Chapter 837
“Eleven days have passed. Are we only able to mass-reproduce Sentinel mechs?” Chen Xiaolian was seated on a sofa inside Room Zero and he cast a somewhat dissatisfied look at the GM, who was standing before him.
“I’ve said it before, it is not as simple as you think.” The GM continued standing before Chen Xiaolian. “You’ve said it as well, I am not Taiyi.”
Chen Xiaolian sighed.
Things were progressing slower than planned.
Although the Oddity supporting this new Zero City possessed a nigh-infinite amount of energy, figuring out how to convert the energy into supplies would take time.
Back when Chen Xiaolian was in the former Zero City, he had found out about the tens of millions of tons of resources there. All of them must have been converted by Taiyi back during his time in Thirty-three Heavens. Moreover, there was no telling just how long those resources had been allowed to accumulated.
As for the present GM, who knows just how many times he had been refreshed before. Additionally, Chen Xiaolian was able to deduce that, with every refresh, the Development Team would take away a portion of the GM’s authority.
Be it the GM’s understanding of the world’s template or the amount of authority he possessed; they were all a far cry compared to those that Taiyi – his past self – had.
Once they figured out how to convert energy into a certain type of resource, they could begin the conversion process on a large scale, giving the new Zero City a near infinite quantity of resources. However, regardless of which equipment it may be, none of them required only one type of resource to produce.
For simple steel and explosives, the GM could very quickly figure out – after some trials – the conversion method. But the resources required to produce equipment of a higher grade was – relatively – way more complicated.
The number of raw materials required by large, high-grade hardware such as Sentinel mechs and Thunderstorm Tanks was in the hundreds. After such a long time, Chen Xiaolian had only managed to gather the resources needed for the production of Sentinel mechs.
Additionally, Chen Xiaolian had also deliberately prioritized this particular hardware, which possessed the highest utility, by having the GM proceed with the development and production of resources needed for it.
“For now… it should be enough.” Chen Xiaolian sighed. “We don’t have enough time to wait anymore. How many Sentinel mechs do we have right now? And how is the production speed?”
“123 units. Given the current rate of production, an average of 17 units can be produced per day,” the GM replied. “In addition, the resources and manufacturing machinery needed to produce Thunderstorm Tanks will be done in around three to five days’ time. Once the production line is completed, we can produce approximately 1.4 Thunderstorm Tanks per day.”
“Understood. Let Aderick come see me.” Chen Xiaolian nodded.
Quickly, Aderick was teleported into the room that Chen Xiaolian was in.
“Are the preparations complete?”
Aderick asked upon seeing Chen Xiaolian, going straight to the main issue without even greeting him.
“The level of preparation is not yet at the level that can satisfy me. However, I cannot wait anymore.” Chen Xiaolian shook his head. “How many of your men can pilot Sentinel mechs?”
“One of the basic trainings that members of Zero City’s resident guilds must undergo upon joining is mech piloting.” Aderick nodded. “Naturally, it is just the most basic training. The specifics of their piloting skills will depend on how much they learned after that. At present, we have a total number of 384 people. 213 of them are members of resident guilds while the remaining 171 are members of peripheral guilds. Around half of them should know the basics to pilot the Sentinel mech.”
“Select 100 men with the best piloting skills to participate in instance dungeons. I will assign each of them a Sentinel mech.” Chen Xiaolian pondered for a moment. “As for the rest, they’ll train using the remaining Sentinel mechs. At the moment, Zero City can only produce technology-type hardware. I need them to quickly grow into qualified pilots.”
“One hundred units?!” Aderick was taken aback.
For a former resident guild of Zero City, 100 Sentinel mechs was not a particularly high number. Even so, it was not something that they could casually get their hands on.
Aderick was surprised that Chen Xiaolian could come up with so many mechs so quickly.
“Wait a few more days and we’ll be able to mass-produce Thunderstorm Tanks as well.” Chen Xiaolian smiled. “Don’t look so shocked. Given how much you’ve experienced, you shouldn’t be making a fuss over something so minor.”
The look of shock on Aderick’s face was fleeting and he immediately recollected himself. “Understood. When do we set out?”
“One day. It should be enough to screen for personnel and have them retrain their skills.” Chen Xiaolian considered it. “My guild members have been keeping close attention to the information about instance dungeons in the Awakened world’s website. In one day, there’ll be an instance dungeon in Brazil. [B] class. No restrictions on technology-type weapons.”
“Understood. I will prepare to set out as soon as possible.” Aderick nodded. “What about you? Will you be participating in this instance dungeon too?”
“No. I still have other matters to deal with.” Chen Xiaolian shook his head. “There’s an [S] class expert like you leading the team. Not to mention, there are also so many Sentinel mechs. This instance dungeon will not be difficult. Moreover, I will also have my guild members work alongside you. Though, there is one thing that I must tell you.”
“Say it.” Aderick nodded.
Chen Xiaolian looked at Aderick seriously. “About you, your greatest strength lies in your carefulness. Seeking for opportunities for a sure-hit attack. How should I put it? Certainly, this is a very effective way to fight. But that is not what we need right now.
“Show off! Be unrestrained! Move like thunder! That’s how you fellows need to behave right now!
“Zero City has been silent for a long time. In the eyes of all the Awakened ones and Players, you fellows have become sewer rats that can only hide yourselves. The lengthy time had worn away the feelings of respect and fear that they originally had for you all.
“As such, this instance dungeon is of extremely great importance. You guys must, the very instant you enter the instance dungeon, declare your existence and flex your muscles properly. Understand?”
“And here I was wondering what you wanted to say.” Aderick smiled. “Would I not know that?”
“However… unless as a last resort, try your best to kill as little as possible, both Awakened ones and Players,” Chen Xiaolian said seriously. “Remember, what you guys want to establish is prestige, not might. Naturally, there is no need to hold back against the instance dungeon monsters. But for the other Awakened ones, as long as it is not a competitive-type instance dungeon and they do not take the initiative to provoke you fellows, do not attack them. In fact, do you best to aid them a little.”
“Both kindness and prestige, right?” Aderick nodded. “Don’t worry. How did you think the many peripheral guilds of Zero City came into being?”
“Good, then.”
…
“It’s snowing…”
A curtain of light descended and Chen Xiaolian appeared, standing on a street.
It was late in the night and snowflakes fell, illuminated by the limited number of street lamps there. On the ground, a thick layer of snow had accumulated.
“As expected, the snow in Eastern Europe leaves a bigger impression,” Chen Xiaolian mumbled as he scooped up some snow.
He was in the capital of Romania, Bucharest.
After giving the Sentinel mechs to Aderick, Chen Xiaolian made some arrangements with Qiao Qiao and the others before leaving Zero City.
Since the establishment of the new Zero City, going to other places had become more convenient. Although the Tidal Fighter was fast, it would still require several hours to fly across continents. Now, though, all Chen Xiaolian needed was to specify his exit point.
It was eleven in the evening. Add the heavy snow to the equation, there were almost no pedestrians in the street.
Chen Xiaolian glanced at the surrounding buildings. Recalling his memories for a moment, he then walked to the other end of the road.
From here, take another two turns and he should reach Phoenix’s nightclub.
Chen Xiaolian recalled his meeting with Phoenix in the innermost room of the nightclub in the past. Back then, she had just finished playing a game of mahjong to mediate for peace between the several underground bosses of the surrounding blocks. She also severed the hand of a disobedient fellow.
The past him would never have imagined that Phoenix would have the identity of – here in this world – the ruler of Bucharest’s underground scene.
After making two turns, Chen Xiaolian saw the iron gate. It was as he remembered.
The two sides of the iron gate were completely lined with cars.
Despite the heavy iron gate acting as a partition, Chen Xiaolian could hear faint, booming music coming from the inside.
He walked towards the iron gate and knocked lightly.
The doors were swiftly opened. Inside stood two tall, voluptuous chicks with curvaceous bodies. One had blond hair while the other had brown hair. Despite the cold winter, they wore scandalous miniskirts and winked at Chen Xiaolian.
“The style has changed, eh?” Chen Xiaolian smiled.
He recalled the last time he came. There had been two muscular men standing guard at the gate. Back then, Chen Xiaolian had thought to himself: For Phoenix to arrange this kind of welcome for a nightclub, was she begrudging the fact that her business was doing too well?
Thankfully, it appeared that she had finally changed her mind.
Chen Xiaolian stepped forward, only to be stopped by the two tall chicks.
“Young gentlemen, did you forget the entrance fee? 100 leu and…”
The two chicks pulled down their dress, that had already left their breasts partially exposed to begin with, further down to reveal snowy white cleavage. Smiling, they continued, “If you want to give a tip, please place it here.”
Chen Xiaolian rolled his eyes.
This was… slightly vulgar.
“I am not a customer. I’m here to meet your boss.” Chen Xiaolian shook his head and smiled. “Bring me to her.”
“To… her?” The reaction from the two chicks surprised Chen Xiaolian.
“Your boss, Phoenix.” Chen Xiaolian smiled again. “If you girls do not have the authority, it’s fine. I can go in myself. I know the way.”
“Please… wait a moment.” The brown-haired chick hesitated for a moment. Smiling at Chen Xiaolian, she then turned around and hurried down the steps.
The tapping sounds from her high heel shoes quickly disappeared into the end of the steps.
“Please wait a moment, handsome youngster from the east.” The blond chick remained to accompany Chen Xiaolian. Every now and again, she would sway her body and the two giant white rabbits on her chests dangled left and right, forcing Chen Xiaolian to turn his face away.
It did not take long before the brown-haired chick hurried up the steps. Smiling at Chen Xiaolian, she said, “Please come in, the boss is waiting for you.”
Chen Xiaolian nodded and followed the brown-haired chick down the steps.
Not bad. This time, I no longer have to beat up a bunch of guys.
While he was friends with Phoenix, to beat up her subordinates every time he came looking for her was simply rude.
The second iron gate was opened and the feverish dance songs playing inside immediately blasted their way into Chen Xiaolian’s ears. On the stage were several near-naked dancing girls who moved their soft and flexible bodies. On the dance floor below, men and women danced like a mob of wild demons.
“The boss is waiting for you at the back.”
The brown-haired chick led Chen Xiaolian over to a door. Smiling, she deliberately pushed up her chest again. “Is there really… no tip?”
Chen Xiaolian chuckled. He retrieved a 100 USD bill from his bosom, rolled it into a ball and tossed it over. Then, he pushed the door and stepped inside.
To his surprise, Phoenix was not inside.
The layout of the room was mostly the same. Only the mahjong table had been moved away. Meanwhile, a man was seated on the taishi chair placed in the middle of the room.
He wore a fine tailcoat suit and his blond hair was combed back using thick hair spray. He was very handsome and his face had obvious Slavic features.
“Hello. This is our first time meeting one another.”
The man did not get up from the chair. He simply gave Chen Xiaolian a polite nod.
“Where’s Phoenix?” Chen Xiaolian frowned and he looked around.
He had come here just for her. And yet, instead of showing up herself, she sent a subordinate over to meet him.
Her ego had grown.
“If you want to meet her, shouldn’t you give us your name first?” The man lit a cigar and puffed. “Manners is very important in this country, Easterner.”
“You may not be that informed, but the last time I came to see her, I ended up breaking the ribs of some of her subordinates because they stopped me,” Chen Xiaolian responded with a soft harrumph.
Even though this fellow was Phoenix’s subordinate, Chen Xiaolian really did not like the way he was talking.
At any rate, doing it once or twice was the same. And even if he were to break a few of this fellow’s ribs, Phoenix probably wouldn’t mind.
“Breaking the ribs of her ordinary subordinates? Is that worth boasting about?” The man in the tailcoat suit laughed while staring at Chen Xiaolian. “Don’t think so highly of yourself while standing before me.”
Chen Xiaolian’s face turned dark.
Judging by this person’s tone…
He was also an Awakened. Moreover, he did not appear to be Phoenix’s subordinate.
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