Apocalyptic Extraordinary Convoy, I'm really not weird!

Morning light filtered through the gaps in the canvas of the marching tent, casting dappled streaks of light onto the folding table.

Fine dust particles floated in the air, swirling slowly in the beam of light.

The four sat around the table, each holding an enamel bowl that Old Liu had just brought.

The bowl still contained thick, dried vegetable porridge, mixed with diced luncheon meat, with oil floating on the surface.

In the apocalypse, this is a rare and hearty breakfast.

Old Zhao slurped his drink the loudest, finishing one bowl before reaching for a second, muttering to himself as he did so:

"That run last night completely drained my stomach! I need to replenish it!"

Lin Wei ate in small bites, her movements refined yet fast.

Su Ye savored the food, which was far superior to her own cooking. She thought that she could try the two sisters' cooking next time. She wondered how their cooking skills were.

Chen Shou was the last to put down his bowl. He took out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, smelled it before taking a satisfying drag, and then his gaze pierced through the smoke to land on Su Ye's face.

"Any ideas about those two materials?"

All eyes were on Su Ye.

Su Ye hesitated for a few seconds, organizing his thoughts:

"The copper bell's characteristic is to 'scare away low-level monsters.' Although it is not a complete monster artifact yet, its basic functions are still there."

I think it could be made into a real device to deter or exorcise eerie creatures, perhaps in the shape of a wind chime or a bell.

"A bell, a wind chime?"

Old Zhao wiped his mouth.

"The kind that makes a clanging sound on a trailer?"

"This is not an ordinary wind chime."

Su Ye shook his head.

"It is a mysterious artifact that, once activated by the power of sequence, can continuously emit invisible fluctuations."

According to Wu Feng, this fluctuation can dispel low-level anomalies, making them unwilling to approach.

If we search for supplies in a building next time, or set up camp at night,

Activating it should prevent encountering those low-level monsters.

Lin Wei took a small bite of a sausage, her cool eyes flickered, and she nodded:

"Highly feasible."

But two problems:

First, what is the effective range?

Second, how much energy is needed to continuously stimulate it?

"uncertain."

Su Ye confessed, because he didn't even know what the final result would be.

"Because we can't yet determine exactly what the finished artifact will be like."

Moreover, there's the cost of using the dubious artifact!

"It's better than nothing!"

Old Zhao slapped his thigh.

"If we had had one of these last night, those people in the back might have..."

He didn't go on.

There was a moment of silence in the tent, then Chen Shou broke it:

"Where's the tortoise shell?"

"The tortoise shell is a bit troublesome."

Su Ye leaned forward, interlacing his fingers on the table.

"It has two characteristics: blood and qi devouring, and erosion and infection."

This means it could be made into a double-edged sword—

"Offensive weapons, such as swords and shields, will devour the target's life force when they hit the target, and may even cause corrosive damage;

Defensive types, like armor or a large shield, because the tortoise shell itself is sturdy enough; it's just unknown what its special abilities will be.

He paused, then added:

"But regardless of which one, there is a problem:"

Will this devouring and eroding characteristic backfire on the user?

After all, the price of a treacherous weapon is often very high.

Old Zhao's eyes lit up:

"I wish I could make a shield!"

When I fight those weirdos, there's always something blocking my way!

If those beehive stingers come again, there's no need to try and block them with my fists or dodge them; just use a shield, it'll be so much easier!!!

He spoke excitedly, but Su Ye poured cold water on his enthusiasm:

"Old Zhao, do you still remember the aura emanating from that tortoise shell?"

Getting close to it makes my blood and qi surge.

If it were made into a shield, and you fought with it for a long time, it might slowly drain your life force.

Old Zhao choked.

Su Ye continued speaking,

"It is not yet certain whether that kind of devouring distinguishes between friend and foe."

What's even more troublesome is the "corrosive and infectious" property. Even after being made into a cursed artifact, this contaminating property may not disappear; it could slowly erode the user through contact.

Old Zhao suddenly had an idea:

"Night Boy, isn't your ability to modify things?"

Could you melt this tortoise shell into my car?

Turn the entire car into a mobile fortress; if the front of the car rams into the monster, it will drain its life force!

This idea startled Su Ye, who then gave a wry smile:

"Theoretically, yes."

But Mr. Zhao, have you ever thought about this? If the tortoise shell's "blood energy devouring" property is integrated into the whole car, wouldn't the driver be the first to be devoured?

What if this car becomes a "vampire car," sucking the driver's blood the whole way...?

"My mother-in-law!"

Old Zhao gasped.

"Never mind then!"

Let's stick with the shield!

"It's better to suck some of my blood than for Xiao Dezi to be drained dry by the car!"

A few low laughs came from inside the tent, and the atmosphere relaxed a bit.

Chen Shou and the others' laughter subsided, and he tapped his fingers lightly on the table twice before getting to the point:

"Based on the previous grain output ratio"

Those two readily available artifacts, the "Frost-Invaded Spear" and the "Burning Blood Lampstand," are mine.

Do you have any objections?

Lin Wei shook her head.

Old Zhao waved his hand:

No objections!

That stuff has too many side effects; let whoever wants to use it use it!

Su Ye nodded as well.

He was interested in the two strange artifacts, but more so in the strange power they contained.

Since Chen Shou wants to stay, he won't argue.

"it is good."

Chen Shou continued,

"Those two materials: the tortoise shell and the copper bell, Lin Wei and Lao Zhao, each of you choose one."

Old Zhao didn't hesitate at all:

"I want a tortoise shell!"

Make a shield!

Lin Wei said calmly:

"Then I'll choose the copper bell."

"Can."

Chen Shou looked at the two of them.

"However, there is something I need to clarify. Su Ye previously promised to make a magical artifact for free, and this one is also mine, because I contributed the largest proportion of the five hundred pieces of food last time."

Now you both have the materials, and you both need him to process them.

His processing requires strange materials or artifacts, which none of you have.

But I still have the artifact and an opportunity to ask him to make it for free.

If you need it, you must pay the same amount.

Old Zhao blinked:

"What kind of compensation? Food? Gasoline?"

"One hundred catties of staple food."

Chen Shou explained it clearly.

"Whichever of you asks Su Ye to process the food, you can pay me 100 jin of staple food."

"I can give Su Ye the free opportunity and the magical artifacts I have, and then have him create magical artifacts for you."

He looked at Su Ye:

"In this way, Su Ye, your 'promise' can be considered fulfilled."

For the subsequent production, they exchanged food for the artifacts from me, and you then charged them a "processing fee".

how?"

Su Ye didn't care how they changed it; as long as he collected the handling fee, that was fine. He nodded.

"no problem!"

Lin Wei had no objection:

"Can.

I'll deliver the food later.

Old Zhao scratched his head:

"My grain is all piled up in the truck; I'll go move it in a bit!"

With the matter settled, the atmosphere in the tent noticeably relaxed.

Chen Shoujiang took a final, sharp puff of the cigarette that was about to burn out, and only after it had burned down to the filter did he flick it away with his finger. The cigarette landed in the soil, emitting a wisp of smoke.

"Su Ye, how long do you estimate it will take to make the tortoise shell shield or the wind chime?"