Lin Xiao Tian arranged his recent affairs clearly, then announced he would be going to Black Mountain for a period.
No one found Lin Xiao Tian's decision problematic.
In fact, Lin Xiao Tian did go to Black Mountain.
However, after arriving at Black Mountain, Lin Xiao Tian stayed for a day and then, under the cover of night, quietly departed.
Northern Plains.
The Sea of Deathly Sands.
Today, another exploration team entered the desert.
Everyone in the team carried an exceptionally heavy heart.
They all knew that the chances of returning from this expedition were slim, but for the sake of wealth, they were still prepared to gamble.
The remuneration offered by the Lin family was too great; some people, after a lifetime of exploration, could not earn as much.
The exploration teams were arranged by the Lin family. The members did not know each other beforehand. They would only meet their teammates at a designated location after being notified by the Lin family.
After meeting, the team members did not engage in much conversation. After a brief introduction of themselves and their respective specialties, they set off towards the Sea of Sands.
This team entering was not significantly different from previous ones. If one had to find a distinction, it was that this team had a peculiar individual.
This person's face was wrapped in bandages, revealing ghastly scars beneath. His eyes were also injured. It was rumored he had participated in many significant projects and was a doctor.
Before entering the Sea of Sands, the team members finally got a clear view of him.
Beneath the bandages was a completely distorted face.
The entire face, except for the eyes, was disfigured beyond recognition, making it impossible to tell his original appearance.
His eyes lacked any radiance, appearing lifeless. Even the inspector sent by the Wang family was startled by his appearance.
After the inspection, the bandages were re-wrapped around his face, and the exploration team officially entered the Sea of Sands.
"Tsk tsk, is this still human? It's a monster, isn't it?"
"If I ended up like this, I'd rather be dead!"
The mockery from the Wang family members echoed from behind. The captain of the exploration team approached the bandaged man and gently patted his shoulder. He said nothing, but the intended sentiment was conveyed.
The bandaged man glanced at the young man before him and did not utter a word.
In reality, he paid no mind to how the people behind mocked him.
This appearance was not his true face!
This guise was merely what he intended to show the Wang family, so that he wouldn't be recognized!
After all, Lin Xiao Tian's appearance was easily recognizable.
The terrain of the Sea of Deathly Sands was ever-changing. Even with specialized maps, only a general route could be followed.
On the second day of entering the desert, they encountered a sandstorm. Fortunately, everyone was professional, and they all survived the ordeal without incident.
But after the sandstorm, a bizarre scene unfolded.
The sky turned gloomy. The desert, originally dominated by the sun, was now pitch black.
Occasionally, streaks of lightning flashed across the sky, accompanied by deafening thunder.
The strangest part was that despite the raging thunder and lightning, there was a moon in the sky.
"What a cursed place," the exploration team captain cursed and urged his team members to leave quickly.
The Wang family had warned them about this before they came. It was called a thunder zone, a common phenomenon in the Sea of Deathly Sands, unique to this desert.
Within a thunder zone, lightning was frequent. However, once formed, thunder zones were usually localized and not very large. The key was to move out of it quickly. If one lingered inside, they were likely to be struck by lightning. Moreover, the frequency of lightning strikes in a thunder zone increased over time, eventually covering the entire area.
The captain hesitated no longer and led his team to retreat.
Fortunately, they managed to escape the thunder zone without further incident. However, to speed up their escape, they had to abandon a considerable amount of luggage.
But the problem was not significant; the remaining provisions were sufficient for them to reach the designated point within the Sea of Sands and return.
This was on the premise that they could survive near their destination.
Based on past experience, venturing beyond the map's boundaries almost always meant no return.
After advancing for about a morning, the captain signaled everyone to stop.
"Everyone be alert. We are about to enter areas beyond the map. Prepare yourselves; this place is very dangerous."
The captain warned the team.
Without his reminder, everyone understood the peril of this place.
Just then, one of the team members suddenly shouted.
"What is this you're looking at?"
Everyone followed the direction he pointed and soon, a golden hue caught their eyes.
It was nothing else but gold!
The Sea of Deathly Sands was rich in gold, which was the foundation of the Wang family's prosperity.
The gold in front of them was as large as a watermelon. If they could take it back, they wouldn't have to struggle for the rest of their lives.
But this kind of good fortune was met with no enthusiasm from anyone present.
Everyone present understood clearly that it was akin to climbing to the heavens to carry anything out of the Sea of Sands.
The three great families tightly guarded the periphery of the forbidden zone. If anyone was discovered leaving without their permission, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Death was only one aspect; the most feared was implicating one's family.
Furthermore, they were on a mission. If the Lin family learned they had secretly taken gold out, the Lin family would not spare them.
Ultimately, everyone had no choice but to leave reluctantly.
Moving further, they had already left the map's extent. Here, everything seemed to be the same.
But only Lin Xiao Tian knew that this was the most dangerous juncture of their journey.
Just moments ago, he had sensed the aura of several demonic beasts.
Although these beasts were only at the Qi Refining stage, the team carried no firearms or ammunition. Encountering these Qi Refining stage beasts would be akin to walking into a slaughter.
Lin Xiao Tian could have used his Foundation Establishment stage pressure to drive away any impudent demonic beasts, but for the sake of his plan, he could only continue to wait.
Fortunately, these demonic beasts did not pursue them. After a brief observation, they left.
Lin Xiao Tian was perplexed.
Logically, faced with the delicious prospect of humans, there was no reason for the demonic beasts to leave, unless they were wary of something.
But Lin Xiao Tian's aura was well concealed; these demonic beasts should not have been able to detect him.
Without understanding the reason, Lin Xiao Tian could only continue to observe.
But soon, Lin Xiao Tian discovered a clue.
He saw a powerful aura surging towards their location from the distance.
After careful sensing, he realized it was a person.
And this person, Lin Xiao Tian recognized him instantly.
"I didn't expect them to arrive so soon?" Lin Xiao Tian smiled faintly.
Just as Lin Xiao Tian finished this thought in his mind, a red-haired old man appeared before them.
"Hahaha, more delicious meals delivered to my doorstep. A pity they are all ordinary folk; I can only snack on them."