Chapter 227 - 219: Squad Exploration (Double Monthly Ticket Request)_2

"Yes."

With the smile fading, Lin Xian spoke, "We now need to wait for the situation report from Palma Prairie before heading out of Hengshan Pass. So, we must gather as many resources as possible to prepare for any eventualities."

For the people on the train, which is equivalent to a moving city, resources aren’t just food and water. Essential items cover daily necessities like household goods, clothes, cups, toothbrushes, even toilet paper. Importantly, Lin Xian also needs the team to gather mechanical items, whether for devouring or blueprint scanning and manufacturing, the more, the better.

Chen Sixuan nodded, "I suggest we do as we did in Yuchi, splitting into teams to explore along the way, which will also allow us to observe the exit routes and potential threats early."

"Yes."

Lin Xian agreed with Chen Sixuan’s suggestion.

"Lin Xian." At this moment, KIKI, holding a mobile terminal and using the vehicle’s information system to locate the communication device Lin Xian installed on the armored vehicle, said, "I checked, they headed south, but they are only within a 10-kilometer range, unclear if they’ve exited the city."

Lin Xian nodded, "That’s almost out of the city, knowing the direction is enough. Set the communication device’s serial number as a target alert. If it gets close later on, provide a reminder."

"That’s easy."

After handling this, Lin Xian began gathering everyone at the information center in carriage No. 2 to discuss splitting teams for exploration.

"It’s just noon, and time is ample, so I plan to split into three routes: one along the main track, where there’s a large shopping center; the second along the north track featuring an industrial area; lastly, to the south, a bit remote, but there are many residential areas, worth trying our luck."

"I!" KIKI immediately raised her hand, full of enthusiasm, "I’ll head to the shopping center. Haven’t gone shopping for ages, planning to bring back lots this time!"

"Then I’ll go south, I’m quite experienced in searching residential areas." Shu Qin volunteered.

"I can go anywhere, Brother Xian." Building directly said.

"Alright then." Lin Xian contemplated and said, "Little Girl, Building, Sha Sha, take a few more people to search along the main track, scan those large shopping centers, and bring back anything useful. We’ve got enough car space."

"Got it!" KIKI and Sha Sha eagerly agreed.

Such search missions under the afternoon sun sound quite leisurely; given the team’s skill, zombies pose little threat, it’s basically like a shopping trip.

However, in a traffic hub city like Hengshan Pass, it’s uncertain how many survivors have searched already, likely difficult to find anything exceedingly valuable.

"Then Brother Huo, you lead the team along the north track; the industrial area is quite open, and it’s convenient for your superpower in case any situation arises."

Lu Xingchen generally prefers guarding the train, making tea, and sunbathing, but hearing Lin Xian’s arrangement, he nodded yet shrugged, "Am I going alone?"

KIKI glanced at him, "Scared?"

"Ridiculous." Lu Xingchen stood with his arms outspread, his face cold and deep, "For me, slaying demons is easy, but searching for items..."

"Alright, alright, I’ll go with you." Evoking a displeased frown, Sha Sha interrupted, "Brother Lin, this guy is a direction idiot. Last time, he couldn’t even tell east from west in a warehouse. Let me go with him, alright?"

Clearing his throat!

Immediately upon hearing this, Lu Xingchen coughed twice, forcefully masking embarrassment, "Not really, my heart traverses heaven and earth, the path isn’t..."

"So be it." Lin Xian immediately agreed, looking at Lu Xingchen, unsurprised that this guy often stood with his back to people, unable to tell directions.

"Take a few more people with you."

Disdainfully looking at Lu Xingchen, Sha Sha nodded.

"Lin Xian." Chen Sixuan spoke up, "For the south line, I suggest not spending too much time in residential areas; we should scout Qingshui Town ahead of time. That group earlier mentioned a flying device crashing there, and the situation is quite complex. If problems arise, we can prepare to avoid it."

Chen Sixuan’s suggestion was quite foresighted; exiting Hengshan Pass leads to Palma Prairie, potentially impacting the east and north lines, while the south line, though circuitous, would be the safest choice under extreme circumstances.

Lin Xian agreed, "I think so too, so I’ll travel south with Shu Qin. Teacher Chen, you and Miao Lu are in charge of guarding the train."

"Okay."

Before entering Hengshan Pass, Lin Xian originally planned to send Shu Qin and Lv Chang to explore the residential areas; Shu Qin and her group were adept at body techniques and experienced, advantageous in densely populated areas.

However, on the platform there are several trains; devouring mechanical upgrades are of higher priority than searching outside, plus he needs time to complete the railgun’s extreme energy capacitor. The team’s numbers have increased, allowing him to hand over search tasks completely.

But upon hearing news about the Dragon Transport Ship, he changed his plan to check Qingshui Town. The sheer size of the machinery is valuable for scanning some subsystem blueprints even if devouring isn’t possible.

The platform trains can be handled at night—thanks to Infinity providing powerful fire support, safeguarding his night operations.

Once the teams were set, they began deploying.

KIKI, Building, Lv Chang, and two team members took an off-road vehicle to explore the east line.

Sha Sha and Lu Xingchen took several team members in the armored car towards the north line and the industrial area.

Heading south, Lin Xian and Shu Qin, since reconnaissance was the priority, each took a motorbike, riding light.

On Infinity, Lin Xian left Chen Sixuan to guard the train, along with Director Ding, Miao Lu, and several experts. Chen Sixuan managed the large volume of newly traded resources with the team.

"Off we go~"

KIKI perched on the car roof, occasionally taking to the air; ever since mastering flight, her mobility has greatly enhanced. On such a sunny city afternoon, she often soared above the team car as their scout.

Meanwhile, Sha Sha rode shotgun with the Thunderstorm A1 Grenade Gun and her ammo backpack, while Lu Xingchen drove; the vehicle shot out of the station toward the north line.

"This time you better keep up, don’t get distracted by any broken meditation mats; this is a big city, not a small warehouse~" Sha Sha preemptively cautioned Lu Xingchen.

Lu Xingchen, wearing sunglasses and watching the post-apocalyptic cityscape ahead, suavely replied, "A broken mat? You don’t understand these are essential to tea culture aesthetics."

"Tch~" Sha Sha sneered, "Can’t drink tea from a thermos?"

"Summer insects cannot discuss ice with you." Lu Xingchen shook his head helplessly, giving Sha Sha a look, "But later, I might find you something suitable for your age, like dolls or roller skates."

"Phooey~ I like this."

Sha Sha raised her grenade gun dominantly, "The bigger the firepower, the better. Preferably something that can blow up your broken mat to dust."

Lu Xingchen:...

Vroom~

Elsewhere, Lin Xian and Shu Qin rode motorcycles, speeding out of the platform; the roaring engines immediately attracted a horde of zombies.

The once-wide city streets were lined with now rusted, abandoned cars. The two motorcycles weaved skillfully through obstacles on a fast-paced southern sprint.