Xu Qingqiang is only a Three-Star Warden, and the number of Warden slots he can assign is insufficient. However, under Wei Huan's suppression, these criminals dare not cause trouble. Seated atop the white bone throne, he truly looks like a warden. With just a glance, the criminals willingly retract all their malevolence.
Mu Zhong's work also proceeds smoothly. He says, "Major Xu will soon be promoted to Four-Star Warden. When the time comes, there will be enough slots, so please wait a little longer."
Who dares to say no? Wei Huan is sitting right there, surrounded by so many high-tier fighters. If they dare to utter a "no," these people would dare to throw them off the war vehicle.
However, their temporary stay on the war vehicle finally allows them to witness the speed at which Wei Huan opens chests. The thousand-mile "plowing" missed almost no chest; anything below Silver tier is not even worth opening. They are lucky. Soon after, they encounter a Gold-tier ruin on an island. Since it is a Remnants Tribe environment, Wei Huan arranges for the Undead to teleport them to the BOSS battlefield, allowing them to understand the difference between fighting with an "anchor point" and without one.
Of course, what these Criminal Sequence users see is not just how easy the BOSS fight becomes with an anchor point, but also the sheer strength of Wei Huan's war vehicle. Under Wei Huan's continuous chest-opening battles, every member of the main team is equipped with abundant high-tier gear. Gold-tier equipment is the minimum, and some are even wearing Platinum gear. The Remnants Tribe in this world are inherently mental-type, with moderate physical combat strength. When facing Wei Huan's main force, they are pressed down and beaten. Wei Huan's Undead don't even need to intervene much; the battle concludes quickly.
This is a Gold-tier monster. Is it that easy to kill?
Xu Qingqiang consumes the Gold-tier Remnants Tribe remnant and frowns, telling the Eye Tyrant, which is observing through Wei Huan's vision, "No, it's not enough."
Wei Huan understands. The Endless Prison should have no upper limit, but upgrading it is not easy. To reach Level 999, Xu Qingqiang would likely have to consume the entire Challenger World.
"But it's getting close," Xu Qingqiang says after sensing his progress.
Wei Huan no longer discriminates against Silver Chests either; he opens them when he encounters them, leaving them all for Xu Qingqiang to consume. Finally, after the group of criminals has set up camp in the plaza for two days, Xu Qingqiang upgrades to [Four-Star Warden].
A Four-Star Warden can issue 155 Warden positions. Subtracting the slots already given out, 125 remaining slots are enough. Criminals who obtain the Warden qualification gain the key to access the Endless Prison and receive their own personal prison. By consuming life, they can capture souls into the prison, gaining proportional attribute enhancements based on their Warden level. Warden levels can change, but only a higher-tier Warden can appoint a lower-tier one. Therefore, when Xu Qingqiang upgrades to Five-Star Warden, they will have to come back to him for re-appointment. Whether they need to pay extra at that time is something Mu Dehao will have to worry about.
Xu Qingqiang is not a person who enjoys management. The mere sight of these things gives him a headache. He only likes to eat and fight, and the reason he likes fighting is that he can eat many delicious things, such as black brain matter... It smells so good!
Two days after the criminals leave the war vehicle, an exciting message rings throughout the entire vehicle.
"Tier 6 war vehicle upgrade complete!" The tone of the Steward AI also carries a hint of excitement.
Wei Huan has been standing by the driver's seat since the upgrade reached 8% completion. Because the entire war vehicle was undergoing an upgrade, white mist had permeated the vehicle for three full days. The white mist now dissipates, revealing the full appearance of the Tier 6 war vehicle: Heavy Sea, Land, and Air Fortress.
First, the cockpit is, of course, significantly expanded. Previously, the cockpit could hold 20 people; now it can hold 100. However, the cockpit is now divided into four sections.
The [Main Cockpit] is at the front, shaped like a trapezoid—wider at the front and narrower at the back. The arrangement of the driving seats is similar to the Tier 5 war vehicle, accommodating 20 people.
The [Port Cockpit] and [Starboard Cockpit] are naturally on the left and right sides. They do not participate in the main vehicle's driving but can split off into two separate war vehicles. Their combat capabilities are almost identical to the main vehicle. They can participate in combat and conduct reconnaissance. Each side can accommodate 30 people, serving as genuine escort vehicles. Due to the powerful compression capability of the war vehicle's internal space, these side war vehicles are slender and small, allowing them to enter most ruins for combat. This is a significant improvement for ruin exploration, as the ranged fighters can now participate in the battle.
The remaining part of the driving area is, of course, the [Commander's Room], the most critical area, the "brain" of this vehicle. Wei Huan has his own separate room, located behind the main cockpit, essentially in the center of the entire cockpit. However, the interior design is clever; sitting inside, he does not feel the stuffiness of an enclosed space. Instead, the various projected screens allow him to see the external environment as if he were at the very front of the vehicle, just like when he was at the lowest tier, driving behind the windshield.
The Commander's Room has an internal space of about 100 square meters. The back wall features an automatic door that can be adjusted to be single-sided. He can turn his seat to see the situation behind him, but people outside cannot see him. Outside is a fan-shaped combat meeting room. This area can accommodate over a hundred staff members to plan strategies for him. Pre- and post-battle meetings can also be held here directly. If something requires private discussion, he can call people into the Commander's Room. The functionality is comprehensively complete, leaving no room for complaint.
Exiting the cockpit, one naturally arrives at the plaza. The plaza is further expanded, but not to the extent of feeling wasteful. After all, a Tier 6 war vehicle can now accommodate 1001 crew members. A thousand people living on the vehicle require a significant amount of activity space. Therefore, the most noticeable change is the sudden increase in the height of the top floor. One must squint to see the ceiling lights when looking up. The building height has reached 30 stories.
The circular buildings surround the plaza. Below the plaza, there are not only more storefronts but also more people. The usually disciplined crew members cannot help but step out to check the changes after the upgrade. Their excitement makes them unable to control their voices; conversations fill the air.
"Thirty stories!"
"When I came out, it immediately showed the 26th floor. So, did it grow from the bottom up?"
"It's getting more and more magnificent, and more lively."
"I heard the Tier 6 war vehicle can hold a thousand people. I wonder who will get on board?"
"This is too fast! I feel like I haven't even settled into the Tier 5 war vehicle, and now I'm on a Tier 6."
"Hahaha, maybe before you settle into the Tier 6 war vehicle, you'll be on a Tier 7 war vehicle."
"I believe you. Boss Wei has the capability. You have no idea how scared I've been by the way he's been opening chests these days. Is this still the Challenger World? It's like going shopping and getting everything for free!"
Similar discussions are everywhere. The crew members' words are filled with respect for Wei Huan and gratitude for the good fortune of being on this vehicle. Wei Huan does not disturb them. He summons his Facehugger and steps onto its back shell, bypassing the crowded areas, and heads to other parts of the vehicle with Mu Zhong.
Mu Zhong must share in the "chest-opening" joy of this war vehicle upgrade. Wei Huan also summons a Facehugger for Mu Zhong. As the war vehicle's interior has grown larger, walking takes up more time. Using the Facehuggers, which have a movement speed of 400 kilometers per hour, is clearly the most appropriate solution right now. However, Mu Zhong mentions, "I'll have the veterans develop some balance scooters or internal light rail later. Everyone has work to do, so we shouldn't waste time on commuting."
Wei Huan nods. This is only a Tier 6 war vehicle. He hears that after the Tier 7 war vehicle becomes a war fortress, it can hold ten thousand people and have five aircraft carriers' worth of internal space. They truly need to address the internal transportation problem.
Speaking of "the veterans," Wei Huan is reminded of something else and asks Mu Zhong: "Is the Driver about to advance?"
"I feel like it's close. They've been continuously studying Driver knowledge with the veterans during this time and training more in the Driver's professional shrine at night. It has indeed accelerated a lot; they could advance at any time."
"The emergence of a Tier 3 Mecha will greatly boost the overall strength of humanity."
"Absolutely. Commander Mu is anxious but doesn't dare to rush me because what you're doing here is equally important."
Wei Huan nods, not falsely humble about his importance. If he wasn't strong enough, humanity wouldn't have reached the Tier 6 world so quickly. If he weren't trying to stabilize things a bit more, entering the Tier 6 world now would not be a problem. Therefore, Wei Huan does not want to interfere with Mu Zhong's arrangements. Whatever he decides is fine; Wei Huan trusts him to be more thorough than himself.
While talking, the two turn into a door. If one pays attention, one notices that the ground along their path has streaming light as guidance. The Steward AI is leading the way, following orders to take them to the energy room and the armory first. These two places are the most critical parts of the war vehicle, and as the Commander, he must know their location and basic environment.
Upon reaching the energy room and seeing the black iron ball-like energy core protected by layers of shields, Wei Huan is stunned for a moment before looking at Mu Zhong. Mu Zhong nods: "Yes, those things I brought back were likely the components of the Tier 6 war vehicle."
This refers to the ruins of technological civilization they explored in the Tier 3 world after Mu Zhong awakened his dual talent as a Driver. The cockpit Wei Huan entered at that time was the size of the current Tier 6 war vehicle. The energy core Mu Zhong retrieved from the energy room was, of course, the energy source for the Tier 6 war vehicle. The energy core is equivalent to the engine.
Under the influence of the veteran, the Driver Sequence users on the war vehicle all abandoned their dream of becoming Mecha Pilots. This is also due to the fact that Mu Zhong, the "leader of the Drivers" who possesses the Driver training ground, is still at a low tier. The veteran is a typical science and engineering enthusiast. Coupled with the talent bonus of the Driver, he has already thoroughly studied many of the Tier 6 war vehicle materials Mu Zhong brought back. If not for the lack of raw materials and the fact that Wei Huan's war vehicle upgrades quickly, meaning he doesn't need to bother him, the veteran could probably "hand-make" a Tier 6 war vehicle.
Of course, it would not be as good as the one provided by the system. However, just like Tier 5 Mecha Technicians can hand-make a Mecha, creating a customized, high-tier Mecha over a long period is achievable. Recently, with the assistance of a group of technical experts on the vehicle, the veteran has fabricated a Mecha with Tier 4 combat power. The greatest advantage of this Mecha is not that it is stronger than mass-produced ones, but that skills completely mastered in the Challenger World can be brought back to reality. In reality, the victorious side in the various confrontations between humanity and the Dark Beast Lords gains special resources, which can be used to manufacture items with the technology of the Challenger World.
In short, Wei Huan is surprised to see that the "heart" of the newly upgraded war vehicle is the energy reactor he often saw, and he asks: "Is the Blue Whisker Race a Tier 6 civilization?"
Mu Zhong replies: "The Remnants Tribe in the Tier 3 world were the Blue Whisker Race, but there is no proof that the technology ruins also belong to the Blue Whisker Race."
That is true. Wei Huan asks again: "Have you fully studied this energy reactor?"
"Not fully, perhaps four or five parts of it. If we were to replicate it one-to-one, I think we could probably do it, but Earth lacks the necessary building materials. Perhaps if we win a few more battles on the main battlefield, resources will drop."
"Do you think we should go to the main battlefield now?"
"After entering the Tier 6 world, there will be an opening battle, and both sides will be given a month to prepare. I think it would be better to eliminate some of the Dark Beast Lords' combat power before the opening battle."
"Random Battlefield?"
"Mhm."
"That's the right idea."
Wei Huan nods. In fact, he has wanted to go to the main battlefield or a random battlefield for a long time, but the war vehicle upgrade has been delaying him. Once he upgrades the remaining Tier 7 components, he can single-mindedly focus on killing Dark Beasts. Thinking of this, Wei Huan looks up: "Steward."
"I'm here, Commander."
"Check which Tier 7 components can be upgraded now?"
"Yes, Commander. We can now upgrade the Tier 7 Balcony and the Tier 7 war vehicle Shell."
"Upgrade them directly."
"Yes, Commander."
After the conversation, the personnel on duty at the Combat Platform discover that the fog has descended again. This anomaly is quickly reported to Mu Zirui, who understands what it is and rubs his hands in excitement: "It's time for us ranged units to show our power!"
Before Tier 4, the war vehicle's balcony was just a balcony, like on an RV, with no combat capabilities. At Tier 4, the Terrain Siege Vehicle, the balcony became the [Combat Platform], featuring two ranged output positions, providing ranged units with one-times damage, one-times critical strike, and one-times attack range bonuses. The Tier 5 [Combat Platform] has four output positions, and the damage, critical strike, and range are increased by two times. The Tier 6 [Combat Platform] has eight output positions, and the bonuses are increased by three times.
Now, the Tier 7 [Combat Platform] they are about to upgrade does not have 16 output positions, but 30. The damage and other bonuses are naturally increased to four times. Ranged units standing on the Combat Platform love this feeling, feeling as powerful as gods. Crucially, they don't have to fear being attacked; the war vehicle protects them.
However, the Combat Platform also has a small weakness: Spirit Power consumption increases. Although not quadrupled, to achieve four times the damage on a Tier 7 Combat Platform, they must consume double the normal Spirit Power. Therefore, the ranged units on the war vehicle are often quickly drained during combat and replaced by the next batch of ranged units. But even if their legs feel weak every time they leave the Combat Platform, the ranged units are wildly addicted to the feeling of being on it. Now, knowing that after upgrading to a Tier 6 war vehicle, they can obtain a Tier 7 Combat Platform, they are overjoyed.
The melee fighters are weeping envious tears.
However, Wei Huan knows that although the Challenger World is cruel, it is also very fair. The upgraded Tier 7 Protective Shield, besides increasing the defense and counterattack capabilities on top of the original Tier 6 Protective Shield, also has a new function. Melee fighters carrying a special emblem will have a similar Protective Shield capability. Although it is one tier lower than the one on the war vehicle and the number is limited, the safety of the melee fighters is indeed greatly guaranteed. However, this time, they do not have many Tier 7 Protective Shield materials, nor do they have the upgrade blueprint. It is unknown how long it will take to upgrade the Protective Shield.
The [Tier 7 war vehicle Shell] is also a good item. A Tier 6 Protective Shield plus a Tier 7 war vehicle Shell will make them virtually impervious to damage from Tier 5 world monsters, allowing the Tier 7 Combat Platform to seize the opportunity to counterattack. Upgrading the Tier 7 components takes even longer; even a component takes three days.
With nothing much to do during these three days, they continue to move forward, fighting when necessary, and familiarizing themselves with the interior of the war vehicle. There is no thought of returning to increase the number of crew members. After all, the war vehicle is increasing its capacity by nine hundred people, not just a few dozen, which is a significant number anywhere. The people who can come to the Tier 5 world now are all talents from various corps. They already have a shortage of personnel themselves; it is unlikely they will happily fill Wei Huan's war vehicle like they did with the Tier 5 war vehicle. Even Mu Dehao, who oversees the development of the entire Azure Dragon Pioneer Corps in the Challenger World, must use the acquired materials and trained talents on the main battlefield. Every resource is accounted for. Even if he wants to allocate more resources to Wei Huan, he cannot neglect his primary duty and disregard the main battlefield.
For these reasons, even if Wei Huan were to return, there would be nothing much to do, so he might as well continue collecting resources outside. Moreover, he promised Commander Mu to find a suitable island for the Azure Dragon Legion to build a city, and he must keep his word.
In fact, there were suitable islands for the Azure Dragon Legion to build a city along the way, but they were all smaller than Five Star Island. Wei Huan believes that Daxia deserves the biggest and best. The Azure Dragon Legion has ventured deep into the uninhabited zone, so selecting the most perfect island is not excessive. As for whether building a city deep in the uninhabited zone poses any danger? Of course not. The Challenger World is not a rigid process of leveling up and fighting monsters; the monsters do not necessarily get stronger the further you go. For example, the Black Tortoise City, located at the entry point of the Tier 5 world, also has the potential to refresh high-tier monsters and Royal Tribes. So, for humanity to build a city in the uninhabited zone is not an adventure, but a way to provide a larger and safer area for exploration. With that island as the center, running missions with a three-to-five-day round trip, the uninhabited zone will no longer be uninhabited.
Wei Huan does not force the issue if he cannot find an ideal island immediately. He has plenty of other things to do right now. And the entire war vehicle's current interest is focused on the first deployment of the two side war vehicles.
Over the past few days, Mu Zhong has been conducting combat assignments and training with the crew. Today, they discovered a Gold Chest. Mu Zhong believes the side war vehicles can be tested in combat, which thrills the crew members whose strength is insufficient for regular missions. Take Zhou Yong and Lin Xu, for example. Although they practice hard, due to their talent and the short time they have been in the Challenger World, especially as melee professionals, they have fewer and fewer missions they can be assigned in the current Tier 5 world and can only do logistical work on the vehicle. Not that logistical work is bad, but since they want to be on the front line, and are trusted by Wei Huan to participate in the side war vehicle operation, it is perfect.
While contemplating, the two side war vehicles detach from the main vehicle and move independently. Wei Huan views their appearance through the internal screen. They look like two submarines, shaped like droplets, large at the head and small at the tail. Since Wei Huan's war vehicle is in its initial white color, they are also white. However, they are much smaller than submarines. The thickest part of the nose is only a little over half a meter in diameter, and the length is only about 2.5 meters. Flying in the air, they look like two launched shells.
Every time Wei Huan sees the side war vehicles, he marvels at the power of spatial laws—how such a large space, with thirty driver seats, is crammed into this tiny vehicle. To put it less elegantly, it is even too small to serve as a coffin.
But despite their small size, the side war vehicles are powerful in combat. Their speed, defense, and attack are almost the same as the main vehicle. They just lack the large living space of the main vehicle, the Mecha workshop, and the energy center. They also only have two Combat Platforms, and their combat endurance is limited to 5 days, after which they must return to the main vehicle to recharge, as they cannot replenish their own energy. Their endurance is slightly longer in non-combat mode.
Wei Huan watches the two side war vehicles, like two shells, head towards the island ahead after leaving the main war vehicle. The island is marked with a Gold Chest symbol, indicating not only a Gold-tier ruin but also a Royal Tribe deeper inside. The world monsters of the Tier 5 world are not the deceptive Remnants Tribe. They are mostly island and sea monsters, including flying birds and fish. Additionally, some dark-type life forms exist on islands where dark energy gathers, and while Undead-type creatures are few, they are present.
Wei Huan simultaneously keeps an eye on the side war vehicles' battle and observes the island. The small island without dark energy looks only slightly smaller than Five Star Island. Unfortunately, it does not meet Wei Huan's standards. However, he still chooses to immediately submit the map to Mu Dehao; the final decision on where to build the city must rest with him.
A little later, the side war vehicles' battle officially begins. In fact, the side war vehicles would be better used to kill Royal Tribes in open areas. With flight capability, the war vehicles can provide aerial suppression. However, Wei Huan still sends the side war vehicles to the ruins. This is to test whether these war vehicles meet expectations for combat within ruins.
"Commander," the Steward AI suddenly speaks. "There is a treasure coordinate five thousand kilometers away. Would you like to go?"
"No," Wei Huan immediately denies. He is not ready yet. He has 22 complete sets of treasure maps, including one ruin that requires 20 fragments to synthesize. But Wei Huan has always been hesitant to open it. Forget the 20-fragment ruin; he suspects that even for a 15-fragment dungeon, that Mofidi would probably find a way to track him down. By continuously taking two of Mofidi's sets, he seems to be in the process of unsealing Mofidi. Mofidi will definitely find a way to find him again, unseal him completely, and then thank him for his efforts with death. Wei Huan is not fully confident in facing a god-tier monster yet.
The Steward, however, adds: "That is a 25-fragment treasure map."