After coming online again, Ye Xing, Caoyuan, and Jubian noticed some changes.
The hibernation pod panel showed that they had all leveled up to the second level of the first stage of the professional sequence!
Among them, Jubian's Intelligence increased by 4 points and Spirit increased by 2 points.
Caoyuan's Strength and Agility each increased by 3 points.
Ye Xing's Perception increased by 3 points, Constitution by 2 points, and Strength by 1 point.
These attribute improvements would be reflected in "character performance". Caoyuan's already excellent Strength and Speed increased by about another third, and Ye Xing's senses became sharper.
Even Jubian felt the change.
He originally thought that "Intelligence" in the game was a relatively abstract attribute, completely unrelated to the player's own thinking and IQ.
But now, he could clearly feel his memory and mental calculation abilities strengthening, and it was easier to concentrate when thinking about problems.
Amazing!
Being able to feel the game character's attribute improvements with one's own body felt both miraculous and addictive.
The three immediately decided to first team up and grind a dungeon near the crash site to see how much stronger they had become.
Lu Yuan, who was nearby, smiled without speaking, setting up today's production tasks on the 3D printer.
He had also leveled up, and gained two more attribute points than the players: Strength +2, Agility +1, Intelligence +2, Perception +1, Spirit +2. Because he had done everything before, the improvements were relatively balanced.
Everything was getting on the right track!
Lu Yuan decided to print solar panels all day today to further increase the total power generation.
After finishing the setup on the 3D printer, he saw Shen Quan walking over.
"Executive Officer, about that... I have a request."
"Send you back to Red Iron Town?"
Lu Yuan had long anticipated this conversation.
"Yes! How did you know?"
For Shen Quan, the one thing he could confirm through observation these past few days was the character of the Executive Officer and his subordinates.
Although the other party was a Celestial, he had no discrimination against him and did not treat him differently. In many cases, he was even taken care of by the "players".
The other party was definitely not a bad person!
Lu Yuan sat down on a hibernation pod base nearby.
"Can you find your way back? Tell the truth this time."
"Yes! When I was taken by the Raiders, my eyes were indeed covered, but when I saw this camp, I already knew where I was. Our locals call this mountain Devil Mountain, it's a relatively famous landmark in the Desert."
"Okay, assuming I believe you, how far is Red Iron Town from here?"
"About 200 kilometers, it takes about 4 hours to drive an all-terrain vehicle."
Lu Yuan lowered his head and pondered for a few seconds, then looked back at Shen Quan, a hint of seriousness in his eyes.
"Shen Quan, to be fair, the value you have created through labor these past few days has exceeded the camp resources you consumed. I am not a slave owner who keeps slaves, so your request for freedom is reasonable."
"But you've seen our current situation, we are very short of manpower. If we send you back to Red Iron Town, we would have to dispatch at least one vehicle, one driver, and corresponding fuel. Considering safety along the way, we might also need to send two more accompanying guards."
Shen Quan: "Yes, I understand, Executive Officer! I understand how much inconvenience my request will cause you, so I assure you here that once I safely return home, my elders will definitely thank you handsomely, and Red Iron Town will do its best to provide you with the most urgently needed supplies!"
"Hmm, alright then."
Lu Yuan didn't stand on ceremony. Letting the other party know he had a price was the first principle of fair negotiation.
"If that's the case, I can guarantee to send you back to Red Iron Town safely."
"Really? That's great! Thank you!"
"You're welcome. Two of my employees are about to rest. We'll wait until they wake up around midnight, then we'll set off."
"Okay!"
After Shen Quan left excitedly, a smile appeared on Lu Yuan's face.
This card, Shen Quan, could finally be played.
One o'clock late that night.
Lu Yuan called Shen Quan to the living module, opened the weapon station, and took out the combat uniform the other party had worn before, as well as a "Madman" automatic rifle with an under-barrel ballistic computer that had just been printed a few days ago.
"Does your Red Iron Town have Engineers?"
"Yes," Shen Quan replied.
"Can they modify charging equipment based on the charging port specifications?"
"Probably, metal smelting is a big power consumer, our town's electricians are among the best in the Desert."
"Alright then."
Lu Yuan handed the items in his hand to Shen Quan.
"Take this suit of clothes, along with the tactical helmet and the gun. As long as they are charged correctly, they can be used for decades without issue."
"No, no, no!" Shen Quan quickly waved his hands, "These are really too valuable..."
"This is a souvenir from Cangyuan Future Technology's internship, take it," Lu Yuan's attitude was firm.
"Okay... then I'll accept it! Shen Quan will definitely remember your kindness and life-saving grace!"
Lu Yuan assigned the task of escorting Shen Quan home to Ye Xing, Caoyuan, Jubian, and Xue Jie. Guo Li Cheng stayed behind with him to guard the base.
The vehicle was ready. Lu Yuan walked over, looked at the four people in the vehicle, and turned off the native language translation.
"On this trip, you need to observe Red Iron Town carefully from your respective perspectives, see what they produce, what they need, and tell me in detail when you return. Of course, this observation must be based on not making impolite gestures."
"Yes!"
The four replied in unison.
"As for Ye Xing, you will be responsible for talking to their leader."
"Our attitude can be condensed into two points: First, Cangyuan Future Technology is willing to cooperate with friends; Second, Cangyuan Future Technology is not afraid of those with malicious intentions. Saying it to this extent is enough."
"If the other party makes a clearly excessive request, you must firmly refuse; if the other party asks a question that none of the four of you can answer, just say, 'We need to go back and discuss this matter with the Executive Officer.'"
Ye Xing put two fingers to his temple, making a salute gesture.
"Understood, Team Leader, I know these things!"
Lu Yuan waved, calling over Shen Quan, who was obediently waiting in the distance, and then patted the car door.
"Alright, let's set off as soon as possible, be careful on the road."
Caoyuan stepped on the accelerator, and the team set off.
"I wonder if the people over there are friendly..."
Looking at the all-terrain vehicle disappearing into the night, Guo Li Cheng couldn't help but feel a little worried.
"It will go smoothly."
Lu Yuan said from the side.
"Shen Quan is a good young man. If he can raise such a young person, his elders must not be bad."
Guo Li Cheng suddenly understood.
"Oh~ so that's why you took him in, it was to observe his character carefully these past few days?"
Lu Yuan: "Yes, that was one of the motives."