Why could he sell a single Murphy Stone for 1.88 million units of iron ore?
There were two major factors at play.
First, he had Er Dan's information network. Second, he wasn't in desperate need of the 2 million units of iron ore, so he had the patience to wait and wasn't overly anxious about the deal.
If he had still been in the Iron Ridge Wasteland, he might have jumped at an offer of just 1 million units, too afraid to negotiate further for fear the buyer would back out.
This kind of confidence gave him a psychological edge in negotiations, sometimes even accidentally earning him more than he initially expected.
Just then—
He received a message from Er Dan. As expected, it was that very train that had purchased his Murphy Stone. According to Er Dan, the train had already mobilized to mine a Level 4 iron ore deposit. Through the windows, the Train Conductor could even be seen sitting in the control room, visibly excited.
And why wouldn't he be?
Even in Crisis Valley, Level 4 iron ore deposits weren't just lying around everywhere!
They were practically rare.
A single Level 4 deposit was equivalent to 10 million units of iron ore. Anyone would be thrilled to find one.
"Good."
Chen Mang couldn't help but chuckle. Interesting. Then, he turned his attention back to the other components. He'd spend a little more—a few million units—and keep around 10 million in reserve for future train upgrades, expansions, and armor improvements.
Hmm.
The "Fire Control Built-in System," a green-tier component.
After spending 1.07 million units of iron ore, it leveled up directly from 10 to 100.
With more Train Residents aboard, 10 heavy machine guns weren't enough to maintain deterrence. A hundred, however, should suffice. Then there was the "Space Stasis" purple-tier component. Though he'd never used it, he had a feeling that someday, some monster might breach the armor and invade the train.
When that happened, a single Space Stasis—
Followed by concentrated fire.
The iron ore cost wasn't excessive, but he seemed to have overlooked one issue: the train hadn't been expanded yet, and the ceiling couldn't accommodate so many heavy machine guns. A hundred might indeed be overkill.
Especially in the control room.
But he soon realized—
The positions of these heavy machine guns could be customized. If a carriage had a "Space Gate," the guns could be installed inside it.
Perfect.
He lined the control room ceiling with a ring of heavy machine guns and built a Space Gate into the wall, stuffing the remaining 80 guns inside.
Sorted.
The same went for Resident Carriages 8 and 9.
Each carriage had two Space Gates on either side, totaling eight.
Each Space Gate housed 20 heavy machine guns, while the rest were embedded in the carriage ceilings. Now, even within the Space Gates, his absolute control was assured.
As for the remaining Guard Carriages and high-talent carriages—
He left the heavy machine guns in their default ceiling positions.
For carriages with "Ground Burst Missiles," which required elevation mechanisms, the guns were installed in corners where they wouldn't interfere with deployment.
The Stellar Train now consisted of 15 carriages—plus the locomotive.
The external Doomsday Cannons numbered 10, packing formidable firepower.
As for the internal Heavy Machine Guns, there were 1,600 of them—even more devastating.
And with a single upgrade to level 100, three Supermodel Effects were unlocked.
-
「Internal Fire Control System Level 20 Supermodel Effect」: Halved ammunition consumption.
「Internal Fire Control System Level 50 Supermodel Effect」: Enhanced penetration.
「Internal Fire Control System Level 100 Supermodel Effect」: Increased firing rate.
-
The Supermodel Effects at levels 5 and 10 for this component allowed the firing of Blank Cartridges and Nerve Bullets, respectively—a feature mainly used to maintain order on the train.
"Not bad."
Chen Mang glanced at the information on the train control panel screen and grinned before turning his attention to other components. At this point, he was almost eager for some unknown monster to board his train. Just when the intruder thought they had finally reached the weakest point inside the train, they'd look up and see the Heavy Machine Guns waiting for them.
And in their moment of stunned confusion, he'd freeze space and deliver a precise strike!
No one would survive.
Even if the heavens themselves descended, they'd have to light three sticks of incense before leaving!
Inside Carriage No. 5, the Female Elite Talent Section.
"..."
Yan Yao looked up blankly at the dense array of Heavy Machine Guns covering every inch of the ceiling. After counting them for a while, she muttered, "Chu Chu, there are only two of us in this carriage right now. Isn't 100 a bit excessive?"
"It is a little..."
Ji Chuchu sat by the window, absentmindedly staring outside. "But that's not the point. The real issue is that Lord Mang seems to have forgotten about me. It's been so long since he last visited."
"Yeah, seems like it..."
Inside Carriage No. 7, the Guard Section.
"Mhm." Biao Zi nodded proudly. "Lord Mang really thinks ahead. With the increase in residents, the original 10 internal Heavy Machine Guns weren't enough. 100 is just right."
"The only thing that puzzles me is..."
"I remember this component—the number of machine guns in the carriage corresponds to its level. What level must it be to have 100 guns?"
"Can't you do simple math?" Lao Zhu shot Biao Zi a glance.
"It's not that I can't. It's that I don't dare."
Inside Carriage No. 15, the Livestock Section.
"This has nothing to do with me, right?"
Uncle Li, squatting on the ground while dissecting a female Zombie with the Train's Car Blade, looked up in bewilderment at the 100 Heavy Machine Guns overhead. "This must be standard for every carriage, right? It can't be just to prevent Zombie riots."
"Probably..."
Upgrade, upgrade, keep upgrading!
Back in the train control room, Chen Mang turned his attention to the remaining components, his gaze settling on the 「Car Audio」. He spent 502,500 units of Iron Ore to instantly boost it to level 100!
This thing wouldn't be much use at level 100 anyway. His main goal was to make it sturdier so it wouldn't get wrecked in every battle, its durability nearly dropping to zero each time.
Though lifestyle components didn't share the same durability as defensive ones, leveling them up still made them more resilient.
-
「Car Audio Level 20 Supermodel Effect」: None.
「Car Audio Level 50 Supermodel Effect」: None.
「Car Audio Level 100 Supermodel Effect」: None.
-
No Supermodel Effects, just as expected. But he hadn't upgraded it for those in the first place.
As for the rest...
Hmm, and the "Powerful Magnet" directly consumed 970,000 units of Iron Ore to upgrade from level 20 to 100, expanding its pickup range to 10,000 meters. Any items dropped within this range would now be automatically attracted.
-
"Powerful Magnet Level 50 Supermodel Effect": Energy consumption for the strong magnetic force is halved.
"Powerful Magnet Level 100 Supermodel Effect": The strong magnetic force can be freely controlled, with the control range matching that of the Targeting Radar.
-
"Huh?"
Chen Mang had initially overlooked this. He had upgraded this component solely for the increased pickup range and didn't expect two additional Supermodel Effects. However, he didn't quite understand these new effects.
He was aware of the Powerful Magnet's level 20 Supermodel Effect, which granted a strong magnetic force whose power depended on the grade of Energy Stone consumed.
But he had never had the chance to use this effect before.
Basically, he had only ever utilized the most basic properties of the "Powerful Magnet."
Now, though, another Supermodel Effect had appeared.
"Could it be...?"
A glint flashed in Chen Mang's eyes. He stood up from his chair, retrieved a few Train Blade Fragments from the nearby Refrigerator, and tossed them out the window. Then, as the "Powerful Magnet" component activated, he suddenly felt as if his mind had merged with the magnet.
With just a slight thought, the Train Blade Fragment outside the Train slowly levitated in the air. Guided by his will, it shot fiercely into the distance like a streak of cold light.
"Eh?"
He froze for a moment, then glanced down at the control panel screen, which showed that the attack had consumed 1% of his energy. He was using a level 3 Energy Stone.
Without hesitation, he immediately jumped off the Train.
Leaning on his cane outside the Train, he manipulated the Train through it. With another thought, the Train Blade Fragment that had fallen in the distance flew back to him. Another mental command sent it hurtling away again!
Holy shit!
Now Chen Mang understood what this Supermodel Effect meant. This was basically fucking Magneto!
The power depended entirely on the strength of the magnetic force.
And the strength of the magnetic force depended on how much energy he chose to expend.
Those two attacks had cost him 3% of his energy—equivalent to 1,500 units of Iron Ore. Not bad, the consumption wasn't too high.
Just then—
The Targeting Radar displayed a Corpse Tide 6,000 meters away, charging toward the Train. There were about 100 Zombies, with the highest level being 6, while most were around levels 3 or 4.
"Perfect timing."
Chen Mang couldn't help but grin. He strode back into the Train compartment, retrieving the Train Blade Fragments from the Refrigerator in advance and placing them on the seats before speaking. "Hold your fire. Let those Zombies get closer, then find a way to make sure the Guardians just happen to step out of the Carriage—don't make it look deliberate."
"Later, broadcast my kills to the residents via the screens."
"Understood."
Xiao Ai's voice soon echoed through the Train.
"Get off the Train now, time to work!"
Biao Zi, who had been sitting on the bed, sprang up the moment he received Xiao Ai's command. He roared at the group of Guardians, "Lord Mang's orders—we're having a military parade! Move, move, move!"
"Zhang Yi, Zhang Er, hurry the fuck up and stop eating!"
"Zhang Qi, wait a moment. Stand behind me. You're the most handsome in our team, the face of our group. Show off your charisma later!"
"Biao Ge, you're the most handsome in the team!"
"Get lost!"
Biao Zi retorted with a mix of amusement and irritation: "Stop fooling around. This is Lord Mang's first military review. Everyone, check your attire—it's very important!"
"Let's all put on our best performance."
Excited, everyone quickly adjusted their clothing in front of the mirrors.
A military review!
Though they felt they hadn't fully matured yet, this was clearly Lord Mang's acknowledgment of their progress!
Immediately—
All the Guardians stepped out of the carriage, forming three neat, solemn rows in the biting wind, standing straight as rods, awaiting Lord Mang's inspection.
It was deep winter, the cold wind piercing, carrying an unknown sour stench.
Hmm? A stench?
Biao Zi instinctively turned his head and saw a Corpse Tide rapidly approaching the train in the distance. His expression shifted slightly as he reflexively reached for the briefcase in his coat, but he stopped mid-motion.
Since Director Ai hadn't informed them of this, it likely meant Lord Mang intended to use this Corpse Tide to test their strength.
Using a Corpse Tide for the military review—what a brilliant idea!
At that moment!
The train compartment door swung open. In everyone's sight, Chen Mang, leaning on his cane, slowly descended from the compartment and stood before them, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes: "Good. Everyone's spirit is excellent."
"Your training these past days has borne fruit."
"Uh—"
Biao Zi finally couldn't hold back, eyeing the Corpse Tide behind Lord Mang with urgency: "Lord Mang, the Corpse Tide behind you is less than 100 meters away. Shouldn't we deal with these Zombies first?"
"No need."
Chen Mang calmly met Biao Zi's gaze, his hands resting on the cane as he chuckled lightly: "Remember back in the Neon City's Memory Bank, when you asked me why a single memory could sell for billions?"
"I remember. You said you'd seen a dragon."
"Not entirely correct."
"Huh?"
"I didn't just see a dragon—I killed one."
"Like this."
Chen Mang slowly raised his cane with one hand, lips parting slightly as he whispered: "Sword."
The next instant—
"BOOM!!"
Dark clouds suddenly gathered above the train, a fierce wind howling as the sky darkened in an instant. Chen Mang's clothes flapped wildly in the gale. A bolt of lightning split the clouds, illuminating the world.
In that fleeting moment.
Biao Zi and the others saw Lord Mang's sharp, angular face under the lightning, his eyes carrying a hint of arrogance.
And—
The hundreds of Train Blade Fragments floating in the air behind him, unnoticed until now.
By then, the Corpse Tide was mere meters away from Lord Mang.
Right then!
"...Come!"
With Lord Mang's crisp command ringing in their ears, he slammed his cane onto the ground. The hundreds of floating Train Blade Fragments, as if imbued with a soul, transformed into countless blades, shooting toward the Corpse Tide at speeds beyond the naked eye.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The sound of countless fragments piercing flesh echoed.
By the time the thunder faded.
The Corpse Tide behind Lord Mang lay motionless on the ground—not a single survivor. The nearest Zombie had been just two meters away. Yet, from start to finish, Lord Mang hadn't even glanced back, nor had his eyelids so much as twitched.
"Work hard."
Chen Mang looked calmly at Biao Zi and his group, chuckling lightly. "I'll teach you this Dragon Slaying Skill someday."
"A man ought to slay a dragon in his lifetime."
With that, he didn't linger any longer and walked alone toward the Train compartment.
He left only Biao Zi and his companions standing there, utterly stunned and bewildered.
"..."
It took a long while before Biao Zi finally snapped out of it. Trembling, he turned to look at the scene behind him, his voice filled with disbelief. "Did... did you all see that?"
"Lord Mang just now..."
"Lord Mang was casting a spell just now?"
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