The disadvantage of having one less team member quickly became apparent; when all seven people were present, it took a little over a minute to transport a bag, but now, with fewer people and the added threat of a hunter, it took a full 30 seconds longer than before.
Theoretically, the fastest they could finish transporting all 10 bags would be in the last four minutes.
However, theory is just theory and cannot account for real-world situations.
As the number of hunters continuously increased, the time spent on transport would definitely be much longer, and it was even possible they wouldn't be able to complete the task before the countdown ended.
Although Yi Xing had already realized this, he still persisted, refusing to give up until the very last moment, hoping a miracle might occur.
After Xie Na was eliminated, Yi Yang Qianxi single-handedly took on the heavy responsibility, accepting the food bag from Jia Nailiang, struggling to hoist it onto his shoulder, and walking unsteadily.
He understood time was tight and tried his best to quicken his pace.
But one person's strength couldn't compare to two, and his speed was considerably slower than before.
He finally made it to Wang Junkai, entrusting him with the heavy burden, then sat on the ground, panting heavily, quickly recovering his strength.
Wang Junkai, who had been working alone all this time, felt a bit overwhelmed at this moment.
He was just a student who had recently finished his college entrance exams, not yet 18 years old.
The continuous carrying work combined with evading hunters had pushed his stamina to its limit.
Relying on his strong willpower, he walked step by step towards the next relay point.
Yi Xing, who was looking on from not far away, immediately saw that the person in front was not in good shape, because it was exactly like how he had felt earlier.
He quickly walked over, took the items from the person's shoulder onto his own, and said with concern.
“Alright, you've delivered it this far, that's enough.
Next, you and Qian Xi should go rest.
Before you rest, tell the people ahead that we need to expand the delivery range, otherwise we won't be able to complete the task on time.
After you two notify them, find a place to hide.
The rest is up to us.”
“I think I can still keep going.”
“Shh, I don't want what you think, I want what I think.
Since you and Qian Xi both call me Xiao Xing, then listen to me and go rest obediently.
You've already done more than enough.
If we haven't finished after you've rested, you can come back and help then, it's the same.”
Wang Junkai heard this and was about to argue a few more words for himself, but seeing Yi Xing's undeniable gaze, the words he was about to say were swallowed back.
He knew that the other's arrangement was the most reasonable at the moment; his and Qian Xi's speed would drag down the entire team, so he could only compromise.
“Alright, I'll listen to you, Xiao Xing.”
He found a safe place to rest for a bit, then walked back the way he came.
He had to convey Yi Xing's instructions to the three people ahead, especially Yi Yang Qianxi.
In his opinion, the other's condition was not much different from his own.
Without the burden on his body, he felt much lighter, and soon saw Qian Xi standing at the reception point.
“Qian Xi, Xiao Xing said he wants the two of us to rest, and they'll handle the rest.”
“But I can still continue!” Yi Yang Qianxi said unwillingly.
“Yes, you're right, but our speed will hold them back.
Actually, I'm thinking, is it possible that Xiao Xing and the others are enough with just four people, and they only arranged us and Sister Na to give us more of a sense of participation?”
The boy's idea was a bit too wild, and Yi Yang Qianxi shook his head gently in denial after hearing it: “I understand Xiao Xing, he wouldn't think that way.
Let's go, we still need to notify the people ahead.” He eventually accepted his cousin's arrangement and, after conveying the message, found a place to hide.
Perhaps some might ask, why not make a phone call?
Because it's impossible to know what the other person is doing at that moment.
You can't expect someone to answer the phone while they're carrying something, can you?
Soon, they relayed the new plan.
Jia Nailiang and Du Chun both walked a considerable distance further back, forming a brand new industrial chain with the two people behind them.
The time it took to transport the eighth bag was even less than the time it took for the first bag.
Although the speed increased, the risk also greatly increased.
It was fine when no hunters were around, but once they appeared, it would be very difficult to escape with their current stamina.
Sure enough, when the third hunter was released, the total number of hunters on the field increased to seven.
Jia Nailiang, at the second relay point, unfortunately encountered a pincer attack, with people rushing at him from both front and back simultaneously.
He didn't even bother to struggle.
He dropped the items on his shoulder, spread his arms, struck what he thought was his coolest pose, and calmly accepted his elimination.
He could be caught, but being cool was a lifelong endeavor.
Yi Xing, standing at the next relay point, was just getting excited.
He had timed it and felt that the chances of success were very high.
Then he received the news of Jia Nailiang's elimination and was instantly stunned.
It took him a while to process the fact.
He then jogged forward, intending to pick up the lost food bag and shoulder the two segments of the journey himself.
Coincidentally, Tian Liang and Du Chun, who were ahead and behind him, respectively, after learning the news, one silently walked a distance back, and the other walked a distance forward.
They were just a step away from success, and no one would want to give up.
When he arrived at the elimination site, he saw the bag lying quietly on the ground, bent down, and hoisted it onto his shoulder, then purposefully sprinted towards the back.
Finally, with the unremitting efforts of the three, they obtained the clue to shut down the hunter device in the last five minutes.
Tian Liang learned that the device was at the city gate and sprinted at full speed towards the destination, his speed almost as fast as a hunter's.
Yi Xing and Du Chun looked at each other, seemingly communicating something with their eyes when they saw his speed.
“Brother Du Chun, do you still have the energy to keep up?”
“I don't, how about you?”
“Me neither.”
It wasn't that they didn't want to help; they simply had no more stamina.
They rested together in one spot, completely unconcerned about whether the task would be completed.
This was the value of the title 'Olympic Champion,' which filled both of them with trust in him.
And indeed, 30 seconds later, a message of task success came through on their phones.
“With the efforts of Tian Liang, Du Chun, Yi Xing, and others, Task Four is complete, successfully shutting down the hunter release device.
All previously released hunters have disappeared.”
“As expected of Brother Tian Liang, he still has so much stamina at a time like this.”
“Yes, indeed.
It seems your title as 'the capable one' might be in jeopardy~”
“Who gave me that title?
Why don't I know about it myself?” Yi Xing asked, bewildered.
It was quite an exaggeration for him; the pressure of being called 'the capable one' was too great, making it impossible for him to relax even if he wanted to during a recording.
“It seems Mengchen spread it during a dinner gathering that day.
I actually think it's quite fitting; you can strategize and charge forward, it suits you perfectly!”
“No, please don't.
You guys are putting a lot of pressure on me.”
He waved his hand, indicating he didn't accept this so-called title, and planned to discuss it with the others during dinner that evening.