The blizzard ceased, and in the dead of night, the "Infinity" halted atop the snowfield, the tracks ahead deeply buried by the white snow.
Chen Sixuan, KIKI, and Sha Sha all felt like they had enjoyed a comfortable sleep. After everyone woke up, Lin Xian also went to catch some sleep, waiting for the progress of the water purifier blueprints.
"Do you feel that the sense of unease has disappeared?"
After waking up, Chen Sixuan went to carriage three to take a look and, seeing that Zhao Yan and the other two were also sound asleep, she then asked Sha Sha to replace her brother, Big Building, and keep an eye on the carriages at the back.
KIKI stretched while sitting in front of the computer and said, "Now that you mention it, it does seem to be gone."
Chen Sixuan opened the blackout blind and looked out at the endless dark snow plains, then said, "Based on the distance we have traveled, it should get light around 16:00 today. KIKI, see if you can catch any messages from the direction of Yu Bei City."
KIKI nodded, picked up the radio, and started searching for information.
"Federation Phoenix Association daily survival radio broadcast, according to the Star Abyss monitoring department’s statistical report, the currently safer areas are in the Asia-Pacific Continent’s Tianhai Province, from Jiazhou City going east to Wei River, Longjiang, Jin Hai, and Star City are the 3rd and 4th distant points; from Feng City heading west to the Western Desert, Tagan Desert, and east-southeast to Jin River, Yunan Ridge, and Tian Ji are the 5th and 7th Star Abyss distant points; Blue Ocean Continent... North America... Surviving migrating individuals may choose the nearest direction; second-tier cities that have not entered the polar night areas all have Phoenix Society Rescue Association stations."
"Zzzzzz... The 53rd tip for emergency acquisition of survival resources..."
"Zzzzz... The importance of water goes without saying, today we have invited microbiology expert Professor Qi to explain to us the harm the Black Rain is currently doing to the surface freshwater..."
"Zzzz... In order to further strengthen human resistance against Abnormal Bodies, the Federation Phoenix Association is recruiting superpower users to join the [Nightwalkers] organization."
"Zzzzz... Federation Radio updates for the Yu Bei Area report a full city zombie tide in Yu Bei City. Multiple sightings of Abnormal Bodies reported tonight, Yu Bei Airport Number One is resisting with full force..."
"Tsk, tsk..." KIKI kept adjusting the radio frequency, frowning slightly, "The situation in Yu Bei City seems troublesome. If the climbing channel stops, I’m afraid that those who’ve entered won’t be able to get out."
Chen Sixuan replied, "Stopping isn’t the biggest problem for us, as long as the aerial corridors haven’t fallen, and the ascending channels aren’t clogged, we can go up. The current problem is that we don’t know the actual situation once we get into the city."
"Take it one step at a time."
KIKI then operated the drone to ascend again, to re-examine the surroundings.
It was around 10 a.m. now, and Lin Xian had slept for a few hours after waking up, feeling quite refreshed.
Whether it was due to the Heterogeneous Rubik’s Cube or not, he felt as restored as if he’d slept for 12 hours, and with the enhancement of his strength and defense attributes, his physical condition had tremendously improved as well, feeling completely rejuvenated.
Chen Sixuan was making hot soup. With the nuclear-powered locomotive providing electrical power, all kinds of equipment on the train could now be used freely. Therefore, the electric stove and oven Sha Sha had collected at Yuchi could also be utilized. If it weren’t for the lack of fresh vegetables, Lin Xian had no doubt that Chen Sixuan would even be ready to stir-fry a dish.
"How is it going?" inquired Lin Xian.
"Dr. Zhao and Dr. Xu are still asleep. However, Director Ding woke up very early and has been working in the third carriage nonstop. I have no idea what she’s busy with."
"I’ll go take a look and also arrange the armor on the new carriages. Once it’s light out, we’ll set off," Lin Xian said.
At this point, he took a glance at the Research and Development Center, where the blueprint’s upgrade research showed only 20 more minutes remaining. He was pleased and, not wanting to waste time, he headed directly toward the rear carriages.
Carriage Number 2, KIKI pulled up the blueprint of Cole’s carriage equipment and said to Lin Xian,
"See, I told you there’s an existing one. This carriage set has a complete air circulation system. By relying on this design and connecting all the carriages, once you get the water purification equipment going, you can achieve the water and oxygen circulation system you wanted."
Lin Xian was delighted with what he saw, "Once I get the armoured compartment sorted out, I will install the water purifier."
"By the way, carriage number 7 is now connected to the nuclear-powered locomotive. Do you want to set up other doors to make it easier for us to get on and off the train?" KIKI’s computer displayed the entire train’s blueprint highlighted with blue lines. Pointing in the direction of both ends, she said, "There are doors in the front and rear cockpits, which are fine for entering and exiting. But if we need to transport cargo, it might be a bit troublesome."
"I know." Lin Xian nodded, "I plan to add a side door to carriage number 7. I’m also considering whether to add skylights to carriage number 6 and carriage number 1, maybe install an elevator of some sort..."
"An elevator?" KIKI looked perplexed, "Are you planning to eject yourself out?"
Lin Xian explained, a little helplessly, "I’m planning to install some weapon systems on the roof, like gun turrets or firearms. It’s best if they’re retractable; otherwise they are easily damaged if we encounter trouble."
KIKI’s eyes lit up, "Like the gun pods on air gunboats? How thrilling! Why don’t you put one on carriage number 2 as well? I’ll do the shooting. I’ll make sure not a single enemy is left standing."
KIKI quickly found a picture on her computer and showed it to Lin Xian: "Here, one. But the pod needs to be made of high-protection bullet-resistant materials, otherwise it’s just silly..."
Lin Xian looked at it and was immediately taken aback, "No, that’s an electromagnetic gun, what I was talking about is..."
"Aw~" KIKI waved her hand, interrupting him, "You’ve got to dream big. Of course, I know what you’re talking about, just a shooting turret, right? Our train will upgrade step by step. In the future, we can definitely make use of these advanced weapons. Don’t worry about it."
"Alright, when the time comes, I’ll design a mecha gun turret specially for you." Lin Xian smiled ruefully, wondering how this girl could be more obsessed with advanced equipment than himself, a Mechanical Superpower User.
That’s right, he now has a Research and Development Center. His ambitions should be set higher. Perhaps in the future, the weapons systems on board the Infinity might not even need bullets. With the nuclear-powered carriage, things would be much easier for him.
When he came to carriage number 3, Ding Junyi was busy with her laptop at her workstation. The cultivation pod of the Hell Black Chrysanthemum was placed beside her. Seeing Lin Xian walk in, she asked,
"Are we setting off?"
Lin Xian upon opening the conversation: "Are you researching this thing?"
Ding Junyi responded indifferently, "I’m just continuing previous research. This carriage has basically all the equipment it should have. If you need these materials or wish to prohibit me from using your property, just let me know. Until you explicitly agreed to let me on board, my status is still your captive."
"Captive?" Lin Xian chuckled, "If you were really captives, I would have put you all in iron cages last night."
Ding Junyi turned to look at him, her gaze calm.
"Thank you for your kind treatment."
"Don’t thank me just yet." Lin Xian said solemnly, "The situation in Yu Bei City is worse than we thought. When we get there, I might not be able to help you."