Ding Junyi was right.
The air inside the scientific research carriage was clean, fresh, and warm, and although it was filled with all kinds of strange scientific instruments, from a certain perspective, it was indeed more stimulating.
But before Lin Xian could get his head around the other party’s bizarre theory, Ding Junyi was already standing in front of him, looking at him with a flat gaze.
It’s like she’s saying: "Bro, let’s pull off a stunning combo move together."
That kind of déjà vu.
Is this how a tech-savvy female top student expresses her intentions so logically and transparently?
After a moment of silence, Lin Xian suppressed the impulse within his heart and looked towards Ding Junyi,
"Are you worried that I might kill you, or are you afraid that no one in Yu Bei City will take you in and you’ll be thrown off the train, which is why you’re deliberately being nice to me?"
Trying to take advantage? No way.
But then again, even if I sleep with you, I could still throw you off the train, right?
Ding Junyi did not know what Lin Xian was thinking, but when she heard his words, she replied candidly,
"You are right, but my request will come after having sex."
"After??" Lin Xian was speechless, "What exactly are you trying to say?"
Ding Junyi frowned slightly: "According to research, trust and recognition can be strengthened during or after pleasure. In intense moments, it can even result in a temporary impulsive agreement state. Therefore, I plan to propose joining your team and staying on the train after having sex with you."
Lin Xian opened his mouth, suddenly feeling like he wanted to say something but couldn’t.
For some reason, Lin Xian felt that her state of mind was oscillating between understanding men very well and not understanding them at all.
"So after all that’s said, your goal is to stay on my train?"
"Yes," Ding Junyi looked at Lin Xian and said, "From my observations, you, as the leader of this train, have both the ability and the decisiveness to make decisions. In other words, both Dr. Zhao and Dr. Xu’s lives are in your hands. Under these circumstances, showing goodwill to you is of no harm to me. Therefore, my choice is fully supported by theory and motivated conditions, whether you choose to keep me, transfer us to official organizations, or simply not harm me on this journey—all would have a positive outcome for me."
After careful observation, Ding Junyi found that Lin Xian’s superpower was very special; he could create machinery out of thin air. Normally, the Gemini 11R Nuclear Power Electric Locomotive required multiple professionals to operate, but he seemed to do it without any obstacles.
So based on her speculation, Lin Xian’s superpower must be very advanced and his team very strong, for them to be able to escape from such perilous situations.
Moreover, judging from Lin Xian’s attitude towards the Building, KIKI, and others, she figured this person must be trustworthy. Thus, Ding Junyi carefully evaluated and decided to propose joining Lin Xian’s team, which was also for her own survival.
Lin Xian sighed. Talking to this woman, even though she was unreserved and seemed very sincere, somehow always felt exhausting.
Just like writing papers in the past, even when buttering someone up required laying out the theoretical support, which was somewhat a headache to listen to.
"I’ll think about it. Let’s leave everything else for now," said Lin Xian.
"I’m sorry, you might have misunderstood my previous words."
Ding Junyi reached back to unclasp her bra, her expression calm but her eyes looking eagerly at Lin Xian, "I didn’t use sex as a negotiation tool. For me, it’s a real need to fulfill my physiological needs."
Lin Xian was visibly shaken.
Isn’t this still a contrast...
[Devouring successful, Mechanical Source Point +15, Mechanical Devouring Skill proficiency +8, Extra reward: Defense 1]
[Devouring successful, Mechanical Source Point +15, Mechanical Devouring Skill proficiency +8, Extra reward: Strength 1]
[Decomposition: Obtained High Manganese Steel*50, Hot Rolled Forging Steel*50, Cold Rolled Duplex Steel Plate*15, Ordinary Carbon Steel*100, Non-metallic foam materials, Non-metallic composite materials...]
Bang bang, it took about 40 minutes, Lin Xian finished devouring the two flatbed trailers, and the rear of the train suddenly became empty.
The Gemini 11R nuclear-powered electric locomotive is now attached behind carriage No. 7. Lin Xian removed the surrounding panels of carriage No. 7 and prepared to create a large door on the side of the carriage for easier access and cargo loading/unloading. He also planned to design an entrance on the roof of carriage No. 7 so that the Close-in Weapon System he would build later could be installed directly on top of it.
[Current Level of Mechanical Heart LV.2 (745/1000)]
[Notice: Upgrading the Mechanical Heart includes special skill rewards. Mysterious Awakening will be granted when the Mechanical Heart reaches LV3, LV6, and LV9.]
Strength Level: 2[80%] (Burst power 200kg)
Speed Level: 2[05%] (Maximum 13m/s)
Defense Level: 1[78%] (Tough bones and resilient skin)
[Mechanical Awakening]: Not yet awakened
Mechanical Devouring: 3(106/1000) Increase devouring efficiency
Mechanical Manufacturing: 2(260/500) Increase construction efficiency
Mechanical Passive: Scanning/Repair/Decomposition
Wind Cannon (Common) (Level 3, Max Level)
Ice Shield (Common) (Level 2, 09%)
Backflash (Rare) (Level 1, 30%)
Electric Surge (Rare) (Level 1, 23%)
"Wind Cannon is maxed out, so it seems that the skill cap is level 3."
Lin Xian sighed in relief as he gazed at the screen before him, the cold wind whistled outside, making him involuntarily tighten his cotton jacket’s collar. He then went to the back where the 7F electric locomotive stood since the carriage of the nuclear-powered locomotive was not connected, and since there was no longer any significant use for this electric locomotive, the best course of action was to devour it.
The short-haul freight locomotive that he had previously devoured upon departure from North Bay gave Lin Xian a total of 300 Mechanical Source Points, and the 7F electric locomotive was definitely a big piece of work.
Once he handled it, he was sure to break through to Level 3 of the Mechanical Heart!
For safety, Lin Xian directly entered the driver’s cabin. There was heavy armor that Lin Xian had built outside the locomotive. He had thought about dismantling it and installing it directly onto the nuclear-powered locomotive, but considering the need for radiation protection for the nuclear-powered locomotive, he decided to use a combination of Titanium Alloy and dense lead plates for construction. Thus, he did not bother and decided to devour it all at once.
As the devouring began, Lin Xian felt an immense pressure bearing down on him, as if he were experiencing a suffocating sensation, signaling that he was about to devour a significant piece of equipment.
On the train, Ding Junyi came to carriage No. 5 where Zhao Yan and Xu Wen were cuddling in a safe corner for some rest, and Sha Sha brought blankets for everyone; both were exhausted, having not slept well in a long time.
Perhaps due to sensitivities heightened by the disaster, Zhao Yan woke up promptly to the sound of Ding Junyi’s footsteps.
Zhao Yan noticed Ding Junyi’s unusual complexion—her cheeks slightly flushed and beads of sweat on her forehead—and couldn’t help asking, "You don’t look so well, are you sick?"
Ding Junyi took a deep breath to compose herself, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes, picked up a blanket from the ground and wrapped it around herself before sitting down.
"Have you talked to Mr. Lin? Did they make any demands on us?"
"There aren’t any demands. They’re heading towards Yu Bei City tomorrow. We’ll see what happens then," Ding Junyi said, removing her glasses and closing her eyes.
Seeing that she showed no sign of concern, Zhao Yan whispered in her ear,
"I overheard something on their radio; it sounds like there’s a group from our Dawn Plan in Yu Bei City getting ready. Maybe we can make contact with them, head to other Underground Cities. You were right; it was a clear decision to bring the research data with us."
Ding Junyi barely lifted her gaze and said indifferently, "Go to other Underground Cities? Do you really think that’s a good decision?"
"Then what else can we do?" Xu Wen, who had also awoken, added softly, "Can’t we just keep fleeing everywhere? We are, after all, technical personnel; staying in an Underground City has to be safer than hiding in these carriages, right?"
"Director Ding, you’re an important asset to the Federation Government, don’t you want to go back?"
Ding Junyi looked up at the steel carriages wrapped in armor, with the warmth from the heating giving a strong sense of safety.
She closed her eyes, recalling the exhilarating rush from the collapsing tunnel and the unrestrained surge from earlier; she felt a sense of freedom and satisfaction breaking away from the mire. With a subtle lift of her eyes, she remained silent.