As dusk fell, the clouds grew heavy and hazy.
On the windswept horizon, a colossal structure, the size of a small mountain, slowly approached.
Buildings, fields, robotic arms, searchlights, water towers, rows of tires... it was a mobile city.
Atop the watchtower, Li Xin sighed with a mixture of melancholy and relief.
"Finally, I've survived this world."
He muttered to himself, glancing at the notification box that appeared before him, his expression growing increasingly serious.
[Remaining time to the next world: 2 minutes 15 seconds]
Unlike his original human civilization, this one seemed cursed by an invisible, supreme will, transporting him to random worlds every so often.
Winter worlds, alien worlds, Cthulhu worlds, bizarre worlds...
completely unpredictable and bizarre worlds made survival a living hell.
The survivors relied on mobile cities that combined survival, migration, and combat.
"I wonder what kind of world the next one will be?"
Li Xin mused silently.
This mobile city, named "Spark," was extremely small and insignificant in terms of scale, configuration, and strength, with only twenty or thirty people. The original owner of the ship he had transmigrated into was a young lord who had just taken over the reins from his deceased father.
The current world was a wasteland, with extremely low difficulty. There was no native civilization, and the threat from the wasteland creatures was not significant. The biggest challenge to survival was the shortage of water and food. Li Xin,
who had transmigrated, led his companions in a difficult struggle to survive, barely making it through the stipulated three-month stay in the world.
As he gazed at the countdown, pondering, his deputy, Lu Chen, slowly approached and handed him a newly compiled list of supplies.
"Actually, there's no need to look closely. Food, fresh water, medicine, fuel, and spare parts... most of our resources are almost gone," he said in a deep voice. "Now, we can only hope that the next world will be better."
The only resources they still had were bullets and ammunition. Because the wasteland world was only extremely arid and lacked fresh water and food, there were no fatal threats. Therefore, the Spark had not engaged in any combat for the past three months and did not even need to be constantly on the move.
Deep within his heart, Li Xin had countless times envisioned the ideal world he would traverse:
Lush vegetation, verdant mountains and rivers, a primitive civilization and native monsters, ignorant and weak, or even nonexistent, with countless oil and gas veins...
and the time one could spend there was long enough to live a lifetime in peace.
Looking at the empty list in his hand, then at the gray-yellow, chaotic horizon before him, a self-deprecating smile appeared on his lips.
"Where in this world can things be so good?"
Five, four, three, two, one...
As the countdown ended, the world before Li Xin's eyes seemed to be paused. He felt as if he had fallen into a time tunnel woven with light and shadow; the wasteland world's scenery was rapidly pulled away and stretched into blurry bands of color like shattered paintings, rushing backward on both sides of his vision.
Finally, the light at the end of the tunnel burst forth.
When the entirely new world unfolded before him, Li Xin, regaining his senses, immediately looked around with extreme vigilance.
The Starfire was currently in a desolate wilderness. Nearby, unidentified wildflowers swayed gently in the wind; in the distance, winding rivers and mountains stretched out; and overhead, the sky was a hazy gray.
"Great!"
the companions exclaimed in delight.
Compared to the barren, desolate wasteland, this world was clearly much better.
Here, they could not only obtain basic resources like fresh water, wood, and stone, but also try to extract oil and gas resources and mineral veins, and even hunt and gather the animals, fruits, and vegetables of this world, experiencing its native flavors.
Even Li Xin nodded hesitantly.
So, their luck this time was...not bad?
Out of caution, he ordered the Starfire to remain lit and ready for action, and had his companions take their positions in front of the heavy machine guns and cannons.
"Yun Zhi, give us a preliminary analysis of this world!" he said in a deep voice.
At Li Xin's command, a low hum and the crackling of electricity emanated from the outer wall of the Xinghuo spacecraft. Several old, yellowed-outfitting, flickering screens of detection equipment automatically activated, extending probes and sensors to collect and analyze the external spectrum, gas composition, and soil vegetation.
A dozen minutes later, a mechanical female voice announced,
"Preliminary assessment complete. The current world's atmospheric composition, gravity, geographical environment, and similarity to humanity's home planet are over 70%, indicating a 95% probability of civilization existing there."
"Attention! High concentrations of particulate matter and pollutants in the air have been detected. We recommend that all personnel wear high-efficiency filter masks or closed-face respirators."
"Furthermore, as the city's AI, my core database version is outdated. We strongly suggest you upgrade your system as soon as possible." "
Understood, cough, cough cough..."
Li Xin nodded, coughing lightly a few times.
He had sensed it even without his AI's reminder.
But for everyone, being able to breathe was already a blessing.
Because the atmosphere in some worlds was completely unbreathable.
The Starfire's configuration was far too outdated; it lacked filter masks and closed-face respirators, not to mention an internal air circulation system. Once in such a world, they would simply be waiting to die.
[Remaining time to cross to the next world: 13 days, 23 hours, 57 minutes, and 35 seconds]
After the crossing, a new notification appeared before everyone's eyes, the text bright red and glaring.
"Ah, are we only going to stay for two weeks this time?" someone asked disappointedly.
A look of disappointment appeared on everyone's faces.
Having barely survived the wasteland world, the Starfire's resources were almost depleted. Having finally found a reasonably decent world, everyone had hoped to gather as many resources as possible, but the time allotted was unexpectedly short.
Just then, a series of tremors suddenly echoed from afar.
On the horizon, a figure slowly emerged.
It was a giant.
His appearance was indistinguishable from a human, but he was a full fifty or sixty meters tall.
And the giant's attire... resembled that of a 20th-century European or American worker. He wore an old-fashioned baseball cap, high-waisted overalls and a shirt, carried a fishing rod on his shoulder, and held a bucket in his hand.
For a moment, everyone on the Starfire was stunned.
"My God, what is that thing?" someone murmured in disbelief.
A few drops of cold sweat slowly dripped from Li Xin's forehead.
As the most common and prevalent Level 1 mobile city, the Starfire was only 45 meters long, 28 meters wide, and 24 meters high, yet the giant before them was a full half-body taller!
The giant had clearly noticed the mobile city in the distance, especially when he saw the tiny humans on the deck; his face showed surprise and curiosity.
He then casually tossed aside his fishing rod and bucket, running towards it with undisguised excitement and greed.
"Fire immediately!"
Li Xin roared.
The Starfire's firepower erupted instantly, bullets and shells raining down on the giant. But this barrage couldn't kill him, only leaving him bruised and battered; his size was simply too immense.
This attack didn't deter the giant; instead, it fueled his unprecedented ferocity and rage.
A thrilling chase ensued in the wilderness, the Starfire constantly swaying and drifting to the limit, dodging the giant's outstretched hands. The latter's distorted, grotesque features, twisted with rage, were now incredibly clear and close, and his massive, textured, grime-covered hands repeatedly grazed the edge of the city, sending chills down the spines of everyone on deck.
Seeing the Starfire gaining momentum and about to shake them off, the impatient giant roared and leaped forward!
At the last second, the helmsman slammed the steering wheel all the way to the right, and the Starfire, with a screeching sound, executed a near-limit drift, narrowly avoiding the giant's attack.
The giant, looking utterly bewildered by its missed strike, crashed to the ground like a mountain, kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Finally, we've shaken that thing off!"
everyone exclaimed, still shaken.
Li Xin was about to breathe a sigh of relief when his pupils contracted sharply as he instinctively glanced back at the giant, a chill running down his spine.
"Everyone, take cover immediately!"
A few seconds later, a torrential downpour of debris engulfed the Starfire, blasting countless shocking craters and cracks into its deck and walls.
It turned out that the giant had casually grabbed a nearby boulder, crushed it, and hurled it at them as he stood up!
Although the Starfire was badly damaged, it hadn't lost power and finally accelerated away at full speed.
When everyone slowly rose from their temporary shelter, they saw the giant standing there, watching them from afar.
He clenched his fists, his eyes revealing a deep-seated resentment and hatred.
...
"So, we're actually in a world of giants now?" Lu Chen said quietly.
Li Xin nodded.
"Most likely."
Their enormous size, terrifying strength, and intelligence... the giants were far too threatening!
Thinking of this, Li Xin continued to recall the details of the giant's attire: an old-fashioned baseball cap, thick, durable high-waisted work pants, and a faded plaid shirt with neatly stitched shoulder seams, plus a metal fishing rod and a plastic bucket.
"Judging from their clothes and tools, this race has probably already developed into a civilization..." he thought silently.
Even at mealtime, everyone was preoccupied.
The wasteland world was already difficult enough; they had hoped things would be better after transmigrating to the new world, but it turned out to be far worse than they imagined.
The meal consisted of a boiled potato for each person. Space was limited in the mobile city, and the cultivated fields could only grow these hardy, drought-resistant crops.
As the lord, Li Xin could only try to comfort everyone.
"No matter what, there's always hope."
Just then, a few lines of text suddenly appeared on the potato he was eating.
[Item Name: Potato]
[Description: An ordinary crop that can grow tenaciously in barren land, but its yield and growth cycle are very ordinary.]
[Evolutionary Branches:]
[Fast-Growing Potato: Seeds obtained by cutting tubers increase growth speed by 50%]-100 Evolution Points
[Potato Mine: Potatoes you plant will grow into sensor-activated high-explosive mines]-300 Evolution Points
[Exorcising Potato: After consumption, there is a certain probability that you will be protected from strange types of enemies for 12 hours. ] -500 Evolution Points
[Current Evolution Points: 500]
"What...what's going on?"
Li Xin murmured, a hint of surprise in his voice.
The long table, plates, floor, chairs, kitchen...everything his gaze fell upon displayed various novel evolutionary branches. After
recovering
from his initial astonishment, Li Xin was instantly overjoyed.
He seemed to have gained the ability to evolve any item!
However, he currently only had 500 evolution points, while these items cost hundreds or even thousands, far from enough.
Considering the inherent danger of this world, Li Xin decided to prioritize evolving weapons to improve his self-defense capabilities.
Initially, he wanted to upgrade the cannons, but all three evolutionary branches for cannons required at least 1000 points, leaving him with no choice but to opt for the heavy machine gun.
[Item Name: Heavy Machine Gun]
[Evolutionary Branches:]
[Flesh Butcher Machine Gun: Penetration +70% against biological enemies] -500 Evolution Points
[Machine Gun Demon: Transforms the heavy machine gun into a machine gun demon with low-level consciousness, capable of autonomous movement and target acquisition. Prerequisite: You must be able to establish a valid contract with it] -800 Evolution Points
[Immortal Slaughter Machine Gun: 1. Damage +50% against cultivator-type enemies 2. Its bullets can effectively penetrate the defensive barriers formed by the target's spiritual power and Taoist magic] -1500 Evolution Points
"Immortal Slaughter Machine Gun? 50% more damage?" Li Xin was surprised.
Thinking about it carefully, using a heavy machine gun to mow down cultivators was actually quite exciting.
He chuckled, then realized something, and a few beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
Because it was truly possible for human civilization to travel to the cultivation world.
With a thought from Li Xin, the heavy machine gun completed its evolution. At the same time, a level indicator appeared on its body, jumping from "None" to "Level 1".
After completing its evolution, the heavy machine gun possessed a blood-red paint job that seemed to be soaked in thick blood, and its reinforced and modified barrel and expansion mechanism resembled the exposed spine of a ferocious beast, creating a striking visual impact.
While lovingly stroking the heavy machine gun, Li Xin also began to ponder this magical new ability he had acquired.
As if to answer, a concise explanation appeared before his eyes.
[The same item can have multiple evolution branches simultaneously, and can be further enhanced by spending evolution points after unlocking. Upgrading will unlock more evolution branches.]
After reading the explanation, Li Xin couldn't help but take a deep breath.
This meant he could purchase other evolution branches to combine with it.
Combining it with the "Machine Gun Demon" branch would create a flesh-and-blood butcher with self-awareness, capable of autonomously targeting and firing.
Combining it with the "Immortal Slaughter Machine Gun" branch would create a terrifying weapon capable of tearing flesh and piercing the magical shields of cultivators.
"This ability is truly powerful!" he couldn't help but exclaim.
With a mix of anticipation and relief, Li Xin returned to the watchtower and picked up his binoculars.
The plants and trees in his field of vision were mostly gray, lacking any verdant green. The river was incredibly murky, occasionally bubbling with large clumps of white foam, and the distant sky remained a hazy gray, devoid of any sunlight.
As he looked around, his relaxed brows furrowed again—the environment of this world was simply appalling.
Even the air was thick with visible smoke and dust, visibility was pitifully low, and even a slightly deeper breath would cause him to cough.
Just then, the helmsman's anxious voice came through the communicator.
"Lord, the Starfire's city energy is currently less than 5%."
Li Xin paused slightly, then nodded.
"...I understand."
City energy was the vital lifeline of a mobile city, and in such a dangerous world, the only way for a mobile city to ensure its safety was to remain in motion.
As time ticked by, his anxiety grew.
Perhaps it was a stroke of luck; a dozen minutes later, a scene came into view.
An open-air coal yard.
It was small and dilapidated, with black coal scattered like small hills. The conveyor belt had long since stopped operating, and the rusted steel supports stood forlornly.
There were no walls around the coal yard, only a rough-hewn wire mesh, some sections of which had even collapsed and tilted.
After rubbing his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing things, Li Xin's breath hitched, and his heart began to pound uncontrollably.
The coal yard was indeed small—but only by the standards of giants. To these humans, it was an absolute behemoth. Especially the coal; each piece was equivalent to a boulder.
The Starfire could not only fill the city's energy supply in one go, but could even store a huge pile. This meant that for a long time to come, he wouldn't have to worry about the city's energy problems.
However, after observing the scene inside the coal yard more closely, his initially restless mood gradually calmed down.
Beside a coal pile, on a sleeper, sat three giants.
They appeared to be coal yard workers, wearing faded coarse cloth clothes with patches on the cuffs and knees.
One giant sat on the sleeper, holding a half-burnt, crumpled cigarette. Another giant held an empty wine bottle, staring down at the ground, seemingly lost in thought.
The third giant simply lay on his back on a pile of coal slag, his face covered by his hat, his chest rising and falling slightly, as if asleep.
The two giants in front seemed to be conversing. The giant smoking looked distressed and spoke, occasionally sighing and exhaling smoke rings as they dissipated into the gray air.
The other giant, holding a bottle of liquor, simply listened, occasionally shaking the empty bottle, his eyes blankly staring at the ground. It was unclear whether he was listening or simply lost in thought.
Li Xin silently lowered his binoculars.
There was no other choice now; the coalfield before him was his only chance.
Finally, he gave the order through the megaphone to the entire crew of the Starfire:
"Prepare for battle!"
Inside the coal yard, the giants continued their casual conversation.
Outside, the entire crew of the Spark was mobilizing for battle.
Li Xin commanded from the watchtower, as everyone took their positions in front of the heavy machine guns and artillery. The newly evolved Flesh Butcher machine gun was positioned in the best firing position, its visually striking barrel gleaming coldly.
Watching everyone tensely take their positions, Li Xin sighed inwardly.
The Spark's equipment was truly inadequate; it didn't even have a single motorcycle for deployment.
If he had motorcycles and off-road vehicles, he could immediately deploy personnel and weapons, assemble a convoy, and engage in combat.
A well-equipped and well-trained combat convoy would be extremely valuable. It was like an extra hand for the mobile city, capable not only of protecting the city and harassing enemies, but also of being deployed to explore territory and gather resources.
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After confirming everyone was ready, Lu Chen turned and waved to the watchtower.
"Lord, we're all ready!"
Li Xin nodded and said in a deep voice.
"Alright, let's go."
After a roar, the Starfire began to accelerate gradually, rushing into the coal yard through a gap in the barbed wire!
When they saw a mobile city suddenly appear, the two giants who were talking were stunned.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Li Xin pointed at the smoking giant.
"Fire!"
The next second, the heavy machine guns and cannons on the Starfire simultaneously spat out tongues of fire.
In order to ensure maximum damage, this time everyone specifically aimed at the giant's head.
When the smoking giant was caught off guard, the drinking giant came to his senses, rushed over and shoved him away.
The onslaught of firepower instantly descended upon the latter, his face instantly engulfed in smoke and dust, his flesh torn open, and even one of his eyes shattered.
With a heart-wrenching scream, the drinking giant collapsed to the ground, clutching his face, writhing in agony on the coal dust.
The smoking giant, regaining his senses, gradually replaced the bewilderment on his face with rage. He roared, grabbed a shovel from beside him, and charged towards the Starfire!
Although the two were two or three hundred meters apart, given the giant's size, it would only take a few steps.
Just then, the Flesh Butcher machine gun, which had been on standby, opened fire.
Its muzzle spewed scorching flames, and the bullets, like blood-red whips, fiercely attacked the smoking giant.
The smoking giant instinctively raised his left hand to protect his head, but the Flesh Butcher displayed devastating power. Its bullets ripped through the flesh and bone of the giant's arm with overwhelming force, shattering it completely.
Under the smoking giant's horrified gaze, his left hand instantly became fragmented and severed in two.
"Such ferocious power!"
Everyone was stunned.
Li Xin was also overjoyed; the power of this evolved heavy machine gun clearly exceeded his expectations.
Just as he was about to say something, a violent whistling sound suddenly came from the sky.
A violent rain of debris instantly swept across the entire Starfire.
It was the giant who had been sleeping.
He was jolted awake and, as he got up, grabbed a handful of rubble and hurled it.
"Boom!"
Under the fierce bombardment of the rubble, the Starfire was riddled with horrifying dents. Multiple cannons and heavy machine guns were instantly warped and deformed, and many soldiers were hit directly before they could find cover.
Li Xin gritted his teeth and roared hoarsely,
"Keep fighting!"
After a surprise attack, they had successfully severely damaged two giants. If they could eliminate the Sleeping Giant, they would win the battle.
But the Sleeping Giant's next move made everyone's hearts sink.
He suddenly grabbed a huge iron plate from beside the coal pile and used it as a shield—it seemed to be a protective plate that had fallen from the conveyor belt.
The firepower unleashed by the Flesh Butcher and the remaining heavy machine guns and cannons was easily blocked by this impromptu shield.
At the same time, the Drinking Giant and the Smoking Giant, enduring excruciating pain, joined the battle, cooperating with the Sleeping Giant to encircle and intercept the Starfire.
A thrilling chase ensued in the coal yard.
The Spark pushed its engines to maximum power, drifting rapidly from side to side while maintaining full speed, dodging the giants' swings, pounces, and hurled rocks, and unleashing a barrage of firepower upon them.
Shoulders, chest, abdomen... After a fierce barrage of fire from the Flesh Butcher, the Smoking Giant was riddled with gruesome wounds, then swayed and collapsed to the ground.
Simultaneously, the remaining heavy machine guns and cannons aimed at the Drinking Giant's head and opened fire, finally killing him.
Now only one remained.
Just then, the helmsman's anxious voice came through the loudspeaker.
"Lord! The city's energy is less than 1%, the Starfire is about to shut down!"
Li Xin's expression changed drastically.
Damn it, why now of all times!
Seeing the Sleeping Giant charging forward under the cover of its shield, he didn't hesitate and roared, "Full speed ahead! Ram it!"
The helmsman hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and slammed the accelerator to the floor.
The Starfire roared and rammed its battered body forward.
The Sleeping Giant clearly hadn't expected this and was stunned.
In a flash, the Starfire crashed into it. The latter staggered from the impact, the iron plate slipping from his hand and falling backward to the ground.
Immediately afterward, the flesh-and-blood butchers on deck opened fire with all their might, bullets raining down on his head, blasting him to pieces.
...
Two dead, six wounded.
Three cannons damaged, four heavy machine guns destroyed.
Ammunition and shells were exhausted.
Li Xin learned the statistics from Lu Chen.
He nodded and breathed a sigh of relief.
Overall, the casualties were within acceptable limits.
Especially the personnel casualties, which were far fewer than he had imagined—according to his expectations, the Starfire might have been completely wiped out this time.
After a brief rest, Li Xin began directing his comrades to collect the spoils.
He had stood at the hatch watching the first batch of coal being transported into the energy compartment.
Each piece of coal was larger than his body, jet black and shiny, faintly reflecting light.
2%, 3%, 4%... As chunks of crushed coal were fed into the energy compartment, the previously plummeting reserve indicator began to slowly rise.
With each percentage point increase, his heart felt a little more at ease.
When the indicator reached 100%, he let out a long sigh of relief, his previously tense shoulders involuntarily relaxing.
Since the wasteland world, the city's energy had always been a sword hanging over his head.
The first thing he did every morning was check the reserves, and the last thing he did every night before going to sleep was also check the reserves. He dared not drive at full speed, dared not use too much equipment, and even conserved the daily lighting.
Sufficient energy meant that the Starfire could continue to move in this dangerous world.
Not only that, he could also store a large amount of coal this time for use when traveling to other worlds in the future.
Just then, a sound suddenly came from outside the coal yard.