"Ahem."
Noticing Biao Zi's dejection, Shan Mao Zi followed him and coughed lightly before offering so comfort: "Biao Ge, you don't need to be too disheartened. Both of them are from our team, and there are only three people on the entire Stellar Train who can pilot the Thunder ch."
"Our team has two of them."
"That makes our team even stronger, doesn't it?"
"..."
Biao Ge shot a resentful glance at Shan Mao Zi: "Obviously, do you think I don't know that?"
Then he strode off towards the Combat Training Virtual Space, determined to continue his training. Unfortunately, there were only two maps available, and even if he cleared both, there was a limit to his progress. If only he could have two more map chips, his potential would be much higher.
But he also knew.
Map chips were extrely rare. Many trains didn't even have one, and the fact that the Stellar Train had two was already a testant to Lord Mang's capabilities. Obtaining a third one wouldn't be easy.
In the short term, there wasn't much he could do to quickly push the limits of his physical fitness index.
This also ant that, for now, he wouldn't have a chance to pilot the Thunder ch.
Could he not feel resentful?
He was utterly resentful, feeling like he was turning into Lin Daiyu.
"Is it reacting now?"
Inside the Stellar Train, Chen Mang looked at the ticket glowing red under the walkie-talkie. This was sothing he had exchanged for a Murphy Stone on the train radio so ti ago.
-
Special Item: Neon City Ticket.
Item Effect: An entry ticket to the fortuitous encounter map 'Neon City.' When this ticket emits a red light, crushing it will grant access to this fortuitous encounter map.
-
It was finally reacting, continuously glowing red.
The flashing was slowing down, and it was expected to completely extinguish in about a minute. If he didn't crush the ticket within that ti, he would miss this opportunity.
He imdiately crushed it.
Soon, a panel appeared before him.
Fortuitous Encounter Map: Neon City.
The train cannot enter. A maximum of 11 people can enter. Please have the Train Conductor select 10 mbers from the train crew to accompany them. The Train Conductor must go.
"The train can't enter?"
Chen Mang picked up the walkie-talkie and contacted Xiao Ai: "Have the nine mbers of the Guardian Team One and Li Shiji co to the train compartnt. While I'm away, I'm giving you full authority over all firepower components and resource allocation. If any train approaches, issue one warning. If they don't comply, open fire imdiately."
"If you can't win, evacuate the residents first."
By now, the ticket had turned into countless light particles, forming a portal beside him. When he exited the fortuitous encounter map, he would return to the train compartnt.
Soon—
The nine mbers of Guardian Team One and Li Shiji had all arrived, fully ard. Biao Zi, in particular, looked relieved. He had just entered the Combat Training Virtual Space and hadn't yet entered the map, so he could still join this mission.
Otherwise, such a great opportunity to earn rit would have slipped away.
"This fortuitous encounter map is unknown, so everyone, stay safe."
Chen Mang took all the special items he could carry and even had Zhang Yi carry a refrigerator filled with supplies, including enough food and water, as well as 15 off-road motorcycles.
Right after.
Biao Zi took the lead and strode into the portal, followed closely by a group of Guardians who filed in one after another.
After passing through the portal.
The scene before them opened up almost instantly, giving a feeling akin to entering the Peach Blossom Spring. Behind the portal was a square located in the heart of a bustling city, with nearly over 1,000 people standing in it.
The periter of the square was encircled by an air wall.
Above the square, there was a light screen introducing the rules of this Fortuitous Encounter map.
-
"Fortuitous Encounter Map: Neon City."
"This map prohibits mutual attacks and has no aggressive elents. It is an entertainnt Fortuitous Encounter map."
"Created by the 'chanical Civilization,' this city has only one purpose: relaxation."
"However."
"It has been a long ti since anyone set foot in this city seeking relaxation, and the city has long awaited the return of its master."
"If you are tired in the apocalypse, co here to relax."
"This city not only offers relaxation but also many Fortuitous Encounters waiting for you to explore."
"Maximum stay: 48 hours."
"Go forth and taste the forbidden fruit."
-
After quickly absorbing all the information from the light screen above, Chen Mang began to survey his surroundings. Nearly a thousand people around him were whispering and chatting, creating a cacophony of noise. Clearly, they were all Train Conductors.
Assuming each Train Conductor could bring 10 Train Crew mbers.
There were probably around 100 Train Conductors here.
He narrowed his eyes slightly as he observed the city. Everyone's spawn point was the central square of the city, which looked sowhat similar to the two chanical cities he had visited before. However, this ti, the skyscrapers were no longer the cold, oppressive black color.
There was no sense of oppression here.
It was great.
It seed that the chanical Civilization wasn't solely about oppression.
However.
All the buildings were in dopamine-inducing colors—blue, purple, green, red, and more. Combined with the neon lights that could easily be called light pollution, the entire city looked like a rainbow, reminiscent of non-mainstream hair colors.
All the billboards and building lights were constantly illuminated.
You could even hear music playing in the streets.
But not a single pedestrian could be seen on the streets.
Chen Mang looked down at the wristwatch that had sohow appeared on his wrist. It displayed "Balance: 10,000 points," which was the currency of this city. With this, he could make purchases in the city's stores.
Just then—
The air wall slowly disappeared.
The crowd in the square imdiately scattered in all directions, everyone in a hurry. Clearly, no one was too concerned about entertainnt; they were all more interested in the Fortuitous Encounters this city had to offer.
Chen Mang was no exception.
He looked toward the west, where an extrely eye-catching billboard stood.
"chanical Train Parts Store."
Damn it!
There's even a store for this?
What the hell is there to hesitate about? Of course, he was going to spend! He wondered how much 10,000 points could buy.
The billboard was about a kiloter away.
Almost half of the people were sprinting down the street toward that store, afraid of being too slow.
"Tsk."
Chen Mang clicked his tongue and chuckled as he watched the crowd. Then, he swung his leg over the off-road motorcycle, twisted the throttle, and roared down the wide street toward the store a kiloter away!
"Vroom! Vroom!!"
Biao Zi and the others drove off-road motorcycles, twisting the throttle to follow closely behind Lord Mang.
No matter how fast one runs, how could they possibly outpace wheels!
In the blink of an eye, Chen Mang and his group had already overtaken the main force, speeding along the wide, deserted street toward the "chanical Train Parts Store" at the end of the road!
Especially eye-catching was the refrigerator Zhang Yi was carrying on his shoulder.
"Huh?"
A Train Conductor, who had been running with his head down, suddenly heard the sound of engines behind him. He paused briefly, but before he could react, a group of people on off-road motorcycles zood past him, leaving him dumbfounded on the spot.
He instinctively stopped.
Turning to look back at the square, he wondered if there were shared motorcycles available for rent there.
He hadn't noticed any.
But in the midst of the crowd, the mont he stopped, he was knocked down from behind, and countless feet trampled over his head.
Three minutes later.
The man struggled to get up from the ground. He felt no pain or injuries—this map prohibited mutual attacks. The mont he fell, a faint yellow light enveloped him, protecting him from harm, though he was left sowhat disheveled.
Most importantly—
He had lost contact with his thugs. Looking around, he realized he was alone. His expression turned grim as he shouted toward the marathon-like scene on the street ahead.
"People from the King of Electronic Music Train, stop running, damn it, co back!"
But clearly, in such chaos, his voice didn't carry as far as he had hoped.
Cursing under his breath, he continued to follow!
Why did those people have motorcycles? Wasn't that cheating?!
And, though he wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, the leader of the group seed sowhat familiar. He had only caught a glimpse as they passed by, so he couldn't be certain.
Soon—
Chen Mang parked his off-road motorcycle in front of the "chanical Train Parts Store." The crowd on the street behind him was still running desperately. He jumped off the motorcycle and, with Biao Zi and the others, strode into the store.
anwhile, Zhang Yi, carrying the refrigerator, was responsible for storing all the off-road motorcycles inside it.
Otherwise, they would definitely be stolen—or worse, taken by force.
The store's entrance was massive, with the doorway alone stretching ten ters long.
As soon as they entered the store.
"Welco."
A pleasant voice suddenly rang in their ears. Chen Mang turned his head and saw a woman standing at the entrance, smiling at him. She was quite attractive, but her appearance made it clear she was a robot.
"This is the chanical Train Parts Store. You can purchase any items here."
"You are free to browse the first floor. The second floor is restricted to Train Conductors of level 10 and above. Your current level does not et the requirent, sir."
"Are there any living people in this city?"
Chen Mang glanced around the store before asking.
The woman didn't respond, continuing to smile at him. Clearly, this question was beyond her database. Her intelligence level wasn't high, far inferior to Xiao Ai's.
Chen Mang didn't press further. Instead, he led Biao Zi and the others into the store.
The store was spacious.
Only a row of cabinets lined the walls, each cabinet divided into three layers. Every 10 centiters on each layer, a screen displayed product information, prices, and stock levels.
"Drill Bit Blueprint": White-grade Vehicle Component, priced at 15,000 points, stock: 2.
"Lighter Production Line Blueprint": White-grade Vehicle Component, priced at 8,000 points, stock: 1.
"Custom Screen Production Line Blueprint": Green-grade Vehicle Component, priced at 30,000 points, stock: 4.
"."
"Murphy Stone": Special Item, priced at 100,000 points, stock: 18.
"."
"Zombie Siege": Special Item, Map Chip, requires Level 5 'Combat Training Virtual Space' to use, priced at 50,000 points, stock: 1.
"."
-
The store was filled with a dazzling array of nearly a hundred items, though the stock for most was quite limited. Many items had a stock of 0, likely due to a long period without restocking.
This city had been abandoned for a long ti.
Perhaps even before they arrived, the neon lights of this city had not been lit for ages.
Although it was just the first level of the area.
But the goods were all high-quality, and there were many things he desired, such as the "Zombie Siege" Map Chip. However, the price...
Chen Mang glanced down at the 10,000-point balance on his wristwatch. This was the initial balance given to every Train Conductor, and only the Train Conductor had it. The Train Crew mbers did not receive any. With this amount, he could only afford a white-grade Accessory Blueprint.
And even then, only the more basic ones.
Slightly better white-grade components cost over 10,000 points, which was beyond his ans.
In other words.
This store was essentially set up for them to look at, not for them to actually purchase anything. At this mont, several Train Conductors, panting heavily, rushed into the store with their subordinates, their eyes filled with excitent and anxiety.
As if they were afraid Chen Mang would buy up all the good items.
But soon.
After seeing the prices, these people fell into a sullen silence, realizing that with their current balance, they couldn't afford anything in the store.
One Train Conductor cursed as he walked out of the store, sneering coldly as he passed Chen Mang.
"Being fast doesn't help much."
"."
Chen Mang ignored the man and instead led Biao Zi and the others out of the store. Standing on the street, he looked up at the towering skyscrapers with their flickering neon lights and smiled.
He always believed one thing.
There was no such thing as a useless item.
Since the store had appeared, it must have been ant to serve them. If their balance wasn't enough, then they just needed to earn more points.
"How's your gambling skill?"
He turned to Li Shiji with a smile.
"If it's about gambling..."
Li Shiji shook his head firmly. "I'm completely clueless."
"Let's give it a try."
Chen Mang gestured for Zhang Yi to retrieve the off-road motorcycle from the Refrigerator. "A city focused on entertainnt must have casinos, amusent centers, and the like. This map must have places where we can earn points."
"Let's go find them."
"Our advantage is that we have transportation, allowing us to explore more of this city."
"How much cola did we bring? Let's not sleep for the next 48 hours."
"We brought over 200 cans."
"That's enough."
Chen Mang mounted the off-road motorcycle, propping one foot on the ground as he looked ahead. He twisted the throttle again, and with a roar, sped down the street. He planned to first find a small store or newspaper stand to see if he could get a map of the city.
The newspaper office was probably nowhere to be found; the term didn't align with the architectural style of this city.
As expected.
There wasn't a single living soul in this city, only so pre-programd robots serving as staff in every store.
Just then—
Biao Zi twisted the throttle and caught up, licking his lips with a hint of restless excitent.
"Lord Mang, it seems this city doesn't have any firepower equipnt."
"How about we just try robbing it directly?"
"Let's pull off a big one!"
(End of Chapter)
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