**[Target: Level 1 Thunder Shell]**
**[Type: Quantity Critical]**
**[Talent Activated]**
**[Activation Successful, Multiplier: 49x!]**
In the Ammunition Bay.
The moment Jiang Zhixu's talent activated successfully, 49 Thunder Shells materialized out of thin air!
Including the two remaining shells, the "Deep Blue" now had a total of 51 Level 1 Shells, a quantity far exceeding the conventional shells of others.
"Even though it's not the first time seeing this, the City Lord's talent is still unbelievably impressive," Qi Honglang remarked beside him.
Only the two of them were in the Ammunition Bay, as the fewer people knew about Jiang Zhixu's talent, the better.
Jiang Zhixu nodded, then said with a hint of greed, "It's a pity it can only be used once a day."
"......"
Qi Honglang opened his mouth, wanting to say something about not flaunting in front of him, but he held back.
After a moment, looking at the full stock of shells, he eagerly suggested, "City Lord, how about we... find a place to test fire one?"
This was a Level 1 Shell!
Test firing, in the resource-scarce Wasteland Region, was such a luxurious term.
Facing Jiang Zhixu's gaze, he justified, "After all, none of us have actually operated a Level 1 Cannon.
"I believe it's necessary for our gunners to personally experience its trajectory and power. Only with firsthand data can we perform better in actual combat. Don't you think?"
Jiang Zhixu nodded slightly, "I think you're right."
In truth, he was also itching to try it.
He cleared his throat, maintaining the dignity of a City Lord, and ordered, "Go see if Lu Yan is asleep. If not, have him come and join us for the firing."
"Got it!"
Ten minutes later.
Qi Honglang led a sleepy-eyed Lu Yan over quickly.
The boy yawned and rubbed his eyes as he walked, tears of drowsiness at the corners of his eyes.
"City Lord, he wasn't asleep," Qi Honglang reported with a straight face.
Lu Yan: "......"
He didn't understand how Mr. Qi could lie with a straight face.
But despite his young age, he knew better than to expose a superior's lie, so he forced himself to ask, "City Lord, is there something you need me to do?"
Jiang Zhixu handed him a tissue, gesturing for him to wipe his eyes, "Want to fire an Italian cannon?"
His eyes lit up instantly, all sleepiness vanishing, his voice rising an octave, "Yes!"
Only then did he realize that firing meant there was an enemy!
He tensed up immediately, his expression alert, "City Lord, is there another raider city approaching?"
Saying this, he turned to rush towards the gun turret's observation port.
"Don't rush," Jiang Zhixu quickly pulled him back, "There's no enemy! We're just preparing to test fire a Thunder Shell."
"Test... test fire?"
Lu Yan's mind couldn't quite grasp the concept.
In such a resource-tight time, which mobile city would waste resources on a pointless shell test?
After all, they were all produced in the Workshop, with parameters guaranteed to be accurate, and no chance of defective products. What was the point of a test fire?
But thinking of the City Lord's miraculous ability, Lu Yan decided not to voice his doubts.
Besides, firing a Level 1 Shell!
It was something he hadn't even dared to dream of before.
After all, he was just a teenager, and how could he not be excited?
"Are we firing now? What will be the target? It's so dark now, won't it be hard to see?"
Lu Yan blurted out a series of questions.
His words made Jiang Zhixu realize something.
Yes, it was too late.
He wasn't worried about visibility—he believed the Thunder Cannon would be more visible at night—but rather about waking the entire city.
Everyone had been through intense battles during the day, both physically and mentally exhausted, and they had to work early the next day. Waking them for a test fire was indeed inconsiderate.
Jiang Zhixu felt a bit regretful.
"Forget it, let's wait until morning and let everyone have a good night's sleep."
"On the contrary, City Lord," Qi Honglang suddenly said, "I believe now is the perfect time to wake everyone and have them watch the test fire together."
Jiang Zhixu was taken aback, "Why?"
Qi Honglang explained, "We just successfully staged an uprising today, and the people in the city are still unsettled, having just gone through a battle. Everyone is still on edge."
He sighed, "Even if everyone is asleep now, they're likely filled with anxiety, unsure of what tomorrow will bring. But if we wake them to watch the test fire together, there are at least two benefits."
He held up a finger, "First, collective activities help foster a sense of community and belonging. Second, and most importantly, it demonstrates our ability to protect them, providing the 'sense of security' they need most!"
In the Old World, this was known as a military parade.
Though they lacked the conditions for that now, a test fire could achieve the same purpose.
Qi Honglang confidently assured, "City Lord, I guarantee that after this shot, everyone will sleep more soundly and peacefully!"
This wasn't something he made up on the spot just to see the cannon fire; it was a well-thought-out plan.
Otherwise, it would be nothing more than a childish act of curiosity, something he couldn't accept himself, let alone propose formally to Jiang Zhixu!
—So I was the only one who just wanted to see the cannon fire.
He mocked himself inwardly but remained composed outwardly, making a decisive decision:
"Let's do it! Use the broadcast system to inform everyone to come to the upper deck! Also, since it's going to be an event, it can't be too shabby. Fire three shots, all with Thunder Shells!"
With 51 Thunder Shells in reserve, using three to boost morale and unity was a deal that couldn't go wrong.
"Yes!"
Qi Honglang immediately went to make arrangements.
...
The quiet Freshwater Lake shimmered under the dim moonlight.
A massive steel beast lay quietly by the shore, a thick water intake pipe submerged in the lake, gurgling as it replenished the city's freshwater reserves.
And in the distant darkness.
Another giant lay hidden, silently watching the beast drink by the lake.
—Level 1 Mobile City, Silence.
It had arrived half a day before the "Deep Blue," and after replenishing its freshwater resources, it hadn't left.
At this moment, in the City Lord's Chamber of Silence, City Lord Liu Yao and his core officials were in discussion.
Their discussion focused on the newly arrived "Deep Blue" at the Freshwater Lake!
"... Now, let's vote. Do we remain dormant or hunt this unfamiliar city?"
The City Lord initiated the final vote.
"Silence" didn't fly the Dragonhunter Flag and wasn't purely a raider city.
However, faced with a seemingly defenseless, rundown city like "Deep Blue," which appeared to lack strength.
They didn't mind taking this opportunity!
"I agree. Since we've decided to settle long-term around the Freshwater Lake, we need to boost our strength."
"Exactly, capturing this city, absorbing their technology and slaves, even if we can't use them ourselves, selling them to Rust Town would fetch a good price."
"I agree too!"
"I oppose! If we're transitioning to a settlement city, we can't make enemies like before. After all, we'll rely on selling freshwater, and who knows if this city has any allies!"
"I... I'll abstain."
City Lord of Silence surveyed the room, seeing everyone had expressed their stance, he said, "Alright, with a vote of 3 to 1, notify the entire city to prepare for battle! In five minutes, launch a surprise attack!"
"Wait!"
Just as the order was given, an official suddenly exclaimed.
Through the porthole of the City Lord's room, he was shocked to see that two kilometers away, that city... suddenly lit up brightly!