Chapter 182

"So that's how it is. What about 1130?"

Lin Xian placed the blueprint for the 1130 close-in weapon system inside again.

Ding!

At this moment, the research center flashed again, but last time it was red light—this time it turned yellow.

【This blueprint is of higher rank. Current mechanical manufacturing level: 3. Research time increased by 25%.】

【Please select the weapon's development direction:】

【Firepower】（15 days 18 hours）

【Mobility】（11 days 22 hours）

【Accuracy】（12 days 9 hours）

"That's enough. If mechanical manufacturing reaches level 4, developing this should take only about ten days."

Now Lin Xian had a clear idea, so he stopped overthinking and chose to upgrade the sniper rifle again—but this time he didn't pick firepower, he picked mobility.

"This gun is still too big for Chen Laoshi. If mobility improves, it'll suit her better."

Lin Xian wasn't worried about the weapon's power after the blueprint upgrade; the main concern was making it more suitable for Chen Sixuan. Besides, Chen Sixuan had now joined the combat roster, and he was genuinely concerned for her safety.

【Prompt: The A33K heavy anti-materiel sniper rifle blueprint is currently undergoing upgrade research. 3 days, 11: 9: 9】

"Take your time developing it."

Lin Xian exhaled, stopped wasting time, and began devouring the intercity train's locomotive ahead.

【Devouring progress: 1%】

Lin Xian sensed the speed—the intercity locomotive's power wasn't on the same level as the Huanxing 7F electric locomotive, and its size was significantly smaller. He estimated it would take roughly two to three hours to finish one, and he could complete them all before dawn.

Time passed second by second.

【Devouring progress: 30%】

【Devouring progress: 60%】

【Devouring successful. Mechanical source points +300. Mechanical Devouring skill proficiency +100. Bonus reward: Strength +10, Speed +5, Defense +10!】

Two hours later, a prompt appeared before Lin Xian. The intercity locomotive suddenly turned to ash. His feet lost support—he immediately clutched Kiki close and landed on the tracks amid a cloud of dust.

"Mmm! "

Kiki, asleep in his arms, woke at the disturbance. She let out a soft murmur with her eyes closed, squirmed upward, and pressed her small face against Lin Xian's shoulder, falling back asleep.

This girl had a peculiar sleeping posture.

Her face was pressed against him, lips slightly pouted, her tender lips constantly exhaling warm breath onto his neck, causing a faint tingling sensation.

Seeing this, Lin Xian couldn't help himself—his heart leapt. Without thinking, he lowered his head and sealed his lips over her soft, fragrant mouth. Instantly, a plush, sweet sensation filled his touch. Kiki, whether asleep or not, suddenly responded by leaning in, letting out a soft muffled sound as her lips parted.

Kiki's spontaneous response instantly stirred him. Heat surged through his chest and lower abdomen. He immediately pulled away and forcibly suppressed the agitation within.

Damn it, I was devouring a locomotive—why did I end up kissing her?

He looked at Kiki again and found she was still sound asleep, completely unaware of what had just happened—as if she'd merely reacted unconsciously.

He quickly opened his system panel, exhaled inwardly, and shifted his focus.

"~Now each locomotive only gives 300 mechanical source points. To reach level 4, I need to devour sixteen of these trains..."

After reaching level 3, mechanical source point gains dropped again. He guessed the Huanxing 7F electric locomotive, which previously yielded 500, would now only give around 400.

"If quality won't improve, I'll have to rely on quantity."

The 100-point proficiency gain from Mechanical Devouring was still very substantial. If he upgraded Mechanical Devouring to level 4 and took advantage of longer daylight hours, he could boost himself further by devouring more large machinery.

…

All night, the responder never rang. The grim, dark platform held nothing but a chilling, hair-raising coldness.

Lin Xian remained on guard, devouring locomotives, until 6 a. . The freight platform of Yuzhen was still dark, but the tracks were now far emptier—besides the Wuxianhao, most trains had vanished.

Two freight locomotives, plus the chemical tank car's locomotive—three locomotives and several carriages—had all been devoured by Lin Xian.

This nearly drained him completely.

【Success! Mechanical Source Points +320, Mechanical Consumption skill proficiency +100, bonus rewards: Strength +20, Speed +15, Defense +8!】【Success! Mechanical Source Points +280, Mechanical Consumption skill proficiency +100, bonus rewards: Strength +15, Speed +12, Defense +15!】

【Success! Mechanical Source Points +330, Mechanical Consumption skill proficiency +100, bonus rewards: Strength +13, Speed +15, Defense +13!】

【Success! Mechanical Source Points +15, Mechanical Consumption skill proficiency +5, bonus reward: Strength +2】

【Success! Mechanical Source Points +13, Mechanical Consumption skill proficiency +5, bonus reward: Defense +1】

【Disassemble: Obtained 500 units of high-manganese steel, 500 units of hot-rolled forged steel, 250 units of cold-rolled dual-phase steel plate, 1200 units of ordinary carbon steel, non-metallic foam material, non-metallic composite material...】

【Disassemble: Obtained glass, plastic, iron, aluminum, copper, semiconductor components, bipolar transistors, diodes, field-effect transistors, integrated circuits, resistors, capacitors, inductors, circuit boards...】

Three locomotives and over a dozen train cars granted Lin Xian 1155 Mechanical Source Points and 375 Mechanical Consumption proficiency, along with +55 Strength, +50 Speed, and +41 Defense.

Meanwhile, the fabrication center acquired large quantities of metal materials and several high-grade steels.

A tremendous harvest!

【Current Mechanical Heart Level: lv. (1720/5000)】

!

Strength Level: 3【85%】 (Explosive power: 300 kg class)

Speed Level: 2【90%】 (Maximum: 13 m/s)

Defense Level: 2【67%】 (Iron Bones)

【Mechanical Awakening】: Mechanic

【Awakened Skills】: R&D Center, Fabrication Plant

Mechanical Consumption: 3 (841/1000) — Increases consumption efficiency

Mechanical Manufacturing: 3 (260/1000) — Increases construction efficiency

Mechanical Passive: Scan / Repair / Disassemble

【Special Skills】

Wind Cannon (Common) (Level 3, Maxed)

Ice Shield (Common) (Level 2, 9%)

Flash Back (Rare) (Level 1, 30%)

Surge (Rare) (Level 1, 23%)

【Notice: A33K heavy anti-materiel sniper rifle blueprint is undergoing upgrade R&D. Time remaining: 3 days, 5: 9: 5】

The sky had not yet brightened when Lin Xian, his head heavy, opened the cockpit door and returned to the train, intending to place Kiki back on the bed—only to find the girl had fallen into a deep sleep on him. He had to bend down, lay her on the bed, and gently disentangle her legs wrapped around his waist, but she clung tightly to his neck. He struggled slightly, watched her murmuring breath, and couldn't resist pressing a deep kiss onto her soft lips before finally pulling away.

Kiki, still asleep, licked her lips, then rolled over. Seeing she hadn't woken, Lin Xian felt a pang of guilt. He rose, rubbed his aching lower back—his chest still warm from holding her all night.

Returning to Car 1, it had now become a first-class carriage with a private bedroom, tidied the previous night by Chen Sixuan.

Lin Xian pushed open the door; Chen Sixuan immediately woke at the sound.

"Lin Xian… is it morning? You sleep now—I'll take watch."

Lin Xian's heart warmed. He walked over, slipped into the blankets, and pulled Chen Sixuan's slender frame into his arms. Closing his eyes, he said: "It's not just the two of us anymore. Let them guard for a while."

Chen Sixuan's cheeks flushed slightly. "Then go take a shower first. There's a bathroom now—you should clean up."

For survivors of the apocalypse, bathing was an extreme luxury—but now, the Infinite had a water purification system, meeting basic needs; water scarcity was temporarily resolved.

"And… I don't have that anymore."

Chen Sixuan's heart leapt. Thinking he meant to make love, she summoned courage to voice her worry.

But as soon as she spoke, there was no reply from Lin Xian.

She turned—and saw Lin Xian, utterly exhausted, already asleep. She blinked in surprise, stared at him, then puffed out her cheeks.

"Actually, you don't have to… as long as you…"

"Hm?"

He's really asleep?

Chen Sixuan bit her lip, gave him a light glare, then softened with pity. She reached out, stroked his head, pulled him close, quieted her racing heart, and fell asleep beside him.

(End of Chapter)