The invisible force appeared once more, but this time Ye Qiyan felt his stamina draining at several times the rate it had when he sublimated the small knife earlier.
"Whew."
[Stamina: 90→30]
Collapsing onto the floor, Ye Qiyan couldn't help but feel exhilarated as he watched the train transform before his eyes.
[Train upgrade complete!]
[Current level: 2]
[Materials required for next train upgrade: 200kg wood, 200 metal parts, 400kg metal blocks]
[Upgrade options unlocked]
[Congratulations on breaking the fastest train upgrade record! Obtained one special module card]
After reaching level 2, the chassis, frame, wheels, and workbench had all upgraded alongside it. The speed increased from 20 km/h to 40 km/h.
But that wasn't the main point. What truly mattered was that Ye Qiyan could clearly sense he could still sublimate this train further - unlike the knife that had nearly exhausted its potential after one sublimation. However, even at full stamina recovery, his current reserves wouldn't be enough.
Unless he tapped into his mental energy.
Yet after reading the description about mental energy, Ye Qiyan temporarily shelved that idea.
The train upgrade had revealed two particularly special features:
The upgrade options, and the special module card from breaking the record - these were what truly demanded attention.
[Level 2 Train Upgrade Options]
[1: Basic Carriage Blueprint (0 Train Coins)]
[2: Basic Water Tank Blueprint (1 Train Coin)]
[3: Train Burst Acceleration Device Blueprint (5 Train Coins)]
[4: Extend Docking Time by One Hour (2 Train Coins)]
[All options can be purchased with Train Coins]
"Train Coins... are they this world's currency? I don't have a single one right now. Does that mean I can only choose the first option?"
Ye Qiyan frowned slightly. If that were truly the case, wouldn't this early upgrade end up being a loss?
"Can I reserve the options and make my selection after obtaining enough Train Coins?"
[Yes. Options can be reserved for three station stops.]
Slightly relieved, Ye Qiyan extracted the blueprint that didn't require coins.
[Basic Carriage Blueprint]
[Requirements: 100kg wood, 150kg metal, 60 mechanical parts]
[Additional optional materials: 20kg glass, 10kg fibers for carriage modifications]
The material requirements were substantial - not easy to gather at present. As for sublimating this blueprint too, better leave that for later.
He hadn't even secured the resources for the basic blueprint yet. If sublimation increased the material requirements, it might become impossible to construct.
"How special is this special module?"
Storing the blueprint, a diamond-shaped card wreathed in pale blue particles materialized floating above his palm.
[Special Module Card]: When activated, grants one special module.
The simple description revealed little. Only by using it would he discover what module he might obtain.
"This thing... should be capable of sublimation too, right?"
Once this thought emerged, he couldn't suppress it.
Though sublimating the train had consumed much stamina, he still had mental energy reserves.
Moreover, after consuming that bread and water, his stamina had miraculously recovered to fifty.
"Testing it shouldn't be a problem."
Ye Qiyan murmured to himself before silently reciting in his mind:
"Sublimate."
The invisible force manifested once more. The card above his palm instantly released countless blue particles resembling shooting stars in all directions.
Had anyone been observing from the sky above, they would have seen Ye Qiyan's train streaking like a comet trailing blue flames, accelerating continuously.
"Hmm..."
Ye Qiyan stared at the card in his hand, brow furrowed.
Finally, as the light contracted and the invisible force dissipated, his body lightened.
[Current Stamina: 20]
[Current Mental Energy: 60 (Mental Fatigue)]
[Sublimation successful!]
[Special Module Card] → [Exclusive Module Card]
"30 stamina and 40 mental energy - seventy points total? That's a huge consumption. But what does this 'mental fatigue' status mean? I don't feel anything different..."
Lying on the floor examining the card, Ye Qiyan shook off his confusion.
Perhaps it was just perception - his physical exhaustion overshadowing mental weariness.
"Amen, Amitabha, God-Emperor protect..."
Whether effective or not, he cycled through prayers to every deity he could recall.
"Activate Exclusive Module Card."
Azure light enveloped his body as the Train Control System's interface materialized before him.
[Activating Exclusive Module Card.]
[Congratulations! Obtained Train Conductor Exclusive Module: Crossroads of Fate (Unique)]
[Crossroads of Fate]: Your path will always present a second choice. Different choices lead to different destinies.
Before Ye Qiyan could examine it closely, the train's PA system crackled to life overhead.
[Ding-dong! Please remain seated and hold tight. The train will soon arrive at your first station platform. Good luck.]
"Huh? An hour already passed? I didn't notice at all."
He checked the control system's clock - only one minute remained until station arrival.
At that moment, a second interface appeared on the control system.
[Crossroads of Fate activated. Please select station platform.]
[Platform 1: Swampland]
[Platform 2: Armory]
"So this is the exclusive module's ability?"
[Please decide. Random selection will occur when timer expires.]
"I choose the Armory!"
As the ancients said: When neighbors store grain, I stockpile guns - making neighbors my granary.
Whether other conductors would become his neighbors remained unknown, but Ye Qiyan felt nothing could provide more security right now than weapons.
[Platform selection complete]
[Please remain seated. The train's first destination is...]
[Armory]
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Deafening roars erupted ahead.
Ye Qiyan watched as the space before them distorted violently, like a beast opening its maw to devour them whole.
"WOOOOO!!"
The train whistle shrieked!
As they passed through the warped space, their surroundings transformed completely.
[Current Platform: Armory]
[Docking Countdown: 2:59:59]
[Good luck]
[This station: No hazards detected]
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