Time slipped quickly toward the end of 2016, a period when Starry Sky Group, as was customary, took stock of the achievements made throughout the year.

In the results publicly released by Starry Sky Group, their total sales revenue for 2016 reached an astonishing eleven point five trillion US dollars. This figure had already far surpassed the GDP of Huaxia Country, which was previously ranked second globally, making Starry Sky Group the true world number two. Huaxia Country’s GDP consequently dropped to third place, a fact that caused some face-saving citizens of Huaxia to feel deeply embarrassed. Even when compared to the fifteen trillion US dollar GDP output of the United States, the gap with Starry Sky Group was visibly shrinking, suggesting they could potentially overtake the US to become number one at any moment.

In 2016, all the subsidiary branches under Starry Sky Group experienced rapid growth opportunities, generating massive revenue for the company with significant potential for future expansion. Of course, the primary driver for Starry Sky Group’s total income exceeding eleven point five trillion US dollars in 2016 was the income derived from oil futures; deep-sea oil futures alone brought in six trillion US dollars in revenue.

It was precisely this surplus of six trillion US dollars that enabled the "City of Stars" to go on a massive, dollar-waving procurement spree across the globe. Because a vast amount of equipment and materials arrived swiftly, the construction progress of the entire "City of Stars" accelerated dramatically, far exceeding the initial projections. By the end of 2016, the total constructed area of the "City of Stars" had reached six hundred square kilometers, with four hundred and fifty square kilometers already operational and available for use.

Thanks to the massive supply of soil imported from Africa, coupled with numerous tall trees transplanted from the continent, patches of turf and vast woodlands could now be seen everywhere within the "City of Stars." The large-scale Water Origin Array formations set up throughout the city continued to work their magic, drawing Water Origin spiritual energy from a radius of two thousand kilometers into the "City of Stars." Nourished by this energy, the vegetation flourished exceptionally, and the residents living there also benefited greatly, feeling their physical health steadily improve.

A large number of retro-style Huaxia architectural structures were built within the "City of Stars." Combined with the lush greenery and the occasional swirl of mist, the city began to resemble a terrestrial paradise, already showing the early hallmarks of a major international metropolis and a premier tourist destination.

Despite the enormous achievements of the past year, the entire "City of Stars" had not forgotten its employees and citizens. All two and a half million employees of Starry Sky Group shared a colossal year-end bonus of one hundred billion US dollars distributed by Liu Hui. Even the ordinary citizens of Starry Sky each received a generous red packet containing fifteen thousand US dollars.

Liu Hui’s grand gesture of handing out one hundred and forty-five billion US dollars in bonuses brought smiles and joyous celebrations to everyone in the "City of Stars." They were directly enjoying the fruits of the city's development, which, in turn, strengthened their sense of belonging to the "City of Stars."

After the Spring Festival, An Qi sent a message to Liu Hui from the Moon Base, reporting that the seismic activity on the surface of Mars had passed its most violent phase, allowing them to finally observe the results of the Mars impact operation firsthand.

By collecting the relevant data and intelligence from the instruments launched to Mars regarding the impact, and subsequently inputting this information into the supercomputer's Solar System Simulator for comparison, An Qi discovered that although the Mars impact operation was executed perfectly, the actual effect achieved only sixty percent of the planned outcome. The main reason was that the prior data collection on Mars had been incomplete, with some data even proving erroneous, leading to miscalculations when the supercomputer simulated the impact.

However, An Qi quickly informed Liu Hui that following this initial impact, she had pinpointed the source of the errors and had now gathered sufficient authentic Martian data. A second simulation run by the supercomputer, based on this corrected data, was expected to achieve an accuracy rate exceeding ninety percent.

Currently, on Mars, the continuous outpouring of scorching magma from the core was causing the planet's interior temperature to cool, showing initial signs of solidification into a core. Once a Martian core formed, a magnetic field would soon follow. A magnetic field could then hold onto the atmosphere, generate ozone to filter the Sun's intense ultraviolet rays, and fundamentally transform the environment on Mars. Although the terraforming movements on the Martian surface had not completely subsided, the terrain showing the exact features the "City of Stars" desired had already begun to appear.

The surface temperature on Mars had started to rise, now exceeding ten degrees Celsius. A primitive atmosphere was also forming, though it consisted entirely of carbon dioxide and toxic gases erupting from the core, making it unsuitable for human habitation. Vast quantities of Martian dust were still suspended in this atmosphere, requiring about two years to fully settle back onto the surface.

After listening to An Qi’s explanation, Liu Hui felt somewhat disoriented and asked, "An Qi, based on Mars's current condition, was our impact a success or a failure?"

An Qi replied, "The impact result cannot be called a complete success, but it's not far from it, as the outcome largely met our expectations. After the supercomputer’s recalculated simulations, provided we correct the previous errors in Phase Two of the Mars transformation plan, we can still achieve our objectives."

Liu Hui responded with delight, "An Qi, does this mean we can already begin the second step of Mars transformation?"

An Qi smiled, "That's right, we can now proceed to Phase Two of Mars transformation. This second step involves using asteroids, primarily composed of ice, to strike Mars again. These subsequent impacts will correct the prior calculation errors. This will not only compensate for the residual effects of the first impact but also bring abundant water resources to Mars. With these water resources, Mars will finally have a genuine opportunity for development."

Liu Hui inquired, "Are you also searching in that asteroid belt for ice-laden asteroids containing large amounts of water?"

An Qi confirmed, "Yes, we have already screened one hundred asteroids from that belt, all composed entirely of ice. The largest among them has a volume of one hundred thousand cubic kilometers, and the smallest is five thousand cubic kilometers. The total water resources contained within these asteroids exceed eight million cubic kilometers. Even if some water vapor escapes into space during the impact process, they will still leave over six million cubic kilometers of water resources on Mars."

Liu Hui questioned, "Earth has thirteen trillion cubic kilometers of water, but Mars would only have six million cubic kilometers; isn't that too little water for Mars?"

An Qi laughed, "Through our probing, we discovered that Mars possesses a massive amount of water..."

"...it's just that this water is located two kilometers beneath the Martian surface, existing in the form of ice. Although some water has been thawed into liquid and gas due to the surface movements, colossal amounts of ice remain hidden underground. The water resources we have prepared for Mars are merely a catalyst. Once they initiate the recovery of normal seasons on Mars, the vast underground water reserves will thaw, forming rivers, lakes, and seas—the very source of life for Mars."

Liu Hui exclaimed in wonder, "So Mars has that much water hidden away!"

An Qi stated, "In the supercomputer’s simulations, Mars in the future will be incredibly rich in water resources—over eighty percent of the surface will be ocean, with land area accounting for less than twenty percent."

Liu Hui chuckled, "Given our population base in the 'City of Stars,' twenty percent of Mars’s land area will be more than sufficient for us. If our population surges on Mars, that will be many years in the future. I believe by then we will have discovered new, habitable planets in space."

An Qi agreed, "That's correct. Once humanity spreads beyond Earth, the worry about having nowhere to reside virtually disappears."

Liu Hui sighed, "I truly wish I could see that day arrive sooner."

An Qi replied, "Even if you wish it faster, it cannot be rushed. Simply planning the logistics to move these water-rich asteroids into Martian orbit will take the better part of a year, and factoring in the precise angle and velocity requirements for impact, it will take even longer. Once Phase Two is complete, it will be at least two years away. However, by then, all the dust in the Martian atmosphere should have settled, and you should be able to see a blue Mars!"

, ~, ~, ~, ~, ~, ~, ~～～, ~, ~, ~, ~2017 had just begun when Starry Sky Agricultural Company, which had been operating quietly and steadily for several years, began to encounter problems.

When Starry Sky Group initially established the agricultural company, it had leased vast tracts of land globally for crop cultivation. The land lease agreements signed with those nations were for a term of five years. Now, that five-year contract period was nearing its end, and the leasing nations were unwilling to extend the agreements with Starry Sky Group.

The countries that leased the most land to Starry Sky Group included the US, Australia, and Brazil. These nations either harbored grudges against the "City of Stars" or were simply envious of its wealth, attempting to leverage the situation by significantly hiking the land lease prices for massive profits.

Upon learning of this, Liu Hui felt a sense of helplessness. After pondering the situation deeply for an entire morning, he summoned Chen Changsheng from the Academy of Sciences.

"Dean Chen, how is the research progressing on our 'Vertical Farming Technology'?" Liu Hui asked.

Chen Changsheng responded, "Boss, we have been researching this 'Vertical Farming Technology' for several years now. Our technology is currently very mature; it can be put into practical application immediately without any issues."

Liu Hui inquired, "I only received a brief introduction to this 'Vertical Farming Technology' from An Qi; I don't know the specifics yet. Could you explain it to me now?"

Chen Changsheng replied, "Certainly, Boss." He then pulled up images and data from his portable computer to give Liu Hui a detailed presentation.

"What we call 'Vertical Farming Technology' is essentially an upgraded version of greenhouse cultivation technology. However, it boasts higher technological content, requires greater capital investment, and yields superior results. Our 'Vertical Farming Technology' involves enclosed agricultural cultivation within skyscrapers exceeding fifty stories.

"In our system, we mandate that the planting area on each floor must not be less than ten thousand square meters, with a ceiling height of no less than three meters. Within these completely sealed buildings, we will utilize the 'Hydroponic Method' to cultivate various crops. The 'Hydroponic Method' means our plants do not require any soil; their roots will be immersed in a continuously circulating nutrient solution. This solution contains all the necessary nutritional components crucial for the plant's growth. Our monitoring computers constantly test the nutrient composition within the entire circulation system, and if a deficiency in any nutrient is detected, we instantly replenish the solution with adequate components to ensure normal plant growth."

"Furthermore, within our cultivation skyscrapers, we will harness not only natural sunlight but also artificial sunlight to further promote plant growth. This allows us to extend the daily growing period for plants to sixteen hours, resulting in a growth speed five to six times faster than plants experience under natural sunlight. We can also regulate the indoor temperature range to keep it perpetually within the optimal range for the specific crop. This means that from the moment a crop is sown, it exists in an extremely superior environment. This environment enables rapid growth and provides ample growing time. We eliminate worries about external adverse weather events, such as drought, flood, or disease outbreaks impacting crop growth. We have simulated the optimal environment for plant growth, meaning our crops can grow at any time—there is no seasonal differentiation, and people can eat whatever vegetable they desire, whenever they want."

Liu Hui was stirred by the description and asked the most critical question, "What is the yield of the crops grown using our 'Vertical Farming Technology'?"

Chen Changsheng stated, "Calculated based on equal planting area, the yield from our 'Vertical Farming Technology' during one growing season will be 13 times higher than that achieved using conventional planting methods. If we factor in the accelerated growth time and the elimination of seasonal constraints, this technology can increase crop yield by more than tenfold."

Liu Hui exclaimed in shock, "A tenfold increase in crop yield?"

Chen Changsheng affirmed, "It certainly can. However, this technology requires consuming substantial energy and water resources, and necessitates the construction of skyscrapers, so the overall cost will not be negligible."

Liu Hui immediately began calculating mentally. Constructing a skyscraper in the "City of Stars" is now very straightforward, and the cost is not particularly high. Moreover, his energy resources are practically infinite, so consumption is not a concern. Even the need for massive freshwater resources is not an obstacle, as he can draw limitless amounts from the ocean. Therefore, the cost issues Chen Changsheng mentioned are almost irrelevant to Liu Hui.

If a three-hundred-meter-tall building is constructed, with ten thousand square meters of plantable area per floor, and each floor is three meters high, that leaves one hundred floors available for cultivation. Ten thousand cubic meters equals about fifteen mu (one thousand square meters in this context, Note: This internal unit conversion seems inconsistent but is kept to reflect the original logic); thus, the planting area of such a skyscraper would be equivalent to 1,500 mu of standard farmland. With a tenfold yield increase factored in, the output from just one such tower, occupying a base area of ten thousand square meters, would equal the total output of 15,000 mu of ordinary cultivated land.

If the average annual yield of wheat is 500 kilograms per mu, this skyscraper, if planted solely with wheat, could produce 7.5 million kilograms of wheat annually. If each person consumes 500 kilograms of wheat per year, this single building could feed fifteen thousand people. The "City of Stars" currently has over five million residents, meaning just five hundred such high-rise buildings could satisfy the entire population's food needs.

Calculating based on the footprint of one building—fifteen mu (ten thousand square meters)—five hundred such buildings would occupy only 7,500 mu. Even allowing for open space, a maximum of 100,000 mu of land would be needed to accommodate the construction of these towers. One hundred thousand mu converts to only 67 square kilometers, an area utterly insignificant when measured against the planned scale of the "City of Stars," which will eventually reach ten thousand square kilometers.

At this realization, Liu Hui's heart surged with emotion. Despite the immense power of the "City of Stars," its food supply had never been self-sufficient, requiring imports—a chronic concern that worried him deeply. Now, with this 'Vertical Farming Technology,' the "City of Stars" would completely eradicate the vulnerability of its food security.

Chen Changsheng continued, "Boss, what I described is for cultivation on the surface. However, beneath the sea level, the 'City of Stars' has vast unused spaces that are more than enough to function as factories and warehouses. We could also consider converting these empty subsea spaces into vertical farms. This would save our surface area and utilize the subterranean void spaces simultaneously. The only trade-off is that cultivating vertically in complete darkness underground would consume significantly more energy."

Liu Hui was greatly energized by Chen Changsheng's suggestion. Indeed, not only the surface area of the "City of Stars" could be utilized, but the underground spaces too! As for the increased energy consumption Chen Changsheng mentioned, was energy truly a problem for the "City of Stars" anymore?

Liu Hui said excitedly, "Dean Chen, immediately proceed with setting up a demonstration tower for the 'Vertical Farming Technology.' The land we leased overseas is about to be reclaimed by those countries. I intend to relocate all the personnel from our agricultural companies back to the 'City of Stars' to plant crops inside the vertical farming towers. This will solve their employment issues while completely resolving our food supply problem."

Chen Changsheng paused briefly before assuring him, "Boss, rest assured, we will begin preparations immediately. In ten days, please come to the site to observe how we establish this system."