Crossing the Desert

Xu Huo glanced at him. An amateur would need some time just to read the manual for this vehicle, let alone drive it safely 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 damaged, following it will be safer."

Xu Huo handed him part of the map. "You're experienced. What's changed on the new map?"

Teacher Ai took a brief look and fell silent. A few seconds later, he asked, "Where did you get this map? Is it really up to date?"

"From three days ago. It's recent." Xu Huo enlarged one section. "The landscape hasn't changed much elsewhere, but there's been a major transformation in the Gobi Desert west of the desert. What used to be here?"

"An energy mine." Teacher Ai seemed to recall something and actually smiled. "Looks like they've mined it all out."

"This place is fairly close to W19." Xu Huo spoke in a flat tone. "They've drained the pond to catch every last fish. No wonder the environment's been so badly damaged."

Teacher Ai tugged at the corner of his mouth. His expression seemed tinged with sarcasm, 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, Ding Wei was a little slower, and the other Player brought up the rear. But his method of speeding up was strange: he hopped. Yes, like a long jumper, covering more than ten meters with each leap. It looked rather strenuous, but he wasn't slow.

Shangguan Xi arrived first, but he looked displeased. Xu Huo glanced at him. "Since no one