As the notification sounded, a semi-transparent white panel slowly materialized before Chen Mang, clearly displaying these words. The voice didn't echo in his ears but resonated deep within his mind.
He watched as the panel gradually faded away, only to be replaced by several lines of text scrolling across the screen next to the Train control console.
"Evaluating the Power Value of the Stellar Train."
"Current Level: 2. Base Value: 100 points. Total Survivors Housed: 112, adding 112 points. Two Red High-Quality Components, adding 200 points. Total Component Levels: 84, adding 840 points. Possesses 9 Supermodel Effects, adding 90 points."
"Comprehensive Score: 1342 points."
"The Regional Power Value Ranking has been activated. Detected that the Stellar Train is in a low-level region, displaying only the Power Value Ranking for this area."
"Loan Limit: 5000 units of Iron Ore, to be repaid double within three months."
Chen Mang's expression turned slightly peculiar as he gazed at the scrolling information on the screen. Notably, one of the conditions for upgrading from a Level 2 Train to a Level 3 Train was that the total level of all components on the Train must exceed 40.
His total of 84 levels had long surpassed this requirement.
He had calculated that after upgrading to a Level 2 Train, the components he could craft were mostly green and white, with no higher-level yellow components, let alone the even higher-level blue ones.
White-tier components had a maximum level of 2, while green-tier components capped at level 3.
Moreover, components like "Armor" and "Heavy Machine Gun," no matter how many were crafted, were only counted based on the highest level achieved.
Without any fortuitous encounters to obtain other Accessory Blueprints, the maximum total level achievable by upgrading all craftable components to their fullest was 58.
This was more than enough to meet one of the conditions for upgrading to a Level 3 Train, essentially representing the standard for a fully-equipped Level 2 Train. All crucial components would be maxed out, while less important ones, like the "Single Bed," could be left unupgraded to save resources.
After the comprehensive Power Value evaluation, the regional ranking also appeared on the screen.
"Iron Ridge Wasteland Power Value Ranking."
"Rank 1": Survival Train, Level 3 Train, Power Value 2989.
"Rank 47": Stellar, Level 2 Train, Power Value 1342.
"Rank 77": King of Electronic Music, Level 2 Train, Power Value 666.
"Rank 89": Bloodthirsty Mad Bull, Level 2 Train, Power Value 589.
Chen Mang looked at the rankings on the Iron Ridge Wasteland Power Value Ranking, a slight smile curling his lips. From their previous conversation, he knew that the Train which had brazenly blasted its DJ music and honked as it sped past him in the wasteland a few days ago was none other than the King of Electronic Music Train.
The Train belonging to that Dwarf Man.
It seemed his Train had now surpassed the other's in development.
His Power Value score was nearly double that of the other Train.
However, the other party was unaware of his identity and that they had once crossed paths, and he had no intention of bringing it up.
His ranking on the Power Value Ranking was quite decent, at 47th place. He had always considered himself a small fry, never expecting his Train to be among the more developed ones in the Iron Ridge Wasteland.
The gaps between rankings were significant at the top but narrowed towards the bottom.
From this ranking, he also learned that there were 12 Level 3 Trains in the Iron Ridge Wasteland.
The lowest-ranked Level 3 Train had a Power Value of 1679.
He had no immediate plans to upgrade to a Level 3 Train, preferring to first fully equip his Level 2 Train. The resources required for upgrading to a Level 3 Train were substantial, and generally, people only upgraded when there was no further room for improvement at Level 2, seeking new avenues for enhancement.
These people didn't possess his ability for Infinite Upgrade of components.
They couldn't achieve such high scores in component levels as he could.
So, unsurprisingly, such high Power Value scores were mostly accumulated through large numbers of Slaves. Being able to amass a sufficient number of Slaves was, in a way, a testament to one's strength.
Of course, Master Kun was an exception.
The deeper his understanding of this world grew, the more he realized how incongruous Master Kun's Train's firepower was when paired with his three hundred Slaves. They were simply not on the same level.
As for the 5000 units of Iron Ore loan limit, Chen Mang curled his lip, not even bothering to give it a second glance.
The limit was too small. Even if he took the loan, it would be meaningless. He now mined an average of ten thousand units of Iron Ore daily. He was in no need of a mere 5000 units. What he lacked was time.
Given enough time and barring any unforeseen circumstances, once he fully exploited the two Mines at the bottom of the Doomsday Abyss, he would be resource-sufficient for the foreseeable future.
"Keep pushing forward,"
Chen Mang took a deep breath and turned his attention to the Train Radio, which was constantly buzzing with new messages. Everyone was discussing the recent changes, especially the meaning of "Phase One is about to begin."
What would happen when Phase One began? What changes would it bring?
These were the concerns on everyone's mind.
He also knew that the "Iron Ridge Wasteland" was classified as a low-level region. The characteristics of such regions were scarce resources but also fewer and lower-level monsters, allowing for relatively safe and stable development.
Take the wasteland, for example.
As long as one wasn't caught in a Corpse Tide encirclement before it formed, even if monsters were encountered, it was possible to escape. After all, a Train, even a Level 1 one, had a base speed that could outpace many monsters.
Overall, it was relatively safe.
In high-level regions, dangers were much more varied. It wasn't just the threats posed by monsters but also those arising from "Fortuitous Encounters" and even "Train Profession Changes."
Train Profession Changes.
Chen Mang's expression turned slightly peculiar as he looked at the Train Conductor in the Train Radio who was engaging with the crowd. This was a Level 3 Train Conductor, someone he had never seen chatting in the group before. The recent changes had brought this person out, and a flood of people was eager to extract any unknown information from him.
This Train Conductor was kind-hearted and indeed shared some insights.
High-level Trains couldn't venture into low-level regions. For instance, their low-level region could only accommodate up to Level 3 Trains. Level 4 Trains couldn't enter their area.
The apocalypse had descended long ago, and not everyone had just obtained their Train Tokens in the past few months.
Those who had received their Train Tokens at the onset of the apocalypse and were fortunate enough to be within social organizations, lacking nothing in manpower, had developed for a full year. It was easy to imagine the extent of their advancement. If such high-level Trains came to plunder Slaves in uninhabited wastelands, no one could stop them.
The "Iron Ridge Wasteland," which could only accommodate up to Level 3 Trains, was essentially half a beginner's village.