In the following two days, the entire area around the Singing Sand Eye seemed to be at a standstill.
Forget about the wind picking up, not even a strand of hair would move if you stood at a high place.
Everyone had no choice but to continue waiting.
However, compared to the previous days’ confidence, there was now inevitably a bit more repressed restlessness in the camp.
"We brought food and water for two weeks, which was based on average consumption. Now that we aren’t doing much, consumption is low, and we can eat a little less as needed, probably enough for another ten days. But if there’s no wind in three days, we may need to consider going back to restock supplies."
When Xu Zhao came over to report on the supply usage, he didn’t only use words; he also brought a detailed chart.
While listening, Jiang Lingxi looked at the contents of the chart, which was clear at a glance.
After reading, Jiang Lingxi handed the chart back, "Do as you said. I will go..."
Before she finished speaking, the tent curtain was lifted from outside. Jiang Lingxi turned her head and saw Yin Chong standing with his hands behind Changning, "I was just about to look for you."
Yin Chong raised an eyebrow with a smile, "What a coincidence." Saying this, he stepped into the tent.
Since they were still in a collaborative relationship at this point, regardless of whether it might become a life-or-death situation later, the two were at least maintaining composure for now.
Jiang Lingxi asked directly, "Are your supplies still ample?"
"The supplies are fine, but if you run short, I can arrange to share some with you."
"That won’t be necessary, just planning ahead."
It wouldn’t be good for cooperation to take advantage in such matters.
However, if cooperation breaks down later and she needs supplies, she can still resort to taking them.
"Two days have already passed."
"Yes, two days." Yin Chong found a chair to sit down, "Waiting isn’t a solution, so I plan to send two more people to explore; maybe they can find another passage. There is definitely danger, but fortune favors the bold, Miss Jiang, what do you think?"
"I don’t think so." Jiang Lingxi rejected the suggestion of sending more people without thinking.
Under her command, besides Changning Huzi and Yun Yi, were Xu Zhao and his bodyguard squad.
None of them were expendable.
Moreover, she had a hypothesis that such portals relying partially on natural forces might follow a certain pattern.
"When did the crew’s wind rise before?"
Changning hesitated, took out his phone, and opened the calendar, "Sister Xixi, it was on the twenty-sixth."
Jiang Lingxi then looked at Yin Chong, "From the twenty-sixth until now, how many times has the wind risen in this area? I guess Mr. Yin’s people should know."
Yin Chong’s eyes flashed, then he laughed, "You’re trying to find a pattern?"
Did he never consider it? The key is that it simply can’t be found.
Jiang Lingxi nodded to him, "Maybe I’ll just happen to guess right."
Yin Chong was silent for a moment. If Jiang Lingxi could find a pattern, that would be ideal.
Although he wasn’t concerned about losing two people, having an extra person would add strength at the ruins.
"Twice," he held up two fingers, "once on the twenty-ninth, once on the first of this month. The wind on the twenty-ninth picked up at night, and on the first, it was early morning. Small then large, but neither was as strong as on the twenty-sixth when they entered."
Jiang Lingxi picked up a pen and laid out an A4 sheet, ignoring the somewhat deliberate reminder in the last sentence. First, she marked the three dates, paused, and asked, "Can it be specific to the hour?"
"The hour?" Yin Chong repeated, finally choosing to pull out a walkie-talkie from his pocket, and called someone else over.
When the person arrived, they directly gave two times accurate to the minute and converted them to the hour.
Yin Chong watched Jiang Lingxi writing and drawing on the paper, unable to help his curiosity and leaned to take a look.
Jiang Lingxi did not intend to hide it. If he could decipher it, she would commend his vast knowledge.
When Yin Chong saw what was written on the paper, he understood why Jiang Lingxi wasn’t avoiding him — even letting him see so openly, he couldn’t comprehend any of the symbols.
He rarely felt a sense of frustration.
Only when Jiang Lingxi stopped writing did he speak, first with a compliment, "Miss Jiang knows quite a lot." Then he focused on the main question, "Did you calculate any pattern?"
"Calculated a time." Even though it was evident Yin Chong wanted a detailed explanation, Jiang Lingxi feigned ignorance, only sharing the final result, "Tonight at midnight, which is eleven o’clock."
"Oh?" Yin Chong’s finger landed on the A4 sheet covered with writing, "You mean, there’s a possibility of wind at eleven tonight?"
Before he could take the paper, Jiang Lingxi pulled it back, "You’ll know soon; there isn’t much time left."
Seeing through his intention to take the results, Yin Chong showed no embarrassment, "Can I take this paper and have someone study it? Anyway, it doesn’t involve any secrets."
"Nothing to study, heavenly stems and earthly branches, they’re things left by ancestors. But since you’ve all moved abroad, your research subjects are more on twisted paths, even if you took this paper, you wouldn’t understand it."
The person Yin Chong had called was furious upon hearing this and was about to hit the table but was stopped by a look from Yin Chong.
"Eleven at night, right? Let’s meet at half-past ten below the Singing Sand Eye. I sincerely hope Miss Jiang’s calculation is correct this time."
"I won’t see you off."
Shortly after Yin Chong left with his people, Xu Zhao came back in, "There are more eyes around our camp."
"Sent by Yin Chong, ignore them." Jiang Lingxi dismissed it carefreely, "He doesn’t trust me, and I don’t trust him, so all we can do is watch each other."
"Brother Xu, inform everyone to eat dinner early tonight. Afterward, pack personal belongings and weapons and rest for a few hours. At ten tonight, head to the Singing Sand Eye."
Even though she wasn’t sure her calculated result was right, the necessary preparations had to be made.
Xu Zhao caught her meaning and immediately felt invigorated, "Alright, I’ll arrange it right away."
By six, dinner was over, Jiang Lingxi packed the bag with supplies, placed the short knife under her pillow, and set the crossbow by her side before lying down to rest her eyes.
Changning watched from the side, wanting to speak but stopping.
She too had trained at the international base, preparing to act at the first sign of danger meant grabbing the weapon beside you instantly.
Whether under the pillow or nearby, it was the closest and quickest reach.
But, this habit required experiencing many unexpected crises repeatedly to develop an instinct .
Sister Xixi’s series of actions was even more professional than her own!
As she marveled, she unexpectedly met a pair of suddenly opened eyes, "There’s not much time left, why aren’t you sleeping yet?"
Changning instinctively rolled onto the bed and stuffed the weapon under her pillow, "Going to sleep now!"