"Solar Energy Panel."
This was something he had purchased from the "Mechanical Train Parts Store" in the Neon City back then, at a rather steep price.
A blue-grade accessory.
He had spent 110,000 units of Iron Ore to upgrade it to level 10.
And obtained two Supermodel Effects:
1: Can still gather energy at a slower rate during nighttime.
2: Excess energy is converted into Energy Stones.
This accessory covered a significant portion of his daily accessory consumption, roughly equivalent to about 8,000 units of Iron Ore per day.
He immediately spent 4.5 million units of Iron Ore to upgrade this accessory all the way to level 100.
Being a blue-grade accessory, it required more resources to upgrade.
There were no Supermodel Effects at levels 20, 50, or 100.
But
That didn't matter. What mattered was that the daily Iron Ore yield had now reached about 200,000 units, which was more than enough to cover the daily operation of the Train's accessories, with an additional 180,000 units of Iron Ore profit per day.
This meant it would pay for itself in 25 days, and after that, it would be pure profit.
Not bad.
Combined with the "Cosmic Receiver," the Train now passively earned 660,000 units of Iron Ore per day without doing anything.
While it might not sound like much, this was passive income, which provided a sense of security in many situations.
Before the apocalypse, many people were obsessed with creating passive income streams precisely because with regular work, you only earned when you worked. But with passive income, you earned even while doing nothing.
Chen Mang glanced at the Train's resource panel.
He still had 3.2 million units of Iron Ore left.
That was enough for now.
He'd hold off on spending more.
The three level-4 Iron Ore deposits in the Train Tunnel had brought the Stellar Train's Fortuitous Encounter to its peak. Now, it was time to continue mining and then head to the "Mechanical City" to see if there was a cure.
Wherever a seven-step snake lurked, within five steps, there must be an antidote!
He refused to believe that he was the only one facing the dilemma of choosing between the "Drill Bit" and "Train Expansion." Other Trains must have encountered this problem too, and since this issue only existed in the Blue Zone, he figured the Blue Zone must also have the corresponding antidote.
Soon—
Half a day passed in the blink of an eye.
That Iron Ore deposit had been fully mined, and Er Dan's Fortuitous Encounter quest was successfully completed. It was also time to part ways, and he received the reward.
-
S-rank difficulty reward: Special Item "Drill Command Tablet."
-
"..."
Chen Mang stared expressionlessly at the special item in his hand, which resembled a spinning top. The sole effect of this item was to allow the "Drill Bit" accessory to change size at will.
The maximum size couldn't exceed the Train's cross-section.
The minimum size couldn't be smaller than one centimeter.
It was a low-tier version of size manipulation.
He realized he might have overthought it. He had assumed the antidote would require venturing into the "Red Zone's" Mechanical City Ruins, but it turned out the solution was right here in the "White Zone."
Truly within seven steps.
With this special item, the "Drill Bit" could now be perfectly combined with "Train Expansion."
"Uh..."
Er Dan hesitated before speaking: "Lord Mang, is this item useful to you? Seems like a pretty lame reward..."
He didn't need this—he never planned to expand the train in the first place. His focus was on agility and speed. Even his weapons were limited to just a few automatic cannons, which were enough since he had no intention of engaging in combat.
His role was more of a courier.
Speed was his priority.
"Very useful."
Chen Mang sighed softly before tucking the small spinning top into his pocket and patting Er Dan on the shoulder. "Go on. Today, you and I will explore the Serendipity Map of Crisis Valley. Tomorrow, we'll soar through the stars together."
"Trust in your own talent and luck."
"You're a born explorer."
Er Dan didn't speak, only nodding firmly with determination before striding toward his Traveling Frog carriage. Soon, the train's front section took to the skies, speeding off into the distance!
Watching Er Dan disappear into the distance, Chen Mang returned to the train's control room. He placed the item on the console, where it dissolved into countless specks of light, merging completely with the controls. A line of text appeared on the screen:
-
"The Stellar Train has loaded the 'Drill Command Tablet.' From now on, white accessory drill bits can be resized at will."
-
Perfect.
Next, he turned his attention to train expansion. The exact dimensions after expansion were up to him, with the maximum being 100 meters wide, 300 meters long, and 100 meters tall per carriage.
"..."
Chen Mang imagined the scene in his mind. A height of 100 meters was equivalent to a 30-story residential building. If every carriage were that size, it wouldn't even be a train anymore.
It'd be a land battleship.
While such a size might not seem out of place in space, on land, it would be far too conspicuous.
A train that large would inevitably lose a lot of speed, consume much more energy, and be unable to access many areas—like the Train Tunnel. Although most of the Serendipity Maps he visited were designed with train travel in mind, such as the Train Tunnel with its nearly 100-meter ceiling height, even that wouldn't be enough to accommodate a train of such dimensions.
After maxing out the expansion settings, the required iron ore units displayed:
"140 million."
"What an unfamiliar unit..."
Chen Mang quietly adjusted the expansion slider back a bit. This was the first time he'd seen the unit "hundred million." It felt so foreign—when had iron ore started being counted in the hundreds of millions?
One person with a pickaxe, working in a level 1 iron ore mine, could gather about 10 units of iron ore per day.
To earn 140 million units, they'd need to work for 14 million days straight.
They'd have had to start digging back in the Jurassic period.
Adjusting the carriage dimensions to 10 meters wide, 30 meters long, and 10 meters tall brought the cost down to 14 million units of iron ore.
"Hmm."
Chen Mang nodded. Now the price was much more reasonable.
A 10-meter-wide carriage was already spacious enough to accommodate many large accessories, and the train would still retain its rugged aesthetic when moving. He was just short on iron ore—a little more, and he could begin the expansion.
As for where to get the remaining iron ore...
Half an hour later.
"Confirmed."
Er Dan's voice came from inside the train: "Lord Mang, it's confirmed. The Serendipity Map I've accepted is indeed a 'Long-lasting' one. Any train passing through can accept it without any restrictions, though each train can only take it once."
Most Serendipity Maps can only be accepted once per train, binding not just to the train but also to the Train Conductor.
For example, when Er Dan previously entered the "Eternal Confinement Cell" map in Zombie Basin, he was piloting the "Azure Dragon" train. Even if he switched to the "Traveling Frog" later, he couldn't enter it again.
"Good."
Chen Mang nodded with satisfaction. He could produce unlimited Level 1 Iron Ore, generating one every half hour. This meant the "Long-lasting" Serendipity Map could become his infinite respawn point!
He could assign this S-rank difficulty mission to whomever he pleased.
The only question now was whether he should complete the mission repeatedly himself to obtain enough "Drill Command Tablets"—a Special Item—and sell them directly, or simply sell the mining rights for Level 1 Iron Ore and let other trains do the digging.
On the surface, both options seemed similar, but the profits differed significantly.
Not everyone needed a "Drill Command Tablet," but the unknown rewards from completing an "S-rank difficulty mission" were universally desirable.
While the former would make transactions more convenient, the latter promised greater profits.
The next moment—
A pinned message reappeared in the "Crisis Valley" Train Radio.
-
"Level 10 Mechanical Train, Stellar": Selling mining rights for Level 1 Iron Ore. Full ore deposits, clear ownership. Only 3 deposits available, first come first served. Highest bidder wins!
-
Soon, the Train Radio buzzed with activity again.
"Level 1 Iron Ore? Can Crisis Valley really have Level 1 Iron Ore? I've been here forever and never seen any."
"It's possible. I heard some veterans in this area completed that Serendipity mission before, but that train has long since moved to higher-tier regions."
"Are the three Level 1 Iron Ore deposits clustered together?"
"He's a Level 10 train..."
Then—
"Send me the coordinates. If I actually see Level 1 Iron Ore when I get there, I'll pay you 2 million units of iron ore."
"Deal."
Chen Mang agreed decisively, though his eyes narrowed slightly. While the latter trading method promised higher profits, it also left room for those with ill intentions to take advantage.
He wasn't afraid, of course.
With Level 12 Armor at his disposal, what was there to fear?
Even if someone had firepower components with attack strength of Level 13 or 14, did he not have his own? One "Absolute Defense" would settle the matter.
He wasn't afraid.
But this approach wasn't conducive to smooth transactions. To trade effectively, he needed to maintain control—to make it clear that despite being just a Level 10 train, he had every right to sit at the table and compete.
Killing one troublemaker wouldn't solve the problem; there would always be more.
He needed to establish his authority.
Without sending the coordinates privately, he posted them directly in the pinned message of the "Train Radio."
"Level 10 Mechanical Train, Stellar Train": This is my coordinates. Everyone is welcome to come verify its authenticity.
"I'm mining right now, can't go. Otherwise, I'd really like to see how this Stellar Train at just level 10 has functions like remote trading and pinned Train Radio messages. Why don't I have those?"
"I happen to be free. I'll go."
"I'm coming too. If there really is level 1 Iron Ore, then..."
"Ahem, let's check it out first."
"Let's go, let's go! I've been eyeing that S-rank Fortuitous Encounter mission for ages, just couldn't find any level 1 ore."
Dusk was approaching.
Chen Mang sat inside the train compartment, running countless scenarios through his mind. No one could guarantee perfect reactions to unexpected situations unless they'd rehearsed multiple responses beforehand.
All residents had returned to their respective carriages by now.
"Xiao Ai."
"Here."
"Manufacture one level 1 Ground Burst Missile and launch it."
"Roger!"
The next moment—
A Ground Burst Missile slowly rose from Carriage 14, flames suddenly engulfing the entire compartment as it left the train shrouded in thick smoke, ascending skyward. Then abruptly, the missile curved midair.
It even twisted through a yangko dance move.
Before finally descending in the distance.
"..."
Chen Mang narrowed his eyes at the spectacle. Apparently, missiles could also be controlled via the "Powerful Magnet."
Though...
A glance at the screen showed slightly higher energy consumption, but it didn't matter. This method was meant for intimidation!
Only by thoroughly intimidating all approaching trains today could he secure absolute trading rights!
Just then—
"They're here."
Within the Targeting Radar's 100,000-meter range, three or four trains had appeared simultaneously from various directions, all heading toward the Stellar's location. Forewarned is forearmed.
The control screen rapidly displayed their profiles:
-
"Level 11 Mechanical Train": Top defense component - Level 8 Tycoon Energy Shield. Top attack component - 1 × Level 12 Doomsday Cannon. No other special components. Overall threat assessment: Zero.
"Level 10 Mechanical Train": Top defense component - Level 7 Tycoon Energy Shield. Top attack component - 1 × Level 12 Doomsday Cannon. Special component: Red-grade "Space-Time Leap," activatable once daily—summons a portal transporting the train to any random location within the region. Overall threat assessment: Zero.
"Level 12 Mechanical Train": Top defense component - Level 10 Star Ring Energy Shield. Top component - Level 11 Comet Main Cannon. No other special components. Overall threat assessment: Zero.
"Level 12 Flesh Train": Top defense component - Level 8...-
"..."
Chen Mang's expression turned peculiar as he scanned the information. He might have overestimated other trains—his initial concern was encountering level 13 or 14 attack components, against which he could still deploy "Absolute Defense."
But now...
Not a single train possessed such high-level attack components.
And none of them could perform Infinite Upgrades either.
To upgrade the Doomsday Cannon to level 14 would require a significant amount of Murphy Stone, and Murphy Stone doesn't just fall from the sky—it's not found everywhere.
Among the three red-tier accessories that can be crafted when the Train reaches level 10, the "Comet Main Cannon" can indeed be upgraded to level 14.
Red-tier accessories can be upgraded up to level 20 without needing Murphy Stone, but this is a red-tier large-scale firepower weapon—just imagine the price. In some ways, it's even a tier higher than the "Ground Burst Missile," since this thing can fire continuously!
Just crafting it requires 50,000 units of Iron Ore.
Thinking about it this way...
He probably doesn't need to make so many contingency plans. He just needs to stay quietly here, wait for the unremarkable ones to approach, instantly eliminate them, and thus secure his bargaining power!
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