Just over ten kilometers away, atop a snowy peak, stood a human town in full steampunk style.
This human town was built along a cliff, with half of the buildings embedded in the mountainside and the other half hanging suspended in mid-air.
On the cliff were countless interwoven copper pipes and iron ladders, connecting buildings of all sizes.
Surrounding the outer edge of this Survivor Town was a massive semi-transparent glass-and-copper dome. The outside of the glass cover was encrusted with frost, while the inside was covered in steam pipelines of various sizes. At the top of the dome stood a petite Watchtower, where a brass telescope spun atop the tower, accompanied by a gear-driven searchlight.
Its purpose was likely to monitor for potential avalanches or approaching enemies.
The streets of the town were paved with wrought iron mesh, beneath which roared a hydraulic transmission system. Residents dressed in heavy leather and woolen coats moved about, wearing walking-assist boots. Some even had delicate, compact respirators on their faces.
Beneath the town were numerous docks of varying sizes.
There hung countless Hot Air Balloons, Jet Planes, and Airships.
In addition, the town was equipped with many Heavy Machine Guns and Cannons. Residents carrying Firearms patrolled frequently.
Li Ye’s gaze paused at the top of the dome where the Watchtower stood.The resident on sentry duty had clearly spotted the Tomorrow Alliance and began frantically waving their limbs and shouting loudly.
He couldn’t help but smile gently.
Anyone would panic upon seeing four Level 2 Mobile Cities migrating across snowy peaks.
So, he ordered Tang Fang to sound two long and one short steam whistle.
Upon receiving the signal from the Tomorrow, the town responded with the same pattern of steam whistle.
After the communication, Li Ye continued to observe the town through his Binoculars.
To him, this town perched on a snowy peak was quite novel.
While he was watching, Lin Xia lightly tugged at his coat.
"Hey, this town looks pretty nice, doesn’t it?"Her eyes sparkled."Why don’t we go check it out?"
Li Ye pondered for a moment, then shook his head.
Although he was curious about this Survivor Town too, the top priority for the Tomorrow Alliance was to keep moving.
Only a day or two into the Plateau Zone, and already many aboard the Tomorrow were suffering from Altitude Sickness.
The newly trained Doctors and Nurses were urgently treating them.
Not only that, the City Committee had specially installed numerous greenhouses in the Mid-level Farmland and connected them to Steam Pipelines to raise the temperature inside, preventing the crops from freezing.
Seeing Li Ye like this, Lin Xia couldn’t help but pout in disappointment.
"So boring, I don’t want to talk to you anymore."She gave Li Ye a light push."Go back to work!"
She then realized something, and her cheeks flushed slightly.
"Also! Stop coming to the Watchtower for no reason. People are already starting to misunderstand our relationship!"
Li Ye shook his head and smiled, then descended the Watchtower.
To his surprise, someone actually suggested visiting that Survivor Town.
"Let’s go check it out,"Lin Wu adjusted his glasses.
"Why?"Li Ye asked curiously."You interested in that Survivor Town too? I thought you weren’t that kind of person."
Lin Wu gently shook his head and pointed toward the town.
"Did you see its setup? Level 2 Airships, Level 2 Hot Air Balloons, Level 2 Heavy Machine Guns, Level 2 Cannons, and the patrolling personnel carrying Level 2 Firearms. That’s clearly a Level 2 Survivor Town."
"Level 2 Survivor Town?"
Lin Wu then gave Li Ye a quick rundown.
In the Wasteland, aside from Mobile Cities, Bounty Hunters, Caravans, and Survivor Towns also had a Class Rank System.
However, unlike Mobile Cities, their levels weren’t clear-cut or visually displayed. Instead, they had to be judged by their equipment and configuration.
For example—
If a Bounty Hunter had a Level 1 Vehicle, Level 1 Bulletproof Vest, Level 1 Firearms, Level 1 Blades, and a set of strong Level 1 items, then they would be a “Level 1” Bounty Hunter.
Similarly, if a Survivor Town had a Level 1 Caravan, Level 1 Firearms, Level 1 Heavy Machine Guns and Cannons, or even a Level 1 Fortress, then it would also be a “Level 1” Survivor Town.
As Li Ye listened, his mind stirred.
"So according to you, there are higher-level Bounty Hunters and Survivor Towns out there?"
"There should be,"Lin Wu nodded.
Following Lin Wu’s advice, the Tomorrow Alliance should take a short break in this Survivor Town.
There, they could engage in territorial trade, gather Intelligence, and purchase Supplies.
Li Ye thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
He opened the System, and the system cooldown had already reset.
【Next Intelligence Refresh in: 7 hours 59 minutes 59 seconds】
【Number of Intelligence: 5】
"Eight hours... Probably just scraps again,"he thought."Might as well rest in this town for eight hours and check out the new batch of Intelligence."
At his command, the Tomorrow blew its whistle to notify a few companions and slowly headed toward the snowy peak where the Survivor Town stood.
Though it was only a little over ten kilometers, it still took a good while to arrive.
Upon reaching the snowy peak housing the Survivor Town, the Rock Nail Anchor at the base of the Tomorrow plunged deep into the frozen ground, hammering thick steel pillars into the Ice Layer and locking onto the mountainside.
The Universal Tread Cluster also ceased moving. Each meter-wide tread segment dug deep into the rocky layer.
At the city’s core, the Gyro Stabilization Pod began high-speed operation, constantly fine-tuning the center of gravity through its intricate Gear Set.
As the Gyro Stabilization Pod gradually stabilized, Lin Wu gently nodded.
"All set."
This snowy peak stood over two thousand meters high. The four Mobile Cities were now temporarily stationed along the mountainside.
At the foot of the mountain was a frozen river.
As Li Ye excitedly stepped out of the Cockpit, preparing to head to the Upper Deck and pilot the Goblin Helicopter to the town, Lin Wu called out to him.
"Our Vehicles haven’t been modified for Plateau anti-freeze. They might malfunction and crash mid-flight,"he said.
Just as Li Ye hesitated, the Survivor Town responded.
They sent Airships toward the four Mobile Cities, clearly intending to receive them.
Li Ye and the Combat Personnel assigned to escort him all boarded the Airship together.
At that moment, he suddenly realized something and turned to look at Lin Xia atop the Watchtower.
"You’re not coming?"
Though Lin Xia felt a bit of anticipation in her heart, she gently shook her head.
"No, no. I still have to hold my post."
In fact, before heading to the Survivor Town, Li Ye had already made a series of arrangements.
The Helmsman was on standby in the Cockpit, Combat Personnel were ready, and the Black Hawk Helicopter on the deck could take off at any time. In his absence, his deputy Lin Wu would temporarily take over command.
Even the Combat Personnel escorting him were equipped with Level 2 Military Daggers, Level 2 Shotguns, and Level 1 Peregrine Falcon Assault Rifles.
That said, Li Ye felt the people of this Survivor Town probably didn’t harbor ill intentions. After all, the disparity in scale between the two sides was obvious.
If Li Ye gave the order, the Tomorrow could easily wipe them out.
As he departed, seeing Lin Xia’s reluctant expression, he ordered one of the Combat Personnel to take over her post on the Watchtower.
Lin Xia, as if granted a pardon, instantly clung to his arm in excitement.
"Let’s go, let’s go!"
But she quickly realized and withdrew her hand, sticking out her tongue sheepishly.
"By the way, where’s that Lookout girl who’s usually with you?"Li Ye asked.
Lin Xia gently shook her head.
"She hasn’t come out yet. So I often stand in for her."
Li Ye’s eyes flickered, but he didn’t press further.
He had actually learned about A-Chen and that girl’s situation through Tang Fang.
Seeing Li Ye’s group approaching fully armed, a town resident piloting the Airship was momentarily stunned.
"Hey, no need to be so cautious,"he waved his hand,"We’re the ones who should be afraid here."
After all, four Level 2 Mobile Cities were stationed nearby — anyone would be intimidated.
While riding the Airship, Li Ye glanced at its information.
【Item Name: "Snowpeak Walker" Airship】
【Level: Level 2】
【Additional Effects: 1. Reduces turbulence impact during flight by 40% 2. +30% cold resistance】
【Construction Requirements: 125 units of Iron Ore (Level 2), 50 Fabric (Level 2)】
"Not bad attributes,"his eyes lit up.
These effects were clearly designed for operating on the Plateau, and the resource cost was relatively low.
"Speaking of which, how did your town manage to craft these Level 2 items?"he turned and asked.
The resident patiently explained.
This Survivor Town was called "Snowcap Town" and had a history spanning over a hundred years.
Given how dangerous the Wasteland was, the first generation of Snowcap Town’s people decided to take a different route and make a living in the Plateau Zone.
They were not unprepared.
The leaders of that generation had friendly ties with the Lord of a Level 2 Mobile City, and this Mobile City happened to be a Climbing-type city.
This brought them great advantages.
The people gathered various materials in the Plateau Zone and handed them over to the Mobile City, which helped them build Snowcap Town on the snowy peak and craft a range of Level 2 items.
These Survivors, full of hope, settled in their new home atop the snowy mountain.
In the beginning, they faced many problems and were flustered, but over time, they gradually adapted.
Over the last century, that Level 2 Mobile City continued to visit Snowcap Town periodically, assisting in the crafting of Level 2 items.
Naturally, the Lords of the Mobile City didn’t live that long, but were succeeded generation after generation.
Snowcap Town and that Mobile City had maintained several generations of friendship.
Everyone listened and nodded in agreement.
This world was full of both scheming and mutual support.
Moved by the story, Li Ye suddenly realized something.
"By the way, is that Mobile City still at Level 2?"
The resident nodded.
Not every Lord pursued development like Li Ye.
Some Lords were content simply to keep their people alive and continue their lineage.
While they talked, the Airship arrived at Snowcap Town, and everyone disembarked in order and entered the town.
People from the other three Mobile Cities also arrived.
Li Ye looked closely and saw Zhou Xing, Fang Yong, and Yang Zheng among them.
The Mayor of Snowcap Town hurried over to welcome the four Lords.
His hands were trembling with excitement.
These were four Level 2 Mobile Cities, and from their configuration, they looked quite formidable.
Fortunately, judging from their appearances, these four Lords seemed rather easy to get along with.
Li Ye briefly expressed his request. He planned to rest for a while in Snowcap Town and purchase some Supplies, such as medicine for Altitude Sickness.
"By the way, what do you usually eat?"
The Mayor snapped his fingers.
"Please, follow me."
He led the group toward the massive glass dome that covered the town.
There, everyone saw densely packed Farmland.
Inside this enormous glass-and-copper dome was a series of mechanical equipment.
There were Steam Pipelines for raising temperature.
There were mirrored Reflector Panels to focus and refract the thin sunlight.
There were Spray Nozzles that melted Ice Layers and misted water.
And within the Farmland were clusters of silvery-white crops.
【Item Name: Frost-plated Oats】
【Item Level: Level 1】
【Additional Effects: 1. Cold Resistance 2. Growth cycle reduced by 50%】
The exterior of Frost-plated Oats appeared as silver-white grains, coated with a layer of ice crystal plating.
According to the Mayor, Frost-plated Oats tasted refreshingly cool.
Before the four Lords could speak, he had residents bring over 4 packs of Frost-plated Oats Seeds and distributed them to Li Ye and his group.
Not only that, he also had residents prepare a set of Plateau Medicines and a batch of Respirators used in the Plateau Zone.
Since he didn’t have many Crystal Coins on hand, Li Ye decided to barter with Supplies.
He gave the Mayor a batch of Cola, Orange Juice, and Iced Black Tea, along with a variety of vegetables and fruits.
This instantly delighted the townsfolk — after all, their usual diet was extremely limited, consisting of little more than oats.
What made the Mayor even more thrilled was that Li Ye also gave him around ten kinds of Level 1 Crop Seeds.
"T-this is too generous, really,"he said, rubbing his hands.
Li Ye smiled and waved it off, telling him not to worry.
For the Tomorrow, the cost of these Level 1 Crop Seeds was very low. Giving them away to build goodwill was ideal.
In the time that followed, the Mayor began introducing how Snowcap Town operated.
In fact, there were some Level 2 Monsters in the Plateau Zone.
For example, the Frostbound Giant Spiders that crawled between snowy peaks.
The agile Icefield Swiftwolves.
The cunning and clever Yetis.
And the Frostfang Worms that weaved flexibly through the Ice Layers.
The main business of Snowcap Town was to seek out and hunt these Monsters in the Plateau Zone.
As Level 2 Monsters, their drops were quite valuable.
Not only Iron Ore, Coal, Fabric, and various Finished Products, but even Blueprints!
In addition, the monsters themselves dropped unique proprietary Materials.
Every so often, the residents of Snowcap Town would ride Airships and sell off these Spoils.
Besides Monster hunting, they also gathered various resources from the Plateau Zone.
All in all, this Level 2 Town lived quite comfortably.
There were no competitors, and the survival pressure was low.