The endless expanse of the desert concealed countless mysteries and unknown realms of nature. Each grain of sand seemed to whisper ancient tales, hiding beneath them the remnants of long-lost civilizations, treasures forgotten by time, or the intricate networks of underground waterways and cave systems.
As they wandered through this enigmatic Desert Sea, every step required caution. For beneath what appeared to be an ordinary patch of sand could lie a pit capable of swallowing an entire vehicle, reminding them of the formidable forces of nature and the arduous journey of exploration filled with uncertainties.
Leng Fengyang knew that caution was paramount; the risks multiplied in this desolate land. He felt fortunate to have his system with him. The recent System Notification had warned him of an Abnormal Human Transformation, signaling the approach of a mutated scorpion with deadly claws. Had he not responded in time, their vehicle would have been at risk, and it was possible that all three of them could have met their end here.
Gripping the steering wheel tightly, Leng Fengyang's eyes reflected an unprecedented determination. A Yan sat in the passenger seat, her face pale but her bright eyes sparkled with an indomitable spirit. In the backseat, Luo Shanhe was without his firearm, clutching a makeshift wooden spear, ever ready to confront any sudden danger.
The echoes of the system's warning still lingered in the air, which seemed thick with an unsettling atmosphere, hinting at the countless unknowns and dangers lurking beneath the seemingly tranquil desert.
As night fell, the contours of the desert blurred into an endless expanse of dark yellow, occasionally illuminated by distant twinkling stars. Leng Fengyang understood that in such an environment, even the slightest oversight could be fatal. He slowed down, carefully searching for a suitable refuge while relying on his system's alerts.
Suddenly, a low and eerie roar shattered the night's silence—it was the distinctive cry of a Sandstorm Beast. These creatures were massive and agile, able to navigate through sandstorms with ease; they were one of the nightmares that desert survivors dreaded most. What was even more chilling was that these behemoths might have mutated due to the Nuclear Waste Catastrophe, becoming even more powerful and ferocious than before.
A tightness gripped Leng Fengyang’s heart as he swiftly turned the steering wheel to evade this unknown threat. However, the vastness of the desert made escape exceptionally difficult; it felt as if they were being drawn closer to the source of that sound by some invisible force.
With his grip firm on the steering wheel and aware that brute strength alone would not suffice against the impending threat in this perilous desert, Leng Fengyang knew he had to rely on his driving skills combined with his system for any chance of survival.
【Activating Emergency Evasion Mode; entering autonomous driving.】
It seemed as though the system had taken control of their vehicle, issuing commands directly to it. The vehicle responded swiftly; complex maps and data analyses flickered on the screen as a winding yet seemingly safest route was highlighted.
【Planning optimal escape route; please proceed in this direction. It is advised to activate vehicle camouflage and disruption systems.】
Following the system's guidance, the vehicle adjusted its direction automatically while a concealed button blinked with a red breathing light. Instantly, a special camouflage coating enveloped the vehicle's surface, blending it seamlessly with the surrounding sands while emitting faint electromagnetic disturbances in an attempt to confuse the Sandstorm Beast's senses.
The roar of the Sandstorm Beasts grew increasingly closer, clearly indicating that they were not easy prey to deceive. In this critical moment, the system adjusted its strategy once again, realizing that mere camouflage and distractions might not be enough to completely evade these ferocious Sandstorm Beasts.
On the light blue panel of the system, a complex string of code appeared, activating the vehicle's advanced defense mechanism. "Activating Sand Sea Stealth Mode. Please hold on and fasten your seatbelts," it announced.
With this command, several small rotors suddenly popped out from the bottom of the vehicle. They started up silently, gradually lifting the vehicle off the ground several meters high. This unexpected change caught the pursuing Sandstorm Beasts off guard; they leaped and roared on the ground but could no longer reach their target.
A faint energy field surrounded the vehicle, not only to further resist any potential physical attacks from the Sandstorm Beasts but also to disrupt their visual and olfactory tracking abilities. The Sand Sea Stealth Mode also activated the vehicle's intelligent path optimization feature, continuously adjusting its flight trajectory based on real-time environmental data and the movements of the Sandstorm Beasts, ensuring it remained on the safest and most unpredictable path.
The vehicle turned sharply and ascended, gliding through the Desert Sea like a ghost, rendering the pursuit of the Sandstorm Beasts futile. Meanwhile, the onboard weapon system entered standby mode. Although it seemed that the system did not intend to actively attack these creatures, if they approached within a dangerous distance, the vehicle would automatically release non-lethal sonic pulses or flashbangs to drive away or temporarily blind the Sandstorm Beasts, buying more time for escape.
"Exiting emergency mode. Ending autopilot. Please take control of the vehicle," came the system's voice as it gradually drove away from the ravaged area of the Sandstorm Beasts. The autopilot system timely relinquished control, allowing the vehicle to land smoothly and elegantly on solid ground.
This scene filled Leng Fengyang with an indescribable joy; he had never expected that the system he carried with him could possess such extraordinary capabilities. If it hadn't taken over control in time, escaping from the territory of the Sandstorm Beasts would have been nearly impossible.
"Damn! That was exhilarating! This domestic car just took off!" he exclaimed.
In contrast to Leng Fengyang's calm demeanor, Luo Shanhe's excitement was palpable. He continued, "Honestly, A-Feng, your system is simply incredible! Being able to autonomously control the vehicle is way more impressive than any real autonomous driving technology!"
Seeing this, A Yan timely interrupted their enthusiastic discussion with a serious tone: "Alright, you two, we need to face reality now. The sky is getting darker; nighttime in the desert is fraught with danger—more so than during the day. We need to quickly discuss how to safely get through tonight."
Her reminder was like a cool breeze in the scorching desert heat, instantly waking both men from their excitement as they began to seriously consider their current situation.
"It seems we'll have to sleep in the car tonight," Leng Fengyang said while driving. "But we need to take turns keeping watch; this desert is unpredictable. If there are sandstorms or other unknown dangers, we must remain vigilant."
Luo Shanhe quickly scanned their surroundings and suggested, "A-Feng and I can alternate keeping watch while lighting a fire nearby to ensure we have warmth and keep wild beasts at bay. A Yan, since you're a lady, you can just focus on getting your beauty sleep."
Leng Fengyang nodded in agreement and then stopped the car to check it thoroughly, ensuring that all doors were securely locked and that there were ventilation gaps in the windows without allowing sandstorms to invade easily.
Luo Shanhe gathered some dry branches and hay to prepare a fire not far from the vehicle.
The two worked together with clear roles in a tense yet orderly manner; despite their anxiety, there was a stronger sense of trust in each other and a shared desire for survival.
A Yan quietly watched her two companions busily moving about, her eyes filled with reassurance and gratitude. She slowly stepped into the car, choosing to lie down in the back seat and quickly closed her eyes.
As night deepened, the tranquility of the desert concealed unknown challenges ahead. They were ready to face the long and arduous night.
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