"Who was that person?"
After the armored vehicle left, KIKI walked over to Lin Xian and asked curiously.
Lin Xian squinted slightly, speaking in a deep voice: "Itâs an organization called the SIID Foundation that seems to be the backer behind the âSpecial Item Research Departmentâ mentioned in the information you provided before."
"Oh?" KIKI frowned: "From the Federation?"
Lin Xian shook his head: "According to what she said, they are a neutral organization. They probably noticed us when we were ascending the elevator."
"Itâs because they noticed your mechanical superpower, isnât it?" KIKI glanced at Lin Xian, blinking her eyes and immediately understood.
"She threw you an olive branch, hoping to recruit you?"
"Recruit...," Lin Xian laughed outright: "Are we bandits to be recruited?"
"By the way," Lin Xian asked: "Do you know if there are any large laboratories or military bases near Shijiu Lake?"
With Lin Xianâs question, KIKI furrowed her brows: "As for military bases, based on the information I gathered before, there seems to be none. If itâs newly established or highly classified, then I wouldnât know. As for large laboratories, Iâve never heard of them either. Such institutions should be found on civilian maps, right?"
"Then forget it."
Crunch~
Lin Xian crushed a small metal brace with his left hand and devoured it. The brace extended a few meters from the ground, resembling a simple metallic arm.
"Hey, what did you just do?" KIKI immediately asked after noticing Lin Xianâs small action.
"Nothing," Lin Xian squinted slightly: "Just installed a communication device on that car."
KIKI heard and widened her eyes: "You want to use the communication device as a signal locator to track them? But this thing loses signal at a distance, and with the dark tides, tracking and locating is impossible."
"Basic things have basic uses. Who said I intend to track and locate?"
Lin Xian turned to KIKI: "Just help me confirm the carâs direction out of the city. Moreover, being prepared is better than not. If one day this car tries to track us, we can find out in advance."
Although Hua Xiaoling said they are neutral, Lin Xian knew that regardless of the faction, there is always a certain interest orientation, so he is cautious, keeping things under tight wraps.
But speaking of collaboration, if he wanted to cooperate, why not choose the Phoenix Society? With night approaching, these civilian foundational laboratory groups might not even ensure their own safety, let alone others.
"Alright then~," KIKI gave Lin Xian a scrutinizing look: "I feel like youâre getting more cunning, like an old fox."
Lin Xian furrowed his brow at her, scoffing: "Thatâs because I learned from you. In the apocalypse, everyone has to be on guard."
KIKI glanced at him with disdain: "Hmph, blame me, typical man."
...
Back in the vehicle, Chen Sixuan finished counting the traded supplies in compartment 7. Seeing Lin Xian enter, she happily said.
"Lin Xian, we exchanged quite a lot of supplies this time. I did a quick calculation; even if we thirty-plus people eat three meals a day, it would last a month."
Weapons nearly filled compartment 5 and were mostly cleared out, traded for many useful supplies. Chen Sixuan let out a sigh of relief: "If it werenât for the Fu Lu Shou Team, it would have gone smoother than expected."
"Hey, Sister Chen." KIKI walked over with a cheerful smile: "Those folks bought so many weapons from usâthatâs even smoother, wouldnât you say?"
Lin Xian was somewhat surprised at the number; it was his first time using his superpower to earn supplies, and the outcome was unexpectedly fruitful.
Sha Sha hugged a jar of pickled cucumbers and laughed: "That idiot never imagined that our Brother Lin is like a weapons factory, couldnât buy out all we have."
"Indeed." KIKI looked at the shelves brimming with supplies and flew over to hug Lin Xianâs shoulder, joyfully saying: "I told you, with Lin Xianâs superpower, we truly wonât need to worry about food in the future~"
"Are you treating me like a cow!"
Lin Xian glared at her: "Oh smart one, crafting things demands time, energy, and materials. Plus, low-end weapons arenât selling as well. Itâs not easy to feed a vehicle full of people."
If the Fu Lu Shou Team came to buy high-firepower weapons, Lin Xian really couldnât whip those up in bulk quickly; it could be troublesome.
KIKI chuckled: "Hehe, then I misspoke. Youâre not a cow; youâre a stud~"
"KIKI, what is a stud?" Sha Sha asked curiously.
"A stud is... mu-mu-mu"
Just as KIKI was about to explain, Lin Xian covered her mouth with his hand and glared at her: "Do you even know what a stud is? Stop misleading the kids."
KIKI broke free from his hand and earnestly told Sha Sha: "A stud is a horse responsible for breeding, itâs very hardworking, like your Brother Lin."
"Oh, then Brother Lin is indeed very hardworking." Sha Sha nodded in agreement.
Chen Sixuanâs face turned red, while Lin Xian was left speechless, puzzled about where this young lady picked up such random phrases.
Just then, KIKI leaned closer to Lin Xian and whispered in his ear: "Especially certain people are so diligent at night~"
"Really? Seems like youâre too idle at night." Lin Xian retaliated: "Why donât you help out next time?"
"No way!" KIKI blushed and backed away hurriedly, lowering her voice as she glared at Lin Xian.
"Lin Xian."
Seeing KIKI about to start rambling, Chen Sixuan quickly interrupted, addressing Lin Xian: "What are our plans next? Should we arrange for the team to go out exploring again?"