Chapter 163: To Live Like Summer Flowers, Brilliant for a Season

The next day, dawn broke.

Lin Shenlu woke up early.

Having figured things out, Lin Shenlu no longer tormented himself over trivial matters.

If he had returned to his original routine, the pace of the past few days would have felt overwhelmingly rushed...

Lin Shenlu hadn't even been for a morning run in a long time.

With nothing pressing this morning, getting up a little earlier to experience the sunrise in Huatugou would be worthwhile.

In fact, getting up a little earlier every day reveals how remarkably clear one's mind is throughout the day.

This is because the early morning provides ample time for contemplation.

Even during a morning run or a leisurely walk...

One can empty the mind and ponder deeper questions.

Only in this way can one slow down.

Therefore, those who are busy, anxious, or feel exhausted every day...

Might as well try waking up early one day...

Take a walk, breathe in the fresh air, and reflect on the day ahead.

And they will discover... that by evening, the day feels much more fulfilling.

And the irritability fades away.

He took out his phone and opened Moments.

There were two new comments.

One was from his editor, Huya, and the other was from Lin Qingchen.

Huya: Such stunning scenery! Is this where you traveled this time? Looking forward to your upcoming manuscript.

Lin Shenlu smiled.

He replied... I'm looking forward to it too.

Lin Qingchen's comment was much more amusing.

Lin Zaozao: How did you manage to form a team just like that? Not bad at all, looks like a preview of the new project... Little Deer, if you run out of money, just tell your big sister.

Lin Shenlu gave a wry smile.

Girl Abductor: Don't worry, Sister Qingchen, I've already told Huku'er. Consider this an early internship for her; she will learn everything she needs to, and I promise to bring her back to you safe and sound.

As for the issue of money, Lin Shenlu skillfully avoided the topic.

Lin Shenlu suffered in silence, keeping his thoughts to himself.

Dear sister, your ten thousand yuan for fuel... was spent before we even reached Xining.

Along the way, Huku'er's accommodation expenses alone have added up to a small fortune...

Did Huku'er say she was borrowing it? She'd better pay it back!

Lin Shenlu was grateful for only one thing right now.

Thank goodness the destination was the uninhabited zone... the Great Northwest.

Let alone bars, there wasn't even a place to buy a bottle of alcohol...

Otherwise, there's no telling how much money Huku'er would have drunk away along the way.

The private stash of wine he had secretly stored in the refrigerator... had long been emptied by Huku'er.

Truly, traveling is too difficult.

……

The Kunlun Mountains.

The Ancestor of All Mountains.

As the Ancestor of All Mountains, the Kunlun Mountains hold an extremely prominent position both geographically and in the hearts of the Chinese people.

Throughout history, countless wise men, sages, literary scholars, eccentric masters, and wandering swordsmen have cast their gazes toward the western horizon and sung impassioned verses.

Mythological tales such as Jingwei reclaiming the sea, Nüwa patching the sky, the Queen Mother's Jasper Pool, the White Snake stealing the immortal herb, and Chang'e flying to the moon have transformed the eternal, unmelting sacred snow atop the mountains into a romantic, epic, and shimmering brilliance.

Classics and cultural pillars such as the *Classic of Mountains and Seas*, the *Records of Yu*, the *Classic of Waterways*, *Journey to the West*, and *Demi-Gods and Semi-Demons* are deeply rooted in this heritage.

Climbing to the mountain pass, thousands of peaks and ravines resemble millions of horses in silver armor charging forward, whipping up fierce gales that shake the firmament.

Legend has it... the Kunlun Mountains are where immortals dwell.

If Lin Shenlu wanted to cultivate immortality, he had to journey to the Kunlun Mountains to seek immortals and learn the art of longevity.

Wait...

Lin Shenlu realized he had picked up the wrong script...

Throwing aside *Gastronomy and Immortal Cultivation*, Lin Shenlu replaced it with *Gastronomy and Travel*.

Continuing...

The Kunlun Pass is the mandatory transit point for Qinghai and Gansu leading to Tibet, and a major strategic pass on the Qinghai-Tibet Highway. Standing at an altitude of 4,767 meters, altitude sickness at the Kunlun Pass is a formidable challenge for most travelers.

Another magnificent sight, of course, is the Tuotuo River, the source of the Yangtze River.

It is a place of fascination for scientists and explorers. Endless grasslands, the meeting point of earth and sky, brilliant sunlight awakening thousands of lakes, with proud, majestic ice peaks all around.

After viewing the Tuotuo River and crossing the Kunlun Mountains... wading through the meltwater at the bottom of the Grand Canyon... only then can one truly consider themselves on the mandatory path into the uninhabited zone of Hoh Xil.

And speaking of Hoh Xil.

Lin Shenlu felt an even greater yearning for its mystery.

Hoh Xil, one of China's four major uninhabited zones.

The Hoh Xil Uninhabited Zone, the Lop Nur Uninhabited Zone, the Qiangtang Uninhabited Zone, and the Altun Mountains Uninhabited Zone.

An uninhabited zone, as the name implies, is unsuitable for human survival or even tourism.

And the mysterious, eerie expanse of Hoh Xil amplifies the trait of being a forbidden zone for humanity to the absolute extreme!

Here, life thrives amidst splendor, breathes through bitter cold, and dies in brilliant light!

Here, predators coexist with wolf packs, and only the strongest break through!

Bald eagles, wild oxen, and antelopes dance together, their competition painting a landscape of both striking beauty and extinction.

Here, it snows in July, thunders on sunny days, features bitter waters and icy peaks alongside powerful magnetic fields, while the haunting melody of *The Love Song of the Western Sea* evokes a tragic and merciless desolation.

Yet, for true adventurers eager to test themselves against the elements, it is a sacred pilgrimage site to bear witness to their faith!

The intrepid traveler knows no fear; for every hardship, there is an equivalent beauty. They are born with a longing to fly like the eagle, becoming the ultimate fire-bringers of their own destiny...

Therefore, for those with a spirit of adventure in their hearts, conquering Hoh Xil and traversing this expanse is a true pilgrimage.

……

The convoy departing from the Mangya Emerald Lake began its journey toward Golmud.

The upcoming route was simple and clear.

Lin Shenlu and his group needed to reach Golmud first, which would serve as an overnight stop.

Then, using Golmud as the starting point, they would follow National Highway 109 across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, cross the Kunlun Pass, and enter Hoh Xil in the broader sense.

Penetrating deep into the hinterland generally meant heading west from the Chumar River.

Aside from the Qinghai-Tibet Highway, everything else consisted of dirt tracks and side roads. For self-driving tourists, in addition to completing the relevant paperwork at the Hoh Xil Administration Bureau in Golmud, they had to prepare 50% to 100% more fuel.

Moreover, due to the absence of signposts, the numerous side roads made getting lost extremely easy.

In truth, Lin Shenlu did not want to stay in Golmud.

Much like Huatugou the previous night.

There was nothing distinctive about the accommodation; looking for a place to sleep purely for the sake of sleeping did not make for a true traveler's night.

Golmud was no different. As a mere overnight transit stop... Lin Shenlu would rather sleep in his RV.

Therefore, on this final leg of the journey, what Lin Shenlu wanted to experience was the genuine sensation of true exploration.

One had to bear in mind that the Kunlun Grand Canyon had only recently been opened up and could not even be found on maps...

The mere thought of it was thrilling beyond measure.

For Lin Shenlu, road-tripping was a semi-adventure style of free travel.

The itinerary, destination, and schedule were entirely determined by one's mood, allowing travelers to plunge deep into the heart of the uninhabited zone to take in the magnificent scenery, hunt for curiosities, and roam freely.

Of course, being this reckless... had its disadvantages. The primary drawback was the low safety coefficient. One had to apply for permits at the Hoh Xil Administration Bureau stationed in Golmud. Single-vehicle travel was virtually impossible; cars had to travel in a convoy. The demands on physical and psychological endurance, outdoor survival experience, confidence, and courage were exceptionally high, requiring meticulous preparation.

In this forbidden zone, without prior adaptation to plateau life, one could easily fall victim to pulmonary edema, encephalitis, steppe plague, unpredictable weather, swamps, avalanches, getting lost, or attacks from wild beasts. Rescue under such circumstances was extraordinarily difficult, and encountering any one of these perils could instantly freeze life in its tracks.

Thus, facing such a challenge only heightened Lin Shenlu's anticipation.

Naturally, as the leader of the Rose Team, guiding five vehicles, nine people, a cat, and a dog out alive would be the true test of capability.

……

By afternoon... Lin Shenlu and the others arrived in Golmud.

Here, Lin Shenlu stocked up on extensive supplies.

Because the journey ahead was the truly formidable leg of the trip.

First and foremost, Lin Shenlu needed to secure a plentiful supply of food and drinking water.

This task was delegated to An Muxi and Huku'er...

"There are nine of us in total... Muxi, you need to buy enough provisions for eighteen people... just in case of emergencies! In the event that we get lost, we can rely on the food to hold out until rescue arrives!" These were the instructions Lin Shenlu gave An Muxi.

Food and water were the foundations of survival.

He felt at ease leaving the most important task to An Muxi...

"Huku'er... buy fewer potato chips, shrimp crackers, and spicy strips..." Lin Shenlu urged.

Huku'er pulled a funny face and dragged An Muxi into her own vehicle.

"Wait... Li Lu, you go along with Sister An too... bring plenty of cat and dog food as well... and help carry the groceries..."

Watching An Muxi, Huku'er, and Li Lu drive away, Lin Shenlu continued assigning shopping duties.

"Naihe, Kaka, and Bailing, you guys help me purchase medical supplies... in the rapidly changing weather of Hoh Xil... we must bring a well-stocked medical kit... what kind... anti-inflammatory drugs, hemostatics, cold medicine, painkillers, and other essentials, along with gauze bandages and alcohol... all mandatory wilderness survival meds must be complete!" Lin Shenlu said.

Naihe flashed an OK hand sign, and the three sisters drove off to make their purchases.

"Rheti's car... go buy some oxygen tanks and thick woolen blankets... Yan Wen's car, go buy self-defense daggers, iron shovels, and fire-starting equipment... I'll drive to get more tents, a GPS, and a global satellite phone with no dead zones. Oh right, Rheti, grab a map and a compass while you're at it... let me see... and tow ropes, though I have those in my RV... that should pretty much cover it!"

Once all the vehicles had driven off, Lin Shenlu pondered to himself.

Entering the Hoh Xil Uninhabited Zone placed exceptionally high demands on vehicles.

It had to be a pure four-wheel-drive off-road vehicle; city SUVs might as well turn back.

Encountering swamps, wetlands, or deep muddy quagmires in those would lead to getting stuck or breaking down with little hope of overcoming the terrain. Only pure 4x4 off-roaders retained a fighting chance for survival.

Fortunately, Yan Wen's Land Cruiser 57 and Rheti's Jeep Grand Cherokee were both up to the task.

Huku'er's Tank 300 was barely usable; as long as he drove it himself, there shouldn't be any major issues.

As for Naihe's car and his own RV, it was best not to take them into the depths.

The mere thought of stepping foot into the uninhabited zone, a forbidden zone for life, filled Lin Shenlu with a surge of excitement.

If nothing else... that beautiful place possessed a pristine, flawless beauty, sitting intimately close to both the sky and heaven.

In his memory, under that vast expanse of sky, a 360-degree horizon stretched to the ends of the earth, with layered clouds rolling like waves and the sky slipping right through one's fingertips.

Herds of wild oxen and sheep, and occasionally wolves and bears, would sweep into view like the wind, only to disappear into the distance as if no one was watching.

……

An hour later, Lin Shenlu had prepared four two-person tents, with another one already inside his own vehicle; in any case, the tents were more than enough.

The satellite phone was rented as well, and everything was ready.

The group began loading all the necessary supplies into their respective vehicles according to Lin Shenlu's specifications.

This time, Rheti drove the Grand Cherokee, with An Muxi in the passenger seat and the three Naihe sisters in the back.

Yan Wen drove the Land Cruiser 57, with Huku'er in the passenger seat and Li Lu in the back holding the cat and dog.

Meanwhile, Lin Shenlu drove Huku'er's Tank all by himself.

Lin Shenlu's only concern was the performance of the Tank and its actual effectiveness when venturing deep into the uninhabited zone.

Thus, driving it himself made it easier to handle if any trouble arose.

As for the other two vehicles, their performance was fine, but the drivers...

Lin Shenlu recalled the moment he first met Rheti and Yan Wen.

One had a blown tire, while the other had a tire buried deep in the sand...

A bunch of amateurs, every single one of them.

Never mind, why did he suddenly feel a twinge of worry?

……

Regarding Hoh Xil, Lin Shenlu had many emotional reflections.

Over the years, several terrifying incidents had occurred in Hoh Xil.

The case years ago of the female college student from Sichuan who ventured into Hoh Xil alone and perished was deeply unsettling.

The internet has a memory.

Ever since that incident, local public security authorities issued a stern notice strictly prohibiting any form of unauthorized travel through Hoh Xil, requiring anyone entering the region to report and register with the police in advance.

Therefore, this time Lin Shenlu had also gone specifically to fill out an application form.

Listing the convoy of vehicles, the number of people, and the license plate numbers...

When they would enter and when they would exit.

The fear was of facing mortal danger.

Furthermore, as one of the highest-altitude regions in Qinghai, with an average elevation exceeding 4,500 meters and poor medical infrastructure, failing to fully acclimate to the plateau climate could easily lead to disaster.

Lin Shenlu looked over these seven fairy-like women...

What if they got to Hoh Xil and all seven of them suffered from altitude sickness?!

What on earth would he do?!

……

Lin Shenlu pulled out his phone and began typing instructions into the Rose Team group chat: "I'm going to give you a few precautions, and you better commit them to memory! First, do not go near wild animals, especially wild yaks... if you encounter them, stay far away. As for our two drivers, Rheti and Yan Wen..."

Lin Shenlu paused for a moment before continuing: "If you encounter Tibetan gazelles... don't be scared, because these two fools have a habit of racing passing vehicles... if they start running alongside you, don't panic, just drive normally. There's no shame in losing... don't try to outrun the wildlife..."

Yan Wenwen: Brother Lin... aren't you underestimating us a bit? Could a mere Tibetan gazelle possibly outrun me? Do you know there's an animal in the Northeast called the silly roe deer?

Reading Yan Wen's reply, Lin Shenlu was left speechless.

This was clearly another fool cut from the exact same cloth as the Tibetan gazelles.

"I know what a silly roe deer is, but silly roe deer and Tibetan gazelles are not the same thing... Tibetan gazelles are very smart and love to race. Why would you stand completely still like a roe deer and try to compete... My point is that racing against Tibetan gazelles gets your adrenaline pumping, making your blood boil, so you all need to be careful and avoid accidents!" Lin Shenlu urged.

"Right, and third, environmental protection. Venturing into the uninhabited zone demands strict adherence to ecological protection: non-decomposable trash must be carried out, while decomposable waste must be buried on-site... Um, nobody in our chat has high blood pressure, heart disease, or lung disease, right? Anyone with severe obesity can't go either... Yan Wen and Rheti... you two are fine, right?" Lin Shenlu asked.

Yan温柔 (Yan Wenwen): My lady's assets are just large... not obesity!

Lost for Words in the Evening Breeze: @Girl Abductor, stop talking nonsense...

Lin Shenlu noted to himself that An Muxi was the largest.

……

Speaking of Hoh Xil, the first thing that came to Lin Shenlu's mind was likely Director Lu Chuan's film *Kekexili: Mountain Patrol*.

In order to investigate the poaching of Tibetan gazelles, the protagonist disguised himself as a journalist and joined an inspection team heading into Hoh Xil.

The climate there was bitterly cold, the air thin, and oxygen levels extremely low.

Right in this forbidden zone for human survival, the protagonist witnessed layer upon layer of human greed and the violent conflict between humanity and the environment.

First, a patroller from the Tibetan antelope protection station was gunned down by poachers.

Then, they encountered a tragic sight: the poachers had fled, leaving behind numerous skeletons of slaughtered Tibetan antelopes stripped down to bare, white bones.

The patrol members tracked the killers through the harsh environment, ultimately recovering only a fraction of the antelope pelts.

Struggling against the unforgiving natural elements on one hand, while tangling with ruthless poachers on the other, the patrol members and the journalist faced life-and-death trials.

This movie left a deep impression on Lin Shenlu.

The scenery and landscapes showcased in the film also marked Lin Shenlu's introduction to Hoh Xil.

In Mongolian, the name means "blue ridge," though some say it translates to "beautiful girl."

In Tibetan, Hoh Xil is called Aqing Gongjia.

It is considered one of the regions with the most perfectly preserved primitive ecosystems in the world today.

It is also one of the largest, highest-altitude, and most wildlife-rich nature reserves established to date.

With an average altitude of over 4,600 meters, thin air, and low atmospheric pressure, Hoh Xil far exceeds the normal limits of human physiological endurance.

The bitter cold of minus 20-plus degrees Celsius and ferocious wild animals serve as deadly assassins in the uninhabited zone.

From early this morning, Lin Shenlu hadn't smoked a single cigarette; instead, he borrowed ten lollipops from Yan Wen.

Ever since quitting smoking, Yan Wen carried a large supply of lollipops wherever she went.

Her trunk contained dozens of packages of Alpenliebe...

Lin Shenlu had walked up and grabbed an entire strip—strawberry flavor, ten pieces.

Once he reached Golmud, Lin Shenlu officially quit smoking and drinking.

Furthermore, Naihe had gone to the pharmacy and bought plenty of Rhodiola rosea.

This was an effective medication for preventing altitude sickness.

After everyone took it, they needed to adjust their physical states to the absolute maximum.

Otherwise, things could easily go wrong.

Let's go!

As the convoy of three vehicles set off, they passed through the Kunlun Mountain Gates.

Majestic Kunlun, Ancestor of All Mountains.

Lin Shenlu was in the lead vehicle, so he shouted in the group chat: "Make sure your ID cards are ready! Of course, we have plenty of beauties here; guys without IDs won't get past, but as for the beauties, batting your eyelashes and saying something sweet to the Tibetan border guards should do the trick... Which of you beauties wants to try using your feminine charms?" Lin Shenlu laughed.

This was actually based on a true story from a blog post he had reviewed previously...

First stop!

Kunlun Sacred Spring.

Located in Nachitai on the northern bank of the Kunlun River, 90 kilometers away from Golmud, the Kunlun Sacred Spring sits at an altitude of 3,700 meters. In Tibetan, Nachitai means "platform in the marshland," and it is a cold spring in the Kunlun Mountains that never freezes year-round.

Legend has it that the water of the Kunlun Sacred Spring originated from the nectar of the heavenly palace spilled onto the mortal realm, earning it the reputations of "Holy Water of the Mortal World" and "Glacier Nectar."

Lin Shenlu had to make a stop here!

For one simple reason.

He still had plenty of glass bottles left over.

And the water from the Kunlun Sacred Spring... he simply had to fill a bottle with it.

Gurgle, gurgle...

Gurgle, gurgle!

Surely this water wasn't salt lake water, right?

Lin Shenlu thought about how it was hailed as "glacier nectar" and "holy water of the mortal world"...

Uh...

Should he take a sip?

Lin Shenlu lifted the filled water bottle and pursed his lips.

He raised his chin, preparing to take a gulp.

"Everyone come quick, Little Deer is trying to commit suicide!" Huku'er poked her head out of the car window and screamed!

"Look everyone, isn't that water poisonous... why is Little Deer drinking it?"

Lin Shenlu was left entirely speechless.

He was literally just tasting a drop.

Besides, they had reached the Kunlun Mountains... this water was either mountain spring water or melted glacier snow... it was no longer in the category of salt lake brine...

Whatever low-toxicity sulfur existed... was gone here...

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End of the month, Sister Bao is brazenly begging for monthly votes... only a hundred or so short... Let's fulfill Sister Bao's dream before the end of the month!