Chapter 122: External Gun Turret! |
The blizzard had settled.
In the dead of night, the Infinite Train remained parked on the snow-covered plains, its tracks buried beneath thick layers of snow.
Chen Sixuan, KIKI, and Shasha all woke up feeling well-rested—a stark contrast to previous nights.
After Lin Xian and the others woke up, they, too, took turns getting some sleep while waiting for the water purifier blueprint to finish upgrading.
"Do you guys feel like… that anxious feeling is gone?"
Chen Sixuan stretched, then walked to Carriage No. 3 for a quick check. Seeing that Zhao Yan and the others were still sound asleep, she let Shasha take over keeping watch on the rear carriages.
KIKI, seated at her computer, yawned and stretched. "Now that you mention it… yeah, it does feel different."
Chen Sixuan pulled up the blackout curtain and peered outside into the endless, pitch-black snowfield.
"Based on our distance traveled, sunrise should be around 16:00 today. KIKI, see if you can pick up any signals from Yubei City."
"Federation Phoenix’s Daily Survival Radio. According to the Abyss Monitoring Department’s latest report, the relatively safer zones are as follows: In the Asia-Pacific region, Jiazhou City from Hengshan Pass eastward to Wei River, Longjiang, Jinhai, and Xingcheng corresponds to Safe Zones No. 3 and No. 4. From Maple City westward across the Gobi Desert, the Tashi Sands, and the Parma Grasslands, extending southeast to Jinhe, Yun’an Ridge, and Tianji corresponds to Safe Zones No. 5 and No. 7… Survivors should migrate accordingly. Federation Phoenix rescue teams are stationed in all non-Polar Night secondary cities."
"Zzzzz… Survival Tip #53: Emergency Water Procurement Methods…"
"Zzzzz… Water is essential. Today, microbiologist Professor Qi will explain the dangers of Black Rain on surface freshwater sources…"
"Zzzzz… To strengthen humanity’s resistance against Eerie Entities, Federation Phoenix is recruiting Ability Users to join the Nightwalkers organization…"
"Zzzzz… Federation Radio YB Regional Broadcast: Yubei City has been completely overrun by a Zombie Tide! Multiple Eerie Entity sightings were reported last night. Yubei No. 1 Spaceport is currently under full-scale defense operations…"
KIKI kept adjusting the frequencies, frowning.
"Yubei City's situation is bad. If the Ascending Passage shuts down, anyone inside is as good as trapped."
Chen Sixuan replied, "That’s not our biggest concern. As long as the Sky Corridor hasn’t collapsed and the Ascending Passage isn’t blocked, we can still get up there. The real problem is that we don’t know what’s happening inside the city."
"Guess we’ll have to take it one step at a time."
KIKI launched a drone to scan their surroundings once more.
A Well-Rested Awakening
By now, it was around 10:00 AM.
Lin Xian had woken up after a few hours of solid, dreamless sleep.
Whether it was thanks to the Eerie Radio Cube or his recent stat upgrades, he felt like he had slept a full twelve hours. His strength and defense enhancements made his body feel incredibly refreshed—as if he had been reborn.
"You're up?"
Chen Sixuan was making hot soup.
With the nuclear-powered locomotive supplying electricity, they could now fully utilize the various appliances collected by Shasha in Yu Chi. The electric stove and oven were now in full use.
If only they had fresh vegetables, Lin Xian had no doubt that Chen Sixuan would be whipping up a full-course meal.
"How’s everything?" Lin Xian asked.
"Dr. Zhao and Dr. Xu are still asleep, but Director Ding woke up early. She’s been working in Carriage No. 3 this whole time. No idea what she's up to."
"I’ll check on her after I set up the new carriage armor. We’ll move out at sunrise."
Before heading out, he glanced at the R&D Center.
The water purifier blueprint upgrade had 20 minutes remaining.
Perfect timing.
Without wasting a second, he headed toward the rear carriages.
Optimizing the Train’s Design
In Carriage No. 2, KIKI had already pulled up the Kor Research Carriage blueprints.
"See? I told you there was a ready-made solution. This carriage already has a fully integrated air circulation system. Once we hook it up to the rest of the train and install your water purification system, you’ll have your oxygen-water recycling setup ready to go."
Lin Xian nodded approvingly.
"First, I need to finish reinforcing the rear carriages with armor. Then I’ll install the water purifier."
KIKI pointed at her digital train schematic.
"By the way, Carriage No. 7 is directly connected to the nuclear-powered locomotive. Do you want to add more entry points? It’d make it easier for us to get on and off."
On her screen, she highlighted the front and rear driver cabins.
"These exits work fine for us, but if we need to move cargo, things might get tricky."
Lin Xian nodded.
"I know. I’m planning to add a side door to Carriage No. 7. I’m also considering installing a rooftop hatch on Carriage No. 6 and Carriage No. 1—maybe even an elevator system."
KIKI blinked. "Wait, an elevator? Are you planning to catapult yourself off the train?!"
"No—"
Lin Xian sighed. "I want to mount turrets and weapons on the roof. If they’re on an adjustable lift, they won’t be as easily destroyed."
KIKI’s eyes lit up.
"OH MY GOD! LIKE A GUNSHIP?! THAT’S SO FREAKING COOL! YOU SHOULD INSTALL ONE ON Carriage No. 2 SO I CAN SHOOT TOO!"
Lin Xian raised an eyebrow. "A gunship turret?"
KIKI rapidly clicked through her computer and pulled up an image.
"Boom. Like this. But you’ll need highly durable bulletproof plating—otherwise, it’s useless."
Lin Xian stared.
"KIKI… this is a damn railgun. That’s not what I meant."
"Oh, whatever!" KIKI waved dismissively. "Think BIG! I know you’re talking about a gun turret, but if we upgrade step by step, we’ll get there eventually. Trust me!"
Lin Xian chuckled.
"Fine. I’ll design a custom mech turret just for you."
KIKI grinned, completely in her element.
With the R&D Center, Lin Xian now had no reason to hold back on ambitious designs.
Eerie Research in Carriage No. 3
Arriving at Carriage No. 3, Lin Xian found Ding Junyi at her workstation, absorbed in her laptop.
Beside her, the Hell’s Black Chrysanthemum cultivation pod remained undisturbed.
Without looking up, Ding Junyi spoke. "Are we departing?"
Lin Xian asked, "Are you researching that thing?"
Ding Junyi’s expression remained neutral.
"Just continuing my previous work. This carriage has all the necessary equipment. If you need any of this data—or if you want to forbid me from using your property—you can let me know. Until you officially allow me onboard, I am still your… rescued prisoner."
Lin Xian smirked.
"Rescued prisoner? If that were true, I’d have thrown you in an iron cage last night."
Ding Junyi finally turned to face him, her gaze calm and composed.
"Then… I appreciate your generosity."
Lin Xian’s tone grew serious.
"Don’t thank me yet. Yubei City is worse than we thought. Once we get there, I can’t guarantee I’ll have time to help you."