Chapter 108: Praise the Prince of Joy

In the dark tunnels of the subway, Zhao Kuo and Tang Yingying simultaneously turned to look at the tightly shut mall doors.

Parting truly happens in an instant. From now on, they would likely never see that kid again.

Suddenly, Zhao Kuo sighed. At the same time, a system notification sounded in his ears.

[Congratulations to player Zhao Kuo for clearing the special Bio-Carnival instance. As the first player in this batch to clear it, you will receive an extremely special gift to commend your brave and selfless performance in the Bio-Carnival.]

[Congratulations, you have obtained the Ultimate Carnival Treasure Chest.]

The Ultimate Carnival Treasure Chest—just the name suggested it could yield something amazing. Zhao Kuo wondered what kind of chest Tang Yingying had received.

Unfortunately, Tang Yingying wasn't judged as the first player to clear the instance, so she only received a High-Level Carnival Treasure Chest, slightly lower in rank than Zhao Kuo's.

The subway train was parked on the tracks not far away, its lights illuminating the darkness ahead.

Zhao Kuo suddenly hesitated and asked, "Did we spend four days inside?"

Tang Yingying nodded, then also realized something was off. "Right, four days. The subway lights should've run out of power by now. Why are they still so bright?"

Zhao Kuo didn't ask further. Instead, he rushed onto the subway.

Sure enough, the time displayed was only ten minutes ahead of when they had entered the mall!

In other words, time inside the mall had been compressed—and severely so.

The two of them looked at each other and burst into laughter.

"Should we stew Brother Chicken today? Let's celebrate properly," Tang Yingying said, sharpening her knife with enthusiasm.

But Zhao Kuo stopped her. "Let's not. Let's just make something simple. We'll deal with the chicken after the eggs hatch."

Then, he took out the Ultimate Carnival Treasure Chest from the storage and placed it in the carriage.

Unlike ordinary treasure chests, the Ultimate Carnival Treasure Chest before them seemed to be made of flesh and blood, adorned with some peculiar, crystal-like objects.

Zhao Kuo could even hear the chest's heartbeat, which reminded him of his days playing soul-like games.

Would this chest devour people like the ones in Dark Souls?

Taking a deep breath, Zhao Kuo chuckled and shook his head. In that instant, his luck stat was activated.

Without hesitation, Zhao Kuo opened the Ultimate Carnival Treasure Chest.

[Player has activated the trait: Fate Manipulation. Current progress: 3/30]

[Congratulations, you have obtained:]

[Basic Materials x3000 (can be exchanged for any basic material)]

[Advanced Materials x500 (can be exchanged for any advanced material)]

[Subway Coins x1008]

[Black Crystal x1]

[Flesh Essence x5]

[High-Level Blood Essence x3]

[Congratulations, you have obtained a Rare Item: One-Time Item Upgrade Card x1]

[Congratulations, you have obtained an Ultra-Rare Item: Powered Wheel Component x1]

[Congratulations, you have obtained a Super Rare Item: Automatic Treasure Chest Identification and Retrieval Device Blueprint (One-Time Use) x1]

[Congratulations, you have obtained an Ultra Rare Item: Mysterious Alchemy Formula x1]

Looking at the loot, Zhao Kuo's breath nearly stopped.

Two Super Rare items—two!

To put it in perspective, Zhao Kuo only had two Super Rare items on him: the Lucky Dice and the Miniature Miracle Building, both of which had incredibly powerful abilities.

And now, a single chest had yielded two more.

Zhao Kuo eagerly checked the details of the Ultra Rare items.

[Automatic Treasure Chest Identification and Retrieval Device Blueprint (One-Time Use) x1]

[Crafting Requirements: Steel Plates x50, Silver Ore x5, Parts x150, Iron Plates x100, Black Crystal x1]

[Super Rare Item. Once crafted, it can be installed on any part of the subway. It will automatically identify and retrieve treasure chests within a 20-meter radius.]

The Automatic Treasure Chest Identification and Retrieval Device—Zhao Kuo vaguely remembered Tang Yingying mentioning it before. He had longed for it back then, and now it had just popped out of the chest.

Moreover, he had all the required materials. From now on, they wouldn't have to take turns staying up late. He could sleep soundly with Tang Yingying until dawn.

Tears of joy, anyone?

Without hesitation, Zhao Kuo crafted the Automatic Treasure Chest Identification and Retrieval Device and installed it on the second-floor workshop carriage. This way, even during the next wave of zombies, it wouldn't get damaged.

This was his treasure, the key to peaceful nights from now on!

After installing the device, Zhao Kuo took out the second Ultra Rare item he had obtained.

[Mysterious Alchemy Formula]

[Ultra Rare Item. It records the method of crafting a mysterious elixir. Hand it over to a special individual at the next station to receive an extremely unique reward.]

[Hidden Effect 1: Immortality (From now until the next station, you cannot die.)]

[Hidden Effect 2: Favor of the Gods (From now until the next station, the frequency of encountering treasure chests doubles, and the chance of finding special treasure chests doubles.)]

[Hidden Effect 3: Permanent Luck Recovery +5 Points]

Zhao Kuo frowned slightly as he looked at the golden foil-like object before him.

It wasn't hard to guess that this item was closely related to an important figure at the next station—likely the station's proxy or even its true master.

A special reward, huh…

But as expected of an Ultra Rare item, even if it couldn't be used immediately, its hidden effects were terrifyingly powerful.

Just the Immortality effect alone made Zhao Kuo's heart race, though it only lasted until the next station—a matter of a few days.

The Favor of the Gods, combined with the newly installed Automatic Treasure Chest Identification and Retrieval Device, created a perfect synergy. Over the next few days, treasure chests would undoubtedly keep piling up.

And the permanent +5 Luck Recovery was the cherry on top. The sheer power of the hidden effects truly lived up to the item's Ultra Rare status.

Zhao Kuo took a deep breath and turned his attention to the other two items.

The ​**[One-Time Item Upgrade Card]** was an old friend. Without hesitation, Zhao Kuo spent the corresponding materials to upgrade the internal combustion engine locomotive.

[Intermediate Internal Combustion Engine Locomotive]

[Ride the waves of a new era as we witness the roar and power of the internal combustion engine. Stand at the forefront of a brand-new age, shouting and singing together!]

[Significantly increases train speed and carrying capacity. Requires consumption of oil or gasoline.]

[Hourly Consumption: 2 units of oil or 0.5 units of gasoline]

[Speed Increase: 150 kilometers per hour]

[Carrying Capacity Increase: 5000 kilograms]

150 kilometers per hour—this speed already surpassed ordinary express trains in the real world. A little faster, and it could match slower high-speed trains.

However, the hourly oil consumption had doubled, requiring 48 units of oil per day—no small amount.

As for the ​**[Powered Wheel Component]**, Zhao Kuo guessed it was a reward every player could obtain from the Bio-Carnival.

[Powered Wheel Component]

[Ultra-Rare Item. Upgrades subway wheels, increasing speed by 20 kilometers per hour.]

A speed-boosting item for the subway—this was why Zhao Kuo believed it was a reward for every player.

On the way from Lushan Station to Eternal Station, the abandoned station had given every player a steam locomotive to increase their speed, similar to the effect of the Powered Wheel Component.

Zhao Kuo smiled and installed the wheels immediately.

170 kilometers per hour—now that was true speed and thrill!

After finishing the unboxing, Zhao Kuo turned his gaze to Tang Yingying, who had already started preparing dinner.

Well, it was time to let her experience what true speed and thrill felt like.

Praise the Prince of Joy!

…