Chapter 92: Building the Panliu Mountain Inn
Thinking of this, Su Tao started browsing through the existing system store. Sure enough, she found elevators in the Level 2 Home Furnishing Store.
But upgrading the home furnishing store to Level 2 required 200,000 Federation Coins…
She had worked so hard to save up 600,000, and now 200,000 would be gone in an instant.
Su Tao felt like crying but knew that an elevator was essential. No choice but to buy it.
With shaky hands, trembling like she had Parkinson’s, she clicked “Confirm Upgrade.”
Total assets -200,000 Federation Coins.
The elevator icon lit up, changing from grayed out to available for purchase.
But even a single elevator was expensive—costing 3,000 Federation Coins each.
Su Tao bought two and installed them next to the abandoned garage at the foot of the mountain.
Now, the elevators could take people directly to the mountain-top platform.
After that, she turned her attention to the abandoned garage. She wanted to inspect it personally before making any decisions.
Concerned for her safety, Guan Zining followed her inside.
The garage was pitch-black and reeked with an unbearable stench.
Su Tao took a step back, recalling that Shi Zijin had once told her—”Bone Wings” was discovered here. It had killed many people in this very spot.
Clearly, no one had bothered to clean up the bodies after all this time.
With the sweltering heat, the corpses had rotted away, releasing an overwhelming stench.
Su Tao felt a massive headache. It looked like she’d have to spend money hiring people to clean it up.
For now, she decided to leave it alone and focus on building the mountain-top inn first.
Taking the elevator back up, she reached the top.
And she had to admit, the view from the mountain was really nice.
It was spacious and open, allowing her to see a huge area at the foot of the mountain.
Although… all she could see was still just an endless stretch of yellow sand and barren wasteland.
Guan Zining, who had followed her up, was also a bit stunned. She slowly said:
“I heard from the Major General that twenty years ago, this mountain was a tourist attraction. At the time, I thought—what’s so interesting about a barren mountain? But now I see. Before the apocalypse, the foot of the mountain must have been filled with lush greenery, stretching as far as the eye could see.”
Su Tao suddenly understood. No wonder there was a parking lot at the base of this isolated mountain—it was meant for tourists.
But in just twenty years, everything had changed.
The garage once filled with parked cars had turned into a morgue, and the lush greenery had become a barren wasteland.
She sighed and opened the system to start building the foundation.
The inn’s floor plan was shaped like a lying “L”. The entrance area on the first floor was designed as a reception area.
Guests who wanted to book a stay or order food could check in here. Against the wall, she placed a water dispenser for the staff.
Entering the lobby and turning right led to the dining area, designed according to Taoyang’s layout, with tables and chairs that could accommodate 40 people at once.
Along the walls, she placed:
Two refrigerated bento cabinets, two breakfast machines, one self-serve beverage dispenser, one instant noodle machine, one ice cream machine— Everything needed to meet the dining needs of the guests.
Further inside was the kitchen, fully equipped with a stove, range hood, refrigerator, and tableware—costing 4,500 Federation Coins.
She planned to hire a chef for Panliu Mountain, offering not only vending machine meals but also freshly cooked homestyle dishes.
From the second floor onward, the area was dedicated to accommodations.
For now, she only planned to build single and double rooms since most visitors wouldn’t stay long—larger apartment-style suites would be unnecessary.
Each room was designed just like in Taoyang, equipped with a private bathroom and shower.
The second floor was completed with: Six single rooms, three double rooms.
All set to operate under a daily rental model, costing a total of 25,530 Federation Coins.
System pricing:
Single rooms: 500 Federation Coins per night
Double rooms: 700 Federation Coins per night
There was also a semi-circular balcony. Opening the door and leaning on the railing, one could see the foot of the mountain.
Just as Su Tao was about to start building the third floor, Guan Zining suddenly interrupted:
“Master Builder, sorry to cut you off, but it’s getting dark. The Major General is urging us to head back.”
Su Tao quickly closed the system and looked up—sure enough, it was already nightfall.
Guan Zining, who had been watching the entire process, asked:
“So that crystal core… it allows you to use your ability on Panliu Mountain, just like in Taoyang?”
Su Tao nodded. “More or less.”
“So, what exactly are you building? A supply station?”
She nodded again. “Yes, but better than the one we passed earlier. The pricing will also be more reasonable.”
Guan Zining’s eyes lit up.
“So once you’re done, we can come here during missions?”
“Of course. I’ll make sure it’s as comfortable as Taoyang.”
Guan Zining felt a surge of excitement—just imagining having a proper rest stop during missions made him feel relieved.
At that moment, Shi Zijin’s call came in, urging them again. The two hurried down using the elevator.
Just as Guan Zining was about to describe the mountain’s progress, Shi Zijin gave direct orders:
“Hurry up and pack your things. Zhou Hai and Zhou Yang will tear open a space rift to teleport you back. Also, Zining, make sure to bring back the medical equipment and the remains of our eight fallen soldiers.”
Guan Zining glanced at the truck behind them, his expression turning serious. He saluted and said:
“Understood! Mission guaranteed!”
“Go.”
Su Tao had nothing to pack—Lin Fangzhi was her only luggage.
Before the teleportation, Guan Zining turned to her:
“You’re only halfway done with Panliu Mountain. Will that be a problem? Will you need to come back? I doubt the Major General will let you return.”
Su Tao smiled. “No need. I can build remotely.”
Even though she wouldn’t be able to see it in person, she could still construct through the system without delay.
Hearing this, Guan Zining felt relieved. He saluted Shi Zijin and the others before waving goodbye.
Zhou Hai and Zhou Yang stood facing each other, stretching their hands into the air—as if tearing open a rift.
A dark void appeared within the rift.
Su Tao glanced toward the convoy, then at Shi Zijin.
He smiled faintly and waved at her.
For the first time, she saw relief in his expression—like he had finally relaxed after constantly worrying about her.
She suddenly realized: to him, she had been a burden all along. No wonder he had been so on edge throughout the journey.
Su Tao cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted: “Be careful on the road! See you when you’re home!”
The void engulfed her, along with her jeep, the medical equipment, and the ashes of the fallen soldiers—everything disappeared.
It felt like she had only dozed off for a few minutes.
When she opened her eyes again, she was standing at the entrance of DongyangGate No. 3.
Beside her, Lin Fangzhi looked just as confused.
Guan Zining quickly snapped back to reality, calling over the Dongyang personnel to unload the medical supplies.
He then called Pei Dong, instructing her to send someone to retrieve the soldiers’ remains and report the casualties to the military intelligence department.
Su Tao, standing in this familiar environment, suddenly felt like she had returned from another world.
She spaced out for a moment before opening the system to check Panliu Mountain’s map.
Sure enough, she could still continue building remotely.
I’ll stay up late tonight and finish the third and fourth floors.
Just as she was about to close the system and head back to Taoyang, she noticed something new in the top-right corner of the Panliu Mountain map.
It read: “Teleportation.”
Su Tao froze for a moment, then clicked it instinctively.
In the next second—she vanished.
She was suddenly back at the foot of Panliu Mountain.
The most disastrous part?
The convoy hadn’t even departed yet.
Shi Zijin wasn’t even in his vehicle.
He stood exactly where he had been, his expression frozen in absolute shock as he stared at her.
