Chapter 240: Tier 2 Advanced Material
Seeing that she hadn’t moved for a long time, Hu Shuo lightly coughed.
The Giraffe watching the excitement from the side directly “invited” him out.
The Mongoose slightly furrowed her brows, but since the Train Conductor didn’t ask her, she didn’t rashly interject.
Although the Train Conductor’s words were a bit harsh, the Armored Train had its own rules. Wanting to bypass the rules to achieve certain goals required being prepared for failure.
What’s more, the woman wasn’t even considered part of the train.
A casual “serves you right” was already the best outcome.
But that didn’t mean the Mongoose would let Old Wu off!
Su Huan turned his head to look at the Mongoose at this time, “It’s your turn.”
The Mongoose’s eyes flickered, not mentioning the matter that had already been characterized, choosing to stick to her previous statement, “No matter what, this is my task. He overstepped.”
“That makes a lot of sense.”
Su Huan showed an approving expression and smiled as he looked at everyone.
“Do any of you have good suggestions?”
He Jie said sinisterly, “How about we just castrate that kid directly.”
Old Wu immediately felt a chill in his crotch and looked pleadingly at Old San.
Although Old San had already cursed Old Wu bloody in his heart, as the Combat Group leader, when his subordinate hadn’t committed a principled error, he had to stand up and defend him, or no one would obey him in the future.
So he braced himself and said, “The Train Conductor just said that although no money was given, it didn’t violate the rules, and even if it did violate the rules.”
“Moreover, the entire train is our Combat Group’s maintenance area, so there’s no such thing as overstepping.”
He Jie looked at Old San and hummed ambiguously twice.
The others also expressed their views.
However, none sided with He Jie or Old San, staying neutral.
Su Huan lightly tapped the sofa armrest with his index finger, his gaze evenly sweeping across everyone’s faces.
He had created new classes, blurring people’s pre-Apocalypse status hierarchies.
But based on status and strength on the train, order of boarding, positions, and many other factors, he had delineated a new hierarchy.
What he wanted to resolve wasn’t the dispute between the Mongoose and Old Wu.
He wasn’t that idle.
What he really wanted to see was the attitude of the Combat Group and the Armed Corps, and everyone.
Confrontation or division!
This was very important.
For now, He Jie was purely backing up his subordinate. With his position and deterrence over the Combat Group, he hadn’t spoken too harshly.
If it ended there, that budding confrontation would have been kicked away by He Jie.
Just resolving the conflict between the Mongoose and Old Wu would suffice.
But Old San’s words instead pointed out the problem: on the train, whose authority was greater?
If not handled well, it would be like planting a nail.
The soldiers of the Combat Group and Armed Corps would mutter in their hearts about how to divide authority between the two violence departments, and whose it would be next time something like this happened.
After figuring it out, Su Huan considered and said, “The Combat Group is not equal to enforcers. The Combat Group’s task is to maintain train safety, not participate in management or Reconnaissance, only executing tasks according to orders. The Armed Corps similarly lacks this authority. On the train, you can discipline your own subordinates, but you have no authority to manage others.”
“Is this premise clear enough?”
The combat departments should just fight. If given internal management authority, the Combat Group would leap to become the head of the four groups, with authority far exceeding the other three groups.
Currently, only the Logistics Group touched a bit on management, but because it mostly coordinated with other groups’ movements and handled specific affairs.
Rather than managing other groups, so everyone didn’t find it strange.
If the train suddenly had a bunch of enforcers, that would be what made people uncomfortable.
As for specific management affairs, they were naturally handed to each group’s Purser.
Matters might pile up a bit, but the train was only so big, with a population cap, no issue of being overwhelmed.
Each department relatively independent, not subordinate to each other.
This could also avoid funny situations like the Embroidered Uniform Guard managing officials, the Eastern Depot managing the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Western Depot managing the Eastern Depot, the Internal Depot managing the East and West Depots.
As long as he was strong enough, always far surpassing everyone.
Giving them enough pressure, they would each mind their own business.
Hearing Su Huan’s words, everyone was thoughtful.
The Mongoose unwillingly nodded.
“Then the rest is a matter between you and him. I can give you an opportunity, but not now.”
Su Huan said while looking at the Mongoose and the other.
The Mongoose’s eyes lit up, “Good!”
This was the Train Conductor in her mind, fair and powerful.
Old Wu met Su Huan’s gaze, gritted his teeth, and also agreed.
“Alright, meeting adjourned!”
Su Huan waved his hand, and the Mongoose and the other withdrew.
The Factory Director, Professor Ma, and others who had been waiting at the doorway walked in.
Compared to when they left a few days ago, the Factory Director’s hair was messy, but his spirits were much more excited.
Director Xu stood to the side like a wax figure, eyes fixed on the spot one meter ahead, but his soul had flown to the Laboratory, lost in thought on some proposition.
Deputy General Manager Deng’s round face had slimmed down a lot, and even Professor Ma’s temperament had gained a bit more sharpness.
Clearly, the “Floating Giant Wood” plan had given them considerable pressure.
“Right, where’s Yu Jing?”
Su Huan scanned around and asked.
Professor Ma said, “Earlier we discussed lacking materials. Hearing that the train brought back quite a few materials, she went to select them.”
Su Huan was just about to speak when a question came from outside the door.
“How was this thing made?”
Yu Jing, wearing the [Engineer] Exoskeleton, carried in a Crab Shell the size of a desktop.
The Crab’s claws were completely retracted into the shell, without any damage. The Crab Shell gleamed with a blue-black sheen, like a huge ink jade, looking lifelike.
Machinery, woman, monster—the three formed an extremely impactful scene.
Su Huan’s gaze instinctively fell on the waist not covered by the Exoskeleton, the white patterns looking somewhat familiar.
Then his gaze fell on the Crab, even more familiar.
He tilted his head to look at Shu Wei beside him, “Isn’t this the Crab killed by lightning attraction?”
“Killed by lightning attraction?” Yu Jing’s eyes brightened slightly as she placed the Crab on the central Coffee Table, “No wonder it has your energy on it.”
This sentence immediately piqued the interest of everyone, including Director Xu.
“My Strength?”
Su Huan was somewhat puzzled and placed one hand on the majestic Crab Shell.
Activating “General Energy Perception,” he soon discovered a stable energy on the Crab. Sensing his arrival, this energy immediately became active, jumping around nonstop like a child seeing its dad.
“Eh? Why hasn’t it dissipated yet?”
Su Huan was somewhat surprised.
He had electrocuted many things; without his General Energy support, the converted energy would dissipate completely in a short time.
“I just tried it simply; the energy in this Crab Shell has already stabilized and solidified.”
Yu Jing said.
“Like Qing Steel’s property-changed material, or a special material with energy retention?”
Director Xu squeezed forward, asking impatiently.
Yu Jing stroked the smooth Crab Shell, eyes filled with fervor, “It’s a brand new special material that contains energy!”
As soon as the words fell, the Factory Director, Professor Ma, and others also crowded up.
Each one with shining eyes fondling the Crab Shell.
Leaving Su Huan, He Jie, and others baffled.
Shu Wei leaned down to explain in Su Huan’s ear, “Evolution Material is when General Energy erosion changes the object’s inherent properties, like increased bone density. Once extracted, the bone becomes Evolution Material, but it doesn’t carry energy itself.”
“According to Black Kite’s research, only long-term high-density General Energy environments or Tier 2 and above Evolvers’ abilities can make energy stably remain in materials.”
“Such Evolution Materials are called Advanced Materials.”
Su Huan asked curiously, “High-level Evolvers can also manufacture materials?”
“Yes, Evolvers not only evolve individually, but their ability to influence the environment also evolves, especially external abilities, which are more pronounced in this aspect.”
“Among the people I brought, there’s a materials expert who might know more.”
Su Huan thought, in his previous life, he really hadn’t paid attention to this aspect.
Mainly because his tier was too low.
Su Huan tapped the Crab on the table with his finger, “So what’s the use of this Advanced Material?”
“The uses are huge. Let me give an analogy—do you know Magic?”
Director Xu asked in return.
“You mean the Magic I understand?”
Su Huan’s expression was odd; the word sounded subtle coming from the meticulous Director Xu.
“Essentially similar. Magic is achieving various magical effects through a kind of fantastical power. Replace Magic with General Energy, and so-called Advanced Materials can serve as Magic materials, used to manufacture powerful Equipment, or even build Magic Arrays…”
Director Xu explained seriously.
Though his mind was a bit chaotic, Su Huan keenly caught the key words.
His eyes suddenly sharpened.
“You mean this thing can build a Magic Array?”
“No, it can’t.”
Director Xu smoothed the clothing creases from bending over.
Then he said matter-of-factly, “I’m not a magic user; how would I build a Magic Array? But Advanced Materials can produce such magical effects, like Energy Barriers.”
Hearing this, He Jie also joined the team fondling the big Crab.
“This is a treasure!”
Humanity’s technological development was somewhat lopsided, far exceeding any single field in weapon investment.
Like the Armored Train, Su Huan had invested massive effort and resources to build it to this level.
No need to mention nukes; a single modern Cannon could scrap the train.
This was the gap between Attack and Defense.
And the Tier 2 Advanced Material before them was the only hope to pull up Defense.
Yu Jing looked at everyone’s hands on the Crab and felt she had been a bit presumptuous.
She grabbed the two large claws and hoisted it onto her shoulder, saying with slight hostility, “This is mine.”
Director Xu immediately panicked, “Such a big Crab—you can’t use it all yourself. Give me some for experiments.”
“No.”
“If I don’t research it thoroughly, how will we make this material next time?”
Director Xu completely disregarded his status as an academic heavyweight and earnestly persuaded.
But Yu Jing shouldered the Crab, showing no sign of yielding.
“What do you plan to use it for?”
Su Huan suddenly asked.
Her phoenix eyes reflected the handsome youth, “Develop a new Exoskeleton.”
Su Huan rubbed his chin, “That should leave some Scraps, right? Distribute some to each Laboratory.”
Yu Jing’s eyes turned, and she said indifferently, “Good.”
Director Xu watched the Crab from the side and sighed softly. He had heard Professor Ma mention the infamous “spendthrift child.” A good Tier 2 Advanced Material in her hands—who knew what it would be dismantled into.
Whether it would still work after dismantling.
But with the Train Conductor’s word, he could only give up.
Su Huan wasn’t blindly partial. In terms of output ratio, Yu Jing’s Exoskeleton provided the greatest help to combat capability. He was still wearing the [Scavenger] Exoskeleton, but after his promotion to Tier 2, it was of little use.
Like the Bionic Suction Cup at his feet, which could be fully replaced by electric current.
It originally provided support and labor-saving functions, but after becoming a Tier 1 Fighter, it had become a hindrance.
“Then let’s settle this for now. Earlier, Factory Director, you said materials were insufficient, right?”
Su Huan asked.
The Factory Director was just about to nod when Yu Jing interrupted.
“This time it might be enough.”
“How so?”
“I saw several tens of thousands of Crab Shells added to the warehouse. Perhaps we can use them as a base to create a new Tier 1 Material.”
“But for mass production, we’ll need more Manufacturers and Collectors.”
Confidence flashed in Yu Jing’s calm eyes.
Su Huan tilted his head in thought for a moment, then smiled at everyone.
“Then that’s settled. He Jie, you can go home to see your wife first. Qu Hang and the others installed six Cannons on the train; go check them later. Yu Jing, you also go inspect and see if there are any structural issues.”
“Professor Ma, take people to check the System we brought back. The Command Platform’s Glasses said it’s some Supercomputer, but it’s missing the Data Center. See if it can be used.”
“This time we brought back two thousand Evolvers, all paid up. Use them freely; if materials are short, tell me in advance.”
“A batch of Ammunition has been stored. Old Da, go check the quantity and adjust the Bullet Workshop’s ammunition production ratios.”
“Factory Director, take me to see how the ‘Floating Giant Wood’ base is coming along.”
“Next goal is to stand up that Crown Pear Tree for me!”
“…”
The post-merger small meeting ended with Su Huan’s task assignments.
Everyone knew their next goals and hurriedly got busy.
He Jie finally breathed a sigh of relief and walked home with light steps.
As soon as Old San went out, he gave Old Wu, waiting at the doorway, a thorough scolding, nose not nose, eyes not eyes.
Some who had been interested in the Survivors immediately reined in their thoughts.
All watching for Old Wu’s final handling result.
Passing the Cabinet, Su Huan rested his elbows on the Solid Wood Counter. Yu Yue, wearing an Apron, curiously looked up at him, her five fingers nimbly kneading the dough in her hands.
The dough in the basin was white, tender, and smooth, without any lumps or stickiness.
While Su Huan was in the meeting earlier, she had been kneading dough while watching the excitement.
Just like a young woman watching her husband chatting merrily with old friends.
“What’s wrong?”
Yu Yue subconsciously raised her hand to touch her face.
“What are you preparing for dinner?”
“Haven’t thought of it.”
“Crab Roe Noodles?”
“Sure.”
Su Huan turned his head and shouted to the Factory Director and others waiting ahead, “Come back after you’re done for Crab Roe Noodles.”
The Factory Director touched his belly and chuckled, “Then we’re in for a treat.”
Su Huan straightened up, “Let’s go.”
Yu Yue lifted her hand to tuck a strand of hair, gently humming in agreement.
Shu Wei stood one step away from Su Huan, watching their plain conversation, a pang of guilt unconsciously surging in her heart.
She seemed like the third party intruding on a married couple.
But she didn’t regret it.
Just as her mother said, one could only be true to others by being true to oneself.
With Su Huan’s current Evolution speed, as long as she kept up with his pace, not only could she climb out of the valley, but go even higher!
‘But have I been a bit complacent lately?’
At this thought, Shu Wei’s body suddenly trembled.
She bit her lower lip and quickly caught up.
