“Captain, we do need a proper check.”
Jie Ge spoke up first, removing the light brain from his wristwatch. “I trust my brothers, but it’s precisely because of that trust that I’m willing to show everything openly.”
His light brain had only three cubic meters of storage space, filled with some spare clothes and nothing else.
He joked self-deprecatingly, “After buying this storage light brain, I became dirt poor.”
The second person to display his light brain was Laike, the team’s logistics guy. His device was the team’s communal property, so it held a good amount of supply reserves.
Magm said, “Alright, thank you all. Next, let’s discuss the retreat…”
“Wait.”
Xie Jianxun raised his hand voluntarily. The expensive light brain wristwatch on his wrist gleamed. “I have a storage light brain too, Captain.”
Even toward the team’s sole repair tech, anyone’s voice would soften a bit.
Magm paused. “You do too? Sorry, that was my oversight.”
“Even if you hadn’t said anything, no one would’ve thought of it.”
Xie Jianxun activated the projection from his light brain, thought for a moment, and said, “Of course I could’ve gotten away with hiding it, but then how could I face everyone when taking over their weapons and gear in good conscience?”
The projection unfolded, revealing the repair tech’s vast holdings.
There were indeed plenty of supplies, but scanning across them revealed all sorts of expensive mechanical parts, vacuum-sealed night market snacks, scattered bottles of lime-flavored sparkling water, stacks of brand-new unworn short-sleeved shirts… a total mess, with everything imaginable.
—Oh, and his ridiculously huge storage capacity.
Joel exclaimed in shock, “What a huge light brain! How much does that cost? Does Golden City sell them? Is it the latest model?”
The team members watched him amiably, no one showing any odd looks over the pricey device.
But faint gazes drifted in from afar.
Xie Jianxun quickly shut off the projection, embarrassed. “My family bought it for me. It’s not money I earned myself.”
Magm raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. “Thanks, our little repair tech Xie… Next, those in favor of retreating, raise your hand.”
He shifted topics a bit stiffly.
The entire team raised their hands high.
The captain said in surprise, “No one wants the Golden Fruit?”
Someone muttered, “What Golden Fruit? More like Death Fruit.”
“Our team’s only been rebuilt for a short time. We’ve got a long road ahead—no need to suffer this much for pocket change.”
Joel sat cross-legged, nonchalant. “If it was just us old brothers, fine. But look, we’ve got these youngsters… and little Xun here. Isn’t he not even of age yet?”
Xie Jianxun said sheepishly, “Yeah, a few more months.”
Anong said, “Captain, don’t worry too much. We’ve all thought it over. Without an oasis, we’re done for. Captain, let’s head back.”
All eyes focused on Magm, full of expectation.
The captain paused, then nodded slightly.
The larger meeting reconvened, with the Adventure Group captain acting as spokesperson, asking each team leader to vote on behalf of their squad… As expected, no traitor was found.
Someone suspected the inside job had stashed the stolen supplies in their light brain, then buried them somewhere only they knew.
This left the Joint Group at a standstill—unwilling to retreat, too scared to advance.
Someone raised a hand. “Captain, actually, I think…”
At that moment, a commotion arose from the neighboring area.
Everyone looked over and saw the Patrol Troops marching out from the adjacent camp in perfect unison, starting to jog around the perimeter.
Joel said the Patrol Troops’ armor was made of new materials—looked heavy but was actually lightweight, breathable, bulletproof, fireproof, with some insulation and cooling functions.
Xie Jianxun thought to himself, No wonder they never change out of them. It’s like the armor grew right onto their bodies.
The Patrol Army Captain stepped out from their ranks and approached the Joint Group’s camp.
The young captain wasn’t wearing his face mask, just holding it casually. He revealed a stern face—not particularly handsome, but impossible to ignore just standing there.
He noticed the Joint Group’s dispute and decided to offer some advice, though it wasn’t exactly polite.
“Already thinking of heading back? Just imagining dangers in your heads?”
He arched his brows high, scanning the arguing or stunned members of the Joint Group.
“I thought after leaving Golden City, no matter what you faced, you’d be prepared and willing to bear it. Turns out, a few days in and you’re slinking away.”
The Patrol Army Captain’s lips twitched. “Advice: don’t be cowards.”
The Adventure Group captain’s face darkened slightly.
He stepped forward. “Captain, this is the Joint Group’s internal matter. Besides, we have to be responsible for everyone. They’re willing to seek the Golden Fruit Forest, venture deep into the desert, and fight the Insect Clan—but not throw their lives away for no reason.”
The Patrol Army Captain eyed him for two seconds before dropping the news. “Why not push a bit farther? Decide then.”
Captain Antonio read something unusual in his expression.
He said in shock, “You mean there’s an oasis?”
Everyone showed surprised looks. Someone said, “But the maps don’t mark any oasis ahead…”
“The drones just finished scouting. Believe it or not.” The Patrol Army Captain shrugged indifferently.
The Joint Group sent scout ships ahead. Less than a kilometer away, they actually spotted an oasis!
One oasis was enough to change everything!
The Joint Group quickly gathered all their repair techs to fix the damaged landships uniformly. The ones too broken to repair got towed behind with special tools, to be assessed once inside the oasis for tradeable parts.
“He was actually telling the truth!”
Joel shouted in surprise as he stepped over the landship’s doorframe. “With that sour face of his, I thought he came just to pick a fight. Didn’t expect him to have a shred of kindness.”
In the back, Anong struggled to squeeze into the trunk.
Hearing this, he turned his head, puzzled, and glanced at Joel. “Sour face? I… I didn’t think it was sour.”
Joel: “…”
“Go sleep it off.”
He ruffled Anong’s head.
Xie Jianxun followed Anong, squeezing into the trunk with equal difficulty.
Anong shrank inward apologetically, but the tiny space freed up was barely enough for Xie Jianxun to fit a leg.
Joel revved the engine. In the passenger seat, Kuangfeng peered through the window at the fleet ahead.
Low sand dunes flashed by in their peripheral vision until they spotted the oasis.
Greenery, pools of water, various sights rose one by one into view, along with the half-moon-shaped narrow village built alongside it—a genuine human-inhabited oasis.
The scout ships’ arrival alerted the locals.
As the fleet approached not too far from the oasis, several residents emerged, eyeing them warily.
The fleet halted at a distance to show no hostility.
The captain and a few team leaders went forward to negotiate with the oasis folk, hoping to buy supplies.
The residents forbade the landships from entering together but implicitly allowed Joint Group members to rest in the oasis.
The captain handled negotiations for lodging and purchases. Xie Jianxun trailed behind Magm, walking the flat streets lined with cabin clusters.
The houses were squat, as if he could touch the eaves on tiptoe.
Xie Jianxun looked up curiously but held back from reaching out, thinking it was their home… Short and kinda cute, he itched to try.
Turning his head, he keenly noticed someone watching them.
The gaze started wary but quickly turned to delight.
“Krimus!”
A young figure dashed out from a house, grabbing one of the Joint Group members’ arms. “It really is you! I thought I was seeing things. It’s been so long!”
The pulled-forward man opened his mouth, his expression shifting before he smiled.
He said joyfully, “Aisia! I thought you didn’t move here with your uncle… How’ve you been holding up?”
Everyone stopped, curiously eyeing the reunited young man and woman.
The one who dashed out was the girl Aisia, her black hair tied in a thick braid with colorful thin cords. Her skin was darkish, but her eyes were big and bright, sparkling with delight at seeing a familiar face.
The one she grabbed was Krimus, a young, slim guy from the Adventure Group. His hair was flat and short, features sharp, wearing the common brownish sun-protective jacket, chest slightly puffed.
Aisia said happily, “It’s great here. Quiet, no sandstorms or wind fields like before. Sometimes living here, I feel like I’m back in Mase. Are these all your friends?”
Krimus introduced, “I work with the caravan, you know. These are my colleagues. We had an accident and happened to pass by.”
Aisia cried, “That’s wonderful! Thanks for bringing him… Uncle! Look, no need to be wary. They’re Krimus’s friends. We should invite them for a meal!”
A short, middle-aged man pushed open his door and glanced around.
As if on his signal, neighbors emerged from left and right.
All ages from tall to short, fat to thin—mostly mid-thirties to fifties, no elders or kids. They smiled welcomingly, nodding at them like long-lost juniors.
Uncle Isaiah beamed as he approached with warm greetings.
“Hey now, it’s Krimus! I didn’t spot you earlier—thought it was a strange caravan… Come on in, everyone must be exhausted. Rest up!”
The Adventure Group captain waved it off. “We’re too many to impose. If you don’t mind, we’ll pitch tents on some open ground.”
“No way, plenty of space here, empty cabins too. Settle in first.”
With that, Uncle Isaiah led them to a cluster of empty cabins deepest in the oasis.
The empty cabins formed a semicircle around an oval clearing, ringed by greenery, backing onto the oasis lake.
An isolated little nook, fenced for protection.
From there, they could see the oasis’s central clear lake, guarded by dense woods—no view of the outside.
Looking back revealed squat houses.
And the most prominent, tallest structure in the cluster—a clock tower.
Uncle Isaiah chattered on, “Don’t mind if our stuff’s sparse. Desert oases are like that—we rely on caravans like yours passing through.”
The captain smiled. “A place to rest is beyond expectations. How could we complain? We’re not a caravan, though—no trades to offer.”
Uncle Isaiah said in surprise, “Not a caravan? With all those supplies… Survey team then?”
They were still misunderstood, but their true goal wasn’t for open reveal.
Captain Antonio simply went with it. “Yes, City Lord’s Mansion surveying new terrain here. Old sir, can we cook?”
“Of course, use the clearing out front freely. Need anything, just ask. But be careful with fire.”
The captain agreed, “No problem.”
Dong—
It was exactly noon. The clock tower let out its first chime of the day.
Dong, dong—
Xie Jianxun noticed many oasis residents emerging from houses, heading under the clock tower. They bowed their heads, murmuring something—the motions and demeanor just like prayer.
Someone stepped forward in the crowd. Turning, Xie Jianxun saw it was Krimus.
The young man, seeing eyes on him, instinctively halted.
He smiled. “Captain, you might not know—they’re not original oasis residents. They moved here from Mase Village. I never saw this clock tower in Mase before; not sure when they built it.”
Aisia stood beside him, hands behind her back, happily watching him describe Mase.
The Adventure Group’s captain had heard of that name. After pondering for a moment, he said, “Mase Village? I remember that’s a very small village. It should be further to the west.”
Krimus replied, “Yes. However, their oasis shrank, and for the sake of their future livelihood, they decided to relocate here.”
The experienced captain took the logistics team to exchange supplies, while the rest stayed behind to rest on the spot.
At that moment, the patrol troops arrived belatedly and were also led into the clearing.
“We can’t set up camp here.”
The Patrol Army Captain had donned his mask today, and his voice emerged only from the hollowed-out mouth section.
“Setting up camp would waste too much time. It’s best to swap supplies and leave. And let me remind you— the Sand Bandit Main Camp on the map is very, very close to here.”
The mercenary squad’s captain held back his temper. After all, it was he who had provided the oasis coordinates.
“Sir, what are you saying?”
He sneered coldly. “If it’s really that close, why haven’t the sand bandits come to rob this oasis’s resources?”
The Patrol Army Captain nodded and turned to the middle-aged short man who had led them in. “Then why not ask them?”
“Hey, we kindly let you in and arranged rooms for you, and now you want to slander us? Think we’re colluding with the sand bandits?!”
The middle-aged short man cursed angrily, “Ungrateful bastards!”
