26: Wasteland Market

Tang Ping began searching for other opportunities from the early days of the Doomsday Game, as well as various strange tales and events.

During his search, he actually found a forum named “Doomsday Game.”

Many people who had awakened their Talents were discussing matters from the early stages of the Doomsday Game.

As for First Generation Players, there were fewer of them.

Although there are many people in Shelters now, most of them inherited their positions.

They are not the original owners of the Shelters and, strictly speaking, are not considered First Generation Players, because they lack features like a chat page or a trading zone; besides a personal panel, they have nothing else.

And now, in this world a century later, very few First Generation Players are still alive; most have died, and even if many escaped numerous disasters, they couldn't escape the ravages of time.

Unless their Talent breaks through to level 7, they cannot break the shackles of lifespan.

Even those who are lucky enough to still be alive are over a hundred years old and frail.

However, Tang Ping discovered that many people in this forum were descendants of First Generation Players.

And because they were very far apart and didn't know each other, everyone spoke much more boldly.

Many of the things they talked about were true.

Tang Ping quickly searched for posts that interested him.

The post was published nine years ago.

Brother Feiyu: “Do you know why the Shengtian Group wanted to seize the Xingyao Safe Zone?”

Super Pea: “Yeah, I'm really curious. Although the Xingyao Safe Zone is quite good, its strength isn't weak. To take down that Safe Zone, those three Heavenly King Level Expert suffered one death and two injuries. It was completely not worth it.”

Brother Digging Chicken: “I seem to have heard that the leaders of the Xingyao Safe Zone were actually employees of a subsidiary company under the Shengtian Group before the apocalypse. When the doomsday arrived, they directly rebelled.”

Black Dog Egg: “Bullshit! Can you even use the word 'rebel'? The Shengtian Group wasn't good even before the apocalypse, and after the doomsday, it became incredibly cruel. Besides, for a bunch of workers who were treated like cattle, you're still using 'rebel.' You Shengtian lackey, get lost!”

Your Idol: “I know a little about this too, but if it was just for that, to pay such a heavy price to destroy the Xingyao Safe Zone, it seems a bit far-fetched. I suspect that Xingyao has some kind of treasure!”

Scorpion Dragon: “I don't want to know about that. I'm just curious; I heard that a traitor emerged from the Xingyao Safe Zone and poisoned Celestial Empress of Azure Heaven and Molten Flame Heavenly King, which led to their demise. I just want to know who it was.”

Holy Angel: “I'm curious about that too. To be able to poison two Heavenly King Level Expert before a battle, they must have been a core member of the Xingyao Safe Zone.”

Sole of the Firmament: “Who knows? Probably only the core high-ranking officials of the Xingyao Safe Zone from back then knew who the traitor was, but unfortunately, they are all dead.”

Brother Feiyu: “It seems no one is very clear about this matter, but I heard that the reason the Shengtian Group destroyed the Xingyao Safe Zone is because that traitor had an affair with Empress Lihua!”

Pudding: “Ah! Is it that juicy? Spill the details!”

Chang'an Chenmian: “Shhh, don't talk, don't investigate. Good night, Makka Pakka!”

Tang Ping's heart skipped a beat; at this moment, his mind was in turmoil. This post felt so strange.

He didn't pay attention to this post anymore and continued to browse others.

This time, he didn't find anything useful, and Tang Ping was a bit disappointed. Looking at the remaining four hours, he decided to leave the Safe Zone first, hunt Pollution Beasts outside, and earn some money.

With money, he could go to the historical libraries in the inner third ring of the Safe Zone to look for clues.

District 66 is the outermost ring of the Safe Zone, so it naturally has a gate directly leading outside the Safe Zone.

At the gate, there were many Scavengers and Wasteland Hunters.

The so-called Scavengers are actually a group of ordinary people; they rely on their courage to enter and exit the Safe Zone, dealing with the Wasteland outside, and making a living by picking up various items from the Wasteland.

These Scavengers, being ordinary people, are naturally not strong. Even an Infected could easily take their lives.

As for Wasteland Hunters, they are naturally people with Talent. This group basically works in teams; they have strong combat power, can hunt Pollution Beasts, fear no Infected, and can go far outside the Safe Zone.

Scavenger and Wasteland Hunter, a difference of one word, yet a world of difference.

Tang Ping, wrapped in thick clothes, arrived at the plaza in front of the city gate.

In this plaza, there were many vendors buying Pollution Beasts, and also vendors buying various strange plants and flowers.

There were also many simple stalls displaying items needed for venturing out: swords, ropes, dry rations, water bottles—a dazzling array of strange and wonderful things.

Tang Ping also stopped this time, observing the scene.

He discovered that there were even f-rank transcendent weapons for sale!

However, they were all f-rank transcendent weapons, and most were damaged, but the prices were still incredibly expensive. The cheapest small knife cost over ten thousand yuan.

The most expensive broadsword cost more than a hundred thousand, which was clearly an exorbitant price for Tang Ping.

“Get lost, get lost! If you can't afford it, why are you looking? If you keep looking, I'll dig out your eyes. Don't stand here blocking my business.”

The woman with a gash over her left eye exuded a fierce aura, clearly indicating her immense strength; otherwise, she wouldn't be able to manage such a stall.

Tang Ping obediently left. What else could he do? Others might pretend to be pigs to eat tigers, but he was a real pig right now.

Although he had S-rank Talent, he was sure that if that old woman got unhappy, a flick of the knife in her hand would instantly lop off his head, without even needing to use her Talent.

“In this world, attribute stones are extremely precious resources, and they have no side effects when consumed. However, one piece costs over ten thousand yuan, and even with money, it's hard to buy.”

Tang Ping now wanted to improve the four-dimensional attributes of this body, as his current body was too weak.

Especially his physique and strength, which were only three points each, lower than many ordinary adults.

The reason for this was his long-term malnutrition and excessive fatigue.

In Tang Ping's opinion, it was a miracle that the original owner lived to be eighteen.

“If possible, I should get some attribute stones and first improve my physique and speed.” Tang Ping pondered what good things he had in the early days of the Doomsday Game.

He could bring them over next time.

“Oh right, infected serum! How could I forget this!” Tang Ping slapped his head. This stuff could make him immune to Infected contamination, greatly reducing the danger of traversing the Wasteland!

Most importantly, this stuff was worth a lot of money and could totally be sold!

This way, he wouldn't have to risk hunting Pollution Beasts outside the Safe Zone to earn money.

Thinking of this, Tang Ping stopped his steps towards leaving the city and instead continued to search for items in this Wasteland market, hoping to find something that could help him.

His gaze suddenly fell upon a stall displaying books.

“Blade Arts?”