After accompanying Minister Li from the Security Bureau for dinner, Lin Baici and his group took two days to recuperate in Xijing.

The main reason was that the supplies coordinated by the Xijing Security Bureau were not entirely in place.

However, during these two days, everyone visited a few famous spots in Xijing, climbed Mount Hua, and waited for Gu Qingqiu.

Her family had some business regarding inheritance, which delayed her schedule.

Once Gu Qingqiu settled it quickly, she flew directly from Hong Kong Island to Xijing.

Kim Myungjin also arrived on the same day.

As a Korean, she couldn’t come to Qinling alone without Lin Baici.

The thought of not seeing him for half a year was unacceptable to Kim Myungjin, so she left her job behind and ran to Xijing.

On September 6th, the team set off.

First, they took military jeep cars to reach a temporary military camp, then divided into two groups, boarded two helicopters, and flew to the Qinling Mountains.

An hour later, the helicopters landed at a temporary airstrip.

"Are we there?"

Ai Xuyue gazed at the distant towering mountains but didn’t see the dark mist.

"The closer we get to the dark mist, the more chaotic the electromagnetic signals become, increasing the risk of the helicopter crashing or getting lost, so we can only stop here!"

Tang Shuangli explained: "Next, we can only proceed by car!"

Jiuzhou is famously known for its infrastructure fanaticism, building two roads right into the dark mist.

Otherwise, other countries would have to carry their supplies and proceed on foot at this point.

"You arrange the transport of supplies; we’ll head over first!"

Xia Hongyao was impatient to leave.

"Tuan Xia, rushing there is useless since you can’t enter Qin Palace? It’s just a filthy and messy camp there!"

Tang Shuangli’s undertone was clear - it was better to spend a few extra days here.

Once inside Qinling, conditions would be truly harsh.

In less than half a month, these ladies might be crying out for someone to come fetch them.

"Getting closer to Qin Palace could be better just in case!"

Xia Hongyao concocted an excuse.

But his footing was somewhat secure with the unpredictable expansion of the dark mist, varying in speed.

Tang Shuangli held back further words; since Xia Hongyao wanted to set off quickly, he let him be.

Half an hour later, everyone was riding in two wheeled infantry fighting vehicles heading towards the forward camp.

These vehicles prioritize safety over comfort, which was not even considered.

Traveling through the lush Qinling in the humid early autumn, compounded by poor road conditions, nearly made everyone’s stomachs churn.

Thankfully, two hours later, the ordeal ended.

The infantry fighting vehicles halted in front of a checkpoint.

After checking the documents, the vehicles drove into the camp ahead.

Everyone dismounted.

Hua Yue Yu covered her mouth, wanting to find a trash bin to vomit, but ended up retching on the ground instead after only a few steps.

"What the hell, it’s so dirty?"

Long Miaomiao stuffed chips into her mouth while looking at the messy camp filled with people of different skin colors, her brows furrowed deeply.

The air carried a peculiar scent.

It’s a mix of perfume, sweat, body odor, and the smell of musk.

Long Miaomiao immediately turned her gaze to the tent not far off to the right.

A few dark-skinned men were peering over, whispering to each other, evidently commenting on Xia Hongyao and his group.

"Why are there Indians too?"

Ai Xuyue was surprised.

From skin color and facial features alone, distinguishing them is tricky, but checking passports would reveal that this small forward camp houses people from over twenty countries.

This explains the chaos of the camp.

More people make management difficult, and not everyone is hygienic.

"Are they the British grunts?

Xia Hongyao assessed those men too; inevitably, in the upcoming months, there will be interactions between them all.

Even among the Indians, there are God Hunters, but they are infamous for being incompetent with huge addiction; internationally, they hold no status and rank alongside those from Southeast Asia.

They were likely assisting the Sky God Club here.

What?

Sky God Club lacking personnel?

Not at all, but they value life, so such dangerous tasks are handed to outsiders!

Aside from major organizations sending God Hunter groups over, there are also private groups trying their luck, hoping for a fortune’s opportunity.

In the God Hunter circle, individuals with Lin Baici’s skills are scarce; most are just small fries, with no official entity taking them in, nor able to assemble their own teams, often scrounging around the outskirts of the God’s ruins for scraps.

Even if they manage a few Meteorite Coins each week, it’s worthwhile!

They wouldn’t dare venture into the God’s ruins.

For instance, many recognized Xia Hongyao and Lin Baici, and started posting on the Origin Forum, aiming to gain traffic.

Qin Palace is far too dangerous, extremely challenging to purify, thus Jiuzhou Security Bureau opened it per international norms.

Whoever can purify the God’s ruins may take the spoils within.

However, up till now, no one has accomplished that.

The longer it drags, the more intimidating Qin Palace becomes.

Individuals like Xia Hongmian and God Hopkinson, top-notch bigwigs, could possibly resolve it if they ventured forth, but why would they risk it?

Even if Xia Hongmian wished to come, Jiuzhou Security Bureau wouldn’t allow it.

Should Xia Hongmian perish within, the loss would be too colossal for anyone to bear.

Thus, it drags.

This forward camp was constructed by the Jiuzhou military; the other nations’ personnel sleep in tents while Lin Baici and his group have single rooms with the best facilities.

Admittedly, they’re not remarkably improved, just equipped with air conditioning and private bathrooms, ensuring privacy.

No other choice.

With the dark mist spreading, the military camp built previously at over a billion spent has been engulfed.

As for this camp, it might be swallowed by the dark mist again in half a month, so why invest excessive effort and resources?

Due to weak signal, Camp Chief Cui Guosheng didn’t receive news of Xia Hongyao and their arrival.

However, upon seeing the convoy enter the camp, Cui Guosheng promptly rushed over.

"God Lin, Tuan Xia, a pleasure, a pleasure!"

Cui Guosheng was a middle-aged man, appearing steady yet amiable, greeting them warmly from the start, with a low stance.

Without giving Xia Hongyao and his team time for rest, Kui Guosheng directly pulled Lin Baici and Xia Hongyao into the office to commence the transition.

"Tuan Xia, from now on, you are the highest authority here at this camp!"

Cui Guosheng introduced: "Tonight, once the patrol returns to the camp, I’ll call the other team leaders so you can be acquainted!"

Currently, half are absent from camp, out on patrol, or Cui Guosheng would have expedited the transition.

This damned place, Cui Guosheng doesn’t want to stay a second longer!

He desperately yearns to leave now, return to Xijing for a relaxing sauna, feast lavishly, and indulge once more.

If anything occurs thereafter, Xia Hongyao would bear the responsibility.