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Thank you again, Melonpan, for the sponsorship
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"Is the metal of that kind of car a special alloy?" Wen Zhaoming, the original owner of the car, couldn't help but wipe his sweat, saying, "The metal components of this type of SUV are generally either titanium alloy or aluminum alloy, and the body should be made of low-carbon steel."
Tang Xuhai pondered for a moment and said, "The hardest metal I know of should be high-carbon steel. My military knife is made of this alloy."
Miao Jia's fingers moved quickly, swiftly gathering a pile of data on the computer. He said, "Currently, the hardest alloy in the world is tungsten steel, with extremely high hardness comparable to diamonds. The most robust metal is chromium, and effective bullet-resistant materials are made from composite fiber..."
Miao Jia, accurately positioned as an intelligence officer, swiftly gathered a heap of information in no time.
"Stop!" Tang Xuhai interrupted him with a headache. "Where do I get chromium? Also, bullet-resistant composite fiber... Isn't that a bit extreme? Can't we adapt to the circumstances?"
Miao Jia closed his mouth, looking sheepishly at him.
Fu Shiwu calmly pushed his glasses up and said, "You have metal-based abilities. You could try altering the alloy composition, maybe create a sturdier material."
"Okay," Tang Xuhai nodded. "If conditions allow. Right now, it's only the metal of the car itself. In the future, if we can gather more metallic materials, perhaps we can modify this car into a mobile armored vehicle."
"A mobile armored vehicle!" Miao Jia's eyes glittered with enthusiasm, his face full of longing. At his age, he was exactly captivated by such dreamlike vehicles.
It was a dream everyone hoped to realize: to build their own mobile armored vehicle.
Tang Xuhai began upgrading the entire SUV. Fu Shiwu and Miao Jia helped him maneuver abandoned vehicles from the parking lot, unowned and unused, while Tang Xuhai, using his metal-based abilities, softened and reshaped metals from their original car bodies, reinforcing them directly onto the SUV chassis.
Tang Xuhai meticulously controlled the composition of various elements within the metal according to his needs. These minerals didn't require the high-temperature smelting of a furnace; they were shaped directly into the desired alloy components.
The SUV departed from its original appearance, becoming slightly higher than before, with a sturdier bumper, wider body, and expanded cargo space. The entire structure was reinforced, comparable to an armored vehicle, armed to the teeth.
However, the modified vehicle turned out to be a shiny silver color, with the original black paint entirely vanished.
Tang Xuhai frowned in dissatisfaction.
Fu Shiwu reassured him, saying, "It's alright; we'll find paint later and repaint it."
Tang Xuhai remained unsatisfied. He stubbornly placed his hand on the car body, causing the surface to shift continuously, displaying various colors.
"What are you doing?" Fu Shiwu asked curiously.
"I'm trying an outer layer of metallic paint," Tang Xuhai gritted his teeth, sweating profusely in no time.
With his ability to manipulate various minerals, he aimed to create different color ratios. He needed to ensure that these components wouldn't compromise the structural integrity of the vehicle.
Seeing Tang Xuhai exhausting himself, Fu Shiwu sighed inwardly; this stubbornness wasn't new to him.
The modifications had drained most of Tang Xuhai's energy. Engaging in more intricate adjustments now seemed reckless.
When Tang Xuhai finally managed to create a satisfactory color, it was a matte layer that didn't reflect light, entirely made of metallic alloy, resembling a painted surface.
Looking at the silver-gray modified car, Tang Xuhai reluctantly accepted it. He pursed his lips and said, "Let's make do with this for now. Once we reach the military zone, I'll have someone paint it with a camouflage layer."
Miao Jia expressed admiration, saying, "Xuhai, you're amazing!" He gave a thumbs-up.
"Absolutely!" Tang Xuhai proudly lifted his chin.
Seeing him pushing himself despite his obvious fatigue, Fu Shiwu tapped him impatiently. "Go and rest already!"
Tang Xuhai paused and said, "Oh," then turned to Miao Jia, "You too! Little brat, time for bed."
With that, he unsteadily walked away.
Miao Jia, surprised by Tang Xuhai's sudden compliance, stared in disbelief. Once Tang Xuhai left, Fu Shiwu glanced at Miao Jia through his glasses.
Miao Jia tensed and quickly said, "Fu-ge, good night!" before hurrying off.
Finally, Fu Shiwu headed to his sleeping bag.
That night, Tang Xuhai and Fu Shiwu slept outside on the concrete, while Wen Zhaoming and Miao Jia slept inside the car.
The next day, due to his energy depletion from the previous day's abilities, Tang Xuhai was the last to wake up.
When he got up, Fu Shiwu hurried over with a serious expression. He whispered, "Commander Wang just called me over, said we should leave as soon as possible."
Tang Xuhai's heart sank, and he looked at Fu Shiwu gravely.
Fu Shiwu's mood was heavy. He nodded and said, "It's time."
At that moment, Miao Jia, carrying his computer, jumped down from the car and joined them. He said, "Xuhai, Fu-ge, the outer formations of the evolved creatures are gathering and moving towards Cloud City. We only have a day; they'll be at the eastern outskirts of Cloud City soon!"
Fu Shiwu gasped, "Just a day left?!"
Tang Xuhai slammed the ground, creating a shallow pit, and cursed, "Damn it!"
"Xuhai, make a decision quickly!" Miao Jia urged anxiously.
After the failed ambush by the evolved creatures from the evolutionary organization, their safety at the warehouse center wouldn't last long. The creatures inside Cloud City would undoubtedly attack again, and if they coincidentally converged with the ones gathering from the outskirts, they'd be trapped!
"Call Wen Zhaoming back! Tell him to prepare to leave. We'll take as many people as we can find, and if we can't find more, we won't waste time!" Fu Shiwu decisively made the decision.
Taking a deep breath, Tang Xuhai crawled out of his sleeping bag and told Fu Shiwu, "Fill the gas tank and be ready to leave at any time!"
Early in the morning, Wen Zhaoming went out to persuade others.
In a short time, he convinced seven people: three with abilities and four mutated individuals.
In their small group of four, Tang Xuhai was mainly in charge of combat, Wen Zhaoming handled strategy, Miao Jia managed intelligence, while Fu Shiwu seemed to have no apparent role. However, Wen Zhaoming believed Fu Shiwu had a crucial role.
"What can I do?" Fu Shiwu seemed calm externally but felt a bit uneasy inside.
Honestly, he felt inadequate, especially compared to the two with abilities, Tang Xuhai's
strength, and Wen Zhaoming's intelligence. He even felt inferior to Miao Jia, who didn't have abilities. This realization left Fu Shiwu somewhat disheartened.
"You have a quality that neither Tang Xuhai nor I possess." Tang Xuhai agreed, "I think this arrangement suits us well. I handle combat, Old Wen manages strategy, and you'll lead."
Fu Shiwu was further puzzled by Tang Xuhai's agreement.
"What quality do I have?" Fu Shiwu pushed his glasses up, looking blankly at them.
"That's it!" Wen Zhaoming and Tang Xuhai echoed simultaneously.
"???" Fu Shiwu froze, his hand adjusting his glasses halted.
Fu Shiwu had always possessed an air of sternness and authority. Coupled with his newfound ability to influence others through perception, it sometimes exuded an unparalleled aura of authority that left people breathless.
Wen Zhaoming felt it most profoundly. He said, "Neither Tang Xuhai nor I have the kind of commanding presence you possess."
"Yes!" Tang Xuhai grinned mischievously. "Although we know your actual personality, your appearance is incredibly deceptive. That's your best asset."
Fu Shiwu was instantly annoyed.
What did that mean?! Was he strong outwardly but weak inside?!
"Don't be mad; it's a compliment! It's called 'hiding one's abilities and biding one's time,'" Tang Xuhai reassured him, slinging an arm around Fu Shiwu's shoulder.
Fu Shiwu had never been this close to anyone, symbolizing friendship. This action instantly dissolved the tension within him.
Staring at Tang Xuhai's bright, smiling face, Fu Shiwu asked, "Is it really a compliment?"
Tang Xuhai chuckled softly, clearing his throat and solemnly said, "Really, sometimes your decisiveness exceeds both mine and Old Wen's. So, from now on, let's discuss matters together. But in critical situations where decisions can't be made, you can take charge."
Fu Shiwu was moved by Tang Xuhai's words. He had never been a leader before, and now, shouldering such responsibility, he felt a surge of determination.
"Alright," Fu Shiwu nodded.
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