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墨書 Inktalez
In the early morning, just as dawn was breaking, everyone was gathered by Luo Chenghui.
"It is now six o'clock in the morning. We will soon follow a Camel Caravan into the desert. You have ten minutes to prepare. We will meet at the entrance in ten minutes."
No one objected, except for the Black Widow, who yawned and rubbed her messy hair, complaining, "Seriously, why do we have to get up so early? Don't you know that lack of sleep is bad for a girl's skin?"
The Black Widow was dressed in a sheer nightgown, revealing enticing glimpses of her alluring figure. Stretching her body, she showcased her stunning curves, with her hair cascading naturally around her, exuding a lazy yet captivating charm.
However, everyone knew what kind of person she was. No matter how sexy or enchanting she appeared, no one dared to harbor any improper thoughts about her; otherwise, they would likely end up as eunuchs for the rest of their lives.
"Ugh! At your age, still calling yourself a girl? How shameless," Liu Lao scoffed.
"What did you say, old man?!" The Black Widow hated it when people mentioned her age and immediately fluffed up like an agitated cat.
"Did I say something wrong?! You’re just an old hag!"
The Black Widow's expression darkened as she narrowed her eyes and said coldly, "Old man, I think you're looking for trouble. How about we have some fun?"
"No thanks! I don't want to jeopardize my old age or catch some disease."
"Enough! Everyone shut up! If you keep arguing, I'll send you back!"
Seeing that the two were escalating their quarrel, Luo Chenghui had to intervene. However, even after they stopped bickering, they continued to glare at each other.
There wasn't much to prepare for entering the desert—just water and food, along with some sun protection gear. Everyone was well-trained and had already taken care of these trivial matters; they just needed to grab their backpacks.
Thirty minutes later, a group of over ten people appeared in a small town near the edge of the desert, where they joined a local Camel Caravan to enter the desert.
In the desert, one often gets the illusion of being at its center, feeling as if no matter how far they walk, they can never escape because everywhere is just endless stretches of yellow sand.
The dry sandy soil, the scorching wind, and the blazing sun encompass the entirety of the desert. It is monotonous and dull.
In the desert, one should not stare at the ground for too long, as it can cause temporary blindness, similar to how one should not look at snow for extended periods in the mountains. Prolonged exposure to a single color can lead to a temporary loss of vision, which is why the phenomenon is commonly referred to as snow blindness.
The sand is fine and soft; one could easily sink a foot into it. Relying solely on walking would be a waste of time.
Camels are naturally suited for survival in the desert. They have wide feet that prevent them from sinking into the sand, significantly increasing their speed. They possess two large humps that store enough water and nutrients for them to survive for a month.
If a horse were left in the desert, it would not last three days and would struggle to move. Here, camels are the best mode of transportation. In the past, while traversing the Silk Road, camels played a crucial role.
The sun in the desert is harsh; combined with the heat absorption and reflection of the sand, it can raise temperatures to terrifying levels. Here, one must minimize consumption as this extreme heat can cause a person to lose at least six liters of water daily.
The sun is relentless; no matter how hot it gets, one must never remove their clothing, thinking it would hasten death. Everyone wears sun-protective clothing to minimize skin exposure to sunlight. Black Widow complains while applying sunscreen.
Ye Mingshang is no exception; although such high temperatures do not greatly affect him, he does not want to expend unnecessary energy. He needs to remain in optimal condition at all times.
The Camel Caravan moves slowly, averaging about ten kilometers per hour when lightly loaded. If it were a trade caravan, it would be even slower. It is hard to imagine how they managed to cover such vast distances along the Silk Road.
Aside from eating some dry rations and drinking water when necessary, everyone hardly rested. Fortunately, they did not need to walk; they only had to sit on their camels.
After traveling about seventy or eighty kilometers in the desert, Ye Mingshang suddenly felt a cool breeze. After enduring the dry heat of the desert for so long, even a slight breeze felt as refreshing as an ice cream.
However, do not mistake this for a good omen; remember this saying—strange occurrences often indicate trouble!
Under the captain's orders, the Camel Caravan came to a halt. He first glanced at the sun, then twitched his nose before licking his finger and raising it above his head. Observing and sensing are skills honed by those who have roamed the desert for years.
A few seconds later, his expression changed. "Quick! Take cover! A sandstorm is coming!"
For everyone in the group who was entering the desert for the first time, there was an innate fear of natural disasters like sandstorms. No matter how capable they were, being caught in a sandstorm would lead to certain death.
However, for those accustomed to desert life, this was just another day at work. The Camel Caravan efficiently found nearby shelter, allowing their camels to lie down while securing their food and water supplies.
"Hide behind the Camel, lie down and don't raise your head, cover your mouth and nose with your clothes, and don't let the sand blow in!"
Everyone hurriedly followed the Camel Caravan Leader's instructions. Facing the natural disaster, they could only trust this dark-skinned Xinjiang Man.
At first, after lying on the ground for a long time without feeling any wind or sand, doubts began to arise in their hearts, thinking that this Fellow must have been mistaken.
However, a few minutes later, reality provided them with the answer.
The sky several miles away was already shrouded in wind and sand, covering a vast area and moving quickly. From a distance, just by looking, they could feel an overwhelming sense of helplessness and insignificance.
The wind was coming from their direction. When they were engulfed by the wind and sand, it was still difficult to adapt.
The intense pressure made it hard for them to breathe, and the high-speed winds drove sand and stones against their bodies, causing a stinging pain. Yet they dared not raise their heads or move, as that could cost them their lives. Every year, many tourists die in Sandstorms.
"Whoo!~~ Whoo!!~~"
The strong wind howled like a beast roaring in anger, like a devil raging, creating an oppressive discomfort deep within their hearts.
The wind and sand did not last long—just a few minutes—but in the midst of the Sandstorm, that time felt stretched out many times over. A few minutes felt like several hours long.
(To be continued.)
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