"That's pretty much the situation."

The next day, Chen Wen recounted his experiences from the previous day to Hua Yun: "Our new five-member team is officially formed. Besides us, I've reached a cooperative agreement with the Russian team, so if we encounter each other in the survival quest, we can act together."

"As for Xu Qiang's side, if his team encounters us, they won't make a move, but they won't act together with us either—at most, they'll exchange some supplies and information."

"Additionally, the French side, the president invited our team for dinner tonight to have a good discussion. Maybe we can also reach a cooperative agreement with them."

"I'm not too sure about the UK team, but Vini has expressed goodwill towards us. Through Vini, we can also reach a mutual non-aggression agreement with the UK team."

"However, the US and Japanese teams are more likely than not to confront us, and as for Portugal and Spain, I don't know anyone from those teams, so I'm not sure what they'll choose. The local Australian teams might have some friction with us because of Dennis? But it's hard to say."

Chen Wen shared the results of his previous day's efforts.

Hua Yun couldn't help but take a deep breath at his words.

How long has it been?

In just a day's time, he not only formed a new team but also reached a cooperative agreement with another team.

It's really...

"How did you do it?"

Hua Yun asked.

Chen Wen smiled: "I built rapport with the Russians over drinks, and there's not much of a sharp conflict between them and Fred, just some exclusion, so cooperation isn't an issue. The rest are acquaintances, a bit familiar."

"Maybe I have good rapport with people?"

Hearing this, Hua Yun secretly shook his head.

This isn't just good rapport.

It seems that Chen Wen's performance in the wilderness solitude has caught everyone's attention and successfully earned their recognition of his abilities.

Oleg and the others aren't heavy drinkers, how could they acknowledge Chen Wen just because of one drinking session?

It's all about strength!

Hua Yun sighed inwardly.

Without strength, would people even pay attention to you?

And other teams cooperating with Chen Wen and reaching non-aggression agreements are most likely also due to Chen Wen's formidable strength.

She had seen the footage of Chen Wen hunting musk oxen and grizzly bears.

That long spear was wielded with extraordinary skill.

Once Chen Wen seizes an opportunity, a throw of his long spear could at least result in serious injuries, if not death!

Chen Wen's current situation is much like Liu Yu back then.

With the spear in hand, his deterrence is ridiculously strong.

Who dares to openly show hostility towards Chen Wen? When the time comes, Chen Wen might just wait in an oasis and when a team passes by, throw a long spear with a whoosh.

Who could withstand that?

Luckily, she's on the same team as Chen Wen.

Hua Yun shook her head and said no more.

...

In the evening, Chen Wen made contact with the French team.

They showed great goodwill, and Chen Wen wasn't the arrogant type either.

On the way back to the hotel, where the French Survival Association President Lloyd personally drove him, the two officially reached a non-aggression and cooperation agreement.

The UK team also invited Chen Wen the next day.

Leading them was a vice president; this wasn't a seed team.

They met with Chen Wen and expressed sincere greetings.

Finally, with Vini's mediation, the UK team also reached an agreement with Chen Wen—though there was no intention of cooperation.

They weren't as trusting of Chen Wen as some other teams and maintained some caution.

By this point, on the surface, Chen Wen had already reached basic non-aggression agreements with four teams.

And had reached cooperation intentions with Russia and France.

If they could meet in the wilderness, they would band together to survive.

After all, in the desert, the larger the team, the easier it is to get out.

...

Two or three days later.

Chen Wen brought the equipment he had prepared into his hands.

Three pieces of equipment.

First, the long spear, naturally, there's no need to elaborate.

Chen Wen is now internationally regarded as Liu Yu's successor, and his spear work has surpassed his predecessor.

Even more extravagant than Liu Yu's spear techniques!

The second piece, an axe, was what Chen Wen decided to bring after careful consideration.

This tool isn't very useful in the desert since apart from the oasis areas, there aren't many conditions to use an axe elsewhere.

But Chen Wen wasn't just thinking about crossing the Great Sand Desert.

Reaching the Kimberley Plateau at the end of the rainy season, the forests there would become extremely lush.

Therefore, Chen Wen chose the axe.

Convenient for operations on the Kimberley Plateau.

In addition, the axe can also substitute for a machete, serving for self-defense and meat chopping.

Though it's not as convenient as a machete when in use.

As for the third piece of equipment.

When the delivery person handed over a cage covered in black cloth to Chen Wen, he heard a familiar call.

Upon removing the black cloth, Hua Yun was momentarily stunned.

"Is this... that crested hawk-eagle you tamed?"

Hua Yun asked in shock.

Chen Wen nodded and took the extremely excited crested hawk-eagle out of the cage.

The crested hawk-eagle immediately extended its claws, ready to pounce on Chen Wen.

But with a whistle from Chen Wen, the crested hawk-eagle instantly stood still and stood up straight.

After Chen Wen put on the armguard, he gave the command: "Come!"

The crested hawk-eagle then swiftly flew onto Chen Wen's arm.

Seeing this, Hua Yun was quite astonished.

How well-trained had Chen Wen made this crested hawk-eagle?

This is more obedient than a hunting dog!

Bringing the crested hawk-eagle wasn't a mere whim.

It was a decision Chen Wen made after careful deliberation.

The crested hawk-eagle, as a beast tamed by Chen Wen in the Sonora Desert.

After being taken to the zoo, it led a relatively dull life.

Aside from the rare outings with Chen Wen, the crested hawk-eagle felt stifled in the zoo.

With the climate of the Sonora Desert being similar to that of the Great Sand Desert, the crested hawk-eagle should also be accustomed to the climate here.

Moreover, once they reach the Kimberley Plateau, the climate there would be akin to the Sonora Desert during the rainy season.

And Chen Wen also needed the crested hawk-eagle to find water sources, determine directions, and spot other teams in the desert...

After comprehensive consideration, Chen Wen chose to bring the crested hawk-eagle.

The reason for not bringing other animal friends was mainly due to the unsuitable climate here.

As for the barn owl that's adapted to this climate, it's just too small, easily targeted by the desert's birds of prey.

The crested hawk-eagle, on the other hand, is different.

As a medium-sized bird of prey, in the desert, as long as it doesn't actively provoke strong opponents.

It can still manage to protect itself.

Furthermore, after spending a long time with Chen Wen, while it may not be as smart as other animal friends, it can understand many of Chen Wen's commands.

And since the Eight Extremes Challenge doesn't restrict participants from bringing live animals—as long as they pass through Australia's customs inspection.

Thus, as Chen Wen's third piece of equipment, the crested hawk-eagle was absolutely fitting!