"95-1, the barrel is still intact, but the receiver is basically ruined."
"This is a stock from a 191, but the gun body is nowhere to be found."
"An 81 magazine, but all that's left is the magazine."
"Ceramic plates from body armor, Jihua's, Level 5, this is good stuff indeed, just right since we're carrying Level 3 plates this time, we can take it along."
"A sapper shovel... Q3's, this thing can actually last this long??"
While rummaging through the "treasury," Chen Jian asked Xu Lie with some puzzlement:
"Where exactly did these people dig up all this stuff from? This basement is completely filled, just clearing it out would take considerable time."
Xu Lie stood to the side, blankly watching Chen Jian name each and every piece of broken weaponry on the floor, momentarily forgetting to respond.
He didn't understand where Chen Jian got his knowledge from, but he was acutely aware of what Chen Jian's "expert" demeanor signified.
Just when interrogating the innkeeper, Xu Lie had heard a phrase from him.
"Ghosts of the pre-cataclysm."
So perhaps these Chosen Ones possess pre-cataclysm knowledge?
If that's the case, it explains a lot of questions.
But on the flip side, if their minds do contain such unfathomably rich "divine truths," it also means they'll bring about endless disputes later...
They must be recruited.
No, even if they aren't recruited, we can't let them lean towards the Mechanical God Sect!
Xu Lie was pondering whether he should act more humble or intentionally display the strength of the Holy Blood Temple, but Chen Jian called out to him again, snapping him out of his slightly chaotic thoughts.
"What are you thinking? I'm asking you!"
"Huh? Oh... in the ruins!"
Xu Lie quickly answered:
"These miners belong to the lower levels of the Mechanical God Sect, their job is to excavate pre-cataclysm ruins across the continent and supply weapons and technology to the Mechanical God Temple."
"But as to where exactly and how they dig, we have no idea—after all, we're not keen on this matter."
"The philosophy of the Holy Blood Temple differs from the Mechanical God Sect, they're stuck in their ways, while we are trying to forge a new path."
"That's the fundamental cause of the conflict between us, but regardless of the reasons, we aim to be better than them..."
"Who asked you?"
Chen Jian interrupted Xu Lie, finding amusement in it as he clearly detected the underlying tone of exalting themselves while belittling the Mechanical God Sect, but he didn't mind.
There's bound to be conflict wherever people exist, not to mention they've already divided into factions.
Xu Lie's motives were understandable, he simply wanted to pull him into their camp.
However, he himself couldn't make such a decision so soon.
So he waved his hand dismissively and said:
"Let's not talk about these useless matters, what I want to ask is, do you know where exactly these things came from?"
"If we could find the source, we might be able to continue excavating like them, even if you don't use them, they'd still make quite the trading resource."
"Indeed."
Xu Lie nodded and replied:
"Under suitable conditions, we would also do such things."
"But the problem is, grave digging requires high skill, ordinary people simply can't manage it."
"As you've seen, most of Xia Ma Town's residents are mutated hybrids, they..."
"Can you get straight to the point!"
Chen Jian was nearly speechless from Xu Lie's ramblings, interrupting once more and asking:
"I have just one question, where did the equipment in Xia Ma Town come from?"
"A cave, an underground tunnel, or where exactly?"
"Most likely in the lake."
Xu Lie finally gave Chen Jian the desired answer, though it was far from satisfactory.
"In the lake? Why?"
"The monster's in the lake, so the resources should be in the lake, it's a straightforward deduction."
"Moreover, didn't you say there's a lot of... carbon... anyway, dead air at the bottom of the lake, that should be where the monster's lair is located."
Before Chen Jian could speak again, Xu Lie hurriedly explained:
"Right, we know there's a monster in the lake, but it never comes ashore, the threat is low, so no one targets it for hunting."
"We also don't know the connection between the monster and Xia Ma Town residents, but it seems they've formed some sort of symbiotic relationship now..."
"Like adherents and a mothership?"
"Yes, just like Chuansha's adherents and that Level 4 Monster."
"Understood..."
Chen Jian nodded.
From Xu Lie's words, he could tell the other wasn't lying, and the intel Xu Lie had on this small town only scratched the surface.
In fact, that was the most reasonable situation.
In the absence of ample long-range communication and transport, in the nonexistence of a unified regime, without sufficient grassroots control, the central authority should be ignorant of local situations.
Otherwise, why would those giant feudal dynasties get so severely strained just dealing with a rebellion?
It's because by the time they realized there was a rebellion, the rebel forces were already a formidable army.
And now, the power of the Holy Blood Temple seems even several tiers lower than a feudal dynasty, just knowing there is a Xia Ma Town here is already their capability limit...
With this thought, Chen Jian asked no further questions, instead joining other team members, focusing on rummaging through the neatly categorized trash.
"No need to concentrate on complete firearms, collect usable parts as well, maybe we can piece something together later..."
"Captain, there are bullets here!"
Lei Jie's slightly excited voice came from the corner, Chen Jian rushed over in two strides, and indeed found a large box full of bullets.
The wooden ammo box already had visible water stains, flipping open the lid revealed two rusted iron ammo cases.
UBP95-5.8 steel.
Standard 5.8mm ammo box!
Chen Jian eagerly opened an ammo box, but as soon as he touched it, he realized something was amiss.
This box had already been opened by someone.
Sure enough, upon opening, each of the two ammo boxes contained less than half a box of bullets, and the majority of bullets were rusted and damaged.
"Looks like the people of Xia Ma Town intercepted these bullets, sold off most of the intact ones."
Xu Lie commented as he came over.
"Take whatever there is... Lei Jie, pack it up."
"Shen Yue, did you find any bullets over there?"
"No."
Shen Yue's tone carried some hesitation.
"Didn't find bullets, but I found something..."
"What is it?"
Chen Jian raised his head, looking towards Shen Yue's direction.
And the latter was holding a piece of deep black metal, with a puzzled expression in his eyes.
"What is this thing?"
Chen Jian walked over, taking what Shen Yue held in his hand.
He lowered his head and examined it closely.
A hollow frame, movable joints, a micro hydraulic device at the top, and a servo motor at the side...
Chen Jian took a deep breath, he realized what this was.
Though the thing had come apart...
But without a doubt, this was definitely a single soldier combat exoskeleton!
An active exoskeleton!