After enduring seven sandstorms, Zhang Wei and the others finally arrived at a crimson desert!
"The Crimson Desert Labyrinth… the location of the Gourmet Pyramid, said to be irrigated by the blood of living beings. From here, the journey has only just begun!"
"Nonsense!"
"The reason for the crimson desert is that the sand here is rich in iron elements, which oxidize under sunlight."
Sheng Taro took a few steps and let out a cry, "My feet are burning hot!"
"Of course. Iron has a high heat absorption capacity. Thirty-nine degrees of direct sunlight can fry an egg, and here..."
Kurama pulled out a thermometer and said gravely, "The temperature has risen by 15 degrees, reaching a staggering 59 degrees!"
Under such intense sunlight, the iron could reach the temperature of boiling water!
And this was just the outer edge of the Crimson Desert.
From here on, they had to take things seriously.
Suddenly, the water-carrying camel beneath them let out a mournful cry and collapsed.
Zhang Wei looked at the camel's hooves, which were already cooked by the sand!
"Even the camels that roam the desert can't endure this, despite having a large amount of water in their bodies..."
Slicing open the hump, scalding hot water surged out, nearly boiling as it hit the sand!
The temperature was terrifying!
The air temperature rose from 59 to 68 degrees and was still climbing! Zhang Wei and the others felt like steamed buns in a steamer, about to be cooked at any moment!
Kurama retrieved three sets of Arabic-style white robes from his space equipment and distributed them. "Here, put these on! This is the wisdom of the desert people!"
The more intense the sunlight, the greater the coverage of clothing.
Between 25-35 degrees Celsius, short sleeves and casual wear are suitable. Once the temperature exceeds this, loose long sleeves are required, tucked into the collar and cuffs to prevent excessive sun exposure.
Clothes should preferably be white to reflect sunlight, and the fabric's ability to block heat is also crucial.
Tight-fitting clothes should be avoided, as the scorching fabric would be extremely uncomfortable against the skin.
In India on Blue Star, natives wear long sleeves tucked into collars and cuffs to prevent excessive heat from entering. High-caste individuals, like those in Arab regions, wear large white robes to ward off the heat.
However, 40 degrees Celsius is the limit for both regions. This Crimson Desert, at a scorching 68 degrees, is beyond what carbon-based life forms can adapt to.
Moisture secreted profusely, using evaporation to dissipate excess heat from the body's surface!
The three immediately changed into the robes, and it indeed offered some relief.
Kurama said, "Breathe through your nose. The narrow nasal passages can cool the air and prevent superheated airflow from burning your lungs!"
Sheng Taro gritted his teeth, disdainfully saying, "You underestimate my Gourmet Cells too much! You underestimate my adaptability!"
Gourmet Cells!
They were omnipotent!
Temperature resistance UP!
With conscious effort, the Gourmet Cells within them were stirred into action!
"A level 55 Ice Field Giant Dragon can withstand magma blood boiling at 1500 degrees Celsius!"
"Although we are temporary and lack the innate advantages of dragon species, we can withstand this level of temperature!"
Sheng Taro waved his hand, and a strange plant grew wildly.
Desert Thorn Flower! It completely covered Sheng Taro like a parasol!
Kurama was not to be outdone and produced a cooling dish he had prepared earlier, Pineapple Summer Cool Soup!
The two then looked at Zhang Wei.
Zhang Wei spread his hands. "Why bother with such trouble."
He casually took out a piece of ice from the Ice Hell and carved a heavy set of armor to wear.
The sixty-degree Celsius heat was completely ignored!
Suddenly, the camel beneath them began to slide, and spiral sand pits formed on the flat ground!
"Quicksand!"
They all leaped up. Looking down from above, hundreds of meters in diameter sand pits spread out, leaving almost no stable ground!
"It's moving quicksand!"
Sheng Taro said gravely, "It is said that beneath the Crimson Desert lies an ocean of quicksand, like surging tides. This moving quicksand forms countless bubbles, and wherever it attacks, a huge pit will appear!"
"If you are swallowed, you might be buried thousands of meters below in the sand sea, and no matter how strong you are, you may never escape!"
This was indeed a dangerous domain!
As the heat surged, an even more fantastical scene unfolded before their eyes! Countless yellow sands rose into the air, forming bridges and various terrains, even strange structures resembling palaces!
Mirages!
Normal mirages form hazy illusions, bringing distant scenery closer.
But these superior mirages were more terrifying. The scorching airflow could distort reality, making the real and unreal blend, making it difficult to distinguish with the naked eye.
And these illusions were not in the distance but right under their feet! Making it impossible to distinguish between a path and fatal quicksand!
"A deadly trap formed by illusions and yellow sand!"
"Combined with the high temperature and hot airflow, this is the deadly Crimson Desert Labyrinth!"
Sheng Taro used vines to form ropes, binding the three of them together to prevent them from getting lost.
This was not a place that could be navigated by sight alone!
Amidst the sandstorm, Zhang Wei roared, "Leave it to me!"
"Alright!"
"No problem!"
Wind Control Technique!
The howling sandstorm immediately stopped beside Zhang Wei!
Kurama and Sheng Taro were simultaneously shocked!
Had Zhang Wei now become strong enough to contend with nature itself? With the Wind Control Technique, he could actually organize a sandstorm covering several square kilometers!
Although this was only a small part of the sandstorm, it was enough to prove Zhang Wei's strength!
At this moment, the eerily flowing yellow sand gathered into a semi-humanoid shape, with discernible animalistic outlines. It had a twisted appearance and a Lovecraftian style.
[Discoverable Ingredient Found: Sand Golem]
[Capture Level: 45-65]
[Edible Level: 15-25]
[Description: A creature that can control sand and soil within mirages. Its true form resembles an insect with a skeletal structure. The older they are, the larger their physique becomes, and the more sand they can control.]
[Description: Sand Golems are suitable for soup and are rich in minerals. If consumed during adolescence, they can promote bone development, increase height, and improve bone quality.]
A truly fantastical creature!
Zhang Wei tentatively unleashed a weak gust of wind, and several Sand Golems sustained varying degrees of damage.
But it clearly did not cause significant harm. The yellow sand slowly gathered at the wounded areas, and the repair speed was incredibly fast!
"It didn't damage the core... The smaller Sand Golems took more damage, with the smallest almost losing half its body, while the larger ones only had superficial damage. It seems to be related to their control over the sand."
"I couldn't see the internal structure clearly. It seems that without damaging the inside, it only consumes their stamina."
Selecting the smallest one, Zhang Wei rushed to the closest one and plunged his fist into the yellow sand, fumbling around.
"Heh heh, found you!"