Chapter 10

Lin Ke never expected that "sand sculpture" not only represented a creature but could also describe a personality.

Indeed, the sand sculpture patrolled along the shores of the Goria Grand Canal, but when it returned to repeat the information to Lin Ke, he finally understood the unfinished sentence in the skill description: "Just...".

The sand sculpture's recounting was intermittent, often stopping halfway, forgetting what it was going to say and what it had seen before.

If it had observed 100%, it could only express 30%.

Of course, if you thought Lin Ke was surprised by discovering the sand sculpture's secret, you would be greatly mistaken.

Although the sand sculpture had a poor memory, it successfully remembered and conveyed the most critical information to Lin Ke.

The real reason Lin Ke exclaimed "What the heck!" was because there were several teams of mechanical soldiers guarding the two ends of the Grand Canal, which were the easiest points to cross.

This was a bit ridiculous!

The Mechanical City had already moved, and logically, most of the mechanical soldiers should have followed.

Unexpectedly, the patrols and defenses were even stricter, with mechanical soldiers of the Mechanical God Sect on both sides of the Grand Canal.

This made things difficult!

The sand sculpture flew around, returned, and lay on the desert floor, panting heavily, preferring to lie down rather than stand, showing extreme laziness.

Lin Ke considered for a moment, slowly got up, and decided to break through.

If they changed their route now, they would not get the necessary replenishment of life's source, and he and A Fu would end up like the white bones scattered on the desert, dying of thirst halfway.

Lin Ke chose to head towards the tiger's mountain for two reasons: one, because detouring was risky and had little room for error; and two, the mechanical soldiers patrolling along the Grand Canal in the desert were the lowest level of the Mechanical God Sect's forces.

They were more like followers or believers rather than the regular army of the Mechanical God Sect.

To put it in a more understandable way, think of the immortal sects in cultivation novels.

These patrol soldiers were like the miscellaneous servants, who could only advance to the outer sect after performing well and passing the assessment.

They were pilgrims from various places, mechanical enthusiasts.

After expressing their desire to join the Mechanical God Sect, the Mechanical City would implant a初级芯片 (初级 means "初级" in Chinese, but in this context, it should be translated as "初级" or "初级") in their bodies, or set it as the core of a mechanical implant, marking them with the seal of the Mechanical God Sect.

However, this was just the first step to joining the Mechanical God Sect. Next, they would undergo stricter assessments, completing various tasks assigned by the Mechanical God Sect. Each task would earn them points, and when the points reached a certain level, they could officially become members of the Mechanical God Sect.

As official members, they would have the honor of entering the Mechanical City, enjoying the various mechanical secrets and knowledge stored within based on their contributions and ranks.

This was why the Mechanical City moved along the Grand Canal, with so many mechanical soldiers following behind.

To be precise, they were not the official forces of the Mechanical God Sect but a group of fanatical believers with extreme ideologies.

The初级芯片 (初级 means "初级" in Chinese, but in this context, it should be translated as "初级" or "初级") and a group of "rabble" did not pose a significant threat.

With the help of the treasure rat and the sand sculpture, they could safely cross the Grand Canal as long as they were careful.

Lin Ke used a dagger to slice some beef, chewed it to replenish his energy, and gave a little to the treasure rat and the sand sculpture.

The treasure rat pounced on the beef, wanting to devour it all.

But after two bites, it noticed the sand sculpture was not coming to compete, and curiously looked back.

It saw the sand sculpture still lying lazily on the ground, its neck drooping weakly, and its eyes drowsy.

After two more bites, the treasure rat suddenly found the beef in its hand less appealing!

Sighing, it dragged the beef to the sand sculpture.

Ah, it really cared for this family.

Not only did it help the master gather information and avoid danger, but it also had to feed the lazy sand sculpture.

Exhausted!

The sand sculpture was truly lazy. It could smell the cooked beef, its eyes gradually brightening, but its body remained still.

Squeak, squeak, squeak!

The treasure rat placed the beef in front of the sand sculpture and then tore a piece for itself to eat.

The sand sculpture remained motionless, only opening its mouth to tear and swallow the beef bit by bit.

A Fu had been waiting for four to five hours, his body nearly exhausted.

"Now, eat until you're full. You need energy to cross the river."

Lin Ke glanced at the time; it was already 4:30 PM. They would reach the Goria Grand Canal around 6:00 PM, which was perfect!

The group took a brief rest and then set off again.

This time, there was no room for hesitation; they had to rush through the Goria Grand Canal.

Although the sand sculpture was lazy, once Lin Ke gave it an order, it got up without a word and carried out the task diligently.

But the sand sculpture's brain...

Sigh, considering its serious attitude, he wouldn't mention it. They would just patrol a few more times.

They were getting closer to the Goria Grand Canal.

Lin Ke's Glock pistol was already in his hand, and A Fu was slightly bent, ready to sprint at any moment.

The sun gradually moved to the west, becoming warm and gentle, its color turning deep red, as if foreshadowing a bloody battle to come.

The sand sculpture made several trips between the Goria Grand Canal and the desert, gradually piecing together the information about the troops stationed along the front line, like a puzzle.

"Sand sculpture, you don't need to come back. I'll notify you if needed."

Lin Ke's group was already within five kilometers of the Goria Grand Canal. If the sand sculpture continued to land, it might raise suspicion, so he let it return to the sky. If they could avoid the mechanical soldiers' patrol lines, they would cross the canal quietly; if they were discovered, the sand sculpture would assist them in a surprise attack.

"Xiao Bao, it's up to you now."

Lin Ke extended his hand, and the treasure rat jumped to the ground, leading the way.

With the information from the sand sculpture, Lin Ke had a general understanding of the mechanical soldiers of the Mechanical God Sect along the Goria Grand Canal.

The fanatical followers were grouped in teams of five, and the初级芯片 (初级 means "初级" in Chinese, but in this context, it should be translated as "初级" or "初级") they received, also known as the "Single Soldier Range Joint Combat Type 1 Chip," required five people to activate the corresponding program and achieve maximum effect.

These followers dared not defy the orders of the Mechanical City and strictly followed them.

According to the information from the sand sculpture, there was a team of fanatical followers every three kilometers.

Based on the information Lin Ke had, the协同范围 (协同范围 means "协同范围" in Chinese, but in this context, it should be translated as "协同范围" or "协同范围") of the初级芯片 (初级 means "初级" in Chinese, but in this context, it should be translated as "初级" or "初级") was 200 meters, meaning a fully staffed team could cover a maximum of one kilometer, leaving a two-kilometer gap for Lin Ke's group to exploit.

Dusk was the last struggle of the sun, no longer sharp and glaring, but warm and gentle. The large orange disk on the horizon stretched Lin Ke and A Fu's shadows ten times longer.

Especially during the time when the sun had not completely set, walking openly on the desert was as conspicuous as a fashion show.

Lin Ke and A Fu changed to crawling on the ground to advance.

Although it was much slower, it was the safest way.

Especially the linen clothes, which, under the sunset, blended with the desert rocks, making it impossible for anyone to suspect.

"Following this speed, we'll approach the Grand Canal after sunset. Now, with the time and terrain on our side, the chances of crossing the Grand Canal are high."

The sun gradually disappeared from the horizon, leaving only a few bright spots in the western sky.

"A Fu, from now on, follow my commands. Don't make any sound except for walking! If we attract the attention of the Mechanical God Sect, none of us will get away. But once we cross the Grand Canal, we'll be free!"

"Boss, don't worry, I won't make a sound!" A Fu smiled, thinking of the freedom to come.

"By the way, add one more rule: don't open your eyes wide or smile!"

The desert was already shrouded in darkness, and A Fu blended in perfectly, making him hard to notice even standing in front of Lin Ke. But if he opened his eyes wide and smiled, his white teeth and prominent whites would be as noticeable as fireflies in the dark, the high beams of an Audi, or a lighthouse at sea, making it impossible to go unnoticed.

A Fu immediately closed his mouth and narrowed his eyes, blending into the night.

After two days of interacting with A Fu, Lin Ke understood his nature.

This guy valued his life above all else. As long as it was related to survival, he would follow orders without hesitation.

Very interesting, very compatible!

Unconsciously, Lin Ke was already within two kilometers of the Grand Canal, almost within reach.

[You have triggered an E-level mission: "Escape the Wasteland Desert." Accept/Reject]

[Mission Prompt: The Goria Grand Canal is the lifeline of the Mechanical City, so there are many fanatical believers guarding along the route. Cross the Grand Canal and reach the Crying Valley, the end of the Mechanical God Sect's territory, to officially escape the control of the Wasteland Gang and the Mechanical God Sect, and shed the slave identity.]

[Mission Reward: 5000 experience points, identity change (slave → wanderer)]

Lin Ke accepted the mission without hesitation, as it offered experience points.

Lin Ke and A Fu got up, with the treasure rat leading the way, and the sand sculpture hovering silently in the night sky, waiting for orders.

Soon, the treasure rat sensed the metallic aura.

One, two... the number gradually increased!

Lin Ke and A Fu moved slowly, stopping 500 meters from the Grand Canal, waiting patiently.

They had waited all day; a few more minutes wouldn't be a problem.

Five fanatical believers maintained a distance of about 200 meters, patrolling along the Grand Canal.

Based on the information from the treasure rat, Lin Ke had more detailed data.

Of the five fanatical believers, three had a strong metallic aura, while the other two had a weaker metallic aura.

Lin Ke boldly guessed that the three with a strong metallic aura had exoskeleton armor, while the other two had only partial mechanical parts.

Twenty minutes later, the five disappeared from the treasure rat's sensing range.

"Quick! Cross the Grand Canal now!"

Lin Ke took the lead, crouching and moving quickly.

A Fu followed closely, keeping his mouth closed and not opening his eyes too wide.

They soon reached the Grand Canal and entered the canal bed along the slope.

The water level in the Grand Canal at night was low, only reaching their knees as they crossed the terrain.

This was because the Grand Canal connected to the bay, and the tide receded at night, causing the water in the canal to recede as well, not as turbulent as during the day.

The sky was clear, with the moon hidden and stars shining.

This was the favorable time and terrain Lin Ke mentioned.

Lin Ke walked skillfully in front, and A Fu followed closely, quickly crossing the 500-meter-wide Grand Canal.

Finally, they climbed the slope with determination, and the treasure rat sensed no fanatical believers in the area.

"Victory is in sight, let's go!"

Lin Ke straightened his back and quickened his pace.

A Fu, hearing this, smiled, but quickly covered his mouth, afraid of exposing his white teeth.

Lin Ke was eager to return, and after crossing the Goria Grand Canal, the city of Sand was not far away!

Just then, A Fu behind him suddenly cried out and fell to the ground, half of his body sinking into the desert.

(?｀?Д?′)!!

Lin Ke was shocked.

The desert at night was vast and silent, with no sound at all.

This cry was like a stone thrown into a still pond, creating ripples in the desert.

Squeak, squeak, squeak!

The treasure rat also cried out, indicating it had sensed a metallic aura approaching quickly...

They were exposed!