As employee levels gradually increased, the fixed experience bonus provided by magic crystals had also become less significant.

However, currently, besides killing enemies, using magic crystals was the only option for rapid advancement.

For the past few days, the trio’s continuous trading never stopped. Relying on Bai Cheng’s enhancements and Yu Nian’s replication, they sold many legendary-grade items within Channel #2.

Not to mention ordinary Survivors, even the current leaders had rarely seen legendary items.

Although most were everyday necessities, their functions were attractive enough, and coupled with their rarity, the trio's sales plan was extremely successful.

Out of tens of millions in the entire channel, more than half were frantically killing enemies in their respective areas to gain experience, all just to snatch those rare legendary items from Bai Cheng.

But there was no way around it; the trio’s capabilities were limited, and now that they had «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» entered the Endless Sea with frequent mishaps, they couldn't focus all their attention on the exchange.

Bai Cheng counted her current magic crystals, totaling less than four hundred.

She began to carefully consider whether to invest all these magic crystals into a single employee.

Huang Yu was a support, so he wasn't considered at all.

Qingniao's level was insufficient, and her combat power was a bit lacking. In contrast, Lan Xiaoyu, currently only legendary-grade, still had room for improvement and couldn't be considered.

That left only Lü Duo, Zi Yuan, and Chiyan.

Lü Duo primarily used ranged attacks and was weaker in close combat, while Chiyan was completely unsuitable for the current terrain.

What Bai Cheng needed now was immediate combat power, so she could only pour all her resources into cultivating Zi Yuan for the time being.

Of course, a more important point was Zi Yuan's inherent attributes, which made her almost immune to any elemental restraint. Furthermore, all four of her traits were born for combat, and only Zi Yuan and Chiyan were currently the highest-level employees.

After comprehensive consideration, Zi Yuan was clearly the most suitable candidate.

As the absorption began, Bai Cheng also made her final arrangements.

“Nian Nian, I’ll listen to you. This time, I’ll take Lan Xiaoyu, Lü Duo, and Zi Yuan to pursue Lin Qiuyue. With Chiyan on the train, your safety should be temporarily assured.”

She looked at the two seriously: “Before I return, do not stop the train. Keep moving forward. Do not mine for anything. Wait until I return to make any decisions.”

Even with a full crew, they could only flee from the Merfolk Clan, let alone with Bai Cheng about to take half of the main combat employees away.

Yu Nian naturally understood the seriousness of the situation: “Xiao Cheng, don’t worry. Don’t you trust me? I would never act recklessly at such a critical moment.”

Leng Ningxue also nodded: “Bai Cheng, rest assured, the combat power remaining on the train is fully sufficient to handle all emergencies except for the Merfolk Clan. You too, Lin Qiuyue’s abilities are somewhat strange, so you must be extra careful.”

“Don’t worry,” Bai Cheng said, not being overconfident. She didn’t believe Lin Qiuyue and Xiao Ran could break through to War General-level.

At most, like Wang Gang before, it would be good if they had one War General-level employee under them.

“Lin Qiuyue’s train definitely hasn’t gone far yet,” Bai Cheng said, raising her hand to check the time. “At the speed of the powered railcar, if nothing unexpected happens, we can return smoothly by tomorrow.”

“Okay, please be careful.” Although she had absolute confidence in Bai Cheng and her employees’ strength, worry was still inevitable.

Bai Cheng packed her luggage; everything was ready.

At this moment, Zi Yuan had also finished absorbing all the stored magic crystals, and her aura rapidly surged at a visible speed.

However, Bai Cheng did not feel the powerful oppressive force unique to the Town Guardian Level from her, and she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

“Still not enough magic crystals?”

Zi Yuan failed to advance to the Town Guardian Level as hoped, still remaining at the War General-level.

Before departing, Bai Cheng clicked on Zi Yuan’s employee information on the screen in the bedroom carriage to check.

【Employee: Zi Yuan】

【Race: Demon Spirit Race】

【Level: War General Ninth Tier (98%)】

【Quality: Immortal】

【Spirit Weapon and Rank: Ming Yuan (War General-level)】

【Trait 1: Sword Master...】

“98%?” Bai Cheng raised an eyebrow at the sight.

So it was just that little bit short.

Leng Ningxue, seeing this, immediately suggested: “How about we acquire another batch of magic crystals now, and you depart after Zi Yuan breaks through, Bai Cheng?”

“Yes, that would at least be more stable, and personal safety is the most important,” Yu Nian also suggested.

But Bai Cheng shook her head: “Isn’t there a trading system on the powered railcar? We can do this on the go.”

“Moreover, I’m worried that if the advancement takes too long, I might not have a chance to catch up with Lin Qiuyue.” This time, Bai Cheng was determined to get revenge no matter what.

Seeing that the two were still a bit worried, she continued to reassure them: “Don’t forget my skill. If I drive the powered railcar, the speed will be five times faster than the train, so there’s no need to worry about accidentally encountering the Merfolk Clan.”

Indeed, and Bai Cheng herself had reached War General-level, so driving the powered railcar alone was no problem at all.

“Alright then.”

Bai Cheng immediately pressed the switch by the balcony, and as the steel gears on the roof meshed and vibrated, the powered railcar was slowly lowered onto the track at the rear of the train.

Bai Cheng and the three employees got into the vehicle, with her sitting in the main driver’s seat.

This was Bai Cheng’s first time attempting to drive the railcar since it was built.

A line of information appeared on the central control screen at this moment.

【Please enter coordinates or select a previously visited area to confirm the location!】

Bai Cheng looked at Lan Xiaoyu; with her mechanical affinity, she naturally wouldn't be stumped by this little gadget.

Lan Xiaoyu carefully sensed Lin Qiuyue’s water element’s direction, then tried to input a coordinate.

“Miss, the direction is correct. We can correct it multiple times along the way and find the target via the fastest route.”

“Good!” Bai Cheng nodded with immense trust, then decisively placed her hand on the powered railcar’s drive device.

A massive suction force instantly struck, as if touching a bottomless vortex.

Bai Cheng’s elemental power poured frantically into the railcar, and then spatial prisms similar to those appearing when the train activated its Armored Core skill emerged on the vehicle body.

“Full speed pursuit!”

The next second, the vehicle shot out instantly, sending the seawater on both sides flying and bursting into sparkling splashes.

The strong pushback also brought a look of joy to Bai Cheng’s face as she looked at the screen.

“Over seven hundred kilometers per hour, I don’t believe you can outrun me!”