Central Continent and Western Continent border, Duqin, Shanan City.
An armed force raced across the desert, yellow sand billowing behind it like a dragon.
At its head was a massive armored vehicle. Strangely, a crude rapid-fire Spirit Power cannon had been mounted on its roof. It looked like a bargain-basement version of a ship-mounted cannon, yet someone had installed it on this specially built vehicle.
Shanan City was faintly visible ahead.
Shanan City remained under Lanya's control. The Duqin Government Army and the Watchers Armed Forces were still fighting a guerrilla war against Lanya. Fortunately, though the superpower was far stronger than Duqin, the cost of the war and opposition at home and abroad had led it to commit fewer and fewer resources. Drawing on their home-ground advantage, the Duqin Government Army and the Watchers Armed Forces had begun gradually reclaiming lost territory.
Shanan, however, was strategically vital, and Lanya had stationed a large force there. The Government Army and the Watchers had never dared provoke it. Their strategy had always been to retake other areas and force Lanya out of Duqin.
Recently, though, Lanya had suddenly ceased fire. Even when attacked, its forces rarely struck back. They either withdrew or fought only in defense.
Rumor had it that Lanya's government was discussing a withdrawal.
Another rumor said that light had inexplicably appeared in one of Lanya's Forbidden Lands, and reeds had begun growing around it.
Screech!
The convoy stopped.
The wind scattered the yellow sand.
A figure climbed out of the second armored vehicle. He wore a loose, earth-yellow combat uniform. Dust covered his boots, his skin had darkened in the sun, and a short beard covered his cheeks and chin. Squinting, he looked ahead.
A huge pit lay before him, not yet buried by windblown sand.
Despite the