Yi Bai carefully examined the details of the Level 2 Research Facility. According to the description, the Level 2 facility indeed offered more room for expansion.
"More space? How big could it be to justify 2000 points?" Yi Bai wondered, curiosity piqued as he opened the construction interface. He was immediately stunned.
"What the hell! The construction range for the Level 2 Shelter extends to the entire building!" Yi Bai gasped in surprise. He hadn't realized this when he upgraded the Level 2 Shelter earlier, and there hadn't been any prompts in the shelter mechanism about this either.
It was only now, when Yi Bai opened the construction interface himself, that he saw the full scope. The Level 2 Shelter now covered the entire building and the surrounding area. All the regions marked for construction were within the scope of his Level 2 Shelter.
The Level 2 Research Facility's construction range was similarly vast. Yi Bai could freely arrange and expand it without any spatial limitations. This meant that, if he wanted, he could dedicate an entire floor, several floors, or even the entire building to be used as a research facility!
And no matter how much space Yi Bai planned to use, the facility would come equipped with the necessary research tools and equipment—plenty of them. There would never be a situation where the space was huge, but the equipment was lacking.
"No wonder it costs 2000 points; it's actually reasonable." Yi Bai murmured, realizing it was worth the investment.
But there was a problem. After upgrading to the Level 2 Shelter, he had fewer than 2000 survival points left.
"Not enough points… Looks like I'll have to wait for a while." Yi Bai sighed, not closing the construction interface just yet. Instead, he began browsing other room construction options.
The Level 2 Shelter had more available spaces and upgrade options, but most of them were expensive in terms of points. Still, many of the rooms had effects that greatly tempted Yi Bai.
"Crap, how many points do I need to earn to afford all this?" Yi Bai thought to himself. He estimated that he would need at least ten thousand points to build or upgrade even the basic rooms of the Level 2 Shelter.
That was over ten thousand points! Given his current point-earning methods, a month wouldn't be enough to gather that amount. Even if he used the strategy of destroying shelters to earn points quickly, it wouldn't be sufficient.
Most of the survivors nearby had already joined Yi Bai's faction. The remaining ones had either left for more distant places or died off in the apocalypse. A few lone wolves still hid themselves, unwilling to contact Yi Bai, and he wasn't interested in wasting time tracking them down for a few points.
"This is the second month of the apocalypse, and the points from barbaric expansion are no longer enough to sustain normal development."
Yi Bai reflected. "The first stage of expansion is almost over. Now, it's all about either exploiting existing resources or opening new ways to earn points."
His thoughts drifted to the people in his settlement.
Currently, the settlement had over 3200 survivors, not counting his personnel. Thanks to the rewards from the first round of the apocalypse's end, the survivors who had lost their shelters had received new ones. This meant that all 3200 people now had shelters.
Even though these were just Level 0 Shelters, destroying them would grant Yi Bai a whopping 320,000 basic survival points!
"Should I go through with it?" Yi Bai's eyes narrowed. He had to admit, the temptation was strong. Destroying the shelters of 3200 people could yield him a huge amount of points, greatly benefiting his cause.
Such a windfall could not only fund the full upgrade of the Level 2 Shelter, but also enable him to upgrade and build a Level 3 Shelter!
"I think I've become a bit ruthless," Yi Bai murmured, realizing that he was starting to accept things he would never have considered before.
"Indeed, people change." Yi Bai took a deep breath. He didn't linger on it too long and summoned Jiang Xiaoci to discuss the matter.
He laid out his plan. "If I do this, will it have major negative consequences?"
"It's feasible," Jiang Xiaoci immediately assessed, her smile serene as she met his gaze. "You needn't feel guilty, sir. Any faction's development relies on the sacrifice of some individuals."
She continued gently, "You're just taking drastic measures in a time of crisis. Besides, people will understand and even thank you."
"Thank?" Yi Bai was momentarily baffled. "I'm destroying their shelters, and they'll thank me? How does that work?"
Yi Bai knew Jiang Xiaoci was trying to reassure him, giving him a reason to justify his actions, but it was hard for him to see how people would be grateful for the destruction of their shelters.
"Of course they'll thank you," Jiang Xiaoci blinked her eyes, smiling. "You told me that after the first round of the apocalypse ended, many people who had lost their shelters were given new ones, along with their talents."
She paused for a moment, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret. "I've just completed a survey of our survivors. While most of their new talents are still quite weak, the sheer number of them has led to a few stronger ones. We even have one person with an A-grade resource talent."
Jiang Xiaoci looked up at Yi Bai with a soft smile. "What I mean is... the shelter's talent is a form of hope in the apocalypse. Now that people have regained hope, do you think they'll feel despair when faced with their still mediocre talents?"
Yi Bai frowned, starting to understand.
"I imagine they must envy those with strong talents, like the ones in your settlement. I've heard people talk about your talents—many wish they had a gift like yours."
She leaned in closer, whispering, "And now, after the first round of the apocalypse, people are wondering if those who lose their shelters in the second round will receive new ones with new talents. I think it's almost certain."
Yi Bai blinked in realization. "I see…"
He gasped, surprised at how sharp her reasoning was. "You mean I could destroy those shelters with poor talents and give these people the chance to acquire new ones!"
Yi Bai marveled at the idea. What seemed like a cruel act could be reframed as a noble gesture. By destroying their shelters, he could offer them a second chance at better talents in the next round of the apocalypse.
Not only would he improve his own position, but he could also position himself as the savior of these people—no one would resent him, and they would be grateful instead.
"Exactly, sir. You understood so quickly," Jiang Xiaoci said with a proud smile, her beauty all the more radiant.
Yi Bai shook his head. "I'm not that clever. What seems simple in hindsight is actually quite complex. You're the smart one here."
Jiang Xiaoci's smile deepened as she handed him a form. "I've prepared this for you. There are 3,358 survivors in our settlement, of whom 2,252 have talents that are below average. These people are unlikely to contribute much to the development of the settlement or their own growth."
She looked up, her voice soft but firm. "Perhaps you can start here."
Yi Bai was taken aback by the data laid out in front of him. Each survivor's talent and potential had been meticulously analyzed by Jiang Xiaoci.
"Everything's already prepared…" Yi Bai couldn't help but admire her. She was always a step ahead, providing exactly what he needed at the right time.