I can see experience bars after being transported to another world.

The three figures didn't go too far.

They bypassed several dilapidated mud-brick houses and finally stopped in a secluded corner.

It was a narrow gap between two abandoned buildings, dimly lit, and almost impossible to see inside from the outside.

Lu Yuan followed and stopped at the entrance to the narrow gap.

The three of them turned around.

Only then did Lu Yuan get a clear look at their faces.

They were all men, between thirty and forty years old, with ordinary faces, the kind of looks that would be easily lost in a crowd.

But their eyes were unusual.

Sharp and composed, with the vigilance one only gains from being in danger for a long time.

At the edge of vision, gray and white text quietly emerged:

[Detection Target: Pathfinder (Second-Tier Transcendent)]

[Detection Target: Pathfinder (Second-Tier Transcendent)]

[Detection Target: Pathfinder (Second-Tier Transcendent)]

Three second-order.

This configuration is not low, it can even be said to be very high. The second-tier units in Grimport are all captain-level.

The leader spoke first, his voice low and deep.

"Squad leader of the 7th Battalion, Western Empire."

He pointed to himself, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"My name is Morris, and I'm the captain of this squad."

Then he tilted his head and gestured to the person on his left.

"Heller".

The man simply nodded without speaking, his eyes fixed on Lu Yuan as if assessing something.

"Vincent." Morris raised his chin again, pointing to the man on the right.

The youngest-looking of the three nodded slightly to Lu Yuan, a friendly smile on his lips.

A person seeking their way.

The Imperial Army's direct forces were responsible for expanding territory and drawing maps.

Lu Yuan had seen records about the Night's Watch in their files, and that he occasionally collaborated with them.

Morris's gaze fell on the badge on Lu Yuan's chest, and his eyes flickered slightly.

That was the Night's Watch's medical mark.

"A night watchman, an Easterner at that? And a doctor at that."

He raised his head, looked directly into Lu Yuan's eyes, and his gaze held a hint of inquiry.

"How did I end up in this desolate desert?"

Lu Yuan had already prepared his words.

"Lu Yuan was injured during the mission and got separated from the team."

His tone was calm, as if he were stating a trivial fact.

"I was picked up by a merchant named Herman. Judging by the time, the people in the team should be coming to find me soon, but they probably won't be able to find me in this desert."

After speaking, he paused for a moment, observing the three people's reactions.

"Prepare to return to Bronze City after you recover from your injuries."

This statement is a test.

It has two meanings.

First, to test whether these three people are from Bronze City.

If so, they should have a noticeable reaction, since encountering colleagues from their "hometown" on a mission will naturally create a sense of kinship.

Or they could simply state that they are not a member of the Night's Watch of the Bronze City, because joining the Night's Watch with an Eastern appearance would be somewhat conspicuous, unless the Night's Watch of the Bronze City is so powerful that it is beyond imagination.

Second, to find out how far Bronze City is from here.

Most of the information about this desert came from Herman; only a small part was what I saw along the way.

Most importantly, I hadn't seen a map of the empire, otherwise I could have determined my location. I really suffered from my lack of education.

Therefore, Lu Yuan needed to verify some things from these three people who were searching for directions.

Morris raised an eyebrow slightly when he heard the words "Bronze City".

He exchanged a glance with Heller and Vincent beside him.

The look in his eyes was quick, but Lu Yuan caught it.

They were not familiar with Bronze City.

But they were verifying whether what Lu Yuan said was reasonable.

"The Bronze City?"

Morris nodded, his expression not changing much, seemingly agreeing with Lu Yuan's excuse.

"It's at least half a month's journey from here. When did you Night's Watch start sending out such secret missions?"

"But the rules are clear, you don't need to say more."

Half a month?

Lu Yuan kept this information in mind, and as he listened to what Morris said next, he raised an eyebrow, not even needing to explain.

Meanwhile, Morris's reaction also illustrates something else.

They are not from Bronze City.

Lu Yuan kept these judgments to himself, remaining outwardly calm.

"Our mission this time is to track sandworms."

After confirming Lu Yuan's identity, Morris crossed his arms and leaned against the earthen wall behind him, adopting a more casual posture.

"The Empire received news that unusual sandworm activity has appeared deep in the desert, and they sent us to come and take a look, and also to try to draw a map of this area."

He paused, a helpless smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"As we continued our pursuit, we discovered that there was actually a small town here."

Vincent took the lead, stepped forward, and spoke in a voice that was younger than Maurice's, with a hint of sharpness.

"During the investigation, we found some kind of pollution remaining here. The concentration was not high, but it had not dissipated."

He frowned, as if he had remembered something unpleasant.

"This kind of pollution is very insidious; ordinary people can't detect it at all."

"We are prepared to try to resolve this."

Morris straightened up from the wall, his gaze returning to Lu Yuan, his expression becoming more serious.

"But we don't have enough manpower."

He looked at Lu Yuan.

"Then yesterday, I found you."

Morris's gaze lingered on Lu Yuan for a moment, as if he were re-examining the man.

"It's quite an accident to run into a night watchman in a place like this."

The meaning is clear.

I'm looking for a helper.

Lu Yuan remained silent for a few seconds, as if weighing the pros and cons.

Actually, he was thinking about something else.

These three people are pathfinders, directly under the Empire, and there is nothing unusual about the gray text prompts.

The presence of three Tier 2 configurations indicates that this mission is of a high level.

I haven't regained my senses yet, and my left hand is half useless. If I get involved now, I'll most likely be chased again.

Cooperating with them would do more harm than good.

"Sorry, I refuse."

Lu Yuan spoke, his voice not loud, but very crisp.

"My injuries are severe, especially my mental state, which is somewhat depleted."

He paused, a self-deprecating smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"And as you've said, I'm just a doctor."

Morris didn't seem too surprised when he heard this.

He even chuckled softly, as if he had expected this answer.

"I knew you'd say that."

He winked at Heller.

Heller pulled a small bottle from his pocket.

The bottle was only the size of a thumb and contained some kind of pink liquid that shimmered faintly in the dim light.

"Do you know what this is?"

Morris took the bottle, twirled it between his fingers, and spoke with a hint of seduction in his voice.

"A specially made recovery potion. It can accelerate the healing of injuries and restore a large amount of sanity."

He looked at Lu Yuan with unwavering certainty in his eyes.

"The quota of one bottle per person per month is very precious."

Lu Yuan's gaze fell on the bottle of pink liquid, but he remained silent.

"This bottle is for you."

Morris handed the bottle over.

"In addition, we will provide a simple map that marks the town, including some... interesting places."

Lu Yuan did not answer.

"And the price?"

Morris's smile widened slightly, seemingly pleased with his caution.

"At a crucial moment, you'll be needed to step in."

He took a step forward and lowered his voice.

"You joined the Night's Watch as a doctor, and then went on missions with them, which led to a loss of your sanity..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Lu Yuan.

"They must have some tricks up their sleeves."

Lu Yuan's expression remained unchanged, but a slight thought flickered in his mind.

This person has good observation skills.

"We don't ask what methods you have."

Morris took a step back, restoring the previous distance, and spread his hands, his expression becoming casual.

"I just hope you can help me when needed."

He added a sentence.

"Of course, if things get complicated, you can run away. We won't stop you."