The entire caravan consisted of exactly forty people. Among them, thirty were members and guards of the Su Clan, including three Foundation Establishment cultivators—the blue-robed cultivator from before among them—all at the early stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm. The rest were at least at the seventh layer of the Qi Refining Realm. Bound together, they formed a formidable force.
Aside from Shi Yu's group of four, six others were traveling alongside the caravan, leveraging the convenience of the journey while contributing their strength to help protect the caravan.
These six were all at the eighth or ninth layer of the Qi Refining Realm. Arranged by Su Guanying to stay with Shi Yu's group, they looked down on Shi Yu and her companions due to their lower cultivation, so there was little conversation between them.
Shi Yu paid it no mind. As the sun dipped below the western horizon, the temperature plunged rapidly. Qingzhou brought over a cup of hot soup and handed it to her, so she held the cup, quietly observing the scene within the camp.
The most valuable cargo Su Guanying and her team were transporting was stored in storage bags and storage rings, distributed among the three Foundation Establishment cultivators and herself.
Not only were storage bags and rings exorbitantly expensive, but their capacity was also severely limited. Even if one carried several, they couldn't hold too much cargo. Consequently, most of the remaining goods were loaded onto giant camel-carts drawn by seven or eight riding beasts known as Sand Camels.
These exotic beasts native to the desert were massive, with each stretching fully two zhang in length. On their backs rested two person-sized, saggy water sacs, and their bodies were covered in a thick layer of brown fur. Watching seven or eight of these giant beasts gathered together was quite an intimidating sight.
Yet despite their huge size, their four hooves were broad and soft, allowing them to walk across the sand without sinking in the slightest.
Sand Camels could not only travel long distances through the desert without tiring, but they could also carry thousands of jin of cargo. Furthermore, their defenses were remarkably strong, leaving them fearless against the biting and tearing of sand worms lurking beneath the earth.
For merchant caravans traveling back and forth across the desert, these were undoubtedly the most ideal riding beasts. It was precisely because they had these Sand Camels that Su Guanying and her group dared to travel through this vast, endless ancient desert. Otherwise, even with three Foundation Establishment cultivators escorting them, successfully completing a merchant run would be immensely difficult.
At this moment, Su Guanying also came over with a bowl of hot soup and sat down not far from Shi Yu.
Seeing Shi Yu staring at the Sand Camels in a daze, she smiled and said, “Don't be fooled by their massive size and intimidating looks—they're actually very gentle.”
With that, she flashed Shi Yu a playful look, curled two fingers at the side of her mouth, and blew a long, clear whistle. Instantly, the Sand Camels raised their heads and let out joyous calls, their calls echoing back and forth.
The scene was both comical and endearingly silly, making Shi Yu's eyes curve into happy crescents as she laughed softly.
Seeing this, Su Guanying momentarily couldn't avert her gaze, thinking to herself: How can this young master's smile look so... so charmingly delicate?
Feeling odd about this sudden thought, she coughed lightly and said, “It gets cold at night. Young Master, remember to dress warmly and sleep early. We're setting off at dawn tomorrow.”
Shi Yu turned her head to look at her, nodding with a smile. “Thank you for your concern, Miss Su. You should also take care not to overwork yourself.”
Su Guanying replied with a nod, drained her hot soup in one gulp, got up, and went back to work.
The caravan rested in the camp for the night. Early the next morning, before the sky had even brightened—just as a sliver of pale light appeared along the horizon—Su Guanying blew a long whistle to wake the Sand Camels and everyone in the caravan.
“Hurry, hurry! Don't waste time!”
“Get onto the Sand Camels quickly, we're setting off!”
Several Foundation Establishment guards shouted sternly, their expressions serious.
One could hardly blame them for being so strict. In the Wangliang Ancient Desert, the days were short and the nights long. Since they could only travel during the day, every second counted. If they were delayed along the way and failed to reach the shelter of a temple before dark, there would be only one outcome awaiting them.
Shi Yu and her companions exchanged looks and delayed no longer. Following Su Guanying's previous arrangements, they leaped together onto one of the Sand Camels.
Seeing them act so swiftly and decisively, the blue-robed cultivator, who had previously harbored some quiet complaints about them, looked considerably more pleased.
Once everyone was seated on the Sand Camels, the one Su Guanying rode took the lead, guiding the entire caravan into the depths of the Wangliang Ancient Desert.
Though the giant beasts appeared heavy and slow, they moved at a brisk pace, steady and powerful. Soon, they left the camp far behind.
...
Winds and sand in the Wangliang Ancient Desert were capricious, calm as a mirror one moment and raging like thunder the next. Su Guanying had meticulously planned the caravan's route to avoid areas with heavy wind and sand as much as possible, steering clear of unnecessary trouble.
Even so, accidents were bound to happen.
At noon, after a smooth journey, just as everyone thought they would soon arrive at the nearest Temple of the Eighteen Golden Statues, Shi Yu suddenly heard a shout of alarm from ahead.
“Oh no! A sandstorm!”
Everyone looked up to see a pitch-black expanse at the edge of the sky, gaping like the bloody maw of a giant beast, sweeping rapidly toward them.
Sandstorms were one of the most terrifying hazards in the Wangliang Ancient Desert. The severely imbalanced Earth-element power contained within could swallow a person whole in just a few breaths.
Su Guanying's face paled drastically as she urgently shouted orders: “Quick! Quick! Quick! Find a place to hide!”
Her sharp eyes caught sight of a cave entrance nearby, and she pointed toward it, yelling, “There's a cave over there! Get over there now!”
Hearing this, the caravan members dared not hesitate, immediately driving the Sand Camels toward the cave.
Shi Yu and her group followed closely behind. Though they knew sandstorms existed in the Wangliang Ancient Desert, they had never witnessed one firsthand. Seeing that oppressive, pitch-black momentum now, they couldn't help but feel a chill of apprehension.
“Hurry! Faster!” Su Guanying urged.
Fortunately, despite the peril, everyone remained relatively calm, entering the cave in an orderly fashion. Once everyone was inside, the blue-robed cultivator stepped forward and sealed off the cave entrance, narrowly escaping the sandstorm.
However, due to their massive size, the Sand Camels were unable to fit inside the cave.
Shi Yu ran her hand along the cave wall as she heard Ji Yu ask, “Sister Su, what about the Sand Camels...?”
Along the way, Ji Yu had sat on the Sand Camel's back and grown quite fond of the massive creature. He had spent time grooming and scratching it, enjoying a pleasant companionship. Seeing that they were sheltering inside while the Sand Camels had to stay outside to endure the storm, he couldn't help but feel distressed.
Su Guanying forced a faint smile. “A sandstorm won't take a Sand Camel's life.”
Though she spoke thus, distress was evident on her face, and a flicker of worry flashed in her eyes. While Sand Camels possessed powerful bodies, they were not invincible. If the sandstorm lasted too long or if they encountered more formidable exotic beasts, they could still lose their lives.
She silently prayed that the sandstorm would pass quickly.
Outside, the storm howled, while inside, the cave was plunged into darkness. Shi Yu retrieved a spirit stone lamp. Its bright glow illuminated everyone's faces, dispelling a bit of the gloom.
As the caravan leader, Su Guanying quickly composed herself and spoke to the group: “In the ancient desert, sandstorms usually dissipate within two hours at most. Rest up and regain your energy. Though this place is small, it is safe enough. Don't waste time doing nothing.”
Everyone responded in agreement and began to meditate and regulate their breath.
Still, anxiety lingered in the hearts of most.
It was already noon. If this storm truly delayed them by two hours, it was uncertain whether they would be able to find shelter before dark.
The other six travelers accompanying the caravan couldn't help voicing complaints, blaming Su Guanying for taking a bad route.
“Why did such a massive sandstorm have to hit this exact route...?”
“Indeed. Had I known, I would've traveled with another caravan instead.”
These words sparked anger among the others. The blue-robed cultivator uttered a heavy, cold snort, prompting the six to give awkward laughs and shut their mouths, not daring to say another word.
Observing the scene, Shi Yu shook her head slightly. She averted her gaze, found a quiet corner inside the cave, and retrieved a pill furnace.
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