On the way back to the hibernation space, the two briefly chatted about matters concerning the Professionals.
Ren Zhong was a bit regretful, he lost money.
The professional assessment is held once a month, conducted in the hibernation space.
At that time, the rented wrist watch will activate the advanced network functions that were previously blocked, establishing a virtual body for the Professionals in the hibernation space that is almost identical to their physical form, and based on this, initiate a combat power assessment that is almost indistinguishable from real combat experience.
There are eight days until the next combat power assessment.
Ren Zhong had heard about the professional assessment before.
He thought it was merely an honor-based real combat capability certification, similar to a Level Eight craftsman in the 21st century.
He didn’t expect that, after passing the professional assessment, you could receive a fixed amount of Contribution Points in the wrist watch.
A First Level Professional can receive 0.5 points per day, another steady income for professional Scavengers.
For Scavengers who don’t have an official wrist watch, it’s even more significant than using a rented wrist watch to sleep.
That’s why official Professionals like Zheng Tian who pass the assessment have a better, higher status, and faster progress than other freelance Scavengers.
This world’s pyramid is everywhere.
Ren Zhong calculated with his fingers, he would lose 4 bucks.
Upon reaching the hibernation space, the others were either reading or studying the map, still not asleep.
As expected, Zheng Tian once again proposed going to Rat Cliff Mountain.
This wasn’t necessarily because of some mischief by the timeline convergence.
Counting within a radius of three hundred kilometers from Starfire Town, Rat Cliff Mountain, where there are indeed more beasts and fewer people, is most suitable for Zheng Tian’s team, equipped with a Thunderbolt Car, to go begging.
Yesterday, Zheng Tian listened to Ren Zhong’s request and didn’t go, feeling quite regretful, and now he’s bringing it up again, showing his mind is made up.
Ren Zhong indeed didn’t stop him again.
After all, he tried yesterday, and changing places would still result in being fleeced by professional teams, so it’s better to honestly mine rich resources.
Even if half gets taken, the income is still more than today when calculated carefully.
Moreover, the low-level First Level ruined beasts are just right for him as a newcomer to practice.
"Alright, but I have a suggestion."
Ren Zhong said with a smile.
"Zheng Tian, you’ve never been to Rat Cliff Mountain before, right?"
Zheng Tian nodded, "No, I haven’t. But Rat Cliff Mountain itself is not dangerous, as long as you get through the Second Level ruined beast blockade, it’s easy. Ever since we came back, I have been studying the map."
Ren Zhong shook his head, "That map wasn’t officially made, it’s very crude and not very valuable. I have been to Rat Cliff Mountain once before, so why don’t I lead the way tomorrow?"
Zheng Tian was stunned, "Huh?"
Although Ren Zhong’s "census officer" request was odd, Zheng Tian eventually agreed.
It was another night of sound sleep and busyness, with Ren Zhong still immersing himself in the ocean of knowledge.
"Ren ge, something’s wrong! This is not what I’ve heard! Everyone says Rat Cliff Mountain is a treasure, but we’ve been wandering for almost two hours and only hit two rats, that’s not logical!"
As she drove, Zheng Tian stared closely at the sensor, voicing her doubts.
Though the squad had already been convinced of Ren Zhong’s strategic abilities after dealing with the Blade Mantis, the income falling so far short of expectations after almost two hours was still very disheartening.
Sitting in the middle of the back row, Ren Zhong placed his hands on the driver’s seat and front passenger seat backrests, leaning forward to closely study the electronic map and occasionally looking at the road ahead.
Calculating the time and location, he calmly said, "No problem, early wealth isn’t a blessing, accumulating wealth later is the blessing. Don’t rush."
In the previous near-death experience, the team drove the Thunderbolt Car around Rat Cliff Mountain for nearly eight hours.
The area is only six square kilometers in total, and they’ve almost fully explored every corner.
As a 23-year-old genius PhD, most of Ren Zhong’s abilities came from his extraordinary memory.
That was his bread and butter.
He deliberately led them astray based on memory, going wherever there wasn’t any loot.
Encountering two of them was his error.
"Well, okay, I believe you, Ren ge." Zheng Tian said helplessly.
Ren Zhong suddenly raised his voice, "Stop! Let’s halt here. Ou Youning, take the corpse of the oil rat we caught earlier and disassemble it to make incendiary bombs with the asphalt inside."
Another three hundred meters forward, the Crystal Armor Longtail Giant Rat would enter the car’s sensor scanning range.
At that point, the fierce professional hunting dog Bei Lihui should arrive soon too.
Blast Master Ou Youning asked in confusion, "Huh? How come?"
Instead of answering, Ren Zhong jumped off the car and pointed at a palm-sized footprint on the ground, "Look here."
The others crowded around to scrutinize it.
Ren Zhong began explaining: "The ruined beast that left the track is not small, its body size is at least about a meter. It is recorded in the ruined beast database. When a large number of First Level rat-type ruined beasts gather, there is a certain likelihood of evolving a Second Level individual—the Crystal Armor Longtail Giant Rat. This rat type is covered with crystal scales, extremely tough and smooth, virtually immune to kinetic energy bullets. But it’s not invincible. Its greatest flaw is a low resistance to flames, same as ordinary animals."
Listening to his conventional operation, the others once again revered his astonishing observational skills.
After the miraculous battle with the Blade Mantis, this method of deducing the type of ruined beast from traces on the ground seemed almost normal.
Unlike the thrilling last-minute improvisation in the previous battle, the preparations this time were much more relaxed for everyone.
Just as Ou Youning was about to complete the incendiary bomb, Bei Lihui arrived with a whirlwind.
"You gotta be kidding me, right? After two hours, this is all you managed to get?"
Opening Chen Hanyu’s box, Bei Lihui frowned tightly, casting a scrutinizing look at Zheng Tian.
Zheng Tian, who had already had Wen Lei open the car compartment, pointed to the empty cargo hold and said helplessly, "Brother Hui, look. This morning was really unlucky. Sigh. If you don’t believe it, you can check our vehicle’s black box, see our patrol route, and know we really didn’t slack off."
"Fine. Remember what I said and take care of yourselves."
Grabbing two pieces of Crystal Chip, Bei Lihui quickly left.
Watching Bei Lihui’s uninterested departing figure, Ren Zhong slightly turned and looked back.
A meaningful smile spread across his face.
So what if you’re big and strong?
I can still make you drink my foot bath water.
Coming and going , you’ll only make 4 points, can’t even recover your time cost.
Zheng Tian returned to Ren Zhong’s side, not daring to ask more or say anything.
But Ren Zhong saw a faint sense of relief and mischievous joy on her face.
The morning’s poor business did, indeed, turn a misfortune into a blessing.
Only lost two pieces of Crystal Chip.
After waiting a few more minutes to ensure Bei Lihui wouldn’t come back, Ren Zhong beckoned, "Come over. Let’s draft a battle plan. Later, you’ll do as follows..."
After Ren Zhong explained, Zheng Tian was the first to oppose, "No way, Ren ge, don’t joke. It’s too risky. You just put on the armor!"
Ou Youning also said, "Yeah, Ren ge, you can’t get into trouble.
Bai Feng said nothing, only furrowing his brows, seemingly dissatisfied that the task he should have completed was taken away.
Wen Lei thought for a moment, wanting to speak several times but ultimately said nothing.
Somehow, he had great confidence in Ren Zhong.
He didn’t know where this confidence came from.
Perhaps from Ren Zhong’s talent, or perhaps from the ever-present calm demeanor this gentleman displayed.