It was two and a half days, heading south, crossing over a thousand kilometers of snow plains.

The white snow gradually became sparse, and everything in sight slowly transformed into black mountain ridges and gray-black rocks. The temperature still tended towards below zero, but it was no longer as terrifyingly cold as before. As a result, with the gradual imperceptible increase in altitude, breathing became increasingly difficult.

The altitude is changing.

The desolate ice plains were left behind, and occasionally mice, packs of wolves, and rock sheep could be seen in the direction of travel. Among the snow, massive yaks silently fed on the grass roots beneath the snow powder, their dark eyes glanced at the uninvited guests roaring by, and quickly, disinterestedly returned their gaze.

Occasionally, one could see dark-skinned, weather-beaten herdsmen riding horses, watching from afar, hand holding a whip for driving sheep, seemingly always smoking.

Indeed enviable lung capacity.

Gradually, human traces were encountered, and the camera of the Flying Airship's live broadcast became more frequent. Sometimes, at the road's turning points, shouting fans and others driving up for photos could be seen.

Kunwu Relay Station — Earth Well, has arrived!

Although called a relay station, it is but a small town clinging to the edge of the mountains. Thanks to the abundant output of the Kunwu Mountains, many precious metals or gemstone sellers send people here year-round.

It's like waiting atop a treasure mountain, anticipating gold sands and gem gravel to slide down.

Waiting for the rabbit by the stump.

The seemingly shabby city is, in fact, where astonishing amounts of money flow every day.

Currently, on the Kunwu Plateau, there are several dozen large rare metal veins detected, with some places being highly pure open-pit veins, including gold.

Unfortunately, though within sight, they can't be obtained or consumed.

The plateau's climate changes and altitude-induced hypoxia are secondary. It's still relatively moderate to speak of the almost swarming Disaster Beasts, but frequent geological activities that occur like diarrhea, mild earthquakes every ten days, major quakes annually, and the toxic harm brought by the expanding atmospheric holes and various radiation eruptions have transformed these spectacular mountains into literal dead ends.

Amidst many bloodstained tragic case lessons from before, everyone can only rarely pull out a thing called reason from their pockets and put it back in their brains.

Watch it with respect but keep a distance.

In the earlier years, the minerals here were called blood gold. Gold, precious gems, and valuable materials are those which miners risk their lives to dig out from the mountains.

Even so, most people's activity range is limited to the outskirts of the mountains, while fields within the countless crisscrossing blade-like barren mountains are the playground of daring lunatics.

In the morning, there was a heavy rainstorm, turning seemingly flat roads into turbulent riverbeds. In the afternoon, under the scorching sun and fierce radiation, the scene of all things competing for vitality quickly became languid. Unpredictable lightning storms, earthquakes, skin diseases, and cancer brought by radiation, and various bizarre Disaster Beasts spawned in this dead end... In the short span of just four days, it's the region with the highest death rate in previous rally races.

"Hooray!"

An Ning cheered, eager: "Finally can catch little mice! Little mice! Little mice!"

Ji Jue's eye twitched slightly, sternly warning: "If I find anything extra in my sleeping bag, it will definitely end up in someone's mouth—"

"Then we can catch snakes!"

An Ning pouted, glaring: "Slimy, cold, slippery, twisting around..."

"Forget it, pretend I didn't say it."

Ji Jue sighed helplessly, then, just as An Ning grinned triumphantly, he added: "If I find out once, I'll use your phone to mass-send to all contacts a video of you passionately reading the Federation's Constitution, loving the law, and supporting Tian Yuan."

An Ning sneered: "Impossible to have such a thing!"

"No? But I think there is."

Ji Jue glanced over sideways, snapped his fingers, and instantly An Ning's phone began loudly playing the Central City anthem with her voice, no matter how she tried to operate it, it had no response until she seemed to bristle like a cat: "Turn it off, turn it off, quickly turn it off!"

It can be said, no matter who it is, they all fear social death, even White Deer is the same.

Little An Ning, easily handled!

And then, it was discovered that the water bottle picked up handily had been mixed with a lethal amount of salt sometime...

Facing Ji Jue's glare, An Ning looked innocently out the window, humming a tune, seriously as if participating in a try-not-to-laugh challenge, finally could not hold back and laughed holding his belly.

Just like that, along the mountain pass road, cars covered in mud raced upwards.

The snow water melted, Dust spread everywhere, and along the way experienced a sudden passing rainstorm. The blood ice inside the car disappeared without a trace.

However, the mud-covered car front and black bumper always carried some illusion-like circulating crimson, amidst the engine's roar, mixed with a wailing-like lament.

Amidst cheers and shouts, they reached the end of the S1 route.

As a newbie racer participating in the Desert Sea Rally Race for the first time, they completed the snow-covered snow plain at fourth place, even the temporarily hired workers clicked their tongues and admired.

Upon reaching the relay point, naturally, the staff previously arranged here came up to handle various matters on their behalf, and the long-prepared repair team began their inspection.

Simultaneously, the committee staff brought a heavy-hearted message — despite the rescue team's long search, limited by adverse weather conditions, they still haven't found the Sky City competitors. Just now, they've officially announced that the driver and navigator are missing.

The search operation will continue, and we will strive to rescue as much as possible. Hereby, remind all participants and enthusiasts to cherish life and stay safe.

Don't drive when angry, don't get angry while driving!

Regarding this, in front of the cameraman's lens, the shocked and sympathetic Ji Jue could only sigh with melancholy, clasping his hands together: "I hope no one got hurt."

The sorrowful heart was evident.

Then, he bent down, picked up the heavy suitcase beside him, and walked towards the restaurant.

As for what's in the suitcase...

Haha, of course, it's some personal belongings, it can't possibly be a missing contestant, right?

It's just that the moment he pushed out through the heavy curtain, the rather narrow camp for the race had who knows how many gazes immediately look over.

The air seemed to solidify, only a stern chill permeated the thin atmosphere, sharp eyes like knives fell upon that face embellished with a faint smile.

"What's going on?"

Ji Jue looked around curiously, filled with confusion: "Everyone seems so serious."

No one responded.

Most people's eyes were fixed on the suitcase in Ji Jue's hand, which was faintly enveloped by a spiritual aura, unable to sense any fluctuations or external aura, yet sensing the almost palpable bloodthirsty aura from Ji Jue. Coupled with his identity as a craftsman, it was hard not to think of something.

Especially the just-arrived drivers and navigators from the Northern Realm team, whose indifferent eyes were filled with uncontrollable coldness, yet in the end, from a brief stare, ultimately did nothing.

Both sides passed each other calmly.

From start to finish, Ji Jue's pace never slowed, but on the way to the resting area, his steps paused for a moment—right near the door, the ground was piled high with empty liquor bottles.

A burly giant with only a tight vest on his upper body picked up a bottle with its neck twisted off and downed the strong alcohol in one gulp.

Finally, he looked up at Ji Jue.

Ji Jue was also looking at him.

It's hard to imagine those were human eyes... or perhaps a kind of pure dark void.

Once, observing from afar through the crowd or satellites, it was impossible to see his face clearly, but at this moment, Ji Jue finally confirmed that there was no vitality in those eyes, not even a hint of emotion: no aversion, no murderous intent, no anger nor joy, almost inhuman.

Like an abyss that could not be fathomed, a black hole constantly desiring escape from its restraints.

Under the constant pressure of the earth's crust, coal transforms into diamonds, and under the bindings of the Matrix and blessing, the soul that has long transcended the pinnacle of Rebirth has gradually embraced the essence of the Ruins, transcending the mundane, becoming increasingly inhuman. Even through layers of spiritual seals, one could still feel that overwhelming aura ready to erupt.

Like a volcano that has been nurtured for decades, when you smell sulfur, you should know that destruction's eruption is not far off.

Now, the volcano stood right in front of him.

The Invisible Static Zone spread, blocking the passage.

"Want a drink?"

The giant named Yue Chen raised the bottle and invited, his face seemed to show a faint smile, though there was no hint of a smile at all.

"No, thank you." Ji Jue shook his head without hesitation.

"As you wish."

He twisted the bottle open again, drank it all in one go, then suddenly said: "Withdraw from the race? If you withdraw now, I'll let you go."

In the silence, not just his assistant beside him, but unknowingly how many people stood up subconsciously, shocked and pale, or suddenly furious.

But under Yue Chen's retrospective gaze, all fell silent.

Unable to make a sound.

Only a faint laugh, indifferent.

"Sorry, never considered it."

Ji Jue looked around at everyone, looked at him, then suddenly laughed, "The race is quite fun, right?"

That kind of smile, without mockery, was entirely peaceful.

But at this moment, it starkly contrasted with that hollow smile, reflecting him, like a mask, gradually, the fake smile dissipating without a trace, leaving only cold indifference.

"This path is blocked."

"Paths are everywhere, if one doesn't work, just take another." Ji Jue retorted, "Besides, as long as there's no one in the way, how can a path be blocked?"

Buzz——!!!

In that instant, an abruptly piercing sound erupted, reverberated, stabbing at everyone's eardrums.

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