Jiang Chen looked at the futuristic, silver-white briefcase in his hand, and the small fingerprint recognition area on it, lost in thought.
"This thing, it's probably some unlucky person's private item, or some important equipment."
Should he just force it open?
The alloy material of the briefcase looked very sturdy. Forcing it open with an entrenching shovel would probably take a lot of effort, and might damage the contents.
"Let's try to see if I can amplify the box itself first," Jiang Chen thought.
He placed his hand on the briefcase.
"Basic Amplification!"
A faint golden light enveloped the entire silver-white briefcase.
The light dissipated.
The appearance of the briefcase hadn't changed much, but the metallic sheen on its surface seemed more subdued and profound, losing some of its coldness and gaining a touch of warm texture.
【"Name: Encrypted Unknown Briefcase"】
【"Type: Container / Special Item"】
【"Status: Locked (Fingerprint Encrypted)"】
【"Remarks: It seems to contain some important item or information. Forcible entry may cause damage to the internal contents."】
"Quality slightly improved? But it's still locked," Jiang Chen was a little disappointed.
It seemed that Basic Amplification couldn't directly bypass this kind of high-tech encryption.
"Then... what about amplifying this fingerprint lock?" Jiang Chen's gaze fell on the small fingerprint recognition area.
Since he couldn't amplify the box itself to unlock it, he would amplify the lock itself to see if it could be "disabled" or "made easier to crack."
He extended his finger and gently tapped on the fingerprint recognition area.
"Basic Amplification! Target: Fingerprint Recognition Module!"
This time, the faint golden light was concentrated only on that tiny fingerprint recognition area, flickering a few times like a firefly before quickly receding.
Jiang Chen looked at the briefcase's attributes again.
【"Name: Encrypted Unknown Briefcase (Quality Slightly Improved)"】
【"Type: Container / Special Item"】
【"Status: Fingerprint encryption damaged, converted to simple password lock, default password 0000"】
【"Remarks: It seems to contain some important item or information. Forcible entry may cause damage to the internal contents. Friendly reminder: sometimes the simplest password is the most effective."】
"Holy crap! It worked!" Jiang Chen's eyes lit up!
Fingerprint encryption damaged, converted to simple password lock, default password 0000!
This operation was simply miraculous!
The Infinite Amplification talent always brought him unexpected surprises!
Wasn't this much more amazing than those locksmiths? Directly solving the problem at a physical level!
Jiang Chen eagerly found a hidden, miniature input area resembling a numeric keypad on the side of the briefcase. That area was completely smooth before, and now it had appeared.
He pressed the four "0"s in sequence.
"Click."
A faint unlocking sound was heard.
The lid of the briefcase automatically popped open a crack.
Jiang Chen's heart rate subtly accelerated. He took a deep breath and reached out to lift the lid.
A soft blue light emanated from inside the box, illuminating Jiang Chen's expectant face.
Inside the box, soft black shock-absorbing material was laid out.
In the recess of the shock-absorbing material, a palm-sized, entirely dark, rhomboid chip, emitting faint energy fluctuations, lay quietly.
The surface of the chip was covered with complex and profound patterns, as if it contained some unknown technology or power.
【"Name: Damaged Train Core Upgrade Module (Rare)"】
【"Type: Train Upgrade Component"】
【"Effect: Used to unlock the 'Upgrade Module' function of the train control console. This module is damaged, with 70% of its functionality missing."】
【"Remarks: Once a core component of a high-level train, it was unfortunately severely damaged in the disaster. Repairing it might make your vehicle completely new."】
"Train Core Upgrade Module!" Jiang Chen's breathing instantly became rapid!
This thing was one of the things he needed most right now!
Only by unlocking the "Upgrade Module" of the train control console could he truly begin to strengthen his train!
Although this module was "damaged" and "70% of its functionality was missing," Jiang Chen had the Infinite Amplification talent!
That was no problem at all!
He carefully took the rhomboid chip out of the box. It felt cool to the touch, with a peculiar energy fluctuation.
"Basic Amplification!"
Without hesitation, he used his last Basic Amplification opportunity for the day!
Brilliant faint golden light completely enveloped the rhomboid chip, more intense than any previous Basic Amplification, and lasting longer!
The profound patterns on the chip's surface, under the golden light, seemed to come alive, slowly flowing and emitting an even stronger energy fluctuation!
After a full ten-odd seconds, the light slowly dissipated.
The rhomboid chip in Jiang Chen's hand had undergone a massive transformation!
Its originally dark surface was now crystal clear, like the purest obsidian, with what seemed like a flowing galaxy within. The profound patterns had also become clearer and more complete, emitting a powerful, heart-stopping energy!
【"Name: perfect grade universal train intelligent control core (SSS-grade amplification, unique characteristic)"】
【"Type: Train Upgrade Component (Core)"】
【"Effect 1: After installation, it can permanently unlock and greatly strengthen the two core modules of 'Upgrade' and 'Manufacturing' on the train control console."】
【"Effect 2: Provides train AI assisted driving and management functions, allowing for precise energy allocation, automated resource collection (requires corresponding modules), and multi-threaded task processing."】
【"Effect 3: Bestows the train with two major characteristics: 'Self-Repair (weak)' and 'Modular Compatibility (extremely high)'."】
【"Effect 4: Can serve as the core foundation for all subsequent train upgrades and modifications, with immense potential."】
【"Remarks: A perfect creation that blends unknown super-technology and mysterious energy. It can evolve your train from a pile of scrap metal into a true mobile fortress! This is a symbol of great luck; those with bad luck should consciously steer clear!"】
"Hiss--"
When Jiang Chen saw the attributes of this chip after amplification, he felt his brain was about to stop thinking!
Perfect Grade! Universal Train Intelligent Control Core!
SSS-grade Amplification! Unique characteristic!
This was no longer a simple upgrade module; this was a one-step solution, directly giving him a future-tech train AI brain!
Unlocking and greatly strengthening the two core modules of "Upgrade" and "Manufacturing"!
Providing AI assisted driving and management! Automated resource collection!
Bestowing the train with "Self-Repair" and "Modular Compatibility"!
And it could serve as the core foundation for all subsequent upgrades!
"This... this is like opening a blind box and getting a hidden SSR!" Jiang Chen trembled with excitement.
He originally thought that if he could just repair the damaged upgrade module and make it usable, that would be enough.
He never expected that the Infinite Amplification talent would directly give him a royal flush!
"Calm down! Calm down!" Jiang Chen forced himself to calm his excited emotions.
This "perfect grade universal train intelligent control core" was invaluable! It was his greatest reliance for his future survival and enjoying (slacking off in) the apocalypse!
He carefully put the intelligent control core into his backpack, feeling the entire backpack heavy and full of security.
All remaining Basic Amplification uses for today were exhausted, but the harvest was far beyond his imagination!
Energy spring water, high-energy nutritional bars, multi-functional tactical entrenching shovel, military-grade all-purpose first-aid kit, high-energy refined magic crystal coal, standard energy crystal core, and this heaven-defying perfect grade universal train intelligent control core!
And a 2x amplification of his own physical fitness!
"This trip was worth it!" Jiang Chen's mouth curved upwards wildly.
He glanced at the ruins around him. The silver-white briefcase, after the intelligent control core was removed, had lost its luster and become an ordinary empty box.
"It's time to go back."
There wasn't much time left at the Supply Station. Although he really wanted to scavenge more, one shouldn't be too greedy.
Moreover, the commotion from killing the three monsters and lifting the concrete slab, though not loud, might attract other unnecessary trouble.
Knowing when to quit was the way to go.
He cast a final glance at the ruins, then turned and left.
On the way back, he remained cautious, but his speed was faster than when he arrived.
The improvement in his physical fitness greatly enhanced his adaptability to the environment and his mobility.
Soon, he returned to where his train was parked.
The train remained quietly parked there, like a loyal companion, awaiting his return.
Jiang Chen didn't rush to get on the train but first cautiously observed his surroundings.
In the distance, the sound of fighting from the entrance of the Supply Station seemed to have subsided a lot, with only sporadic shouts and monster growls coming through.
It seemed the first wave of chaos was nearing its end. He wondered how many survivors had made it out alive, and how many had perished there.
But none of that concerned Jiang Chen anymore.
He just wanted to quietly return to his carriage and thoroughly examine that heaven-defying "perfect grade universal train intelligent control core."
After confirming the surroundings were safe, Jiang Chen agilely jumped onto the train and casually closed the door.
"Click."
The sound of the door locking seemed to cut off all the commotion and danger from the outside world.
Inside the carriage, it was still the familiar dim yellow light and cold metallic scent.
But Jiang Chen's mood was completely different from when he first arrived here.
He walked to the train control console, looking at the still-grayed-out "Upgrade Module" and "Manufacturing Station" icons, a confident smile on his face.
"Soon, you will be completely new."
He took out the "perfect grade universal train intelligent control core," which emanated powerful energy fluctuations, from his backpack.
It felt warm to the touch, with what seemed like starlight flowing within, full of mysterious beauty.
"How do I install it?" Jiang Chen looked at the control panel, which had no obvious slots or interfaces.
Just as he was wondering, the intelligent control core in his hand suddenly vibrated slightly, emitting a soft blue light that projected onto the control panel.
The blue light outlined a groove on the central area of the control panel that perfectly matched the shape of the intelligent control core.
"So it's here," Jiang Chen realized.
He aligned the intelligent control core with the groove outlined by the blue light and gently placed it in.
"Click."
With a soft sound, the intelligent control core perfectly embedded itself into the control panel, as if it belonged there naturally.
The next second!
"Buzz—Buzz—Buzz—"
The entire train carriage suddenly vibrated violently! All the indicator lights on the control console flickered madly! The display on the LCD screen also turned into static!
An unprecedentedly powerful energy fluctuation erupted from the intelligent control core in the center of the control console, instantly sweeping through the entire carriage!
Jiang Chen was startled by this sudden change. He subconsciously took two steps back, vigilantly watching the control console.
This commotion was too great!