Twenty minutes later, Ren Zhong and Zheng Tian left side by side, walking quickly towards the centralized sleep pods.
Halfway there, Zheng Tian was full of doubts, wanting to speak several times but stopping.
However, Ren Zhong maintained a high and cold demeanor throughout, deep in thought, unwilling to chat.
Zheng Tian ultimately did not ask.
Ren Zhong's expenses tonight were not small.
The talent test cost 5 Contribution Points, which won't need to be tested again next time, saving this money.
Well, if there is a next time.
Then Ren Zhong bought an entire set of simple training-type exoskeletons, priced at 20 Contribution Points.
This item looks nothing like an exoskeleton, consisting of a tactical vest, camouflage pants, sun hat, gloves, and shoes, all made of organic fibers and circuits hidden in the fabric layers, providing nearly no impact protection and no combat power boost.
However, the importance of training gear needs no further explanation.
This is the stepping stone for every pure newcomer entering the field of mechanical warriors.
It has two major functions.
First, for those whose understanding of mechanical warriors remains superficial, they can experience the feeling of controlling a real combat-type exoskeleton through the training gear.
Second, through conservative low-intensity stimulation, it allows micro-electric currents to flow continuously through the human neural network, like a rushing river broadening riverbanks, gradually increasing the Biological Electric Power Value of the body.
If one day Ren Zhong's body can reach the maximum output power of the training gear, it means he can switch to actual combat equipment.
Additionally, Ren Zhong purchased five compression batteries for use with the training exoskeleton, each costing 2 Contribution Points totaling 10 points.
These three expenses alone consumed a total of 35 Contribution Points, equivalent to more than a month's income for other members of Zheng Tian's team, a significant sum.
But these expenses were all justifiable and necessary.
However, Zheng Tian couldn't understand why he bought something else.
Magnetic Storm Dust Hand Grenade: a Third Level special bomb, which upon explosion can disperse nanometer-level neodymium-iron-boron strong magnetic powder, covering an area of 30 meters, with a total powder mass of 3 kg and a floating time of 30 seconds. Price 50 Contribution Points.
This thing is a Third Level one-time-use consumable item, rarely usable and very expensive.
The team's professional bomb handler, Ou Youning, could only afford two with his entire fortune.
But Ou Youning would never buy such a thing, rationality would be lost.
In short, thanks to Ren Zhong's extravagant spending, he spent a total of 85 Contribution Points tonight in the Military Weapon Store, the deduction causing Zheng Tian beside him to feel anxious.
Returning to the sleep pods, each settled down, Ren Zhong finally lay down, feeling slightly relieved.
If Zheng Tian had asked him why he bought the grenade earlier, he really wouldn't have been able to answer.
His achievements today were satisfactory overall.
The only regret was that after these expenses, he only had 17.52 Contribution Points left, unable to afford a First Level Basic Exoskeleton of the same level as Wen Lei. He could only wait until he saved enough to think about it again.
Balanced First Level Basic Exoskeleton, which includes five base parts: head, body, hands, legs, and feet, totaling 150 Contribution Points, with each part requiring an average of 30 points.
Ren Zhong was not in a hurry now, anyway, he wouldn't dare to wear it even if he bought it.
At exactly ten o'clock in the evening, Ren Zhong "fell asleep" as scheduled.
The night was as fulfilling as before.
"To do a good job, one must first sharpen his tools," he spent all his time learning the basic knowledge of mechanical warriors.
He comprehensively learned the instructions for using training gear and learned the four major parameters for advancing mechanical warriors: Brain-Machine Synchronization Rate, Biological Electric Power Value, Brain Reaction Index, and Physical Comprehensive Index.
The Brain Reaction Index and Physical Comprehensive Index relate to practical combat ability; being slightly below the mark is fine, as long as he can wear the equipment.
Ren Zhong's Brain-Machine Synchronization Rate is already up to standard.
The most immediate improvement needed is the second parameter, Biological Electric Power Value.
The specific calculation of Carrying Power Value is complex, but its external representation can be simply summarized that the higher it is, the more maximum power a mechanical warrior can output with the armor.
For example, Wen Lei is currently a seasoned First Level warrior, so his armor's maximum output power must exceed 10 kilowatts.
As for Ren Zhong, this number is currently at most 1 kilowatt, necessitating the use of training armor to improve.
Once this number exceeds 10 kilowatts, he can wear First Level equipment, barely qualifying as a prospective First Level warrior who hasn't passed the professional title examination.
The next morning, everything repeated with some slight differences.
Upon waking from sleep, Ren Zhong first checked the balance on his wrist watch.
Great, it increased by exactly 1 point, now it's at 18.52.
The formal wrist watch indeed doesn't require paying the insanely high 90% tax, allowing Ren Zhong to make money while lying down in the future.
Ren Zhong received "another" invitation from Zheng Tian to become a temporary team member.
Then the six of them went to the cafeteria to eat, and then to the parking lot.
Compared to last time, Zheng Tian's mood seemed excessively better, walking briskly, causing the whole team to move faster.
To prevent disrupting the timing, Ren Zhong had to control his stride and step frequency throughout, forcing the other five to slow down, swaying along at his pace, determinedly dragging out the time.
Arriving at the parking lot, they saw the professional team showing off again, made some simple jokes, and departed.
...
Ren Zhong controlled the departure time with subtle maneuvers unnoticed by others, with only a 0.5-second deviation from last time, acceptable.
The same destination, the same route, the same seating arrangement, tightly next to Chen Hanyu.
The only change was Ren Zhong wearing the training armor, with low power biological electric stimulation on, numbing his whole body, barely feeling the elasticity of Chen Hanyu's body.
He hadn't taken it off since putting it on last night, never turning it off.
On the way, Zheng Tian carefully explained the professions and specialties of the team members to Ren Zhong again, only adding that after today's hunting, Ren Zhong could learn some insights from Wen Lei.
Although Wen Lei was a laughingstock and gossip material at Ju Qingmeng's place, his basic skills were solid and his level still very competent.
...
Zheng Tian: "Mr. Ren, here's your gun. Later you just..."
Ren Zhong: "Okay."
Holding the machine gun again, Ren Zhong no longer had the sentiments of the last time.
In front of the Bladewing Mantis, this was at most a large water gun, just spraying water, only meant to scare.
...
The hover truck arrived safely at the Iron Worm Forest.
First encounter, second, third…
In a positional battle, Ou Youning showcased his operations with a double explosion from a single shot.
At this point, the team earned a total of 15 Contribution Points.
Zheng Tian counted the supplies again, "Today we're on a roll, and we still have plenty of supplies left. I propose we expand our achievements, what do you all think?"
While asking, Zheng Tian's gaze was fixed on Ren Zhong's face.
Clearly, the overly imaginative Zheng Tian greatly respected the opinions of this "big figure."
Ren Zhong secretly took a deep breath, "Good!"
Zheng Tian: "Which direction? Should we go further in?"
Ren Zhong: "You decide."
"Okay. I think we could venture a bit deeper," Zheng Tian said with a smile.
Half an hour later, the scenes outside the car window seemed somewhat familiar and the hover car sensors began to beep warnings.
Ren Zhong quickly glanced around.
Energy Level Reaction Intensity Index 7.7.
The Iron Beetle accompanying the Bladewing Mantis appeared.
Last time when the team discovered the Iron Beetle, they thought it lower than the minimum value of a First Level Ruined Beast at 10, assuming it was injured.
Now, analyzing backward from the answer, Ren Zhong knew the Iron Beetle was listless precisely because a Bladewing Mantis periodically came to absorb the iron elements from it.
He took a deep breath.
Great, all the elements: time, place, engagement position, Ruined Beast species, countering methods, Ruined Beast weaknesses, are gathered now.
It was time to strategize and win from a thousand miles away.