Chapter 188: Chapter 186: A Different Choice
A bird, struck by a freak accident, fell flapping its wings. It struggled to right itself, but crashed straight into the window of a building.
SPLAT!
An ugly smear of blood was left on the window.
’Damn it, I’ve interfered with history again.’
Mo Ling quickly flew toward the window, wanting to see what kind of impact he had caused.
But when he reached the window, he saw the three people inside the room staring at each other.
The captain, the doctor, and a young Old Xu.
’It happened again.’
’It had an effect, and yet it didn’t.’
This strange feeling appeared in Mo Ling’s heart once more, and he quickly controlled the Block to pull away.
A sense of fated helplessness began to erupt from within him again.
’It’s the same feeling again.’
It was like some kind of protective mechanism of history. It caused anyone who interfered to feel an indescribable urge to flee, forcing them to stay away and stop influencing its course.
But Mo Ling had never imagined that the can he had thrown could actually hit a bird in the past.
’Who would have thought littering could be so dangerous?’
Urged on by that strange feeling, Mo Ling controlled the Block and pulled it high into the sky.
’My actions have changed Old Xu’s fate twice now.’
’Perhaps my actions have created a rift between Old Xu and the other investigation team members.’
The more Mo Ling thought about it, the guiltier he felt.
’I can’t stay here for long. My actions have too great an impact on history.’ Thinking this, Mo Ling found a nearby iridescent surface and flew toward it.
Only after passing through the shimmering iridescence did the strong urge to flee in Mo Ling’s heart subside slightly.
However, Mo Ling found himself in another unfamiliar place. This one seemed even more ancient than the last; he floated for a long time without seeing any buildings.
He didn’t even see the old, sheet-metal buildings from before, only vast stretches of barren grassland.
’What era is this?’
Before long, Mo Ling floated above a clear pool of water.
Looking at the somewhat familiar pool, he immediately recognized it as the fountain during its dormant period.
At this time, the pool had not yet been artificially protected. There were no guardrails or paved paths around it, just a muddy patch next to the water.
Looking around, the area was desolate and uninhabited.
Seeing this scene, Mo Ling quickly guessed what period this was.
’Is this before Oasis City was founded?’
’It might even be before humans had discovered the Oasis.’
Mo Ling floated around the area for a while without finding any trace of humans. It was just an unremarkable clearing within an oasis.
This made Mo Ling even more certain of his guess: ’Humans haven’t discovered the Oasis yet.’
However, just then, a group of figures entered Mo Ling’s field of vision.
It was an investigation team, bundled up tightly. Their bodies were covered in grit, giving them a dusty, earthy-yellow color.
Beneath their clothes were mostly weary faces, and they moved listlessly.
Not only that, but there were also many wounded members stained with blood. After receiving simple bandages, they staggered along with the group, a clear sign of poor medical conditions.
Some were even lying on stretchers, carried by other team members.
The investigation team’s equipment also looked old and cumbersome, with a high degree of wear and tear. It was obvious they had endured incredible hardships to get here.
"Captain, there’s a water source up ahead! It might be fresh water."
"Good. Go check it out. See if we can set up camp. This should be an Oasis; we can use it as a temporary base."
The young man in the lead had an excited expression as he quickly waved his team forward.
The team members looked like they hadn’t had a drink in a long time. With chapped lips, they rushed to the pool and tentatively cupped some water in their hands.
"Captain! It’s fresh water!"
Like rain after a long drought, the excited shout revitalized everyone.
"Test the water first to see if it’s drinkable!" The captain couldn’t stop himself from licking his lips, but he ultimately suppressed his desire.
"The testing equipment is broken, Captain," said a team member with glasses. "It was damaged during the sandstorm attack."
At these words, everyone fell silent.
In the Abyss, you don’t touch anything unknown. That was the investigation team’s rule.
Especially not water that you were going to drink.
The investigation team had previously encountered parasites in water, water with special toxins, and even creatures disguised as water. These creatures would replace all the water in a human body, slowly turning them into their slaves.
Not to mention this suddenly appearing Oasis, with its conveniently located water source. It was as if someone had intentionally placed it here.
In the Abyss, seemingly ordinary things like this could become a hidden danger in the blink of an eye.
These silent, invisible threats were more terrifying than dangers you could see with your own eyes.
Seeing that no one was speaking, the teammate with glasses said in a low voice, "Captain, this isn’t the time to worry about whether we can drink it or not. Survival is what matters. But I have a suggestion."
"Go on," the captain said, looking at him seriously.
"We could have a few of the wounded drink it first. If there are no issues after a while, then we..."
"Enough!" a young man stepped forward and scolded angrily. "You’re gambling with the lives of our comrades!"
This person who spoke out for justice was none other than a young Old Xu.
Rebuked like that, the teammate with glasses was left speechless.
The captain also shook his head. "Let’s find another way."
However, just then, a young, wounded man on a stretcher raised his hand. "All in favor of having the wounded drink first, raise your hand."
Instantly, all the wounded members raised their hands in unison.
Meanwhile, all the uninjured team members watched this scene in silence. No one raised a hand.
"Captain, all the wounded agree. Pick a few to drink the water. I’ll be one of them." Although the voice of the man on the stretcher was weak, his words were incredibly firm.
This man was the very same middle-aged Noncommissioned Officer that Mo Ling had seen before.
He was young now, but his tone, which permitted no doubt, was identical to how he would sound many years later.
The captain looked at the young Noncommissioned Officer with a complicated expression.
Just when it seemed the captain would go along with it, his decision surprised everyone.
"Vetoed."
"The majority of the investigation team votes no."
"All able-bodied members will disperse shortly. Those without relics, search the Oasis for familiar plants and collect their sap. Those with relics, form teams and hunt animals. The rest of you will remain here to set up the tents..."
"Do as I say."
Hearing the captain’s words, the team members were stunned for a moment, then they all breathed a sigh of relief, picked up their gear, and dispersed.
Only the wounded, frozen in place, were left behind.
"Why?" the young Noncommissioned Officer on the stretcher asked, confused.
"Because I’m the captain."
The captain walked over to the young Noncommissioned Officer’s stretcher and gently patted his shoulder...
