The entire group had only one compass. Everyone knew that once they entered the heart of the Taklamakan Desert, without a compass, it would be impossible to tell directions apart. There would be no chance of escaping the desert, which meant that losing the compass equated to certain death.
Liu Dashao hurriedly asked Wang Feifei where she had last seen the compass. She replied that it had just been there a moment ago, probably lost when someone exerted too much force while running.
Liu Dashao turned his head and spotted the compass lying in the sand not far from the group. Chu was barely half a meter away from the compass.
Liu Dashao didn’t think twice. Dying from being attacked by the creatures or dying without the compass was the same fate. He figured he might as well take a chance. With that thought, he turned and lunged straight toward the compass.
Fan Debiao didn’t understand what was happening and shouted, “Dashao, have you lost your mind? This isn’t the time to go grabbing treasures!” No one paid attention to Fan Debiao and continued running toward the compass.
Liu Dashao successfully grabbed the compass and felt a surge of joy. He stood up and started running toward the oasis. As soon as he took a step, he felt a sharp pain in his neck. He immediately realized a creature had latched onto him. His nerves tensed up as waves of pain shot through his neck.
Liu Dashao touched his neck and looked at his hand. It was covered in blood. He looked down and saw a large bloodstain on his chest, even the beads around his neck were soaked red.
Liu Dashao was certain the creature had hit an artery. Whether it was from blood loss or extreme panic, his head started to feel dizzy and foggy.
Liu Dashao thought he was going to die for sure. He tightened his grip on the compass, summoned all his strength, swung his arm in a wide arc, and hurled the compass toward the others.
Then Liu Dashao collapsed onto the sand. Instantly, countless creatures swarmed all over him. His entire body trembled uncontrollably as he clenched his teeth and shut his eyes tightly.
At that moment, Liu Dashao was still conscious, but he couldn’t feel any pain. He immediately opened his eyes and was astonished to see the creatures retreating to a distance of about a meter away from him.
Looking closer, Liu Dashao noticed that about a dozen creatures were still within a meter of him. Upon further observation, he was even more surprised to find that these creatures weren’t approaching his blood. Could it be that they feared his blood?
He wanted to test his theory. He dipped his fingers in the blood on his neck and sprinkled it toward the nearest creature. Before the blood even hit the ground, the creatures scattered away in panic.
Liu Dashao was stunned. He never imagined he would possess what could be described as “sacred blood”—he didn’t know whether to feel happy or sad.
Since the creatures were afraid of him, Liu Dashao decided he should quickly reunite with Fan Debiao and the others. He struggled to stand up, but as soon as he straightened his back, a sharp pain shot through his neck, causing him to lose consciousness instantly.
Half-conscious, he wanted to tell Fan Debiao and the others about his special blood, but he didn’t even have the strength to raise his hand and write. Time seemed to freeze in that moment, and then everything went black as he fell into a deep unconsciousness.
Before he completely lost consciousness, Liu Dashao could still vaguely hear a lot of noise around him. Gradually, all sensation disappeared.
His unconscious state was interrupted by a sudden, intense itch on his neck. He sat upright and scratched it, only to discover a thick layer of gauze wrapped around his neck. Looking around, he found that the group had reached an oasis. It wasn’t large, filled with trees of unknown names and various strange animals resting among the branches.
In the center of the oasis was a small pond—not big, but crystal clear. Occasionally, strange fish could be seen swimming by.
Beside the pond were three sleeping bags set up. Liu Dashao was sitting in the middle one. He peeked out and saw Wang Feifei and Wang Zhicai on his right, studying an ancient manuscript left behind by the descendants of an old city. Fan Debiao and the others were on the left, playing cards enthusiastically with big smiles on their faces.
Liu Dashao was fortunate to have survived. He wanted to get up and walk around, but his body wouldn’t obey. He realized he had only just passed the critical stage.
When Wang Feifei noticed Liu Dashao had woken up, she and Wang Zhicai immediately stopped their conversation and rushed to his side, asking how he was feeling. Others followed closely behind, bombarding him with questions. Liu Dashao didn’t answer any of them and instead asked how he had been rescued.
Wang Feifei explained that while they were running, the compass suddenly flew toward them. Everyone immediately realized something had happened to Liu Dashao. Consultant Fan didn’t hesitate—he dropped everything and rushed to save him, and then she described how bravely Fan Debiao had rescued him.
After listening to Wang Feifei’s account, Liu Dashao nodded and asked, “How long have I been unconscious?”
Fan Debiao shouted loudly, “You’ve been out for two or three days! And it was Miss Wang who bandaged your wound!”
Wang Feifei then asked, “When I ran over, I saw those creatures weren’t approaching you. Why was that?”
Hearing this, Liu Dashao recalled the creatures’ fear of his blood. He originally wanted to tell them about his sacred blood, but after thinking it over, he decided against it. Who would believe such a thing? They’d probably think he was just bragging. So he simply said he had been unconscious and didn’t know anything, brushing off the question.
Fan Debiao leaned close to Liu Dashao’s ear and whispered, “Dashao, did you bring any magical talismans from your Taoist master that could repel those creatures? Let me see if it’s valuable.”
Liu Dashao gave Fan Debiao a glare and whispered back, “If I had any talismans, I would’ve used them already. Look at my injuries—do I look like someone who has protection?”
Fan Debiao was momentarily speechless. Liu Dashao’s mind suddenly clicked—where was Old Karama? He asked Fan Debiao where he had gone.
Fan Debiao pointed behind him toward the desert and said, “That old guy got a bit freaked out when he saw the creatures. He refused to move, insisting he needed to perform rituals for three days here before continuing the journey. He’s been up there for two days already without coming down.”
Liu Dashao, sitting opposite Fan Debiao, stretched his neck and looked. Sure enough, Old Karama was kneeling on a carpet, doing something mysterious.
After chatting for a while, everyone returned to their sleeping bags. Liu Dashao, feeling bored, lay back down and tried to sleep again.
Before he knew it, night had fallen. He was gently nudged awake. By this time, his strength had mostly returned. He sat up and saw it was Old Karama.
Karama made a gesture for silence and said softly, “Young comrade, come with me. I have something important to discuss with you.” Then he turned and stepped out of the sleeping bag. Liu Dashao felt puzzled but followed out of curiosity.
Stepping out of the sleeping bag, Liu Dashao glanced around. Everyone else was fast asleep, especially Fan Debiao, who was snoring loudly.
Old Karama led Liu Dashao to a sand dune outside the oasis and suddenly knelt before him, saying, “Young comrade, you are the reincarnation of Hu Da!”
Liu Dashao was completely taken aback and quickly said, “Old man, are you okay? How could I possibly be Hu Da’s reincarnation?”
Old Karama replied, “You wouldn’t know this. Long ago, the Taklamakan Desert was just as it is now—a sea of death, without rivers or ancient cities. Later, the desert was blessed by Hu Da, who diverted water from the Tianshan Mountains into the Taklamakan, forming the Peacock River. Eventually, human settlements emerged, giving rise to the thirty-six prosperous Western Kingdoms. However, humans failed to cherish Hu Da’s blessings and violated his principles. As punishment, Hu Da withdrew the water from the Tianshan Mountains. The Peacock River gradually dried up, and from its dried riverbed emerged strange creatures. Anyone who encountered them would die—only the reincarnation of Hu Da would be immune to their attacks. You survived their attack without dying, and this proves it.”
After hearing Old Karama’s explanation, Liu Dashao was speechless. Only someone who believed in Hu Da could come up with such absurd nonsense. Having been raised with a scientific worldview, Liu Dashao could never believe such a thing.
Liu Dashao replied, “I’m not Hu Da’s reincarnation. Who says those creatures didn’t attack me? Look at my neck—my artery was pierced. If Fan Debiao and the others hadn’t arrived in time, I’d already be meeting Marx!”
The old man was stubborn. No matter what Liu Dashao said, he always managed to link him back to Hu Da. Liu Dashao finally gave up and changed the subject. “How did you know those creatures fear water?” he asked Old Karama.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage