What's wrong? Why are you spaced out?
Caoyuan walked over.
I can't explain it. This cave feels very unusual, but I can't articulate the specific feeling.
Is there something inside?
Yes, there's something, and definitely more than in the initial cave instance.
Really?
Yes!
Alright, let's go in and take a look.
Through the camera on Ye Xing's helmet, Lu Yuan saw that the cave contained a large square hall, vast in area, at least 70 meters by 70 meters in size, and over 20 meters high. The floor and walls were unusually smooth, even polished.
This was clearly the result of artificial excavation, and such a massive amount of earth and rock must have been moved by large engineering machinery.
The Raiders here do not possess this kind of industrial capability.
In fact, Lu Yuan suspected that even larger local human settlements didn't have this capability.
It was likely excavated by humans from the golden age before the catastrophe. Back then, hollowing out a mountain was probably as simple as digging tofu.
A pitch-black main passage led downwards into the deeper sections, with warning signs on both sides saying "Entry Strictly Forbidden" and "Stay Away If You Don't Want To Die!"
The cave hall was cool during the day and warm at night, suitable for habitation, but there were no living or production facilities inside, indicating that the Raiders were somewhat afraid of this place.
Ye Xing was right, there must be something deep inside the cave!
What could it be? This place could potentially be developed into a second instance. Besides leveling up and farming materials, there might even be "hidden storylines."
How is it? Caoyuan looked at Ye Xing, "Any discoveries?"
Let's not go deeper for now, go over there first!
Ye Xing pointed to a branch passage. After turning a corner, the two saw a prison cell.
Behind the iron bars was a slender, black-haired young man, who looked to be only fifteen or sixteen years old.
The other party didn't have night vision and couldn't see in the dark, but heard footsteps and curled back in fear.
Who are you? Caoyuan turned his headlamp to low light, "Where are you from?"
Lu Yuan had already installed real-time translation software in the players' tactical helmets and modified some words in advance that might confuse the natives.
For example, "player" would be automatically translated as "employee," "leveling up" as "trial," and "resurrection" as "special recovery."
Who... who are you?
After adjusting to the light, the young man saw the combat suits worn by the players and knew they were not Raiders.
I'm the one asking the questions. State your name first.
Caoyuan stepped forward, full of imposing presence.
My name is Shen Quan... The young man lowered his head, "I was a slave captured by the Raiders."
Where is your home? We are good people, we can take you back.
Ye Xing said.
Really? The young man became excited, "I'm from Red Iron Town, my home is in..."
He stopped halfway through.
Uh... after I was captured, my head was covered, and I swayed on the vehicle for a long time. I really don't remember which direction my home is in.
In front of the screen, Lu Yuan smiled.
It was right not to say. The young man wasn't foolish.
The two strangers opposite were fully armed. The fact that they could come here and find him meant they had dealt with the Raiders outside, indicating their strength was extraordinary.
If you don't want to say, don't say, it doesn't matter, he said to Caoyuan and Ye Xing in the squad channel, "Take him out first, I have something to ask him."
In a tin house in the camp, the weak Shen Quan lay semi-reclining on a cot, with Caoyuan and Ye Xing standing nearby, holding their guns and keeping guard.
Opposite him, on an iron stool, was Caoyuan's tactical helmet.
Lu Yuan's voice came from inside.
I am Lu Yuan, Executive Officer of Cangyuan Future Technology. These two beside me are my subordinates. Cangyuan Future Technology is a development and construction company from Earth and has now taken over this Raider camp.
Earth?
Shen Quan was stunned for a moment. This word seemed familiar from stories passed down by the older generation.
Legend had it that Earth was the origin of humanity, the wealthiest planet in the universe, a paradise-like world, surrounded by equally heavenly worlds like the Moon, Venus, and Mars.
These people are from Earth?
That's impossible!
Next, I will ask you some questions, Lu Yuan continued, "You can choose to answer, or you can choose not to answer, but if you don't answer, I might become unhappy; if I become unhappy to a certain extent, I will leave you in this vast Desert to fend for yourself. Do you understand?"
Shen Quan's throat twitched.
I understand. I will try my best to answer, I will try...
Very good. First question, how many Raiders are in this Desert?
Shen Quan: Well... according to what the elders say, there are probably fifty or sixty warbands. Small warbands only have a dozen or so people. The one that captured me is considered a medium warband. Large warbands have over a hundred people, and the largest one is said to have four or five hundred members, with branches opened throughout the Desert.
Lu Yuan: Okay, how about the military strength of the largest warband? Do they have aircraft?
Shen Quan: Yes, they have planes powered by two or three thousand horsepower piston engines. They are very maneuverable, capable of aerial combat and bombing; they also have tracked vehicles and self-propelled artillery, but no spacecraft. Only Celestials have spacecraft.
Celestials?
They are humans with interstellar travel capability.
Do Celestials have contact with you? Do they land on the planet's surface from time to time?
Yes, Celestials sell some industrial equipment and weapons, as well as rare luxury goods.
Then what do you use for trade?
The young man thought for a moment.
Sometimes it's valuable minerals, sometimes it's daily necessities that Celestials disdain to produce, and sometimes it's slaves, especially female slaves...
Ye Xing and Caoyuan exchanged glances.
Lu Yuan: Does your Red Iron Town also trade slaves?
Shen Quan: No, we never do that kind of thing! Red Iron Town mainly exports metals, like... iron and aluminum and the like.
Lu Yuan couldn't help but laugh.
Iron and aluminum? Would Celestials lack these?
Kid, you think I don't know the business, huh?
Uh... they aren't particularly lacking them. The most sought-after are, of course, rare metals. Our town has several mines and corresponding smelting industries, mainly producing copper, iron, and aluminum. Rare metals are companion minerals, with low production, but the sales are very good.
Lu Yuan: Do you sell directly to Celestials?
Shen Quan: No, we sell our goods to Oasis City. Celestials only trade with Oasis City.
Lu Yuan: This Oasis City should be the largest power in the Desert, right?
Shen Quan: Yes, Oasis City has 70,000 people, complete industrial categories, fortifications outside the city, and its own army. It is very powerful.
Lu Yuan fell into thought. Now, he knew where the all-terrain vehicle came from.
If the population figure of 70,000 is true, it means Oasis City is quite strong. If the women there also participate in labor, the number of young and middle-aged workers would likely exceed 30,000, and many industrial goods could be produced.