Xu Huo took a look. An outsider would need some time just to read the operating manual for this vehicle, let alone drive it steadily through the desert.
Teacher Ai had already opened the navigation system. “This is an old navigation system that hasn’t been updated, but as long as the original roads haven’t been destroyed, it’s safer to follow the navigation.”
Xu Huo shared part of the map with him. “You’re experienced. What’s changed on the new map?”
Teacher Ai glanced at it and fell silent. A few seconds later, he asked, “Where did you get this map? Is it really up to date?”
“It’s from three days ago, so it’s quite recent.” Xu Huo zoomed in on one section. “The landscape elsewhere hasn’t changed much, but this Gobi desert beyond the desert area has changed drastically. What used to be here?”
“An energy mine.” Teacher Ai seemed to think of something and actually smiled. “Looks like they mined it out long ago.”
“This place is close to W19.” Xu Huo said flatly, “They’ve drained the lake to catch the fish. No wonder they’ve damaged the environment so badly.”
Teacher Ai’s mouth twitched. There seemed to be a hint of mockery on his face, but he said nothing.
Xu Huo picked up the communicator. “You can come over now.”
Before long, Shangguan Xi and the other two appeared in the desert. Of the three, Shangguan Xi was the fastest, while Ding Wei was a little slower. The third player brought up the rear, but his way of speeding up was strange. He was hopping, yes, like a long jumper, covering over ten meters with each leap. It looked a little strenuous, but he was still moving quickly.
Shangguan Xi arrived first, but he looked unhappy. Xu Huo glanced at him. “Since nothing came to blows just now, you don’t need to look so reluctant.”
“I wish they had tried something,” Shangguan Xi sneered.
Ding Wei came over and handed over the energy blocks without being asked. When she saw Shangguan Xi nod, Xu Huo stored some in the luggage compartment and placed the rest in the passenger seat.
Teacher Ai, who had already inspected the vehicle, said, “The energy blocks need to be replaced.”
Xu Huo climbed into the passenger seat and, following his instructions, pulled the energy compartment out from beneath the seat and replaced the old energy blocks with new ones.
“Let’s get in. It’s way too hot out here,” Ding Wei said after inspecting the driver’s compartment.
She and the other player, Zhao Jiahuai, took the back seats, while Shangguan Xi, who had gotten along poorly with them just now, chose the front passenger seat.
The vehicle was spacious enough for three people to sit up front.
“When we get there, I’ll remind you to use your items,” Teacher Ai said. “That way, we can avoid attracting large Mutants with the vehicle’s noise.”
Everyone on board said that was fine. As he flicked the switch, the vehicle shot off like an arrow loosed from a bow. Even on soft sand, it moved as smoothly as if it were on a level road, without the slightest strain. It was also much quieter than an ordinary vehicle.
“This thing’s awesome!” Shangguan Xi was instantly distracted. He leaned toward Teacher Ai. “Teach me how to drive it.”
“No.” Teacher Ai didn’t even glance his way as he flatly refused. “The controls mean different things on different terrain. There are at least eight systems. You can’t learn them in a short time.”
That only made Shangguan Xi more interested. He didn’t bother Teacher Ai while he drove, simply folding his arms and saying, “Then you drive. I’ll just watch.”
Two items were stuck to the rear window. When Xu Huo looked back, Ding Wei explained on her own, “I’m just recording the controls. If anything happens on the way, someone else can take over.”
Zhao Jiahuai nodded as well.
Xu Huo looked at the blowing sand outside. “It’s not safe outside the vehicle. Everyone, stay alert.”
Naturally. But as long as the vehicle kept moving, there shouldn’t be a problem unless they encountered a large Mutant. Even if some of the smaller Mutants were poisonous, they couldn’t get inside the vehicle.
Still, things could go wrong. About half an hour into the drive, an unpleasant smell filled the vehicle. Shangguan Xi noticed it first and turned to stare at the two in the back. “Toxic gas!”
The two hurriedly covered their mouths and noses. Zhao Jiahuai kicked open the door to air out the vehicle, only to be met by a blast of heat like a furnace. He quickly shut the door. By then, Ding Wei had already used her detector to check the air inside. She let out a breath of relief. “It’s not toxic gas. It’s just a foul smell.”
“How could there be a foul smell in a sealed vehicle…?” Shangguan Xi looked suspiciously at the two of them. “Which one of you farted?”
Silence fell over the vehicle for a moment. Apparently, when no one seemed willing to speak, Teacher Ai finally said, “It’s a stink scorpion. It must have crawled into the ventilation opening. The machine didn’t completely filter out the smell.”
As he spoke, he worked the controls. A few seconds later, the air inside the vehicle was back to normal.
Shangguan Xi seemed entirely oblivious to the awkward silence and went on talking to himself. “Good thing it wasn’t toxic gas. I think I’ll put on my protective shield.”
He used an item, a transparent square box fitted over his shoulders that didn’t obstruct his vision or speech. He chatted with Teacher Ai. “Why is it so hot outside? It’s much hotter than the intelligence said. Wouldn’t people dehydrate in no time out there?”
“Is all of W37 this hot?”
“You’ve had a hard time surviving in a godforsaken place like this. Without food and water, it must be impossible to get anywhere.”
“How long do we have to drive through this desert? Don’t tell me it’ll take ten days or half a month. By the time we reach W19, the day will already be gone. Can’t we go faster?”
“...I wonder if any players have tried crossing the desert on foot. Maybe someone even died of heat out here...”
As he listened to Shangguan Xi ramble on, Xu Huo checked the time. “We can take a break.”
Teacher Ai had been thinking the same thing. He found a spot somewhat sheltered from the wind and stopped the vehicle. The temperature inside was regulated, but he was still soaked in sweat.
Xu Huo handed him a bottle of water. “If you can’t keep going, we can rest a little longer. You’ll probably have to drive the whole way.”
“I can give it a try,” Shangguan Xi said, stuffing a piece of jerky into his mouth.
“Could you please give it a rest?” Zhao Jiahuai couldn’t help saying. “This is our only vehicle. If something happens to it, we really could end up walking until we’re roasted dry.”
Xu Huo patted him on the shoulder. “If you’re itching to do something, go sit in the back.”
Shangguan Xi gave an awkward smile. “I know how to tell what’s urgent and what can wait.”
The group had barely rested when the vehicle’s alarm began to sound. Teacher Ai immediately looked at the controls. “A Mutant is approaching at high speed.”
“Drive!” Shangguan Xi shouted.
“It’s just one Mutant. We can take care of it,” Zhao Jiahuai said. “I’ll handle it!”
With that, he opened the door and jumped onto the roof. After the vehicle had sped along for half a minute, a Mutant at least seven or eight meters tall, shaped like a lizard, appeared in their field of vision. It crawled incredibly fast, and the scales on its body reflected the light with a blinding glare. A pair of limbs resembling raptorial forelegs had evolved on the front of its body, but those things were at least two or three meters long. When they swung, they were almost nothing but a blur!
“That’s a mine lizard!” Shangguan Xi shouted. “It’s the fastest large Mutant in the desert, and its hide is tough and its blood runs thick. It won’t give up on its target unless it’s beaten half to death. Those things it’s waving around could slice this vehicle like tofu!”