I became a god by treasure hunting after arriving 500 years early

"There must be some kind of reason... for this phenomenon to occur."

"The biggest reason is the ruins!"

"Sky City must be within the desert!!"

He became more excited and laughed loudly.

Yes, the life forms in the ruins were far stronger than those of the normal Pangu Continent, as they were remnants from a previous epoch.

Just like the ruins of the Meida Civilization, which initially had a giant Cannibal Flower, as well as Sky Scorpions, Poisonous King Bees, giant snakes, mother bears, and other extraordinary lives.

And the civilization that Sky City represents was far superior to the Meida Civilization, so it was only natural that the surrounding creatures were stronger.

Even Old Cat started to feel tempted.

"The evidence is indeed ample."

"Comrade, your persistence makes sense."

However, a bigger problem lay before them: how could they, a small group of people, find Sky City amidst the vast desert while being besieged by a large army of insects?

Even if they hid their water resources well, they would inevitably be attacked en route.

These insects were definitely not friendly.

Lu Yuan could win a hundred times, a thousand times.

But these insects generally sprayed venomous liquid and liquid acid and were good at hiding in the desert, making them difficult to scout.

If he got injured even once, the trouble would be huge... especially for Old Wolf, whose combat power was now lagging, getting sprayed even once could mean injury, if not death.

How could they mitigate the risks?

This was a significant question.

...

Half an hour later, when the outside world had completely calmed down, Lu Yuan deactivated Different Space.

He habitually checked the pile of insect shells to see if there was any valuable trash to pick up.

Unfortunately, after being corroded by the liquid acid, these shells were as fragile as paper, pitifully weak and shattered upon touch, clearly worthless.

"Hmm... these two straws might still be good?"

With a "heh," he moved the stone that the turtle had turned into onto the tricycle.

Pushing the tricycle, he temporarily left the terrifying desert behind.

Two hours later, the black stone's shell flaked off bit by bit, and the Undying Giant Turtle was resurrected, only having shrunk by a few centimeters.

The sentimental turtle, recalling the recent experience, wept bitter tears: "Damned insects, attacking out of nowhere. Hurt like hell, why is it always the turtle that suffers?!"

Old Cat said coldly, "If you keep crying, the water vapor will evaporate a lot, and the insects will come over and bite you!"

The Undying Giant Turtle quickly wiped away its tears with its claws and licked itself clean with its tongue.

To comfort the tank of their group, Lu Yuan gave it a hundred small pomegranates: "Mr. Turtle, you truly possess unparalleled combat power, like you've got an invincibility cheat activated."

"If any of us were bitten a few times, we'd lose several lives."

The shiny, ripe little fruits captured its attention.

Plus, with Lu Yuan's flattering words, the Undying Giant Turtle quickly forgot about the recent ordeal.

"Brother, no offense, but if you get bitten, you'd really die... Quick, hand me a bottle, fast, I'm squeezing out the poison!"

The turtle wailed and groaned, "It hurts, it hurts, it hurts!"

An injury opened on its neck, oozing a cloudy and thick liquid that flowed out continuously, quite disgusting.

Lu Yuan quickly caught the liquid in a glass bottle, and after a long while, he managed to fill about a cup's worth, mixed with the turtle's pus.

[A powerful Ideal Poison: Possesses a unique dissolving ability that can dissolve anything from metals to bones. (Inferior Level Natural Wonder)]

"This is actually a good thing."

Amidst their quarreling and fussing, the group found a large rock on a barren land and rested in its shade on the side away from the sun.

Everyone seemed quite worried.

Now, the biggest problem wasn't water, but... how to find Sky City amidst the besiegement of the Insect Army.

Not even one mistake was permissible.

The margin of error was obviously far too low.

"I pondered it carefully, and the first method is to make a hot air balloon and fly up to the sky. Most of these insects can't fly, so they shouldn't attack us,"

He had a hot air balloon gifted by the Rize people, generating hydrogen through water electrolysis with a generator to inflate the balloon.

"It could probably reach an altitude of two thousand meters."

But this plan had its own small problems.

On one hand, the dust storms in this damned place were quite severe, preventing control over the balloon's direction, allowing it only to drift with the wind.

On the other hand, the hydrogen in the hot air balloon would continuously leak; their energy and water resources were extremely limited. If they couldn't fly and fell into the desert, they would be surrounded and attacked by the insects.

Lu Yuan optimistically said, "This plan has its advantages. From an altitude of two thousand meters, we would have a wide field of vision. Maybe we could immediately find what we're looking for?"

"Not feasible, really not feasible,"

Old Cat shook his head, "Electrolyzing water consumes not a small amount of fuel, and water resources as well."

"You can't expect the dust storm to blow you to Sky City. Better keep your feet on the ground."

"Then there's the second plan, spiritual shock." Lu Yuan drew a pattern on the sand, "My Donkey Head Mask and Spider Shield both have the effect of spiritual shock."

"But how effective they are is an unknown."

The Donkey Head Mask was damaged and incomplete. If it were repaired, its formidable power would have no issue deterring these insects.

He shook his head helplessly, "With my current level of skill, I really can't fix it, even if I had the inspiration, it's very unlikely." Your next journey awaits at empire

And as for the Spider Shield, well, that spider is only Level 1, while the monsters here are Level Three.

Expecting the spider's eye pattern to deter all the monsters was plainly wishful thinking.

After pondering for a moment, Old Cat said, "If it really comes down to it, you can use that drop of Ghost's blood to deter the insects, right?"

Lu Yuan grimaced and chuckled bitterly.

If one unwise person were to release the Ghost's blood, wouldn't that spell doom?

"The third method is to use the power of engravings for stealth."

"Stealth engravings, there's a corresponding tutorial in Daedalus's manual..."

"But is it too late to fumble with engravings when I still haven't even mastered math?"

"How long will I need to learn to produce the simplest engravings?"

"It seems like you can only choose this method..."

With that, he gazed at the azure sky with a weathered expression.

If you liken mathematics to a beautiful girl, you must become a devoted admirer, tirelessly investing time and energy.

And you also need a bit of talent to catch a glimpse of the highest and coldest lady in the universe.

Lu Yuan also knew the principle of "better to set out on the journey than to lament the challenging road," but he had never excelled academically since childhood, with only average grades, lingering around the twentieth rank in class, the very definition of an unremarkable student.

For someone of average talent to learn that damn mathematical knowledge was truly painful!

All along the way, he tried to study earnestly, but was always distracted by various things.

He didn't like to use his brain, especially not for mathematics – if you know, you know; if you don't, you don't. It couldn't be understood through an "epiphany," nor could he cheat.

Otherwise, even if the answers were right in front of him, he would copy them incorrectly!

"Why can't I, the Greedy Demon God, have a greater craving for knowledge?!" Lu Yuan beat his chest and stamped his feet, trying to ignite his greedy heart.

"I crave knowledge!!"

"If you're dissatisfied with being human, then don't be human," Old Cat cheerfully said, "Turn into a towering tree, curb your desires, take root, it's more suitable for learning."

"Why do you look so happy?" Lu Yuan said bluntly, "Are you taking pleasure in my misfortune?"

Old Cat replied, "It's what you taught me. A cat lives to torment others..."

The Cannibal Flower suddenly snapped up and swallowed the obscene cat.

Lu Yuan corrected firmly, "Only I can torment you, you can't torment me."

...