Four days later, a transport vehicle from Longjing University stopped in a Gobi desert.
In those four days, they had been attacked nine times by sand scorpions. Just a moment ago, they experienced their most outrageous encounter yet, with as many as nine sand scorpions chasing them simultaneously.
Sand scorpions are demonic beasts that live beneath the sands. Their eyes have degenerated into partial blindness, but in return, they possess terrifying hearing, allowing them to detect any subtle sound within a ten-mile radius. However, their abilities often depend on sand, so on the Gobi and rocky terrain, humans are relatively safe.
Therefore, to minimize encounters with sand scorpions, the transport vehicle's engine had been specially modified. Moreover, the people from Longjing University had reduced their speed to evade the sand scorpions, turning a four-day journey into a six-day one.
Despite these measures, they were still frequently pursued by sand scorpions.
Were nine encounters frequent? Let's put it this way: last year's statistics showed that adventurers in the sand sea encountered sand scorpions on average 0.24 times per person per day. With specialized transport vehicles like those from the military, this probability could be further reduced.
The elder guide had previously comforted himself by attributing these situations to bad luck. However, after what happened this morning, he realized that the problem must lie with one of the passengers.
Sand scorpions are small, pack-dwelling demonic beasts with strong territorial instincts. A group of five is considered a large family, and when two groups of sand scorpions meet, they prioritize eliminating each other over pursuing humans.
The fact that they encountered nine at once clearly indicated that two groups of sand scorpions were simultaneously attracted by their movements. Upon meeting, instead of the expected infighting, they immediately focused on chasing the Longjing University transport vehicle.
"Everyone, take out all your personal belongings. I need to inspect them," the elder guide said with a dark expression.
Qian Xiao was about to object, but seeing how down everyone had been these past few days, he knew better than to push his luck, even with his arrogance. He reluctantly took out his backpack.
However, as they were busy, a slightly dilapidated off-road vehicle approached them.
Hearing the approaching engine, the elder guide immediately ordered everyone to stop what they were doing and prepare for combat.
The vast sand sea was not only a forbidden zone for life but also a forbidden zone for law. Encountering people here meant they were either official personnel, treasure hunters, sand rovers, or bandits.
They had already suffered casualties, and the elder guide did not want to risk further losses due to such a trivial mistake.
"Teacher De, you go back to the vehicle with the female driver. Stay vigilant. If there are any infiltrators with invisibility abilities who try to steal the car, we're finished."
The off-road vehicle gradually drew closer and stopped about 100 meters away from the transport vehicle after entering the Gobi—a friendly signal indicating no desire for conflict.
The off-road vehicle's doors opened, and two people emerged: a burly man and an elderly woman with a large pack on her back.
Qing Lianzi, the female student, and He Lanxin, who had enhanced vision, took a closer look and realized there should be one more person in the off-road vehicle.
"Don't be nervous… don't be nervous… we're not Pufeng (bandits)… we're Pirangzi (treasure peddlers)," shouted the leading man, speaking in a Northern Shaanxi accented Mandarin.
"Which Sawao (referring to a treasure peddler's den or organization) are you from? Who is your Piaobazi (leader)?" the elder guide asked, signaling everyone to remain on guard.
"From the Jiuquan line (the den in the Jiuquan area). Our Piaobazi is Bai San'duzi (leader Bai Niu)."
Suhu Prefecture had nine cities: Chang'an, Hanzhong, Hexi, Yulin, Longxi, Jiuquan, Zhangye, Yumen, and Ningchuan. Among them, the four cities close to the sand sea—Hexi, Longxi, Zhangye, and Yumen—each had bases or dens for treasure hunters, smuggling gangs, tomb raiders, and even bandits.
Therefore, guides were considered professionals in a gray area, mostly former retired individuals. They were well-versed in the jungle law of the sand sea and the unspoken rules of the underworld, possessing connections and reputation.
"From Bai'duzi's group? I'm Old Jin Banzi. Your boss should know me."
"Oh! Master Banzi! We know, we know! Our Piaobazi said that once you enter the sand sea, you must respect the five masters: Gold, Silver, Copper, Iron, and Lead!"
Saying this, the man who replied rubbed his hands enthusiastically and stepped closer, asking, "Master Banzi, are you resting? We just found a batch of goods. How about we show them to your Ding (referring to customers)? Don't worry, they're guaranteed to be genuine goods (not problematic items)..."
"Alright, alright. We don't need your business for now, but you've come at the right time," the elder guide said after taking a puff of his pipe. "Do you have anything to detect a Chasing Life Whistle? We need it here."
Upon hearing the words "Chasing Life Whistle," both the man and the old woman's expressions changed. The man glanced at the group from Longjing University and muttered, "So they're all Dou'er (young women) and Ya'er (young men)... no wonder they attracted the Xiangxian (local strongmen)..."
"Why so much nonsense? Do you have it or not?" The elder guide, already in a bad mood, was further annoyed by the chatter of the peddler and immediately lost his temper.
"Yes, yes, yes..." The man took out something that looked like a bell and handed it to the elder guide, saying, "Name your price. We accept both Old Gua (money) and Tiao Huo (treasures)."
"Here you go." The elder guide handed the man a piece of silver the size of a fingernail. He then turned to leave.
The man bit the piece of silver gently and nodded. He then turned to call the old woman back to the off-road vehicle.
The group from Longjing University looked on in confusion as the elder guide bought a bell-like item from the treasure peddlers.
"Everyone, stand in a line," the elder guide ordered without any explanation. He then walked around everyone with the bell, sweeping it up and down, much like airport security personnel.
"Ding ding ding—" As the bell in the elder guide's hand swept past Qian Xiao's sleeve, it emitted a dense and clear ringing sound. The elder guide's face darkened, and he immediately said, "Quick! Take off all your upper garments!"
"Are you crazy?! You've been acting like this and that, not explaining anything, and now you're ordering me around. What do you think you're doing?" Qian Xiao was furious. Ever since he arrived in Su Prefecture, he had only encountered such uncivilized people.
The elder guide chuckled and said, "Since you young man are not afraid of death, don't drag us down with you! Teacher De, leave him here. I, Old Jin, do not save those who seek death."
Seeing that this spoiled brat was about to lose his temper again, De Wensen had the female driver pull him away. Then, with a fawning smile, he asked, "Teacher Jin, please don't be angry. Could you first explain what's going on?"
"What's going on?" the elder guide snorted and said, "I'll tell you! Being chased by sand scorpions these past few days, stumbling into secret realms, and even suffering casualties—it's all thanks to this young man!"