Two years had passed, and Xu Lang was now thirteen or fourteen years old. Standing at about 1.7 meters tall, his delicate features made him stand out among the Tibetan people. Cultivation had given him a unique aura, an ethereal quality like a firefly in the darkness, unconsciously drawing everyone's attention. He was like a celestial being descending to earth, a noble gentleman untouched by the world.
Even in his rough clothing, Xu Lang's ethereal aura could not be concealed.
Chu Yi had married last year, his wife a Tibetan girl. The couple was very much in love.
The next morning, Xu Lang found Chu Yi and said, “Brother Chu Yi, I heard from Brother Zaxi that you went to Karami'er. Can you draw me a map to get there? I want to go see Karami'er.”
Chu Yi was taken aback. “That big mouth Zaxi. What do you want to do in Karami'er? It's very dangerous to go there. I went there a few years ago, and if you don't have any urgent business, I hope you don't go there.”
Xu Lang explained, “I don't necessarily have to reach Karami'er. I just want to explore that area. I can't explain the specific reason, but I have to go.”
Seeing Xu Lang's determination, Chu Yi said, “Something happened at my house, otherwise I would have gone with you. To go from Gazebuqing to the Karami'er Pass, you have to cross a desolate wasteland. The path is very difficult. If you have a lot of luggage, I can lend you a yak.”
Xu Lang laughed. “I'll just bring some water and food, no need to pack a yak. Even if I reach Karami'er, I won't stay long. Brother Chu Yi, what happened at your house? Do you need my help?”
Chu Yi shook his head and sighed. “It's my sister Gema. I don't know the specifics yet. There are wolf packs in that uninhabited area. If you have to go, take a gun with you.”
Over the past few days, Xu Lang had recalled some things. Chu Yi should be the guide who led Lao Hu and the others many years later. Gema was Chu Yi's sister, so it was most likely not the original world. He remembered that in the original story, Gema and Chu Yi weren't siblings.
Of course, it could also be a merged world.
No matter what, the people around him were real, flesh and blood, with feelings. In Xu Lang's eyes, this was a real world.
Since he had decided to go deep into the Kunlun Mountains, Xu Lang naturally wanted to gather as much information as possible. He had heard from Chu Yi that there was a legend about a very ancient monster there, even he hadn't seen it. He wasn't sure if it was real, but the wolves were very cunning, and he didn't recommend that Xu Lang, a half-grown boy, go there alone.
Chu Yi didn't suggest that the wolf-hunting team go with him. He wasn't qualified to make Zaxi and Gesang take the risk. Moreover, the relationship between Chu Yi and Xu Lang hadn't reached the point of life and death.
Xu Lang was already very grateful for Chu Yi's kindness in lending him the yak and the gun, and for giving him directions. It was enough to show that Chu Yi was a man of kindness and loyalty.
The next morning, Xu Lang packed enough food and water, along with the automatic rifle and over a hundred rounds of ammunition that Chu Yi had lent him. He also brought a sharp hunting knife as a cold weapon, fully armed.
According to Chu Yi, it had taken him four days to traverse the uninhabited area alone. After crossing the uninhabited area, he entered the mountainous region, which was even more desolate than the uninhabited area. There was a lake at the pass where he could replenish water.
Based on Chu Yi's words, Xu Lang would be traveling alone in the uninhabited area. If he was targeted by a wolf pack, even with an automatic rifle, they might still tear him to shreds.
Unfortunately, the Qingyuan Sword Art didn't record any spells, otherwise he wouldn't be afraid of the wolf packs. However, with his transformed physique and his cultivated divine consciousness, Xu Lang was still confident in being able to traverse the uninhabited area alone, avoiding the wolves lurking there.
To be safe, Xu Lang didn't necessarily have to reach Karami'er. He could always choose to turn back. This trip was just to verify his suspicions.
If the cultivation speed was faster there, and he found a suitable place to settle down, then that would be even better.
On the way, Xu Lang discovered that after his body's transformation, the external environment had a much smaller impact on him. With his divine consciousness scanning, he didn't detect any signs of wolf packs. Instead, the beautiful scenery along the way seemed to cleanse his soul, giving him a feeling of spiritual and physical purification.
This made Xu Lang realize that he had been too tense these past few years. He had been so busy with survival and cultivation that he had missed many beautiful sights along the way.
However, he didn't regret it. Even if he could choose again, he would still put cultivation first.
At night, Xu Lang always found a suitable place to spend the night, and he used special methods to lower his presence. He continued on his way at dawn.
He walked for three days, and whether it was due to good luck or his divine consciousness scanning, he didn't encounter any wolf packs. He successfully reached the Gaqing Slope that Chu Yi had mentioned.
After the Gaqing Slope came the Zanggu Gorge. Xu Lang had no interest in seeing the animal bones, but he was glad to see the lake. After a brief rest, he found a spot and started cultivating.
He confirmed that this place was more suitable for cultivation than Gazebuqing. Further up, was the Shenluo Gorge glacier, and Karami'er was located within it.
However, Xu Lang's food supply was running low. Continuing further might be dangerous, so he decided to cultivate here for two days, then return to Gazebuqing. He would continue to explore deeper when he had the chance.
Two days later, Xu Lang stopped cultivating and started heading back.
On the first day, Xu Lang was like an adventurer traversing an uninhabited wasteland, walking alone in solitude. At night, he returned to his previous base to rest and recuperate. The second day was still peaceful, and he ate some of the remaining yak jerky at night.
At noon on the third day, a small wolf pack broke the peace, appearing in Xu Lang's field of vision.
When Xu Lang spotted the wolf pack, they were less than a hundred meters away. This sudden change made him instinctively activate the safety catch on his gun and start firing at the wolf pack.
With his enhanced five senses, Xu Lang's initially average marksmanship was like a god's gift. While he didn't achieve a hundred percent hit rate, he still inflicted heavy losses on the wolf pack before they reached him. Then, he calmly changed the magazine, retreating while continuing to fire at the wolf pack.
His shots became increasingly accurate, and Xu Lang's initial tense heart gradually calmed down. He didn't relax until the last wolf fell ten meters away from him, letting out a sigh of relief. He couldn't help but feel a sense of fear afterward.
If there had been more wolves, Xu Lang might have had to fight them hand-to-hand. It would have been uncertain who would win.
Firstly, Xu Lang had no experience. He didn't know how many wolves he could kill, and he didn't know his own combat limit.
Secondly, if Xu Lang hadn't brought a gun with him, he would have been ripped apart by the wolves. You can't fight a hundred wolves with just one hand. He hadn't mastered the Qingyuan Sword Art yet, and even running for his life might not have been enough to escape.
Looking at the fallen wolf pack, Xu Lang put away his gun, his hands trembling slightly. He then quickly ran towards the direction of Gazebuqing.
He didn't know if there were more wolves out there. The strong smell of blood might attract other wild animals.
Four hours later, Xu Lang, panting heavily, finally returned to Gazebuqing. However, he unexpectedly saw a familiar figure. It was Hu Ba Yi, who he hadn't seen in a long time, standing in front of Chu Yi's tent.
At that moment, Lao Hu was wearing a military cap and a green military uniform. Compared to two years ago, his face was more resolute, he was a bit darker, and his physique was much more robust. His black eyes held a hint of sadness.
"Lao Hu, what are you doing here?"
PS: A brief transition, giving the protagonist a slight buff in terms of combat skills and firearm proficiency. He will soon go to the capital to develop the main storyline. Also, please consider giving me a collection or some flowers, thank you.