After submitting his three tools, the Australian Association conducted another inspection on Chen Wen's brown-winged hawk.

It was confirmed to be a mature male brown-winged hawk with no risk of becoming an invasive species.

Therefore, a day later, Chen Wen's three tools were approved.

With Chen Wen's approval, the Desert Extreme Challenge was about to begin!

...

Canning Stock Route!

Under a blazing sun hanging high in the sky, the golden earth is being roasted.

On Canning Stock Route, a convoy of jeeps is slowly moving along the road.

There are no properly constructed asphalt roads here, only vast yellow sands and a crimson desert.

"This godforsaken place!"

Looking at the desert, Feng Zhong seemed to recall some unpleasant memories.

He tightened the backpack on his shoulders, his eyes glinting with unfriendly intent.

Xu Qiang also seemed to have some unpleasant memories about this desert.

He looked at the manually dug well by the roadside, his eyes flickering.

This seven-seater jeep was carrying the Hua Country team members, namely Chen Wen and four others, along with a driver and staff member.

Today is the day the Desert Extreme Challenge begins.

Following the arrangements of the Australian Survival Association, they were coming over in jeeps from a nearby indigenous tribe.

"By the way, Mr. Chen."

As the jeep shook, Xu Qiang said to Chen Wen, "If we follow the old rules, will you go to the starting point with me?"

"The starting point? Is that the place where players first slaughter camels?"

Chen Wen recalled the name, curiously asking.

Xu Qiang nodded.

"According to previous rules and experience, on the first day of the Desert Extreme Challenge, players must go to the starting point to select and slaughter camels, then roast the camel meat into jerky..."

As the jeep rocked violently, Xu Qiang shut his mouth.

Once the jeep was steady again, he continued, "The starting point is a small oasis with a dug-out well that is still usable, and nearby is a gathering of indigenous tribes."

"Each time the Eight Extremes Challenge starts, camels are directly purchased by the association from there, and after the camels are slaughtered, their pelts can be traded for supplies with them. If agreements are reached, you can even borrow fire from them to make camel jerky."

Chen Wen had heard of this situation before.

He nodded, "Of course, we can go together."

The starting point is not only the place for camel slaughtering but also where players form alliances and leave their original teams.

Adam had agreed with him to meet at the starting point.

With occasional chats between Xu Qiang and Chen Wen, the jeep soon reached the departure point.

"This is Canning Stock Route in the southern Great Sand Desert, and our current location is at the edge of the Great Sand Desert. Players from various countries, bring your supplies and get off the car. In the next one hundred and fifty days, you will traverse this desert before your eyes, and even further over the plateau!"

Accompanied by the enthusiastic voice of the vice president of the Australian Survival Association.

Players from nine countries, totaling forty-five athletes, left the car with their backpacks.

The scorching sun was like fire but not as intense as everyone's enthusiasm.

The Desert Extreme Challenge!

About to begin!

...

The vice president walked in front of everyone.

He smiled kindly and then said, "So, before the Desert Extreme Challenge officially begins, we have one last task to complete."

Everyone perked up.

This last task is an old tradition.

Players must compete in survival ability contests to determine the order of departure.

Before reaching the starting point, players are still required to act according to their national teams.

Thus, the team that leaves earlier can easily gain the upper hand at the starting point.

After all, it's just the starting point, not a city.

At the starting point, players are allowed to physically confront each other!

In previous years' Desert Extreme Challenges, there were always players who clashed at the starting point due to uneven distribution or interest in other teams' supplies and tools.

Conflicts often occur.

This year is expected to be no exception, possibly even more severe.

After all, the number of players is twice that of previous years.

In previous years, the number of players eliminated at the starting point was around three; this year, it might be around six.

This is the thought of the Australian Association's vice president.

He looked at the significantly larger number of players compared to previous years, then said, "I believe everyone already knows the rules from their predecessors, so let me be brief. Let's complete this task as quickly as possible and get to the main theme."

"And I can also quickly finish my task and head back to my cool and comfortable room to enjoy a refreshing beer!"

If he hadn't said the last sentence, Chen Wen felt this vice president was pretty good.

Others laughed too.

"Alright, let's begin. The first event is shooting. Each country's team should send one player who is skilled in shooting. Each player will have nine arrows, and scores are calculated based on the number of rings hit. Let's start!"

In this competition, Chen Wen decisively let Hua Yun step up.

Although she's female, Hua Yun's archery skills were far superior to those of the four of them.

Feng Zhong and Xu Qiang naturally had no objections.

When Hua Yun went out to start shooting, Chen Wen was also observing the situation with other teams.

There were quite a few female players this time, and Japan had one from the Japan Survival Association—the president, Matsui Reika, who was also Japan's seed player!

Australia had two female players, while France, Spain, and Portugal each had one.

The number was considerable.

While Chen Wen was observing others, many people were observing Chen Wen.

On the United States side.

Seed player Hope said to the two people beside him, "Did you see clearly? That's Chen Wen. He's Hua Country's seed player. If you encounter him when there are fewer than three people, don't provoke him. If there are more than three, look for an opportunity to take him out! Injure him seriously if possible!"

The two people next to him nodded.

Adam was going out to shoot at this point, so there was no need to avoid anything.

Gaston was at the rear and couldn't hear the voices here.

In the Japan team.

Chen Wen's former defeated opponent, Yoshikawa Feng, was also instructing people to keep an eye on Chen Wen.

"The one with the hawk on his shoulder is Chen Wen. Get rid of him when the time comes! Seize his hawk!"

Yoshikawa Feng muttered softly, "Even if it takes all costs, forcefully replace Chen Wen!"

"Understood!"

Beside Yoshikawa Feng, led by Shijing Heren, the three Japanese players had eyes flaring with determination.

Spain, Portugal, and Australia teams were also watching Chen Wen.

However, compared to the malice from Japan and the United States, they were more cautious and curious.

"Try not to provoke the Hua Country team; that captain Chen Wen is a madman! His long spear can pierce through your body from tens of meters away!"

"Is he really that formidable?"

"If you think your body is tougher than a black bear and a musk ox, you can try it!"

"I better not."

...

"Did you see him? That's Chen Wen!"

"I see him. Looks pretty ordinary."

"Don't be fooled by appearances. He's a powerful player. Listen up, all of you, do not provoke him! Understood?"

"Do we really have to fear him so much?"

"He's an elephant hunter! If you can take down an elephant, you are allowed to provoke him."

"Better not, better not."

...

"That guy is Chen Wen, just as the information stated, high combat prowess and skilled in beast taming!"

"Seems quite formidable!"

"Watch out for his attacks. However, according to the information, he usually doesn't take the initiative."

"Understood, we won't proactively provoke him either!"