Chapter 293: Being careful is useless, it

"It's still dark."

Ji Jue looked up, staring at the dim sky at eight o'clock in the morning, inexplicably feeling a trace of oppression.

"The long night came early this year, I'm afraid it won't be bright until after eleven o'clock." The local receptionist sighed. "In the early years, there would be a process, not so drastic.

In the past few years, the winter nights have become longer and longer, and the days have become shorter and shorter. Many locals couldn't take it and have migrated inland, but there are no good places inland either. The drought in Liang City is becoming more and more serious, Kunwu can't grow anything, even potatoes can't grow, and Yacheng is getting hotter and hotter. I heard there were six months of summer last year?"

"A little over five months, but it is indeed hot." Ji Jue nodded. "Winter is also warmer than before."

"Experts say the sun's orbit has changed, entering some small period, anyway, we don't understand." The receptionist said. "Mr. Ji, let me say a word, are the fuel and warm things ready? Once the long night comes, it will be colder on the ice sheet. Last year, some places could freeze to minus dozens of degrees."

"Don't worry, fully prepared."

Ji Jue waved his hand and smiled. "I am naturally not afraid of the cold, it doesn't matter if the temperature is low."

Awakened of the Transmutation tier are no longer affected by ordinary temperature disasters. Moreover, even if he were stranded on the ice sheet naked, Ji Jue still had the blessing of the Furnace Blood; he was a natural heat source, so why would he fear this little change?

However, the desolate meaning in the receptionist's words made him suddenly realize: perhaps the impact of climate change was deeper than he had expected.

Compared to these places, Yacheng was already a treasure land, just a little hotter in the summer.

"Let's go."

Ji Jue took one last look at the dark night sky above and the emerald green neon winding from the north, and turned toward the venue.

The day of the opening ceremony of the Wasteland Rally.

Outside the Heihe, or to be precise, on the Heihe.

Just in the ice and snow outside the small town, the Heihe, which had been flowing for half a year, was frozen into a winding solid ice road for half a year. The crowd was surging, and the lights were flashing.

The high-pitched sound of engines roaring was endless, the laser lights on the stage swept in all directions, the energetic singing and dancing continued, and the grand opening ceremony performance brought the atmosphere of the scene to a climax.

In addition to the surging crowd of VIPs who bought tickets to dance with the electronic music, on both sides of the river, which was hundreds of meters wide, people were also constantly gathering. No matter where they were going, people always liked to watch the excitement, not to mention this large-scale event that happened once every three years and was watched by enthusiasts across the entire Federation.

Drones were flying up and down, and in the dark sky, there were helicopters with cameras capturing wonderful pictures.

Reporters in the venue had already started interviews.

Even a small local factory like the Coast Automobile Factory had gained a lot of popularity.

After all, there was the experience of regaining its strength in a short time and rising abruptly, and the topic of the factory director participating in the competition himself, not to mention that Ji Jue had a good face.

In just a few days, he had quite a few fans online. However, most of them were "junk collectors" like Ji Jue, modification fanatics, or members of settlements in the wilderness, nomads. Besides that... most were "little black fans" who liked ghost animal works.

However, black-red is also red.

For the teacher's mission, Ji Jue was willing to be an internet celebrity and make money by bringing goods for people every day!

"As a driver of the Coast team, what expectations do you have for participating in this competition?"

The reporter handed over the microphone, full of anticipation: "Could it be that this time, you are aiming for first place, ready to stun everyone with a single feat?"

"No, no, friendship first, competition second."

Ji Jue smiled honestly and nodded at the camera. "I hope everyone can race out of style and excitement. But speaking of which, our Coast Automobile Factory has also launched an off-road model, Radish, which is very suitable for such a scene—not afraid of wind and snow, not afraid of severe cold, breaking through the pain and dark realm. This is a tool and helper we have tailored for challengers, and it is currently..."

"Uh, cough, cough, cough."

The reporter kept exerting force, finally pulling the microphone back, interrupting Ji Jue's smooth advertising, and smiled with difficulty. "As the factory director of Coast Automobile and a driver of the team, and so young, I think the audience in front of the screen is also a bit curious. Can you introduce yourself?"

"Ji Jue, male, 21 years old, single. However, if single people want to meet commuting needs, there is actually no need to squeeze into the subway and take the bus. Currently, the mini model Cucumber is selling hotly. If you consult now, you can get a gift set worth 1988..."

You f***ing won't stop, will you!

The reporter girl couldn't hold it anymore. Just as she was about to find a new topic, she heard the noise not far away. It was the entry of the Echo and Tiancheng teams. I don't know how many reporters instantly swarmed up like flies.

Even the young lady in front of Ji Jue's eyes lit up. After saying a few scene words, she pulled the microphone from Ji Jue's mouth, which was constantly advertising, and turned around to swarm up.

In the center of the crowd was a burly figure, his skin slightly dark, expressionless, standing in the crowd like a crane in a flock of chickens, simply a giant.

His whole body's aura was stagnant and low, bringing pressure continuously. He was clearly a Wasteland Awakened of the Rebirth tier. However, according to Ji Jue's judgment, this was clearly the result after deliberate restraint, but the other party's spiritual quality and power were already as vast as a volcano, ready to erupt at any time.

Clearly, one foot had already stepped into the limit of Transcendence.

Very strong, excessively strong.

And what made Ji Jue's scalp go numb even more was the navigator of the Tiancheng team beside him, a rare blonde mixed-race woman, with a curvy figure, as if she were born to be the focus of all eyes, facing the interview with ease. But for a moment, her eyes seemed to look over here.

Emerald eyes, like gems, refracting crystal light, silently rotating and changing, making Ji Jue fall into a hollow trance, but immediately after, he woke up.

The salary fire in his pupils suddenly rose, feeling the silent invasion that had just arrived, restless, annihilating that wisp of light, burning it to ashes!

Heart Pivot? Or Transmutation?

Or perhaps both, a composite matrix and equally secretive abilities, almost making Ji Jue fall for it instantly.

Regarding the slight frustration, the navigator seemed to smile slightly, not caring, instead raising her right hand, two fingers pointing at her own eyes, and then pointing at Ji Jue.

As if mocking, telling him, I will watch you.

But from beginning to end, this seemed to be just a hallucination. In everyone's eyes, she didn't make any move at all, no one noticed, and even the camera didn't record such a scene.

Ji Jue stared indifferently at the back disappearing into the crowd. For a long time, he waved his hand, and the missile rack rising in the cabin of Little Niu Ma returned and retracted silently.

There were too many people at the opening ceremony, it wouldn't be good to turn it into a terrorist attack.

He withdrew his gaze.

"Do you want me to take her out for you, Brother Ji Jue?"

Behind him, An Ning, who was following silently, smiled. "How about cutting off her head and putting it under their hood? It can fall out as soon as it's opened, giving everyone a surprise."

"The idea is good, but don't create it."

Ji Jue smiled. "I'll create it later."

As he spoke, he realized his palm was raised, subconsciously thinking it was Xiao An behind him, wanting to rub her head, and his palm stopped in mid-air in embarrassment.

"What's wrong, what's wrong?"

An Ning leaned closer, smiling and blinking, blinking, waiting.

Then, she saw Ji Jue's raised palm curl its fingers and flicked it on her forehead without ceremony.

Unfortunately, it didn't flick, it was dodged.

An Ning said "Eh-heh," following behind Ji Jue, her smile becoming more and more happy.

The staff of the organizing committee who followed the draw also came back, a bit nervous. "Sorry, Mr. Ji, my luck was bad, I only drew the 14th starting position."

The first wave of starting groups was the 2000cc+ modified group, a total of more than 20 teams. Drawing the 14th position was already quite late.

The second wave was the original group of the same specification, starting in the afternoon. The second and third days were other displacements, and there were motorcycles behind...

According to the arrangement of the organizing committee, in order to make the competition closer to the audience, let the audience feel that the ticket purchase was worth it, or to take more shots and photos, there would be a performance-style start.

The starting point of the first stage of the race was this three-kilometer short track on the ice in front of them.

According to the drawing order, the participating teams would start at intervals of half a minute, according to the order determined by the draw. In this stage, drivers would usually perform some stunts in front of the audience or display performance according to the manufacturer's requirements, which was equivalent to an exhibition race to heat up the atmosphere.

The order of the saying actually didn't make much sense. After all, the results were calculated according to your starting time and the time you arrived at the Kunwu relay point three days later.

Moreover, for such a severe challenge as the Wasteland Rally, a minute or two of time was irrelevant to the overall situation.

However, for the participants, being able to appear first would inevitably attract more attention from the audience, which was naturally more cost-effective for the manufacturers who paid for sponsorship.

"It doesn't matter. Being able to come here to compete is already an advertisement."

Noticing the dissatisfied expressions of others in the team, Ji Jue smiled and comforted. "The ranking is secondary. Coming here is already a success.

What follows is nothing more than how much you can win." As he spoke, he patted his shoulder and went to take a group photo with the staff.

Well, in the very corner.

Not caring about the cold or dark eyes around him, his smile was full of happiness and expectation, making a V-sign, looking like an innocent person who didn't know the dangers of the world.

The driver, burly as a giant, looked at it and didn't care. Beside him, the navigator of Tiancheng smiled charmingly, her eyes flowing, and after looking over again, her gaze was slightly stunned.

Her gaze subconsciously passed over Ji Jue and fell on the sweet face beside him that was looking at her.

An Ning.

The cold eyes of the hunter and the gaze of the Heart Pivot intersected, flashing by. The female navigator's expression froze imperceptibly for a moment, and she withdrew her gaze.

And Ji Jue's gaze had never looked over from beginning to end.

Looking into the distance, falling under the huge smoke column that went straight to the sky in the distant city, the towering and huge outline in the dark night—the battleship-class volcanic engine.

A pity, the time was short.

!. Read

Otherwise, I really want to pluck a handful...

And further ahead, cheers and shouts came.

The starting car left the station!

The huge off-road vehicle roared out from the starting platform, rushed into the air from the slope, crossed dozens of meters, landed steadily, and the snow tires' anti-skid chains rubbed against the ground, stirring up countless ice chips.

The echo of the engine was so pleasant. Amidst the restless roar, no strange noise could be heard, it was a whole, as if the roar of a living thing, making people intoxicated.

Chonghui team, set off!

And right in the car window, the bearded navigator Shi Ran poked his head out, greeting the audience on both sides. In the busyness, he seemed to turn his head and wave to the crowd at the starting platform.

Toward Ji Jue.

Made a thumbs up, come on!

Just like that, he went away in the cheering of the crowd.

Immediately after was the Echo. Although the driver was like a giant, the size of the vehicle was also exaggerated, just like a fortress rushing and crashing. The spiritual quality circuit inside the vehicle flowed and changed complexly. What could be felt was only the surging aura brought by the rise of spiritual quality.

The cheers of the crowd were higher than one wave.

Accompanied by the starting order, the atmosphere climbed again, becoming more high-pitched and intense.

Just like that, amidst the cheers, the 13th car started.

Bailong team.

The young driver with a crew cut was actually shirtless in such severe cold weather, covered with logos of car companies and sponsors, his muscles knotted, grinning at the camera.

The upper and lower rows of teeth were actually black metal, with the pinyin of swear words embossed on them.

When passing by, the driver who was laughing wildly in the car turned his head, glanced at Ji Jue who was queuing behind, raised his hand disdainfully, and made a throat-slitting gesture at his neck.

Finally, he raised his middle finger.

Ji Jue's eyes lifted, and he smiled.

Indifferent, as if he hadn't seen it at all.

Only beside him, the cold eyes of the girl showed a hint of cold light.

And the darkness in Ji Jue's pupils, the salary fire like purgatory rose.

That look, so different yet so similar, made the driver who was speeding hesitate, couldn't help but feel his scalp go numb, and subconsciously cursed a swear word.

Damn, like he's sick...

And Ji Jue watched him go away, turned his head, looked at the person beside him, and waved.

Called the maintenance worker in the corner and pointed to the cigarette he had just lit.

"Give it to me."

"Huh?" The maintenance worker subconsciously reached into his pocket, wanting to take out a new one, but saw Ji Jue wave his hand: "No need, just this one is fine."

The dazed maintenance worker hesitated, wanting to say something, but seeing those pitch-black pupils, his body had already subconsciously moved, took off the cigarette he had just lit, hesitated, wiped the cigarette butt on his clothes, and then carefully handed it over upside down.

"Thanks."

Ji Jue held the cigarette flickering at his fingertips and smiled slightly.

Boom!!!

In the distance, amidst the shrill friction, high-pitched collisions and the screams of the crowd arose—accident!

The Bailong team that had just started, only walked one kilometer, the vehicle had a blowout without warning, and then suddenly slipped on the ice, spinning in vain, hitting the fence, sinking into a pile of snow covered with stones and silt, almost hitting the crowd.

The safety officers waiting on both sides were also stunned. Every year they were called to make up the numbers and go through the motions, but they didn't expect that only this year would something happen?

Dumbfounded, forgetting to react, and before they had time to send a signal, they saw...

On the starting platform, the dazzling light flowed out and spread with the roar of the high-pitched engine.

Steel roared and shouted.

Amidst the cheers of the audience, the pitch-black, ferocious Little Niu Ma had already leaped into the air, smashed heavily on the ground, the matte paint on the armor reflecting countless flashes, the heavy and huge wheels crushed the ice, and it sped out again!

Roaring and galloping!

The high-pitched roar that had never been heard before was like a monster suddenly appearing from the darkness, roaring in the ear!

After a moment of silence at the scene, the shouts and cheers were like a tide, becoming more fanatical!

Ignoring the voice of the organizing committee staff in the walkie-talkie, Ji Jue put one hand on the car window, stepped on the accelerator, Little Niu Ma hissed happily, enjoying the cheers and exclamations, and increased to 190 kilometers in just a few seconds, simply like a storm, flashing past the eyes of the audience on both sides.

When the sluggish audience wanted to cheer, they opened their mouths and ate the violent frost wind rushing toward them!

Just like that, galloping on the short track, and immediately after, the screams sounded again—the speeding Little Niu Ma seemed to skid, and the car body shook violently.

Then, amidst the sliding of inertia, it spun wildly!

Under the light of the helicopter, everyone's shouts were higher, only seeing the black vehicle spinning and sliding on the ice, like a boulder rolling forward, straight toward the broken-down Bailong!

In the carriage of Bailong, the navigator and driver were dazed, stiff in place.

The distorted expression was illuminated by the cruel light, subconsciously struggling to unfasten the seat belt and jump out of the car.

But immediately after, the strange black car of Coast seemed to ignore inertia and gravity, without warning, suddenly braked.

Just a light tail flick, stirring up countless ice dregs and silt on the ground, turning into a gray-black wave, splashing on the two dumbfounded faces that had just had time to poke out of the car window.

Falling into eyes, ears, mouth, and nose.

Thoroughly drenched!

The dazzling light shone over, reflecting every embarrassed expression and detail.

Under the magnification of the camera, it was broadcast to every live screen.

Until this moment, the harsh friction sound stopped abruptly, and the distance between Little Niu Ma's body and the other party was less than a centimeter.

Those two faces twitched, rapidly turning red and iron-blue from the pale, almost roaring.

"Sorry, didn't find a trash can."

A palm resting on the car window was raised, lightly flicking the half-cigarette onto the other party's hood. With a crisp sound, sparks flew and extinguished in the silt and snow water.

Behind the car window, Ji Jue smiled warmly. "When you go back to the trash heap, please bring it for me."

Boom!

The engine roared, reversed, and splashed a piece of mud and snow powder again.

Just like that, amidst the shouts and cheers like a tide, it accelerated again, leaving a thick smoke behind.

Rampant and arrogant, heading toward the snowfield!

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 346 =====