Inside Carriage No. 5.
After taking Yan Yao away, Lao Zhu walked in and smiled warmly at Ji Chuchu, who was sitting by the bed, "Looks like it didn't go well, huh? Wasn't this what you promised Lord Mang?"
"Don't end up burning yourself in the process."
He could naturally see through Ji Chuchu's intentions. She had reached her limit and wanted to use Yan Yao to elevate her status on the train. However, it seemed things weren't progressing as smoothly as she had hoped.
"It's a bit troublesome."
Ji Chuchu shook her head, turning to look out the window, "She hasn't experienced the apocalypse yet. Her mindset hasn't shifted. Give her some time, and she'll come around."
Lao Zhu nodded, "Just make sure you don't overdo it. Don't force anything if she's unwilling. Let her mine if she wants. Lord Mang doesn't like unnecessary complications, understand?"
"Yes, I understand, Train Conductor Zhu."
"Good." Lao Zhu didn't say more and turned to leave the carriage. It was just a minor incident. Since Yan Yao was brought into the carriage, Lord Mang hadn't even asked about her, showing he didn't care much. She seemed more like an optional presence.
If she obeyed, she could stay. If not, she'd be treated like any other resident.
She could mine or sell herself.
Soon, dawn broke.
The bald man in the Azure Dragon Train switched to the Wind-Fire Wheel, speeding toward the coordinates. The Bunny Cloud consumed too much energy. Flying over the Kunshan region was necessary due to the rough terrain, and it was safer in the air.
But on the Shahe Plain, using the Wind-Fire Wheel was more efficient. Flying in the air would be pure stupidity, no matter how rich you were. Resources weren't meant to be wasted like that.
However.
When they were just a few minutes away from the coordinates, the Azure Dragon Train gradually came to a halt. Several mechanical arms extended from the sides of the carriages, and within a minute, the wheels were replaced with Bunny Clouds.
Then, as the nitrogen tailjets on both sides of the carriages ignited, the train surged forward, flying straight toward the coordinates!
Not long after.
He spotted the Stellar Train parked near the coordinates in his field of vision. He chuckled, then slowly maneuvered the train to land in front of the Stellar Train, leaning out of the window to wave.
"Bro! It's me!"
"..."
Chen Mang expressionlessly looked at the train that had landed before him. His Targeting Radar had been upgraded to level 15, with a detection range of 15,000 meters. He had already spotted the Azure Dragon Train on his radar.
When it was over ten thousand meters away, it was still on the ground.
After stopping for a minute, it flew over.
It was clear.
The Bunny Cloud must consume a lot of energy.
But he didn't expose it, just sighed lightly. This guy acted like a child. It's the apocalypse, are you playing house?
He also rolled down his window and leaned out to inspect the Azure Dragon Train.
"Long time no see. Nice train."
"Not bad." The bald man chuckled, "Level 5 train, 22 carriages, over 600 Slaves. Let's head out now. I'll lead the way. My train's faster, maxing out at over 500 on flat ground. I'll go slower."
"Just over 300."
"Alright."
Neither of them got out of their trains, just poking their heads out to chat for a bit.
After all, it was their first meeting.
The Azure Dragon Train Captain didn't dare to step out alone for a chat. Most of a Train Captain's abilities came from the train. Leaving it would significantly increase the danger. Chen Mang didn't mind, even though he had the Hell Staff to remotely control the train.
But...
There was still danger. Bullets weren't slow.
The two trains sped eastward across the Shahe Plain, the opposite direction of the Kunlun Mountains, which lay to the west. The Tower of Heaven was to the east.
About three hours later.
The Azure Dragon Train gradually slowed down and stopped in front of a Tower of Heaven.
'We're here. We'll have to wait a bit.'
Chen Mang glanced at the message from the Azure Dragon Train Captain on the Train Radio and looked at the scene before him, feeling a hint of awe. The tower in front of him seemed to be a hundred meters in diameter, like a giant utility pole.
But it was more sci-fi.
Its surface was transparent, revealing numerous gears of various shapes turning inside. Some gears were dozens of meters in diameter, turning slowly, while others were only a few centimeters, spinning rapidly.
Looking up.
The higher you went, the narrower the tower became. At the very top, it was only ten meters wide, with a massive platform above it. The entire structure looked like an exaggeratedly proportioned golden mushroom.
This was definitely not a pre-apocalypse creation.
In front of the Tower of Heaven was a massive light curtain, resembling a regional boundary.
'Fortuitous Encounter Map: Tower of Heaven.'
'Countdown to Activation: 01:10:29.'
'Maximum of 8 trains allowed to ascend and participate. Only Level 5 and below trains permitted.'
'No attacks allowed between trains in the yellow waiting area. No attacks allowed between members of different trains.'
"Bro!"
The Azure Dragon Train Captain had already jumped off the train with his trusted aides and stood on the plain, pointing at the yellow circle in the distance, waving, "We're in the yellow waiting area now. It's safe here. You can come down."
"Let's go."
Chen Mang picked up the walkie-talkie and whispered, "Lao Zhu, bring Biao Zi down with you."
Just then—
Xiao Ai, who had been quietly standing in the corner of the train room, suddenly spoke up, "Train Captain, I'd like to go down and take a look too."
"You?"
Chen Mang frowned slightly, about to refuse, but then thought better of it. He picked up the staff beside him, walked to the mirror to tidy up his appearance, then said, "Alright, let's go down together."
Then he stepped off the train.
"Bro!"
The bald man from the Azure Dragon Train, along with his subordinates, immediately approached Chen Mang as he got off, his face full of smiles, "We've been communicating for so long, finally meeting in person. That maze design of yours was truly ingenious. I admire you, bro."
"I'm Er Dan. What should I call you?"
Then, when his gaze fell on Chen Mang's clothes, he was slightly stunned. Weren't these also made on the Clothing Customization Production Line? Why did his clothes look so much better in quality?
And that staff looked so luxurious!
Moreover.
This is the apocalypse. Why does this guy have an aura of detachment from the mundane world? His presence is extraordinary.
He had been quite confident in his own attire, but now, for some reason, he felt a surge of inferiority. He subconsciously looked down at his own clothes. Could it be that this guy upgraded the Clothing Customization Production Line to have a Supermodel Effect?
"Just call me Chen Mang."
Chen Mang, accompanied by Lao Zhu and the others, walked up to the bald man and smiled, "Your head's pretty shiny, bro."
Both being Train Captains, their auras were completely different.
Indeed.
It was all about money.
His clothes were the result of a Level 10 Supermodel Effect from the Clothing Customization Production Line, crafting high-precision clothes. That staff was also a Special Item, the Hell Staff. His body had been completely transformed in the Medical Bay, and with his already good looks and height, he stood out.
Especially in the apocalypse.
The contrast was even more striking.
Only after stepping off the train could one truly feel the awe-inspiring presence of the transparent Tower of Heaven. Chen Mang looked up at the towering structure and the countless gears turning inside, thinking it looked incredibly cool.
If only he could collect this.
It would make a fantastic addition to his collection.
Then he glanced around. Currently, only their two trains were in the yellow area. No other trains were in sight, and the Targeting Radar showed no other trains within range.
"Just the two of us?"
"Yeah."
The Azure Dragon Train Captain, Er Dan, nodded seriously, "Not many know about the Tower of Heaven's activation. I've been keeping an eye on it. Plus, Fortuitous Encounter maps always have some danger. Many prefer to just mine safely, reducing the risk."
"Chen Mang."
"No matter how many trains show up later, let's stick to our agreement. If it's cooperative, we'll team up and split the rewards 50-50. If it's individual challenges, we'll each rely on our own skills. What do you say?"
"Alright. What if it's adversarial?"
"There are no adversarial Fortuitous Encounter maps." Er Dan shook his head, "At least, I've never encountered or heard of any."
At this point.
"Mom!"
Er Dan suddenly turned and shouted toward the train room, "Make some ice-cold beer. I'm treating my bro to a drink."
"Excuse me, everyone. My mother passed away early, so I named the AI 'Mom.' It feels like she's still with me."
"I enjoy exploring Fortuitous Encounters, so I've gathered many interesting accessories, like this ice-cold beer production line. It's not very useful, but it improves quality of life."
A door on one of the Azure Dragon Train's carriages opened, and a beautiful woman in a short skirt walked out, carrying a tray with over a dozen cans of beer.
"Have a taste. It's been a while since you've had some, right?"
Er Dan enthusiastically invited Chen Mang and his group, "Come on, try some. We've got some time left. Let's sit and enjoy. In the apocalypse, moments like this are rare."
'These are indeed accessories-produced beers. No harm.'
'Also, Train Captain, could you ask Er Dan if his train has A-level potential? I'm quite curious.'
"..."
Chen Mang ignored the message from the AI in his mind and, without putting on any airs, sat cross-legged on the ground like Er Dan and the others, opening a beer and taking a hearty sip.
"Bro, let me tell you, that maze of yours..."
Though this guy seemed a bit showy.
They clicked well and had a good chat. Lao Zhu and the others also gathered with Er Dan's subordinates, chatting away. The group sat cross-legged on the plain, none of them carrying any weapons.
If it weren't for the two heavily armored trains parked on either side.
It wouldn't look like the apocalypse at all.
More like a peaceful spring outing.
But the several gun turrets mounted outside the carriages brought the atmosphere back to the apocalypse.
"Bro!"
After two cans of beer, Er Dan wasn't drunk but was in high spirits. He looked at Chen Mang seriously, "We really hit it off. Here's the thing: I know the Stellar Train has S-level potential, but it's only a Level 4 train. It might lack some accessories."
"Later, I'll produce a few thousand more cans of beer and give them to you!"
"Anytime you want to drink, just take them."
"But..."
Er Dan suddenly laughed, pulling the beautiful woman in the short skirt into his arms, winking, "This woman, though, I can't give to you. She's mine. How about it? She's pretty, right? Having such a beauty in the apocalypse isn't easy."
"Call him Lord Mang!"
The woman in Er Dan's arms obediently whispered, "Lord Mang."
"..."
Chen Mang, sitting cross-legged on the ground, couldn't help but sigh again. This guy was always showing off. Who asked for your woman? Really...
He glanced at Lao Zhu beside him.
Though Lao Zhu was chatting with others, his attention had been on this side. He immediately understood and nodded slightly, taking out the walkie-talkie and whispering a few words.
The next moment—
The door of Carriage No. 5 on the Stellar Train opened.
Ji Chuchu, in a red evening gown, with bright eyes and white teeth, stood at the door, gracefully waving to everyone. She walked elegantly to the group, knelt beside Chen Mang, and smiled without saying a word.
Then she took out a cigar, quietly lit it, and handed it to Chen Mang with both hands.
She looked both stunning and obedient.
"Oh."
Chen Mang took the cigar, pinching it between his fingers, and smiled at Er Dan, "No worries. A friend's wife is off-limits. How could I take your woman? Keep her for yourself."
This cigar was one of seven he had seized from a train outside the swamp.
He didn't like smoking them, but they added a certain flair.
"Huh?"
Er Dan, who had been all smiles, froze at this sight, his eyes filled with disbelief and shock. His voice rose involuntarily, "Aren't you... Ji Ji Chuchu?"
"The top-tier celebrity, the C-position guest on the hottest pre-apocalypse variety show 'Sisters, Please Step Up'?"
"That's me."
Ji Chuchu, kneeling beside Chen Mang, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled radiantly, "Thanks to Lord Mang taking me in, I have a place to call home in the apocalypse."
"I... I..."
Er Dan's eyes flashed with confusion. He looked at Ji Chuchu in her stunning red evening gown, exuding elegance and nobility beside Chen Mang, then at the woman in the short skirt by his side.
They were not on the same level.
After a long pause, he forced a stiff smile, his face somewhat embarrassed as he looked at Chen Mang, "Bro, you're living the good life."
(End of Chapter)