Wasteland for All: I Can Infinitely Upgrade My Vault

Zhong Li hesitated for a moment before declining Lu Qing's friend request; she had nothing to say to her. Otherwise, if Lu Qing asked how she knew how to handle the situation, she would have to make up an excuse.

Zhong Li had already achieved her goal once she confirmed that the method was effective. Continuing the conversation would only expose her true colors.

Of course, it's definitely not because Zhongli thought exchanging one word and one rune was too wasteful, or that it wasn't worth it for someone else's woman!

Lu Qing was momentarily surprised to receive Zhong Li's rejection. However, she wisely refrained from further inquiries and simply silently memorized Zhong Li's name.

An elite who knows this method of handling things in the early stages must have had some extraordinary experiences. Perhaps we'll cross paths again in the future.

Zhong Li closed the communication panel and used 3 [Shelter Guard Contract Scrolls] to summon 3 Shelter Guards, sending them to find Chong Qi to patrol and guard together.

All three of them had names, but Zhong Li was too lazy to remember them, so he named them Chongwu, Chongliu, and Chongba respectively. Thus, the four-person team with the character "Chong" was complete.

After sending them on patrol, Zhongli opened the trading panel and studied it.

Each person has a trading window with up to 100 slots. Although the system is expensive, the services it provides are still very open and generous.

These 1000 shelters with access to the trading panel are managed by elite managers, making the trading content extremely rich, ranging from resource minerals, building blueprints, weapons and equipment, solid batteries, divine relics to weapon runes, recruitment scrolls, wasteland survival tools, and so on—all kinds of content are available.

Zhong Li thought for a moment and then placed two items on the table.

[Refined Weapon (Blue) Bloodthirsty Battle Axe x1]: Price: 5000 Runes or items of the same quality.

【Enhanced Equipment (Green) Damaged Brass Armor x1】: Price: 2000 Runes or items of the same quality.

At this stage, no one can afford 5000 runes. Zhongli's setup is clearly intended to allow people to barter for items that suit them, thereby increasing their strength.

While the Bloodthirsty Battle Axe is good, it's a bit too bulky, and requires a combat power of 15 or higher to equip. Leaving it in your territory is a complete waste.

Zhong Li had just finished setting up the trade details and was about to browse the trade list to see if there were any items he could use.

Someone left a trade request below the [Bloodthirsty Battle Axe].

[Evolution Factor - Champion of Glory: When used, it grants an elite soldier an evolution factor. After completing a difficult and demanding promotion challenge, the soldier can be promoted to a champion unit.]

Ye Wei, who had been kneeling quietly beside Zhong Li, broke the silence upon seeing the terms of the deal and said to Zhong Li, "My lord, I suggest you agree to this request as soon as possible to avoid the other party going back on their word. A champion-level soldier could be a hundred times more helpful to you than a weapon."

Upon hearing this, Zhong Li agreed without hesitation. From the moment the transaction request appeared to the moment Zhong Li agreed, it took no more than 5 seconds.

As the transaction was completed with lightning speed, in another part of the wasteland, a strong and powerful middle-aged man sighed, realizing that he had been taken advantage of in this deal.

But there was no other way; he had no elite-level units in his territory. He needed to acquire this finely crafted battle axe to kill the elite-level monsters in the distance and gain an advantage. You have to give up something to gain something!

The transaction was completed successfully, and the system directly deducted 350 Runes from Zhong Li, almost wiping out all the Runes Zhong Li obtained from the airdrop.

It seems that even in barter transactions, the value of the goods must be considered.

However, Zhongli quickly stopped paying attention to that and turned her attention to the newly acquired items.

[Champion of Glory: Glory and loyalty go hand in hand, courage and faith endure forever. With unwavering faith, slay all powerful enemies who stand in your way. Defeating 10 elite units of level 5 or higher grants +3 Courage, +3 Faith, +3 Combat Power, and +3 Health, unlocking the Champion Unit panel.]

Zhong Li gasped. He had single-handedly killed 10 elite units whose levels were 5 levels higher than his own! This was truly a test of courage and strength.

What does it mean to be more than level 5? It's the difference between a Khorne Minotaur and a Red Phoenix.

Hongluan must exert all her combat power to the limit and cannot afford the slightest carelessness in order to win against her opponent, even if her life hangs by a thread. The slightest mistake will result in her being instantly cut to pieces by her opponent.

For two elite-level units to attempt combat at a level 5 higher is practically gambling with their lives!

Zhongli looked at Hongluan and asked, "Do you... want to give it a try?"

Hongluan's cold and beautiful face remained calm as she accepted the evolution factor handed to her by Zhongli without hesitation.

The evolution factor then transformed into a golden light, shooting into Hongluan's chest. The dazzling golden light even pierced through her armor, illuminating Hongluan's slender figure. The evolution factor took root in Hongluan's heart, quickly sprouting dense roots that enveloped the entire heart. Then, from the center of the heart, a sapling with a golden crown grew, branching out into ten twigs. It is estimated that once the golden tree is fully grown and leafy, the Champion Panel will be unlocked for Hongluan.

As the golden light gradually dimmed, Zhongli reluctantly withdrew his gaze. He hadn't expected that beneath Hongluan's cold and tall figure, there would be such a firm and magnificent chest. It was simply breathtaking and awe-inspiring.

Hongluan calmly said, "With the Holy Maiden's blessing and the new runes, the probability of succeeding in the challenge has increased by at least 20%. If I fail, I will repay the Holy Maiden with my blood and trade my weapon again."

Zhongli turned to look at her and said seriously, "Your contributions are outstanding, so there's no need to talk about repayment. I believe you can complete the challenge, and even if you fail, I will not desecrate your corpse."

Hongluan remained expressionless, while Huowu scoffed.

After a moment of silence, Hongluan said, "You'd better adapt to the cruelty of the wasteland as soon as possible. I can't be completely foolproof. If something unexpected happens, I hope you can abandon this womanly sentimentality and indecisiveness, and maximize your gains."

Zhongli was so angry that his chest ached. Was I too soft-hearted? Was I indecisive? Did you only want me to cut off your head, drain your body in a pool of blood, and use it as foot bath water for the Holy Maiden before you were satisfied?

Ye Wei gently grasped Zhong Li's right hand, softly shook her head at him, and said with a faint smile, "Don't be angry. You just have different ways of expressing your feelings. I believe you will both return safely and gradually adapt to each other."

Zhongli glared at Hongluan. "Look at this! Look at this! What does it mean to be a lady? What does it mean to have the demeanor of a saint? You speak so intellectually and kindly, like you're trying to drive me crazy."

Hongluan glanced at him indifferently, offering no response. Fortunately, she was gentle by nature and didn't confront him directly. She calmly shifted her gaze, avoiding further argument with Zhongli.

Zhong Li felt a little better and accepted Ye Wei's advice. This little girl did have good intentions, but she was a bit cold and direct in her speech.

Then Zhongli looked at the trade panel, and as he spoke, several trade requests appeared under another trade item, [Enhanced Equipment (Green) Damaged Brass Armor].