Starting Cultivation in Wasteland-Chapter 584 - 454: Major Trouble

This is really troubling, Qu Jianlei sighed, even the Baofeng series would drain my savings.

He pondered for a moment then asked, "What configuration is the Baofeng series, and how is it better than the Pioneer?"

The assistant explained that the performance of the Baofeng series is roughly three to five times that of the Pioneer.

The reason it's so expensive is that improving the performance of portable terminals is very challenging.

Also, the Baofeng series is quite durable and can be used in extreme environments.

In other words, it's not just a specialized device, but also of high-end quality, so naturally, the price is steep.

As for the Vortex series, its performance is about ten times that of the Pioneer.

Its durability doesn't match the Baofeng, but you can customize a protective shell—just pay extra.

"I want the Vortex," Xiao Hu murmured in Qu Jianlei's mind, "I really want it."

I would love to buy it for you, but the problem is, I don't have the money.

Qu Jianlei glanced helplessly at Xiang Xue, "The Storage Talisman... do you want it?"

He has eight Storage Talismans, one of which is almost useless and was used to hold Wei Shile's body, then thrown into the river.

"Yes!" Xiang Xue answered without hesitation but then looked at the assistant.

"I have to ask, isn't your markup a bit much?"

"Not really," the assistant replied solemnly, with obvious helplessness on the face.

"This information is hard to come by unless you specifically seek it out, we are telling you because we are all friends."

"I'll check it out later," Xiang Xue spoke up, having the typical demeanor of a young lady who doesn't care about others' feelings.

The assistant didn't mind and instead looked at Qu Jianlei, "Sixteen thousand... eighteen at most, no more than that."

"No need, thanks," Qu Jianlei waved a hand, not wanting the other party to notice anything in the terminal.

Whether it's the female assassin's data or any changes Xiao Hu had made, he won't let anyone have the chance to investigate.

However, considering the assistant did provide quite a bit of information, he explained, "This terminal has other significance too."

"Sentiment?" The assistant actually understood this, so nodded, "No wonder."

Yet, after the other party left, he muttered, "It's just a tool, talking about sentiment..."

Qu Jianlei didn't leave empty-handed this time; at least he learned about the types of terminals available.

But the price really gave him a headache.

On the way back to the dorm, Xiang Xue started contacting people to understand these specialized terminals.

Qu Jianlei thought for a moment and also called Gradi to see if she had any cheaper channels.

This matter couldn't be handed to the Guard Captain because he was worried the captain might use it to get too close.

Debts of gratitude are the hardest to repay, and while the Guard Captain's wife's influence isn't large, her information channels are probably decent.

Gradi clearly didn't know the specifics of these terminals either, but she agreed to ask around for him.

It must be admitted that the Guard Captain's wife's information channels are really smooth.

Qu Jianlei just got back to his small courtyard and was about to start cooking when her call came in.

The price Gradi found was about the same as the assistant quoted—this is the price for available stock.

If Qu Jianlei is willing to wait, the Pioneer and Baofeng series can be had at half price.

That's the official price, but when the stock will arrive, she wasn't quite sure—this is an official allocation of resources.

As for the Vortex series, it could be about a thirty percent discount, but you'd have to wait two months.

So, the assistant's offer was actually quite fair.

Qu Jianlei thought the half-priced Baofeng series was not bad—affordable and the performance wasn't too shabby.

But Xiao Hu kept nagging, it really didn't want the Baofeng.

Qu Jianlei had no choice but to negotiate, "This is our financial situation; we can't go all the way at once."

Xiang Xue agreed to buy the Storage Talisman, but depending on the durability, each Storage Talisman ranges from fifty to a million.

Of course, that's because she has a source for obtaining Storage Talismans, so she's destined not to buy at high prices.

For those without sources, never mind a million, they'd pay three million willingly.

But people who can casually take out three million are really not many, and most of them have related sources.

And Qu Jianlei didn't want to sell Storage Talismans to strangers.

First, it would draw attention, and second... what if the person used the Storage Talisman for something bad?

If the government or military traced it back, there would be trouble.

In fact, the likelihood of being implicated by a buyer is low—I only sell, why should I interfere with how others use it?

However, the mere fact that a Modified Warrior is selling Storage Talismans is itself a significant issue.

Where did the Storage Talismans come from? Do you have more if you're not keeping them for yourself?

Even if all they trace back is his intention to buy specialized terminals, Qu Jianlei would feel uncomfortable.

What's worse, Xiang Xue said she would only buy three at most—there's no need to stockpile these things.

So if Qu Jianlei really wanted the Vortex, it would mean depleting everything he has.

But Xiao Hu kept pestering, "If we don't go all the way now, buying the Vortex later makes this intermediate terminal a bit pricey, don't you think?"

In the end, it just wants to get everything done in one go.

Qu Jianlei frowned slightly, planning to find out after cooking whether selling this second-hand equipment would significantly reduce its price.

However, he didn't even need to ask because Xiang Xue already found out, "Second-hand equipment isn't cheap, mainly due to regulatory factors."

Little Hu started whining again, and the sound was as desperate as it could get.

But just as Qu Jianlei was eating, Gradi called him and told him some good news.

She had a friend in the government whose department had a used Baofeng with pretty good functionality.

Last year, that department upgraded their equipment, and now this one is collecting dust in the storeroom.

In light of the Guard Captain's wife's influence, that person is willing to sell the equipment at half the official price.

In other words, if Qu Jianlei wanted, he could get that second-hand equipment for about a million.

Qu Jianlei was a bit surprised and said he would think about it, then hung up the communication.

Zi Jiu Immortal immediately remarked, "That's a good price; when you upgrade in the future, doubling the sale price will be easy."

In fact, according to Xiang Xue's earlier information, if he could find a buyer, selling it for twice the price would be quite effortless.

Even Little Hu stopped whining, although it really wanted the Vortex, this deal was indeed worth it.

It sulkily said, "Abusing public office for personal gain... I hate people from the government!"

Qu Jianlei, however, gave a wry smile, "But this is a personal favor. If money can solve it, why owe a favor?"

"It's not a real favor," Aunt Liu, who rarely spoke, chimed in.

"If they really wanted to do you a favor, they could report it as a loss; why sell it at half price?"

"You can do that?" Zi Jiu Immortal exclaimed with her mouth open in disbelief, a statement that overturned her understanding.

"What did you think?" Xiang Xue retorted, which was her usual style, "Having a bit of power in the government makes making money really easy."

Then she looked toward Qu Jianlei, "It does give you some face, but not as much as you thought."

Hearing this, Qu Jianlei felt tempted, "So... I can buy it?"

"Go ahead and buy it," Xiang Xue nodded, "Accepting other's goodwill is also a kind act."

Qu Jianlei nodded slightly at her words, "That's true."

Little Hu whined twice before sulkily saying, "Hurry up and make money, I still want the Vortex."

"Let's get one to use first," Qu Jianlei silently comforted it, then raised his Communication Watch...

Gradi's influence was indeed significant; by noon the next day, someone brought the Baofeng.

The Baofeng is slightly larger than the Pioneer, about the size of an A4 sheet, but it's three and a half centimeters thick and a bit cumbersome.

The person asked for nine hundred and ten thousand, but Qu Jianlei directly offered nine hundred and twenty thousand, "Consider the extra as your errand fee."

After completing the transaction, he went to the teaching assistant to get some help with tests.

Technically speaking, he should have tested it beforehand, but doing so would be a bit too disrespectful to Gradi.

So he just powered it on and found it could switch on and off normally, which was considered an inspection.

The teaching assistant almost dropped their eyes out seeing the Baofeng, "You managed to buy this? How much did it cost?"

Qu Jianlei didn't say, just smiled, "Help test it, see if you can enhance the performance."

The teaching assistant finished testing and said, "It can still be improved by about fifty percent. You don't need to leave; I'll help you fix it by this afternoon."

For such an expensive equipment, he didn't want anything to go wrong, so having the other party supervise was a necessity.

He worked until dark before finishing the equipment adjustments, which cost eleven thousand.

Anyway, it was usable. That night, Little Hu optimized the Baofeng.

Then Qu Jianlei activated the helmet, wanting to view the Array materials.

He unexpectedly found that the Array material permissions were closed, which explicitly reminded him—"Borrowing is not allowed after work hours."

"Is there a time limit on online viewing too?" Qu Jianlei's mouth twitched a bit.

"I can crack it," Little Hu volunteered, "Half an hour should be enough."

Qu Jianlei hesitated for a moment but shook his head, "Forget it, this is the main control of the Fourth War Zone Headquarters, let's keep a low profile."

Even if Little Hu could guarantee not to be discovered, he didn't want to take the risk—it was indeed too sensitive, a military headquarters of a war zone.

The next morning, he finally connected to the Array Book Library he wanted to read.

It had been three days since he obtained that access.

There were quite a few books on arrays inside, nearly fifty, and there were three to four hundred various studies and experiences.

However, Qu Jianlei's permission only allowed him to see the Array Original Manuals; he didn't have access to books on experiences and applications.

Only talents trained by the military could view those experiences.

But for Qu Jianlei, experiences were far less important than the original manuals, so it suited his preference.

To avoid suspicion about copying, he slowed down the speed, reading only four books a day.

Just as he took off his helmet, planning to eat, his Communication Watch vibrated—it was the Guard Captain calling.

"Panda, something's wrong!"

(It's the first day of December, seeking a monthly vote of support for the bottom line.)