Translator: AnubisTL
"The refrigerator is a bit small, making it difficult to accommodate many residents mining simultaneously. This will slightly reduce efficiency. However, because of its compact size, it will generate iron ore faster, though the ore's concentration won't be as high."
"Then let's go with a Tier 1 space gate, 100 meters in length and width."
"Understood, Train Conductor."
"Does this device require energy stones to operate?"
"Yes, but the Stellaris's Solar Energy Panels can fully cover its consumption. The device only needs a small amount of energy for startup. Most of its power will come from the absorbed Core Energy."
"Alright, let's begin. I want to see how long it takes to generate Tier 4 Iron Ore."
"Understood."
Before leaving Carriage No. 2, Chen Mang created another Tier 1 space gate across from the Armored Research Center, specifically for generating iron ore.
Ten minutes later.
Chen Mang stood outside the locomotive cabin, gazing at the Cosmic Receiver, which had already begun operating. The concave, circular Receiver was positioned atop the carriage, absorbing Core Energy leaking from other planets in the cosmos.
According to Xiao Ai, it was already operational.
But...
From the outside, there was no visible reaction. It looked completely ordinary, as if it hadn't even been activated.
This thing had to be handled with extreme care. It wasn't a train accessory but a delicate instrument. A few bullets would likely send it to the brink of destruction, and the mechanical nanospiders couldn't repair it.
Even if Xiao Ai knew how, she lacked the tools and materials.
The door of Carriage No. 2 stood open, a thick pipe extending from the carriage to connect to the receiver.
"Not bad, eh?"
Chen Mang stood there, gazing at the train before him with a satisfied smile. He had crafted every component of this train himself, starting from a bare locomotive and building it up piece by piece.
Just standing here, looking at the train, filled him with a profound sense of contentment.
He felt he could easily spend an entire afternoon here, doing nothing but admiring his creation.
Only those who have children truly understand why parents can't stop talking about their kids, even when they're supposed to be working.
It's like owning a train—only then do you realize how satisfying it is to sit quietly and admire the masterpiece you've created.
Of course, that's assuming you have the luxury of sitting quietly in the first place.
This device can be interrupted at any time.
Progress will be saved.
No data will be lost.
It has few drawbacks, the only real one being the need to protect it from attack. In dangerous situations, it's best to store it inside the train, as the armor won't shield it.
But that would severely hamper efficiency.
Then Chang had a brilliant idea.
"Xiao Ai," he called out.
"Yes, sir?" Xiao Ai's voice responded from the locomotive cabin.
"Remove all the Rapid-Fire Carriage Crossbows from Carriage 12. Place the Receiver in the open-air Carriage 12. Raise the Receiver when it's safe, and retract it and cover it with armor when danger threatens."
"Understood. I'll make the arrangements."
The next moment—
Leaning on his cane, Chen Mang sensed that the Rapid-Fire Carriage Crossbows in Carriage 12 had been dismantled, their fragments scattered across the floor. Soon, Biaozi and his crew carried the Receiver through the carriage, while others trailed behind, pulling the pipes and laying them as discreetly as possible along the corners.
This thing is surprisingly sturdy.
Even a few stomps wouldn't break it.
Still, Chen Mang instructed Xiao Ai to issue a system-wide order through the Resident Iris Chips, prohibiting anyone from stepping on the pipes.
The Stellaris had a significant advantage: thanks to the Iris Chip accessory, all of Chen Mang's commands reached every resident instantly. This level of absolute control was something many organizations could only dream of. Moreover, every order he issued was executed without fail.
The combined strength of over 5,000 people, working in perfect unison, was truly terrifying.
In Resident Car No. 9, in Resident District 8, inside a classroom, Teacher Qiu stood at the podium, facing the screen as she smiled down at her students. "Today, we'll temporarily set aside our lesson on the History of Train Development. As we discussed yesterday, under Lord Mang's decisive leadership, the Stellaris successfully completed its S-Class job change quest."
"Become the only train on the Sha River Plains with S-rank potential."
"Today, we won't delve further into this topic."
"Instead, we'll show you a video."
Soon—
The screen flickered to life.
Under a sky choked with dark clouds and howling winds, Chen Mang stood facing Biaozi and the others, his back to the ground. Dozens of meters away, a horde of snarling zombies charged toward his back!
Just then!
Chen Mang slowly raised his cane. In an instant, thunder roared, lightning tore through the clouds like a divine being descending upon the world, the pressure nearly solidifying into substance.
Countless fragments transformed into razor-sharp blades, annihilating the zombie horde behind him.
Clean and decisive!
The screen slowly faded to black once more.
Teacher Qiu, standing on the stage, looked at the students below with a smile. "This scene showcases Lord Mang's personal combat style from a recent encounter. Does anyone have any thoughts? Feel free to speak freely."
The students below stared at the darkened screen, their mouths agape in stunned silence. After a moment, they snapped back to reality, some raising their hands frantically, their voices filled with shock and excitement.
"Teacher Qiu, was that the train's ability or Lord Mang's?"
"It must have been the train's ability! Why even ask? Teacher Qiu, will we be able to do that someday?"
"I want to fly on a sword too!"
Teacher Qiu smiled at the students and said softly, "This is Lord Mang's unique method. The Stellaris has grown to what it is today not just because of Lord Mang's wise decisions, unparalleled wisdom, and swift, decisive actions, but also because of his peerless strength."
"Remember this, my children."
"It is we who need the Stellaris, not the Stellaris that needs us."
"Even without us, Lord Mang would still be Lord Mang, still living freely in the apocalypse."
"But what would happen to us if we lost the Stellaris? I think you all know the answer. I, Teacher Qiu, was only able to stand here and lecture you, to live comfortably every day, to have my safety guaranteed, and even to retain my dignity—a luxury in this apocalypse—after joining the Stellaris."
"So I want you all to understand this."
"The Stellaris has invested heavily in your training. Do you really intend to simply enjoy these resources without giving anything in return?"
"No!" A male student slammed his fist on the table and stood up abruptly, his neck veins bulging as he roared, "Once I graduate and join the Guard Corps, I will charge to the front lines in every battle, killing every enemy who dares to oppose Lord Mang!"
"Me too! I'll tell Lord Mang I won't eat his food for free!"
"Blood spilled under the azure sky to prove our loyalty!"
Even the female students rose to their feet, their eyes slightly red, and declared, "Teacher Qiu, before we met Lord Mang, we lived in constant hunger and cold. We'll never forget his kindness, just as you said: the Stellaris is the only train in the apocalypse still carrying on human civilization. For human civilization, for Lord Mang, for the Stellaris, we'll spare nothing!"
"Good."
Teacher Qiu looked at the students, deeply moved. He slammed his right fist against his chest and said in a low voice, "Forever loyal to Lord Mang, loyal to the Stellaris!"
The students all slammed their right fists against their chests, their eyes red and voices hoarse as they roared:
"Forever loyal to Lord Mang, loyal to the Stellaris!"
"Loyalty!"
"Loyalty!"
Meanwhile, Chen Mang sat alone in the locomotive cabin, staring at the distress message Erdan had sent over the train radio.
He didn't need to handle the menial task of installing the Receiver; his subordinates would take care of it.
Lord Mang, I've found a fortuitous encounter map, but I can't complete the mission. Requesting assistance!
"This guy..."
Chen Mang glanced at the screen on the control panel. It had barely been a week since they entered Crisis Valley, and all he'd done was mine some ore and take a stroll through the Train Tunnel. Yet Erdan had already found another fortuitous encounter map?
This guy... could he really have some kind of luck on his side?
"What's the mission?"
Erdan didn't type this time, but his voice came through the train radio's walkie-talkie.
"Lord Mang!"
"Here's the situation. It's a bit complicated, so I'll keep it brief. My job is to wander around, and I enjoy it. I'm always looking for fortuitous encounter maps anyway..."
"That doesn't sound very brief," Chen Mang interrupted dryly.
"Well, while I was wandering, I came across a tombstone. It was the most conspicuous fortuitous encounter map I've ever seen. When my train landed beside it, the screen displayed a mission I'd accepted."
"I'm not the first to accept it. Many others must have already taken it. It seems like a straightforward, no-requirements fortuitous encounter map, though it's rather crude. I'll send you the mission details, Lord Mang. Take a look."
"..."
Chen Mang turned his gaze to the train radio, where Erdan had sent the mission details.
Wilderness Tombstone Encounter Quest
S-Rank Difficulty: Your train must mine a Tier 1 Iron Ore within 72 hours. Reward: Unknown.
A-Rank Difficulty: Your train must mine a Tier 4 Iron Ore within 72 hours. Reward: Unknown.
B-Grade Difficulty: Your train must mine a Tier 3 Iron Mine within 72 hours. Reward: Unknown.
C-Rank Difficulty: Your train must mine a Tier 2 Iron Ore within 72 hours. Reward: Unknown.
D-Rank Difficulty: Your train must not mine any iron ore within 72 hours. Reward: Unknown.
Erdan's voice crackled over the train's walkie-talkie: "We're out of slaves on my train, so we can't mine anymore. But if Lord Mang isn't busy, we could team up and find that train mining Tier 4 Iron Ore earlier."
"We could steal their Tier 4 Iron Ore, then we'd be able to mine it ourselves."
"The mission doesn't say we have to mine a complete vein. Half should count too."
"...?"
Chen Mang stared at the mission list with a slightly odd expression. After a long moment, he picked up the walkie-talkie: "Tier 4 Iron Ore is only A-Rank Difficulty? Why didn't you choose S-Rank Difficulty?"
"You chose A-Rank Difficulty?"
"You don't get a choice. Whatever difficulty you complete, that's how the mission is graded." Erdan paused, then said with a sigh, "Lord Mang, this is the Blue Zone, Crisis Valley. The lowest-grade iron ore here is Tier 2. There's no Tier 1 Iron Ore at all."
"But since the mission includes Tier 1 Iron Ore as an option, it must exist in Crisis Valley, though it's probably even rarer than Tier 4 Iron Ore. I've been wandering around for ages, and I've seen Tier 4 Iron Ore, but I haven't spotted a single Tier 1 Iron Ore."
"What did you just call me?"
"Lord Mang."
"I've sent you my coordinates. Come find me and witness Lord Mang's foundation."
"Huh?"
"Hurry."
After hanging up, Chen Mang instructed, "Stop producing Tier 4 Iron Ore. Start producing Tier 1 Iron Ore."
"Understood," Xiao Ai's voice echoed through the train.
It was normal for the Blue Zone's Crisis Valley to lack Tier 1 Iron Ore mines. After all, when he was in the Iron Ridge Wasteland, it had taken him over ten days to mine a mere 10,000 units of Tier 1 Iron Ore.
In Crisis Valley, a train spending over ten days to mine 10,000 units of iron ore would likely starve. The ore mined wouldn't even cover the daily food rations for the slaves and the maintenance of the train's accessories.
The higher the train's Tier, the more iron ore it consumed daily to maintain normal operations in peacetime. If war broke out, the only hope was victory. Winning would allow them to recoup some losses; defeat meant certain doom, even if they managed to escape initially.
Take the Stellaris, for example. Its daily operating costs, including food for over 5,000 people, cigarettes, nuts, Cola, and the normal functioning of all accessories, amounted to roughly 14,000 units of iron ore per day.
That's equivalent to consuming one Tier 1 mine daily.
Of course, this is without the "Solar Energy Panel." Once installed, this accessory would cover much of the train's daily consumption. Currently, the Stellaris's actual daily consumption is around 6,000 units of iron ore.
Half an hour later.
The target acquisition radar showed a train hurtling through the air at incredible speed toward the Stellaris.
Soon after—
A train consisting only of a short, compact locomotive came to a halt in front of the Stellaris, the sonic boom finally catching up.
Erdan jumped down from the train and strode toward the Stellaris. Standing beneath the locomotive cabin, he looked up at Chen Mang, who was sitting in his chair, and asked with a puzzled expression, "Lord Mang, my radar hasn't detected any Tier 1 Iron Ore nearby. Could it be deep underground?"
"Follow me," Chen Mang said with a chuckle, leaping down from the locomotive cabin and standing beside Erdan. He walked toward the door of Carriage No. 2 of the Stellaris. "Let me show you the Stellaris's true foundation."
The next moment!
The door of Carriage No. 2 opened. Erdan, following Lord Mang inside, was immediately captivated by the hundred heavy machine guns mounted on the ceiling. He stood frozen in place, his eyes wide with stunned confusion, muttering blankly, "Lord Mang... your foundation is... terrifying. Honestly, Lord Mang, are you afraid of ghosts? Can't sleep at night?"
(End of the Chapter)
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