Along the way, yellow sand billowed across the sky as Su Guanying explained to them in detail the precautions for traveling in the Wangliang Ancient Desert.
“During the day, only the demon beasts unique to the desert cause trouble, which isn't too bad. As long as you aren't terribly unlucky enough to run into a whole pack of them, traveling together and staying cautious will usually ensure your survival.”
“The real danger comes at night. After sunset, countless empty spirits surge out from the depths of the desert. These empty spirits...” Su Guanying knitted her brows, seemingly at a loss for words, before softly sighing after a long pause. “They are utterly terrifying.”
Shi Yu pondered for a moment and couldn't help asking, “The desert is vast, and staying overnight is inevitable. Surely there must be places to take shelter?”
Su Guanying nodded, a look of awe appearing on her face. “A thousand years ago, eighteen Buddhist cultivators arrived here to redeem these empty spirits. Although they failed, they transformed their bodies into golden statues. Where the golden light of the statues reaches, empty spirits cannot draw near. Grateful for their sacrifice, later generations built eighteen temples around these golden statues. These temples are the only safe places to stay at night in the Wangliang Ancient Desert.”
“I see. Truly worthy of respect,” Shi Yu sighed softly, feeling somewhat moved.
Beside her, Ji Yu was young. Though lively and spirited, he possessed a simple and pure heart, and his expression turned solemn as well.
Su Guanying continued, “Additionally, some Buddhist cultivators followed their example, transforming themselves into golden statues to protect small patches of land, forming scattered smaller temples. However, the golden light of these temples is limited, varying in strength, and could be worn away by the empty spirits at any moment. Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, it's best to reach one of those eighteen main temples before dark.”
“Thank you for informing us, Miss Su,” Shi Yu said with gratitude, cupping her hands in a bow. Since she was currently dressed as a man, she used a slightly formal and respectful form of address.
Su Guanying smiled. “No need to be polite. When traveling out in the world, we ought to help one another.”
After walking a distance further, the group suddenly saw several corpses ahead, mostly buried in the yellow sand.
Seeing this, Su Guanying naturally stepped forward and searched the bodies, removing several storage bags. After putting them away, she bowed to the corpses, unhooked the wineskin from her waist, and poured a circle of wine on the ground. “Rest in peace, fellow cultivators.”
Finally, with a flick of her spear, she stirred up wind and sand, completely burying the corpses.
Only after finishing this did she walk back to Shi Yu and the others, offering to share two of the storage bags with them. Shi Yu didn't want to take advantage of her, and the contents were useless to her anyway, so she declined with a smile. “You keep them, Miss Su.”
Qingzhou, Mo Tong, and the others naturally did not accept them either.
Seeing that although their cultivation bases were not high, they possessed clear eyes and extraordinary temperaments—clearly people of background—Su Guanying didn't insist or push further. She stowed the bags away and explained:
“Countless cultivators are buried in this ancient desert. Whether one walks the righteous path or practices evil arts in life, all past bonds fade upon death... If fate allows us to find their storage bags, artifacts, and other items, we may claim them, but we should still maintain respect for their remains.”
Because countless cultivators had perished here, it attracted even more future generations to come for practical experience in hopes of finding a bit of opportunity. More often than not, however, they simply ended up becoming one of those corpses themselves.
Chatting like this, it didn't take long before the area ahead grew lively, the bustling noise of human voices drifting toward them.
Shi Yu looked up and, through the blinding yellow sand, caught sight of numerous figures milling about, along with the towering silhouettes of many riding beasts.
“We've arrived at the stronghold,” Su Guanying said, her brow relaxing as she looked at Shi Yu and her companions. “You can rest here for a bit. It's getting late today, so if you plan to travel, it's best to set out early tomorrow morning; otherwise, you might struggle to find a temple for shelter before dark.”
As she spoke, several people inside the stronghold spotted Su Guanying and hurriedly came over to greet her. One blue-robed cultivator asked anxiously, “Third Young Lady, where did you go? We've been looking all over for you.”
Su Guanying laughed softly. “Could I really get lost? I just went out to catch some fresh air and happened to meet these friends along the way.”
The blue-robed cultivator shifted his gaze to Shi Yu and her group, his eyes filled with scrutiny, though he still nodded with polite courtesy.
Shi Yu greeted him in return, her eyes sweeping over the people beside Su Guanying.
Aside from the blue-robed cultivator, who was in the early stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm, the others were all Qi Refining Realm cultivators. They were fairly impressive as well, appearing to be at the eighth or ninth layer, or even Great Perfection of the Qi Refining Realm.
Su Guanying spoke a few words to the blue-robed cultivator in a low voice before preparing to bid farewell to Shi Yu and her companions. Before leaving, she asked, “Is there anything else I can help you gentlemen with?”
This Miss Su was truly warmhearted and helpful. Shi Yu pondered for a moment before probing carefully, “I wonder if Miss Su's caravan will pass by the Cave of Ten Thousand Ghosts?”
The moment those words were spoken, the blue-robed cultivator's expression changed instantly.
Su Guanying also looked at Shi Yu in surprise. Seeing that she wasn't joking, she frowned and answered truthfully, “We don't pass directly by it, but our route isn't far from there.”
Shi Yu nodded, glanced at Qingzhou and the others, then turned to her and asked politely, “The four of us need to make a trip near the Cave of Ten Thousand Ghosts, but we are unfamiliar with the route. I wonder... if we might travel together with Miss Su's caravan?”
“That area has been in turmoil recently... Do you have important business that requires you to go?” Su Guanying sighed, her brows knitting tightly.
“We do indeed have an urgent matter,” Shi Yu said softly.
The region was completely unfamiliar to them. If they could travel with companions who frequented the area and knew the environment well, it would naturally be for the best.
As for the caravan itself, they naturally preferred having as many escorting cultivators as possible. In a place fraught with danger, more people meant a higher chance of survival. Solitary travelers often died without even a corpse left behind.
However... the blue-robed cultivator kept frowning as he looked at Shi Yu and her companions. If they possessed profound cultivation, it would be another story—the caravan would jump at the opportunity.
Yet among these four, the one with the highest cultivation was only at the seventh layer of the Qi Refining Realm, and their aura didn't seem particularly deep. Judging by their appearance, they were very likely pampered scions of prominent families who rarely experienced hardships.
If they ran into danger, not only could the caravan not count on them for protection, but they might even have to divert attention to take care of them.
How could that be allowed?
The blue-robed cultivator looked displeased and reluctant. Only because Su Guanying was standing right there did he refrain from speaking up, remaining silent.
Considering this aspect, Su Guanying's expression turned somewhat hesitant as well. If she were alone, she would willingly take Shi Yu and the others along. But right now, she was tasked with leading a merchant expedition. As the leader, every decision she made had to account for the safety of the whole caravan, so she couldn't promise lightly.
Noticing their concerns, Shi Yu said, “Miss Su, although our cultivation isn't high, we are not useless. If we can travel with you, we will certainly do our best to help and will not hold you back.”
Hearing her say this, Su Guanying pondered and wrestled with the idea for a moment before finally nodding in agreement. “In that case, you may travel with our Su Clan caravan. However, you must remember that danger lurks everywhere in the ancient desert. If you travel with us, you must follow my instructions and not act on your own or stir up trouble.”
The four of them nodded one after another and agreed.
Su Guanying then took Shi Yu and her companions to meet the other members of the caravan and arranged proper accommodations for them.
Seeing this situation, the blue-robed cultivator had no choice but to shake his head in helplessness.
He sighed secretly in his heart: I hope these young brats don't cause us any trouble.
Rate on N.U.
