Chapter 80: Chapter 80 – What the Hell Are You Babbling About?

Bai Cheng gave up on slowing down and continued forward.

Meanwhile, perhaps due to her own abilities, Leng Ningxue’s train was the fastest among the group. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

She led the charge, with Bai Cheng close behind, while the seven pursuing survivors clung stubbornly to their tails.

And so, a total of nine trains raced through the frozen wasteland of the Frigid Snowy Mountains, gradually converging toward a single point.

Since Bai Cheng had previously experienced converging with Leng Ningxue’s train, she estimated that it would take about an hour.

Both their trains were faster than the pursuers’, but just in case they gave up, Bai Cheng made sure to remind the other party.

However, the truth was, these survivors had wasted too much time outside the station. At this point, ambushing Bai Cheng and Leng Ningxue was practically their only option.

The two leading trains gradually slowed. The snowstorm outside weakened, and the sky began to brighten.

By now, Bai Cheng could see Leng Ningxue standing on the walkway outside her train’s locomotive.

The two exchanged a glance from a distance, an unspoken understanding passing between them.

Meanwhile, Bai Cheng hadn’t stopped upgrading her backpack.

Soon, a flash of golden light signaled the completion of the upgrade. The initial backpack had transformed into a spatial backpack, identical in function to hers but now in a different color.

"Blue, huh? Not bad."

After allocating her attribute points, Bai Cheng glanced outside again. The nine trains were now dangerously close.

Truthfully, she could’ve just let Zi Yuan and Chi Yan eliminate the pursuers mid-chase.

But Bai Cheng felt that she shouldn’t show off too much in front of a friend.

...Well, she was mostly worried that doing so might scare off the ones chasing Leng Ningxue.

She had received her express delivery, so she might as well let her friend have some fun too, right?

SCREECH—!

The wheels ground against the tracks, sending sparks flying as the two leading trains abruptly braked.

The sudden deceleration was so sharp that the pursuing survivors’ trains shot past them in an instant.

Every survivor on board wore identical expressions of shock.

They had no idea what these two Pioneers were planning.

But it was the perfect opportunity to ambush them!

Only when they were certain that the two trains had come to a complete stop did the pursuers also begin slowing down in unison.

But Bai Cheng couldn’t care less about them right now.

She pushed open the train door and jumped out.

Thick snow swallowed her feet, crunching under her weight as she trudged forward.

Walking past the locomotive, she found Leng Ningxue already waiting for her.

The cold wind tousled the short blue hair at her temples, and her usually icy expression softened with a faint smile.

After a brief silence, she spoke.

"Long time no see."

Bai Cheng scoffed. "It’s only been a few hours!"

"Is that so?" Leng Ningxue mused thoughtfully.

"Are you seriously pondering that!?"

This time, their reunion felt far more natural. It was no longer the awkward distance of near-strangers, but something closer.

"Thanks, Ningxue," Bai Cheng said first. "If you hadn’t warned me back then..."

"Was it really that dangerous?" Leng Ningxue blinked.

"No, I almost went on a killing spree." Bai Cheng deadpanned. "Where’d you even get that info?"

At this, Leng Ningxue’s expression turned serious.

She didn’t hold back. "Tang Yan sold the intel. I bought it from him."

But before Bai Cheng could respond, she added, "And I found out something else."

"What?"

"Even though Tang Yan is a Pioneer, he usually avoids leaking info about other Pioneers, probably to avoid making enemies." Leng Ningxue met her gaze squarely. "But from what I know, you’re the first."

"Huh?" Bai Cheng was taken aback.

"You’re saying that he refused to reveal Pioneer intel... except for mine?"

Leng Ningxue nodded. "Could be a coincidence. Maybe the survivors at your station were his friends."

But even she didn’t believe that explanation.

Bai Cheng’s eyes darkened. Her interactions with Tang Yan had been minimal.

"He wouldn’t hold a grudge just because I raised the price, right?"

...No way. Is he really that petty!?

"Oh, right." Leng Ningxue added, "There’s a rumor going around that after Lin Qiuyue betrayed Tang Yan, she joined your team instead."

"WHAT?!" Bai Cheng was even more stunned.

Seeing her reaction, Leng Ningxue sighed. "Maybe that’s why. Do you want me to mediate?"

Bai Cheng’s expression turned cold. She waved a hand dismissively.

From Leng Ningxue’s words, and given her closer association with Tang Yan, Bai Cheng could piece together the kind of person he was.

Arrogant. Self-important. Biased.

All of which matched her own impressions of him.

This wasn’t just a misunderstanding. If he had some kind of foresight, did he know about her Talent?

If so, jealousy was likely the culprit.

"He’d better pray he doesn’t run into me at a station," Bai Cheng muttered. The feud was set, and she wouldn’t back down.

She turned back to Leng Ningxue. "Anyway, you should keep your distance from him too."

Leng Ningxue nodded. "He’s been trying to recruit me. I’ve been stringing him along for information, but teaming up is out of the question."

If one person dislikes him, it might be their own problem, but if everyone dislikes him, he’s the problem.

...Not that I could ever be the problem!

Bai Cheng was about to properly thank her, taking out the newly upgraded spatial backpack as a gift.

However, just as she held it out, the group of survivors finally arrived, trudging through the snow.

Each had one or two employees in tow, some armed, forming a small but imposing crowd.

"So these two girls know each other? No wonder they stopped together!"

"How arrogant. Planning to fight us here?"

"Same deal as before—whoever lands the kill keeps the body. Split the rest of the loot!"

Watching them approach, Leng Ningxue’s expression turned grim, losing the mood for casual conversation.

She summoned her two employees, then glanced at Bai Cheng. "My abilities are stronger in the snowy mountains. I’ll freeze them, then we finish them off with our employees—"

"No need for that." Bai Cheng cut her off, her gaze fixed ahead as the survivors’ chatter reached her ears.

Leng Ningxue also frowned at the same time. "Then—"

"What the hell are you babbling about? Chi Yan, Zi Yuan!"