The convoy rested until sunrise without any further attacks.
Even so, true rest never came.
Some people slept lightly, waking at the smallest sound. Others didn't sleep at all. Every time they closed their eyes, they saw shadows dragging people away.
No one wanted to die like that.
When the sun finally rose, its pale light spread across the barren land. Cracked rocks, dry sand, and endless emptiness stretched in every direction.
No trees.
No life.
It didn't feel like Earth anymore.
People woke slowly. Some stretched stiff bodies, others simply sat there, staring blankly into the distance.
A few began talking in low voices.
"That thing… it wasn't even solid."
"I saw it take three people at once…"
"If I had power like them, I wouldn't just stand there…"
Their voices carried fear—but also longing.
They had seen the Sequencers fight.
They had seen strength.
And now, they wanted it.
No matter the cost.
Inside his tent, Li Xuan sat quietly.
He opened a pack of biscuits and took a slow bite, washing it down with a measured sip of water.
Everything was controlled.
Nothing wasted.
But his thoughts were far from calm.
"How do people actually get abilities…" he muttered softly.
He leaned back slightly, thinking.
"So far… it only comes from killing or finding something special."
He paused.
"Or taking it from someone else."
That thought lingered.
But he didn't like it.
Not yet.
He wasn't desperate enough to blindly kill for power.
Still…
"If I stay like this, I'll die anyway."
He exhaled slowly.
Last night's battle replayed in his mind.
The ghost.
The way attacks passed through it.
The fire.
The coordination.
"If I was there alone…"
He didn't finish the thought.
He didn't need to.
Half an hour later, the convoy began moving again.
This time, the road was quiet.
No attacks.
No strange sounds.
Just the low rumble of engines.
People stayed alert, but compared to last night, it almost felt peaceful.
Time passed.
One hour.
Two.
Three.
Then—
Someone at the front shouted.
"There's something ahead!"
The convoy slowed.
And then stopped.
In the distance, another camp came into view.
Tents were set up in a clean formation. Vehicles were arranged carefully, forming a defensive perimeter. People moved around calmly—some carrying supplies, others standing guard.
It looked…
Organized.
Too organized.
Li Xuan narrowed his eyes slightly.
"They're not panicking like us…"
That alone was suspicious.
The convoy stopped about twenty meters away.
Silence fell.
Both sides observed each other.
Then Xu Ming's voice came through the speaker.
"We don't have any hostile intentions. We're just passing through and hoping to exchange information and supplies."
No response came immediately.
A few seconds passed.
Then—
A man stepped forward from the other side.
He looked calm, almost relaxed, with a faint smile.
"Welcome," he said. "We've been expecting someone to pass through sooner or later."
Xu Ming's gaze sharpened slightly.
"Expecting us?"
The man chuckled lightly.
"Not you specifically. Just… survivors."
Behind Xu Ming, Zhang Xuan shifted his stance.
"Sounds a bit too confident," he muttered.
Shen Miao crossed her arms slightly.
"Stay alert," she said quietly.
Xu Ming nodded.
Then he spoke again, this time without the speaker.
"Let's approach."
As they moved closer, Zhao Xun remained behind.
"I'll cover you from here," he said.
Xu Ming glanced back.
"If anything feels off—"
"I won't hesitate," Zhao Xun replied.
At the entrance, three men stood waiting.
The one in front stepped forward and extended his hand.
"Xiao Yiming," he said. "Nice to meet you."
Xu Ming shook his hand firmly.
"Xu Ming."
Xiao Yiming gestured to the others.
"This is Li Zhong… and Xue Yong."
Li Zhong gave a gentle nod.
"Glad to see more survivors."
Xue Yong didn't speak. He simply observed them, his sharp gaze moving from one person to another.
Zhang Xuan frowned slightly.
"This guy… doesn't blink much," he muttered under his breath.
Shen Miao ignored him.
"Why don't we talk inside?" Xiao Yiming suggested.
"It's safer, and more comfortable."
Xu Ming hesitated for a brief moment.
Then nodded.
"Alright."
Inside the tent, the atmosphere changed slightly.
It was calmer.
But also more controlled.
Xiao Yiming sat down and gestured for them to do the same.
"So," he said, "how long have you been traveling?"
"About twenty days," Xu Ming replied.
Xiao Yiming smiled faintly.
"Same as us."
Zhang Xuan frowned.
"Where are you from?"
"Xiangyang."
The answer made him pause.
"Wait… that's too far."
Li Zhong chuckled softly.
"We thought the same thing."
Xu Ming leaned forward slightly.
"So distance doesn't match anymore."
"Exactly," Xiao Yiming said. "The world isn't what it used to be."
There was a brief silence.
Then Shen Miao spoke.
"So we can't rely on maps anymore."
"Not at all," Xue Yong said suddenly. "If you do, you'll die."
Xu Ming nodded slowly.
"We're from Nanjing."
Xiao Yiming raised his eyebrows slightly.
"That's quite far as well."
"No point comparing distances now," Xu Ming said.
Xiao Yiming smiled.
"True."
"So what do you call your convoy?" Li Zhong asked.
Xu Ming paused.
"We haven't decided yet."
Zhang Xuan laughed lightly.
"You're serious?"
Shen Miao spoke calmly.
"Peace Convoy."
Everyone looked at her.
"Peace?" Zhang Xuan repeated.
She nodded.
"We survive to protect, not just to fight."
Xu Ming thought for a second.
Then nodded.
"Peace Convoy."
Xiao Yiming smiled.
"Not a bad name."
The conversation shifted naturally.
They exchanged information.
Routes.
Encounters.
Dangers.
"Ghosts are the worst," Zhang Xuan said. "You can't even hit them properly."
"They're not just strong," Xue Yong added. "They're changing."
Xu Ming looked at him.
"What do you mean?"
"They adapt," Xue Yong said simply.
That made the room quiet.
After a moment, Xiao Yiming spoke again.
"There's something else you should know."
Xu Ming looked at him.
"A group called Blade Convoy."
Zhang Xuan frowned.
"Never heard of them."
"You don't want to," Li Zhong said calmly.
"They attack other survivors. Take everything."
"And if someone resists?" Shen Miao asked.
Xue Yong answered.
"They die."
Xu Ming's expression didn't change.
"Strength?"
"Strong enough that we avoided them," Xiao Yiming replied.
Xu Ming nodded.
"Then we'll do the same."
After about an hour, both sides reached an agreement.
Trade.
Information exchange.
One day of rest.
Then they part ways.
"Too many people gathered together isn't safe," Xiao Yiming said.
Xu Ming agreed.
"It attracts attention."
Soon, a trading area was set up between the two convoys.
People gathered cautiously at first.
Then slowly, activity increased.
Clothes were laid out.
Food was displayed.
Water, medicine, tools.
Even things that felt out of place—
Jewelry.
Alcohol.
Cigarettes.
Someone was even selling laptops and gaming consoles.
Zhang Xuan laughed.
"Who's playing games in this world?"
The seller shrugged.
"Maybe someone who wants to remember the old one."
Li Xuan walked through the area quietly.
His eyes moved constantly.
Nothing escaped his notice.
He stopped at an electronics stall.
"You buying?" the seller asked.
Li Xuan nodded.
"Phone. Laptop. And those hard drives."
The man looked surprised.
"You planning to start a cinema or something?"
Li Xuan replied calmly,
"No. Just planning ahead."
The man smirked.
"Fair enough."
After the trade, Li Xuan continued walking.
Watching.
Observing.
Analyzing.
Then—
He slowed.
A man walked past him.
Nothing unusual.
Normal clothes.
Normal expression.
But something felt wrong.
Li Xuan's gaze dropped slightly.
There was no shadow.
His steps didn't stop.
His face didn't change.
But his eyes sharpened.
"…So I wasn't imagining it," he thought.
From a distance, a young boy stood still.
Watching him.
And slowly—
He smiled.