10: Chapter 10 Upgrade: Steam Armored Train!

Tons of military supplies were piled up like a small mountain inside the carriage.

Su Xiaoxiao held a small notebook she had found somewhere and pushed up the glasses on the bridge of her nose, her large eyes sparkling with a miserly glint.

"Fifty cases of canned military beef, thirty cases of compressed biscuits, purified water..."

Her crisp voice echoed in the carriage, and with every number she read, the girls' eyes brightened a bit more.

In this wasteland world where one had to risk their life even for a sip of noodle soup, this food was enough for them to live comfortably on this train for several months!

Aside from the food, what excited the girls even more were the sets of brand-new black tactical uniforms.

Su Chen was not stingy; he waved his hand and said, "Everyone, take off those ragged skirts and high heels and change into these tactical uniforms and combat boots."

"From now on, on my train, if anyone dares to wear high heels and hinder our movement, I'll chop her feet off."

Although Su Chen's voice was harsh, the girls felt his genuine concern.

They had long been fed up with those tight, revealing pencil skirts and foot-chafing high heels.

Soon, the carriage turned into a large dressing room.

More than thirty dance students, who were usually worshipped as goddesses by countless boys at school, didn't care about modesty anymore as they rushed to put on the warm tactical uniforms.

They unbuttoned and unzipped their clothes one after another, and patches of dazzling snowy-white skin shimmered in the dim carriage.

Su Chen didn't intentionally peek, but he didn't pretend to be a gentleman by turning away either.

He sat boldly at the entrance of the driver's cabin, his deep gaze calmly appreciating this rare and beautiful sight in the apocalypse.

It had to be said that these dance students' figures were indeed top-notch.

Years of training had left their waists slender without a trace of fat, and their legs were long and straight.

When they changed into the tight black tactical camouflage, their originally delicate aura was instantly diluted, replaced by a heroic and wild beauty.

Especially the tight tactical vests, which outlined their perfect curves to the fullest.

After Chu Qingxue finished changing, she was the first to walk up to Su Chen.

She wasn't wearing that thin trench coat today; instead, she had changed into a well-tailored black special operations uniform.

On her lower body were tight tactical trousers paired with high-top military combat boots, making her legs look impossibly long.

On her upper body was a black tight-fitting quick-dry vest, with a bulletproof vest worn over it.

Although the bulletproof vest was somewhat heavy, it still couldn't hide her proud bustline.

This outfit, combined with her cold and beautiful face, didn't look rugged at all; instead, it exuded a fatal, contrasting allure.

Like a flower on a high ridge blooming amidst the smoke of gunpowder.

"Train Master, the inventory of the supplies is complete."

Chu Qingxue leaned forward slightly and handed a handwritten list to Su Chen.

Because she was so close, Su Chen could even clearly smell the faint, elegant scent of orchids emanating from her.

That fragrance, mixed with the faint smell of gunpowder on the tactical uniform, created a marvelous chemical reaction.

Su Chen took the list, but his gaze involuntarily fell upon Chu Qingxue's fair and slender swan-like neck.

Looking down from the neckline, a breathtaking glimpse of snowy white was faintly visible.

Chu Qingxue seemed to sense Su Chen's gaze, and two red clouds drifted onto her beautiful cheeks.

But she didn't cover her neckline in a panic like an ordinary young girl; instead, she lightly bit her moist cherry lips and allowed Su Chen to look.

In this apocalypse, she knew her position very well.

Since she had already submitted, there was no need for that hypocritical reserve.

Moreover, facing such a powerful, cold man who could provide an absolute sense of security, Chu Qingxue found that deep down, she didn't resent his gaze.

There was even a faint, imperceptible trace of joy.

"Very good."

Su Chen withdrew his gaze, glanced at the numbers on the list, and nodded with satisfaction.

"With these supplies and the basic materials we've accumulated, it's time for this beat-up train to undergo a complete transformation."

Su Chen stood up, his gaze sweeping over the red countdown on his retina.

There were ten minutes left until the mandatory stay period ended.

Disturbing roars had already begun to emanate from the mist outside.

It was a large number of monsters drawn by the scent of blood here.

However, Su Chen didn't panic at all.

He strode into the driver's cabin and solemnly took out the silver-glowing [Level 1 Train Core Upgrade Blueprint] from his system inventory.

At the same time, he piled the massive amounts of wood and iron ingots obtained through trading, along with the various metal parts he had just scavenged, around the train core.

"System, perform a full upgrade of the train!"

Su Chen pressed both hands onto the deep blue core crystal and issued the final command in his mind.

[Ding! Level 1 Train Core Upgrade Blueprint detected. Upgrade materials are ready!]

[Starting the full train upgrade program...]

[The upgrade process will take thirty seconds. Train Master, please remain focused!]

Rumble—!

As the system notification finished.

The entire driver's cabin—no, the entire train—was instantly enveloped in an extremely dazzling silver-blue light!

This light was more massive and vast than any of Su Chen's previous modifications.

Like a living liquid, it frantically seeped into every corner of the train.

"Clank, clank, clank—"

"Sizzle—"

The violent sounds of metal restructuring, gears interlocking, and steel being stretched exploded within the carriage.

The girls were so frightened that they covered their ears, watching the changes happening around them in terror.

The original rusty iron plates and worn-out wooden boards instantly peeled off and melted away under the baptism of the silver-blue light.

In their place was a heavy armor material, entirely black and emitting a cold metallic luster!

This wasn't just a change to the exterior, but a complete reshaping of the internal structure.

The mere thirty seconds felt as long as a century.

When the silver-blue light gradually dissipated.

A completely transformed steel beast lay quietly on the platform of the Abandoned Military Factory.

[Ding! Upgrade successful!]

[Congratulations, Train Master of No. 0099, your vehicle has successfully been promoted to: Level 1 Basic Steam Armored Train!]

[Train attributes have been fully improved!]

[Locomotive power system upgrade: Upgraded from a simple furnace to a basic steam boiler, combustion efficiency increased by 200%, maximum speed can reach 120 km/h!]

[Armor defense system fusion: The original Gale Abatis Armor has been perfectly integrated into the new body, increasing defense once again!]

[Carriage capacity expansion: Passenger carriage space tripled, upgraded from hard seats to spacious bunk-bed sleeper carriages!]

[New exclusive area: Train Master's Luxurious Master Bedroom (with private bathroom and temperature control system)!]

Listening to the series of system notifications in his mind, a fanatical light erupted in Su Chen's eyes.

This was a true mobile fortress of the wasteland!

He stepped out of the driver's cabin and nodded in satisfaction as he looked at the brand-new interior of the carriage.

The originally crowded and narrow hard-seat carriage had disappeared, replaced by wide, bright aisles and comfortable bunks neatly arranged on both sides.

The lights on the ceiling of the carriage had also changed from dim yellow to soft white.

The girls were completely stunned, touching the soft beds in disbelief as if they were in a dream.

"Oh my god! We don't have to sleep on hard wooden boards anymore!"

"This bed is so soft; I feel like I could sleep for three days and nights right now!"

Lin Momo was even more excited, throwing herself directly onto a bottom bunk, happily rolling around while hugging a pillow, her two fair little legs kicking joyfully in the air.

However, there was an even greater surprise for Su Chen.

Between the locomotive's driver's cabin and the passenger carriage, a heavy wooden door carved with exquisite patterns had appeared.

Su Chen pushed open the wooden door and walked in; the sight before him made even a tough guy like him, who had survived in the wasteland for two days, take a deep breath.

This was an independent carriage that belonged solely to him!

It was over thirty square meters in size, with a soft carpet on the floor.

In the center was a leather bed over two meters wide, covered with snowy white sheets and a soft down duvet.

There was even a desk lamp on the nightstand emitting a warm-toned light.

The air was filled with a faint scent of lavender, and the constant-temperature air conditioner kept the room at a comfortable twenty-five degrees.

Most exaggerated of all, in the corner of the carriage, an independent bathroom had been partitioned off with frosted glass.

Inside, there was not only a flush toilet but even a large white bathtub that could accommodate two people bathing at the same time!

"This is what you call living!"

Su Chen couldn't help but curse.

In this apocalypse where one couldn't even get a sip of clean water outside, he actually had a luxurious master bedroom where he could take a hot bath!

This was simply a dimensional strike!

Su Chen didn't hesitate at all; he stripped off his clothes, which were covered in bloodstains and dust, and walked into the bathroom.

When the warm water sprayed from the showerhead and washed over his body.

Su Chen closed his eyes comfortably and let out a long sigh.

The fatigue from two days of high tension and intense combat was washed away completely by the hot water.

After bathing, Su Chen changed into a set of clean black casual clothes scavenged from the military factory.

Although these clothes weren't as rugged as the tactical uniform, they made his tall, slender figure and sharp facial features look even more cold and handsome.

He pushed open the door of the master bedroom and walked out.

At this time, the girls in the passenger carriage were still excitedly choosing their beds.

The chirping sounds filled the entire carriage with life.

Su Chen's appearance instantly silenced the carriage.

All the girls looked at this god-like Train Master with awe, admiration, and even a hint of obsession.

Su Chen ignored those gazes and walked straight to Chu Qingxue and Liu Ruyan.

"Qingxue, Teacher Liu."

Su Chen's deep and magnetic voice rang out.

"The two of you, come inside with me for a core meeting."

After saying that, Su Chen turned and walked back behind the wooden door that symbolized absolute power and enjoyment.

Chu Qingxue and Liu Ruyan, whose names were called, both froze for a moment.

Then, an uncontrollable and charming blush rose to the faces of the two women.

A core meeting?

In the Train Master's private bedroom?

The implication was something anyone who wasn't a fool could understand.

The surrounding girls instantly cast looks of envy, jealousy, and even some resentment toward them.

Everyone knew that behind that door was the safest and most luxurious place on the entire train.

Being called in by the Train Master meant they had completely become the absolute core of this small circle.

Perhaps they would even become the Train Master's women.

In this apocalypse, this was simply the highest honor that every woman dreamed of!

Chu Qingxue took a deep breath, suppressing her pounding heart.

She straightened her tight tactical vest and, with her long legs, stepped elegantly into the master bedroom.

Liu Ruyan also lightly bit her red lips, her seductive peach-blossom eyes shimmering with complex light.

Stepping in her military combat boots, her curvaceous body swayed gracefully as she followed closely behind.

With a soft "click."

The heavy wooden door closed, completely isolating the master bedroom from the outside world.

Meanwhile, at the very back of the train, in a narrow carriage dedicated to storing miscellaneous items and coal.

Zhao Yuxin stared intently through the crack in the door at the tightly closed wooden door.

Her once-proud face was now extremely distorted by jealousy and malice.

Because she had repeatedly provoked Su Chen, she and her two followers had been completely stripped of the right to live in the passenger carriage.

They could only huddle like dogs in this storage room filled with coal dust and stench.

Watching Chu Qingxue and Liu Ruyan enter that luxurious bedroom with such glory.

Then looking at her own filthy clothes and her stomach, which was flat from hunger.

Zhao Yuxin was so jealous that her fingernails dug deep into her flesh, drawing blood.

"Bitches! All of them are shameless bitches!"

"Su Chen! You gutless blind man! How am I, the daughter of the Zhao family, any less than them!"

"Just you wait... I will definitely make you regret this!"

Zhao Yuxin hissed vicious curses in the darkness, like a poisonous snake hidden in a gutter.

Meanwhile, inside the master bedroom.

The air in the master bedroom carried a breeze from the temperature control system, mixed with the faint scent of lavender.

Everything here seemed so peaceful and serene, as if it were a completely different dimension from the wasteland world outside, filled with mutated monsters and constant danger.

Chu Qingxue and Liu Ruyan sat side by side on the soft leather sofa.

The incredible elasticity of the sofa made both women a bit uncomfortable; they sat up straight with their hands folded on their knees, appearing somewhat constrained.

Su Chen leaned casually against the two-meter-wide bed, playing with a solid steel lighter he had swiped from the military factory.

"Click, click."

The sound of the lighter opening and closing was exceptionally clear in the quiet room, and every flicker of the flame seemed to tug at the two women's nerves.

Su Chen's deep eyes swept back and forth over the two women.

Chu Qingxue, changed into her black tactical uniform, was like an unsheathed blade of cold ice, her coolness imbued with a heroic spirit.

Although Liu Ruyan wore the same tactical uniform, her mature and curvaceous charm couldn't be hidden; the collar of her white shirt, slightly translucent from sweat, still left much to the imagination.

"Alright, relax. There are no monsters here."