Chapter 52: Stop the Train (Begging for Monthly Tickets Under the Moon)

Lin Xian sighed and continued focusing on devouring the heavy TFV600 twin-barrel tank.

The night wind was bleak; he couldn’t help but shiver.

“It’s definitely getting colder.”

Dead Hand, devour faster!

【Devour Progress: 50%】

【Devour Progress: 80%】

【Devour Successful: Mechanical Core Point +60, Mechanical Devour Skill Proficiency +30, Bonus Reward: Strength +4, Speed +1, Defense +1!】

No golden flash appeared as expected; this damaged tank granted no skill.

Of the three skills Lin Xian had acquired so far, the first two came from intact mechanical devices; if not for the new skill he gained from that broken mech, he’d have thought only intact equipment could grant skills.

【Current Mechanical Heart Level: lv.2 (170/1000)】

【Tip: Upgrading the Mechanical Heart grants special skill rewards. At lv.3, lv.6, and lv.9, mysterious awakening is triggered.】

Strength Level: 2【23%】 (Explosive Output: 200kg class)

Speed Level: 1【64%】 (Maximum: 10m/s)

Defense Level: 1【23%】 (Tough Bones, Resilient Skin)

【Mechanical Awakening】: Not Awakened

Mechanical Devour: 2 (278/500) — Increases devour efficiency

Mechanical Manufacturing: 1 (112/300) — Increases construction efficiency

Mechanical Passive: Scan / Repair / Dismantle

【Special Skills】

Wind Cannon (Common) (Level 2, 6%)

Ice Shield (Common) (Level 1, 22%)

Flash Back (Rare) (Level 1, 0%)

Whoosh~

The massive tank instantly turned to ash in his hands; Lin Xian exhaled in relief.

Finally, he had the chance to slowly devour these big machines. He glanced at the freight electric locomotive trailing behind—having teammates was good; it let him focus on big tasks without worry.

He estimated devouring this behemoth would take even longer than the power generator unit.

Lin Xian sighed again. “This thing will take at least ten hours. First, let’s check out that mutual aid bonfire, then deal with this…”

The train rolled slowly forward as Lin Xian walked from car 5 toward the cab.

“Lin Xian, that guy just now said electrical or some kind of co-state ability—he didn’t seem surprised we were driving a train,” Chen Sixuan said, her sharp nature catching subtle cues in his tone.

“That guy’s definitely an ability user.”

Lin Xian frowned seriously. “Maybe we’re not the first train he’s seen. Didn’t he say the authorities and interstellar military are still coordinating large-scale movements? That means in major cities, basic operations, resistance, and research haven’t stopped—perhaps we’re just cut off from information because we’re near the Third Star Abyss.”

“Mm!” Hearing Lin Xian’s analysis, Chen Sixuan’s eyes sparkled with hope. “For some reason, knowing refugees are helping each other and the authorities are still trying makes me feel less oppressed.”

Lin Xian let out a long sigh. “What I care about is whether the main routes are still usable…”

Main rail segments involve large-scale military and supply logistics; unless specifically targeted, they’d be heavily protected.

Lin Xian had already considered rail issues: as long as there wasn’t a catastrophic break, he could carry rail steel and use his mechanical ability to forge joints, or have Kiki use her ability to lay tracks. If he further developed his mechanical ability, rail repairs alone shouldn’t be too difficult.

Deep night, silence all around. The “Infinity” slowly entered a small station with multiple intersecting tracks. The five aboard grew alert. No sooner had they stopped than a young man’s head peeked out from behind a platform post and waved at them.

“Are you here for the bonfire trade?” the youth asked, wary.

Lin Xian frowned and opened the cab door. “You’re waiting for us?”

The youth nodded. “I’m from the Wind Chaser team. Yun Ge told me to wait here and ask if any train crew are coming for the bonfire. If you are, I can guide you there.”

“We’re going. Wait a moment,” Lin Xian replied, then closed the cab door.

“How many of us are going?” Chen Sixuan asked.

Lin Xian walked toward the rear cars. “Load some supplies first. Kiki and Daliu come with me. Chen Laoshi and Shasha stay with the train. Use the radio if anything happens.”

“Alright. Be careful.”

The group reached the rear car. Lin Xian loaded weapons and supplies onto the jeep, unlatched the chains, and let Daliu drive onto the platform.

Daliu and Kiki’s abilities were strong. He felt uneasy about bringing them to their first survivor gathering, so he kept them close for show. Shasha and Chen Sixuan guarded the train—now armed, their safety had improved.

The youth stared in shock at the fully armed heavy train, eyes nearly popping out. Then he saw them drive down a jeep and quickly pushed out a small mountain bike from behind the platform.

“Follow me. Keep it quiet. The city’s full of zombies. We’re camped in an abandoned factory about ten kilometers out.”

Lin Xian nodded. “Let’s go.”

Vrrrm~

The motorcycle’s headlights flared, leading the way.

Daliu drove the jeep behind with Lin Xian and Kiki.

“I bet there are more than a few ability users at this gathering. If anything happens, watch my cues.”

Daliu nodded silently.

!

Kiki smiled. “Anyone gathering here must’ve modified their radios with those red beads—they’re not ordinary folks. We should get some of those beads too. Maybe they can connect to satellites, not just radios.”

Lin Xian sighed.

“That thing seems to resonate with Dark Tides. That confirms Dark Tides are causing serious information interference. But extracting them from those monsters? They’ll be valuable.”

“Mm.” Kiki nodded. “Let’s see first. Worst case, we kill those bugs again!”

Lin Xian: …

The vehicle wound along a narrow road, avoiding the city, racing through woods until the view opened up—a dark silhouette of an abandoned factory appeared in the distance.

Around the factory, over a dozen car teams had set up camp, totaling over a hundred vehicles.

Flickering lights glowed inside the cars, shadows moved, each group isolated. Some vehicles had armed sentries posted.

Far away, Quanguan City lay shrouded in darkness, lifeless.

Lin Xian scanned the license plates on surviving vehicles and found most came from different places.

As their jeep approached from afar, many eyes turned toward them, watching in twos and threes.

What puzzled Lin Xian was that all the car teams kept their distance from the factory. Inside, faint firelight flickered—clearly the bonfire Jiang Yun mentioned.

“Stop here.”

The youth pulled over and pointed to an open patch of ground. “No one drives close. Usually just team leaders or bosses go inside to talk. Don’t bring weapons—but you should leave someone to guard your vehicle.”

“Huh. Pretty well-behaved.”

Kiki looked amazed. “Feels like a gang deal.”

The youth chuckled awkwardly. “We’re all from Tiannandibei, don’t know each other. To sit down peacefully, we can’t carry weapons—otherwise we’d be no different from daybreak bandits.”

Lin Xian’s gaze hardened. “Daliu, guard the car. Kiki and I are going.”

“Got it, Xian Ge.” Daliu nodded.

Lin Xian and Kiki stepped out and followed the youth inside.

“If you’re an ability user, carrying weapons or not makes no real difference,” the youth continued. “But it’s a gesture of goodwill.”

He gestured toward the distant vehicles.

“Look—many cars are painted red or orange, or fly flags. That was an old maritime method for passing pirate zones: signaling you’re protected or can retaliate. Now, many teams treat it as a neutral symbol—proving they’re not bandits, avoiding accidental attacks.”

New book ranking—please vote for monthly tickets and follow to the end!

The people of Mancheng, thank you deeply!

(End of Chapter)