out of time

Chapter 5 Scavengers Camp

The restricted area formed by this corner in the eastern part of Nanhuangzhou is not very large.

The ruins where Xu Qing and his party left were on the edge of the restricted area.

This is why scavengers can rush to the city on the first day of sunshine.

So when it was getting late, they were almost out of the restricted area.

Although I also encountered some alienated beasts on the road, they were quickly resolved by the hands of these scavengers.

Under Xu Qing's observation, he had a judgment in his heart.

He felt that if he made a move, among the six scavengers, except for the old man called Team Thunder, everyone else could fight against him.

"They are not monks, but the ruthlessness and timing of the shots, as well as the attitude of not caring about death at the critical moment, have enhanced their lethality."

Xu Qing analyzed from the bottom of his heart, he thought that apart from Team Lei, the others were alone, and he could fight by himself.

If there are two, it is not impossible for me, but if there are three together, I am afraid that I cannot do it.

With this judgment, Xu Qing became more cautious.

At the same time, he was keenly aware that as the distance from the outside world got closer and closer, the expressions of those scavengers became much more relaxed.

They even joked with each other on the road from time to time.

Only the old man known as Team Lei didn't say anything along the way.

The others were also in awe of him, which made Xu Qing curious about the identity of the old man.

However, this curiosity did not reduce his vigilance. Even though he was about to leave the restricted area, Xu Qing was still vigilant. When following these scavengers, he did not get close.

Instead, they were not near or far behind, listening to their discussions while following cautiously.

When the sky was about to fall completely, Xu Qing paused as a wave of warmth rushed towards his face, turned his head to look at the wasteland behind him, and then at the world ahead.

Between heaven and earth, there seemed to be an invisible boundary where he was.

Within the boundary is the fledgling restricted area, which is gloomy and cold.

Beyond the boundaries is the normal world, where the earth rejuvenates.

They walked out of the restricted area.

Although the outside world is dark night, the starry sky is bright, and the bright moon can be seen hanging high.

Although the land is also desolate, it is far from the coldness of the restricted area, and some normal sounds of birds and beasts can be heard from time to time.

In the grass in the distance, Xu Qing even saw a rabbit watching them warily.

All this made Xu Qing feel a little dazed.

Those scavengers also obviously looked completely relaxed, and even Team Lei eased his brows.

"Finally came out, this time it went smoothly, but whenever possible, I don't want to step into the restricted area again."

"Don't go to the restricted area? If you want to survive in this ghost world, if you want to live better, you have to go to the restricted area and work hard. Sooner or later, I will buy a residency in the Seven Blood Eyes sub-city!"

Outside the restricted area, these scavengers were obviously in a relieved mood, and words spread to each other.

Xu Qing kept silent, but listened carefully. He listened to the conversations of these people along the way, and already knew a lot of information that he hadn't had access to before.

For example, the seven blood pupils, he heard these scavengers mention it many times, it seems that it is a very powerful force.

And the name Zitu was also mentioned several times by them.

"That's all you have ambition? There are many sub-cities of Seven Blood Eyes, and the nearby Antler City is one of them. What is the right of residence, my goal is to obtain the entry qualification of Qixuetong and become a disciple of Qixuetong!"

"You went to Qixuetong, and you can't live for three days. Who can blow the cowhide, why didn't you say that your goal is to go overseas to look at the ancient continent, where there is also the origin of the human race."

When Xu Qing heard this, his heart moved, he had seen the name Wanggu on the bamboo slips,

"Looking at the past? If I have the ability to ignore those taboo things in the sea, do you think I won't go?"

The two of the scavengers seemed to have some verbal conflicts with each other, and they argued with each other.

Xu Qing pricked up his ears, and was about to continue to listen to their conversation to obtain information, when the old man of Team Lei glanced at the two of them, and spoke for the first time along the way.

"It's not impossible to visit the ancient continent. There are four ways. You can think about which one suits you."

"One, build a foundation within the age of 15 and become a rare arrogance. Two, pay 30 Junling coins to buy migration places from Zitu or Qixuetong, or Litujiao."

"Three, making outstanding contributions to the human race in alchemy. Fourth, being accepted as personal disciples by several big families of Zitu, several peak masters of Seven Blood Eyes, or the leader of Litu Sect."

"Oh, there is a fifth method, to become a treasure raiser. Think about it, which one is suitable for you?"

The scavengers were silent, especially when they heard the fifth method, they all looked very unnatural, with fear in their eyes.

Xu Qing's eyes froze as well, he had heard of the term "treasure raiser" before.

That was when he was in the slums, he once had several familiar companions who were taken away by some luxuriously dressed people.

It is said that it was to be trained as a treasurer. At that time, other children in the slums were still very envious.

So he hesitated for a moment, looked at the old man in Team Lei, and asked softly.

"Excuse me... what is a treasurer?"

The old man of Team Lei's eyes fell on Xu Qing, and he spoke calmly.

"Use your own body to accumulate magic treasures, practice special exercises, and rely on flesh and blood to dilute the heterogeneous pollution of magic weapons, so that the increase in heterogeneity caused by each use of magic weapons can be alleviated, so that you can continue to use them, and you will gradually wither The dead."

Xu Qing narrowed his eyes, couldn't speak for a while, and fell silent.

Everyone seemed to have lost their interest in talking because of the three words of raising treasurers, and they walked silently in the dark night.

After some distance away from the penalty area, the Lei team chose to camp on a plain.

Unlike the restricted area, outside camps have not only the tents themselves, but also lit bonfires.

As the flames burned, the surrounding warmth became stronger, and these scavengers also sat around the campfire, each taking out food to bake, and the aroma gradually overflowed.

Looking at their food, Xu Qing swallowed, sat in the distance and took out half a piece of hard jerky from the leather bag, put it in his mouth and bit it hard.

Team Lei beside the bonfire glanced over, got up and walked over to Xu Qing.

While Xu Qing raised his head suddenly, Team Lei threw a leather bag with some hot steamed buns in it.

The moment Xu Qing saw the steamed buns, Xu Qing's eyes were straightened, and he resisted the impulse to speak in a low voice.

"Thank you."

Team Lei didn't speak, and returned to the bonfire. There were scavengers beside him who laughed and spoke.

"Captain Lei, why are you being so nice to this kid?"

"They are all poor people. It is fate to meet them. Help if you can."

There are three steamed buns, which are very hot in the hand.

Xu Qing hesitated for a moment, seeing that everyone around the fire was also eating the same steamed buns, so he pretended to take a bite and observed the scavengers. After a while, he found that they were still as usual, he endured it for a long time, and finally took a small bite , holding it in his mouth and waiting for a moment.

After confirming that it was all right, he chewed it slowly until it was broken into pieces, and swallowed it slowly.

After waiting for a long time, and confirming that there was nothing wrong with it again, he breathed a sigh of relief, and couldn't bear it any longer, and ate the whole thing in big gulps.

Then he hesitated for a moment, and then ate the second one in small mouthfuls.

Although he was still hungry, he still wrapped up the last steamed bun and carefully put it in his leather bag, like a treasure.

Soon it was getting late, and the scavengers also returned to the tent one after another. Like yesterday, Team Lei handed him the sleeping bag and said a word before leaving.

"Send it to you."

Xu Qing raised his head, looked at Team Lei, and suddenly spoke.

"why?"

"What and why? Three steamed buns, a sleeping bag... No reason, if you want to, get me something to eat in the future." Team Lei turned around and walked towards the tent.

"What do you like to eat?"

"Me?" Team Lei stood by the tent and thought for a while.

"Snake, that thing tastes good." After speaking, he walked into the tent.

Holding the sleeping bag, Xu Qing looked at Team Lei's tent for a long time, nodded heavily, got into the sleeping bag and closed his eyes.

But he didn't fall asleep immediately, but silently operated the Sea Mountain Art with his eyes closed, which had become his habit.

Even though it was extremely cold during the practice, he did not give up at all and seized all the time to practice hard.

Especially what Team Lei said today about building a foundation before the age of 15. Although he didn't compare it with the kind of arrogance in his words, he still had some thoughts in his heart.

"I'm fourteen this year..." Xu Qing murmured, continuing to practice.

In this way, time passed slowly, and five days passed quickly.

Xu Qing followed these scavengers over the mountains and across the grasslands.

Three people left halfway on the road, which also confirmed Xu Qing's previous judgment that they were a temporary group.

On the seventh day, after the two scavengers with knives left, only Xu Qing and Team Lei were left.

That night, at the foot of a mountain, by the bonfire, the old man of Team Lei watched Xu Qing, who had finished eating the steamed buns in small bites, carefully put away half of them, and spoke slowly.

"Children, at noon tomorrow, we can reach our destination. That is where I live, and it is a camp where scavengers gather."

Xu Qing raised his head and looked at the old man.

The old man looked into the distance and continued to speak.

"The scavengers' camps are often built next to the restricted area, so the camp on the other side of the mountain is also a restricted area."

"Compared to the restricted area you were in before, it has existed for a long time. Not only are there fierce beasts in it, but also dangerous places, and the heterogeneity is extremely strong. If ordinary people go in for a day and don't come out, they will surely die. It can last up to seven days inside."

"But it is rich in horse chestnut, which is a must for refining Baidan."

"Bai Dan is the basic elixir used by monks to resolve their own heterogeneity, so many outsiders come here on weekdays. They spare their lives and are not familiar with geography. They seldom go to pick it in person, and more spend spirit coins to let local scavengers go in. pick."

When the old man said this, he looked at Xu Qing.

"Do you understand what I mean?"

"You mean, the local scavengers in the camp are all outlaws, and they will do anything for money."

After hearing about Bai Dan and its efficacy, Xu Qing narrowed his eyes and spoke softly after thinking.

The old man of Team Lei showed surprise in his eyes and smiled.

"Part of your answer is correct. What I want to tell you is that in the scavengers' camp, the rule is that the weak prey on the strong, and strength comes first."

"But at least it is a place to live, and there is a market, a place to buy and sell necessities of life, and even caravans come over from time to time, so every house in it is also of great value."

"That's why it's not just anyone who wants to enter. Every freshman who wants to obtain the right of residence needs to go through a beast test. This is the rule set by the camp owner."

"And you, if you pass successfully, I can allow you to live with me for a fee." The old man looked at Xu Qing and spoke slowly.

(End of this chapter)