Ch 85: TGCIR

Since fuel was related to advanced weapons, Shen Cheng scrolled through the buildings. Among the fuel-related structures, there was one that required completing a certain task to obtain the Fuel Charging building: 【Electrolyzer: Running out of electricity in the base? Buy an electrolyzer to produce hydrogen and oxygen gas. Make sure people stay away from this building, otherwise, you might find, Boom!】

In Shen Cheng’s world, electrolysis for producing hydrogen and oxygen gas was still a technology challenge that hadn’t been entirely overcome. The main reason was that the initial “electricity” couldn’t be completely converted into usable energy for hydrogen combustion. In comparison to the relatively low energy utilization efficiency in electrolysis, it might even be considered an unprofitable deal.

However, in the apocalypse world with a substantial number of ability users, this technology had become a lucrative business. For instance, a thunder and lightning ability user like Chen Feng could complete a considerable amount of electrolysis in a day. However, unless there was some kind of 100% secure high-tech system, they might worry about the stability of energy input and the potential for hydrogen explosions turning the entire laboratory into rubble. But with the support of the system’s buildings, all these problems had been solved.

The only remaining issue was: purchasing this building required completing a specific task, which was obtaining a sufficient amount of “platinum.”

【Electrolyzer Task: Provide 20 kg of platinum and platinum products.】

“What?!?” Is this for real, 20 kg?

Platinum was rarer than gold, usually when you bought items like platinum rings from a jewelry store, their weight was measured in grams. A ring or necklace could even use a few grams of platinum. But the system, well, it was stating 20 kg?

Even if there were a platinum mine, extracting from it would take time! Shen Cheng looked at the 20kg quantity in confusion. Suspecting that the task of completing it within two days was overly ambitious, Shen Cheng examined the fuel-related structures and found that most of them were labeled as “conditions not met.”

The oil reservoirs are more than two days away from here, and there’s no nearby supply of natural gas. It seems that electricity has become the only stable fuel solution.

With no other option, Shen Cheng had to explain the task and situation to Li Weilan. Li Weilan nodded after listening and said only half a difficult word, “There’s a way.”

They chose “electrolysis.” According to Li Weilan’s scientific knowledge, one of the conditions for electrolysis was a platinum catalyst. Calculating this way, even though the quantity required by the game system sounded enormous, it was still within the realm of reason.

In the face of difficulties, finding solutions was the way to go. With a choice in hand, the best they could do was to complete the task rather than relying solely on spending money.

Li Weilan gathered all the people in the base, explained the difficulties required for the base’s goals, and immediately people started taking platinum jewelry and rings from their bags, tossing them directly into boxes in the hall.

Some tried to protest, feeling indignant about giving away their valuable jewelry in this post-apocalyptic world. However, even if they felt this way, they mostly remained silent and dropped their jewelry into the boxes. When facing moments of life and death, people would still bring things like engagement rings from years ago, carefully preserved within their layers of belongings.

These items were the last-resort survival essentials. Those who thought that life in the base had a future, or that they might not need these items anymore, were the ones willing to contribute.

Shen Cheng looked at the boxes accumulating in the base hall. Although the task required only around four to five grams, increasing at a rate of seven to eight grams, once they gathered and scraped together items, they managed to collect around 2kg of platinum products. Compared to the 20kg goal, it was still a significant amount. Looking at this scene, Shen Cheng’s heart warmed.

After completing the jewelry collection, Li Weilan packed all the harvested fruits, vegetables, and medicines from the past few days, and headed directly to the tent area of the base.

The tent area was mostly ready to leave.

Noah Base had already sent a message informing them that the zombies were converging toward the base. Those who still wanted to stay and defend the base together could all enter the base for safety.

Those who were willing to fight the besieging zombies alongside the base would naturally stay outside. Although some had originally wanted to take advantage of the base and linger, realizing the situation was unfavorable, they had already left early. Now, only a few remaining individuals had intentions of profiting from the impending battle. These were the ones who carried war supplies and hoped to make a fortune.

But more often than not, those who had the confidence to wait until this point to leave were the experienced merchants.

Li Weilan arrived among them and directly spread out the goods she had brought. Looking at the few merchants who were gathering around, she declared, “We’ll exchange everything for platinum products.”

“Platinum?” The remaining dozen or so groups were puzzled.

No one had expected that at this time when Noah Base was collecting food and weapons, they would actually offer precious jewelry for exchange.

What?

But the one making the exchange was said to be worth a fortune even within Noah Base, supplying versatile healing potions. These potions were said to mend bones and were highly valuable in the black market. In this post-apocalyptic world, there was nothing more valuable than these.

Exchanging for platinum?

Several skeptical gazes were met with a slight smile from Li Weilan. “It’s Li Weilan. You all should have heard the name.”

“!!!” Noah base. How could they possibly not know who he was?

Li Weilan smiled and continued, “The zombies don’t pose too much of a threat to us. I wanted to celebrate our female leader’s success by giving her some jewelry. These are all my private shares. We’re offering exchanges, and you still have a choice. We’re only exchanging for 20kg. This exchange will only last for today.”

Trying to please the female leader? Is Noah Base’s trump card so limited? Are they already preparing to celebrate now? Are there any concerns about potential issues?

But no matter what, wasn’t the goal of 20kg just too risky?

Even if there were criticisms, even if it was all nonsense, wasn’t it Noah Base’s business after all? If someone stupidly wanted to exchange combat supplies for “precious metals,” could anyone really stop them?

Several people exchanged bewildered glances, and then they hurriedly swarmed around, each starting to take out their own precious jewelry. Some who didn’t have such items rushed to nearby small gatherings to buy or exchange items, turning to and fro as a boundary.

Shen Cheng watched the completion progress of the task inching up over the next 24 hours, reaching its peak around the 12-hour mark. The platinum products gathered from nearby gathering spots were completely bought up.

Around halfway through this task, Fu Yanzhou, who had been swaying and feeling dizzy, managed to finish researching the three different types of fur that Li Weilan had brought back to the base. He determined the methods for cutting, treating, and sewing them, as well as the amount of defense and protection they could provide when used to make armor.

His face had turned quite pale from spending time in the lab, and he had not eaten or rested for days. Even his research had begun to take its toll. Fu Yanzhou’s eyes were circled with dark rings, and he was in a state that even makeup could make him resemble a panda.

Fu Yanzhou didn’t complain, though.

However, as he left the research lab, he stumbled and swayed, his vision darkening. It was precisely when Xi Bei saw him staggering that he almost fell.

Seeing Xi Bei’s concerned gaze, Fu Yanzhou felt a buzzing in his ears, and he grabbed onto the wall before regaining his composure. After he could clearly see Xi Bei’s face, he spoke slowly, “I’m done with what I needed to do. It’s time to rest.”

Translated on ho lo lo novels dot com.

Relieved that it was just fatigue, Xi Bei helped him lie down in a room. Observing his exhausted appearance, Xi Bei couldn’t help but sigh internally and suppressed the urge to advise, “You really shouldn’t push yourself so much. It’s almost as if you’re about to collapse any minute. If that happens, it’ll be a significant loss for the base.”

Fu Yanzhou opened his eyes.

The ceiling was a cold, bluish-gray.

It was his favorite color, but it was still quite plain. Yet, this was already good enough: “Xi Bei, I’m sorry. It’s a form of redemption.”

“Redemption?” Xi Bei didn’t quite understand what he was talking about.

“Yes, redemption.” Fu Yanzhou opened his eyes wider. “Maybe others won’t care, but to me, my heart might never find peace unless I do this. Only then it can find peace.”

Xi Bei didn’t entirely grasp what he was saying, and she furrowed her brows slightly, wanting to console him but not knowing where to start.

From initially just being attracted by his appearance, her feelings toward Fu Yanzhou had gradually evolved into something deeper. She didn’t fully understand what he was doing with his so-called “redemption,” but as she observed, this near self-torture-like redemption had already crossed into the territory of psychological illness.

This wasn’t healthy.

Xi Bei was about to speak again, but looking at Fu Yanzhou’s eyes, she saw nothing but determination. It was a kind of determination that couldn’t be easily swayed by advice.

Seeing him like this, Xi Bei sighed and closed Fu Yanzhou’s door.

After Fu Yanzhou’s research was completed, the Equipment Crafting Room could be built.

The construction cost was 100G, or 100kg of alchemical metal and 100kg of wood. If they weren’t in a dire situation facing a zombie tide, Shen Cheng would probably opt for having the base residents slowly gather materials. After all, wood could be grown through plant-based abilities to yield fruit trees, and metals could be refined. But with time pressing, she chose to spend money.

Indeed, all the residents in the base heard the mechanical announcement from the system: “Base has unlocked: Equipment Crafting Room. Residents in need, please bring your raw materials and contribution points to the crafting room to complete the tailoring process.”

“!!!” Raw materials? Contribution points?

Almost all welfare-type buildings in the base required these things, but raw materials?

Some people recalled the recent batch of strange materials that had just been stored in the base’s warehouse. Those with more contribution points exchanged some things like rat teeth first. They had been wondering why the base suddenly started stockpiling these items; it turned out they were meant for this!

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Thingyan: 😁 so sorry for the long hiatus everyone. Sandy is focusing on the other novel and I’ll be taking this over.