67. Oasis
The resounding thud of the heavy metal door closing behind him was like a watershed, momentarily isolating the dead silence, danger, and radioactive fallout of the ruins outside. A complex aroma—a blend of disinfectant, damp soil, the faint fragrance of plants, and the whiff of human life—assailed me, a stark contrast to the murky air of the hopeless world outside.
The team members, along with the unconscious Su Lin and the seriously injured Mu Lin, were placed in an isolation area on the outskirts of the base, converted from an old warehouse. The lighting was dim, but the area was clean and tidy, furnished with a few simple camp beds and some basic medical equipment. The mottled slogans on the walls vaguely revealed traces of the past, but the overall environment exuded a sense of meticulously maintained order.
"Gently place the wounded on the bed," a middle-aged man, dressed in a washed-out, yet exceptionally neat uniform, commanded in a deep voice. His face was serious, his eyes sharp as a hawk's. He was tall and thin, standing straight, exuding the rugged aura of a veteran. He was none other than Gao Zhan, the captain of the outpost's security detail who had previously negotiated with Lei Qing. Behind him were two armed guards, their eyes alert, and a middle-aged female doctor, Dr. Li Wan, dressed simply and with a focused expression.
Ling Ye carefully placed Su Lin on the innermost cot, covered with clean white sheets, his movements as gentle as if he were placing fragile glass. A Yan also placed Mu Lin on the bed next to him. Mu Lin groaned, cold sweat dripping from his forehead, but he remained silent.
Doctor Li Wan immediately stepped forward and examined Mu Lin's condition. She untied the temporary fixation Lei Qing had placed on him, her fingers expertly pressing and probing, her brow furrowed ever deeper. "Internal bleeding, multiple bone fractures, meridian damage from the energy backlash... His willpower is remarkable to have managed to hold on this long." Her voice was steady, with a doctor's characteristic calmness. "Immediate intensive treatment and fixation are necessary. My resources are limited, but I'll do my best."
She signaled her assistant to bring some bitter-smelling herbal ointment and a more professional splint, and began to treat Mu Lin. Mu Lin closed his eyes, feeling the slight coolness brought by the medicine and the relief from the severe pain, and his tense nerves relaxed a little.
Then, Dr. Li Wan walked towards Su Lin. Ling Ye almost immediately took a half step to the side, standing in front of the bed in a protective posture, his icy blue eyes filled with scrutiny and subtle hostility.
"Ling Ye." Lei Qing's low voice carried a reminder.
Ling Ye and Dr. Li Wan exchanged calm gazes for a moment, and finally slowly moved away, but his body was still in a state of alert, ready to explode at any time.
Dr. Li Wan wasn't concerned. She carefully examined Su Lin's pupils, heartbeat, and breathing, then gently felt his pulse at the side of his neck and the temperature of his forehead. "His vital signs are weak, but his core vitality seems to be protected by some force, preventing it from declining. The coma is likely due to a dual overdraft of both mental and vital energy, causing his body to fall into a self-protective slumber." She glanced at Su Lin's eyelids, noting his unusually pale yet still exquisitely delicate features. She paused slightly, "He needs nutrition and fluids, and we'll wait for him to awaken naturally. I'll give him an injection of nutrient solution and a mild nerve tonic."
Hearing the words "natural awakening" and the relatively optimistic assessment, Ling Ye's tense jawline relaxed slightly. He watched Dr. Li Wan expertly inject Su Lin, his eyes never leaving his pale face.
Gao Zhan watched from the side, his gaze sweeping over Lei Qing and the group of disheveled yet imposing team members behind him, finally landing on Lei Qing's face. "Captain Lei, according to the rules, you will need to be isolated here for observation for 24 hours. During this time, we will provide basic food and water. I hope you will understand and cooperate."
"I understand. Thank you for taking me in." Lei Qing nodded, neither humble nor arrogant. "We have some supplies that may be able to be exchanged for more urgently needed medicines or information." He hinted at the existence of Su Lin's spatial ability, but did not say it explicitly.
Gao Zhan's eyes flashed, and he seemed to understand something, and nodded: "When the quarantine is over, our leader wants to see you. We will discuss the specific matters then." He waved his hand, and the two guards retreated to guard the entrance of the quarantine area. He took Dr. Li Wan and his assistant and left temporarily, leaving a relatively private space.
The door to the quarantine area was closed, leaving only the team members. The atmosphere was a little tense for a moment, a mixture of exhaustion from surviving the disaster, wariness in an unfamiliar environment, and concern for their companions' injuries.
Almost the moment the outsiders left, Xingchen slid down onto the cot in the corner, exhausted, clutching his stinging temples with both hands. His expression was even uglier than before. The continuous mental exhaustion and the last bit of forcing himself to hold on had reached his limit.
"Stardust!" Lei Qing quickly walked over and supported his shaking body. "How is it?"
"My head... feels like it's going to split apart..." Xingchen's voice was weak and his body was trembling slightly.
Lei Qing immediately dug out a high-concentration energy bar and some water from the team's bag on the ground. The bag contained some basic supplies that had been taken from Su Lin's space, and handed them to Xingchen. "Eat this to replenish your energy. You've used up too much mental energy."
Xingchen reluctantly ate a few bites and drank some water, then leaned against the wall to catch his breath, closing his eyes and trying to calm the stabbing pain in his head.
On the other side, A Yan sat down on the ground beside Mu Lin's bed, peeling off the bandages to check the gaping wounds on his body. He grimaced and gasped, but still looked at Mu Lin first: "Brother Mu Lin, are you feeling better?"
Mu Lin slowly opened his eyes, his icy blue pupils weary yet a bit clearer than before. "Much better. Doctor Li's medicine is very effective." His voice was still hoarse, but no longer so weak. His gaze drifted involuntarily to Su Lin, who lay unconscious on the bed across from him, his eyes filled with unconcealed worry and tenderness.
Ling Ye remained at Su Lin's side, never leaving his side. He wrung out a damp towel and meticulously wiped Su Lin's cheeks, neck, and arms, attempting to physically make him more comfortable. His movements were focused and patient, a stark contrast to the cold, decisive warrior he usually was. Sunlight filtered through the ventilation windows high above the quarantine area, falling squarely on Su Lin's face, casting a sharp shadow from his long, thick eyelashes against his pale skin, a look of heartbreaking fragility. Ling Ye reached out and lightly brushed Su Lin's eyelashes, feeling the subtle tremor, and his heart tightened.
Time passed slowly within the quarantine area. Doctor Li Wan returned once, changed Mu Lin's medication, checked Su Lin's condition, and left after confirming he was stable. The guards brought simple food—some dry, but still clean, bread and water.
Lei Qing forced everyone to eat some, including Xingchen, who had almost no appetite, and Ling Ye, whose mind was completely on Su Lin.
"We must maintain our strength, the unknown is still ahead." Lei Qing's voice was filled with unquestionable power.
As night fell, a dim emergency light flickered on inside the quarantine zone. From outside, the faint sounds of the residents' daily lives drifted in: children playing, adults chatting, a long-lost, trance-like atmosphere of everyday life.
Mu Lin, with the effects of the medication and rest, had recovered considerably, and was now able to sit up against the headboard. He looked at Su Lin's profile, sleeping peacefully in the dim light on the bed across from him, then at his teammates sitting around him. The topics he hadn't fully discussed during the day's journey, as well as the emotions swirling deep within him, now surfaced in the relative safety and tranquility of the moment.
He took a deep breath, his ice-blue eyes appearing exceptionally clear in the dim light. Although his voice was not loud, it was clearly heard by everyone: "During the day... I mean what I say."
Everyone's eyes instantly focused on him. Ah Yan sat cross-legged on the ground, looking up at him, his golden eyes gleaming. Xingchen leaned against the wall, wearily opening his eyes. Lei Qing sat at the table, wiping his dagger, his movements still ongoing, but his eyes glanced over. Ling Ye paused slightly as he wiped Su Lin's arm, but didn't turn back.
Mu Lin's gaze fell gently on Su Lin's face, as if he could see through the coma and see a spirited and resilient soul. "I may not have known Su Lin as long as Ling Ye and A Yan, but when I first met him in the shelter, and he shared his saved food with the weaker children despite being clearly terrified himself, I knew he was different from everyone we'd met before." His voice was warm with reminiscence. "He looks delicate and fragile, in need of protection, but deep down he's tougher than anyone. His spatial ability is more of a curse than a gift, causing him to grow up surrounded by greed and plunder, but he never used it to harm innocent people. Instead, in times of greatest danger, he became our support."
He paused, as if gathering his courage, then said firmly, "I want to protect him, not just because of his abilities, but because of who he is. I want to see him no longer afraid, to see him smile peacefully, and I want to... be a safe haven for him to rely on. This feeling has long surpassed the bond between teammates. I love him."
Mu Lin's confession was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples.
A Yan immediately interjected, his voice loud and straightforward, with fiery passion: "Brother Mu Lin is right! Su Lin is the best! I, A Yan, am not as smart as you, and I can't think of so many twists and turns. I just know that when I see him happy, I am happy, and when I see him injured, I want to kill someone! He and you saved my life, and it will be his from now on! When Su Lin wakes up, I will tell him that I, A Yan, like him and want to be with him! No one can snatch him from me!" He waved his fists, his eyes burning, and he did not hide his possessiveness at all.
Xingchen smiled weakly, a blush appeared on his pale face, and he whispered, his voice like a feather brushing across his heart: "I... my mental power can feel the color of emotions. Su Lin's emotions... are very clean, like the melting snow in early spring, a little cool, but very warm. Every time I get close to him, my mental power feels very comfortable and peaceful." He paused, lowered his eyelashes shyly, "I don't know if this counts as love... but I know that I don't want to lose this peace. Seeing him unconscious, I... I feel so empty here, it's more uncomfortable than running out of mental power." He covered his chest, his tone sincere and moving.
Everyone's attention was once again focused on the silent figure.
Ling Ye slowly put down the towel in his hand and turned around. The dim light cast a deep shadow on his angular face. His icy blue eyes shone startlingly bright in the darkness, churning with complex and unspeakable emotions—possession, pain, worry, and a deep affection buried deep in his bones.
He walked to Su Lin's side, not looking at anyone, but just staring deeply at Su Lin's sleeping face. Then, he stretched out his hand, not touching, but brushing the outline of Su Lin's cheek very softly, as if afraid of disturbing his sleep.
"Very early on," Ling Ye said, his voice low and hoarse, carrying the weariness of a lifetime and an unquestionable resolve. "When everyone treated him as little more than a mobile warehouse... I saw the loneliness and kindness hidden beneath his vigilance." His gaze seemed to pierce through time, returning to their first encounter. "I said, he's mine."
He raised his eyes and swept his gaze over Mu Lin, A Yan and Xing Chen for the first time. His eyes were no longer purely cold, but carried a complex scrutiny as if he was looking at his "kindred", and a strange, tacit sense of competition.
"But his heart is his own choice," Ling Ye finally said, his voice heavy with a sense of relief, as if he had let go of something, yet also filled with the determination to never let go. "And before that, no one can let him suffer the kind of harm he suffered today. Even you."
This was not giving up, but a declaration of war, and also a strange and fragile declaration of alliance based on their shared love for Su Lin.
Lei Qing looked at the four outstanding young men before him, each displaying unprecedented tenderness, honesty, and competitiveness for the same person. A complex expression of helplessness and understanding crossed his resolute face. He set down his cleaned dagger and said solemnly, "I understand how you feel. Su Lin is a good child and deserves to be treated with sincerity." His gaze grew serious. "But remember where we are now. Feelings are private matters; survival is paramount. Until absolute safety is ensured, any emotions that could affect judgment and teamwork must be controlled rationally. Do you understand?"
"I understand, Captain Lei." Mu Lin nodded first, his expression returning to his usual calmness, but his eyes looking at Su Lin became more gentle.
"Got it, boss!" A Yan patted his chest, "I, A Yan, know my limits!"
Stardust also nodded slightly.
Ling Ye didn't answer, but his silence itself was a response. He sat back down beside Su Chen and continued his silent guard.
The nights in the quarantine area were spent in a delicate and balanced atmosphere. The shared and deep love for Su Lin was like an invisible bond that connected these men with very different personalities. There was potential competition, but also a strange understanding and tacit understanding.
The next morning, sunlight streamed in through the air vents again. Doctor Li Wan arrived early to examine him, a look of relief on her face. "Mr. Mu Lin's condition has stabilized, and the internal bleeding has stopped. He'll need to rest. Mr. Su Lin's vital signs are slowly improving, and he's probably not far from waking up."
This news cheered everyone up.
When the quarantine time was up, the door of the quarantine area was opened and Gao Zhan appeared again.
"Captain Lei, everyone, the quarantine period is over. Our leader, Mr. Zhou Yuanshan, invites you all to come over for a chat."
Lei Qing led Ling Ye, A Yan, and Xing Chen, who were in better condition, to meet Zhou Yuanshan. The meeting took place in a relatively intact, old-fashioned building in the center of the stronghold. Zhou Yuanshan, a middle-aged man with a wise gaze and a calm demeanor, listened carefully to Lei Qing's intelligence on the chaos within the Guichen Sect following the fall of Wuguang and Jiemie, as well as the team's information regarding the location of its headquarters and defensive weaknesses.
"The Guichen Cult is the biggest cancer in our region," Zhou Yuanshan said solemnly, tapping his fingers on the table. "They plunder resources, deceive people, and perform evil rituals that desecrate life. Their current internal strife presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." He looked at Lei Qing with a sharp gaze. "Oasis is willing to cooperate with you to completely eradicate this scourge. We need your intelligence and combat capabilities, and you need Oasis's manpower and resources."
The two sides hit it off immediately. A detailed battle plan was quickly formulated over the next few days. Lei Qing's team would serve as the spearhead, leveraging their familiarity with the terrain and Su Lin's spatial abilities to deliver unexpected blows, targeting the core and destroying key facilities. The Oasis's armed forces would be responsible for clearing out the perimeter, containing the enemy, and conducting large-scale offensives.
The battle unfolded in the darkest hour before dawn. Relying on accurate intelligence and tacit coordination, the coalition forces stormed the Guichen Cult's headquarters with lightning speed. Having lost their core leader, the Guichen Cult, already severely weakened by internal strife, offered a disorganized and feeble resistance against the well-prepared coalition forces.
Ling Ye's bayonet drew a deadly arc in the darkness, A Yan's flames illuminated the distorted face, Mu Lin's ice wall provided a solid barrier for his teammates, Xingchen's mental power accurately interfered with the enemy's judgment, and Lei Qing's command was as steady as a mountain, controlling the overall situation.
By the time the sun had fully risen, illuminating the ravaged landscape, the battle was largely over. The Return to Dust Cult's headquarters had been burned, and its remnants had fled, unable to pose a threat for a short time. The coalition forces had rescued the last of the imprisoned, emaciated survivors.
Standing on the scorched earth of the Guichen Sect ruins, Su Lin took a deep breath, watching the revitalized glow on the faces of the rescued survivors. The air still stank of gunpowder, but it also brought an unprecedented sense of relief. He felt a hand gently rest on his shoulder. It was Lei Qing.
"It's over." Lei Qing's voice was a little tired, but more of it was relief.
Ling Ye was silently wiping the blood off the bayonet; Mu Lin was treating the wound of a wounded "Oasis" soldier, his movements still gentle and focused; A Yan grinned and was bragging about his recent battle record to a few young people from "Oasis"; Xingchen was leaning against a rock to rest, his face a little pale.
They are all still here. They are all safe and sound.
With the destruction of the Return to Dust Cult, the region's greatest threat was eliminated. The "Oasis" stronghold welcomed unprecedented opportunities for development. A large number of rescued survivors joined, bringing with them a workforce and diverse skills. The stronghold began to expand, restoring more ancient buildings and reclaiming more land, steadily expanding in size.
Lei Qing's team, thanks to their outstanding contributions in battle, earned widespread respect and admiration from the residents of the "Oasis." Zhou Yuanshan warmly invited them to stay permanently in the "Oasis," allocating them a small, relatively independent, old warehouse near the edge of the stronghold with a wide view. This simple, yet spacious, warehouse had been renovated and became known to the team members as "home."
The days seemed to slow down all of a sudden, filled with long-lost tranquility and the atmosphere of everyday life.
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