Twenty minutes later, Ren Zhong and Zheng Tian left side by side, walking quickly towards the centralized sleep pods.
Halfway there, Zheng Tian was full of doubts, wanting to speak several times but stopping.
However, Ren Zhong maintained a high and cold demeanor throughout, deep in thought, unwilling to chat.
Zheng Tian ultimately did not ask.
Ren Zhong's expenses tonight were not small.
The talent test cost 5 Contribution Points, which won't need to be tested again next time, saving this money.
Well, if there is a next time.
Then Ren Zhong bought an entire set of simple training-type exoskeletons, priced at 20 Contribution Points.
This item looks nothing like an exoskeleton, consisting of a tactical vest, camouflage pants, sun hat, gloves, and shoes, all made of organic fibers and circuits hidden in the fabric layers, providing nearly no impact protection and no combat power boost.
However, the importance of training gear needs no further explanation.
This is the stepping stone for every pure newcomer entering the field of mechanical warriors.
It has two major functions.
First, for those whose understanding of mechanical warriors remains superficial, they can experience the feeling of controlling a real combat-type exoskeleton through the training gear.
Second, through conservative low-intensity stimulation, it allows micro-electric currents to flow continuously through the human neural network, like a rushing river broadening riverbanks, gradually increasing the Biological Electric Power Value of the body.
If one day Ren Zhong's body can reach the maximum output power of the training gear, it means he can switch to actual combat equipment.
Additionally, Ren Zhong purchased five compression batteries for use with the training exoskeleton, each costing 2 Contribution Points totaling 10 points.
These three expenses alone consumed a total of 35 Contribution Points, equivalent to more than a month's income for other members of Zheng Tian's team, a significant sum.
But these expenses were all justifiable and necessary.
However, Zheng Tian couldn't understand why he bought something else.
Magnetic Storm Dust Hand Grenade: a Third Level special bomb, which upon explosion can disperse nanometer-level neodymium-iron-boron strong magnetic powder, covering an area of 30 meters, with a total powder mass of 3 kg and a floating time of 30 seconds. Price 50 Contribution Points.
This thing is a Third Level one-time-use consumable item, rarely usable and very expensive.
The team's professional bomb handler, Ou Youning, could only afford two with his entire fortune.
But Ou Youning would never buy such a thing, rationality would be lost.
In short, thanks to Ren Zhong's extravagant spending, he spent a total of 85 Contribution Points tonight in the Military Weapon Store, the deduction causing Zheng Tian beside him to feel anxious.
Returning to the sleep pods, each settled down, Ren Zhong finally lay down, feeling slightly relieved.
If Zheng Tian had asked him why he bought the grenade earlier, he really wouldn't have been able to answer.
His achievements today were satisfactory overall.
The only regret was that after these expenses, he only had 17.52 Contribution Points left, unable to afford a First Level Basic Exoskeleton of the same level as Wen Lei. He could only wait until he saved enough to think about it again.
Balanced First Level Basic Exoskeleton, which includes five base parts: head, body, hands, legs, and feet, totaling 150 Contribution Points, with each part requiring an average of 30 points.
Ren Zhong was not in a hurry now, anyway, he wouldn't dare to wear it even if he bought it.
At exactly ten o'clock in the evening, Ren Zhong "fell asleep" as scheduled.
The night was as fulfilling as before.
"To do a good job, one must first sharpen his tools," he spent all his time learning the basic knowledge of mechanical warriors.
He comprehensively learned the instructions for using training gear and learned the four major parameters for advancing mechanical warriors: Brain-Machine Synchronization Rate, Biological Electric Power Value, Brain Reaction Index, and Physical Comprehensive Index.
The Brain Reaction Index and Physical Comprehensive Index relate to practical combat ability; being slightly below the mark is fine, as long as he can wear the equipment.
Ren Zhong's Brain-Machine Synchronization Rate is already up to standard.
The most immediate improvement needed is the second parameter, Biological Electric Power Value.
The specific calculation of Carrying Power Value is complex, but its external representation can be simply summarized that the higher it is, the more maximum power a mechanical warrior can output with the armor.
For example, Wen Lei is currently a seasoned First Level warrior, so his armor's maximum output power must exceed 10 kilowatts.
As for Ren Zhong, this number is currently at most 1 kilowatt, necessitating the use of training armor to improve.
Once this number exceeds 10 kilowatts, he can wear First Level equipment, barely qualifying as a prospective First Level warrior who hasn't passed the professional title examination.
The next morning, everything repeated with some slight differences.
Upon waking from sleep, Ren Zhong first checked the balance on his wrist watch.
Great, it increased by exactly 1 point, now it's at 18.52.
The formal wrist watch indeed doesn't require paying the insanely high 90% tax, allowing Ren Zhong to make money while lying down in the future.
Ren Zhong received "another" invitation from Zheng Tian to become a temporary team member.
Then the six of them went to the cafeteria to eat, and then to the parking lot.
Compared to last time, Zheng Tian's mood seemed excessively better, walking briskly, causing the whole team to move faster.
To prevent disrupting the timing, Ren Zhong had to control his stride and step frequency throughout, forcing the other five to slow down, swaying along at his pace, determinedly dragging out the time.
Arriving at the parking lot, they saw the professional team showing off again, made some simple jokes, and departed.