Chapter 55: Evolution Information

Lin Xian looked calm and replied, “That’s not certain. I’ll have to see it to know.”

Jiang Yun looked at him with a scrutinizing gaze, then nodded. “No problem. Actually, there are more standard versions of this thing at some of the Federation’s Phoenix Society rescue points. But because of the polar night, all the rescue points are constantly moving. Or those permanent underground cities might have them too. But similarly, once they are covered by the polar night, it’s hard for supplies to get in, and it’s hard for people to get out.”

“As for the information on ability evolution you mentioned…” Jiang Yun forced a smile and scanned the crowd. “I can only tell you that the evolution methods and paths for all abilities are different. You have to specify what ability it is. If it’s one of the types announced by the Phoenix Society, I can tell you directly. But if not, then I’m not sure if anyone here knows, and even if they do…”

“What, this secret can also be traded?” KIKI responded at this moment.

Jiang Yun nodded meaningfully. “Yes, but not necessarily. After all, there are too many types of abilities now. And even for the simplest and most common abilities like limb mimicry and monstrous proliferation, their evolution paths are not as simple as just consuming blood and flesh. Some people succeed, while others fail. This may be related to the growth progress of one’s own ability, or it may be related to mental strength or the type of blood and flesh. Many things are uncertain. So even if someone selflessly shares their evolution method, it may not be correct. After all, it varies from person to person.”

“And also,” Jiang Yun said meaningfully, “even if someone tells you, how do you know if it’s true or false?”

Jiang Yun’s words made Lin Xian’s expression change slightly.

It seemed that abilities were much more complicated than he had imagined.

Everyone’s evolution path was different. Even for the same ability, if someone happened to succeed, they might not be able to explain what coincidence they had stumbled upon.

Unless an organization had the ability to collect a large amount of data, test, and experiment, this kind of information gathered by asking around might be difficult to even distinguish between true and false, let alone succeed.

Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but sigh in his heart.

The upgrade of his own Mechanical Heart was very clear. The only problem was that its combat power was slightly lacking.

So his goal was to armor himself. If he had the chance, it was possible for him to become Iron Man.

After all, the Dragon Country’s Star Force itself had the technology of full-coverage external combat armor. It was just that he had no chance to come into contact with this kind of thing now, only knowing about it from previous media information and from KIKI.

Not to mention AI systems and the like. If he could reach that stage, wouldn’t it be… if he could create a fighter jet girl…

He was getting ahead of himself…

“I have a team member who should have a body-strengthening type ability. He’s very strong. If anyone has information on this, you can trade with me.”

Lin Xian used Dalou’s ability to test the waters. As for whether it was true or false, he could only rely on his own feelings. If he could help Dalou or KIKI evolve their abilities, it would definitely greatly increase the survival rate of their small team.

As for KIKI’s, for a psionic-type ability like hers, Lin Xian didn’t reveal it directly, lest it attract another round of surprised gazes.

Although everyone present was friendly on the surface, it was always necessary to keep a card up one’s sleeve.

“Body-strengthening type ability?”

“I’ve seen it, and I’ve heard of it,” the woman named Shu Qin spoke up at this moment. “But I don’t know if it’s true or if it’s useful. I heard that this type of ability may require absorbing extremely heavy blood qi, and it might only be possible to evolve in a near-death state.”

She shrugged after speaking.

“I’m just saying it casually, not trying to trade anything with you. You need to judge for yourself whether it’s useful.”

This kind of thing was a matter of life and death, so she couldn’t be sure of anything, and she didn’t seem to want to trade it.

Hearing this, both Lin Xian and KIKI’s expressions changed.

“Near-death state?”

“Actually, this information is worth considering,” a man who looked to be in his fifties said with a slightly grim expression. “Whether it’s announced by the Phoenix Society or spread among the wanderer groups, almost all abilities are inseparable from three things: one is a certain item, the second is a certain change related to the body and mind, and the last is a certain specific condition.”

“Yes.”

Jiang Yun also said, “From most of the information I know so far, no ability has an easy evolution.”

“I understand.” Lin Xian nodded and cast a grateful look at the crowd.

He thought of Tang Hai that night. Although it sounded simple, if one needed to be bitten to death by a zombie to have a chance to evolve, and the early-stage ability didn’t have any special manifestations, then who would deliberately bleed themselves to let a zombie eat them?

“Alright, then let’s continue.”

Seeing Lin Xian in deep thought, Jiang Yun let the others continue to speak in turn.

Lin Xian and KIKI, on the other hand, were discussing in a low voice in the corner.

“Red beans, Ethereal Fluctuation detector, we should be able to get those. Ability evolution doesn’t seem to be that simple…”

“I don’t think you need to worry about this at all.” The corner of KIKI’s mouth lifted. “As long as we can maintain communication with the outside world, these secrets will eventually come to light in the survivors’ field of vision. Didn’t I say that Project Angel has been conducting research in this area? Just give me one more chance to hack in… hehe.”

Lin Xian looked at this little missy’s sly face and smiled. “How do you hack in? With a radio?”

“Hey!” KIKI’s eyes lit up. “That’s right! The Dawn Project was also once the property of the Federation government. There must be a device inside to connect to orbital satellites. Maybe there’s a lot of information too. And isn’t Underground City No. 9 just near Mount Daluo? Do you think we should plan something?”

Plan…

Why did that word sound so strange?

But KIKI’s words also stirred Lin Xian’s heart. KIKI still had the identity of a level-two investor in the Dawn Project. And before they entered Yubei City, they had to cross the northern foot of Mount Daluo from the Congshan mountain range. Although it was a bit of a distance, it sounded like a good opportunity.

An officially established underground city. If nothing else, those high-tech electronic devices, communication devices, and so on, would definitely not be lacking!

“Want to go?” KIKI had an eager expression. “I have the status of a level-two investor, which is more valuable than a first-class citizen, you know~”

“I have some thoughts.” Lin Xian took a deep breath. “But there’s a problem.”

“What problem?”

“Did you forget what they just said? There might be some anomaly zone or a major anomaly in the Mount Daluo area. Behind us is the polar night tide, and there are also those terrifying Corpse Drivers. Do we have time to go?”

As soon as he said this, the smile on KIKI’s face froze, her expression changed, and she shrank her neck in fear.

“Uh… this…”

“But what I’m a little curious about is that since the beginning of Apocalypse Day, we’ve never heard any official announcement about the Dawn Project. The people here also don’t seem to know that there’s such a large underground city project nearby. Don’t you find that strange?”

Hearing this, KIKI pouted and replied, “It’s simple. Because resources were limited and the construction period was extremely short, this project never considered the life and death of ordinary people from the very beginning. All the people selected for the underground city quota were through targeted invitations, and they had to pay a certain price. How could such a project be announced to the public?”

Hearing this, Lin Xian gave a helpless smile.

So that’s how it was…

The so-called Dawn Project was actually an emergency shelter for the rich and powerful. No wonder all the construction projects were carried out in secret. Before the polar night, when the Star Abyss had just formed, the news about the Dawn Project basically came from some leaked information based on rumors.

“It’s the end of the world, and they’ve already dug to Underground City No. 9. The secrecy is still so good. It’s really damn efficient…”

“That’s why the Federation government collapsed after the polar night. But since my dad took me with him, it means that Underground City No. 9 must have been operational and ready for occupancy.”

Lin Xian nodded and said in a deep voice, “In that case, this Underground City No. 9 can’t be considered official anymore. It can only be considered a former government project, and it’s not open to civilians. Except for you, none of us should be able to get in.”

“Who cares? Maybe the people inside are all dead. Even if there are still people, our purpose isn’t to go in and become underground citizens.” KIKI smiled slyly and put her hands on her hips. “The people inside don’t treat civilians as human beings, so why should we be polite to them?”

Lin Xian frowned and looked at her with a half-smile.

“You mean, the few of us are going to a giant underground city to scavenge?”

“Hehe, it’s a waste not to go.”

KIKI raised her eyebrows at him excitedly, a meaningful smile on her face. “There must be all kinds of advanced technology and equipment inside. There must be heavy mechs for defense. To maintain a huge underground city, there must also be a nuclear power device. Maybe there’s even some kind of star propulsion system. Don’t you want to make your train soar into the sky? This is a great opportunity.”

Lin Xian looked at her eager expression, stunned for a moment. He had to admit that what this little missy said had indeed moved him.

For his Mechanical Heart, this was indeed a great opportunity to upgrade the train before entering the Circumstellar Railway.

“Mmm, we’ll discuss the details after we go back. Let’s take care of things here first.”

Lin Xian took a deep breath.

KIKI said excitedly, “Alright!”

In front of the bonfire, the captains of the dozen or so teams communicated with each other about the supplies and problems they needed. As a trade, everyone would also take out what the other party needed. Two teams even reached a temporary consensus to merge and flee east together.