27: Chapter 27 Preparation

Going to Nanjing for treasure hunting is not a task for a single day; it requires thorough preparation, leaving no room for carelessness or luck.

First, he needed a reliable vehicle capable of handling the complex and ever-changing road conditions in the wild; second, he had to equip himself with professional gear, including high-precision detection tools, top-tier outdoor survival equipment, and necessary protective gear.

Hu Tian immediately took out his phone, his fingertips sliding rapidly across the screen as he began browsing major car dealership websites.

Since being short on money was now a thing of the past, there was no need to shortchange himself.

As the ancients said: "To do a good job, one must first sharpen one's tools."

If he wanted to find success in the deep mountains, his hardware had to be top-notch.

He already had a standard in mind: he needed a rugged SUV with strong performance, excellent off-road capabilities, and an understated, low-profile appearance.

It needed to be comfortable enough for long-distance travel while possessing the raw power to get unstuck in desperate situations.

After browsing for over half an hour and comparing countless parameters, Hu Tian finally locked onto an imported Toyota Land Cruiser.

Known for being "indestructible," this vehicle featured a formidable four-wheel-drive system, high ground clearance, powerful performance, and durability, making it the preferred mount for countless explorers and scientific expeditions.

He checked the time; it was past eight in the evening. Outside the window, the night was growing deeper, and the city's neon lights cast mottled shadows on the glass.

Hu Tian made a silent decision to head straight to the 4S dealership first thing tomorrow morning and try to secure the car as soon as possible.

As for procuring equipment, that had to be done in parallel; it was urgent.

He spread out his notebook, the tip of his pen scratching as he listed a detailed inventory: professional metal detector, portable high-precision GPS locator, windproof and rainproof outdoor tent, high-strength climbing rope, high-intensity tactical flashlight, self-defense tools, professional first-aid kit, high-calorie dry rations, drinking water...

All in all, he needed to prepare at least twenty different items.

Every single item concerned the success of this treasure hunt, and even his own safety.

Closing the notebook, Hu Tian's gaze fell upon the yellowed hemp paper map on the table, and a confident smile curled at the corners of his mouth.

Under the lamp, that map seemed to emit a mysterious glow, pointing the way toward wealth.

The next morning, sunlight spilled into the room through the curtains.

After a hurried breakfast, Hu Tian headed straight for the high-end auto city in the east of the city.

Just past nine o'clock, the auto city was already bustling with people, and the showrooms of major brands were filled with luxury cars, shimmering with light.

With a clear goal in mind, Hu Tian walked with purpose, heading straight into a 4S dealership specializing in rugged off-road vehicles.

As soon as he entered, a young female sales consultant in a professional suit approached him.

She wore a standard but slightly distant professional smile, her eyes quickly scanning Hu Tian.

She saw that Hu Tian was wearing a plain white T-shirt, a pair of washed-out jeans, and a pair of slightly worn-out sneakers; there wasn't a single brand-name item on him.

A hint of imperceptible hesitation flashed in her eyes, her initial enthusiasm cooled instantly, and her tone became flat: "Hello, sir. What kind of model are you looking for?"

"I want to see high-power off-road vehicles, the kind that can handle complex road conditions in the wild, preferably purely imported ones."

Hu Tian got straight to the point, his tone crisp and decisive, without a hint of hesitation.

The female sales consultant paused, then a perfunctory smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, her eyes showing a hint of dismissal: "Sir, you mainly drive in the city, right? Actually, today's city SUVs are quite good. They have decent passability, are comfortable and fuel-efficient, and offer better value for money. Our store has several city SUVs on promotion right now with great discounts. Would you like to take a look at those first?"

Hu Tian shook his head, his gaze as firm as iron, unmoved: "No need. I need a real, hard-core off-road vehicle—the kind that can handle rough roads and climb steep slopes. City SUVs cannot meet my requirements."

The smile on the female sales consultant's face stiffened, and her tone became indifferent, even carrying a hint of impatience: "Is that so... Alright then. There are a few hard-core models parked in the corner over there. They are quite expensive. You can take a look yourself. I'll go get you a glass of water, take your time."

After saying this, she turned and walked away, clearly not intending to waste too much time or energy on this seemingly "shabby" customer.

Hu Tian didn't mind, walking calmly straight to the corner of the showroom.

Several off-road vehicles with tall bodies and tough lines were parked there, resembling dormant beasts.

Among them, a black imported off-road vehicle immediately locked his gaze.

The body was square and imposing, the front face rugged and powerful, and the grille exuded an inviolable majesty.

Hu Tian circled the car, his fingertips lightly brushing the cold metal paint, feeling its substantial texture, and the more he looked, the more satisfied he became.

Just then, the female sales consultant walked over slowly with a glass of water, her tone still cold, even carrying a hint of dissuasion: "Sir, this car is purely imported, and the price is quite expensive. The base price alone is over 2.8 million. If your budget is limited, you could actually consider the domestic models over there. They are much more affordable, the configuration isn't bad, and they are completely sufficient."

Hu Tian took the water glass, took a light sip, and asked indifferently: "What is the full price on the road?"

The female sales consultant was stunned, clearly not expecting him to ask so directly, without any intention of being scared off by the price.

She hesitated for a moment, pursed her lips, and said indifferently: "The base price is 2.88 million. Including purchase tax, insurance, and various miscellaneous fees, it will be close to 3 million on the road. Sir, this is not a small amount..."

"Then I'll take this one."

Hu Tian put down the water glass, his tone very calm, as relaxed as if he were talking about buying a bottle of water, "Can I take delivery today?"

The female sales consultant widened her eyes, looking at him in disbelief, her clipboard nearly falling to the floor: "Sir, are you serious? This is a car worth nearly 3 million! Don't you need to consider it further? Or... discuss it with your family?"

"Of course I'm serious."

Hu Tian nodded, his expression calm, his eyes revealing an unquestionable certainty, "Can I test drive it?"

The female sales consultant finally reacted, her attitude undergoing a 180-degree turn instantly.

The coldness on her face vanished, replaced by a beaming smile, her voice becoming enthusiastic, even carrying a hint of flattery and excitement: "Of course! I'll arrange it for you immediately! Oh my, sir, you really have an eye for quality! This car is truly excellent, equipped with a 3.0T twin-turbo engine, a maximum horsepower of 350, and a peak torque of 800 Nm. The power is on call, and the push-back feeling is extremely strong!"

As she spoke, she diligently led Hu Tian toward the test-drive area, her pace quickening.

"And this car uses a full-time four-wheel-drive system with differential locks on both the front and rear axles. Whether it's muddy sand or gravel roads, the passability is top-tier! The ground clearance reaches 230 millimeters, and the approach and departure angles are also excellent, perfectly adapted to complex wild road conditions! It's simply born for adventure!"

The test-drive car was parked in the open space outside the store, also with a black body, majestic and exuding the aura of a powerhouse.

Hu Tian sat in the driver's seat, gripping the steering wheel with both hands, feeling its solid grip.

While the interior wasn't luxurious, the design was simple and practical, with various functional buttons laid out reasonably, exuding a hard-core style born for field operations, without any flashy decorations.

Starting the engine, the low and powerful roar instantly entered his eardrums, like the low growl of a beast, giving one a sense of total security.

During the test drive, Hu Tian specifically chose a section of bumpy, broken road.

As the car drove over, the suspension system was resilient, effectively filtering out the violent bumps, and the interior remained stable.

The strong power output allowed the vehicle to crush over various obstacles effortlessly, as if driving on flat ground.

Hu Tian was very satisfied with the car's power and passability, thinking to himself: This is it, the perfect partner.

Half an hour later, he drove the car back to the showroom, parked it, and made the decision on the spot: "I'll take this one, full payment for immediate delivery."

The female sales consultant's cheeks flushed with excitement, and she said repeatedly: "Okay, okay! Mr. Hu, please have a seat, I'll process the paperwork for you right away! You are truly a straightforward person!"

She practically jogged to call the sales manager, fearing that the customer might change his mind if she were even a second late.

A middle-aged man walked over quickly with a beaming smile, shaking Hu Tian's hand tightly and thanking him repeatedly: "Mr. Hu is truly a straightforward person! Thank you for choosing our store! Rest assured, we will definitely provide you with the highest quality VIP service, with a green channel throughout!"

While processing the paperwork, Hu Tian brought up his customization requirements: "I need to install a roof rack and underbody armor, as well as a full set of off-road tires. I want the best, original factory parts."

The sales manager nodded immediately, his eyes flashing with keen light, as if he saw rich profits: "No problem! Our store can install all of these, and they are all original parts. The roof rack can carry more equipment, and the underbody armor can effectively protect the engine and transmission from rock impacts. The off-road tires have stronger grip, and the sidewalls are thicker, with excellent explosion-proof performance. These modifications are very necessary for your field operations; it's like adding wings to a tiger!"

The additions cost over a hundred thousand more, but Hu Tian didn't hesitate, swiping his card directly.

The places he was going had complex and unpredictable road conditions, full of danger; this money was worth spending—it was the capital for preserving his life, and it absolutely could not be saved.

By the time all the paperwork was finished, it was past one in the afternoon.

Hu Tian sat in the black off-road vehicle, started the engine, and slowly drove out of the 4S dealership.

The roof rack was stable and sturdy, the armor under the vehicle body shone with a cold metallic luster, and the newly installed off-road tires had deep, rugged treads, with amazing grip.

The entire vehicle looked brand new, like a war chariot ready to go into battle.

Hu Tian didn't go straight home; instead, he drove the new car straight to a large outdoor equipment store in the south of the city.

Since the car was settled, the next step was to procure the equipment—this was the final piece of the puzzle for the treasure hunting journey.

This outdoor equipment store occupied a huge area, internally divided into several professional zones such as a mountaineering area, camping area, and rock climbing area, with everything one could need.

The shelves were dazzling, filled with all kinds of top-tier outdoor equipment, ranging from international big brands to professional niche items, encompassing everything.

Hu Tian parked the car at the entrance, pushed the door open, and walked straight toward the professional outdoor equipment area.

Before he could look closely, a young male clerk approached him with great enthusiasm: "Sir, do you need any help? Looking at your outfit, are you planning to challenge a high-difficulty route?"

"I'll look around myself."

Hu Tian replied indifferently, his tone calm yet focused, his eyes scanning the shelves like torches.

He first stopped in the clothing section, examining the garments on the shelves.

Finally, he selected a set of shell jackets and pants from a well-known brand.

The three-layer composite fabric was not only waterproof and breathable but also had extremely strong wear resistance, ensuring he would remain unscathed even in the bramble-filled wilderness.

Next were the hiking boots.

He tried on several pairs in succession, finally locking onto a high-top style.

The sole had deep treads with excellent grip, and a metal anti-puncture plate was embedded in the bottom, which could effectively resist damage to the soles of his feet from sharp rocks.

Seeing that Hu Tian was so knowledgeable in selecting equipment, with every item hitting the mark, the clerk knew he had met an experienced expert.

So he tactfully stepped aside to stand by, no longer pushing unnecessary sales, just ready to provide service at any time.

Hu Tian also picked up a multi-functional engineering shovel, which combined a shovel, pick, saw, and knife into one—an indispensable tool for field operations.

Arriving at the lighting equipment section, he carefully selected two high-intensity flashlights, with a brightness of up to 1000 lumens, long battery life, and strobe and SOS functions.

This was enough to handle various emergencies, or even self-defense when encountering wild animals.

Tents and sleeping bags were also of paramount importance.