Apocalypse: I Built the Infinite Train

【Devouring Progress: 80%】

Eight hours had passed, and Lin Xian was utterly drained. He sat inside the carriage of theHuanxing 7F Electric Locomotive, drenched in sweat.

This was the major drawback ofMechanical Devour—not only did it consume stamina, but it also required complete focus. Even if he reached 99%, if he stopped, all progress would be reset to zero.

That was why, without ample time and a safe environment, Lin Xian wouldn't dare attempt to devour something this massive.

Right now, after escaping from the underground city, they were on the vast snowfields. With theSoul Wave Detectorand the onboard radar scanning the surroundings, they had finally secured a brief moment of respite. Seizing this crucial time, he resumed devouring.

【Devouring Progress: 95%】

Lin Xian's hands were already trembling. He gritted his teeth—he was so close! Just a bit more, and once he succeeded, hisMechanical Heartwould level up, restoring some of his stamina.

"Come on, come on! Just a little more!"

At Level 3, hisMechanical Devourwas significantly faster than when he had devoured that short-haul freight locomotive. Otherwise, he would never have endured this long.

【Devouring Progress: 99%】

【Devour Successful! Mechanical Source Points +500. Mechanical Devour Skill Proficiency +200. Bonus Reward: Strength +30, Speed +20, Defense +30!】

【Congratulations!Mechanical Hearthas leveled up to Level 3. ActivatingMechanical Awakening!】

Zing!

Just as the success notification rang in his ears, the light-screen in front of him went black!

Crackle!

Countless arcs of electricity suddenly materialized around Lin Xian. His entire body felt incredibly light, but his left hand was violently trembling. He looked down sharply—

A metallic, rotating mechanism appeared in the center of his palm for a brief moment before vanishing again.

"What the hell just happened?!"

The electric arcs crackled wildly around him. His pupils reflected a faint blue glow, and then, as if rebooting, another system screen flickered into existence before his eyes.

【Congratulations! Awakening Successful!】

【Awakened Identity: Mechanic】

【New Awakening Skill Unlocked:R&D Center】

【New Awakening Skill Unlocked:Manufacturing Plant】

【Disassembly Space Expansion Successful (Capacity: 1000 tons)】

【Strength Level Upgraded to Level 3】

【Defense Level Upgraded to Level 2】

A flood of notifications bombarded Lin Xian's vision like a fireworks show.

The entireHuanxing 7F Electric Locomotivecrumbled into dust, completely devoured.

Lin Xian lost his balance and collapsed onto the tracks.

"C-Cold! Damn, it's freezing!"

He scrambled back into theInfinite Train, slamming the door shut behind him. Only then did he let out a relieved breath.

Opening his system screen, he took a look at his upgradedMechanical Heart.

【Mechanical Heart: Level 3 (245/5000)】

【Special Skills】

"MyMechanical Abilityhas finally evolved into a complete form!"

Lin Xian was ecstatic. After enduring so many hardships, he had finally achieved his first awakening. And the skills that came with it made him feel exhilarated.

"This—this is what aMechanicis supposed to be like!"

WithR&D Center, he could now upgrade blueprints automatically!

Excited, he immediately activated the skill. A research interface appeared before him, displaying aBlueprint Framework, surrounded by intricate circuit diagrams.

"Hmm… I can only pick one blueprint to research at a time."

Without hesitation, Lin Xian selected the1130 CIWSblueprint and placed it into theR&D Center.

Ding!

A red glow filled the research interface.

【High-Level Blueprint Detected. CurrentMechanical ManufacturingLevel: 2. Research Time Increased by 50%.】

【Select Research Focus:】

Lin Xian: "…"

"That's almost half a month! By the time it's done, the battlefield might have changed completely…"

Looks like the higher hisMechanical Manufacturinglevel, the faster his research efficiency.

Thinking about this, Lin Xian decided to test another blueprint—M556 Light Machine Gun.

【Select Research Focus:】

"Even that still takes over ten hours..."

He then tested theBlue Sky KK-93 Reverse Osmosis Water Purifierblueprint.

【Blueprint Detected. Research Duration: 6 Hours.】

"Huh, this one doesn't have a research direction… well, let's give it a go."

Water purification was a crucial issue. While they still had plenty of water on board, there was no sustainable recycling system in place yet. Sooner or later, they'd run out.

He originally planned to build one right away, but according to Shu Qin, the purifier's current efficiency was mediocre, requiring boiled water for full safety.

If theR&D Centercould upgrade it, he might obtain a higher-tier purifier.

【Alert:Blue Sky KK-93 Reverse Osmosis Water PurifierBlueprint is now being upgraded. Estimated Completion: 5:59:59】

The countdown timer started ticking, filling Lin Xian with anticipation.

Turning his attention to his left palm, he examined theManufacturing Plantskill.

According to its description, this might just solve his biggest materials problem.

【Manufacturing Plant: Scan a basic material to obtain its information. Select a material from theDisassembly Spaceto convert.】

"Hah! So now materials have ranks?"

Opening hisDisassembly Space, he noticed that all materials now had level indicators.

To test the skill, Lin Xian disassembled a bullet, extracted the smokeless gunpowder from its casing, and placed it in his palm.

Then, he activatedManufacturing Plant'sScanfunction.