"Aside from the support from Xilan City, didnât Fat Cat say that the armed squad also went down into the Ice Valley to find another way out?" Ning Jing said anxiously.
"Thatâs no better than waiting for rescue."
Shi Deyuan shook his head and said, "The Ice Valley below is full of ravines and none of the vehicles can pass. Even if there is a path, itâs impossible for us to march alone in a blizzard. Without these vehicles, we wouldnât survive five miles."
On hearing this, Ning Jing sighed, then turned to Ah Bai and asked,
"Ah Bai, can you still sense the monster aura on us?"
Ah Bai, sitting in the corner of the carriage, looked up at everyone and then said quietly, "After we came into contact with the monsters... we all have some on us now."
Ning Jing looked down at herself, her gaze turning slightly sharp: "What does Captain Lin say? Heâs a Mechanical Superpower User, does he have a way?"
"Hey."
Shi Deyuan suddenly stood up: "He definitely has a way. This kid, heâs managed to save tens of thousands of people, these challenges probably wonât faze him. But... that said,"
he finished speaking, looking seriously at Ning Jing: "Whether Dragon Mountain No.1 can break through the snowstorm might still depend on him, so no matter the situation tonight, we must ensure Brother Linâs safety, for the people on the two trains to have a chance at survival."
"You all too, understand?"
He sternly scanned the other brothers in the group. Hearing this, everyone straightened their expressions, nodding resolutely.
In the snowstorm, Lin Xian stood alone beneath No.1 Machine Pangu, looking up at the massive nuclear power turbine engine, feeling its scorching aura dispelling the cold around him, his whole being seemingly on the brink of being devoured by that exquisite vortex.
"Hey handsome, whatâs up, stuck in a hard place?"
A sharp voice sounded, Lin Xian turned his head and saw Qian Deli, in a mink coat, looking at him with interest.
Lin Xian glanced behind him, then looked at Qian Deli, somewhat surprised: "Youâre fast, when did you get behind me?"
"Just now."
Qian Deli scanned Lin Xian up and down, then slowly looked at No.1 Machine: "Everyone seems to think that only this big thing can save us, do you think so too?"
"Itâs natural to have thoughts like that. With such a massive weapon at your back, anyone would want to take refuge under a big tree."
"Take refuge? Ha, freezing to death more like it~"
Qian Deli tightened his coat, looking at No.1 Machine, speaking leisurely: "But in this long escape, itâs the first time a human weapon can make those ugly monsters wary. This Emperor Plan makes us survivors feel like humans arenât so insignificant."
Lin Xian responded bluntly: "Do you know about the Dark Mark?"
Qian Deli looked at him blankly, waiting for him to continue.
"Weâve discovered that thereâs a communicative hunting language or method among the Dark Abnormalities, which allows them to place an invisible mark on prey, turning us into a lighthouse in the Dark Forest at night, attracting other hunters to feast on us."
"Interesting." Qian Deli, hearing this, expressed his interest: "So these monsters are quite united."
"Hmm?" Lin Xian was a bit stunned, it was the first time heâd heard someone focus on this point, which prompted him to discuss further with Qian Deli.
"Is that your first reaction?"
Qian Deli looked somewhat proud, his tone nostalgic: "Before the apocalypse, my biggest hobbies were shopping and hunting. As a professional hunter with a legal gun license, I had a habit of never letting other hunters go after the prey I set my eyes on."
"Why?" Lin Xian asked.
"Why do you ask..." Qian Deli smiled faintly at Lin Xian: "Hunters enjoy the act of hunting itself and donât particularly care about the outcome, just like anglers enjoy the process of hooking fish. If they liked eating fish, they could just buy one at the supermarket, not to mention... I also donât like eating meat."
"Anglers like fishing, and they also like feeding fish, just donât like eating fish." Lin Xian was reminded of his college days, often skipping classes to fish â fully equipped and boasting, yet almost always returning empty-handed, leading his dorm mates to frequently treat him to fish out of derision...
"Heh heh heh~" Qian Deli chuckled and then said, "Hunters never share their prey, so this Dark Mark you mentioned doesnât seem like a simple hunter-prey relationship."
"More like... a kill order?"
Lin Xianâs complexion grew cautious: "Iâve always believed the Dark Abnormalitiesâ goal isnât simply devouring prey; they mean for us to disappear."
"So when I first heard you say that big black insect dared not approach here, I was puzzled. After all, when facing those monsters in the past, they seemed fearless. But why does that giant worm shy away, just because No.1 Machine has killed one of its kin?"
Qian Deli frowned: "Monsters also have a sense of self-preservation, thatâs quite normal."
Lin Xian, busy making something, looked up at the massive No.1 Machine Mecha, responding indifferently: "Perhaps so."
Qian Deli crossed his arms, looking deeply at Lin Xian. Then he turned and said, "Letâs go. Commander Yu has invited the captains of our convoy to discuss a breakout plan. Although youâre just two people, I think itâs necessary for you to participate."