Nature's Slaughter

"The metal plates aren't enough anymore," Yu Jing suddenly said.

Su Huan raised an eyebrow. That was indeed a problem. Metal was everywhere in the city, but Qi Xiaoba would have to use his ability to melt it down again, which was far less efficient than using standard plates.

At this rate, they might not even finish the first phase of the plan by the time they made it out of the High-Temperature Zone.

But where could they get so many metal plates?

Returning to the steel mill was out of the question. Even if all the Tier 1 zombies there had left, he still wouldn't retrace his steps.

Su Huan pondered for a moment, then said, "For today, melt down the unused carriages outside. Once we get to Mojiang City, we'll look for a steel mill or somewhere similar."

"No problem."

Qi Xiaoba agreed.

"How many Pan-Energy Crystals did you extract today?"

Su Huan asked.

Wan Xing set down her cup and pulled a Pan-Energy Crystal about the size of her thumbnail from her pocket. Aside from its size, the crystal's edges were traced with fine, delicate patterns. The lines were regular and elegant, giving it a bewitching vitality, as though it might start growing at any moment.

"The Night Demon's?"

"Yes. This Pan-Energy Crystal is unusual. It was much harder to extract than one from an ordinary zombie, and harder to press together, too."

Su Huan took the crystal, a hint of delight appearing on his face. "This is a Tier 1 Pan-Energy Crystal. Its defining feature is this ring of unusual patterns. It'll probably crack after sitting for about five days."

Wan Xing looked surprised. "I had the same feeling. Why is that?"

"You can think of it as having a higher energy density than an ordinary Pan-Energy Crystal. Without a Collector to solidify it, it'll crack easily."

"Solidify it—is that a skill?"

"After extracting them for long enough, you'll probably develop the ability called 'Energy Solidification,'" Su Huan said.

A Collector's "Energy Solidification" and an Energy Provider's "Energy Compression" were about equally easy to develop. Neither company nor faction bothered producing the corresponding drugs.

"High-Energy Compression," however, was different. It was only one word away from Energy Compression, but the difficulty of acquiring it was worlds apart.

Evolutionists had to spend a long time in contact with high-pressure energy.

Other than those lunatics in the Machine Cult, no one would put themselves in such a dangerous environment.

But once the skill had been figured out, the major factions quickly cracked it and developed a corresponding gene drug.

Its production cost was relatively low for a high-tier skill.

It had also become a must-have skill for Energy Providers.

"Besides that, I also broke down the Night Demon's corpse and got a few other things," Wan Xing said, taking out a small glass vial. A thin layer of amber-colored liquid coated the bottom.

Everyone's gaze fell on the vial, then shifted back to Su Huan.

They waited for him to explain.

Su Huan was a little surprised. He hadn't expected Wan Xing to actually collect materials. Perhaps he could train her as a Decomposer.

He took the vial and gently swirled it. "This is a Tier 1 material. It can be used to synthesize the Defender gene drug."

Yu Jing stared at the vial as if entranced, amber reflections shifting in her eyes. As if in a trance, she asked, "Can I have this material?"

Su Huan gave her a doubtful look. "What do you want it for?"

"I want to study it."

Yu Jing lifted her chin slightly, her phoenix eyes once again revealing that fervent, inquisitive glint.

"Before a Crafter has properly formulated it, this stuff is contagious. It takes effect much faster than a zombie bite."

"I know what I'm doing!"

Yu Jing's tone was crisp and decisive.

Aunt Yu's heart skipped a beat. She cautiously studied Su Huan's expression and only relaxed when she saw he wasn't angry.

"Fine, you can have it. Just don't use it carelessly."

Su Huan thought it over, then decided not to stop her.

After all, Yu Jing was a vital member of the Armed Train crew. He had to give her some leeway.

"Anything else?" Su Huan asked.

"That's all for now. I might not be able to extract anything from the Night Demon's corpse outside until tonight," Wan Xing said.

"You can extract materials from three ordinary zombies first. Then give the Pan-Energy Crystals you get to those three."

Everyone stared at him in surprise. Su Huan remained calm. "There are more dangers ahead, and we may not have this much time to spare."

"Become Evolutionists as soon as you can. The train of the apocalypse won't wait for anyone."

The entire side of Observation Carriage No. 2 suddenly split open. Two hydraulic rods dragged it slowly downward, exposing the whole interior.

On the left was a forklift fitted with a boom, painted red. Beside it stood a low-slung motorcycle.

Liang Kuan had just finished eating. He put on a pair of gloves and climbed into the forklift's cab.

There was still some time before dark, and he needed to use the forklift to help the workers hoist the metal plates.

Using the ramp formed by the carriage's side and the ground, he drove outside with ease.

When the workers inside saw the forklift emerge, they climbed out and got to work.

Time flew by, and evening soon came.

Passengers returned in ones and twos, carrying the little supplies they'd managed to find. They had expected Su Huan to give them a hard time.

Instead, Su Huan collected only half as much as usual before letting them board.

It wasn't because he was kindhearted. The area was on the outskirts of the city, where there weren't many supplies to begin with.

If he kept all those passengers outside, he'd have no one left on the train.

That would interfere with his plans.

The passengers also brought back some bad news: a group had occupied the Water Plant up ahead.

They called themselves Star Property Management.

Su Huan sat in his compartment with his legs crossed, staring at the map on the wall as he sank into thought. The orange-red glow reflected in the glass peeled away from his eyes, strand by strand.

All that remained was a cold, dim glint.

He'd never heard of this group in his previous life. To be precise, he hadn't heard of any of the factions in the High-Temperature Zone.

All he remembered were a few armed convoys that had gradually merged and formed while fleeing.

Everyone else had stayed here and become familiar faces as the heat wave took hold.

Now the other group had occupied the Water Plant. It was the only place with a small Integrated Water Purifier, which was essential to making the Armed Train self-sufficient. It was also why he'd stayed here.

There were plenty of other water plants along the route ahead, but this was the only one close to the tracks.

The rest were at least ten kilometers away!

And an Integrated Water Purifier wasn't some small appliance you could just pick up and carry off. It was modular industrial equipment. Even if he drove all the passengers to their deaths, no one could bring one back.

He certainly couldn't leave the train and travel more than ten kilometers to dismantle a purifier himself.

The only option was this Water Plant.

If he missed it, life would be difficult once they left the High-Temperature Zone.

Su Huan recalled the terrifying scene buried deep in his memories, and a thread of agitation and anxiety rose within him.

In his previous life, just after they'd left the High-Temperature Zone, everyone had been thrilled to see a light rain falling from the sky. Some had even taken off their clothes and run through the rain, howling.

They'd felt nature's gift, savored the cool rain, and reveled in the hope and freedom of having escaped alive.

But they never imagined it wasn't a gift from nature.

It was nature's next round of slaughter!