"This is related to my Extraordinary Ability. I have a special need for High-tier Extraordinary Items."

Lin Qi’s words calmed Ding Yang considerably.

The Headquarters had gathered most of Dragon Country’s surviving top talent, but so far, they’d only figured out the use of ordinary Crimson Crystal Stones.

It wouldn’t make sense for Lin Qi to have single-handedly researched the functions of so many completely different types of Extraordinary Items.

Once Extraordinary Items reach Tier Two, they become qualitatively different from Crimson Crystal Stones and are very difficult to utilize.

However, Ding Yang had heard that the Headquarters had discovered some alternative uses for High-tier Extraordinary Items, but these methods couldn’t be widely implemented.

Lin Qi stopped there.

Initially, Lin Qi had considered dropping a hint about Pharmacy.

But after some thought, he decided to keep it hidden for the time being.

’My public-facing Extraordinary Power is Intelligence Enhancement.’

’I can still bullshit my way through explaining the Exoskeleton and Electromagnetic Weapons by claiming they’re an extension of the specialized knowledge I learned in college.’

’But Pharmacy... that’s almost an entirely new field of study.’

Lin Qi didn’t want to reveal this to the authorities so soon.

Dragon Country’s government had capable people, and this might even involve High Tier Extraordinary individuals.

Lin Qi still remembered the day the Crimson Moon opened its eye, and that pillar of ice-blue Spiritual Particles that shot up in the north.

Lin Qi wasn’t sure if that phenomenon was connected to the Dragon Country authorities. If they were behind it, that would be terrifying.

It would mean that the Dragon Country authorities possessed a way to suppress the blood-red moon in the sky.

Lin Qi looked Ding Yang in the eye, waiting for his response.

Ding Yang spoke up. "I can authorize the trade for now, but I’ll have to report it to the Headquarters afterward. According to their directives, all special items—anything other than Crimson Crystals—found anywhere are supposed to be transported by rail to the Headquarters."

’They have a rule like that?’

Lin Qi felt a little lucky that he had chosen to cooperate with the official rescue team.

Otherwise, given the rescue team’s efficiency, by the time Lin Qi had developed enough strength to explore beyond Modu University...

...most of the conspicuous High-tier Extraordinary Items would have already been sent to the Dragon Country Command Headquarters, leaving nothing for him to scavenge.

One should never underestimate the power of the state, especially a state like Dragon Country, which seemed to possess a wealth of intelligence about the apocalypse.

Ding Yang put on a troubled expression. After a moment of thought, he said, "I believe the compensation should be equivalent to the technology’s value. Tier Two Extraordinary Items should be exchanged for L-Class technology, and the same principle applies to High Levels."

Even though he’d decided to bend the rules, Ding Yang didn’t forget to fight for the best possible deal.

He had never been a businessman, but after so many years in the military, he knew a thing or two about navigating the tricky ins and outs of securing interests.

Lin Qi nodded. "Reasonable."

Technology in exchange for Extraordinary Items. If the mega-corporations in the Cyber World heard about this, they’d probably wake up from their dreams laughing.

The Cyber World had developed for many years. From M-Class up to the military-entry-level A-Class, there had been immense technological accumulation and iteration.

Lin Qi wouldn’t even need to develop these technologies himself.

As long as he could finagle enough clearance within a major corporation, he could get his hands on any amount of obsolete, phased-out technology.

If he was willing to pay the price, it might even be possible to acquire some outdated S-Class and X-Class tech.

The real limiting factors for S-Class and X-Class weren’t technology, but materials and resources.

This was also why S-Class and above tech products were practically unavailable in the Cyber World, despite having a listed price.

With that, Lin Qi and Ding Yang concluded their friendly consultative meeting. Guided by the principles of sincerity, mutual trust, and mutual benefit, they established clear directives for long-term future cooperation, breathing new life and vitality into the development of the Mo University Camp and Hongshan Camp...

In short, both sides left the meeting room with smiles on their faces.

Ding Yang’s smile was especially radiant.

Once in the hallway, Ding Yang pointed at the Electromagnetic Six-barreled Vulcan Cannon. "Can I take this one?"

Then he glanced at the several sets of Exoskeleton Armor charging in the corner. "Can you pack those up for me to take, too?"

When they reached the doorway, Ding Yang pointed to the M-Class Mecha standing guard. "And this one!"

Lin Qi had already gone upstairs. Wang Ziru was the one seeing Ding Yang out.

Seeing Ding Yang’s greedy face, as if he wanted to swallow everything whole, Wang Ziru’s own face darkened in annoyance.

"Junior Lin said he’d have a truckload of equipment packed for you," Wang Ziru said. "He’s also arranging for a team to go to Hongshan Camp to teach you how to use it."

"I’ll arrange the equipment you’re taking, but these specific items are what our frontline teams are using. You can’t have them."

"By the way, do you have power at the Hongshan Railway Station? These weapons designed by Junior Lin have high energy requirements. We at the Mo University Camp are preparing to build a super-photovoltaic power plant and a large-scale cold fusion reactor to ensure a steady power supply for our equipment."

Even as he was seeing his guest out, Wang Ziru didn’t miss the chance to once again flaunt the Mo University Camp’s technological prowess.

As expected, Ding Yang’s face filled with shock. "What did you say? A cold fusion reactor?"

This time, Ding Yang was utterly stunned.

Talk of abstract concepts like M-Class and L-Class technology hadn’t really fazed Ding Yang.

But the mention of nuclear fusion snapped him to attention.

’Didn’t the Dragon Country Academy of Sciences fail to develop that?’

’A technological hurdle that couldn’t be overcome in an era of peace was solved by a college student after the apocalypse began?’

’Terrifying. Too terrifying. This is horrifying.’

Ding Yang sucked in a sharp breath. He decided he would immediately send a locomotive straight for the Headquarters the moment he returned to Hongshan Camp.

The gains from this trip to the Mo University Camp had far exceeded his imagination. This might be enough to significantly turn the tide of the apocalypse.

Standing at the entrance of the Club Activity Building and watching the Mo University Camp teams come and go, Ding Yang was overcome with emotion.

The scenes inside and outside Mo University were worlds apart. The outside was a living hell, while the inside was bustling with reconstruction.

These college students had already cleared most of Modu University of Zombies and were on the verge of turning it into a super-fortress in the heart of Modu.

"’You really can’t beat the drive and quality of college students...’"

The thought of the situation back at Hongshan Camp gave Ding Yang a headache.

The survivors there were a mixed bag. Fights would break out over something as trivial as a bag of instant noodles.

There were even some sordid incidents that were too shameful to mention.

This had forced the rescue team to resort to severe measures. The slightest hint of criminal activity was met with a bullet to the head.

Only through such high-pressure tactics had they managed to stabilize the internal situation at Hongshan Camp.

What Ding Yang truly envied was the initiative and Life Force these students showed in their post-apocalyptic construction and production. That was something the Hongshan Camp could never hope to match.

...

Under the sun, the squad led by Cheng Huai returned to camp.

The three team members—Liu Wei, Du Lv, and Li Fu—were physically exhausted, but their mouths never stopped running.

"I’m begging you, stop caressing it. You’re about to polish a damn patina onto your ’ex-girlfriend.’"

"Shut up! You’re just jealous I even have an ex-girlfriend!"

"Ha, ha, ha..."

"Screw you. I’m one with it, like Kindred. ’Never one... without the other.’"

"Ha, ha, ha..."

"FUCK!"

The group passed in front of Ding Yang, ready to head back to the barracks for some rest, when Wang Ziru suddenly called out to them.

"Cheng Huai! Your squad is familiar with Jiang Zhenlong, right? So it’s on you guys. Pick up some overtime. Load the equipment onto the truck, then head to Hongshan Camp to teach them how to use the weapons." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Cheng Huai and his team froze instantly. The youthful energy characteristic of college students vanished, replaced by the deep-seated resentment of overworked grunts.