Chapter 11: Navigation
Click.
It was a soft sound, like a puzzle piece snapping perfectly into place.
Right after that, in the middle of the plain, empty dashboard, a circle of dim, shadowy light appeared, glowing as dark as the deep night. Inside the circle, the familiar diamond pattern took shape. At its very center sat a dark red dot, pulsing slowly like a sleeping eye.
At the exact same time, a fresh stream of information connected gently to Lin Huai’s mind. It was far clearer, steadier, and wider than the blurry senses she had felt before. The connection did not force its way in; instead, it felt as though a calm, wise second brain had linked directly to her thoughts.
She watched as the smooth plastic above the diamond logo—where a radio or a glove box would normally sit—rippled like water. A moment later, a flat, tablet-sized screen glowing with dim blue light rose to the surface.
Silver streams of data flowed along the edges of the display, revealing a clean, simple layout:
[Navigation System Activated —]
[Bound Vehicle: Unnamed (Coffin-Vehicle Integration)]
[User: Lin Huai (Bone Ashes Mixed with Rice)]
[System Self-Check… Linking Core Protocols… Scanning Spacetime Beacons…]
[Setup Complete.]
[Welcome to the Yellow Springs Road Guide — Vehicle Edition.]
[I am your navigation assistant. You may call me ‘Road Guide.’]
A calm, gentle electronic voice spoke directly inside Lin Huai’s mind. It sounded neutral and robotic, but it was far softer and much more reasonable than Old Hei’s grating tone. As the voice spoke, matching text appeared on the screen.
The Yellow Springs Road Guide! A vehicle version!
Lin Huai pushed down her excitement and replied using her thoughts: “Road Guide? What can you do?”
[My basic purpose is to provide real-time navigation and data support along the Endless Highway,] the Road Guide answered steadily.
A list of seven features appeared on the monitor:
- Route Planning: Offers route advice based on unlocked beacons and safety checks. Marks known resource spots, danger zones, and special events.
- Environmental Monitoring and Warnings: Tracks energy fields, spatial stability, and signs of life around the vehicle in real time. Can give early warnings for bizarre weather (such as Nether Winds or Bone-Melting Rain), spatial tears, and energy waves.
- Threat Assessment: Runs quick scans on living and non-living threats. Reports their type, numbers, threat level (calculated against the vehicle’s current strength and the driver’s power), and likely weaknesses.
- Resource Detection: Points out basic supplies (food, water, crafting materials) and special energy spots within sensory range.
- Player Detection (Weak): Can pick up traces of player movement and leftover energy on nearby parallel roads. May occasionally catch public chat broadcasts or intense emotional spikes, but cannot pinpoint the exact location of players who are not in sight.
- Vehicle Status Display: Shows real-time numbers for vehicle health, fuel, the willow wood coffin core, and special vehicle traits.
- Logs and Database: Keeps records of past routes, encounters, items, and creatures, building a personal library over time.
[Special Note: This system runs on energy from the vehicle’s core—the willow wood coffin—and your own mental power. Normal daily operation uses very little energy. However, deep scans, high-precision warnings, and working through heavy interference will use more power. That may require extra fuel or intense mental concentration from you.]
[Advanced functions (such as Nether Vision, Beacon Teleportation, and Rule Analysis) are currently locked. They will become available after reaching specific goals or upgrading the vehicle.]
This is incredible! Lin Huai thought, her heart racing. This is my real advantage in this second life!
With this system, she would never be walking blind or deaf again. Her knowledge of this terrifying highway would be far greater than that of any ordinary survivor. Having better information would be her greatest weapon.
“Show me an assessment of my surroundings right now,” she ordered in her mind. “Especially the road ahead.”
[Scanning… Scan complete.]
The display shifted at once, showing a simple, fan-shaped map centered on a small green triangle that represented her van. Most of the map was dark gray and marked as unknown territory. However, about five kilometers ahead, an area flashed with a bright orange-red warning border.
Detailed notes appeared beside the danger zone:
[Alert: A heavy concentration of ‘Extinction’ and ‘Residual Flame’ rules is gathering ahead. Spatial coordinates are overlapping.]
[Type: Highway auxiliary site — ‘Abandoned Crematorium’ (Whisper Level) is currently forming.]
[Status: 78% formed. Estimated time until full arrival: 41 minutes.]
[Overall Danger Level: Medium-High (Poses a serious threat to the current vehicle and driver).]
[Detailed Scan Report:]
Environmental Hazards:
Small Spatial Rifts: Scattered around the borders of the site. They randomly spit out Netherfire Embers, which cause continuous spiritual burns if touched. Warning distance: 50 meters.
Mental Whispers (Low Level): Mild mental corruption hangs over the area. It can cause anger, false sounds, and a slow drop in sanity. The vehicle’s ‘Ward Off Evil’ trait can partially block this effect.
High Heat & Low Oxygen Zones: Located inside the main furnace room and around certain steam pipes.
Active Threats:
Residual Flame Wanderers (Weak Spirits): 3 to 5 units confirmed. They move slowly and have low aggression, but touching them will burn away your life energy. Weaknesses: Bright light, holy cleansing energy, and physical strikes (though regular weapons have poor results).
Parched Guardian (Damaged Construct): 1 suspected unit resting in the central area. Status: Asleep or low activity. Threat Level: Medium. Data is limited.
Unknown Life Signal: 1 unit perched on top of the tall chimney. It carries a bizarre energy reading, but shows no signs of wanting to attack.
Resource Locations:
Basic Supply Spots: 3 places found (Staff Break Room, Storage Shed, Dispatch Office). Expected to contain small tools, spare parts, and possibly expired food or medicine.
Special Energy Spots: 2 places found.
Main Incinerator (High Priority): Emits traces of ‘Undying Embers’ and fragments of ‘Incineration Rules.’ Extremely dangerous, but may hold rare items.
Deep Bone Ash Shelves (Medium Priority): Emits faint traces of ‘Requiem’ and ‘Shelter’ rules, buried under chaotic energy.
