Chapter 87: Farewell, Friendship Chest

Looking at the chat channel, Zhao Kuo spoke in a grave tone, "Someone has consumed the virus essence and undergone mutation."

"Good mutation or bad mutation?" Tang Yingying asked.

"Both good and bad. Some grew hands that can release toxic gas, some had their hearts mutate, making their physical abilities stronger, and some even grew fleshy wings that allow them to attack and fly," Zhao Kuo said as he scrolled through the chat logs.

Tang Yingying exclaimed, "Wow, growing wings sounds even cooler than being a professional."

Most of those who consumed the virus essence were non-professionals, and they underwent mutations that, while grotesque, enhanced their combat abilities.

However, Zhao Kuo soon noticed that a few professionals had also consumed the virus essence but were prompted that their mutation points were insufficient.

It seemed that professional players had higher physical attributes than ordinary players, requiring more mutation points. But… was it really worth embracing such grotesque mutations for the sake of power?

Zhao Kuo frowned, weighing the pros and cons in his mind.

From a rational perspective, it was definitely worth it. Even if new appendages grew, one would eventually adapt to them over time.

But from another angle, could players who underwent mutations still be considered truly human? Moreover, were there any side effects to these biochemical mutations? All of this remained unknown.

However, it didn't seem like something he needed to ponder, as Zhao Kuo currently didn't have any virus essence in his possession.

At that moment, Luo Pingan suddenly sent a video call. Zhao Kuo answered immediately.

Compared to the injured Gu Shan, Luo Pingan seemed to be in much better shape, though traces of the battle during the zombie horde could still be seen in the background.

As soon as he saw Zhao Kuo, Luo Pingan eagerly asked, "Brother Zhao, do you have any virus essence?"

"Why do you ask?" Zhao Kuo inquired.

Luo Pingan replied, "I've teamed up with a few merchants to monopolize the virus essence trade and drive up the prices. Brother Zhao, you're quite capable. You must have a lot of essence, right?"

Zhao Kuo narrowed his eyes. As the saying goes, no merchant is without cunning. Luo Pingan, such a good kid, had become so shrewd once he entered the world of business? Still, this aligned with their interests.

Shaking his head, Zhao Kuo browsed the trading market and said, "Unfortunately, I haven't encountered any high-level mutants. Or maybe I have, but…"

The zombies were mostly cleared by Xiao Bai and Nash. While mutants might be formidable for ordinary players, for Xiao Bai and Nash, who were immune to physical damage, it was just a trivial matter.

So Zhao Kuo couldn't be sure if he had encountered any mutants.

There was no helping it—it was just too fast, way too fast.

Luo Pingan sighed in disappointment, then said, "According to the latest news, a professional player has tested it. It takes three virus essences to trigger a mutation. The tester grew a tail…"

"Does it have any specific functions?" Zhao Kuo asked.

Luo Pingan replied, "Yes, the tail can be used to attack, and it can regenerate like a lizard's tail."

"What about side effects?"

Luo Pingan paused, then frowned, "Based on all the samples so far, it seems… there are no side effects?"

Zhao Kuo rubbed his chin. Could this really be the subway world's mechanism to balance player strength?

If so, wouldn't professional players have a greater advantage over ordinary players?

After chatting for a bit longer, Zhao Kuo ended the call.

Just then, Tang Yingying, who was sitting beside him, suddenly brightened up and pointed into the distance, shouting, "Zhao Kuo, a chest! A friendship chest!"

Sure enough, not far away, a chest with a crystalline texture lay quietly.

A friendship chest—this was a treasure!

Without hesitation, Zhao Kuo stopped the train and let Xiao Bai out, heading toward the chest.

Halfway there, a hissing sound came from behind the chest, and a black snake slithered out, hissing menacingly at Zhao Kuo.

Xiao Bai immediately became furious. Its massive body charged forward, opening its gaping maw at the black snake.

A snake? At this stage, Xiao Bai could be considered the ancestor of all snakes!

As expected, the black snake was overwhelmed by Xiao Bai's powerful aura and fainted. Xiao Bai didn't hesitate and crushed it underfoot.

[Congratulations, player! You've obtained 500g of snake meat x1, fangs x2, venom sac x1, and 15 subway coins.]

With the snake meat, Tang Yingying could make a pot of snake meat porridge. It should taste pretty good.

Zhao Kuo carried the chest back to the train.

[Friendship Chest (Intermediate)]

[Only players bound together can encounter such a precious chest. It's truly special! Just like your friendship.]

It was actually an intermediate friendship chest! Zhao Kuo's heart leapt with joy. After all, the last time he opened a primary friendship chest, he received a gold ore, a one-time item upgrade card, a pet feed crafting skill, and a car engine!

Every item had been incredibly useful. What could the intermediate friendship chest yield?

Without hesitation, Zhao Kuo activated his luck stat and opened the chest.

[Silver ore x10]

[Gold ore x2]

[Congratulations, player! You've obtained a rare item: Magical Baijiu Jar x1]

[Congratulations, player! You've obtained an ultra-rare item: Harvest Goddess Statue Blueprint (One-time) x1]

[Congratulations, player! You've obtained a precious item: Skill Upgrade Card x1]

[Player has activated the trait: Fate Manipulator. Current progress: 2/30]

Two more gold ores! Zhao Kuo smiled in satisfaction. Gold ores could be added to the terracotta warriors, creating ones with special abilities—still very useful.

In addition, there were three more items, but their quality was a notch higher than what the primary friendship chest had yielded.

[Magical Baijiu Jar]

[Rare item. Add 2000ml of purified water to produce 500ml of strong-flavored aged baijiu. Isn't that magical?]

When Tang Yingying saw the description of the baijiu jar, her eyes lit up, and she immediately pounced on it.

"Treasure! What a treasure! Now I'll never run out of alcohol to drink, hehe," Tang Yingying said, hugging the magical baijiu jar, her face beaming with joy.

This girl was truly an alcohol enthusiast. The last batch of homemade wine she brewed was finished in just two days.

Now, with the magical baijiu jar, she could produce 500ml of strong-flavored aged baijiu daily—roughly one bottle—enough to keep her drunk for life.

Zhao Kuo shook his head helplessly and moved on to the next item.

[Harvest Goddess Statue Blueprint (One-time) x1]

[Required materials: Wood planks x50, iron sheets x20, parts x100, clay x10]

[Installing the Harvest Goddess Statue in a carriage increases food production by 25%.]

An item that boosted food production! Placing it in the planting carriage would increase the daily rice yield from 8kg to 10kg. Its functionality was indeed powerful.

As for the last item, the skill upgrade card, it was an old friend.

The previous skill upgrade card was obtained in the dimensional auction house for 1550 subway coins.

Honestly, Zhao Kuo felt like he had gotten a steal. At this stage, such a skill upgrade card would likely cost around 5000 subway coins!

What a treasure!

…