Zhang Tian’s gaze fell upon a streak of white on the sheer cliff face.
The white shadow seemed like a flower, struggling to bloom.
The petals were large, like those of a late-blooming chrysanthemum, unfurling grandly.
“What a beautiful flower.”
Shirley Yang, looking at the white flower on the rock face, couldn’t help but sigh in admiration.
“This flower is called the White Sand Flower, and it can be used to refine elixirs,”
Zhang Tian murmured, considering the flower quite precious.
It was similar to the Sand Flower, but while the Sand Flower was used for body refinement, this flower was primarily used for cultivating and expanding the dantian.
“Item: White Sand Flower”
“Item Level: Second-grade Spirit Grass”
“Item Ability: Expands the dantian, increasing a cultivator’s true qi concentration by several times.”
“Item Description: A beautiful spirit blooming in the desert. When combined with Wisteria Grass, it can be used to refine the Purple Sand Pill.”
A voice echoed in his mind, and Zhang Tian’s thoughts turned to Wisteria Grass.
If they could refine the Purple Sand Pill, it was clear that their strength would increase significantly.
“Deng deng…”
Before Zhang Tian could speak, Zhang Qilin’s figure flickered twice, and then he leaped down, carrying a snow-white flower.
“Here.”
He gently handed the flower to Zhang Tian.
Zhang Tian nodded and placed the White Sand Flower into his backpack.
If they had a furnace here, Zhang Qilin might have already refined the Sandstone Pill.
“Boss, are you sure this flower won’t be crushed in the backpack?”
Fatty, seeing Zhang Tian casually put the flower away, asked in confusion.
“This is a spirit grass, it will be fine. We are about to leave the valley.”
As Zhang Tian spoke, his gaze caught a beam of light appearing in the distance.
“Boss, it’s light.”
Fatty, looking at the distant light, exclaimed excitedly.
“We’re finally going to get out of this canyon.”
Shirley Yang’s heart filled with even greater anticipation for the legendary Jingjue Ancient City.
What she most wanted to see was who lay within the coffin from her dreams, and what connection she had to the Ghost Cave Tribe.
The group involuntarily quickened their pace.
They passed through the area where the light emanated.
The next moment, a vast depression appeared.
And within this depression, a magnificent city glittered before their eyes.
However, it was a pity that most of the city had been buried, with only rooftops peeking out.
“The murals recorded that after the allied forces arrived at Jingjue Ancient City, a sandstorm suddenly arose, burying both the allied forces and the ancient city.”
“Presumably, the place we are seeing now is the area after it was buried.”
Zhang Tian said, his excitement growing as he gazed at the colossal city.
“Boss, look over there.”
Hu Bayi pointed into the distance.
Jingjue Ancient City bore a resemblance to Loulan Ancient City, but Jingjue Ancient City was immeasurably larger.
And the most striking feature was the spot Hu Bayi was currently indicating.
At the very center of Jingjue Ancient City was an altar, vast and resembling a tall tower.
It stood nearly ten meters high.
And atop the altar rested Jingjue Ancient City’s most famous structure: the Serpent’s Eye!
A serpent’s eye made of stone was placed above the altar, nearly five to six meters in size. Runes were etched in its center, giving it a terrifying appearance.
The Serpent’s Eye was directly facing Zhang Tian’s position.
“Boss, this Serpent’s Eye looks quite eerie. Fatty feels a chill all over.”
Fatty shivered, a rare sensation for his usually tough disposition.
“So many people have likely died on that altar. It’s normal for you to feel cold.”
“I didn’t expect so much of the ancient city to be buried.”
Zhang Tian remarked, his gaze sweeping over the city.
The area above the ancient city was entirely covered in yellow sand. There were some walls and structures around, but most were buried.
Hu Bayi held his compass, his hands constantly making gestures.
After a moment, Hu Bayi’s gaze shifted from the compass.
“Although this is a desert and surrounded by small mountains, there is a dragon脉 beneath us.”
Hu Bayi spoke, then drew a river on the desert ground beneath their feet.
“Do you remember the river we saw in the tomb of the Prince of Gumo?”
Hu Bayi asked.
“Lao Hu, you mean?”
Zhang Tian inquired.
“Exactly. I suspect that river is merely one branch of Jingjue Ancient City’s dragon脉.”
“And according to the guidance of the Azure Wolf Star Lord, the dragon’s head is located in the center of this city.”
Hu Bayi said, and Fatty pointed at the stone tower in the distance.
“Lao Hu, you’re not talking about that stone tower, are you? Anyone can see there’s something strange about this tower. It’s survived for so many years without damage, it’s truly bizarre.”
Fatty muttered.
Zhang Tian’s gaze also fell upon the stone tower.
“Judging by the city’s architecture, the city walls should have been dozens of meters high, but now they are only a few meters tall. Even if this stone tower is partially buried, it’s still over ten meters. This tower must have been quite tall back then.”
Shirley Yang observed, her eyes meticulously scanning the surroundings.
“Let’s go.”
Zhang Tian looked towards the stone tower.
Beneath the tower, there was undoubtedly an underground palace.
And the Queen of Jingjue was likely within that palace.
The sun blazed overhead, its harsh light piercing. The group walked towards the stone tower.
Soon, after traversing countless sand dunes, they reached the front of the stone tower.
The tower was constructed from yellowish earth stones.
And atop the stones was a massive eyeball.
The eyeball faced the sun, and in the sunlight, a faint totem could be vaguely discerned.
“This should be the totem of Jingjue Ancient City.”
Shirley Yang said with a hint of solemnity, looking at the totem above.
“Jingjue Ancient City has a totem? Translator Yang, you might be overthinking things. Perhaps it’s an illusion.”
Fatty mumbled, but Shirley Yang shook her head.
“Every nation has its own totem. It represents faith.”
Shirley Yang explained, and Fatty’s furnace also chimed in.
“She’s right. Every nation has a totem.”
Princess Loulan spoke. Fatty rubbed his face and said no more.
“This area has been buried by sand. To get down, we’ll have to dig away this sand.”
Hu Bayi said softly, holding a shovel.
“Lao Hu, I believe there’s a very likely underground palace beneath this altar. The underground river should be right beneath our feet.”
Zhang Tian said, and Zhang Qilin’s small ears were already pressed against the sand.
After a moment, he slowly pointed to a spot.
“The entrance is here.”
He spoke softly. Zhang Tian and Hu Bayi were both taken aback.
Hu Bayi felt a touch of annoyance. He hadn't even gotten a chance to show off his skills, and Zhang Qilin had already done it.
However, it did save them effort.
“Fatty, hurry and dig a pit.”
Hu Bayi called out. Fatty placed his large furnace on the ground and began digging a deep pit with his shovel.
After they had dug for about four meters,
skeletons began to appear before Zhang Tian and the others.
Most strangely, the color of the skeletons was black!