Armed Train in the Apocalypse

Unlike the Armed Train’s one-pot approach, Dragon Gate only filters for elites in the combat Domain.

If you’re not elite, you can’t even make it to the arenas ranked in the top thirty-six.

This group has a rich spread of professions and is intrinsically valuable for research, equivalent to opening a fresh feed into the major factions’ databases, regularly updating Tier One combat profession recipes from the wilds.

The evolution database on the train has two sources: Su Huan’s memories and trades with major factions.

Originally, they could also obtain some obscure Tier One Evolutionary Ability combinations by taking in newcomers.

But now the train’s system is increasingly standardized; even newcomers’ evolution directions have been systematically planned, and professions are starting to converge into just a few types.

Short-term ones like ”Pharmacist,” ”Firepower Hand,” ”Mechanician,” and long-term layouts like ”Energy Storage Core,” ”Vanguard,” ”Perception Synchronizer,” and so on.

Originally, ”Energy Storage Core” was a dead-end path; the train couldn’t replicate the extreme conditions of experiencing Fusion.

But as Su Huan reached Tier Four, that problem was solved.

The latter two are professions researched based on Mirror and Lin Xi respectively, and both can reach Tier Two.

Right now, both of them are facing a situation where the massive generation of abilities has left their Life Force and Carrying Capacity insufficient; Life Force can still be replenished with Crown Pears, but there’s no solution for Carrying Capacity.

To prevent the two of them from cracking apart, Su Huan has already sealed them both, which can extend their lives by about two years.

If they were following big corporations’ usage patterns, they’d instead be stimulating them to generate more skills, pushing them to take as many risks and aim for higher tiers as possible within their limited lives—when they die, you just replace them.

Genetic Primordials are rare, but they do exist.

At least other than Lin Xi and Mirror, Su Huan hasn’t seen a single one out in the wild—does that mean there aren’t any?

Not necessarily.

To major factions, Genetic Primordials are consumables.

They’d like to use them longer too, but without Su Huan’s Ability, it’s better to get results early and avoid waste.

As for their other professions, one ”Maker” is too dangerous and has been banned.

There’s also a ”Surveyor,” who can hear people’s inner voices—too dangerous; after strict selection they’re only training one person for it, for now.

Su Huan’s ”Fighting Master,” on the other hand, has had quite a few trainees.

Tough and durable, highly adaptable, it’s already become an indispensable mainstay in the Armed Corps’ configuration.

So the train has no need for gladiatorial methods—too time-consuming, too costly in manpower, far too inefficient.

”How much longer are we staying in the Rust Area?” Yu Yue sat down opposite him.

”Once Xiaoba gets back, we’ll leave. Why are you suddenly asking about this?” Su Huan asked, puzzled.

Yu Yue’s hand gently touched the slightly rounded shape of her lower abdomen, and she said anxiously, ”I’m afraid the Rust Area’s Rules will affect the baby’s development.”

Su Huan understood. ”It’s fine. Look at us—we’re all living just fine. The iron elements inside living bodies won’t be decomposed, because they’re coated with personal consciousness...”

”I know... I’m just worried.”

”It’ll be soon.”

”Come to my place tonight, the bed’s a bit roomier.”

”No.”

”Then I’ll go to your place.”

”No!”

...

The next morning, right before the alarm went off, Su Huan opened his eyes on Yu Yue’s small bed.

What entered his sight was a bed board wrapped in a sheet patterned with little bears; although the train had been refitted several times, Yu Yue still kept the classic bunk bed—top bunk for her daughter, bottom for herself.

The bed was a 1.2 by 2 meter double bed, and Su Huan was sleeping a bit cramped.

Feeling the softness on his arm, he slightly tilted his body and pulled his hair out from under the woman.

Even that subtle movement woke Yu Yue. The woman opened her eyes, reluctantly released Su Huan’s arm, sat up, and her soft chest came fully into view.

”I’ve muted the sound—you could sleep a little longer.”

Su Huan shook his head. He didn’t really need sleep; he’d purely used it as an excuse to keep Yu Yue company for a while.

With the Iron Swallow matter handled ahead of time, he didn’t intend to stay in the Rust Area for long.

Getting into Lion Pass sooner—that was an obsession he’d been holding on to for a long time.

Since Su Huan was up, Yu Yue didn’t want to keep lying down either. Tier Two Evolvers hadn’t evolved away the need for sleep, but as long as they weren’t injured, they could basically keep going nonstop.

The woman helped Su Huan comb his hair and change into a shirt.

By the time Su Huan came out, the morning music was already nearing its end, shifting from a violent rhythmic heatwave into gentle chanting.

”The trickling stream has finally flowed past mountain after mountain...”

Su Huan pricked up his ears and listened for a while, silently admiring Xiaozhao’s taste.

When he arrived at the dining car, Hu Shuo was already waiting with Xiaozhao.

The two of them reported the progress on key matters.

Last night, Changbai Pharmaceutical had already handed over part of its recipes and potions to the train. Acting on his own authority, Hu Shuo had used the train’s recipes and materials for the rest of the exchange, trading back everything the train needed.

Lord Lian had sent back word that, for now, no second piece of Gravity[Gravity]Rule Stone had been born in the Gravity Zone.

Also, she likes Su Huan’s gift very much, but hopes he’ll send something more expensive and more practical next time.

When Hu Shuo said this, his expression was impassive, while the train captain’s eyelids twitched imperceptibly.

Clearly, both of them were reminded of their experience of being squeezed by Lord Lian.

At this point, most Tier Three mutated plants can no longer satisfy her—what can Su Huan do?

Is he supposed to send over that coffin containing the Tier Four Slaughterer?

”The train’s reserve supplies are mainly geared toward the upcoming Wind Snow Zone...”

Hu Shuo said something that sounded completely off-topic.

Su Huan knew he was reminding him that they couldn’t send too many supplies to Donghuang Heavy Industry, or it would affect the train’s upcoming plans.