In the blizzard, visibility was extremely poor, and the trainâs blackout panels were all opened, using the lights inside the carriages to illuminate the snowy plains outside.
Everyone had just escaped death by a hairâs breadth and was nearly drained of all strength. Lin Xian and KIKI Chen Sixuan discussed for a bit and decided to first settle Ding Junyi, Zhao Yan, and Xu Wen in Carriage 5, which was originally Carriage 3 used to carry supplies. After preliminarily confirming that they had escaped the danger zone, they prepared to tidy up the carriages together with everyone.
Lin Xianâs preliminary plan was to devour the Huanxing 7F electric locomotive, as with the Twin Star 11R Nuclear Power Electric Locomotive obtained, the issue of electrical energy on the train would be perfectly resolved.
However, for safety considerations, he placed the nuclear-powered locomotive at the very end to push, with two engine carriages at front and back for more flexibility, while the two Cole 3 Type Biological Research Cabins were placed right after the current Carriage 2.
As for those two flatbed trailers, he devoured them as well, utilizing the materials to create armor for the new carriages.
Lin Xian created some railway steel next to the train and laid down a simple set of tracks for carriage rearrangement. The Huanxing 7F electric locomotive, honorably retired, was placed behind the nuclear-powered locomotive, and the two brand-new Cole 3 Type Biological Research Cabins were placed after Carriage 2, becoming the new Carriages 3 and 4.
However, due to some differences in carriage connection standards, it took Lin Xian quite some time to properly connect the circuits and the couplers of the carriages.
Upon setting foot in the research carriage, when the lights came on, everyone was immediately captivated by the clean, standard laboratory setup inside. There were various research equipment and, what Lin Xian had been most eager for, the Plant Cultivation Chamber. He planned to rearrange the interior, as his aim was to grow vegetables, not to conduct actual scientific research on the road.
Although it sounded like an underutilization of resources, it didnât matter too much. The delicate instruments couldnât withstand the rough journey during the flight from danger. It was better to plant more fruits and vegetables to alleviate the survival pressure caused by post-apocalyptic dietary challenges.
After finishing the carriage connections, it was already late at night, and the blizzard worsened. Lin Xian had KIKI and Chen Sixuan, who were already tired and confused, go to rest first, while he had Building stay on guard in Carriage 7.
He then took the time to devour the two flatbed trailers and the Huanxing 7F electric locomotive, anticipating that he would definitely break through to Level 3 and experience his first awakening.
And then, after regaining some strength the next day, he would create a set of protective armor for the nuclear-powered locomotive.
In the deep of the night, including Zhao Yan and Xu Wen, everyone fell asleep out of exhaustion. Building was standing guard in Carriage 7, while Lin Xian was scanning those precise instruments in the new Carriages 3 and 4.
This had become a habitual action for him. Sometimes he didnât necessarily need these instruments, but having them in his blueprint library meant that some of their mechanical components could come in handy at some point.
[Scan complete, Tabletop Freezer Centrifuge blueprint obtained]
[Scan complete, Horizontal Electrophoresis Equipment blueprint obtained]
The time reached 21:30. Inside Carriage 4, Lin Xian watched as the blizzard outside seemed to finally lessen a bit, and his mind eased slightly. Otherwise, if this continued, even half of the Infinity could end up buried in the snowy plains by tomorrow.
The interior configuration of the Cole 3 Type Biological Research Cabin was very good, with a comprehensive temperature sensing system, making it much more comfortable than the warm air in Carriages 1 and 2, isolating the bitter cold outside.
The sound of footsteps echoed.
Lin Xian looked up to see Ding Junyi, clad in a white lab coat, already standing in the carriage, scanning the array of brand-new experimental equipment inside.
"Although Iâm a biologist, reason tells me that these things are of no value during our escape. If you need to research Dark Power, youâll also need to support a professional scientific research team, which clearly you are not equipped for right now."
"Who said I wanted to study Dark Power?" Lin Xian responded calmly, his gaze fixed on the Plant Cultivation Chambers. "My main goal is to grow vegetables; at most, research that Blood Calamity Disaster Plant of yours. Maybe it could be grown inside these chambers."
"Grow vegetables?" Ding Junyi furrowed her brows; she had not expected that Lin Xianâs use of these high-end biological cultivators was actually for the purpose of growing vegetables...
"Correct."
"Okay then," Ding Junyi fell silent for a moment, then looked at Lin Xian, and after a while, suddenly asked, "What are you planning to do with us?"
"Yu Bei City." Lin Xian glanced sideways and said, "There are quite a few Survivor Caravans there, and if nothing unexpected happens, an Iron Guard Brigade should also be in that vicinity. If you ask for help from official organizations, you may be able to find them, and perhaps they can put you in touch with the Phoenix Society."
Lin Xian pondered; this was all he could do, and it was on his way anyway.
Ding Junyi nodded. "Thank you for your generous rescue, or else the three of us would probably be dead by now."
"Itâs a cooperation." Lin Xian shrugged his shoulders. "I have my own purposes as well. However, if I had to make the choice again, I definitely wouldnât have come to rescue you."
Up to this point, Lin Xian was still haunted by that Abyssal Giant Monster lurking in the darkness; if he had known it was going to be like this, he would have definitely chosen to flee right away.
Ding Junyi looked at him, speaking earnestly, "We did not conceal the truth. Being trapped in the laboratory, we also knew nothing about the situation below the 89th floor."
"Itâs pointless to talk about it now."
"I think itâs necessary to explain. Maintaining trust under a crisis has a positive effect on the mental well-being of both parties."
Lin Xian frowned as he listened, a look of surprise on his face, "Are you trying to be friendly to me?"
"Not entirely." Ding Junyi walked slowly over, taking off her white lab coat, her slender figure stood in front of Lin Xian, reaching out and preparing to undo the buttons of her shirt, she softly asked, "Besides that, Iâm also prepared to make a sexual proposition to you. After being trapped for two weeks, my body experienced immense pleasure in the life-and-death escape just now. That feeling... it was amazing, perhaps influenced by the estrogen. If you donât refuse, I would like to engage in an intimate relationship with you right here, right now."
Lin Xian: ?
He was stunned for a moment, then looked at Ding Junyi in amazement, "Isnât that too much of a contrast?"
"What is a contrast?" Ding Junyi asked puzzled, "As a mentally sound mature woman, wanting sex from a quality man, isnât that quite normal?"
Lin Xianâs skin bristled.
Ding Junyi took a step forward, starting to unbutton her shirt with one hand. Despite her tall and slender figure, her chest was very perky. She explained with great care, "If youâre worried about health issues, I can responsibly assure you that I undergo medical examinations in the Underground City every month. According to the medical reports, I am very healthy with no genetic diseases or infections, and my figure and bust size match what males typically describe as âsexyâ in their assessment of the opposite sex. Also, Iâm not on my period at the moment."
"Hey, wait a minute." Lin Xian furrowed his brow.
"Moreover, regarding the environment, weâve already escaped the danger, and this cabin is very clean, warm, and a private space; there are no others to disturb us. Although I noticed that you and Ms. Chen and lady KIKI might have the potential for a male-female relationship, now that the world is on the brink of destruction and social order has collapsed, in these circumstances, us having a pleasurable and trust-building sexual encounter in this unnoticed space late at night is completely reasonable and even very exciting, donât you think so?"
Ding Junyi took off her shirt, standing silently in front of Lin Xian, pointed at the button of her jeans beneath her flat stomach, her voice indifferent like a detached tour guide, "However, as a woman, I think it would seem quite offensive to take the initiative to unbutton this myself."
"Of course, if you are a bit rougher, I wouldnât mind."
Lin Xian was completely dumbfounded: "Itâs just that..."