Lin Ke never expected that Sand Condor was not only a type of creature, but it also had personality.
Sand Condor patrolled the coast of Goria Grand Canal. However, when it came back to relay information to Lin Ke, Lin Ke finally understood the meaning of the unfinished phrase 'except…' in the skill description.
Sand Condor spoke intermittently and always fell into a daze mid-sentence, as though it had forgotten what to say or what it had seen. If it was said that it had investigated 100%, then only 30% was relayed.
Of course, if you thought that Lin Ke would be surprised after discovering the secret of Sand Condor, you were quite wrong.
Although Sand Condor's memory was not good, the information about the most critical positions was successfully remembered and conveyed to Lin Ke.
The reason why Lin Ke shouted 'what the hell' was because several teams of Machinery Holy Cult soldiers were guarding the two ends of Goria Grand Canal, where it was the easiest to cross.
This was a little outrageous!
Machinery City was obviously gone. By right, most of the Machinery Holy Cult soldiers should have followed suit as well.
Unexpectedly, the patrols and defenses of the area were heavier. Machinery Holy Cult soldiers were even on both sides of Goria Grand Canal.
They were in a bind now!
After returning from its trip, Sand Condor immediately laid down on the Gobi and gasped for air, not wanting to stand. It was simply too lazy.
Lin Ke thought for a moment and got up slowly. He decided to charge through the defenses.
If he did not change their course in time and replenish their source of life, he and Forbes would die of thirst and become white skeletons in the Gobi.
Lin Ke preferred to walk into danger because taking a detour was too risky; it also left very little room for mistakes.
On the other hand, these Machinery Holy Cult soldiers walking in the desert along Goria Grand Canal had the lowest combat power within Machinery Holy Cult.
It was more appropriate to call them followers and believers rather than Machinery Holy Cult's regular army.
Even the immortals who were into cultivating immortality also knew about this.
These patrol soldiers were equivalent to odd-job laborers. They could only be promoted to external disciples after they performed well and had their contributions evaluated.
They were pilgrims and machinery fanatics from various places.
After expressing the desire to join Machinery Holy Cult, Machinery City would bestow a basic microchip onto them.
Implanting the chip in their body or setting the chip as the core of their armor meant that they were branded by Machinery Holy Cult.
However, this was only the first step to join Machinery Holy Cult. The next step was a more rigorous assessment, where one had to complete the various tasks assigned by the cult. Points would be awarded for each task completed. When one accumulated enough points, they would officially be promoted to a member of Machinery Holy Cult.
The benefit of being a full member was that you could enter Machinery City and enjoy, in accordance to one's contribution and level, the various mechanical mysteries and knowledge hidden in it.
This was why so many Machinery Holy Cult soldiers were following behind as Machinery City traveled along Goria Grand Canal.
To be precise, they were not Machinery Holy Cult's official force, but a group of fanatics full of extreme thoughts.
Considering they had only basic chips and were a motley group, they were not very threatening.
With the assistance of Treasure Hunter Rat and Sand Condor, he could still safely cross the Grand Canal as long as he was careful.
Lin Ke cut a few slices of beef with a dagger. He stuffed some into his mouth and chewed it to replenish energy. He also gave some to Treasure Hunter Rat and Sand Condor.
Treasure Hunter Rat swooped onto the beef, wanting to devour it. However, it realized that Sand Condor did not come and fight over it after taking two bites. Hence, it glanced back curiously.
It saw Sand Condor still lazily lying on the ground. Sand Condor's neck was drooping weakly, and its eyes were dazed and half-closed.
After taking two bites, Treasure Hunter Rat suddenly felt that the beef in its paws was not that fragrant! With a light sigh, it dragged the beef in front of Sand Condor. Alas, it went all the way for this fellow.
Not only did it have to help its master detect and avoid danger, but it also had to help him feed the lazy Sand Condor.
Stressed!
Sand Condor was really lazy. It had smelled the cooked beef, and its eyes were gradually brightening. However, it remained motionless.
Squeak, squeak!
Treasure Hunter Rat placed the beef in front of Sand Condor. It then tore a piece off and ate it by the side.
Sand Condor remained motionless. Only its mouth opened, consuming the beef bit by bit into its stomach.
Forbes had waited for four to five hours at the front. He felt that his body was almost collapsing.
"Eat so that you will have the strength to cross the river."
Lin Ke glanced at the time. It was already 4:30 in the afternoon. When it was almost six o'clock in the Grand Canal, the time would be just right!
After some tidying up, they set off and advanced again.
They had no option of retreating. They had to charge across Goria Grand Canal in one resolute attempt.
Although Sand Condor was tired and lazy, it immediately got up once Lin Ke issued it an order. It did not procrastinate, carrying out its order seriously.
Except that Sand Condor's brain…
Alas, for the sake of its serious attitude, let's not mention this anymore. At most, it would probably end up patrolling a few more times.
The group was closing in on Goria Grand Canal.
Lin Ke's Glock pistol was already in his hand while Forbes was bent over slightly, ready to sprint 100 meters anytime.
The sun gradually sunk towards the west, turning from scorching hot to warm. Its color became red as if blood was added, looking like it was signaling an impending bloody battle.
Sand Condor traveled back and forth between Goria Grand Canal and the Gobi several times and passed back more information, allowing them to piece together a complete picture of the troops stationed at the frontline.
"Sand Condor, you don't have to come back the next round. If there's anything, I will notify you as soon as possible."
Lin Ke and his party were within five kilometers of Goria Grand Canal. If Sand Condor continued to land several times, it would be suspicious. Hence, Lin Ke allowed it to return to the sky. If they could avoid the patrolling Machinery Holy Cult soldiers, they could cross the canal quietly. If they were found, they would need Sand Condor to descend from the sky and assist them.
"Little Treasure, time for you to shine." Lin Ke stretched out his hand.
Treasure Hunter Rat then ran along his arm and jumped onto the sand to lead the way.
After Sand Condor relayed information several times, Lin Ke had a rough idea of how Machinery Holy Cult's fanatical followers were stationed along Goria Grand Canal.
He was certain that the fanatical followers operated in groups of five. The basic chip distributed by Machinery Holy Cult was also known as the 'Individual Range Joint Combat Type 1 Processing Chip.' It required five people to activate the program together for maximum effect.
These followers did not dare to disobey the orders of Machinery City. Naturally, they would strictly carry their orders out.
In the information transmitted by Sand Condor, there was a group of fanatical followers every three kilometers.
Lin Ke also understood that the basic chip's cooperation range was 200 meters, which meant that the longest length of each team's formation was one kilometer. Hence, Lin Ke and the others had a two-kilometer-long opening to navigate through.
The evening sky represented the sun's final struggle. Without the brilliance of the sun, the sky's color became gentle and soft. The huge orange disk on the horizon extended Lin Ke's and Forbes' shadows by ten-fold.
When the sun had yet to set completely, casually walking through the Gobi was as conspicuous as a fashion show.
Thus, Lin Ke and Forbes crawled along the ground instead.
Although their speed was much lower, this was the safest option.
Moreover, their flax clothing looked no different from the stones in the Gobi under the sunset glow. Nobody would realize something was amiss.
"At this rate, we will be able to reach Goria Grand Canal after sunset. Now that the conditions are favorable to us, we have a very good chance of crossing the Grand Canal."
The sun gradually disappeared from the horizon, leaving only a few struggling light rays along the western sky.
"Forbes, you have to follow my instructions from now on. Don't make any noise except when walking! If you attract people from the Machinery Holy Cult, none of us can run away any longer. However, we can escape as long as we can cross the Grand Canal!"
"Boss, don't worry! I won't create any noise!" Forbes smiled at the thought of being able to escape.
"Right, one more thing—don't open your eyes too wide and don't laugh!"
The Gobi was shrouded by the night, and Forbes perfectly blended into it. Even if he stood in front of Lin Ke, it was difficult to detect him. However, as long as he opened his eyes wide and smiled, his big white teeth and protruding pupils would be like fireflies in the darkness, Audis with high beams, and lighthouses along the coast. It was easy for people to discover him.
Forbes immediately closed his mouth and narrowed his eyes, completely blending into the night.
After two days of interacting with Forbes, Lin Ke understood this fellow's character.
Survival was the most important thing for Forbes. As long as the matter was related to life preservation, Forbes was absolutely meticulous in its execution.
Very interesting, very in-line with Lin Ke's thinking!
Before he knew it, Lin Ke had already come within two kilometers of the Grand Canal, which was now well within reach.
[You have triggered the E-level mission [Escape from the desolate Gobi]. Accept/Reject]
[Mission Prompt: Goria Grand Canal is the lifeline of Machinery City. Hence, there are many fanatics and followers guarding it along the way. Cross the Grand Canal and arrive at Weeping Valley, which is at the periphery of Machinery Holy Cult's sphere of influence. Officially escape the Wasteland Gang's and Machinery Holy Cult's sphere of influence and discard your identity as a slave.]
[Mission Reward: 5,000 experience points, status change (slave to refugee).]
Lin Ke accepted this mission that provided experience without any hesitation.on.
Lin Ke and Forbes advanced forward as Treasure Hunter Rat led the way. Sand Condor turned into a spirit in the dark, quietly hovering in the air as it waited for its master's orders.
Soon, Treasure Hunter Rat sensed metal.
One, two… the number was increasing!
Lin Ke and Forbes moved forward slowly. They stopped 500 meters from the Grand Canal and waited patiently. They had been waiting all day. Surely, they could wait for a few more minutes.
Five fanatical followers kept a distance of about 200 meters from each other as they patrolled along the Grand Canal.
Because of the intelligence sent by Treasure Hunter Rat, Lin Ke had more detailed information.
Among these five fanatical followers, three had strong metallic auras while the other two's metallic auras were relatively weaker.
Lin Ke deduced that three of them should have exoskeleton armor, while the remaining two only had some mechanical parts.
Twenty minutes later, the five people disappeared from Treasure Hunter Rat's range.
"Quick! Take the chance to cross the Grand Canal quickly now!" Lin Ke got up first and moved forward quickly.
Forbes followed closely behind, closing his mouth tightly and not daring to widen his eyes too much.
The two soon arrived at the Grand Canal and followed the slope, which led to Goria Grand Canal's water channel.
At night, there wasn't a lot of water in the Grand Canal. The current glided over the uneven terrain, and the water level did not exceed knee-level. This was because the Grand Canal was connected to the sea. At night, the sea level receded due to tidal action. Hence, the water level in the canal receded as well, making the current not as strong as during the day.
The sky was beautiful. The moon was hidden, and the stars were bright.
This was the favorable conditions mentioned by Lin Ke earlier.
Lin Ke walked in front with a sense of familiarity while Forbes followed behind. Soon, they crossed the 500-meter-wide Grand Canal.
Finally, as the Treasure Hunter Rat gritted its teeth and climbed the slope, it sensed the surroundings one more time, finding no fanatical followers in the area.
"Victory is in sight. Let's move quickly!" Lin Ke straightened his back and quickened his pace.
When Forbes heard this, the corners of his mouth raised inadvertently. Halfway through, he immediately realized what he was doing and quickly covered his mouth with his hand in fear of exposing his big white teeth.
Lin Ke was so eager that he moved as quickly as a flying arrow. He had crossed the Goria Grand Canal and was not far from Sand City!
At this moment, Forbes suddenly fell to the ground with a groan. Half of his body plunged into the Gobi.
Lin Ke was so shocked his face went pale.
The night in the Gobi was quiet, without any unusual sounds.
This sound, like a boulder sinking in a pond, made ripples in the Gobi.
Squeak, squeak! Treasure Hunter Rat also began to squeak, indicating that it sensed metallic auras rushing here quickly…
Exposed!