In Soul Return Town, a gentle breeze stirred up a few fallen leaves.
"Holy crap!!!"
Wang Meng and Zhao Yan's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
Wang Meng rushed forward in disbelief, circling the colored van several times, rubbing his hands together excitedly.
"Boss, isn't this... isn't that the legendary Akina Mountain Drift King?!"
"This contrast is just too outrageous!"
"That heavily armored fortress used to be so imposing, but now it's become a foreman's ride. Even I, an experienced driver, am a little out of place!"
Zhao Yan chuckled dryly and echoed, "Yes..."
"But thinking about it carefully, in a post-apocalyptic world fraught with danger, the more inconspicuous the appearance, the more important it is."
"On the contrary, it's the most sophisticated disguise."
Who would have thought that so many people could be crammed into that beat-up car?
Hearing their conversation, the group of girls turned their gaze to Chen Tong, who maintained a gentle smile throughout, their eyes filled with admiration.
As expected, this older sister-in-law knows the Dragon God best!
This kind of back-to-basics, divine way of thinking is something that mortals like them can't easily fathom.
Shen Lian stood to the side, her face full of curiosity.
A woman's intuition, or rather, the intuition of a top engineer, told her.
This seemingly dilapidated van has a much more spacious interior than it appears!
"Mr. Dragon God."
Shen Lian stepped forward and politely inquired, "Could I take a look at the interior of this car myself?"
"By the way... can you grant me access?"
As a sanctuary, those not on the list are simply repelled by an invisible barrier.
Jiangnan nodded slightly and glanced at Liu Yuqing.
Liu Yuqing understood immediately and quickly tapped a few times on the leader's tablet.
They directly assigned Shen Lian the [administrator] status with Level 2 Authority.
"Thanks."
Shen Lian thanked him and quickly walked to the van.
She first opened the driver's side door.
Peeking inside, I saw very ordinary, inexpensive fabric seats.
The old steering wheel and manual gear shifter, even the center console were covered in a layer of dust, but there was nothing unusual about them.
"Not here..."
Shen Lian closed the car door thoughtfully and went straight to the rear door on the right.
She took a deep breath, placed her hand on the slightly rusty doorknob, and pulled hard!
"Whoosh!"
The moment the car door slid open, what appeared in front of her was not the dilapidated back seat she had seen through the windshield!
Instead, it opened up a completely new world!
What comes into view is the luxurious presidential suite-level living area inside that giant fortress-like RV.
Beyond this luxurious residential area, a seemingly endless, folded space stretches out before you!
"This..."
Shen Lian seemed to understand something. She turned around, quickly walked to the left rear door, and pulled it open!
After pulling it open, there was a bare, unfinished house inside!
"I see!"
Shen Lian showed an excited expression.
She completely understood Jiangnan's shrewd move!
He transformed the originally massive and conspicuous truck fortress into a small, disguised van!
However, this van has two sliding rear doors!
However, they were like two Spatial Portal, each connecting to one of the two completely separated giant folded spaces!
"A brilliant decision, Mr. Dragon God."
Shen Lian walked quickly to Jiangnan and exclaimed in sincere admiration.
"Your talent in spatial design and camouflage tactics is absolutely no less than your combat ability."
"Would you be interested in becoming a special advisor to our Huaxia Think Tank?"
"We will regard the design concept of your vehicle as a typical model for the future development of Mobile Shelter in China!"
Jiangnan's eyelids twitched twice, looking somewhat embarrassed.
Is the minivan being used as a typical example?
This was just a design he created on a whim.
I never imagined that such a top-tier scientific research fanatic would treat it as a future development direction for research.
"I'm busy."
Jiangnan shook his head, softly but decisively rejecting Shen Lian.
He did not intend to have much interaction with military researchers.
Moreover, when it comes to scientific research, the Human Emperor Lamp on his waist also houses an even more monstrous and powerful mad scientist, Wang Ming.
That guy is kind of [dead] now.
I really need to find some time to go into the Human Emperor Lamp and properly arrange things for those newly recruited working souls.
"Oh well..."
Shen Lian said with slight regret, "Since Mr. Dragon God is not interested in the Think Tank, I won't insist."
"Without further ado, let me begin the interior renovations now."
Jiangnan nodded, signaling Liu Yuqing to cooperate with her.
Liu Yuqing stepped forward, holding the leader's tablet.
"Ms. Shen, before we begin construction, please take a look at the updated information about the shelter."
"Okay, Ms. Liu."
Shen Lian took the leader's tablet and quickly scanned the data on the screen.
[Shelter Information Update]
[Type]: Mobile Shelter
[Level]: S-class
Note: The original 204-square-meter internal living area has been moved into Folded Space I.
[Rear right door] (Folded Space I): 125,204 square meters.
Note: 120,000 square meters of the property are unfurnished.
[Rear left door] (Folded Space II): 125,000 square meters.
Note: All areas are unfurnished.
[Current number of people]: 12
[Defense]: S-class Special Alloy Armor
[Characteristic]:
Fear Aura (S-class)
Energy Conversion (S-class): Originating from the Black Dragon No. 3 Power Core
Dimensional Storage (A-Class): Derived from A-Class material Void Stomach
Space Folding Compression (Premium): Derived from Rebecca II Space Compression Chip
Underwater Operation (Special Grade): Derived from the Poseidon III Underwater Navigation Module
[Overall Rating]: S-class
[System suggestion]: Besides decoration...
A perfect return to simplicity!
Who knows how many people will get out of that beat-up van in the next second!
[Monthly Supplies]: S-class (Refreshes next month)
"Hiss!"
After seeing the impressive panel data, Shen Lian couldn't help but gasp.
She truly hadn't expected this van, which looked so dilapidated it would be considered too run-down even for scrap collectors.
It even has S-class Special Alloy Armor protection!
Moreover, it is also equipped with an inexhaustible S-class automatic energy conversion device!
And a super-class underwater operating module capable of diving into the deep sea!
Any one of these plugins would be highly sought after by large survival bases outside!
Now, if we just add a flight module to this vehicle, it will be the perfect Noah's Ark for the apocalypse!
"Phew~ business comes first."
After calming herself down, Shen Lian immediately led the engineering team and the renovation card into the intense work.
On the other side...
Jiangnan and the other women stood in an open space not far away, waiting.
Chen Tong quietly moved closer to Jiangnan, gently nudged him with her shoulder, and whispered something.
"Jiangnan, look at that Chief Engineer Shen."
"Her eyes were practically sparkling when she looked at you just now; she seemed really interested in you."
"None of us have the high-IQ research talent, otherwise..."
"You're taking her in too? And maybe you can pass on some of your future children's good genes?"
Jiangnan was completely stunned after hearing this.
He expressionlessly took out Memo Paper, quickly wrote a line of text, and stuck it on Chen Tong's forehead.
Are you a madam?
"Pfft!"
Chen Tong took the note, then laughed in exasperation, and punched Jiangnan in the chest playfully.
"No, that's not it! I'm thinking about your long-term future, okay?"
After the playful banter, Chen Tong's smile gradually faded, and her eyes became serious and gentle.
"After arriving in Soul Return Town, I also heard some legends about your true identity from other people."
"I know too..."
"You will leave us one day."
Chen Tong's voice sounded somewhat sad.
"We ordinary people can't possibly keep you here, because you have your own, greater mission."
Jiangnan did not reply.
His deep gaze drifted to the horizon, tacitly agreeing with Chen Tong's statement.
The future is full of uncertainties, and no one can predict it.
But one thing is certain.
With great power comes great responsibility.
As the saying goes, when the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up.
As long as he remains the Dragon God, he must confront the Evil God who stand above the stars.
To survive, he must fight, and go to fight in even more brutal places!
For ordinary people like Chen Tong, who are powerless to even kill a chicken...
Staying in the Barbaric Realm he cleared out was the safest option.
"But... we can support you from behind the scenes."
Chen Tong looked at Jiangnan and smiled bitterly.
We can't help you fight, but we want to create a home for you.
"A safe haven you can return to anytime when you're tired and weary."
"Instead of a cage built of worries and tears, a cage full of chains."
Upon hearing these words, Jiangnan's heartstrings were suddenly plucked.
He turned his head, looked into Chen Tong's clear eyes, and a genuine smile bloomed on his face.
The sunlight shone on his face, revealing a gentleness that Chen Tong and the others had never seen in him before.
Similar words involuntarily brought back memories of the Phoenix Emperor from Jiangnan's previous life.
But... it feels completely different.
The Phoenix Emperor's love is obsessive and domineering.
What Chen Tong gave him was understanding, tolerance, and unreserved concession and support.
He didn't feel that overwhelming pressure or constraint, but only a sense of belonging that Human Heart.
Jiangnan raised his only remaining left hand and gently touched Chen Tong's long red hair.
Then he made a decision.
From now on, all logistical decisions, personnel allocation, and resource management in this shelter will be entirely under your control.
Jiangnan wrote this sentence on the sticky note, and then added another sentence after it.
[This includes... the list of those who will serve you each night; you are fully responsible for it.]
After writing it, Jiangnan Nan placed the note, which represented power, into Chen Tong's palm.
In modern civilization, such an appointment might seem absurd or even incomprehensible.
However, if this were placed in the harem of an ancient Emperor, it would be equivalent to directly bestowing upon Chen Tong the throne of [Empress], who would rule over the six palaces.
She was even granted a higher power—the power to control the lifeline of the entire rear area!
This is Jiangnan's trust in her.
Chen Tong looked at the words on the note, her cheeks flushing slightly, but she didn't refuse; instead, she nodded.
"Leave it to me, I'll do a good job, and I won't let you worry about anything on the front lines."
Jiangnan smiled and nodded.
Just as this warm atmosphere was beginning to spread...
"Hey! Jiangnan!!!"
An anxious voice suddenly came from afar.
Then, Liu Ruyan flew down from the sky on her sword.
"Come with me to Central Forest Garden! Your Dragon King subordinate is dying because of a curse!"
"Dr. Gang said only you can do it!"
The Dragon King's subordinates?!
Heavenblade Dragon King?
Jiangnan's pupils contracted, and he and Chen Tong quickly exchanged a glance.
"Walk!"