HBWnovel Chapter 243: Promotion to Sharp Scout, Senior Collector!
Chapter 243: Promotion to Sharp Scout, Senior Collector!
The light in the room suddenly dimmed a fraction.The three Elders merely flickered slightly before vanishing silently from the room. Their effortless execution of such a feat displayed a level of strength that was somewhat beyond imagination.
On the coffee table before him, the tea still retained its warmth, but Cheng Ye stood frozen in place, unable to recover his senses for a long while.
From a Trainee Inspector to the Station Master of the Yueye Shelter City Inspection Station?
The sheer speed of this positional leap far exceeded all of his previous expectations. He no longer needed to slowly climb the ranks step by step as he had once thought.
Of course, he also understood that within the entire power structure of Happiness City, even if he became the Station Master of Yueye, he would still only be considered lower-middle management.
But the managerial Power of a "Station Master" and the executive authority of an "Inspector" were two completely different concepts.
The former meant he could directly acquire merits. The authority he wielded would be much broader and offer more room to maneuver. He would no longer be restricted to solitary Containment missions, nor would he have to run all over the Wilderness carrying out field assignments just to build his resume. Instead, he could create value through comprehensive management and driving development.
What tempted him even more was the foundation of Yueye itself. According to Luo Kuke, Yueye had once repaired the waterways leading directly downstream, and they had even conducted several trades with downstream shelter cities.
The surviving infrastructure was absolutely more robust than that of Dabo Town. Perhaps with a little repair work after taking over, it could be brought back into service, directly establishing a trade route with the downstream shelter cities.
Furthermore, Yueye was slated to become a military city in the future. It would garrison tens or even hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians, forming a massive Reclamation Corps.
Vast tracts of arable land and large-scale planting initiatives would not only help him rapidly boost Tan Ming's Vitality Belief, but also meant he would have enough space to experiment with his own ideas.
For example, imitating the model of Light Rainbow, could he develop specific special plants for large-scale cultivation?
With the informational support provided by the Collector, coupled with the manpower of tens to hundreds of thousands of people, was there any fear of failing to produce trade goods on a massive scale?
When that time came, would there be any issue applying to equip the Inspection Station with ultra-fast charging piles?
As a dignified Station Master, he could charge however much electricity he wanted. Even if he built a charging pile directly inside his office, who would question it? Who would dare to question it?
He could even experiment with an entirely new inspection model at the Yueye Inspection Station, outfitting it with all the Instruments he desired.
The outdated, manpower-reliant methods currently utilized by Happiness City were long unsuitable for the present Wasteland World environment.
By emulating the highly efficient model of the Kindling Alliance, it might very well be possible to forge a safer, more convenient new path.
Even taking a step back.
Even if he disregarded all of that for now, with his identity as Station Master, would it really be difficult to construct a few factories within the shelter city?
Producing goods, transporting them by water, achieving a return on capital, and then funneling those resources into new research and development...
This was a completely self-sustaining developmental loop!
Cheng Ye poured himself more tea and drank it down, growing increasingly excited the more he thought about it. Compared to Yueye, the potential of Dabo Town was simply not worth mentioning.
And most crucially, to return to Happiness City from Yueye, he wouldn't need to take the bumpy, treacherous land route at all!
As long as this waterway could be fully developed, he could board a boat in Yueye in the morning. A hundred-kilometer water journey would take less than two hours to reach Dabo Town.
Returning to his own fiefdom, and then taking a vehicle straight from Dabo Town back to Happiness City, the entire trip would only take about three hours.
By then, whether it was the efficiency of material flow or the speed of personnel deployment, everything would far surpass the current state.
And he, alone, would be able to completely monopolize a vital transportation artery of Happiness City. This hidden Power was almost terrifyingly immense.
'Opportunity, this is what you call a true opportunity!'
'If I stayed within the rigid system of Happiness City, my path upward would be deadlocked, forcing me to follow the worn-out tracks of my predecessors. But now, I have the chance to break out. How could I possibly miss it!'
Recalling the slightly profound look Elder Qian had given him before leaving, Cheng Ye felt even more certain.
His predecessor and his current self were like two completely different people.
Anyone with half a brain could tell he was definitely hiding plenty of secrets.
Yet the Elders of Happiness City not only showed zero intent to investigate, but they also granted him more authority. They had actively stepped back to give him the space and power to put those secrets to use.
'Perhaps in this world, the true powerhouses, like Tan Ming and the Elders, are simply hoping that the newcomers will forge a more promising path for humanity...'
Cheng Ye finished the last bit of tea in the pot and stood up, taking wide strides to the window.
Gazing out through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows at the entire underground space below, his heart swelled with emotion.
Two months ago, no matter how bold he was, he would never have dared to imagine himself standing here.
But that was exactly what the wasteland was like. No one ever knew what they would encounter in the next second.
It could be the terror of an Immortal Object descending, or the delightful surprise of taking office as the Station Master of Yueye.
"I like this world, I like Power, and I absolutely love the Strength to dominate my own fate!"
Cheng Ye clenched his fists. He could clearly feel the majestic Strength surging through his body, while the delicate fragrance drifting from the incense burner lingered at the tip of his nose.
He was growing increasingly unsatisfied.
The things he desired were multiplying!
Once, he had merely wanted to survive.
But now, he wanted to live with more flavor, with much more meaning.
After another long moment, Cheng Ye completely sorted out his chaotic thoughts and turned around to inspect this hospital ward.
Calling it a hospital ward was actually quite inaccurate; it looked much more like a spacious luxury apartment.
With a full six rooms, aside from the master bedroom, two guest rooms, and a large medical suite, there was actually a gym, a home theater, the living room where he had just hosted his guests, and even... a massive kitchen.
In Happiness City, having a private kitchen in a room was bizarre in itself, not to mention the fact that there were two large, double-door refrigerators sitting there. They were plugged in, their compressors humming lowly, clearly in normal working order.
Cheng Ye paused slightly, walking over and pulling open one of the refrigerator doors...
Sure enough, it was stuffed full of all kinds of fresh vegetables. A few bright green cucumbers, in particular, looked incredibly crisp and refreshing.
Unable to resist, he pulled one out and directly bit into it with a loud crunch. An indescribable, crisp sweetness exploded in his mouth, making his entire body feel utterly refreshed.
Looking closer, the fridge was packed from top to bottom with over twenty different kinds of vegetables. There were varieties he recognized from before he transmigrated, as well as novel species he had never seen before. It truly had everything.
The freezer section below held meatballs, fresh meat, and even an entire basket of ice cream. Cheng Ye picked out a mung bean ice cream bar that looked similar to the "Green Mood" brand from his past life. Tearing off the wrapper, he popped it into his mouth. The icy sweetness slid down his throat, so soothing that he couldn't help but narrow his eyes in bliss.
Opening the other refrigerator door, he found it overflowing with all sorts of fruits. Red, yellow, purple—it was a dazzling, colorful array that almost overwhelmed the eyes.
"This is way too extravagant!"
Cheng Ye couldn't help but marvel. Reaching in, he scooped up a massive armful of various fruits and carried them to the enormous two-and-a-half-meter-wide bed in the bedroom. Then, completely discarding his image, he began gorging himself, chomping away wildly like an ox chewing on a peony, devouring the fine treats with zero appreciation for their elegance.
Delicious!
Truly delicious!
After having his palate cleansed for so long, eating heavily seasoned foods actually paled in comparison to the pure, sweet fragrance of these fruits.
That sensation of the juices bursting in his mouth gave him a blissful feeling of pure euphoria.
It wasn't until he had devoured over a dozen of them in one sitting that Cheng Ye finally wiped his mouth in satisfaction and leaned back against the headboard.
With a slight shift of his Intent, the panel flickered into view.
The Recharge Value in the upper right corner was still at maximum capacity; the two thousand kilowatt-hours of electricity from the truck earlier hadn't been wasted in the slightest.
However, the Pendant's storage space was already full. Living Water Essence exchanged with equivalent Recharge Value could be stacked, but a complete drop of essence requiring 100% Recharge Value had to take up an additional, separate slot.
'Four slots are becoming increasingly insufficient these days. Thankfully, the Information Degree required for an upgrade has long been gathered!'
Cheng Ye gently shook his head and casually switched the panel to his personal profile page.
[Collector: Cheng Ye]
[Current Rank: Lv.2 Novice (127.5/100)]
[Life Level: 2]
[Skills: Earth-Shrinking Giant Louse*, Wild Marsh Physique, Envoy of Tan Ming, Empty]
[Abilities]: Earth-Shrinking Giant Louse Symbiotic State* (Balanced)
[Currently Locked]
[Evaluation: As the gathered information grows richer by the day, you have touched upon the deeply buried, hidden veins of this Wasteland World. But the flame of your thirst for knowledge has not quelled; instead, catching a glimpse of the tip of the iceberg has made it burn even brighter. You have begun to urgently question just how many bizarre and paradigm-shifting phenomena remain hidden in this realm. March forward boldly! This step may just be a routine exploration for you, but for the native civilization that has resided here for generations, it is the crucial leap that pierces through the darkness of ignorance!]
After the two Runes entered his body and were completely assimilated by him, his Information Degree had been steadily rising.
In fact, his Information Degree had broken past the 100-point threshold three days ago, meaning he could trigger his promotion at any time.
But back then, trapped within the domain shrouded by the Immortal Object, he risked being sensed by Tan Ming's lingering consciousness. Under the watchful eyes of the Elders, Cheng Ye hadn't dared to act rashly. He had kept his patience in check the entire time, until now, when his Information Degree had already exceeded the promotion requirement by 27.5%.
The wait was clearly worth it. The fact that no accidents had occurred was the best possible outcome.
At this very moment, watching the pulsing numbers on the panel, Cheng Ye took several deep breaths and silently chanted in his heart:
'Promote!'
Buzz!
An invisible fluctuation instantly rippled outward, completely isolating the room from any potential prying eyes nearby.
Immediately after, a stream of azure energy poured out from the panel, rapidly flooding the entire room and blanketing his entire field of vision.
It felt as though he were completing an ultimate evolution, yet also like he was undergoing a systematic process of organization and storage.
Under the grooming of the Collector, the chaotic energy gradually materialized into physical forms, turning into sheets of faintly glowing paper.
Whoosh!
The surrounding space trembled violently, and Cheng Ye's consciousness was instantly pulled away, bringing him back into the Collector's promotion space once again.
This time, there were several times more sheets of paper fluttering in the air than before. Like a constellation of stars awakened by an invisible hand, they slowly swirled, pieced together, and combined in mid-air, ultimately converging into heavy, thick tomes.
The books levitated in front of Cheng Ye, and clearly visible text gradually etched itself onto the covers:
[Civilization Collector, Cheng Ye]
[Current Affiliated Civilization: Solar System | Blue Planet | Wasteland Human Civilization]
[Total Valid Civilization Information Collected During Novice Period: 121,650 entries]
[High-Value Civilization Information: 109 entries]
[Rating: Perfect (Obtained Hidden Route Reward)]
[Database Organization Complete]
[Please confirm if you wish to proceed with Rank Advancement. You will have the opportunity to choose your promotion route once again!]
'Confirm promotion!'
Boom!
The books all exploded apart, reverting into individual sheets of paper that immediately began recombining.
The high-value information pieces radiated a faint purple glow, separating themselves from the ordinary blue information.
They slowly gathered in front of him, ultimately forming a single page that was smaller than the last time, but also far more exquisitely detailed.
Moreover, once manifested, the text was different from before. Instead of a lustrous, glowing silver-white, it shone with a luxurious pale purple, much like the light released by the Demonic Eye Sponge.
[Novice Civilization Collector, Cheng Ye, promotion successful.]
[Please select your subsequent collection route. The Collector will automatically match new functions for you!]
[Please note: You can re-select and match functions during every promotion.]
[1. Sharp Scout (Hidden Route Reward): Using sharpness as a blade to pierce the barriers of the unknown, Sharp Scout-type Collectors always maintain a charging posture toward secrets. They actively delve into the perilous zones of civilization, unafraid of the fog of the unknown. They excel at using their mobility to unearth more lost information hidden beneath the surface, laying a primary foundational base of information for subsequent collections. They are the core pillar of the "Proactive Strike" in the joint strategy.]
[2. Mind Link: Using intellect as a bridge to connect the lifelines of civilization, Mind Link-type Collectors excel at establishing information channels through non-confrontational means. By utilizing gentle methods such as trade and assistance, they earn the trust of the native civilization, turning that trust into a stable conveyor belt of information. They can accumulate key clues without risking danger, serving as the crucial reliance for "Securing the Rear" in the joint strategy.]
[3. Balanced Control (Joint Evolution): Using balanced control as a tactic to balance offense and defense, Balanced Control-type Collectors are the most adept at integrating the "sharpness" of the Sharp Scout and the "stability" of the Mind Link. When proactive breakthroughs are needed, they can courageously venture into danger; when steady progression is required, they can still collect efficiently. By flexibly switching between these two modes, they keep the initiative of collection firmly in their hands, leaving high-value information nowhere to hide.]
[4. Force Breaker: Using momentum-breaking power to sweep away civilizational obstacles, Force Breaker-type Collectors believe in simplifying the collection process through absolute Strength. When facing lower-tier civilizations, they have no need for detours or groundwork. They directly crush potential obstacles with sheer force, violently plundering core civilizational information to achieve their collection goals in the most direct manner possible.]
[5. Locked]
[6. Locked]
[...]
'The names of the routes have changed, and even the descriptions are different!'
Cheng Ye was taken aback, his face full of astonishment.
He hadn't expected that choosing the "Joint Route" during his first promotion would actually influence his second promotion.
The familiar "Adventure," "Steady," and "Control" routes from before had all completely transformed. The new routes seemed to amplify a specific Trait within the "Joint" aspect, which was a rather pleasant surprise.
Looking first at the "Sharp Scout," it was marked as a hidden route. Could it be specially designed to enhance gathering capabilities?
Cheng Ye nodded slightly. The "Targeted Intel" function brought about by choosing the joint route last time had indeed been a massive help.
It was just a pity that he couldn't currently specify the extraction of Items. If he chose this route, would it expand his privileges to include "Targeted Items"?
Or perhaps it would directly open up an entirely new search branch? This possibility made his heart flutter with temptation.
Looking further down, the intent behind "Mind Link" was very obvious. At a glance, it was clearly an advanced version of "Skill Fusion."
However, the Collector's repeated mention of "earning the trust of the natives" made him ponder a bit deeper.
Could it be that if he chose this route, he would be able to bestow the skills he gathered onto others to use?
It was hard to say. For now, Cheng Ye could only guess based on the literal meaning, unable to determine the exact direction of the changes.
As for "Balanced Control," it was clearly an enhanced version of the "Joint Route," seemingly combining the strengths of the previous two. The specific mention of "flexibly switching" made its practicality look extremely high.
But Cheng Ye didn't immediately make up his mind. He still wanted to look at the other options.
The last option, "Force Breaker," was much like the previous "Control" route—something he would simply toss to the wayside.
Whose momentum could he break?
Tan Ming's?
The Elders'?
Or those bizarre Infection Sources and Immortal Objects?
'I don't know if I'll ever have the chance to choose this kind of steamrolling route in the future. Perhaps by the time I truly become strong, I won't even need it anymore.'
Cheng Ye chuckled softly. He first eliminated "Force Breaker" and then conveniently vetoed the steady-leaning "Mind Link" as well.
The dangers of the Wasteland World could strike at any moment, completely denying him the luxury of hiding away and safely developing his Strength.
Furthermore, if he wanted to gather more Information Degree, he inevitably had to travel to further places and face even more dangerous situations.
Forging ahead sharply was far more suited to his current environment and also better matched his personality.
'If I choose Sharp Scout, it might unlock new extraction options. If I choose Balanced Control, it's basically continuing with a safe, guaranteed baseline...'
Cheng Ye's mind raced. After hesitating for barely a few seconds, his gaze skipped straight past Balanced Control and locked onto the words "Sharp Scout."
The days of needing a safe baseline had ended the moment he stepped out of Dabo Town.
Although he still carried the title of Trainee, who would actually dare to treat him like a mere Trainee Inspector?
Not to mention that he would be taking office as the Station Master in Yueye next year. He had even less need for a safe fallback.
Right now, he needed to accelerate his development and seize this new round of opportunities.
And the various forms of assistance provided by the "Sharp Scout" route—whether it was the unknown potential of a hidden route or the direct benefits of enhanced gathering—aligned perfectly with his current needs.
'I choose Sharp Scout!'
The moment his Intent fell, the azure scene shattered with a boom, and Cheng Ye found himself back on the large bed.
Much like the previous time, a progress bar on the panel began to flash.
At a visible rate, it jumped up by 1% to 2% every second, proving to be more than just a little bit faster than the activation speed of the Kindling Terminal.
'Please give me something good!'
Cheng Ye prayed silently in his heart, watching as the upgrade steadily completed.
As the progress bar reached 100%, the panel flickered and reappeared, but the light it manifested had changed into a deep crimson that symbolized combat.
At the same time, lines of update notifications rapidly popped up.
[Novice Collector, Cheng Ye, has completed Rank Advancement]
[Current Rank: Senior Collector]
[Please collect more civilization information to raise your Rank]
[Influenced by the Collector's chosen route 'Sharp Scout', all functions have undergone changes in this update]
[Basic functions have finished updating:
1. Maximum Recharge Value capacity index increased. Current index: 2 → 4
2. Searchable skill range expanded. Currently searchable: Lv.4
3. Skill search probability changed: Lv.1: 100%, Lv.2: 100%, Lv.3: 50%, Lv.4: 25%
4. Skill search energy consumption changed: Lv.1: 10%, Lv.2: 15%, Lv.3: 30%, Lv.4: 60%
5. Skill search required compatibility changed: Lv.1: 1%, Lv.2: 1%, Lv.3: 50%; Lv.4: 100%
6. Intel search changed: Can designate search direction; will no longer reduce intel quality
7. Item search changed: Can designate search direction; investing Recharge Value increases search success rate. Minimum energy consumption: 20%; can invest more Recharge Value to improve success rate and quality
8. Information Fusion: Required energy consumption reduced. Current consumption: a fixed 25% Recharge Value per use. Fusion quality has received a certain hidden bonus. When fusing skills below the Rare grade, they are guaranteed to increase by one rating level; i.e., Excellent + Excellent is guaranteed to birth a Rare grade skill]
[New function for the 'Sharp Scout' route has been added: Resources (New Search Entry)]