Li Sheng used an axe to cut some branches of the saxaul tree into roughly the same length, but he didn't have any rope.
Fortunately, there was a canvas bag. Li Sheng had taken part of the canvas bag apart. The fabric was actually made up of threads stacked together horizontally and vertically. So Yan Shuangwen disassembled it and twisted these thin threads back into slightly thicker ropes, enough to support Li Sheng in making a semi-automatic fire drill.
Li Sheng also got to work, breaking down each piece into thin threads and then twisting them into a relatively strong rope. This was delicate work, time-consuming and requiring patience.
However, in the end, the two of them still completed the task very well, and twisted out several thin ropes about three or four meters long.
This way, the firewood can be bundled together, making it easier to move later.
They also collected fallen leaves and twigs and put them all into the canvas bag, making it bulge.
As the sun was setting and the temperature had noticeably dropped, Li Sheng and his companions began their journey.
All four of them had rumbling stomachs; they hadn't eaten in a long time, but finding food in the desert was no easy task.
Fortunately, they still had food: a bag of bitter melon. Bitter melon is rich in vitamins and dietary fiber and can also relieve heat and thirst. Although it doesn't taste good, it is indeed a good thing.
They don't plan to drink water for the time being. Bitter melon contains water, which can replenish their fluids, and since it's so hot, even if they drink water, it will immediately turn into sweat.
Although thirst is very uncomfortable, the body will gradually reduce sweating in order to maintain balance, and even urine production will decrease to a very small amount. Moreover, if there is a container, urine will not be wasted, and urine is also precious in this environment.
Yan Shuangwu and Naituan were resting well and looked very energetic, but their lips were chapped from dehydration.
Although Naituan was feeling unwell, she was very sensible and well-behaved, never asking for water. She knew that water was precious, and Yan Shuangwen had taught her a lot of knowledge that year.
They took out four palm-sized bitter melons, and each of the four of them ate one. The adults didn't show any expression, but the little girl's face turned into that of a little old woman.
It's so bitter!
Everyone even chewed up the seeds inside the bitter melon; they weren't fussy people, they just chewed them and swallowed them with their saliva.
Of course, the baby couldn't swallow because of its narrow throat, so Li Sheng reluctantly did it for her.
Having eaten and drunk their fill, the four of them set off wearing straw hats, with Naituan still riding on Yan Shuangwu's shoulders.
Let's look out into the distance and see if we can find any suitable resources.
As the group stepped out of the shade, the temperature rose considerably, though much better than before. Although the soles of their feet were still a bit hot, it didn't affect them much.
The map is simple and abstract, but it still marks their starting position. Apart from that, only the route near the end is clear. Then, the rising and setting of the sun can also help them find their way. As long as they keep moving in the general direction, they can reach the end.
Li Sheng walked at the front as the leader and guide of the group, while Yan Shuangwu led the milk team in the middle, following behind.
At first, everyone would sweat because it was too hot, but after walking for two hours, the sweating was almost gone, and the temperature began to drop.
Suddenly, Li Sheng saw something flash by in the desert ahead and disappear into the sand.
Yan Shuangwen immediately said, "It looks like a lizard, high in protein."
Yan Shuangwen and Li Sheng were on the same wavelength and always felt that great minds think alike.
Li Sheng quickly walked over and indeed found traces in the sand. However, this lizard was very cunning, but since it had encountered Li Sheng, it would definitely be reincarnated today.
Sure enough, when Li Sheng searched the sand in the direction of the traces, the lizard immediately became agitated and fled in another direction.
However, no matter how fast it was, it couldn't outrun Li Sheng's hand. Besides, this thing wasn't very aggressive, so it was easily caught by Li Sheng with one hand, and with a little force, it died instantly.
He then handed it over to Yan Shuangwen for safekeeping.
After walking for a long time, it got dark, but after my eyes adjusted, I could still see. There were still many stars in the sky, and I could use the Big Dipper to determine my location.
However, the temperature dropped rapidly, and it's now estimated to be only around 20 degrees Celsius.
Yan Shuangwen, unable to bear it any longer, said, "Let's stop and rest for a bit."
They had indeed been walking for a long time. Li Sheng nodded in agreement: "Okay, let's rest here for a while and have some water. I'll go take a look from that higher place."
The desert is not all sand; the ground beneath their feet has changed after they've walked for so long.
It turned into hard lumps and rocks; perhaps we'll find an oasis along the way.
However, this is most likely wishful thinking.
Li Sheng stood at the highest point and looked out. Because the visibility was poor at night, he could only see a limited amount of things. Apart from the endless sand dunes, he could not see anything.
But he was not discouraged. He came down and joined the others, and took a small sip of water. The moment his mouth touched the water, he really wanted to drink it in big gulps, but he suppressed his desire, which was not rational.
After resting for another ten minutes or so, in just that short time, Li Sheng felt the temperature drop significantly, and he could now feel a slight chill.
The four of them set off again, and the baby was put down. Her feet wouldn't get burned now, and they weren't traveling very fast, so she couldn't keep up.
There are currently about 800 milliliters of water left in the water bag.
They were all feeling unwell, but the three adults consciously saved the water for the milk ball.
Adults have a high tolerance.
The group continued forward into the darkness.
The teams from other countries seem to be experiencing some unpleasant symptoms.
The four men of the incapable nation were arguing over the last drop of water.
The team leader gripped the water tightly in his hand: "I'm the team leader, this water should be mine to drink."
The other three team members would definitely disagree; they never expected to end up in such a awful place.
So the four of them started hurling insults at each other, and even started grabbing at each other.
However, no one ended up drinking the water; during the scramble, someone accidentally stepped on the water bag and popped it.
Now everything's gone.
They had already eaten all the bitter melons they had drawn while walking.
They were plunged into despair, and continued walking forward in silence, unaware that they would never reach the end in their lifetime, because they were going in the wrong direction.
Several local traitors who support the country that can't be helped directly smashed the table and cursed.
Fortunately, they didn't put all their eggs in one basket.
As the nighttime temperature dropped, the four hopeless men froze to death, completely exhausted, and simply gave up the competition.
They also hoped that their salt could be divided equally so they could take it home.
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