Aura meowed and reluctantly rubbed against us, seemingly complaining. The little white duck stretched its neck and looked around, its eyes filled with confusion, as if it was extremely shocked by what was happening before its eyes.
It seems that the vehicle companion talisman cannot contain living beings... After thinking for a moment, Xi Xi decisively took off her hiking backpack, took out the water bottle from the side pocket, unzipped it and put it in.
Immediately afterwards, Xi Xi lifted Aura and the little white duck and put them into the side pocket of her backpack, one on each side.
“Let’s go!” She stood up, put her backpack back on, and then put on the thermostatic cloak she had drawn for herself the day before.
Xi Xi carefully covered the cat and the duck, then climbed up the nearby sand dune with the skateboard between her legs.
The blazing sun hung in the sky like a fireball, baking the earth until it was scorching hot.
Fortunately, I had a temperature-regulating cloak. Although the surrounding environment was still unbearably hot, it was much more comfortable than my previous outings.
With firm and powerful strides, Xi Xi sped across the desolate desert on her skateboard. Her bright eyes were intently exploring the surrounding scenery.
After a long while, a dazzling reflection caught her eye.
Xi Xi looked closely and saw a gleaming golden treasure chest standing quietly atop a towering sand dune on the sand in the distance.
Xi Xi subconsciously looked around but didn't find anything obviously unusual. She remembered the special colors on the map and had some doubts.
However, just as she sped down the dune, put away her skateboard, and was about to climb over a huge sand dune, the sand beneath her feet suddenly became unusually soft.
She felt an irresistible force pulling her rapidly downwards, the flowing sand constantly engulfing her legs. In a daze, Xi Xi heard the pitiful cries of Aura and the little white duck behind her.
Xi Xi immediately realized something, and her face turned pale instantly.
She could feel her heart racing, and sweat and fear mingled together, soaking her clothes.
However, Xi Xi did not panic excessively. Her years of experience in various difficult environments had taught her that it was especially important to remain calm in such life-or-death situations.
She forced herself to calm down and quickly drew upon her survival knowledge.
Desert water sources are usually hidden deep underground and are difficult to find.
However, when the foundation of the desert is unstable, groundwater buried deep underground may rise to the surface, and after a long period of infiltration, loose sandy soil is formed.
When subjected to vibration or compression, the structure of sand particles is destroyed, and it gradually turns into a swamp-like area—commonly known as desert quicksand terrain.
You cannot struggle or drag yourself in quicksand, otherwise it may backfire, causing you to sink deeper and eventually suffocate.
Xi Xi's mind raced as she considered a solution; time was of the essence, leaving her no room for hesitation.
With lightning speed, she stretched out her arms and gripped the skateboard tightly, lying flat on the quicksand to maximize the contact area between her body and the sand, thus reducing the pressure.
She took a deep breath, mustered her courage, and carefully began to move her legs, which were already deeply embedded in the quicksand.
Every slight movement seemed so difficult, but she still gritted her teeth and persevered, crawling forward little by little, slowly breaking free from the powerful pull of the quicksand.
Just when things seemed to be going very well, and victory seemed within reach, and they were about to break free, unexpectedly, a huge crack suddenly appeared in the quicksand!
This turn of events happened so suddenly that Xi Xi had no time to react.
She instantly lost her balance, flipped backward, and sank completely into the quicksand.
"This isn't right!" Xi Xi exclaimed inwardly. "Is there something wrong with the game's physics?"
The quicksand seemed to come alive, opening its blood-red maw like a hungry Venus flytrap, mercilessly devouring everything, and Xi Xi was just like that poor insect that had gone astray.
The grains of sand, like countless tiny needles, stung her skin, causing waves of pain.
Her breathing became thin, a suffocating feeling pressing on her chest, and a sense of helplessness washed over her again. Xi Xi couldn't help but recall the moment she died in the apocalyptic earthquake, and her consciousness drifted into a daze...
Xi Xi was woken up by the little white duck's raspy voice. She rubbed her shoulders and struggled to sit up, brushing the fine sand off her face.
"I'm still alive?" Xi Xi looked up, trying to make out her surroundings as her fingers curled up as if touching a lot of wet, sandy soil.
However, all that could be seen was a dim and gloomy scene, as if it had been soaked in thick ink, and nothing could be clearly distinguished.
"Where is this?" Xi Xi murmured, her voice exceptionally clear in the quiet space, even echoing.
"Quack quack!" The little white duck quacked loudly, and Xi Xi woke up. She groped around in the direction of the sound, but not only did she not find it, she also bumped her head on the sandstone above her when she stood up.
She let out a muffled groan of pain, and the little white duck's cries grew even more pitiful.
Xi Xi was speechless, never expecting to encounter such a situation.
Because it was broad daylight, Xi Xi did not carry a headlamp with her, and since the area was pitch black and low-lying, she could not put her car out.
For a moment, Xi Xi found herself in a dilemma.
After thinking for a moment, she finally took out the light-bladed scythe tucked at her waist.
The indigo light was surprisingly bright in the darkness; although the illumination range was limited, it was better than nothing.
Xi Xi picked up the skateboard at her feet, tucked it under her arm, and then looked around, trying to find a way out.
This is an area resembling an underground cave, with an eerie atmosphere permeating the surroundings.
Compared to the previously explored Dark Canyon, this one was much wetter, with scattered sand all around.
Xi Xi raised the light blade, looked up at the sky, and vaguely saw the writhing quicksand.
Huh? The bottom of this quicksand is a hollow cave?
Xi Xi felt that her understanding of physics and geography had been severely impacted...
She paused for a moment, then, gripping her sickle, stumbled through the sand and found the little white duck by following the sound.
Xi Xi was initially worried, but then she saw the little guy lying on his back like an overturned turtle shell, groaning in pain because he couldn't turn over.
Xi Xi, exasperated, hurriedly stepped forward and scooped the little white duck into her arms. Feeling Xi Xi's warmth, the little white duck calmed down a bit and stopped chirping.
Immediately afterwards, Xi Xi looked around and quickly searched for the supplies she had brought with her. However, apart from the light-blade scythe and the golden lucky bag hanging at her waist, all the other supplies were gone.
"Aura!" Xi Xi called out anxiously as she took off the golden lucky bag and dusted it off.
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