21: Chapter 21, Day 5: Biological Genetic Modification Fluid

The early morning sunlight filtered through the double-layered vacuum glass, spilling onto the central public area of the Black Iron train.

This place was no longer the empty hall it once was; it had transformed into a bustling miniature society.

Over a hundred girls, each with their own unique charm and beauty—this scene, if placed in a civilized society, would surely cause countless men to suffer explosive nosebleeds and drop dead.

But in the apocalypse, it was also a source of immense pressure.

"Sister Shen Man! We're out of toilet paper!"

"Minister Shen, the toilet in Carriage 3 is clogged!"

"Report! That newcomer named Xiao Hong was caught stealing a piece of compressed biscuit!"

Shen Man was currently sitting at her desk (which was actually just some crates pushed together), looking overwhelmed. The pen in her hand was nearly snapped in two.

Although Lin Xiao had brought Liu Ruyan over to help manage things, the adjustment period was always filled with various trivial chores.

Especially with this group of girls; some were pampered young ladies from the past, others were proud dance students. Together, they were noisier than a thousand ducks.

"Everyone, quiet!"

Shen Man slammed the table, her aura as a mature older sister exploding, finally managing to suppress the room.

"Whoever makes another sound loses their shower privilege for today!"

This move was indeed a finishing blow; the world fell silent instantly.

...

Meanwhile, in the Conductor's private lounge at the front of the train, it was a completely different scene.

Lin Xiao was lying comfortably in a massage chair, holding a cup of freshly brewed goji berry tea (grown by Tian Yuanyuan), enjoying a moment of peace.

"More people definitely makes it livelier, but it really costs a lot of money."

Looking at the rapidly declining resource reserves on the system panel, Lin Xiao felt a bit of a sting.

Although he had looted the 'Gentlemens Club' legacy yesterday, the consumption rate of these women was terrifying.

"It's time to upgrade the core combat power."

Lin Xiao checked the time.

09:00 AM.

The Day 5 sign-in refreshed on time.

"System, sign in."

Lin Xiao thought to himself. His good luck over the past few days made him full of expectations for today's reward.

**[Ding! Detecting host is performing Day 5 sign-in.]**

**[Congratulations to the host! Luck explosion!]**

**[Sign-in successful! Obtained S-rank item: Primary Biological Genetic Modification Fluid ×5!]**

**[Item Description: Biological black technology from a high-dimensional civilization. After injection, it can reorganize the human genetic sequence, clear impurities, and significantly increase all attributes (Strength, Agility, Constitution, Spirit).]**

**[Special Effect: 30% chance to awaken a second talent or strengthen an existing talent.]**

**[Side Effect: The injection process is accompanied by intense pain; requires use by those with a firm will.]**

"Holy crap! Genetic modification fluid!"

The teacup in Lin Xiao's hand almost slipped. This was true hard currency!

In this wasteland world filled with mutated creatures and zombies, personal physical fitness was the foundation of survival.

Although the previous +2 to all attributes was good, compared to this S-rank item, it paled in comparison.

He looked at the silver metal briefcase that appeared out of thin air in his hand.

Opening the case, five syringes emitting a faint blue glow lay quietly inside.

That deep blue color seemed to contain the power of the stars and the sea.

"Five syringes..."

Lin Xiao rubbed his chin.

"I definitely need one for myself. The remaining four..."

Several names quickly flashed through his mind.

Su Qingqian (Number one fighter), Luo Yao (Intelligence core), Shen Man (Logistics manager), Zhao Xiaotang (Tank Valkyrie).

Exactly four. This was his core team and the foundation of his control over this train.

"I'll give myself a shot first to try it out."

Lin Xiao picked up a syringe, took a deep breath, and plunged it into his vein.

"Hiss—"

The blue liquid was pushed into his bloodstream.

At first, there was a wave of coolness, followed immediately by a burning sensation like lava that spread through his veins to his entire body!

"Ugh!"

Lin Xiao let out a muffled groan, his muscles instantly tensing up as veins bulged on his forehead.

It felt as if every bone in his body was being shattered and reorganized; every cell was being torn apart and reshaped.

This pain lasted for a full five minutes.

When Lin Xiao reopened his eyes, a sharp light flashed in his pupils.

"Phew..."

He exhaled deeply, feeling like a completely different person.

The world became clearer in his eyes; he could even see the dust floating in the air. Clenching his fist, a surging power coursed through his body, as if he could kill a bull with one punch.

**[Ding! Modification complete.]**

**[Host's all attributes increased by 10 points!]**

**[Host's talent 'Daily God-level Sign-in' has been strengthened: Daily chance to trigger double rewards.]**

"Refreshing!"

Lin Xiao moved his body, his bones letting out a series of cracks.

This feeling of power filled him with even more confidence for the future.

...

Half an hour later.

In the meeting room of Carriage 1.

Su Qingqian, Luo Yao, Shen Man, and Zhao Xiaotang were called over.

Looking at the remaining four blue syringes on the table, the four girls' eyes were filled with curiosity.

"Class Monitor, what is this? It looks like something out of a sci-fi movie." Luo Yao leaned in curiously to take a sniff.

"This is something that can make you stronger."

Lin Xiao didn't waste words and directly introduced the effects of the item.

Hearing that it could make them stronger and even awaken a second talent, the four girls' eyes lit up instantly.

In this world of the survival of the fittest, who wouldn't want the power to protect themselves?

"However, the process will be very painful," Lin Xiao warned seriously. "Extremely painful."

"If I'm afraid of pain, I don't deserve to live." Su Qingqian was the first to step forward, her eyes full of resolve. She picked up a syringe and injected it into her arm without hesitation.

Next was Zhao Xiaotang; this girl was already a violence enthusiast, and her thirst for power made her ignore the pain.

Although Shen Man and Luo Yao were a bit scared, seeing the performance of the first two, they also gritted their teeth and injected themselves.

For the next ten minutes, a series of suppressed groans echoed in the meeting room.

Although the girls were all enduring it, the bone-deep pain of the modification still left them drenched in sweat, their clothes even becoming slightly disheveled.

Finally, the modification ended.

The four core members looked brand new.

Su Qingqian's originally cold temperament became even sharper, like an unsheathed frost blade.

Her skin became even more translucent, even faintly glinting with a cold light.

"My ice ability... seems to have become stronger."

Su Qingqian reached out, and a cluster of deep blue ice crystals condensed in her palm, the temperature dropping to a terrifying level. "And, I feel like my speed has doubled."

Luo Yao rubbed her temples, the green data streams in her eyes becoming more solid.

"Wow! My brain feels like it got a CPU upgrade! My calculation speed is flying! And... I seem to have awakened a new ability: [Electronic Ghost], which allows me to briefly dive my consciousness into the network!"

Shen Man's changes were a bit more subtle; her figure seemed to become more curvaceous and alluring, her skin so good it looked like water could be squeezed out of it.

"The range of my [Healing Light] has expanded, and I've gained a [Mass Purify] effect."

Finally, it was Zhao Xiaotang.

Her transformation was the most direct and shocking.

"Crack!"

Zhao Xiaotang just slightly stretched, and the tight sports tank top she was wearing actually made a tearing sound, unable to withstand the strain.

She seemed to have grown a bit taller, her originally streamlined muscles becoming even tighter, every muscle containing explosive power.

On her wheat-colored skin, a faint golden luster emerged.

"Class Monitor! I feel like... I'm going to explode!"

Zhao Xiaotang excitedly swung her fist, actually creating a whistling sound of breaking wind.

"The system notified me that I've awakened a second talent: [Copper Skin and Iron Bones]! It passively increases defense by 50%, and my strength has tripled!"

"Tripled?" Lin Xiao was also startled.

Zhao Xiaotang was already a fitness expert with impressive strength; tripling that basically made her a human Gundam!

"Come, show me."

Lin Xiao pointed to a spare section of rail in the corner.

That was a standard heavy rail used for track repairs; a one-meter section weighed 60 kilograms, and this section was a full two meters long, weighing over a hundred kilograms.

Without a word, Zhao Xiaotang walked over and grabbed the middle of the rail with one hand.

"Heh!"

With a light shout, that heavy rail was easily lifted over her head with one hand, as if she were holding a rolling pin!

And it was extremely steady; her hand didn't even tremble!

"My god... is she even still a woman?" Luo Yao watched, dumbfounded.

Even Su Qingqian showed a look of surprise. This kind of pure strength—if she didn't use her abilities, even she wouldn't be a match.

Zhao Xiaotang, however, was excited to the extreme.

She looked at Lin Xiao with burning eyes.

"Class Monitor, am I qualified to be your shield now?"

Lin Xiao looked at the girl holding a rail with one hand, her entire body radiating a wild beauty of power.

The visual impact was simply too strong.

Especially those abdominal muscles tightened from the effort, and the glimpses through her torn tank top... ahem.

"Qualified, more than qualified."

Lin Xiao walked over and reached out to pat her arm muscles, which were as hard as iron.

"From today on, Zhao Xiaotang, I officially appoint you as my 'Royal Guard Captain'."

"Responsible for my personal safety, and... intimidating those disobedient newcomers."

"Yes! Mission guaranteed!"

Zhao Xiaotang answered loudly, casually throwing the several-hundred-pound rail onto the floor. A massive "clang" rang out, shaking the entire carriage.

...

This strengthening of the core members was not hidden from the others.

On the contrary, Lin Xiao specifically arranged a "show of strength."

In the public hall.

When Zhao Xiaotang performed her one-handed rail lift and tore through a steel plate (a thin one) with her bare hands in front of all the old and new members.

The entire room fell silent.

Especially those 68 new girls from the Dance Department; their faces turned pale with fear.

Originally, they had some small schemes in their hearts, thinking that because they had many people and were all trained in dance, their physical fitness wasn't bad, so maybe they could fight for some say in the future.

There were even a few campus-beauty-level figures who thought they were no less beautiful than Su Qingqian, wondering if they could use their charms to hook up with Lin Xiao and whisper in his ear.

But now, looking at the demon-god-like Zhao Xiaotang.

All those thoughts were extinguished.

This wasn't even the same league!

She could turn you into a meat patty with one punch; why would she even bother playing palace intrigue games with you?

Liu Ruyan stood at the front of the crowd, watching this scene, the last trace of luck in her heart completely shattered.

She looked at Lin Xiao standing on the stage, and Su Qingqian and Zhao Xiaotang surrounding him.

This was a truly iron-clad ruling group.

To survive here, there was only one path: complete submission and hard work.

"Alright, today's performance ends here."

Lin Xiao looked at the pairs of awestruck eyes below and nodded with satisfaction.

This was the effect he wanted.

The carrot and the stick.

The carrot (living facilities) had already been given; now, this was the stick.

"All new members, today's task is: scavenge resources from the abandoned stations along the way."

"Captain Zhao Xiaotang will lead the team and supervise."

"If anyone dares to slack off or try to run away..."

Lin Xiao didn't finish, but Zhao Xiaotang cooperated by cracking her knuckles, letting out a series of pops.

...

Night.

The Black Iron once again stopped near an abandoned mining area.

After a day of labor and intimidation, the new girls were as well-behaved as quails, obediently finishing dinner and going to sleep.

In Lin Xiao's room.

Zhao Xiaotang was standing there, looking a bit uneasy.

She had just finished showering and had changed into an oversized T-shirt Lin Xiao gave her (because her own clothes had been burst by her muscles).

Her wet hair hung over her shoulders, and her wheat-colored skin glowed temptingly under the light.

"Class Monitor... you called me here, is there some secret mission?"

Zhao Xiaotang asked nervously.

Although she was usually carefree, facing Lin Xiao in a private meeting like this still made her heart race.

"You could say that."

Lin Xiao sat on the edge of the bed, looking at her.

"That injection earlier—besides making you stronger, are there any other side effects?"

"Like... body heat? Or... craving something?"

This was a hidden side effect mentioned in the system description: genetic modification would stimulate primitive biological instincts.

Zhao Xiaotang froze for a moment, and then her face instantly flushed red.

Indeed.

Since injecting that medicine, she felt a restless fire burning inside her.

Especially when she saw Lin Xiao, the desire to get closer, to be conquered, became exceptionally strong.

For a Valkyrie with surging power and excessive energy, this was a form of torture.

"It's... a bit hot."

Zhao Xiaotang lowered her head, her voice as small as a mosquito's buzz.

She unconsciously squeezed her legs together, the heat making her feel a bit unsteady.

"Then it's correct."

Lin Xiao stood up and walked over to her.

He reached out and gently stroked her firm arm muscles.

The texture was both hard and full of elasticity; it was simply addictive.

"If this energy isn't released, you'll feel very uncomfortable."

Lin Xiao's voice carried a hint of seduction.

"As your captain, I have an obligation to help you... vent it."

"Ve... vent?"

Zhao Xiaotang looked up at Lin Xiao with blurred eyes.

"Do you mean... fighting? Or... wrestling?"

With her current train of thought, releasing energy equaled exercise.

"Hmm... you could call it another form of wrestling."

Lin Xiao gave a wicked smile and suddenly grabbed her tight and powerful waist.

"But the kind that happens on a bed."

"Ah..."

Zhao Xiaotang let out a cry of surprise, her body instantly going soft.

Although she had the strength to lift several hundred pounds of rail, in Lin Xiao's arms, she felt like she couldn't use any strength at all.

Or rather, she didn't want to use any strength at all.

"Class Monitor... are... aren't you afraid I'll break you?"

Zhao Xiaotang asked with some concern. She currently had the potential of a human raptor.

"Don't worry."

Lin Xiao smiled confidently.

"I've been strengthened too. And... I happen to like this kind of challenge."

"Come, my Valkyrie. Tonight, let's see whose stamina is better."

The lights went out.

This night was destined to be a peak showdown of strength and endurance.