At 5 a.m. in Akesai, sandstorms howled as violent winds swept across the land, and the yellow dust blotted out the stars. At that moment, the 15-kilometer-long United Train suddenly let out a deep rumble, jolting everyone awake.

Lin Xian’s voice exploded over the comms channel, instantly throwing many teams into chaos.

“What’s going on?!”

“Are the monsters coming?”

“Listen to Captain Lin! Start the engines—now!”

“Forget everything else, move out!”

For a moment, the entire frequency was a cacophony of panic. Then, Shi Diyuan and others spoke up in the captain’s channel.

“Brother Lin, what’s happening?”

Lin Xian responded immediately, “We have to get out of the no-man’s land before nightfall tonight, or it’ll be too late!”

Right now, even Lin Xian didn’t know how to explain it clearly. But when he pieced together what Chu Yan said, along with what Hu Lushou and Old Mo experienced by the Wei River—and the recent talk of forbidden items in the no-man’s land even drawing the attention of those from Holy Revelation—it became obvious: Chu Yan’s warning wasn’t unfounded.

Chen Sixuan heard Lin Xian’s words and didn’t hesitate. She and Lin Xian ran toward the Weilong-class electric carriage to start all the engines across the train.

Meanwhile, on Dragon Mountain No. 1, the lead car, Shi Diyuan didn’t second-guess anything. He immediately ordered the crew to start the whole train.

“Don’t ask! Just fire it all up! All armed positions on standby—battle mode now!”

Orders cascaded through the ranks, and the crew of Dragon Mountain No. 1, still half-asleep, scrambled into action. The intercontinental-powered carriages came to life, and the massive steel beast began to move.

At the same time, Hu Lushou, Lu Zhao, Xie Guan, and other vehicle convoy leaders were startled awake by the commotion. Seeing the train already moving, they quickly started their engines.

“What the hell is going on…” Hu Lushou scrambled out of the RV, still confused, grabbing the walkie-talkie. “Why are we moving all of a sudden?”

“Emergency situation—we’re sticking with the train,” Sun Chang had already begun directing the convoy.

The sandstorm now engulfed all of Akesai. The vehicle teams couldn’t even see the road. Chaos reigned as collisions and scrapes broke out. But with the United Train already accelerating beside them on the track, they had no time to react. They slammed on their gas pedals and gunned it forward alongside the rails.

“I can’t see the road!”

“Forget it, just follow the taillights!” Lu Zhao roared. “Everyone stay tight—no one gets left behind!”

Everyone was on edge. The sandstorm was so blinding they couldn’t even open their eyes. The lights from the train and convoy kept getting swallowed by the raging sands, leaving only faint specks of brightness streaking through the Gobi.

This gave the train a huge advantage—so long as the tracks held, direction wasn’t a problem. But for the steel flood of over a hundred vehicles, this was hell mode. Drivers gripped their wheels tight, their armored windshields caked in sand. They could see nothing but the red tail lights of the vehicles in front, relying on radar to navigate.

Worse still, the United Train kept picking up speed—a disaster for the convoys.

Then, the directive—“Break through the no-man’s land before nightfall”—was broadcasted to every convoy. The tension rose to a fever pitch. No one knew what dangers the sandstorm might conceal, but the sword was already at their throats: they had just 13 hours to cross several thousand kilometers of wasteland!

“All convoys—put your radar-equipped heavy trucks in the rear. Everyone else form a straight line to avoid getting lost or hitting obstacles. Stay tight on the train!”

Through the comms, Qian Dele, drawing from his vast driving experience, helped coordinate the convoy. Slowly but surely, the convoys stabilized their formation, tightening up along the smoother road beside the rails. All units adjusted to match the train’s speed, finally catching up to its tail end—none left behind.

On the Monica Queen, Monica’s team was fast to react. All defense posts were already in place. Wearing her power armor, Monica inspected the rear of the vehicle, her expression cold and sharp.

“There’s no room for complacency.”

On the Infinite Train, all units were already springing into action. Guns were ready, fire-control radars came online.

“Captain Lin!”

Shu Qin and Luo Yang stood in the corridor of the living carriage, watching Lin Xian approach with a grim face. KIKI, Fire Bro, and others followed behind, all sensing something deeply off.

Lin Xian passed through several carriages, heading straight for Carriage 21.

In the dim lighting, Grace stood silently in the center. Lin Xian walked in quickly as mechanical scanners swept across her.

He had one goal for coming here.

If the voice that called to him from the Zero Element Center wasn’t Chu Yan, then who—or what—was the “will” behind Grace’s warning?

The thought sent chills through Lin Xian’s spine. Something was definitely off with Grace.

That’s why, the moment they began this midnight escape, he came here first.

Thanks to his connection to the Mechanical Heart, Grace was still in shutdown mode. Only her quantum processor core remained inaccessible. But with the energy bundler in Lin Xian’s hands, he could confirm the robot posed no threat—for now.

Staring at that exquisitely crafted mechanical face, Lin Xian felt a chill. He remembered clearly—Grace had once warned him in a distinctly human tone.

“Lin Xian, what’s going on?” KIKI asked, uneasy at seeing him rush here for the robot.

“How long until the parsing and overwrite process is done?” Lin Xian asked, turning to her.

“Probably another day,” KIKI replied. “And it takes time to execute.”

Clank clank clank! Lin Xian quickly manufactured an alloy cabinet to seal Grace inside, then turned to Lu Xingchen.

“Fire Bro, you’ve been wearing that gold bracelet for two days. Felt anything weird?”

Lu Xingchen immediately understood. Glancing at the Infinity Ring on his wrist, he replied seriously, “Now that you mention it, I have been feeling a bit... off these past two days.”

“There’s a high concentration of Dark Invasion on it,” Lin Xian said. “Be cautious. I suggest you stop wearing it unless absolutely necessary.”

Lu Xingchen nodded. “Got it.”

Lin Xian turned to KIKI. “We’re going full speed ahead from now on. You and Luo Yang stay on radar watch.”

“Understood.” KIKI nodded, hearing the severity in his tone.

It was pitch black, a sandstorm raging outside. The whole convoy was speeding ahead almost blindly. Any problem could be fatal.

Rumble, rumble! The night sky was soaked in darkness like spilled ink. The United Train howled forward on its tracks. The headlights of Dragon Mountain No. 1 were immediately swallowed by a wall of sand. Metal armor roared under the storm, as if the carriages were being gnawed at by some invisible beast.

Inside the following convoys, it was a storm of noise. In one RV, Hu Lushou gripped the communicator tightly, nerves on edge.

“Are we keeping up? They’re moving so fast—we can’t lose them!”

“For now, yes,” Sun Chang replied tersely. These weren’t ordinary vehicles—on the flat Gobi, they could go fast. But stability was an issue. At the United Train’s current pace, any slight deviation could doom a car to get lost in the storm.

So the drivers were laser-focused, maintaining tight formation and constant contact, always watching the lead.

Before long, the entire United Train had stormed out of Shashekou and into the boundless Akesai no-man’s land. Sand and wind roared, iron wheels thundered, and all 22 train groups shifted into cruising speed. Lin Xian hadn’t pushed it to 200 km/h yet. The storm was too intense—any faster, and disaster was likely.

They could only hope the storm ended soon.

At this point, Lin Xian briefed all team captains on the situation in the no-man’s land and the anomaly in Abyss Zone No. 5. He couldn’t tell them about his psychic link with Chu Yan, so he framed it around Hu Lushou and Old Mo’s recent encounters, combined with the forbidden items’ rumors—drawing his own conclusions. Given that Lin Xian had used his mechanical ability to interface with the Crimson World’s AI, everyone quickly understood why he made this decision.

“So you’re saying,” Hu Lushou asked, legs shaking, “those b*stards from Crimson World stirred up something again, and we might get dragged into another Polar Night zone?”

“I don’t believe in baseless rumors,” Qian Dele replied calmly. “We’ve seen what an S-Class scout can do. Nothing surprises me anymore. Honestly, I’m starting to like the Fire Army’s way of doing things—just gun it, and if something happens, deal with it. Worst case? We die.”

On Dragon Mountain No. 1, Shi Diyuan and Ning Jing led Division Ten in analyzing Lin Xian’s intel. Shi pressed his comms.

“Doesn’t matter what it is. Sooner we move, the better. Let’s get to Clearwater Town, then plan our next move.”

Back at the Infinite Train’s Info Center, the key personnel had gathered. Lin Xian declared, “No more stops. All carriages must keep blackout panels closed. Don’t look outside. Our one goal: run. Dragon Mountain No. 1 will handle the tracks and cockpit. I recommend assigning multiple people—especially those with high Soul Wave values.”

“Got it!” Shi Diyuan barked. “Ning Jing and I will take shifts. And Boss Hu, Captain Lu, Captain Xie—you all stay sharp and keep up!”

“Understood.”

“Roger that.”

Dawn hadn’t broken yet. Tension ran thick. On the Infinite Train, Lin Xian told everyone, “Stay alert until we reach Clearwater Town. Hold your positions.”

Everyone nodded. Li Yi and Liang Lei, as a couple, spoke first: “Don’t worry, Captain Lin. We’ll manage the living carriage.”

“Same here,” replied Luo Yang and Shu Qin.

With that, everyone returned to their posts. Lin Xian didn’t issue further orders. He went to Carriage 12 to begin building an 1130 CIWS.

The Infinite Train currently had three weapon stations. Besides the electromagnetic railgun on Car No. 2, Car 12’s mount was still unused. Luo Yang and A Bai lived there. Yesterday, Lin Xian had already prepped the roof turret—now it just needed the gun.

So far, the Infinite Train had two railguns and one CIWS, but the midsection was still under-defended. Railguns and the 1130 had different roles. Against dense hordes or high-speed Eerie Entities, you needed the CIWS and its tungsten-core .50BMG rounds to shred carbon-based threats.

His conversation with Chu Yan had been the longest and closest they’d ever had. But Lin Xian could still smell danger in the air—he had no time for hesitation.

As for what Chu Yan and the six others were doing at the White Deer Observatory, or why they had ventured deep into the Abyss—none of that was Lin Xian's concern for now. As long as it was clear they were still on humanity’s side, that was enough. The true nature of that consciousness link… Lin Xian would figure it out sooner or later.

Countless materials flew out from his hand under the light screen—Infinite Train’s second 1130 Close-In Weapon System had begun assembly.

Over in Carriage 13, Shu Qin’s team was using a fully automated bullet stamping machine to load ammunition. Carriage 21’s 1130 had already stocked up to three base ammo rounds. Even so, each round of ammunition would only last seven seconds. And those “seven seconds”? That was real man time. Under seven seconds of sustained barrage, even a tide of Snow Wraiths and Snow Fiends could be wiped clean.

The train roared forward. The sandstorm outside stretched for what felt like hundreds of kilometers. After three full hours, it was still a world of yellow dust and flying grit sharp as blades.

All the frequencies remained silent—except for the motorcade’s radio. The combined train sped across the uninhabited zone in utter quiet. There was no telling day from night, east from west. Inside the carriages, only the slicing of grit against armored plating and the rumble of iron wheels could be heard. Sparks danced along the rails. Over five thousand people had fled in this convoy, beginning their desperate escape in the darkest hour before dawn—no one dared speak a word.

At 9:30 AM, dawn arrived.

The black sandstorm morphed into a thick, dusky yellow sky curtain. Inside the cockpit of Dragon Mountain No. 1, Shi Diyuan sat at the helm. Several members of the engineering team stared tensely at the rail sensors and radar. Nothing was visible through the portholes—not even the tracks ahead. The train could only run by instrument. Even then, everyone’s nerves were taut. At such high speeds, with a 15-kilometer-long convoy, if there were any damage to the track or a rockslide ahead—it would mean catastrophic derailment.

BOOM!

At that moment of high tension, a thunderous crash came from the middle section of Dragon Mountain No. 1. The whole train shuddered violently under kinetic resonance. Inside, it sounded as if something massive had slammed into the exterior.

Shi Diyuan slammed the communicator, voice cold:

“What the h*ll just happened?!”

“Boss! Something’s outside!” came the response from Carriage 20.

BOOM!

Another impact. This time—Carriage 38, one of the living carriages. The team members’ expressions changed drastically. Everyone holding weapons instantly stood up. They could feel it—something, some creature, had just smashed into the carriage’s armored grate.

"A Bai!"

Over on Ning Jing’s end, she was already racing to the carriage with A Bai and Xiao Qing. A Bai was already in the corridor, pointing toward the rear:

“There’s… a monster!”

Beep. Beep. Beep.

At the same time, inside Carriage 3 of the Infinite Train, the light warning system inside the Hell Black Chrysanthemum incubation chamber began to buzz. Ding Junyi, deeply focused on her work, looked up sharply and grabbed the communicator:

“We’ve been marked by darkness. Level 3!”

Back in Carriage 13, Lin Xian had just received the message from Director Ding when a thunderous bang hit the carriage’s side.

BOOM!

Instantly, the high-manganese steel armor plating—leftover from the Sun Train—dented inward. Several bulletproof windows shattered into shards. Lin Xian was in the final moments of assembling the 1130.

He shouted, “Luo Yang!”

Luo Yang rushed forward, clad in his power armor. He ripped away the shattered glass, eyes glowing red as he stared out into the sandstorm through the armored grate.

BZZZZT!

A shockwave of energy burst forth. Outside, in the yellow sand vortex, an explosion of dark red light erupted. A shriek—sharper than the storm itself—sliced through the air, and a wave of Dark Invasion energy surged in, causing all the carriage lights to flicker erratically.

“It’s an eerie entity!!!”

Luo Yang’s biosensor in the power armor spun wildly. From outside, the sandstorm echoed with alarm after alarm.

WOOOOO!

The electromagnetic railguns on Carriages 2 and 6 rose into position. The 1130 on Carriage 21, along with multiple Gatling guns, were all activated by KIKI’s fire-control system.

“Big one outside—and not just one!”

In an instant, the attack alert spread through the entire convoy. Lin Xian hit the comms:

“Boss Hu! Captain Lu! Right side—watch for incoming!”

“Aaaaaaaaah!!!” Hu Lushou’s face went pale. On the lead vehicle, Sun was already lifting two Arc Pulse Rifles, both arms glowing as energy lines charged up.

“One o’clock! Massive target! Prepare to fire!”

ZRAKK!!

On the Infinite Train, two electromagnetic railguns swiveled precisely amidst the howling sand. Radar locked on. The main cannons rose—then BOOM!—two streaks of sapphire cannon fire ripped through the sky.

The ionized blast disappeared into the sandstorm. In the swirling haze, Lin Xian thought he heard the pounding of monstrous footsteps—so heavy they made the ground tremble. A black shadow was charging fast through the storm.

Inside the Sentinel System of KIKI’s Information Center, a sharp alert: a claw, meters wide, sliced toward them!

The armored roof of the Infinite Train shuddered under impact. On the right side of Carriages 10 through 12, the Arc Pulse Resonators flared to life. Dazzling ion sparks scorched the air. Even nearby sand turned to molten red liquid.

Still, the entire Infinite Train rocked as if struck by a mountain. Several cars tilted. Metal linkage joints groaned. Screeeeeee!

And it wasn’t just Infinite Train—Dragon Mountain No. 1, the Joker Convoy, and the central section of the united convoy—all reported emergencies at once.

Back in Carriage 2, KIKI’s face was grim as she used the Sentinel System to coordinate with the optical targeting radar, tracking flickers of the unknown creature outside.

“Careful. Humanoid type. At least thirty meters tall.”

She rose, preparing to act.

In Carriage 6, Daluo and Fire Bro were already geared up.

“Friendly units at our rear—don’t roast them,” Daluo reminded.

Fire Bro nodded grimly.

In Carriage 13, the broken windows howled with wind, sand pouring in. Several PX-05 Robots had already finished preparing the newly built 1130’s ammo module. Lin Xian’s expression was tense. Left hand still assembling, right hand charged and ready to fire.

“Captain Lin—it’s here!”

THOOM!

The earth shook. The massive entity emerged from the sandstorm at full sprint—charging straight at the Infinite Train.

At that moment, all mobile weapons from the united convoy opened fire. Firelight blazed through the sandstorm—an inferno of swirling dust and flame.

Just as the black shadow surged toward Carriage 13—

CHAKK! VROOM!

Lin Xian’s new 1130 system completed its final assembly. The ammo motor whirred. The roof hatch opened. The 1130 CIWS rose into place. Its cannon body still radiated heat—but it was already firing!

BOOOOOOM!!!

A metallic storm burst forth—eleven 30mm barrels spinning at a maniacal 166 rounds per second. Tungsten-core rounds screamed through the sky like divine spears, carving a fiery red arc across the train’s roof.

The massive creature met the barrage head-on. Its gigantic claw, just raised through the wind, was instantly shredded—blown to powder by projectiles flying at 1150 m/s.

A painful screech shook the train’s steel floor, sending vibrations through every inch. The monster’s vanishing claw had clearly hurt it—but just as Lin Xian and Luo Yang thought they’d repelled it, the sandstorm outside began to visibly darken.

In the distance, the sky itself began to fold—a miniature black hole forming in midair, swallowing even the yellow haze into deeper black.

Lin Xian and Luo Yang immediately sensed something was wrong. The massive entity was activating something.

“Fire Fist!”

BOOM!!!

A massive fireball exploded inside the yellow sand vortex. Waves of scorching flame, swept by wind, expanded rapidly. A crimson fire cloud hundreds of meters wide bloomed outward. Superheated air cleared a temporary windless zone in the storm.

In that moment, Lin Xian, Luo Yang, the Infinite Train crew, and Lu Xingchen, standing on the roof, all saw it—on the right side, across the Gobi:

A black, giant humanoid figure—emaciated, crackling with electricity. Its damaged right claw was regenerating under eerie energy. Worse, it floated beside the moving train, matching speed mid-air.

At the center of its skull—a gaping hole, now gathering thick black mist.

And it was aimed—right at the Infinite Train.