CHAPTER 11: CHAPTER 11: WORLDS APART

After the initial shock, Qu Jianlei calmed down and began to think rationally.

In fact, he had never been very interested in "systems" as such.

In terms of rationality, carrying an elder’s residual soul around is more reasonable than a system.

If a system exists, especially one that can issue tasks, what kind of terrifying presence would be behind it?

Qu Jianlei believed that he should not casually abandon his intelligence and thus began to carefully calculate.

Then he silently recited the "Nameless Qi Refining Technique," tasted it repeatedly, and finally sorted out the clues.

This Qi Refining Technique truly deserves the name "Nameless," as its four thousand words offer vague details about cultivation.

It’s not that it isn’t clear, it’s purely a "lack of details."

Moreover, where the details are missing, it’s not that there’s no cultivation approach, but rather... there are too many possibilities.

Qu Jianlei slapped his thigh: Finally understood, this "Nameless Qi Refining Technique" was fundamentally deduced by me!

It’s highly probable that the small lake followed him through the journey, after all, artificial intelligence can also be seen as a segment of electromagnetic encoding.

Previously, because the physical body was too weak, it was impossible to awaken the small lake.

This time, with an unexpected opportunity and after consuming a large amount of nutrient injection, the small lake was activated.

The small lake and he could originally communicate through brainwaves, thus it sensed his recent needs.

So the artificial intelligence began to work, cramming, hastily deducing a cultivation technique...

Is it mystical? Of course, it’s very mystical, but Qu Jianlei felt this rationality was still better than a system attachment.

Evidence for this is that many Daoist Sect classics he didn’t remember well can now be recalled word for word.

Well, originally just strong in computational ability, now also a super memory capability added to it.

However, having hypermnesia is harder than hyper-computation, unable to forget what is seen, which is very frustrating...

Fine, these are not important matters; what’s important is explaining why the "Nameless Qi Refining Technique" has vague points.

A cultivation technique deduced in an hour, how strong could it be?

Moreover, it’s not the vast supercomputer combination of Divine Land supporting the small lake’s computing power, but a malnutritional human brain.

The driving force is no longer an endless supply of massive electricity, but rather... just a few tubes of nutrient injection.

Although it’s said "the human body itself is an inexhaustible treasure," achieving this result so far can lead to contentment.

Qu Jianlei calmed down and rewarded himself with a large gulp of water.

He then contemplated for about two more minutes and made a decision: gamble!

The Qi Refining Technique is incomplete? This doesn’t matter as long as proof of qi sensitivity in the lower dantian exists; this is enough!

He took ten minutes and conducted eighteen experiments.

The last experiment was conducted five minutes apart to prevent habitual illusions.

Another half hour later, he tried again and still no issues: this is it!

Really, the incompleteness of the Qi Refining Technique doesn’t matter; once the clues are sorted out, deducing bit by bit slowly suffices.

Although Qu Jianlei had extremely high intelligence and highly associational thinking, he didn’t have that kind of high-IQ irrationability.

Doing a project for three to five months was normal, and he thoroughly enjoyed the process of solving puzzles.

Most important is that from now on, he has a direction for his efforts.

The most frightening of life is confusion and despair; once there is hope, the spirit and energy transform.

Then he did Posture Stance for ten minutes, and after being exhausted, fell asleep on the ground.

This sleep shouldn’t have lasted long but was of very high quality; Qu Jianlei woke up refreshed.

Then he took half a tube of nutrient injection, carrying yesterday’s gains, and returned to his residence.

The residence was about forty kilometers from the shelter, which is Qu Jianlei’s daily activity radius.

The farthest distance he traveled was over sixty kilometers, never exceeding seventy kilometers, as it would be too dangerous.

His place was a semi-underground structure, approximately nine square meters, the result of his expansions.

When Qu Jianlei just crossed over, this small structure wasn’t much bigger than the shelter.

Around his residence, there were a hundred or so similar constructions, which could be considered a settlement in the Wasteland’s wilderness.

But this settlement was formed spontaneously, without any management, no one controlling anyone.

The owners of some buildings would suddenly disappear, never to reappear, and newcomers would occupy those buildings.

If facing a Mutant Beast attack, the inhabitants could choose to flee or resist, with no responsibilities or obligations.

But in a formal settlement, it would be different, with responsibilities and obligations clearly specified and corresponding reward and punishment systems.

So in this kind of outdoor settlement, petty theft was common.

Strangely, particularly severe acts of violence were seldom seen, however.

Ultimately, it was just a group of survivors huddling together for warmth; if the security conditions were too poor, who would come?

When encountering Mutant Beasts, they could choose to flee; when encountering the Fallen, there’s no escape, only fighting to the death.

Qu Jianlei hadn’t been home for a week. Upon returning, luckily, no one had taken over his small nest.

However, the spare tricycle inside his room was gone, along with a few metal rods and most of the charcoal.

Charcoal is a very important resource in the Wasteland. Not only can it be used for warmth, but it can also resist Poison Qi and filter dirty water.

Qu Jianlei doesn’t store much charcoal, only about ten pounds or so.

It’s not that he doesn’t want to store more, but the more he keeps, the faster it gets lost, and as a typical pauper, he wouldn’t take such risks.

On ordinary occasions, when a bit of charcoal goes missing, he’d probably curse a couple of times without much pain—can’t get it back anyway, and not cursing doesn’t feel good.

But this time, the spare tricycle was gone too, which was a bit too much.

So he walked to another semi-underground building and spoke in a deep voice, "Fat Sister, I want to ask you something."

A stout woman emerged from the underground, about 1.6 meters tall and weighing around 160 pounds.

She recognized Qu Jianlei’s voice and was initially wearing a look of impatience.

But upon seeing the Gauss Automatic Rifle behind him and then noticing the Laser Pistol at his waist, a smile quickly spread across her face.

"Oh, it’s Xiaoqu, got something for Fat Sister?"

Qu Jianlei asked expressionlessly, "I’m trying to find out who took my spare tricycle... and charcoal?"

"How would I know!" Fat Sister’s face suddenly dropped, the speed of her changing facial expression was truly fast.

"I run a general store selling bits and pieces, I’m not your Guard, asking me about this... are you stupid?"

Even in this wild Settlement, there are general stores, and Fat Sister herself also sells meat on the side.

Qu Jianlei’s face darkened, "You bought my tricycle twice from outsiders."

Fat Sister, although running a small business, has a wide range of dealings and purchasing stolen goods is fairly common.

After all, she certainly didn’t steal it, she can even tell who sold the goods to her.

For her, doing business this way is quite conscientious—I personally go to steal from you, and you can’t do anything to me.

But upon hearing this, Fat Sister instantly refused, "Got a couple of guns and think you’re amazing now?"

She dares to do business this way, not without backing—having a gun makes you formidable?

Actually, this was exactly the dilemma Qu Jianlei encountered earlier.

Though Qu Jianlei is weak, really wanting to get a gun or a Vibrating Blade, the difficulty... isn’t particularly high.

He himself specializes in setting traps, and fighting and killing is quite common in the Wasteland.

For example, as long as two groups start a conflict, he just needs to quietly watch, and he might get a chance to scavenge.

Qu Jianlei wouldn’t do such a thing, because he knows very well that even if he gets his hands on a gun, he’ll just be a lone commander.

If surrounded by a dozen guns, he’d have no choice but to kneel, resistance would be meaningless.

Unless he can use his abilities to pull together a team and form a force.

However, this is unrealistic, as his social skills are extremely poor.

Qu Jianlei only ever sincerely befriended one person and once had such a thought, but that guy died a couple of days ago.

So even if he could get a few guns, in the end, it would only bring shame, and even risk his life.

With a murderous intent, it’s better not to bother with such thoughts.

Fat Sister knows this well, so facing the fully armed Qu Jianlei, she’s not afraid at all.

Qu Jianlei silently took off the Gauss Automatic Rifle he was carrying and unlocked the safety, "Say that again?"

"Are you mad?" Fat Sister’s face changed, truth be told, she really was a bit worried that this fool might go crazy.

"My brother’s a Hunter... in the Red Bull Team! My other brother is in the Flying Car Gang!"

That’s her middle line for business, her brother is her actual brother, the other brother is a distant relative.

How strong the relationship is, it’s hard to say, but there really is a connection.

"I already knew that," Qu Jianlei slightly smiled and pulled the trigger.

The Gauss Automatic Rifle hit the ground, dust flew everywhere, and created a cup-sized hole.

"Though I have two guns, I should at least try to fight."

Fight your fight! Fat Sister cursed inwardly: Utter fool.

However, faced with such a stubborn person, she was helpless, can’t just wait for the other to go berserk, right?

So she straightforwardly answered, "Heard Morrison recently used the tricycle to transport goods to the Mine, not sure if it’s yours."

Morrison? Qu Jianlei actually knew this person, his expression instantly became quite peculiar.

"Can he bear such hardship?"

"Maybe he just wants to sell the tricycle," Fat Sister answered grumpily.

She knows Morrison better, that guy can steal or sneak, but he definitely can’t endure hardship.

Qu Jianlei stared at her for a while, then suddenly asked, "Did my charcoal... end up with you again?"

Fat Sister’s general store itself sells charcoal, such things aren’t locally produced... no trees around!

Qu Jianlei’s charcoal has been stolen, many times, often it ends up directly in Fat Sister’s hands.

After all, charcoal looks quite the same, can’t really mark it.

Even if secretly marked, kick it and break it into pieces, how can you trace it?