By the swimming pool, a dozen or so stunning women, either naked or wearing sheer bikinis, huddled in a corner shivering. All had iron chains around their necks, part of Lao Xieâs âpersonal haremâ, usually tasked with serving him.
The one who had been shouting by the door earlier was actually the Sand Scorpion Gangâs second-in-command, taking advantage of Lao Xieâs absence to secretly engage in debauchery...
"Wow, thereâs actually a swimming pool here."
Sha Sha, who came with the raiding team, looked surprised as she just walked in, and KIKI immediately covered her eyes: "Letâs go, letâs go, nothing to see here."
"Shu Qin, KIKI"
At this moment, Chen Sixuanâs voice came through the communicator, and the two immediately ran out. Outside, Chen Sixuan was standing with a group in front of the iron cage confining the survivors. In the corner, an old face leaned against the iron bars, motionless, sunburned to reveal peeling red skin, scanning the group with a puzzled look.
Shu Qinâs expression immediately changed upon seeing this person
"Lao Mo!"
The person in front of them was none other than Mo Chengzhi, Lao Mo from the Iron Power Team, who had rushed into the high-altitude corridor with the Infinity!
...
16:50
At Akse Station, all 27 sections of the Infinity were connected, and the armor at the coach connections was fully covered. The thick self-made armor of the original Sunâs carriage provided decent defensive power, so Lin Xian prioritized solving the internal door and sealing issues of the compartments.
He also led a group to complete modifications to the comprehensive circuit system, the trainâs water purifier, water route, and air circulation system, allowing all six power coaches on the Infinity to be integrated into management. Aside from that, Lin Xian mainly focused his time on layout inside the functional compartments.
Lin Xian disliked messy interiors in compartments, so he utilized his manufacturing capabilities to refine the layout of each compartment for both living facilities and mobilization efficiency. Many designs referenced the layout of the Queen Mo, saving Lin Xian much effort. Once KIKI and the others returned, Lin Xian would delegate the task of setting up the radar and Sentinel System, as well as installing the arc pulse string vibrator to KIKI and Luo Yangâs group. The rest would have to wait until after he rested, so he could fabricate the outer armor and large defensive weapons at various weapon stations on the run.
In Akse City, several fleets preparing to follow the Joint Fleet into the unmanned area were also busy with their preparations. Meanwhile, the member on lookout relayed a message through the communicator.
"Captain Lin, they are back."
At that moment, many people climbed to high vantage points to observe, seeing huge teams kicking up dust across the vast Gobi Desert in several directions. Chen Sixuanâs team was the last to appear on the horizon. As they got closer to Akse, Lin Xian heard Chen Sixuanâs voice.
"Lin Xian, the operation went smoothly. Found two Sand Scorpion Gang bases, lots of resources, useful ones, weâve brought them back."
"Were there any casualties?"
"None."
"Good." Lin Xian breathed a sigh of relief.
"However, weâve brought back a batch of surviving captives from the Sand Scorpion Gang. Lao Moâs entire family is among them."
"Lao Mo?" Lin Xian frowned, remembering the luxurious refurbished all-terrain track armor RV and that cowboy-like old man. Ever since the high-altitude corridor, thereâd been no news. He never expected to run into them here.
Outside Akse Station Platform, crowds thronged, and everyone cheered around several mission fleets. Ning Jing and Chen Sixuan were urgently counting the spoils. Meanwhile, in the shady part of the platform, Lin Xian and Shu Qin were checking on Lao Moâs group.
"I canât believe itâs really you guys!" Lao Moâs face showed years of wear, and upon seeing the massive Doomsday Train on the platform, those dry eyes finally had a hint of spark. "Captain Lin, oh my, bless the heavens, who wouldâve thought weâd meet you here."
Lin Xian had some food and water brought to them. Lao Moâs family of four included a daughter-in-law, and two children. The eldest grandson Mo Xiaotian was ten years old, then a daughter named Xiao Le was six. The family was all disheveled and injured, apparently having suffered greatly,
"Thank you, Captain Lin!" Lao Moâs daughter-in-law, named Sun Yuzhen, received water from Lin Xian with great gratitude. She immediately opened it and handed it first to the two children beside her. The group were starved with blank expressions, throats parched, desperately gorging themselves on the water and food.
"Lao Mo, what exactly is the situation, what about the rest of your team?" Lin Xian asked.
After gulping down half a bottle of water, Lao Mo finally regained some vigor, immediately expressing both resentment and regret. "A few... days ago, we took the mountain road from the Wei River heading for Longjiang, initially planning to bypass Jin Hai and go directly into Dawn City. But we encountered Abnormal Body at night and had to flee northeast toward Star Abyss No.5. Unexpectedly, Star Abyss No.5 expanded by several hundred kilometers overnight, and all day long we were in darkness, only then realizing we were in trouble, weâd entered the Extreme Night Zone..."
"Wei River?" Shu Qin frowned beside him: "How did you enter the Western Desert from the eastern line?"
"Exactly." KIKIâs eyes darted: "Considering the distance, you wouldnât reach here even after driving for three days, let alone during Extreme Night without a road."