"Thank you." Zhao Jiayan happily took the gun, carefully checked it, and then placed it in the most convenient spot for access.
Jiang Yiyi also carefully put away the crossbow Yang Yuan gave her last night, including the ten small crossbow arrows she carved herself at midnight.
As for the other non-upgraded crossbows, Yang Yuan discarded them all. He'd already tried and learned that the experience gained wouldn't disappear due to the damage to these items.
So, he threw away what was unusable and worthless; at this stage, it wasn't suitable to sell such things.
Soon, the three of them packed up their things, extinguished the campfire, and headed towards the military camp.
"What's your business?" At the entrance of the camp, a guard stopped the three of them, asking expressionlessly.
Yang Yuan didn't rush to the point and tentatively asked, "May I ask how long you plan to stay here?"
The soldier originally didn't want to say, even though this matter wasn't confidential, he had no obligation to explain to these refugees.
But upon seeing Jiang Yiyi among the three, he hesitated before explaining, "This area is pretty much the edge of the arid zone. We are planning to establish a safe zone here. All children under 14 can join, with free food and drink, no work required, but they must study."
The eyes of Yang Yuan and the others lit up.
Jiang Yiyi hurriedly asked, "What about those over 14?"
She didn't want to be separated from Sister Jiayan and Brother Yang Yuan.
"Those over 14 who are willing to accept military arrangements can also move in and get paid, but it's not mandatory," the guard answered.
Alright, Yang Yuan directly dismissed this option.
He didn't beat around the bush anymore and directly took out the Spirit Monster Core he obtained yesterday: "I want to make a trade with you."
The guard glanced at the Spirit Monster Core in Yang Yuan's hand and said indifferently, "What do you want to trade for? Just say it, and I'll have someone bring it out."
The Spirit Monster Core was considered precious to the refugees, but to the military, it wasn't much of a deal.
Because this thing varied in quality.
"This Spirit Monster Core isn't the entire trade; it's just a deposit. I want to commission a portable safe house."
Yang Yuan said, "Can you make it?"
Zhao Jiayan and Jiang Yiyi both looked at Yang Yuan in surprise.
"A portable safe house?"
The guard was taken aback, "Such things aren't cheap, and even if it's portable, a safe house won't be very light."
"I know."
Yang Yuan nodded, "Can it be customized?"
The guard directly used his walkie-talkie and said a few words.
Very soon, another soldier came out, leading Yang Yuan and the others into the safe zone.
As they entered, the three of them saw one of the soldiers constantly taking various instruments out of a space vortex.
Many instruments they didn't recognize, but they looked high-tech at a glance.
"Space Superpower User?"
Yang Yuan and Zhao Jiayan exchanged a look, both showing surprise.
"This is the Space Carrier ability."
The soldier leading them casually explained, "Follow me, don't waste time. Our time is precious."
"Sorry, coming right away."
Yang Yuan and the others quickly accelerated to keep up.
Shortly, the guiding soldier took them to a workshop that was obviously newly constructed.
This workshop was large, with mud walls all around, but the mud was solidified by superpowers, making it likely very sturdy.
When Yang Yuan and the others entered, they saw people inside constantly turning stones into metal, and then others turning the metal into various shapes.
There were firearm parts and many things they couldn't understand.
Yang Yuan's eyes sparkled. If he had such abilities or someone with such abilities to help him, his level would shoot up!
"Leader Chen, this person wants something customized, can you handle it?"
The guiding soldier said to a somewhat chubby middle-aged man.
After speaking, he turned around and left.
Leader Chen, who was busy, heard this, glanced at Yang Yuan and the others, then put down what he was doing and walked over, extending his hand with a smile, "What do you want to customize?"
"Hello, Leader Chen."
Yang Yuan shook hands with him and said, "I'd like to commission a portable safe house. I wonder if it can be made?"
"Portable?"
Leader Chen pondered with his hand on his chin, "What kind of portability are you talking about?"
Yang Yuan: "If possible, I'd like it to be a box that can be carried while traveling. Press a button when needed, and it expands into a habitable house."
Leader Chen was stunned and looked at Yang Yuan in surprise, "How much does such a portable safe house cost? Can you sell one to me?"
"..."
Zhao Jiayan and Jiang Yiyi couldn't help but chuckle.
"This isn't a black tech factory, you've come to the wrong place," said a superpower user who was converting metal from stone, curling his lip.
Yang Yuan wasn't embarrassed; he was just testing these people's abilities, wanting to see if they had a special power to create such magical tools.
Finding that they couldn't make what he wanted, he lowered his requirement: "Then what can you make? My request is to prioritize portability and make it as simple as possible."
"What size do you want?" asked Leader Chen.
"For three people, with a maximum of five. Three people need a bit of extra space," Yang Yuan replied.
Leader Chen pondered with his chin in hand, "For three people... What material do you want? Different materials will greatly affect the price. However, I don't recommend using all metal, as it's conductive. Despite the drought, there's still a chance of thunderstorms."
Yang Yuan thought for a moment and said, "I'll leave it to your discretion, as long as it can't be penetrated by an ordinary handgun."
"Even so, the price will be steep because we'll need to design it specifically for you."
Leader Chen glanced at the Spirit Monster Core in Yang Yuan's hand, "For your grade of Spirit Monster Core, you'll need at least a hundred pieces."
"A hundred pieces?!" Zhao Jiayan was shocked, thinking it was too expensive, "Yang Yuan, should we not do it?"
She felt it wasn't worth the effort; rather than risking so much for stone monsters, they might as well find a random cave or tree hollow for shelter.
Because a hundred Spirit Monster Cores could awaken ten people.
Yang Yuan had anticipated this, "How long would it take to make?"
"Not sure, quickly maybe three to five days, slowly maybe a month," Leader Chen said.
He also had other tasks and couldn't devote all his time to this.
"That long?" Yang Yuan frowned, "What about ordinary materials? No need for bulletproofing, just some toughness. The structure can be simple, as long as it can connect into a house. The modules shouldn't be too large, must be easy to disassemble and carry, suitable for five people, well-ventilated, preferably moisture-resistant, and in camouflage colors."
"In that case, you can pick it up tonight with ten Spirit Monster Cores," Leader Chen said.
"Alright."
Yang Yuan handed the Spirit Monster Core to him, "This is the deposit. I'll come to pick it up before evening, though I can't guarantee that what I bring back will necessarily be Spirit Monster Cores. Can I substitute with other equivalent items?"
"Of course. You can also exchange with food; currently, food is precious. A hundred pounds of Exotic Beast Meat along with this Spirit Monster Core would suffice, vegetarian foods depend on the situation. We don't accept water here."
Leader Chen took the Spirit Monster Core and then had someone register it, "State your name and age."
"Yang Yuan, twenty-seven years old."
"All done." Leader Chen handed a piece of paper to Yang Yuan, "Retrieve it with this paper."
"Understood. Goodbye."
Once Yang Yuan and the others left, Leader Chen shook his head slightly, "This kind of safe house, can it even be considered a safe house? Odd. Xiao Yi, time to work, design a portable, detachable safe house."