Chapter 110: Fellow Countrymen Meet

The road ahead was still traveled by Xiao Yan alone until the afternoon when he approached the perimeter of the major tribe's patrol area.

Finally, Xiao Yan stored away the heavy Xuan Measuring Ruler he had been carrying into his storage ring, feeling a sense of relief wash over him.

The next part of the journey was going to be led by Wei Yang.

"It's daytime now, and it's hard to sneak you in quietly, better to wait until night; we should move then," Wei Yang said after taking the map from Xiao Yan and examining it.

"Okay, I could use a good half-day's rest anyway," Xiao Yan stretched lazily, feeling unprecedented comfort without the burden of the ruler, and said with a smile.

"If we're resting, let's go here," Wei Yang suggested, his gaze sweeping over the map before his finger stopped at the oasis symbol nearest to them.

"Uh, that seems a bit close to the snake tribe, doesn't it? Easier to get discovered. Why not stay nearby and rest here instead?" Xiao Yan looked at the oasis symbol, then glanced at the crimson point not far from there, which was only a few dozen miles away at most, and hesitated.

"I've been in the sand for half a month; my body feels filthy. I want to wash up," Wei Yang replied.

"Unfortunately, within a two-hundred-mile radius, there's only this oasis. Or we could go further to this other oasis that's safer, it's two hundred miles out, but you can fly fast," Xiao Yan suggested.

Wei Yang threw the map back at Xiao Yan, glanced at him without concern, "Don't worry, with my soul force shielding us, as long as you don't cause a big ruckus inside, we won't be discovered."

"I'm not going to run around; let's not stray two hundred miles out to rest and have to come back at night. We'll stick here!" Wei Yang made the decision.

"Alright, you're the boss," Xiao Yan shrugged.

Since Wei Yang wasn't worried, what did he have to fear?

To be honest, he also wanted to wash up, have a nice soak.

"Let's go!" Wei Yang grabbed Xiao Yan, and in a flash, they transformed into a blurred stream of light, quickly disappearing from the spot.

...

Looking at mountains makes you feel like running all the way up, and looking at maps can make you run to your death.

The distance that seemed close on the map was actually several dozen miles away.

Fortunately, with Wei Yang leading the way, their speed was incredibly fast. Xiao Yan finally got to experience what true speed was!

Soon, just over ten minutes later, they could faintly see a corner of the lush oasis emerging from the horizon ahead.

Wei Yang, with Xiao Yan in tow and his soul perception released, quickly scanned the surrounding area. Once he confirmed there were no snake tribesmen nearby, he swiftly headed towards the oasis.

As they approached, the surrounding scorching air became much cooler, prompting both of them to take a refreshing deep breath.

Wei Yang scanned the area once more with his eyes and soul perception, confirming the absence of any threats, before pulling Xiao Yan into the verdant forest, their figures quickly vanishing.

...

A crystal-clear stream flowed gently, shielded by foliage.

The sound of water splashing echoed.

Occasional sighs of contentment accompanied the sound.

Parting the grass, clothing that had been discarded lay scattered, emitting a sweaty odor.

In a fairly spacious and irregular circular pool within the stream, Wei Yang and Xiao Yan were comfortably soaking in the cool water, looking extremely relaxed.

Wei Yang leaned against the edge of the pool, his head resting on a smooth, flat stone, eyes half-closed, inhaling the fragrant air from the wildflowers and grass around, sighed in comfort, "Only after staying in a desert for so long can one truly appreciate how refreshing and luxurious it is to enjoy a good soak."

The cool stream seemed to wash away all the irritation in their hearts.

Lying on the opposite side, Xiao Yan cupped a handful of cool water, splashed it on his face, and echoed a content sigh, "Indeed, taking a bath in this hot desert is truly rare."

He stretched out leisurely, his long, furry leg extending over to Wei Yang's side.

Wei Yang became wary, lightly kicked him, and warned, "Hey, mind your space, alright? I'm not interested in men, give me some room."

"Like I'm interested," Xiao Yan retorted with a slight pout, drawing back his leg, declaring, "I'm a man's man!"

"Yeah, and I'm 24K titanium," Wei Yang scoffed.

"I'm 98K!" Xiao Yan responded offhandedly.

The two were momentarily stunned.

Silence descended, eyes locked.

After a moment.

"You..." Wei Yang hesitated.

"Could it be, you..." Xiao Yan's eyes fixed on Wei Yang, his lips trembling, with an expression of disbelief.

Suddenly, he got excited.

No wonder!

No wonder he always felt something peculiar listening to Wei Yang speak.

Wei Yang's way of speaking differed slightly from the locals, some words and tones always gave Xiao Yan a strange familiarity.

He hadn't thought much of it before...

"You go first," Wei Yang's eyes narrowed slightly.

His soul perception quietly spread out, enveloping the nearby area.

His eyes casually glanced at the ring on Xiao Yan's finger.

Xiao Yan got the hint, blinking in response.

But he knew they had to be cautious; some things couldn't be said too directly.

"Why don't you go first?" Xiao Yan urged cautiously, as this was his biggest secret and nobody knew about it.

"Comrade!" Wei Yang spoke the word.

Xiao Yan shuddered, his lips moved silently, "Unified vision!"

"With tears!" Wei Yang gritted.

Xiao Yan widened his eyes, speaking almost word by word, "Glistening!"

"Damn!" Wei Yang let out a sigh.

Xiao Yan did the same, "Damn!"

Both relaxed visibly, nearly simultaneously.

The code was matched.

Now for the formal exchange.

"How many stars on the flag?" Wei Yang wiped his face with water.

"Five!" Xiao Yan answered without hesitation.

"Founding year?"

"49!"

Then Xiao Yan questioned back, "System?"

"Society!" Wei Yang replied.

"So am I." Xiao Yan chuckled.

Wei Yang chuckled too.

Both of their eyes were red with unshed tears, expressions mixed as they stared at one another.

Their hearts brimmed with myriad emotions.

Truly comrades!

A profound and intangible sense of familiarity surged through them.

It was more intimate than meeting a fellow citizen abroad.

For they had met a fellow comrade in another world!

"I came from 2014!" Xiao Yan exclaimed.

"I'm from 2023!" Wei Yang smiled.

"Heh, guess that makes me the older brother," Xiao Yan grinned broadly.

"If you put it that way, I'm a 90s kid too," Wei Yang retorted.

"Er, I'm from 92." Xiao Yan clicked his tongue, slightly resentful, "Fine, you're older."

"I am by right." Wei Yang replied assuredly.

"Did you also... from birth?" Xiao Yan asked curiously.

"No, I took over at six," Wei Yang rubbed his forehead, "Just inexplicably, one day I woke up, damn!"

"I was straight from birth," Xiao Yan splashed water on his face, admitted with a bitter smile, "also quite inexplicable."

"Sigh~" They exchanged a look, silenced for a moment, then sighed together, "There's no going back~"

...

Inside the ring.

Yao Lao opened his eyes, inexplicably confused, his brow furrowing slightly: What are these two brats blabbering about while bathing?

Although he hadn't been spying, he would occasionally take note of the outside world.

His usual casual observation had caught them engaging in a conversation with phrases he didn't understand.

What was this 2014 and 2023, or something about 90s and 92s, completely baffling.

Was it some kind of children's game from Wutan City they were playing?

"Already so grown, yet playing such childish guessing games, immature! And what's this can't go back about? Nostalgia for childhood happiness? Well, growing up inherently involves pain; they'll understand that in due time." Yao Lao chuckled helplessly, shook his head, and chose to ignore them, closing his eyes.

With Wei Yang around, Yao Lao didn't need to worry much about Xiao Yan's safety, so he might as well take the opportunity to relax.

These old bones were still enduring night and day.

Mentoring a disciple, was not easy!

Yao Lao sighed deeply.