Apocalypse Star House Hoarding

Chapter 296

Before Xi Yuan joined the team, arriving at a station like this would have required some time to adapt—figuring out whether the original inhabitants were primarily humans or robots, for example, or quickly accessing the internet to gather background information on the station.

But now, with Xi Yuan having a half-original-inhabitant identity, things became much simpler.

Just like in previous stations, the moment he stepped out of the exit hall, a set of background memories and general knowledge about this station automatically surfaced in his mind. Xi Yuan had thought that after experiencing the wolf-headed people in Fairy Tale Amusement Park, nothing could surprise him anymore.

Reality, however, proved once again that there was no such thing as the most absurd—only something even more absurd.

Xi Yuan found the nearest full-body mirror, took a photo of himself, and initially intended to send it to the group. But after a second thought, he decided against it—he couldn’t even bear to look at this appearance himself.

Just then, Yu Zhenzhen sent a message in the group chat.

Yu Xi: You turned into a robot? Explain in detail!

Xi Yuan: …

Honestly, he really didn’t want to explain.

This was a world with a federation-style background. Ninety-five percent of the planet was covered in water, and cities were built on the remaining five percent of land. Because land was scarce, the development of multi-layered floating structures had become necessary. Naturally, the upper levels had better sunlight and air quality, making them the equivalent of high-end residential areas for the wealthy.

There were no national divisions here, and while the city’s technology was highly advanced, it hadn’t yet reached interstellar levels. However, biomedical mechanics were highly developed.

In Xi Yuan’s implanted memories, humans and robots had coexisted for as long as he could remember.

Originally, biomechanical advancements were developed to meet medical needs. Artificial organs and limbs had helped countless people who had spent years bedridden or confined to wheelchairs stand up again.

It wasn’t until the emergence of artificial intelligence that fully mechanical robots began to be developed and assembled.

By now, fully mechanical robots were commonplace. However, due to the current limitations of technology, they couldn’t achieve a perfect human-like appearance—at a glance, one could still distinguish between humans and robots.

The person Yu Zhenzhen had seen on the street—the one who lost his arm in a car accident—if his outward appearance was completely human, then he was most likely just a human with a mechanical arm replacement.

As everyone was discussing the situation in the group chat, Ya Tong, who happened to be near a currency exchange similar to a bank, announced that she would open an unlimited currency voucher. Once the others had also obtained their virtual currency cards, she would transfer funds to them.

However, half an hour later, she sent another message, stating that she had just triggered a hidden fragment clue and had obtained a new memory shard.

The memory scene she received contained two key parts—one involved a consciousness-linked virtual training program, and the other depicted a conference.

In the conference scene, a man dressed in a uniform resembling that of an instructor stood at the front, his expression solemn as he addressed a group of people below him.

“…Remember, bringing back supplies is important, but your lives are even more important! I know that everyone here volunteered to come, and your dedication is admirable. But if you lose your lives, it won’t matter how much material you collect—you won’t be able to bring it back! So, remember—survival is the most important thing…”

The memory fragment wasn’t very long, and the only useful information was this speech. However, the meaning behind these words left Ya Tong puzzled.

There was no doubt that the instructor was speaking to people like them—those who had entered the Infinite Train world.

Up until now, they had assumed they were inside a digital, virtual world. But if this world were purely virtual, how would it be possible to “bring back” supplies?

More importantly, the speech implied that collecting supplies was the real purpose of entering the Infinite Train.

Yu Xi: If this is an interstellar setting, then it’s possible. In some sci-fi novels, there are ways to acquire resources from advanced civilizations.

Yu Xi’s perspective came not only from books but also from her experience with Xing Min—after all, all the star-tier items she used had seemingly materialized from nowhere.

Yu Zhenzhen: I’ve read about that too. Things like interstellar trade devices allow for the transfer of items from a virtual realm to physical reality. So, maybe the real world has suffered a disaster caused by a high-level civilization, but at the same time, it has also left a lifeline.

Xi Yuan: It seems that this disaster doesn’t just affect consciousness—it must also have caused severe resource shortages in the real world. Otherwise, why would gathering supplies be so important?

Lin Wu: Another possibility is that the disaster happened first, leading to the resource shortage. Then, high-level civilizations appeared and deployed various interstellar trade devices. These beings might be from another star system, or even another dimension. No matter what they are, their methods and technology are beyond our current understanding.

Yu Xi: Xing Min, what’s your take on this?

She figured that, out of everyone in their group, Xing Min—who himself came from a high-level civilization—would likely have the most logical explanation.

Xing Min: I’ve only obtained a single memory shard so far, so I don’t have any solid conclusions yet.

Ya Tong: Alright, I’ve now opened my virtual currency card. The card is linked directly to personal communication devices, which here resemble wireless earpieces. Once worn, a holographic interface appears in front of your eyes, displaying your personal identity data. Everyone should go find a currency exchange or a communication tool station to register for a device—it’s all free. Once you get your virtual currency card, I’ll transfer funds to you.

Everyone in the group responded with confirmation.

Ya Tong: No matter what, now that we know bringing back resources from the Infinite Train world is crucial, we need to start stockpiling supplies. I’m guessing that when we reach the final station and return to the real post-apocalyptic world, completing the world mission will depend on these supplies.

Her analysis made perfect sense. If entering the Infinite Train was meant to gather resources, and if they had voluntarily entered, then these materials were likely the key to their survival.

At the moment, none of them had obtained communication devices yet, so they couldn’t pinpoint each other’s locations or determine how far apart they were.

Among the six of them, Yu Xi and Yu Zhenzhen had the largest storage capacities. So, Lin Wu suggested that once they got their virtual currency cards, they should head to the nearest shopping mall to assess the situation and start purchasing goods.

As for the others, once their locations were identified, they would regroup with Yu Xi and Yu Zhenzhen as soon as possible.

Since this station was called “Devourer’s Domain,” and given the strange condition of the platform they had seen earlier—along with their accumulated experience from previous stations—they had a strong feeling that whatever disaster awaited them here was going to be massive.

They had to work efficiently, splitting up to stockpile supplies while ensuring they could regroup quickly.

**

Just as Yu Xi put away her phone and prepared to scout the area, she suddenly heard a voice in her head.

【Can you hear me?】

Yu Xi: Xing Min? Yeah, I can hear you!

【Good. If we can communicate, that means we aren’t too far apart. I wanted to tell you—your speculations about this post-apocalyptic reality, especially Lin Wu’s theory, feel strangely familiar to me.】

Yu Xi: The idea of high-level civilizations deploying interstellar trade devices?

【No, it’s the second half of the sentence. His guess that advanced civilizations might come from other star systems or even different dimensions reminded me of what happened in my own world…】

Yu Xi immediately understood: Are you saying that the disaster in your world… is similar to the post-apocalyptic reality outside the Infinite Train?

【Yes. Let’s do this—you finish what you’re doing first. Once I get my location, I’ll come find you, and I’ll explain everything in detail when we meet.】

Yu Xi: Alright, got it.

Following Ya Tong’s directions, she looked for the currency exchange and communication tool station, which both had eye-catching 3D holographic signs above them. Now that the sun had set and the city lights were turning on, these holographic signs stood out even more against the darkening sky.

Fifteen minutes later, Yu Xi had set up her communication device and activated her virtual currency card. As soon as she sent her account number to Ya Tong, the money was instantly transferred.

Ya Tong’s generosity far exceeded Yu Zhenzhen’s. Yu Xi counted the zeros trailing behind the number and let out a small gasp of surprise.

The communication device, which resembled a wireless earpiece, was officially called a “Life Assistant.” It replaced everything Yu Xi knew—phones, bank cards, ID cards, passports, and more.

The best part? It was voice-controlled.

She inserted the “Life Assistant” into her ear, where it automatically attached itself securely.

Then, by pressing a button on the device, she could operate it entirely through voice commands.

“Show me all nearby stores, supermarkets, and shopping centers… Highlight the nearest, most well-stocked supermarket… Activate navigation.”

Half an hour later, Yu Xi followed the navigation and arrived at an enormous, uniquely designed one-stop supermarket.

The so-called “one-stop” concept meant that this place had everything related to daily life—food, clothing, housing, and transportation.

The supermarket’s structure resembled a giant honeycomb, built entirely of hexagonal glass panels, forming a pyramid-like building. According to the “Life Assistant” description, each of the honeycomb sections on the outer layer functioned as a shopping compartment.

Upon arrival, customers could select an available shopping compartment via the entrance’s navigation system. After paying a deposit, they could lock in their chosen space and take an elevator up.

These compartments varied in size, ranging from six to over twenty square meters, with rental prices adjusted accordingly.

Each compartment provided free tea and snacks, along with a holographic screen displaying all available products for selection.

Customers could browse the holographic screen, choose items, make payments, and then either have their purchases packaged and sent directly to their compartment via a transport track or delivered to a specified address.

At first, Yu Xi thought this shopping compartment system was redundant—after all, if purchases could be delivered directly, why bother coming in person?

But once she started browsing the product selection, she quickly understood.

There were over a hundred thousand different items available, and not everything was suitable for online purchases.

For instance, when buying clothes, no matter how advanced technology became, people—especially women—preferred to try things on before purchasing. If the fit wasn’t right, they could immediately return the item.

It worked the same way here. As long as the item wasn’t food or beverages, customers could open and try on clothing, shoes, or accessories. If they weren’t satisfied, they could simply place the item back into the return track. Once the supermarket verified that the product was undamaged and clean, a full refund would be issued.

Additionally, aside from standard furnishings like tables and chairs, each shopping compartment included a small bed and a bathroom, resembling a hotel room. Some people even used these compartments as temporary accommodations.

No matter the time of day, customers could buy anything they needed and receive it instantly—an incredibly convenient system.

Since she had the funds, Yu Xi naturally selected the highest-tier shopping compartment.

Located on the seventh floor, her compartment was a nearly 30-square-meter square room. The outer-facing glass windows were composed of multiple hexagonal panels, forming a protruding bay that made the interior feel even more spacious.

Inside, in addition to comfortable sofas and tables, there was a massage chair and a chaise lounge. The bathroom was small but functional.

She even considered staying here for a few days. With over a hundred thousand products available and an entirely automated staff of robots, no one would question where her purchases went.

The first floor of the supermarket was entirely dedicated to transport vehicles. Shoppers who bought large quantities could choose to send their items to a transport vehicle assigned to their compartment. Later, they could either pick up their goods in person or pay an additional fee to have them delivered.

Yu Xi walked to the beverage station inside her shopping compartment, poured herself a cup of lemon tea, grabbed a sandwich, and then sat down in front of the holographic product display to browse the inventory.

Food, drinks, daily necessities, perfumes, jewelry, fruit, alcohol, clothing, furniture, tech products—everything was available.

She focused on the clean water section first.

Aside from traditional bottled water, there was a unique device—a specialized container bottle that could generate purified water from air.

This water-generation device functioned similarly to the metal ice she had previously purchased. However, while metal ice compressed existing water and later restored it, this device extracted water directly from the air through a special process.

The downside? The water yield was relatively low. Each container could only produce about 50 liters. However, it was incredibly compact—just slightly larger than a lipstick—and lightweight.

Moreover, the 50 liters it produced met drinking water standards and could last a long time under normal usage.

The bottles were sold in packs of ten, with ten packs per box.

They were expensive. When compared by volume, the price was more than twenty times that of regular bottled water.

But Yu Xi had money.

She placed an order for 30 boxes of the water generators. Instantly, a red warning message appeared on the holographic screen, notifying her that her deposit was insufficient and that she needed to increase it before the goods could be packed and sent.

Yu Xi: …

She swiftly adjusted her deposit to a high amount and instructed that all 30 boxes be delivered to the transport vehicle linked to her shopping compartment.

Once the system confirmed that the items had been loaded, she took an elevator down, found her assigned transport vehicle by its compartment number, and checked the inventory.

The transport vehicles were massive—mainly due to their oversized cargo sections. The driver’s seat was minimal and designed exclusively for robotic drivers, making it impossible for regular people to operate.

Since she hadn’t requested delivery, the driver’s section was currently unoccupied. Without opening it, she confirmed everything was correct and immediately stored all 30 boxes of water generators in her spatial inventory.

Then, she returned to her shopping compartment and resumed her shopping spree.

By the time Xing Min arrived, guided by her coordinates and shopping compartment number, Yu Xi was completely absorbed in an unstoppable shopping frenzy in front of the holographic screen.

Xing Min gave a low cough, finally pulling her attention away from the screen.

Yu Xi poured him a cup of lemon tea, then sat down across from him, waiting for him to explain the disaster that had occurred in his world.

Xing Min took a sip of the warm tea before speaking slowly.

“Have you ever heard of a dimensional storm?”