Chapter 1086: It Is So Beautiful

At this moment, a low rumble came from below.

The leg hydraulic system of a Warhound Titan was being tested for the first time; the massive metal foot slowly lifted, then fell heavily, causing the entire assembly platform to vibrate slightly.

Yingxin felt the observation deck beneath her feet trembling as well, and said excitedly.

"It moved! It can really move!"

"This is only the beginning."

Fulgrim said, pointing toward the deeper sections.

"Look over there, the final testing area."

Behind the assembly zone, a nearly completed Warhound Titan was already undergoing tests.

This Warhound-class Titan was walking slowly, every step shaking the earth.

The weapon systems on its mechanical arms were performing targeting tests, with laser pointers tracing red paths in the air.

Yingxin watched intently, unable to look away.

The Warhound-class Titan completed a series of complex movements.

Lateral movement, turning in place, rotating the weapon platform... every action was fluid and powerful.

"It... is so beautiful."

Yingxin said suddenly.

Fulgrim and Leman Russ both looked at her, somewhat surprised.

"Beautiful?"

Leman scratched his head.

"Most people would call it 'powerful,' 'terrifying,' or 'shocking,' but 'beautiful'..."

"It is just beautiful."

Yingxin insisted.

"Its lines, its proportions, its movements... even though it is a weapon, the process of building it, the focused look of the workers... these are all a kind of beauty."

Fulgrim looked deeply at Yingxin, then smiled.

"You are right, little one. They are essentially the same; both are creation, both are the transformation of ideas into reality."

Leman Russ did not care for Fulgrim's flowery words, but he was happy to see Yingxin happy again.

"So, even though we can't go to other planets, looking at this isn't bad, right?"

Yingxin nodded vigorously. "Mm!"

Xiuluo Holy Star, Northern Hemisphere, Cappadocia Agricultural Zone planning site.

Yingzhou stood on a gentle slope, watching the large construction machinery below emit low rumbles as they moved along preset routes, transforming the rugged surface into neat fields.

In the distance, the first batch of Pre-fabricated Ecological Domes had already been erected; under the transparent domes, the artificial climate systems were being calibrated.

"The soil modification progress in Zone 3 is lagging by seven percent."

Yingzhou did not turn back, only nodding slightly.

"I see. Is the underground rock layer harder than expected, or did the equipment malfunction?"

Perturabo walked to Yingzhou's side, holding a Data Pad in his hand, which displayed engineering charts.

Perturabo was wearing a simple gray engineering suit, stained with a bit of dust and oil.

"Both. There was an error in the geological scan, and the main bearing of the Number 3 Drilling Unit developed fatigue cracks after seventy-two hours of continuous operation.

I have already dispatched a backup unit, but the loss in progress cannot be fully recovered."

Yingzhou turned his head to look at Perturabo.

"How much time was lost?"

"If the backup unit can arrive within four hours, and no further accidents occur, the total construction period will be delayed by eighteen hours."

Perturabo paused, then added.

"This is the theoretical optimum. In reality, it may be delayed by twenty-two to twenty-four hours."

"That is acceptable."

Yingzhou's words made Perturabo lift his head abruptly, a flash of confusion in his eyes.

"Father, this is a progress deviation of three point seven percent. I do not consider this 'acceptable'."

Yingzhou sighed softly and said in a gentle tone.

"Perturabo, standards are guidelines set for most situations, not immutable iron laws.

A deviation of three point seven percent, in the context of opening a new agricultural zone, is within a reasonable margin of error."

"But it could have been avoided."

Perturabo said stubbornly.

"If the geological scanning team had been more careful, if the equipment maintenance plan had been stricter..."

"If... we can strive for perfection, but we cannot demand it. Especially when such demands would crush those executing the work."

Perturabo fell silent.

Yingzhou knew what Perturabo was thinking: thinking about those potential oversights, thinking about the details that could have been done better, and thinking about how to improve processes to avoid similar problems in the future.

This way of thinking made Perturabo who he was, and also tormented him.

Yingzhou changed the subject.

"Show me the progress in other areas. Especially that innovative design for the water circulation system you mentioned last week."

Mentioning technical details, Perturabo's expression softened slightly.

"Yes, Father. Please follow me."

The two walked down the gentle slope and stepped onto the newly paved hardened road.

Perturabo quickened his pace by half a step to walk in front, pulling up new data as he walked.

"The core innovation of the Cappadocia Agricultural Zone lies in its closed-loop ecological design.

The water circulation efficiency of traditional agricultural zones is usually only sixty-five to seventy percent, with the remainder lost through evaporation, seepage, and runoff.

My design goal is to raise this figure to over ninety-two percent."

The two arrived in front of a large facility currently under construction.

Workers were installing massive pipes and water storage tanks, and the welding machines emitted a burst of blue light.

"The key lies in multi-stage collection and intelligent distribution."

Perturabo began to explain in detail.

"First, the inner surface of the ecological dome has a hydrophilic coating, and condensed water droplets are guided into collection troughs.

Second, an impermeable layer and a capillary network are laid beneath the soil layer, which both prevents deep seepage and allows for upward water replenishment through capillary action..."

Yingzhou listened attentively, nodding or asking brief questions from time to time.

"... Finally, all water remaining from irrigation is recycled to the central processing plant, where it re-enters the cycle after three-stage purification."

Perturabo finished his explanation and looked toward Yingzhou, a trace of imperceptible anticipation in his eyes.

"Theoretically, this system can increase the utilization efficiency of water per unit by 3.2 times."

"Impressive. It considers not only efficiency but also sustainability. This exceeds the existing agricultural standards of the Star Alliance."

Perturabo's expression brightened slightly, but he quickly returned to his serious demeanor.

"This is only theory. Various problems may arise during actual operation: pipe blockages, pump station failures, sensor errors... I need at least three complete growth cycles to verify the system's reliability."

Yingzhou nodded and said.

"Then verify it. That is why we are here: to try new things, improve old methods, and create better living conditions for the people of the Star Alliance."

Perturabo nodded, but Yingzhou noticed his gaze was cast toward the workers working in the distance.

"How is the workers' shift system being implemented?"

Yingzhou asked.

"The eight-hour workday is strictly enforced, with six days of work and one day of rest."

Perturabo answered immediately, pulling up another set of data.

"But I have noticed that some workers voluntarily come in on their rest days to check the sections they are responsible for. I have discouraged it, but they insist."

Yingzhou raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Why?"