Lin Xian could clearly see the tension on Zhao Yan and Xu Wen’s faces, but he had no intention of explaining anything to them. They had risked their lives coming here—not to play mind games with a few researchers. Since they had arrived, Ding Junyi needed to follow through on her promise immediately.
Ding Junyi glanced at Lin Xian, then at the mobile terminal KIKI was holding out to her. After a brief pause, she entered the password and pressed her fingerprint without hesitation.
At that moment, Zhao Yan, Xu Wen, and Han Qiming held their breath. They were terrified that as soon as Ding Junyi finished, Lin Xian’s group would mercilessly execute them on the spot.
【Beep, authorization complete.】
A mechanical voice confirmed the process.
KIKI cheerfully grabbed the device and checked the interface. As expected, it granted access to the underground city's internal management system. She grinned at Ding Junyi.
Ding Junyi turned to Lin Xian and reported,
“The Gemini 11R Nuclear Electric Locomotive is currently docked at the Level-5 Freight Terminal—on the 95th floor. The system was taken offline five days ago, but the logs contain the last recorded footage to confirm its presence.”
“Yes. I suspect structural damage in the underground city might have affected the tunnels below the 89th floor.”
The air grew heavier at her words.
Zhao Yan and Xu Wen could tell Lin Xian was very interested in the locomotive, but this information was completely negative.
"You… you have the access now. You're taking us with you, right?" Zhao Yan’s face was ashen, her body trembling.
Xu Wen huddled close to her, looking at Lin Xian in fear.
Lin Xian furrowed his brows, ignoring them, and turned to KIKI.
"What's the situation?"
"Pretty much what she said…" KIKI's fingers danced over the mobile terminal.
“The system confirms that a Gemini 11R Nuclear Electric Locomotive was active at that terminal, but it's now offline. We'll have to go down there to check it out.”
Coming all this way just to get system access would be a waste.
Lin Xian turned around, sweeping a cold gaze over the researchers.
"You have ten minutes."
"Ten—ten minutes?! What do you mean?! Are you going to kill us?" Xu Wen cried out in panic.
Lin Xian’s expression darkened. He looked at Ding Junyi, the only one still somewhat composed.
"Miss Ding, pack your things. We leave for the train in ten minutes. Nightfall is coming.
There are all kinds of monsters out there. If any of you fall behind, I won't be turning back for a rescue.”
Hearing this, Ding Junyi relaxed slightly, nodding.
“We’re already prepared. Ten minutes is more than enough.”
This lab was merely a temporary shelter during the catastrophe.
Aside from research materials, they had no personal belongings.
If Ding Junyi hadn’t reminded them, the others wouldn't have even thought to gather their work logs.
The other three researchers also exhaled in relief at Lin Xian’s words. Their attitudes shifted instantly, and they hurriedly nodded.
"Understood! Thank you, Mr. Lin!"
"We'll get ready right away!"
"Quick, quick, pack up!"
But then, in an unexpected move, Ding Junyi bent down, took off her shoes, and broke off the heels before slipping them back on.
She then stuffed several portable hard drives into her pocket.
“These contain research data from the institute, as well as some underground city information.
Of course, now that you have access, you can retrieve everything directly.
This is just a backup.
Besides, if there’s anything else in this lab that you want, I can help.”
After saying that, she picked up a Geiger counter from the workbench and handed it to Lin Xian.
“The Core Reactor No. 1 in the underground city has already melted down.
The emergency isolation doors were sealed, but since the main structure is damaged, there is a risk of nuclear leakage.
If you're going deeper underground, you’ll need this.”
"I like your attitude."
Lin Xian appreciated people who got straight to the point.
Someone like Ding Junyi might be exhausting to deal with in daily life, but when it came to business, she was efficient and reliable.
Just then, KIKI walked over, holding up the research files on the Blood Scourge Flora, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Lin Xian, should we take this thing with us? It looks really mysterious—who knows, it might be valuable!"
Before Lin Xian could respond, Ding Junyi spoke seriously.
“If possible, I strongly recommend that you take it.
From a research standpoint, its value surpasses Eerie Blood Crystals.
We suspect it has a direct link to Abilities and the Apocalypse Night.
It’s also classified as an important Federation asset.”
Lin Xian turned to study the containment pod holding the Blood Scourge Flora.
After a brief pause, he nodded.
"Luo Ye, take it. But if it causes trouble on the way, dump it. Lives matter more."
Luo Ye grinned and nodded. “Got it.”
Ding Junyi’s eyes flickered with a subtle expression as she watched Lin Xian.
She took a closer look at this not-so-old yet not-too-young man, as if trying to figure something out.
Meanwhile, Luo Ye slung his heavy machine gun over his back.
Seeing this, Han Qiming hurried over, eager to help.
"This—this needs to be disconnected from the power supply.
It’s a self-sustaining incubation pod with an internal circulation system.
Here, let me show you…"
He expertly assisted Luo Ye in dismantling it.
KIKI, looking around the lab, sighed regretfully.
“This lab has so much great equipment—like the air circulation system and plant cultivation chambers.
Feels like such a waste to leave them behind.”
Lin Xian glanced around, his interest piqued.
However, these research tools weren’t their main priority.
Even if they brought them aboard, they wouldn’t be immediately useful.
For now, their top priorities were energy systems and weapons.
Medical and survival systems came next, including things like plant incubation chambers—but only if they could find a way to integrate them.
Still, finding the underground city’s AI module would have been the biggest prize, but that was already impossible.
From Ding Junyi’s information, the central control system had been removed long ago, leaving only subsystems and backup energy.
Ding Junyi overheard their conversation and suddenly asked,
"Why do you even need this equipment?"
Lin Xian replied flatly,
"You're a scientist. Do you not understand their value?"
"My apologies, I didn't phrase that correctly," she corrected herself.
"I mean… these are research tools. They're important to us, but…"
"But why would we care about research tools when we're fighting for survival?" Lin Xian interrupted.
Ding Junyi realized she had overstepped but still nodded.
"Yes. But you don’t have to tell me."
Lin Xian responded coolly,
"You’ve already figured out my goal.
If the train is a mobile survival base, then beyond food and supplies, I also need useful equipment.
That’s why I agreed to cooperate with you.
Energy systems, weapons, air and water purification, medical facilities—I need all of it.
If possible, I’d even take mobile research labs.
So tell me where I can find them.”
Ding Junyi’s icy expression briefly flickers with shock.
“You’re trying to turn the train into a mobile underground city?”
Lin Xian met her gaze head-on.
"Got a problem with that?"
Ding Junyi stared at him for a long moment before speaking.
“No… but if that’s the case, you’ll want to check GF4’s internal lift terminal.
It has two Kor-3 Biological Science Research Carriages—J5-grade labs equipped with high-end experimental equipment.”
KIKI’s eyes lit up with excitement.
“See? I told you we’d find something good!”