CHAPTER 44: CHAPTER 44: THE MINDSET OF NEO-HUMANS

It seems Luo Ping was telling the truth. Lu Xi’an and Yao Wei traveled together without encountering anything after leaving the jurisdiction of Fengcheng County.

The second half of Fengcheng County’s roads became increasingly difficult, winding and meandering, sometimes ascending and sometimes descending—a mountain road.

Furthermore, this road had long been neglected and posed far greater danger than other places. Lu Xi’an had to drive slowly and cautiously.

"Did we pick the wrong road? What if we encounter collapsed or rockfall sections?"

He couldn’t help but question as he turned a big corner while driving.

In the old days, you’d have to check the convex mirror at the corner on such cliff-side roads to ensure there were no oncoming cars.

Now, though the convex mirror is still there, it’s blurred, and nothing can be seen clearly.

Luckily, in present times, few cars would venture into such areas, so they are unlikely to encounter cars, making their slow journey relatively safe.

Unfortunately, they had previously encountered a junction. They chose this road to head west. Did Luo Ping take the turn ahead?

If Luo Ping didn’t turn, and his path was the same as theirs, that would prove the road ahead is clear without issues.

After all, Luo Ping originally came from the southwest; perhaps he had traveled this same road.

"If collapsed sections block the way, we’ll clear them, and carry rocks aside if needed."

Yao Wei offered a fresh solution.

Lu Xi’an finally realized.

Right, now he’s one of the Neo-Humans, why should he be troubled by minor issues?

He deeply reflected, realizing he hadn’t adapted to the Neo-Human way of thinking and acting.

Build a bridge when encountering a river, break down walls when facing obstacles; he shouldn’t be vexed by such simple problems considering his prowess.

Apparently, Yao Wei had experience dealing with such matters.

"If we can’t clear a collapse, we can lift the vehicle across."

Yao Wei added.

Lu Xi’an: "..."

Though not wrong—they could indeed lift the car—but the mental image of Yao Wei and him carrying a fully-loaded off-road vehicle felt intensely mismatched.

Thankfully, the road ahead didn’t encounter collapsed sections, only scattered rocks.

After traveling about an hour on the mountain road, they saw stones blocking the path, having fallen from above, unknown when.

Some stones were large, some small. The small stones could be managed; the large ones weren’t easily moved by sheer human strength.

But fortunately, Lu Xi’an and Yao Wei were no ordinary people. They first sent Gou’s drone to scout, confirming it was purely natural conditions, not man-made, and with no one around before getting out of the car.

From outer stones to inner, both small and large were cleared away, thrown off the cliff. They quickly had the road cleared.

Using a shovel from the car, they pushed aside remaining debris to ensure nothing could puncture the tires before continuing.

"Lucky we’re Neo-Humans."

Lu Xi’an smiled to Yao Wei.

Yao Wei nodded, saying, "Yeah."

As they continued downhill, it seemed the mountain road was finally nearing its end.

Yao Wei checked the map, saying, "Ahead is Mengxin City, all grasslands with no cover, we must be vigilant."

"Mm, okay."

Lu Xi’an gazed out as he drove, seeing the expansive landscape post-mountain, with sky so high and wide, encompassed by cloud clusters seeming extremely lofty, evoking a sense of vastness.

Turning to the left-side window, distant hills were dark as ink, veiled in black clouds atop. Yet, where he was, it was perfectly clear, making it hard to imagine a border between blue skies and dark clouds.

Looking right, the connected black clouds gave scenery that made Lu Xi’an vividly realize the term "mountains like eyebrow shape."

These weren’t normal "eyebrows;" a lady with such eyebrows must possess bold, striking eyebrows as if drawn with a brush.

"Mengxin City... They really named it right..."

Lu Xi’an murmured.

No wonder Yao Wei said, "We’re not yet south." The true south shouldn’t have such a scene.

Previously walking only on foot, he certainly moved too slowly.

"What?"

Yao Wei asked.

"It’s nothing."

Unable to explain impressions from his past life, Lu Xi’an just said, "I just inexplicably feel this place is perfectly named, with such mountains, grasslands, and skies, as if it should carry this name."

"Mm."

Yao Wei didn’t think Lu Xi’an’s answer was strange or perfunctory, nodded, continuing to look at the map.

Her long fingers pointed at the map, saying, "We head straight a bit further, there’s a petrol station. Let’s check it out."

"Okay."

Lu Xi’an agreed, continuing to drive.

The unattended road had split into fragments, persistent weeds from roadside grassland spread onto the road, forming patches.

Different from roadside grass, road grass grew lower; roadside grass grew higher.

Moisture clung to the grass, with a few road sections sheltered from sunlight unknowingly retained patches of frost and snow, seemingly just missed a harsh cold snap that Lu Xi’an and Yao Wei had avoided.

Lu Xi’an suddenly recalled Luo Ping’s words.

These vegetation, resiliently growing in a world full of change and unpredictability, how did they withstand cycles of freezing and burning?

It’s certainly worth studying.

If this secret could be understood, perhaps crops could be grown even in this world’s harsh environment?

A petrol station finally appeared ahead. The station’s signboard was unexpectedly intact, leading Lu Xi’an to read clearly: "Changshengtian Petroleum Station..."

After reading, he couldn’t help but say, "This must be a local Mengxin petrol station."

"Why?"

Yao Wei didn’t understand.

Lu Xi’an explained, "I’m just guessing; it feels like a phrase like ’Changshengtian’ might be part of local belief, perhaps... a deity in their indigenous faith?"

"Oh, I see."

Yao Wei admired Lu Xi’an’s broad knowledge.

—Though without much use.

Approaching the petrol station, they let Gou control the drone for reconnaissance, confirmed no issues, then connected the circuit for refueling.

Luckily, among four fuel pumps, one was intact. They topped off the vehicle’s fuel and filled the newly acquired gas cans before safely securing them inside.

Surprisingly, the car’s full load wasn’t bad; the fuel cans fitted snugly, preventing movement or shaking, making it safer.

Beside the petrol station was a two-story building, a lonely abode built by an unknown person in the old world, stripped of doors and windows, overgrown with wild grass—a sign no one had visited for long.

Lu Xi’an had Gou inspect the petrol station and the small building, ensuring no danger.

While Yao Wei refueled the car, he explored the station’s room. Finding nothing, he decided to venture into the small building.