixin had practically finished setting up a production line for him.
What did he mean, Anomaly plants meant for landscaping could be used for agricultural production? Then the harvested grain could catalyze flesh, which could be combined with souls to create new NPCs, and the rest could be turned into monsters to be sold for energy crystals?
"Mr. Ren Yi," the waitress's ethereal voice drifted over, pulling a dazed Ren Yi back to reality.
"Are you really not selling this NPC?"
Ren Yi looked up and met her somewhat envious gaze.
He instantly realized that the waitress's reaction was proof that everything Wang Zhixin said was feasible.
He shook his head without hesitation. "Not selling."
Although the plan Wang Zhixin provided would take a long time to realize, it didn't stop Ren Yi from making preparations and attempts in advance.
However, this production line could only earn some extra cash. Ren Yi's progress points couldn't be exchanged within the Alliance; he had to collect them from Participants one by one.
Under the waitress's jealous gaze, Ren Yi picked out some giant crop seeds—including those of the giant millet, as well as giant pumpkin and green vegetable seeds—and promptly settled the bill.
To his surprise, while he was paying, Wang Zhixin was actually having a heated discussion with the gardening shop owner.
"I believe we must implement rational close planting, strictly controlling plant and row spacing to ensure ventilation and light penetration. Only then can we maximize light energy utilization," Wang Zhixin said, using very professional terminology.
"Otherwise, even if individual plants grow well, the collective yield won't increase, and the final actual harvest per acre will be compromised."
"No, no, no, you need to broaden your thinking," the gardening shop owner countered with a smile. "Light energy isn't the only source of energy in the Alliance. We have much more efficient methods..."
After finally declining the gardening shop owner's request to buy Wang Zhixin and adding the owner's Anomaly Web account, Ren Yi dragged the reluctant Wang Zhixin out of the shop.
"Oh, right, Mr. Ren Yi." Wang Zhixin finally remembered something after the fact. "Didn't you say you had something to show me?"
"Uh..." Ren Yi hesitated for a moment, feeling strangely like his own awareness couldn't keep up with Wang Zhixin's after that encounter. "I looked at some puppets that NPCs can control. I thought one could serve as a temporary body for you."
They finally returned to the Puppet Shop.
As they entered again, Wang Zhixin flew back and forth in front of the "NPC-controllable" shelf, pondering for a long time before hesitantly approaching the waitress.
"Hello, I'd like to ask... these puppets support customization, right?"
"Of course." The waitress immediately flashed a professional and perfect smile. "We provide a one-stop service including professional face-sculpting, shaping, and performance adjustments to ensure your needs are met..."
"No, no, no, that's not what I meant," Wang Zhixin interrupted her earnestly. "I wanted to ask if we could directly install machinery on the puppet's hands and feet, like hoes and plows? Ideally electric ones."
A nearly imperceptible crack appeared in the waitress's professional smile.
Ren Yi covered his face.
It was over. Wang Zhixin was now completely obsessed with farming; he had truly lost himself to it.
In the end, Wang Zhixin was overjoyed after receiving a response that they "could try," and told the waitress he needed to go home and design it.
As for a temporary vessel, he chose a cheap one.
A cockatoo.
According to him, it fit human cognition, could fly, and could even speak in public without anyone finding it strange.
Ren Yi had realized that Wang Zhixin had no obsession with having a humanoid form. Whether he was a crystal or a bird, he accepted it just fine.
Now, a snow-white cockatoo with a tuft of yellow crest feathers was perched steadily on Ren Yi's shoulder.
Ren Yi studied it for a moment and couldn't help but admire the Alliance's puppet technology. If he didn't hold it in his hand and sense it closely, he could hardly distinguish this parrot from a real living being.
Just as Ren Yi was planning where to go next, his footsteps suddenly faltered.
"What is it, Mr. Ren Yi?" The waitress keenly noticed his sudden movement.
Ren Yi sensed for a moment and replied, "One of my seeds has disappeared."
A seed disappearing meant that the stowaway he had planted it in was dead.
That was fast.
One had to know that although he had planted a seed in that stowaway, he hadn't let it grow, nor had he applied any visual illusions. How could the man have lost his life so quickly?
Did he lose his life immediately after getting the chips?
In any case, since a stowaway had died, Ren Yi felt he should head to the Core Entertainment Area as soon as possible to check the situation.
He quickly followed the waitress into the elevator and returned to the first basement level.
Following the residual aura of the seed, Ren Yi walked quickly through the boisterous crowd, and a scene of brilliant lights suddenly unfolded before him.
Gambling tables were arranged in an orderly fashion, each covered with a dark purple velvet tablecloth, corresponding to different games.
The aisles between the tables weren't spacious, but they were cleverly embedded with several small artificial fountains. The mist mixed with the faint smell of smoke and alcohol in the air, adding a touch of blurred mystery.
Ren Yi had a clear goal and walked quickly to a gambling table that was surrounded by a dense crowd.
Many people were standing in front of this table. Before he could squeeze his way in, he heard a hoarse shout.
"I want to inspect... the dice!"
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