The Northwest, the Loess Plateau.
A classic landscape of countless gullies and ravines, tablelands, ridges, knolls, and river valleys.
Seen from above, like a Bird's-eye view.
Those gullies looked like scars across the earth.
In recent years, as the rainfall belt shifted south, the entire Loess Plateau had begun turning green.
Spring had returned to the land.
Banyans, Willow Trees, spireas, wild jujubes, and chaste trees stubbornly survived on the lofty Loess Plateau, competing for a chance at life.
Someone with an interest could have written a few articles about the place—desertification control, water management, climate, local customs, and the like.
But Professor Han had no time to think about any of that, nor could he see the terrain of the Loess Plateau.
He was running for his life.
Rumble, rumble, rumble.
Lightning split the sky in the unending darkness, bringing a sliver of light to Professor Han and his companions.
Unease flourished within that sliver of light.
"Huff, huff, huff."
Professor Han had forgotten the last time he had exerted himself this hard.
He felt as though the taste of blood rising from deep in his throat would almost burst through his heart.
Ruptured alveoli and capillaries brought a burning pain to his lungs.
Even the retinas in his nearsighted eyes felt ready to detach.
If he kept running like this, his lungs might fill with blood and he could suffocate to death.
But he could spare no thought for any of that.
Stars swam before Professor Han's eyes as he sprinted through the darkness. He no longer knew what lay under his feet. All he knew was that his teacher's friend was beside him, pulling him along, refusing to abandon him.
"Move! That thing's catching up!"
Someone shouted beside his ear, while others kept feeding him information.
They