A Guide to Farming in a Mobile City-Chapter 153: Images of the Old Times

Heath waved his hand, signaling everyone to quiet down,
"I know you're all feeling confused right now."
"So next, listen carefully to what I have to say."
The Old Era—this was the civilization of Azure Ripple Star’s humans before the occurrence of that supernatural catastrophe, something Heath had previously discussed with Li Ye.
With the advent of the catastrophe, the human civilization of Azure Ripple Star implemented a series of refuge measures.
Constructing underground shelters, colonizing outer space, building super defensive fortresses with entire cities as shields...
And among them was the Ark Project.
This so-called “Ark” was a vessel approximately 1,600 meters long, 600 meters wide, and towering at 240 meters in height.
Its structure resembled a sealed submarine, weighing 12.5 million tons. Built with a superalloy framework, each could house between 300,000 to 500,000 people and contained a fully self-sustaining ecological environment.
Zhou Xing and the others were instantly stunned speechless.
Li Ye was also dazed.
His mind began to race.
With Blue Star’s current technological level, it would be utterly impossible to construct a ship of this scale.
It was evident that the technological level of Azure Ripple Star’s human civilization far surpassed that of Blue Star!
Following this line of reasoning, their aerospace capabilities must also be exceptional, making outer space colonization highly plausible.
As for underground shelters, those would be comparatively easier to accomplish than the other two.
"Speaking of which, Bishop Heath, how did you come by this information?" Zhou Xing couldn’t help but ask.
"This was told to me by Cardinal Bishop Viktor. I was shocked when I first heard it, but thinking about it carefully now, the Apocalypse Sect likely has archival records from the Old Era of humanity," Heath replied.
"According to reliable intelligence, the sea region you're about to enter once saw the appearance of an Ark."
"I don't know whether the Apocalypse Sect dispatched any Mobile Cities to investigate, because the Taranis Ocean...:::"
Heath trailed off. Zhou Xing and the others were confused, but Li Ye understood perfectly.
The previous intelligence had mentioned that the World-class Organization had effectively abandoned the southwestern sea route, so it was unlikely they had deployed many Mobile Cities in that area.
As such, the Tomorrow Alliance, which was about to set sail, became the new choice.
"Don’t pressure yourselves too much. Just do your best," Heath said.
"Understood," Li Ye nodded.
After talking with Heath, his curiosity toward the Old Era human civilization grew even more intense.
If they could truly find that Ark and communicate with the humans aboard, they could learn a wealth of intelligence.
"It’s not just about acquiring intelligence from the old world," Heath said, coughing lightly a few times. "We can also learn... how humanity of that time fought back and defended their planet."
Looking at Heath, Li Ye asked the question he had been most concerned about.
"Bishop Heath, may I ask—what was the technological level of humans in the Old Era?"
Heath paused for a moment upon hearing this, then a slight smile formed at the corner of his lips.
"That’s indeed a very interesting question," he said. "In fact, I’ve been investigating this very topic."
"Do you have any clues?" Li Ye asked eagerly.
"Of course," Heath nodded. "Regarding the Old Era, the Apocalypse Sect possesses a batch of publicly accessible recordings. I can show you a video from the Old Era right now."
A few minutes later, he presented a video to the group.
In the footage, a rocket loaded with a spacecraft stood solemnly atop a launch platform.
As the countdown ended, a golden-red fireball suddenly burst from its tail, and the orange-and-white flames exploded outward, illuminating the entire launch site like daylight. The steel frame let out an ear-piercing wail under the intense heat.
Billowing smoke surged outward like a tsunami, covering half the sky.
The massive structure slowly lifted off, climbing higher and faster, with its tail flame dragging a trail of light several kilometers long across the sky.
"Did everyone see that?" In front of the camera, a blonde, blue-eyed female er gripped her microphone excitedly. "This is the first colonization spacecraft launched under the Western Alliance Project! They will build a new home on the terrestrial-like planet closest to our star—Vein Star—and continue the fire of human civilization! In doing so, we can escape this cataclysm!"
The camera shifted, and the female er handed the microphone to a scientist beside her, who then began a detailed explanation.
The spacecraft was approximately 500 meters long, with each ship carrying around 50 personnel in piloting, engineering, and medical roles, along with 1,000 carefully selected fellow human beings.
Onboard the spacecraft was an artificial ecosystem composed of closed farms, a water recycling system, and atmospheric regulators, along with various seeds and genetically modified livestock and poultry designed for reproduction in outer space.
The colonization spacecraft would also raise a large number of cockroaches to be processed into black protein blocks. Though extremely repulsive, they could meet the crew’s nutritional needs in times of emergency.
For this, the Western Alliance conducted a survey. Results showed that 95% of respondents stated they would rather starve than eat such things.
According to the Western Alliance’s plan, the colonization spacecraft could commence construction work immediately upon landing.
The central living module was designed with a multi-level structure, encompassing dormitories, kitchens, and public areas, and included water recycling and air treatment systems.
Agricultural domes for cultivating genetically modified wheat, drought-resistant potatoes, and algal protein crops; mining stations on Vein Star for extracting water ice, iron ore, and rare earth elements.
An energy center composed of solar farms, small nuclear fission reactors, and wind energy research stations.
Vein Star was a small planet with a rotation cycle of 25 hours and an average temperature of -56 degrees. Its environment and terrain were similar to Mars.
Even long after the video ended, the group remained somewhat stunned.
Li Ye rubbed his chin, seemingly deep in thought.
"Didn’t expect... humans of the Old Era were already capable of space colonization?"
Zhou Xing snapped back to his senses and quickly spoke up.
"Bishop Heath, have the three major human organizations investigated Vein Star? Is there any trace of human presence left there?"
Heath simply spread his hands.
"At my rank, how could I possibly know something like that?"
Three days later.
With the gas field extraction completed and the final batch of natural gas delivered, the Tomorrow Alliance and the Apocalypse Sect had settled accounts.
The Apocalypse Sect’s Airborne Mobile City departed.
In the distance, Gairas let out a low roar toward Li Ye and the others as a farewell.
It then submerged back into the water and disappeared without a trace.
As for Dr. Mick and the others—Zhou Xing told Li Ye that they had left in a hurry right after him, clearly having received some emergency assignment.
The Tomorrow Alliance’s final task was to recover the offshore drilling platforms, dismantle them into parts, and smelt them back into iron ore.
Once this job was complete, Li Ye waved his hand.
"Let’s go, we set sail!"
Four Mobile Cities advanced side by side, majestically heading toward the southwestern sea region.
During this period, the Tomorrow completed the deployment of its Waterborne Armed-type Vehicles.
The FlightIll-class Destroyer was also steadily navigating the ocean surface.
This Tier 3 Destroyer would become the core of the Tomorrow’s current waterborne combat force.
Following Lin Wu’s planning, the personnel assignments for the destroyer were finalized.
Captain, Vice-Captain, Department Heads, Ship Officers, Missile Operators, Radar Operators, Communications Officers, Engine Crew...
The total crew numbered 50 people.
In fact, traditional destroyers typically require 300–400 crew members. The configuration offered by the Tomorrow was indeed quite minimal.
These crew members had been undergoing accelerated training in the City Simulation Training Pod, spending all their time there except for meals and sleep.
Under Li Ye’s watchful gaze, the destroyer slowly began to move.
Lin Wu had advised him that since the destroyer had only just begun operations, it would be best not to engage in combat within the next two weeks.
Li Ye readily agreed with the suggestion.
His intention in sending out the destroyer early was to allow the crew to start training in navigation ahead of time.
Then, he briefly took stock of the Tomorrow’s waterborne combat assets.
Swordfish Mini Submarine.
Waveblade Speedboat and Viper Speedboat.
KDB-2 Bullfrog Anti-Air Amphibious Vehicle.
MK6 Depth Charges.
Black Shark Torpedo.
FlightIll-class Destroyer.
SH-60 “Seahawk” Anti-Submarine Aircraft.
These Waterborne Vehicles were already enough for the Tomorrow to fight a considerable naval battle.
In addition to the airborne Black Hawk Helicopters and Vanguard Armed Gunship, the cannons on the Armor Deck—Frost Cannon, Molten Cannon, Hunter Cannon. Not to mention the Iron Whale empowered by the Titan’s Grasp device and the Peacemaker equipped with an Electromagnetic Railgun.
After this entire inventory check, even Li Ye himself was shocked!
If it came to naval warfare, the Tomorrow Alliance was indeed formidable.
After sailing several hundred nautical miles southwest, the Tomorrow Alliance encountered a strange situation.
The sea ahead was highly abnormal.
The currents defied natural laws, forming numerous massive whirlpools that devoured light, resembling the rise and fall of a slumbering sea monster’s breath. Within the whirlpools, dark green seawater churned, pulling in anything that got too close.
The sea surface was shrouded in thick fog, intermittently flashing with eerie phosphorescence.
Even more unsettling were the numerous twisted black stone spires that had emerged from the sea like swords, forming a jagged forest of spines across the water.
"Alliance Leader, what should we do now?" came Fang Yong’s voice over the Walkie-Talkie.
After a brief moment of thought, Li Ye gave his reply.
"Let’s steer around it."
After traveling dozens of nautical miles along the edge of the sea region, the Tomorrow Alliance finally discovered a calm sea area.
The four Mobile Cities slowly sailed in.
However, just over ten minutes later, something abnormal suddenly occurred.
The surrounding seawater began to churn, forming massive whirlpools!
At the same time, streaks of black stone slowly pierced upward from beneath the sea surface.
"Why is this happening now of all times?"
Li Ye’s expression shifted slightly, and he immediately picked up the Walkie-Talkie.
"Everyone, give it full throttle and leave this area!"
With a roar, the four Mobile Cities gradually picked up speed.
Within the giant whirlpools, dark green waves twisted into tendrils, trying to drag the passing Mobile Cities into the depths.
The Mobile Cities pushed their engines to the limit, using Mobile Evasion to dodge the whirlpools and black stone spires.
A few seconds later, something strange appeared in the waters ahead.
A multitude of black stone spires surged out from below the surface, forming an overlapping and intersecting massive wall!
Li Ye grabbed the Walkie-Talkie and decisively issued an order.
"Fang Yong, use your Iron Whale and ram through it!"
At his command, the Iron Whale accelerated at full power, crashing toward the massive wall formed by black stones like a siege-breaking shell!
Under the impact of this Defensive-type Mobile City, the massive wall collapsed and shattered.
The other three Mobile Cities followed closely behind, passing through the fragmented breach.
Before long, the Tomorrow Alliance had safely crossed the strange sea area.
Letting out a light breath, Li Ye couldn’t help but furrow his brow.
That sea region just now had been truly bizarre.
Just then, Zhou Xing’s voice came through the Walkie-Talkie,
"I get it now. That was the R’lyeh Whirlpool Zone spoken of in the Western Wasteland Continent."
"Legend says that multiple ocean areas harbor R’lyeh Whirlpool Zones. Some zones emerge without warning, devouring ships and Mobile Cities in their path."
"It’s said this is a miracle of God Dagon. Only the faithful are spared."
Li Ye couldn’t help but shake his head repeatedly.
He didn’t believe any of that.
"Keep moving forward."
For the rest of the journey, the Tomorrow Alliance encountered no further incidents.
Night soon fell.
Li Ye returned to his room and lay down to rest.
At this very moment, the four Mobile Cities of the Tomorrow Alliance continued sailing under the night sky, their only illumination being the lights on their Armor Decks and the searchlights shining ahead.
To be cautious, Li Ye deployed Swordfish Mini Submarines and Viper Speedboats across the waters, and dispatched two Seahawk Anti-Submarine Aircraft to patrol the forward sea region.
He specifically instructed that if anything occurred, he must be informed—whether he had just fallen asleep or was sleeping deeply.
For the time being, Li Ye lay quietly in bed, continuing to think.
Apart from managing the Tomorrow and commanding operations, he spent most of his time resting. Honestly, it was a bit dull.
"Maybe it’s time to install some entertainment facilities on the Tomorrow."
Dr. Mick’s video game setup had been quite decent before...
A few hours later, the Walkie-Talkie on his bedside suddenly buzzed.
"ing to the Lord, there’s a situation."
Still drowsy, Li Ye got up and grabbed the Walkie-Talkie—he had intentionally set its volume to maximum so he could be awakened immediately.
"Remember, during regular times you can call me Lord, but during combat you must address me as Commander..." he yawned. "Go on, what’s the situation?"
The one speaking to Li Ye was a crew member aboard one of the Seahawk Anti-Submarine Aircraft.
Each Seahawk Anti-Submarine Aircraft had two members—one pilot and one Communications Officer responsible for scanning the sea and ing findings.
"Our instruments detected a large object moving rapidly five nautical miles ahead, heading directly toward our City Alliance," the Communications Officer ed.
"A large object? What are its specific measurements?"
"It’s approximately thirty to forty meters in length, with a slender body."
Li Ye’s hand holding the Walkie-Talkie froze at once.
He couldn’t help but recall the giant fish he’d seen on the coast of the Valley Zone.
"Is it just a single large object?" he continued.
"Yes."
"Then that’s fine."
Following Li Ye’s order, the deployed Swordfish Mini Submarines in the nearby waters launched toward the large object.
Once they locked on, they fired Small Torpedoes simultaneously.
The Small Torpedoes hit their target, triggering a series of explosions.
The underwater area immediately shook violently.
Seconds later, a heavily scarred giant fish burst from the water, leaping toward the sea surface.
It then plunged back into the sea, accelerating toward the Mobile Cities.
"Brother Li, should we fire a Black Shark Torpedo at it?" Tang Fang’s voice came through the Walkie-Talkie.
Li Ye simply shook his head.
"No need to waste it—just accelerate ahead."
A few seconds later, the giant fish slammed into the Iron Whale at the front, but the latter’s immense power instantly bent its body out of shape.