Chapter 314: West Land Desert

Wind howled, sand grit scraped.

Under the black night, the vast Gobi expanse saw the steel train inch forward, its only sound the rumble of steel wheels.

Before fully exiting the Polar Night, the entire train maintained full speed, racing relentlessly beneath the dark veil.

"At our current speed, we should exit the Star Abyss Polar Night in about five hours—but the problem is, even if we get out, according to timing, we'll still be inside the darkness and the Dark Tide. We'll have to wait until tomorrow, when the tide recedes; daylight should arrive around 9 a. ."

In the Infinity's cockpit, Chen Sixuan calculated the route map and terrain data, then told Lin Xian: "This is based on the Phoenix Society's estimated expansion rate of Star Abyss No. 5. Actual conditions may vary slightly."

Lin Xian nodded: "As long as the track is clear, and we're in silent mode, we're not overly concerned."

Chen Sixuan closed the train logbook and said to Lin Xian: "I know you're worried about the track issues, but there's no rush. The situation is already far better than we anticipated when we left Jiang City."

"It's not just us fleeing," Lin Xian said. "Strange bodies and zombies don't randomly destroy railways. So far, we've encountered three track crises—two were human-caused. Plus, since Awakening Day, less than a hundred days have passed; the tracks haven't deteriorated that badly. But over time, who knows?"

The three track crises: one was Tang Hai, one was Yijin City, and the third was when the atmospheric mica tentacles destroyed the track before we reached Underground City No. 9.

Based on past experience, zombies and strange bodies use Dark Markers to launch massacres during the Tide—even when destroying buildings, their target is always humans. Given the extremely high construction standards for orbital and high-speed rail networks in this era, most of the journey remains smooth. Moreover, this route has seen many trains; other convoys must have repair methods for the tracks.

"Our train team needs to expand too. This issue must be resolved eventually," Lin Xian said, leaning back with his hands behind his head. The lead train is Longshan No. 1, equipped with a dedicated route inspection crew, radar systems, and Shi Di and Ningjing in command. This saves us a lot of work.

Chen Sixuan nodded: "So we're turning south from Quancheng, heading to Luling, then to Jinhai, and finally to Dawn City, right?"

"Depends," Lin Xian said. "Jinhai has CRRC. They have plenty of train loading lines. Many post-apocalypse convoys go there. Rumor has it several organizations have turned Jinhai into a hub for modifying apocalypse trains—a massive profit chain. Probably includes the Linglong Group."

"And the Fingal Group," Chen Sixuan said. "Didn't Shen Yao from the North Wind Alliance mention it? Jian Xuxi from the Silver Star is looking for us. After descending from the Sky Corridor, they likely traveled along the orbital rail toward Dawn City."

"Whatever. We'll decide when we get there."

"So we'll part ways with the other convoys at Quancheng," Chen Sixuan said. "They're all taking the northern route to chase the Dawn Center."

Lin Xian closed his eyes slightly, his face weary: "I know. After Quancheng, we'll enter the longest stretch of daylight."

After this endless escape, he was exhausted in body and mind. Once past Quancheng, only Star Abysses No. 6 and No. 8 expand rapidly—but they're far from Jinhai and Dawn City. As the heartland of Long Country, it draws massive waves of displaced survivors. Convoys and organizations will flood the area in a sea of refugees.

But this daylight is also humanity's final, longest stretch of peace. When Star Abysses No. 6 and No. 8 begin closing, it means all thirteen Star Abysses on Blue Planet are nearly covering the entire world.

Until the Polar Apocalypse Center is swallowed—only 400 days remain!

Chen Sixuan, heart aching, wiped the dried blood from Lin Xian's nose and mouth with a damp towel. Gazing at his weary face, her determined eyes softened into tenderness. She brushed back a strand of hair, leaned down, and pressed a warm kiss to his lips.

"You need to rest."

She blushed, rose, and pressed the cockpit door's close button. After the hatch sealed, she tied her hair back with a ribbon, then bent low, pouring all her tenderness into him.

Lin Xian hadn't expected his former university teacher to become so forward. His heart stirred; he relaxed completely, basking in warmth, his exhaustion melting away.

Chen Laoshi's movements were awkward, but slow and steady, fully immersed. Her whispered breaths sent tingles along Lin Xian's ears; fire surged in his chest and lower abdomen. Just as he prepared to rise, she seized him, lifted her head, and gazed at him with eyes like warm, shimmering water: "Don't move. Let me."

She stood, shed everything, bit her lower lip, and came to him.

"Don't carry all the pressure alone. Add me. We'll face life and death together."

Chen Sixuan cupped Lin Xian's face, her body moving gently, voice soft: "You don't have to bear it all."

Lin Xian's heart warmed. The tension in him loosened. He pulled her waist close, burying his face in her, breathing deep the scent of freedom.

In the Infinity's cockpit: the surging tide of relentless motion, the gentle breeze of mountain winds, the surge, the exuberance, the post-apocalyptic madness exceeding dopamine levels from mycelium networks by more than tenfold…

…

After passion faded, Lin Xian felt refreshed and clear-headed.

Since encountering the Corpse Driver, he no longer feared ordinary strange bodies in the dark. His mindset had grown much stronger.

In Car No. 1's sleeping compartment, Lin Xian showered. Chen Laoshi had already fallen asleep. He decided to guard the night himself; after exiting the Polar Night, he'd rest properly, letting Chen Sixuan take over.

Closing the sleeping compartment door, Lin Xian activated the twenty Lei Sun 2000 attack robots. Being trapped in Yijin City had been one of his major gains.

He'd originally planned to build attack drones, but lacked remote mechanical control. Even if he mass-produced small drones with explosives, he'd still need a control terminal—fine in non-combat, but during the dangers he'd faced, it made him look like a clown.

Now he had direct remote control over machinery. These Lei Sun robots were far superior to his old rotary drones: equipped with Hall propulsion engines, blazing speed, agile movement, built-in armor, and each carried an arc pulse cannon—powerful and lethal.

Lin Xian raised his hand. Whirr! Twenty spherical attack robots launched instantly, hovering before him in a perfect ring, red lights flashing like mechanical divine forms—magnificent!

He flicked his fingers. Under his precise control, they formed an S-shape, then a B-shape—perfectly aligned. Lin Xian watched, eyes blazing, heart thrumming with excitement.

"If I built two hundred… two thousand… wouldn't I become the mother body of a mechanical swarm?!!"

"Damn! Now this is mechanical divine descent!"

Imagine a sky full of swarm drones unleashing a thousand cannons—just thinking of it made his scalp tingle.

"Wait—I could fuse a few robots together, mount them on my power armor. Wouldn't that let me fly?!"

"Genius!"

Lin Xian grew more excited. He planned to replace his Lone Wolf S power armor with a Black Hawk Silent Hunter. The Wolf-class power he'd seen in Chen Sixuan and Ding Junyi was powerful—fully enclosed, with a mini-propulsion system enabling low-altitude, short-range flight, easily scaling hundreds of meters, gliding across the skyline. With his modifications, his mobility would skyrocket—he wouldn't need Kiki to carry him anymore.

At that moment, Lin Xian opened his R&D center.

【G3- Electromagnetic Railgun (Blueprint): R&D in progress: 16 hours 29 minutes】

"Another new blueprint's about to finish…"

Though eager for the upgraded railgun blueprint, he first built a G3 railgun in Car No. 5. Newer meant harder to manufacture. He acted pragmatically: though he could now build Black Hawk Silent Hunters, he couldn't equip every crew member. Giving them Lone Wolf S tactical armor was already a massive upgrade—far better than his planned TRP. No need to rush.

He planned to build more 1130s and G3 railguns, but only after reassembling the Sun Train, based on car layout. He'd hold off on the fully automatic bullet press, focusing first on repairing the entire train's damage from the Great Shock, and checking Grace's system overwrite progress. Then he could delegate train planning and blueprint revisions to Grace.

Another issue: his Surge skill. He needed to devour a 300-megawatt nuclear power unit to enhance it mechanically. But among the entire convoy, only Longshan No. 1 and Queen Mo's train were intercontinental-class nuclear locomotives exceeding 300 megawatts. He couldn't possibly devour their lifelines—such devices were priceless. Even if he had one, devouring it would hurt.

Aside from Surge, only his Flashback skill remained unmaxed. He hadn't used it in a long time: Flashback (Rare) (Level 2, 50%)

"Once the Sun Train joins, build a missile car. Construct the MK-66 roll-arm missile launcher I scanned earlier."

As Lin Xian walked toward the rear cars, he scanned the car structures with his Mechanical Heart, repairing minor damages. But he'd overestimated—the new composite armor was astonishingly resilient. The car bodies had virtually no faults, saving him considerable effort.

He entered Car No. 2. Darkness filled the car, save for Kiki's information center glowing blue. Shasha slept in the rest compartment. Kiki sat in her swivel chair, sucking a lollipop, fingers flying over the keyboard.

"How's it going?"

Lin Xian whispered as he approached.

"Not fast," Kiki said, fingers dancing, lollipop between her lips. "My computers' processing power is too low. Parsing Grace's data takes time. Hurrying won't help."

"I know," Lin Xian nodded. "Take your time. When we get the chance, I'll upgrade your setup."

"You wish," Kiki kicked her legs, spun her chair around, and pointed the lollipop at him. "Do you know what 8192 processing power quantum computers mean? That level can handle entire Oceanic Rail operations. Even surpasses the old Yubei Airport's ascent elevator system by an order of magnitude. You think it's that easy to get?"

Lin Xian smiled: "We already have one."

Kiki rolled her eyes, then shifted tone: "Speaking of the Crimson World—it's no ordinary place. To house a single hibernation center, they deployed a quantum AI of this caliber. And it looks like a simplified offline version… hmm."

Her implication: Crimson World likely had more robots like Grace—and even more powerful versions.

Lin Xian understood. He exhaled slowly: "If it were just a decoy, this wouldn't be necessary. But Director Ding said the mycelium might truly upload human consciousness, using the brain as a processing unit, infiltrating thought. That means the mycelium in the Polar Night isn't simple—and Crimson World's research isn't just conning the rich."

Kiki nodded: "Makes sense. But you'll have to wait until I finish. Don't power Grace on until the overwrite's complete—otherwise, without full system override, she'll cause trouble."

"Don't worry," Lin Xian smiled. "I'll hand her straight to you. Leave her with you."

Grace's current programming: protect the Zero Element Center. That center is destroyed. If she powers on, she might trigger an attack protocol. Though Lin Xian and Kiki could subdue her, who knows if she'd initiate data transmission and endanger the convoy? Until Kiki finished the overwrite, Lin Xian wouldn't power her on. He'd also severed her energy transmission components with his Mechanical Ability—unless dismantled and repaired, no one could activate her.

Kiki shook her head immediately: "No. I don't want her here."

"You're scared?"

"Of course not," Kiki glanced at the sleeping Shasha. "If I leave her here, that little girl won't sleep."

"Uh… right."

Lin Xian nodded. He guessed Grace hadn't been fully secured yet—she came from the Descenders, possessed high intelligence and near-perfect human likeness. The crew's unease was natural.

He turned to leave—when Kiki suddenly blocked his path with her leg, eyes fixed on him: "Wait. There's something…"

Lin Xian smiled. Before she could speak, he cupped her face and kissed her soft lips.

Warm, sweet, with a hint of strawberry lollipop.

"There. Reward for you."

Kiki flushed crimson, startled. She kicked him away, furious: "That's not what I meant, you pervert!!!"

Lin Xian chuckled awkwardly: "Ah, then what did you mean?"

Kiki's chest heaved. She shot him a glare, then turned, tapped her keyboard once. A picture appeared on screen.

"Here. Build this for me."

Lin Xian looked: the blueprint resembled a cold weapon blade—like a phoenix wing. But it had no handle. Both ends were sharp, no grip area—just a razor-thin blade.

"What is this?" Lin Xian frowned. "A knife?"

Kiki said: "I found this in the old Federation database. It's a deployable rotating blade for powered armor—probably an obsolete design."

Lin Xian stared at her, confused.

Kiki anticipated his look and explained patiently:

"When we took the Phoenix Society's ability assessment, Wen Zhuo mentioned ability development. I thought deeply about it. My ability is mostly utility, not offense. I once used a wide-area shockwave—but it drained me badly. So I thought: if hot weapons don't suit me, cold weapons might. If you build this blade design, I can control it with telekinesis—deadly, reusable, low mental cost. Isn't that four advantages in one? Genius, right?!"

Lin Xian understood, but frowned: "Four advantages? What else?"

Kiki grinned, wrapped her bare legs around him, and smiled up: "I want you to build a hundred sets!"

She sat up straight, eyes sharp like a martial master, gesturing: "I'll control a hundred blades at once—attack like a blade storm, sweeping through hordes; defend like dragon scales, unbreakable. Hehe, defense too. Isn't that four advantages?"

Lin Xian's eyes lit up. The little brat had thought of this. Her telekinesis had advanced significantly; her control was improving. With this method, her damage output would soar. Blades could be reused—even if damaged, he could rebuild them. Far more efficient than just blasting zombies with shockwaves.

The only issue: high-level strange bodies had strong defenses. Some couldn't even be cut by his electric blades. He'd still need Kiki's focused telekinesis slash and shockwave to suppress them.

Thinking of this, Lin Xian nodded: "Good idea. I'll build you a hundred sets based on this design. I'll install a dedicated storage compartment on the train roof—you pull them out when needed. Deal?"

Kiki nodded eagerly: "Mm-hmm~ Yes! That's exactly what I want… uh."

Before she finished, Lin Xian struck again, snatched her face, and kissed her lips hard, then bolted.

"Hey! You—you—"

Kiki cursed the pervert, gritted her teeth, watching his retreating back. Yet her eyes held a quiet joy. She murmured: "Such a bad guy…"

Lin Xian found Kiki genuinely endearing. Though she acted spoiled and bratty, her childhood had forged a serious, resilient girl. Beautiful, brilliant—and her only flaw… was A. But that didn't diminish his affection. Their unspoken understanding had grown through countless life-and-death battles.

Now, he and Kiki had broken through the window paper. Though she still denied it with stubborn pride, hiding in dark corners or pretending to reapply lip gloss—they both knew.

…

In Car No. 3, all train lights were required to be off. But Ding Junyi kept a small desk lamp on, observing the mycelium specimen she'd taken from the Zero Element Center.

Lin Xian walked into Car 3 and saw Ding Jun when she stood up, her gaze turning toward him.

"You look exhausted. You should rest."

"Let's talk about that after we leave the Eternal Night Zone," Lin Xian said, surprised—this wasn't like Ding Jun's usual words.

Ding Jun put down her equipment and said seriously to Lin Xian: "The fact that the mycelial network can upload consciousness serves as a warning to my cognitive judgment, but it also reveals a problem: the Dark Beings' understanding of humans may be far greater than we assumed. We are studying darkness, and darkness is studying us."

Lin Xian's eyes darkened slightly as he murmured: "When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes into you."

Ding Jun lifted her eyebrows slightly: "Another point: as a peculiar life form, the mycelial network and the Sky Fungus Tower possess the ability to analyze human thought. Logically, their vulnerability to fire-induced chain explosions is vastly disproportionate to their value and the need for protection—this is highly unreasonable."

"You mean this thing shouldn't be so easily destroyed?"

"Yes."

Lin Xian frowned slightly: "Perhaps it's because this is the Eternal Night Zone—already part of the Dark Beings' territory—so…"

"If you interpret it that way, the corpse-driver you saw might be one of their protective mechanisms, and our actions were merely accidental damage," Ding Jun said. "Of course, it's also possible that humans have explored too little within the Eternal Night Zone, creating a severe information asymmetry. After all, before the Dark Beings, we humans are still insignificant. Setting off a chain explosion in the Sky Fungus Tower within 'their' domain must be an extremely rare event."

"I understand what you mean."

"There's another issue you might find interesting," Ding Jun said, walking over to a nearby experimental chamber where two growth pods stood—one holding Hellfire Black Chrysanthemum, the other Silver Dragon One Hundred Thousand Mistakes. But strangely, the Hellfire Black Chrysanthemum appeared larger than before, while the Silver Dragon One Hundred Thousand Mistakes had grown significantly taller from its original silver-white seedling, and at its midpoint, a white flower bud had formed.

Upon closer inspection, it emitted a faint, eerie white glow.

(End of Chapter)