Li Lin gasped for breath, surveying the devastated battlefield. "Is everyone alright?"
Liya quickly checked the injuries of her teammates. "A few minor wounds, nothing serious."
Li Lin nodded, his gaze falling on the weak Xiao Xing in his arms, a pang of pain shooting through his heart. "We need to find a safe place quickly."
Doctor Emily stepped forward, her expression grave. "Li Lin, we need to talk about the experiment that led to the collapse of civilization."
Li Lin frowned. "Now is not the time, Doctor. We need to leave here first."
The team swiftly retreated from the battlefield and found temporary shelter in an abandoned factory workshop. Li Lin carefully laid Xiao Xing on a pile of rags and gently stroked its head. "Hang in there, little one."
Xiao Xing weakly opened its eyes and let out a faint cry. Li Lin felt its pain, his heart aching. "We will get you better."
Liya approached, crouching down to examine Xiao Xing's injuries. "The situation isn't looking good; its energy seems severely depleted."
Li Lin clenched his fists, struggling to contain his anxiety. "Is there any way to help it recover?"
At that moment, a hoarse voice spoke up. "Maybe I can help."
Everyone turned alertly, and they saw a weathered middle-aged man standing in the shadows. Li Lin immediately assumed a defensive stance. "Who are you?"
The man stepped out of the shadows slowly, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. "My name is Old Ma; I'm a survival expert in this wasteland. I heard you were fighting against raiders, and I came to help."
Li Lin eyed Old Ma suspiciously. "How do you know about us?"
Old Ma forced a smile. "In this wasteland, news travels faster than you might think."
Liya interjected, "Li Lin, we really need help right now. Maybe we should hear what he has to say."
Li Lin pondered for a moment and nodded. "Alright, tell us how you can help."
Old Ma walked over to Xiao Xing and examined her closely. "This Starwing Beast needs special herbs to recover."
"What herbs? Where can we find them?" Li Lin asked urgently.
Old Ma's expression turned serious. "Those herbs only grow deep within the Radiation Zone, and they are extremely rare."
Li Lin clenched his fists. "No matter how dangerous it is, I have to go."
Liya looked at Li Lin with concern. "It's too risky. We should think this through."
Just then, hurried footsteps echoed as everyone turned alert. A bloodied man staggered in.
"Help me... they're coming," the man gasped before collapsing on the ground.
Li Lin rushed forward and turned the man over, revealing a dagger lodged in his chest, marked with the Raiders Group's insignia.
"What happened?" Li Lin demanded.
The man struggled to speak. "Raiders... internal rebellion... Technological Ruins... they want..." Before he could finish, he took his last breath.
Li Lin stood up, his brow furrowed. "It seems the situation is more complicated than we imagined."
"Old Ma said in a deep voice, 'We must prepare for the worst. The internal turmoil within the Raiders Group could plunge the entire wasteland into greater chaos.'
Doctor Emily, looking worried, replied, 'If they really have found some hidden Technological Ruins, the consequences would be unimaginable.'
Li Lin took a deep breath, his gaze resolute. 'We have no choice. We must find that herb quickly to heal Xiao Xing and then investigate this so-called Technological Ruins thoroughly.'
Liya nodded. 'I agree, but we need to devise a detailed plan.'
Old Ma suggested, 'I know of an abandoned military facility nearby that can serve as our temporary base.'
Li Lin looked around at everyone. 'Then it's settled. We'll head to the military facility first, formulate a detailed plan, and then split up to take action.'
At that moment, Xiao Xing suddenly let out a faint cry. Li Lin rushed to its side and saw that Xiao Xing's eyes had become unfocused.
'Hang in there, little one,' Li Lin whispered soothingly, though his heart was filled with anxiety and worry.
He knew time was running out; they had to act quickly. Otherwise, not only could Xiao Xing perish, but the entire wasteland would face an unprecedented crisis."
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