Rise of the Wasteland in Cultivation

After having his fun with Tang Hao'er, Zhou Chen whistled all the way back to his lodgings, waking the scavengers who cursed angrily, "What the hell are you whistling for? It's so late at night, can't a person get any sleep?"

"I'm just bragging, come out and fight me if you dare." Zhou Chen retorted arrogantly, kicking down doors all the way, leaving no one in the row of shipping containers untouched.

A group of scavengers stormed open the door, only to find Zhou Chen standing there. They quickly ducked back inside, some even greeting him with a forced smile, "Brother Chen!"

Zhou Chen pursed his lips, put his hands in his pockets, and continued whistling as he returned to his residence. When he opened the door, he saw a burly man sitting there, puffing out smoke, the cigarette between his fingers flickering.

Zhou Chen quickly dropped his nonchalant attitude, stepped forward, handed a bottle of water to the burly man, and asked, "When did you arrive, boss?"

This burly man's surname is Bi. Everyone calls him Master Bi or Boss Bi. He is the only Level 2 gene-enhanced warrior in Camp C-361 and the leader of the Canglang Scavenging Team. Zhou Chen is one of his team members.

The boss, estimated to be around thirty years old, looked very composed, with a wise glint in his eyes. He asked calmly, "Did you cause trouble again just now?"

Zhou Chen smiled and said, "It's nothing, just looking for some fun when we're bored. There was no conflict, and they're all used to it."

Big Boss Bi tossed the remaining half of the cigarette to Zhou Chen, who quickly took it and began to smoke it with relish.

These are all remnants from before the nuclear war. Every cigarette you smoke is one less available. The price of one cigarette is comparable to a bottle of Grade B clean water, which is 60 contribution points. Moreover, only people with some influence can get their hands on cigarettes.

Big Boss Bi unscrewed the bottle cap, took a sip of Grade B clean water, and said calmly, "There's a big deal coming up soon, but it's quite risky. Be prepared."

Zhou Chen said dismissively, "Boss, we're all people who make a living in the wasteland, living a life of constant danger. What business isn't risky? But we've all made it through."

Big Brother Bi said with a solemn expression, "This time is different. If we are not careful, I'm afraid our entire team will not be able to come back."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chen exclaimed in surprise, "Really? Boss, you're a level two gene-enhanced warrior! What kind of big, dangerous deal could this be?"

The big boss said disdainfully, "In front of those superhumans, a second-tier gene-enhanced warrior is nothing. Learn more about the outside world in the future, don't be a frog in a well. Don't think that just because we can be kings in a small place like Camp C-361, we're not even worthy of carrying other people's shoes outside."

Zhou Chen immediately stood at attention, snapped to attention, and said with a grin, "Boss is right, Boss is absolutely right. I will definitely keep my eyes open to the world from now on, and fight alongside you with my eyes closed. If you point east, we'll fight east; if you point west, we'll fight west."

Big Boss Bi laughed and cursed, "Come on, stop trying to fool me. I'm not kidding. This deal is extremely risky. These next few days, play as much as you want, eat as much as you want, and max out your gear. Only keep one month's rent in your account. Don't die before you've spent all your money and the Alliance benefits instead."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chen asked nervously, "Boss, what kind of deal is it?"

"Didn't something happen yesterday? Apparently, it was an experimental pod that fell into the Forbidden Zone in the neighboring city of Xiang. Rumor has it that the pod contained important data from before the nuclear war, maybe even the technology to make third- or fourth-tier gene enhancement drugs, oh, and maybe even a complete mecha."

Zhou Chen was slightly taken aback and exclaimed in surprise, "Really? Won't the five major powers be fighting over it like crazy?"

The five major forces Zhou Chen mentioned refer to the [Scavengers' Alliance], [Wanhua Biotechnology Group], [Church of Light], [Tiangong Mining Group], and [The Enslavers].

Before the nuclear war, Earth was a technologically advanced planet, with artificial intelligence and genetic technology being the most dazzling technologies, both of which had reached unprecedented levels.

However, after the nuclear war broke out, all of this was destroyed. For example, the headquarters of the world's leading gene and biotechnology company, Wanhua Biotechnology Group, located in Bin City, was directly destroyed by the nuclear bomb. The world's best biological gene experts, along with all the precious data, samples, experimental equipment, etc., were all vaporized under the high temperature of the nuclear explosion.

After the nuclear war, someone stepped forward to integrate the surviving subsidiaries of the [Wanhua Biotechnology Group], but 80% of the pre-war gene and biological technologies were lost. To this day, the [Wanhua Biotechnology Group] can only produce gene enhancement agents of level two or below.

If the crashed experimental pod truly contained data on third- or fourth-order gene enhancement technology, it would be absolutely sensational and could even rewrite the current power structure.

Moreover, rumors suggest that the experimental pod might contain a complete mech. This thing represents the most advanced military equipment on Earth before the nuclear war. In the post-nuclear wasteland, owning just one mech would be enough to dominate a region.

The reason why Tiangong Mining Group is able to rank among the world's top five powers is because it possesses three mechs. Other major powers probably also have them, but the number is unknown.

At this moment, Zhou Chen's face was no longer cynical; his expression turned serious as he said, "Boss, if those things really exist in that experimental chamber, the five major powers will definitely send a large number of experts to seize them. For small fry like us to get involved in this is just like offering ourselves up as food."

The big boss scoffed, "Now you know fear?"

Zhou Chen chuckled awkwardly, "Boss, why don't we just stay in this small place and dominate? There's no need to get involved in this mess; our strength doesn't allow it."

The big boss said disdainfully, "Where did your arrogance go? Don't worry, I'm not stupid. I'm just picking up scraps on the outskirts. If I'm lucky enough to find a hard drive containing experimental data, I'll be set. I can sell it to [Wanhua Bio Group] and it'll be worth millions of contribution points. I'll never have to worry about anything again."

Zhou Chen, also envious and eager, immediately said, "Then let's do it! When do we set off?"

"No rush. I'd like to recruit someone else. After all, even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake. We're going to Xiangshi to pick up foreign goods, which is someone else's territory. It'll be safer to strengthen the team." Boss Bi said in a confident tone.

Zhou Chen's heart skipped a beat, and he blurted out, "The boss wants to recruit Leng San?"

The big boss showed an approving expression. He had chosen Zhou Chen as the vice-captain because he valued the kid's quick thinking.

"Yeah, Leng San is really strong. He wiped out the Viper Squad. I agree to recruit him." Zhou Chen nodded and then suddenly laughed.

Big Boss Bi Qi asked, "What are you laughing at?"

Zhou Chen chuckled and said, "I just asked Tang Hao'er to unclog the sewers. That woman wanted me to help her get revenge on Leng San. I didn't expect the boss to want to recruit that kid Leng San into our group now."

The boss frowned and asked, "You agreed to Tang Hao'er's request?"

Zhou Chen reluctantly threw away the cigarette butt and shook his head, saying, "How could that be? I'm not stupid."

The big boss sneered, "There are always some delusional old women who fantasize about controlling the world by controlling men, just like my ex-wife."

Zhou Chen wisely kept quiet; only he could criticize his boss's ex-wife, and no one else was allowed to mention her.

"Zhou Chen, you've got a good tongue, kid. Arrange to meet Leng San tomorrow and see if he's willing to join." After saying this, the big boss stood up, his body as solid as an iron tower. He bowed his head and walked out of Zhou Chen's room.

………………

At dawn, Leng San finished his night of cultivation, and the spiritual energy in his dantian had increased slightly. Although the progress was slow, the feeling of improving every day was fulfilling, like saving money and watching the money in the storeroom slowly increase, which was undoubtedly a kind of happiness.

Ok?

Leng San opened his eyes and found Chen Xi curled up next to him, sleeping soundly. Her little face was rosy, like a ripe apple, making one want to take a bite.

It was the transition between spring and summer, not too cold, but still a bit chilly in the morning. Leng San took a trench coat and covered Chen Xi with it, then quietly stood up.

Just then, the container door was knocked on, and Chenxi, who was soundly awake, was also awakened and sat up to look at Leng San.

Leng San opened the door, a little annoyed, and saw a young man with a buzz cut standing outside. He blurted out instinctively, "Brother Chen!"

Standing outside the door was Zhou Chen, who grinned and winked, saying, "Did I disturb your rest, little sister?"

It turns out that Leng San and Zhou Chen knew each other. When Leng San first became an orphan, he ran errands and did odd jobs for Zhou Chen.

Leng San shook his head, secretly wondering. Although he knew Zhou Chen, they weren't exactly close. He asked, "Did Brother Chen need something from me?"

"Hehe, it's not me, it's our boss looking for you, mistress. You have to give me this face, right?" Zhou Chen gestured for him to enter.

"Brother Chen, you're too kind. Please wait a moment." Leng San closed the door, quickly changed his clothes, and took off the Desert Eagle from his waist and placed it on the small dining table.

"Eat your breakfast yourself. I'm going out to run some errands. Don't touch the guns, or they might go off accidentally," Leng San told Chen Xi before opening the door and leaving.

Zhou Chen waved to Chen Xi inside the house with a grin, then led Leng San away, saying with a smile, "This little girl is really pretty!"

Soon, the two arrived at the residence of Boss Bi, and Leng San realized that he had broadened his horizons once again.

The big boss does live in this independent "courtyard house," which is surrounded by four shipping containers with an open space in the middle. The metal roof has been replaced with glass, allowing sunlight to shine in, and at night you can sit in the courtyard and watch the stars and moon.

Yes, there were quite a few plants planted in the open space, but they were all wilted and yellowish, lacking any vitality. Nevertheless, they still enhanced the overall style of the residence.

Wow, compared to other scavengers, this is practically a detached villa. Leng San was very tempted and asked, "Brother Chen, how much is the monthly rent here?"

Zhou Chen was taken aback for a moment, then laughed and said, "500 contribution points a month, do you perhaps want to rent it too, mistress?"