Chapter 44: New Uses for the Crimson Sky Forge

Chapter 44: Chapter 44: New Uses for the Crimson Sky Forge

Shen Manyun shook her head, her expression somewhat dim.

"She’s still breathing, but she just won’t wake up."

"My Healing Art level is too low; I can barely keep her alive."

Hearing this, Tang Ling glanced enviously toward the second floor.

"If only our talents could be upgraded too."

"Then we wouldn’t be limited to firing up the furnace just twice a day, and you wouldn’t have to watch someone you want to save slip away."

At these words, Shen Manyun fell silent.

She understood Tang Ling’s little thoughts. In truth, it wasn’t just Tang Ling; even she herself was tempted.

If she could upgrade her talent like Gu Yihan, perhaps she could save this poor girl, or even gain more say within the team.

But...

Shen Manyun thought of her boyfriend from her original world.

Although they had only held hands and gone no further, that sense of moral restraint still made her hesitate.

If she just gave herself away like that for survival, what difference would there be between her and those women who sold their bodies?

Tang Ling didn’t notice Shen Manyun’s inner conflict.

She took out the Crimson Sky Forge, preparing to use her last remaining opportunity for the day to make something.

"Teacher Shen, I’ll make this kettle first."

"Besides this, does everyone need any other urgently needed furniture?"

Shen Manyun thought for a moment and said:

"We still need a toilet and drainage pipes."

"Preferably... preferably we could also make a showerhead for bathing."

"Everyone’s been drifting at sea for days now, covered in sweat and the smell of the sea. It would be wonderful if we could take a hot bath."

Hearing this, Tang Ling’s eyes lit up.

A bath!

For girls, this was simply an irresistible temptation.

"Yes, yes, yes! Bathing is so important!"

But Tang Ling soon furrowed her brow again.

"However, that requires a blueprint."

"Such complex piping design is hard to make just from imagination."

The two opened the Trading House again and began searching for relevant blueprints.

Soon, they were pleasantly surprised to find a product named [Level 3 Steam Bathroom Retrofit Blueprint].

This blueprint not only included mold designs for the showerhead and toilet.

More importantly, it provided a complete set of hot water circulation connected to the Steam Core, as well as a system solution for pumping and draining water using steam power!

By consuming just 50 resource points and sufficient space materials, they could utilize the waste heat generated by the Steam Core to provide an endless supply of hot water for bathing!

Seeing this blueprint, the two women were instantly excited.

Although the seller had priced it at 300 Evolution Points, which was a bit expensive given current prices.

But for the chance to take a hot bath, it was all worth it!

Tang Ling gritted her teeth and looked toward the second floor.

"I’m going for it!"

"I’ll go ask the captain right now for permission to buy this blueprint!"

"For a bath, even getting scolded would be worth it!"

Second floor, Captain’s Quarters.

After a bout of passion, Lin Ji leaned refreshed against the headboard.

Gu Yihan lay lazily in his arms like a docile kitten, a trace of ambiguous moisture still lingering at the corner of her mouth.

Suddenly, a rustling sound of footsteps came from outside the door.

Followed by a cautious knock.

"Knock, knock, knock."

"Who is it?" Lin Ji asked lazily.

"Captain... it’s me, Tang Ling."

Outside the door, Tang Ling’s voice trembled slightly, clearly still shaken by what she had just witnessed.

Lin Ji raised an eyebrow. Hadn’t this girl run off earlier? Why was she back now?

"Come in."

After receiving permission, Tang Ling took a deep breath and pushed the door open.

As soon as she entered, she was stunned by the view inside the room.

Though it was still just a bare, unfinished space, the expansive sea view and the nearly thirty-square-meter area felt like a completely different world compared to the crowded bunkroom on the first floor.

However, what caught her attention most were the two people on the bed.

Gu Yihan was looking at her with a faint, knowing smile, her eyes carrying a hint of intoxication and satisfaction.

Meanwhile, Lin Ji was shirtless, his well-defined muscles gleaming under the sunlight.

"What is it?" Lin Ji asked.

Tang Ling quickly averted her gaze and opened her Logbook of Navigation, showing Lin Ji the [Level 3 Steam Bathroom Retrofit Blueprint].

"Captain, I’d like to request permission to purchase this blueprint."

"We’ve all been at sea for two days now, and everyone’s covered in sweat. It would be wonderful if we could take a hot bath."

"Plus, this blueprint includes a complete set of bathroom facilities. It can operate using waste heat from the Steam Core."

Tang Ling listed all the advantages in one breath, afraid that Lin Ji might refuse.

Lin Ji glanced at the blueprint and frowned slightly.

"It’s a good idea."

"But have you considered that this thing requires steam as a heat source?"

"We don’t even have fuel to power the ship right now. Where are we supposed to get waste heat for your bathwater?"

Hearing this, Tang Ling froze.

That was true. In her excitement, she had completely forgotten the fundamental issue of energy.

Without coal or Magic Crystals, even the best equipment would be useless.

The light in Tang Ling’s eyes instantly dimmed.

Just as she was about to leave in disappointment, Lin Ji suddenly laughed.

Tang Ling looked up abruptly, her face filled with surprise.

"Really? Captain, do you have a solution?"

Lin Ji didn’t answer directly. Instead, he gave Tang Ling a meaningful look.

"There is a way, but..."

"This bathroom must be built in my room."

"And I want transparent glass partitions."

"From now on, anyone who wants to bathe will have to come to my room."

"That way, I can enjoy the view too. What do you think?"

Hearing these blatant words, Tang Ling’s face flushed bright red all the way to her ears.

This was practically outright harassment!

But...

Surprisingly, she didn’t feel much resistance in her heart. Instead, there was a faint sense of anticipation.

In the past, she would have definitely thought Lin Ji was a pervert.

But now, in this post-apocalyptic world, the privileges of the strong were just this simple and direct.

Moreover, being noticed by a man like Lin Ji was itself proof of one’s worth.

"I... I have no objections."

Tang Ling lowered her head, her voice as soft as a mosquito’s hum.

Lin Ji nodded in satisfaction and waved his hand.

"Come on, bring your Smelting Furnace and follow me to the Power Chamber."

...

The Power Chamber was located at the very bottom of the ship, dark and damp.

Five massive Steam Cores stood silently there, like a group of slumbering giants.

Lin Ji led the women here.

Though none of them knew what he was planning, they all obediently followed behind.

"Tang Ling, bring out the Crimson Sky Forge."

Lin Ji pointed to the Steam Core in the center.

Though puzzled, Tang Ling complied immediately.

The crimson Red Sky Forge materialized out of thin air, the perpetual flames within still burning quietly.

"The fire in this Smelting Furnace has never gone out, has it?"

Lin Ji asked.