Liu Dashao glanced at his watch; it was already past nine in the morning. He looked around at the vast expanse—if it weren't for the line of camel footprints behind them, he’d think they had stumbled into chaos. It seemed they had indeed entered the Taklamakan Desert.

The scenery here was incomparable to what they had seen the night before; an aura of death pervaded everything. It seemed the moniker "Sea of Death" was truly well-earned.

It was barely past nine in the morning, yet the heat was suffocating. Looking up, the sky was tinged with a crimson haze.

Everyone had shed their heavy padded coats for lighter attire. Fan Debiao, burdened by excess fat, was sweating profusely and threatened to strip down to just his undergarments.

Liu Dashao snapped at him, "Damn it, don't forget there are women here! Aren't you afraid of scaring them if you strip down? Besides, you're supposed to be the Feng Shui consultant now; keep up appearances for my sake."

Hearing this, Fan Debiao paused to consider, and for the sake of maintaining his image in the ladies' eyes, he endured the heat.

The day grew hotter, so hot the camels were reluctant to move. The others drank water incessantly. Wang Feifei realized the situation was untenable and called for everyone to dismount and dig a pit to rest.

Fan Debiao readily agreed. He jumped off his camel, grabbed an entrenching tool, and began digging furiously, creating a pit three or four meters deep in one go. Even within this pit, it felt like being roasted over a fire.

Fan Debiao declared this approach unsustainable, fearing they would soon turn into Peking Ducks. He called everyone out, and they proceeded to dig another meter or two deeper with their shovels.

This finally offered a slight reprieve, though the heat remained intense. It was clear they couldn't travel in this weather during the day. After a quick consultation, they decided to rest during daylight hours and resume their journey under the cover of night. This meant their expedition in the desert would be extended.

Fan Debiao insisted, "I'd rather spend an extra month in the desert than travel under this scorching sun; otherwise, we'll be baked to death before we even reach the ancient city."

At this point, Old Man Kelama spoke up, his face etched with anxiety, "Can everyone please head back first?"

The old man’s sudden suggestion baffled everyone. The others exchanged glances, momentarily speechless.

Wang Feifei asked him, "Elder, why should we turn back?"

Old Man Kelama looked up at the sky, his worried expression unwavering, and said, "Look at the heavens."

Upon his urging, everyone craned their necks out of the pit, staring intently at the sky. Apart from a few streaks of red cloud, there was nothing else notable.

Fan Debiao, confused, remarked, "What's wrong with the sky? Did it get a hole in it?"

Liu Dashao began to grasp the old man's meaning. Elders in his hometown often said, "If the morning sky is red, don't leave home; if the evening sky is red, travel a thousand miles." The appearance of red clouds in the morning was not a good omen; it likely meant a shift in the weather. He quickly asked Old Man Kelama if the weather was about to change.

Old Man Kelama replied, "Yes. The desert wind is about to pick up—a massive sandstorm is coming. You cannot proceed further in; if you enter, you won't be able to get out."

Hearing this, anxiety spread across everyone’s faces. Their expedition had a fixed timeline. Waiting outside for the storm to pass before re-entering seemed unrealistic. Yet, pushing forward now would certainly put their lives in grave danger. They were caught in a true dilemma: advance or retreat.

Wang Feifei pondered for a moment, then asked Old Man Kelama, "Elder, do you know a way to bypass the sandstorm and enter by a detour?"

Old Man Kelama said, "There is a way, but..."

Fan Debiao interjected dismissively, "But what? If there’s a way, just say it. Stop beating around the bush."

Old Man Kelama explained, "The weather in this desert is governed by the gods. Fair weather means the god permits entry; high winds and sandstorms mean the god forbids it. If you wish to proceed, you must ask the will of Hu Da, the elder deity."

Fan Debiao was taken aback. "Who is Hu Da? Tell him to come out. I'll negotiate with him. Even if he says no, I'll force him to let us through."

This outburst made Liu Dashao deeply embarrassed, seeing the sheer ignorance and lack of decorum. He tugged Fan Debiao’s arm and whispered, "Listen, you idiot. Hu Da is the chief deity of the desert, the boss. This Kelama old man is talking superstitious nonsense."

Fan Debiao mimicked Liu Dashao’s tone, "So this little old man is trying to pull a fast one? Asking a god to decide whether we go in or not?"

Liu Dashao told him, "Every place has its own customs. Praying to the god is just for peace of mind, a gesture of respect. Later, when Old Man Kelama finishes consulting Hu Da, even if the response is 'no,' we have to let the old man deliver the message."

Fan Debiao nodded, a cunning smile playing on his lips, seemingly having misunderstood Liu Dashao’s intent.

Old Man Kelama took a carpet from a large bag on his lead camel, spread it on the ground, knelt on both knees, crossed his hands over his chest, and bowed low, muttering something in a language they couldn't understand: "Almighty Allah, Venerable Master Hu Da..."

Fan Debiao found the old man's posture hilarious and, being unable to restrain himself, quipped, "Damn, 'Venerable Master Hu Da.' If this Hu Da is really that effective, why doesn't he just command the weather not to change?"

Fan Debiao started to laugh again, preparing to say more inappropriate things. Liu Dashao quickly intervened, "Can't you just be quiet for a second? If you slander Hu Da here, Old Man Kelama might just fight you to the death."

Fan Debiao seemed momentarily intimidated. "Really? Is it worth it over some Hu Da?"

Liu Dashao explained, "Of course. As far as I know, Hu Da is the only deity in this region. These people value Hu Da's honor more than their own lives. If you said that about him in a public place, they'd likely tear you limb from limb."

Fan Debiao was genuinely astonished. "Holy crap, it’s that serious?"

Seeing Fan Debiao’s disbelief, Liu Dashao challenged him, "If you don't believe me, once we get out of here, go into Old Man Kelama's village and insult Hu Da. See what happens."

Fan Debiao was genuinely scared by this prospect, shaking his head. "Forget it, I can't risk that. I'm better off sticking to finding artifacts honestly."

Wang Feifei, observing Liu Dashao and Fan Debiao's lengthy back-and-forth, turned to the group with a serious expression. "Stop arguing and let him concentrate."

Liu Dashao and Fan Debiao, seeing Wang Feifei issue a command, felt awkward continuing their discussion and made a gesture of silence.

Old Man Kelama remained prostrate for about ten minutes, occasionally murmuring sounds, before slowly rising, seemingly having completed his consultation.

Seeing the ritual finished, Wang Feifei asked, "Elder, what did your deity say?"

Old Man Kelama replied, "Hu Da gave a prophecy just now. He said entering or not is up to everyone's choice; he will neither stop nor help, but the weather will still change."

Fan Debiao exclaimed, "Damn it, how are people supposed to live? Isn't that obvious nonsense? It's always been everyone's free choice whether to go in or not!"

Wang Feifei didn't decide immediately but asked everyone to discuss it among themselves. After a brief deliberation, since Kelama offered a way to evade the storm, they all agreed to proceed.

At this, Old Man Kelama became extremely reluctant, insisting the method wasn't very reliable and carried risks. He was too old to take such a gamble.

Fan Debiao whispered to Wang Feifei, "It looks like your payment to this little old man wasn't enough. He’s stalling because he wants you to offer more money. Old men these days are all mercenary."

Wang Feifei considered his words and felt there was some truth to it. She promised Old Man Kelama that if he guided them safely to the ancient city, she would pay him triple his agreed fee. Upon hearing the offer of triple payment, the old man’s reluctance vanished, and he immediately agreed.

Looking up, although it was only just past one in the afternoon, the sky was already darkening, indicating the storm was imminent.

Wang Feifei, seeing little time left, quickly asked Old Man Kelama for his plan.

Old Man Kelama explained that on a previous journey, he had noted an abandoned ancient city not far ahead. If they could reach it before the storm hit, they could shelter there.

After hearing the plan, everyone mobilized. They climbed out of the sand pits and mounted their camels.

Old Man Kelama cracked his whip and let out a sharp cry, "Ayoyoyo!" The camel caravan set off. The animals seemed to sense the approaching danger, moving slightly faster than before.