Lin Xian’s gaze swept over, indeed most of the vehicles were smeared with some color, but it was hard to tell whether it was paint or blood.
Human civilization is such that, after the collapse of order, new orders can spontaneously emerge.
In the darkness, these frail orders are like faint flames, quickly attracting the drifting post-apocalyptic groups to converge.
In an unknown environment, wanting to plunder others while also being prepared to be plundered, like the ’Oasis’ caravan that prepared to rob as soon as it left the city, directly branding the whole group as thugs, these people actually also contribute to the disruption of order.
"Don’t you guys worry about those monsters with so many people gathered together?"
Lin Xian tentatively asked.
"Oh, you mean the Soul Swinging Value Detector? That thing is troublesome, it needs the power of red beans, and it’s also a consumable. Previously, the Federation Phoenix Association released a method for making a simple harmonic detection device, which mentioned using this device for regional detection to increase the survival probability of the survivors. Some people who are proficient in mechanical components among the survivors managed to make some, and our Wind Chasing Team has one, it cost us quite a bit."
As he said this, KIKI suddenly turned her big eyes towards Lin Xian and elbowed him.
Lin Xian’s heart moved, and he returned a glance to KIKI, obviously understanding her hint.
Mechanical Manufacturing?
Wasn’t that his strength? With just his hands, as long as he had materials and blueprints, Lin Xian could even improve precision to the industrial level!
"So, can this device also be used for trading?"
"Of course, it can!" The young man’s eyes widened as he spoke loudly, "These detectors are now in high demand, priceless unless you go to large cities or survivor gathering points, where else can you find such a hand-cranked detector genius in the wilderness?"
"Moreover, not only are supplies scarce, but it’s also freezing cold; energy, heating devices, water purification equipment, radios, medicines, which aren’t in high demand? Drinking rainwater under the darkness of night can kill you!"
"Also, the temperature keeps dropping, if we keep going , we’ll freeze to death before being bitten by zombies."
The young man kept talking as he walked through the snow, soon leading Lin Xian to the factory’s main gate.
"Here we are, Brother Yun is over there, you guys talk, I have to go on night watch," he pointed inside the factory.
Inside, the original workshop had become ruins, a pile of firewood was lit, rising a not small bonfire, the orange-red light reflecting the shadows of about a dozen people shaking.
Those dozen people turned their heads upon seeing Lin Xian and KIKI approaching; they scattered around the bonfire, some standing, some sitting on the ground, some on the rubble, and others holding bottles of alcohol.
These people, both men and women, young and old, among them Jiang Yun saw Lin Xian, immediately smiled and greeted him.
"Over here, what should I call you?"
Hearing this, it seemed like the other party was asking for the name of his team.
Lin Xian thought for a moment, "Unlimited Fleet."
Unlimited Fleet, but driving a train...
"OK," Jiang Yun made a welcoming gesture to Lin Xian and KIKI, "Make yourselves at home, there aren’t many rules here, just speak up if you need something, others might want to trade with you, they’ll bring out their own stuff, of course, everyone can compete, it’s up to you to choose, but since we’re all gathered here it’s not easy, besides getting to know each other, it’s best to share some recent encounters or information, be more vigilant and gain some experience, in case you run into each other again in the future."
"For instance, you came here via the Jiangyu Line into Yu Bei City, some people here will go that way, and others towards Feng City and Star City, though everyone is heading east but the routes are different too."
"I heard you guys are driving a train?"
As Jiang Yun just finished speaking, a short-haired woman in her thirties immediately asked Lin Xian.
Lin Xian’s gaze turned towards her.
"Shu Qin, from the Bigfoot Caravan." Seeing Lin Xian’s gaze, the woman introduced herself first. "No other intent, our route took us from Daluo Mountain south to here. Next, we are also heading to Yu Bei. Just wanted to mention that a few days ago, we saw Federation trains transporting heavy equipment towards Daluo Mountain. It seems like an Abnormal Area or Big Strange Body has appeared. If you take the Jiangyu Line, you might pass through that area, so just a heads-up."
Lin Xian’s face changed slightly upon hearing this. "I understand, thank you."
The words of Shu Qin suddenly made him lower the guard he had at this campfire meeting, and at the same time, he grew a bit more fond of this woman.
"Alright, let’s continue," Jiang Yun said seriously to Lin Xian. "We’ve already discussed some things earlier, and since a new friend has joined us, let me reiterate some important news that might help everyone present in matters of life and death, and that’s also one of the reasons why we risk gathering here."
"Besides the information from the Bigfoot Caravan, there are two main pieces of news. One is about an eerie 1542 radio frequency occurring from Ping A Lake to the mountains, North Bay, and Daluo Mountain. Three caravans here have received it during the night and even experienced disappearances. We suspect it might be related to the Abnormal Area that the Bigfoot Caravan mentioned."
Disappeared personnel?
"Is this the radio station that you modified with the red beads?" KIKI curiously asked then.
Jiang Yun nodded. "Yes, I suggest you quickly equip one too. Otherwise, it’s going to be troublesome if you can’t receive many of the surrounding caravan or official warning messages. If you want these red beans, many caravans here have them; you can look around later and see what you can trade for it."
"Then, the second piece of information."
Jiang Yun took a deep breath, looking at Lin Xian, "In the Star Abyss Polar Night Area 3, there have been sightings of corpse chasers!"
As soon as he said this, it seemed like the temperature of the air dropped a degree. Although the other 12 caravan leaders already knew, their faces still slightly changed hearing it again from Jiang Yun.
"Corpse chasers?" Lin Xian’s brow furrowed upon hearing the name; for some reason, it sent chills down his spine.
"Are they even human?" KIKI asked, frowning.
Jiang Yun shook his head. "We don’t know. No one knows what they are. All the information comes from dark frequency radios nearby."
He gestured towards a middle-aged burly man opposite him.
"Our Wind Chasing Team and their Black Sword Cavalry Group just escaped from the polar night. We’ve confirmed that on that radio station we heard the kind of hellish wailing that the Phoenix Society described. It’s said that these are omens of the corpse chasers’ presence..."
Lin Xian was startled upon hearing this.
Speaking of which, when they had killed that red Earthworm, he had heard such hellish wailing near the black smoke, which startled him at the time. Now, recalling Jiang Yun’s words, it came back to him.
"These corpse chasers are rumored to be a bizarre entity spawned by Star Abyss. They hadn’t appeared during the first polar night, but from the second polar night onwards, many reports have emerged from areas near Star Abyss. The Heavy Iron Guard Brigade once carried heavy drones, armor, and kinetic weapons to scout in Star Abyss, but it ended in total annihilation. Only through dark frequency radios did they hear countless wails like those from hell. Some survivors speculated they were some kind of humanoid creatures, though it’s not necessarily credible. But this notion has spread, and now they are called by Phoenix Society as corpse chasers..."
"Wow, that’s terrifying, even Mecha are not useful?" KIKI exclaimed, losing color.
"Little sister, if it were useful, would we still need to escape?" A bearded man gloomily smiled at this, "Now it’s not just us, even the Federation Phoenix Society doesn’t know exactly what’s inside the polar night. Every day there are countless witness and attack reports being conveyed on the radios. For instance, have you ever seen a jellyfish?"
"Jellyfish? What’s so strange about that..." KIKI frowned.
"I’m talking about a jellyfish as big as a mountain," the bearded man said gravely, pointing upwards.
"Indeed... in the sky above Ping A Lake, there might have been survivors who spotted it," Shu Qin’s expression darkened. "It’s terrifying..."
Lin Xian’s face changed on hearing this, "As big as a mountain? Is that what you call a Big Strange Body?"
"That’s right." Jiang Yun nodded, his expression grim. "In the night, there are all sorts of terrifying, inexplicable entities. Not to mention bugs and monsters, the most troublesome are those indescribable beings."
Many looked at Lin Xian, their expressions a mix of complexity and unease. Jiang Yun responded gravely.
As he spoke, suddenly a cold wind blew, and the crackling campfire seemed to respond, as the flames quickly dwindled, dimming the entire space.
The atmosphere suddenly turned cold.