Zhang Yi possesses an intimate understanding of this region. In the entire Tianhai City, the warehouses of hundreds of conglomerates are concentrated here, varying in size. If all the resources could be gathered, not only would he be self-sufficient, but he could also support thousands of individuals effortlessly. However, the pressing issue is whether these resources still remain.
Equipping himself with a pistol and a crowbar, Zhang Yi arrived at the nearby Carrefour warehouse. Holding the crowbar, he smashed the window from the top. Upon sticking his head inside, he found the once vast warehouse now eerily vacant.
"Transported away?" Zhang Yi speculated, prepared for such an outcome. He proceeded to check other warehouses, all yielding the same result—medical supplies, daily necessities, food, snacks, and even pet food, all cleared out.
"As anticipated," he murmured. "During a catastrophe, the authorities swiftly notify the situation. Those in power undoubtedly prioritize the relocation of resources."
This realization prompted Zhang Yi to empty the Walmart warehouse a week before the disaster. He knew that when calamity strikes, influential figures would prioritize themselves, disregarding the plight of ordinary individuals.
Undeterred, Zhang Yi continued his search. Amongst the hundreds of warehouses, he hoped to discover overlooked items that could prove useful. Fortune favored his tenacity, as after a considerable effort, he uncovered a warehouse storing automobiles.
The vast area inside exceeded a million square meters, sprawling with luxury vehicles that once commanded prices in the millions before the apocalypse. Yet, now rendered worthless, Zhang Yi struggled to find any purpose for them.
Observing these vehicles, Zhang Yi considered collecting them for the sake of preserving a piece of the pre-apocalyptic world. Despite being unable to use them now, the allure of these high-end models appealed to him, akin to sophisticated collectibles.
Thus, he selected a dozen of his favorite cars and stowed them in his spatial storage. The ensuing day saw Zhang Yi engrossed in the warehouse area, occupied with salvaging what remained. Most warehouses had been cleared, leaving only items difficult to transport—such as large-scale machinery or batches of construction materials.
However, he found nothing edible or practical. Gritting his teeth, he reluctantly picked up various items, including heavy-duty trucks, excavators, a Rolls-Royce Phantom, and a bulldozer, rationalizing, "In case I need them later."
Though Zhang Yi entertained such thoughts, he found the idea amusing. In a frigid, snowy environment, these vehicles would barely move a centimeter, rendering them virtually useless. Luckily, his spatial storage accommodated these vehicles effortlessly.
Satisfied with his acquisitions, Zhang Yi decided to conclude his exploration. The area held little value for further investigation, and his immediate needs were met. Retrieving a chocolate bar from his spatial storage, he quickly consumed it despite the discomfort of the frigid wind intruding during the meal.
Lacking the option to drink hot water, Zhang Yi resorted to stuffing snow into his mouth, a makeshift solution for hydration.
Soon after, another destination occupied his thoughts. Due to his recent collection of vehicles, the idea of fuel naturally crossed his mind. While his spatial storage contained sufficient gasoline and diesel for daily life, considering the extensive use of the snowmobile as his primary means of transportation, Zhang Yi opted for caution.
He decided to visit a gas station in hopes of obtaining additional fuel. Riding his snowmobile, Zhang Yi contemplated and eventually headed towards Tianhai City's largest gas station.
Upon arrival, the once familiar site greeted him differently, covered entirely by fallen snow. The towering buildings around were his only cues to the station's location. Despite anticipating this outcome, Zhang Yi couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment.
"No tall structures at the gas station. Does this mean I won't find anywhere to refuel?" he muttered in frustration. "Damnable!"
Furrowing his brows, Zhang Yi felt somewhat helpless facing the current situation. Considering the thickness of ice and snow, manual excavation was nearly impossible. Moreover, who could predict how many years the snow calamity would persist? Was fuel conservation the future?
Reflecting on human vulnerability, Zhang Yi mused, "If only large-scale machinery were available for excavation."
A self-deprecating smile crossed his face. "Manpower is indeed feeble. If only we could employ substantial mechanical equipment for excavation."
Just as he was about to start his snowmobile, a sudden realization struck him.
"Excavation equipment?"
"A backhoe, perhaps?"
He had recently acquired some construction vehicles from the warehouse, including several excavators. Originally intended for preservation, they proved useful sooner than expected.
"Feasible!"
Determined, Zhang Yi retrieved a massive excavator from his spatial storage. The resounding impact as it hit the ground, sinking more than a meter due to its nearly twenty-ton weight, prompted a light chuckle from Zhang Yi.
"This works well. Saves me the trouble of digging downward," he remarked, acknowledging the fragility of the thin layer of snow on the surface, unable to withstand such weight.
Though inexperienced with operating an excavator, having driven cranes, forklifts, and large trucks during his warehouse work, Zhang Yi found the task manageable. The idea was unfamiliar, but with a bit of contemplation, he quickly grasped the basics.