Chapter 3869: The Yellow Sands Of The West Domain

Yellow sand filled the sky of the West Domain. As far as the eye could see, the world was cloaked in a dull yellow that was so thick that even cultivators could barely see through it.

The sand was swept up by howling winds that were impossible for ordinary people to push through. Each grain of sand could tear a person apart.

This was why the ordinary humans lived within a fifty kilometer radius of the cities in the West Domain. Outside of that, the region was a dead zone.

Cultivators occasionally flitted by, sometimes plunging beneath the sands, and at other times leaping into the sky. The yellow sands seemed to stretch on without end. Strange astral beasts galloped over dunes, dropping off groups of cultivators before speeding away again.

The West Domain used completely different beasts as mounts than the East Domain. The beasts of the West Domain had thicker hides and were far more resilient to hunger and thirst.

In a distant part of the West Domain, there was a mountain range where the skyswings could be accessed. The hanging mountain slowly came to a stop. It was the skyswings that swung from the East Domain, through the South Domain, before stopping in the West Domain. Most of the mountain’s passengers had disembarked throughout the South Domain, while only a small fraction had continued on to the West Domain.

Given the West Domain’s harsh environment, the South Domain was a far more desirable destination.

The mountain settled down a short distance from a sleeping Morrow Behemoth.

Cultivators filed down from the mountain. There were many people gathered around, waiting to collect the new arrivals. As soon as people found those whom they were waiting for, they left. Not a moment was wasted.

Dozens of cultivators watched the mountain from a distance. They had stood in that location for several days, but they still had not seen the person that they were waiting for.

“My lord, he isn’t on this one either,” someone reported as they emerged from the void.

Someone in the crowd sneered. “This is where the skyswings sweep in from the South Domain. Of course he’s not here. There’s no need to state the obvious.”

The one who had returned with the report did not dare to retort. It was clear that their status was much lower.

All of the people were wearing black robes that hid their faces.

The one who had spoken looked over at the person who was sitting atop a mound of sand and gravel. “My lord, shall we continue to wait here?”

“We wait. He will come.”

A gale swept sand across the land, stirring up a vast storm. The cultivators in the group were capable of easily tearing the storm apart, and yet no one made a move.

This was the West Domain. Even if one storm was dispersed, another would quickly appear. There was no point in wasting energy.

If someone had energy to spare, it was better to spend it digging through the sand, as it was possible to find something valuable.

The West Domain’s yellow sands hid the ancient spirit treasure carving technique. The odds of finding such a thing were unimaginably low, but every once in a while, someone succeeded.

Any time someone did succeed, their entire fortune would change overnight.

Many cultivators ventured into the West Domain not only to avoid their enemies or for other similar reasons, but also to test their luck.

It was at that moment that the skyswing was thrown from the North Domain with a roar from the Morrow Behemoth.

The mountain swung around the Mother Tree, hurtling towards the West Domain.

Lu Yin stood on that mountain, watching what had become a familiar sight. It was quite convenient. The Nine Odysseys Megaverse used Morrow Behemoths in every means of transportation, including traveling through the Aevum Inch.

“I heard that Morrow Behemoths come from a destroyed megaverse, right?”

From behind, Si Jiushi answered, “Yes, the Morrow Megaverse. According to the records, it was extremely difficult to conquer the Morrow Megaverse.”

Lu Yin chuckled. “Has any megaverse not been difficult?”

He had heard of several megaverses that had been destroyed, though none had been easy victories.

Si Jiushi replied, “The Morrow Megaverse was especially tough, being one of the three most difficult megaverses that the Nine Odysseys have annihilated.”

Lu Yin was surprised. “That much?”

Si Jiushi nodded. “You can see a bit of that megaverse’s power just from the Morrow Behemoths. However, the Morrow Megaverse was destroyed very long ago, much more so than the Orchid Megaverse and the others, so we don’t know many details. All we know is that it was not easy.”

Lu Yin did not ask any further questions. Si Jiushi was just a disciple of the Five-Palm Sect, so it was impossible for him to have that much information. If Lu Yin wanted to know more, he would be better off asking Ming Zhuo or even Lu Siyu.

After enough time had passed for an incense stick to burn, Si Jiushi reminded Lu Yin, “We can get off now.”

“There’s no rush,” Lu Yin replied coolly.

Si Jiushi looked beyond the mountain. They were moving too fast for him to see almost anything, but he had ridden the skyswings many times before, and thus, he knew exactly how long it took to travel from the North Domain to the West Domain.

Above them, people were constantly shooting out of the mountain’s caves, also heading to the West Domain. After they were thrown out, they used the mountain’s momentum to move a bit further, which allowed them to land right beneath where the West Domain’s skyswings hung. For those who wanted to continue further, they could continue riding the skyswings.

Theoretically, it was possible for a person to circle the entire Nine Odysseys Megaverse in a single day, provided that they were able to catch each of the four skyswings right after the other.

Si Jiushi silently counted the time. Every passing second saw the skyswings travel an incredible distance. They could not wait much longer. Even if they disembarked immediately, the mountain’s momentum would carry them to the very edge of the West Domain. Another moment longer would see them be thrown into the South Domain.

However, when Si Jiushi glanced at Lu Yin, the man did not appear to be even the least bit anxious.

Si Jiushi considered offering another reminder, but he immediately reconsidered. It would actually be better if they did not go to the West Domain.

Wait. Could he actually be headed to the South Domain? Then why bring me along? In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through Si Jiushi’s mind.

Suddenly, the fat man’s shoulder dropped, and then his vision blurred. When he next opened his eyes, he was confronted with the familiar sight of endless yellow sand. He was in a familiar city that floated above the West Domain’s desert.

He was in the city that stood closest to the West Domain’s skyswings. It was where all the new arrivals would stop to rest and get their bearings.

How had they arrived so suddenly?

Si Jiushi suppressed his shock. Given Lu Yin’s strength, Si Jiushi knew that he should not be surprised, no matter what happened.

To Lu Yin, regardless of how fast the skyswings were moving, it was impossible for the momentum to have an impact on him. He was able to leave the mountain whenever he pleased, and he would still land exactly wherever he wished. How could the strength of a Morrow Behemoth be enough to decide where Lu Yin went?

The skyswings was nothing more than a clever mechanism that borrowed the power of the Morrow Behemoths to produce momentum.

He had taken Si Jiushi past where the West Domain’s skyswings hung, skipping the crowds of cultivators to arrive in the nearest city.

Given how many people had seen Lu Yin leaving the East Domain to head to the West Domain, it would be a surprise if there was no one waiting for him at his destination. While Lu Yin could not be bothered to alter his appearance any longer, that did not mean that he needed to reveal his whereabouts so soon.

“Come. Let’s relax for a bit.”

Si Jiushi silently followed. He said nothing, as it was better not to speak, as that would risk him becoming a scapegoat again.

Once they were inside the city, Si Jiushi offered a brief explanation of the West Domain’s situation to Lu Yin.

While the region appeared to have quite the harsh climate, it was a land of treasures to many people. The rise of Skyveil City’s three clans had incited many people’s envy, so no matter how pitiful the odds of finding the carving technique in the sand might be, droves of cultivators still traveled to the west Domain.

There was never any shortage of cultivators searching among the endless yellow sands.

In addition to Skyveil City, the West Domain was also home to factions like the Five-Palm Sect, the Spirit Coalition, the Spirit Treasure Guild, as well as a number of independent cities that lay scattered across the domain.

Despite the harsh environment, there were no fewer cities in the West Domain than in the North Domain. This was purely because there were so many people digging in the sand. Many did not just dig through their own lifetimes, but they would also have their children and grandchildren continue the efforts, hoping that someone in the family would strike it rich overnight.

Of course, many also used the harsh environment to hide from their enemies, and others trained in battle techniques or cultivation arts that required the domain’s harsh conditions.

In short, there were far more people in the West Domain than people might expect.

Lu Yin watched as yellow sand swept through the streets. There were times when tornadoes would form that stretched high into the sky from the ground. There was no denying that it was a rather unpleasant environment.

“The West Domain is full of all kinds of monsters and demons from all across the Nine Odysseys Megaverse,” Si Jiushi said. “The worse the environment, the more that certain kinds of people are drawn to it. That’s why most people keep their identities hidden here. Getting exposed means running out of luck.”

He then glanced at Lu Yin. “Except for you, Senior. Forget about monsters and demons—even Skyveil City’s three great clans would need to kneel if they meet you.”

Lu Yin took a sip of water, and he found it to be surprisingly refreshing. “Enough with the nonsense. As soon as you find Cheng Gong, you can leave.”

Si Jiushi agreed and then stared into the distance, his eyes anxious. Why hasn’t he answered me yet?

Lu Yin had not dragged Si Jiushi along just to serve as a guide. That would have been too trivial. Lu Yin was strong enough that a single sweep of his consciousness would reveal everything. Not even Skyveil City was an exception, which meant that he could have grabbed anyone along the way to serve as a guide.

Si Jiushi had been chosen simply because the Five-Palm Sect was based in the West Domain.

Who could know the local region better than a powerful sect?

Even if Si Jiushi was just a disciple of the sect, he was still able to access the Five-Palm Sect’s resources and intelligence throughout the West Domain.

Si Jiushi’s sole purpose was to help Lu Yin find Cheng Gong.

Jue Qing’s task was not the only thing that had pulled Lu Yin to the West Domain. He also intended to settle things with his old enemy, Cheng Gong.

Cheng Gong was a member of Skyveil City’s Cheng family. Finding the family would be easy, but Lu Yin could not simply start slaughtering the members of the family. What if he wiped out the entire family, yet still failed to find Cheng Gong?

Brute force was not the only way to solve problems, though it was often a prerequisite. Finding the correct target was the most important thing.

For the sake of the Tianyuan Megaverse, Lu Yin could not afford to create a reputation of being a reckless killer.

There had to be a reason for everything he did.

An hour passed, and Si Jiushi still had not received any response. He stared at his communication device and then tried again. Another hour went by, and yet there was still nothing.

“Bastard! Are you ignoring me? You’re courting death!” Si Jiushi muttered under his breath, trying yet again as he cursed. Finally, after yet another half an hour, an image appeared.

Si Jiushi stared at it. “Ling Kui, what the hell are you doing?”

“Well, if it isn’t Brother Si Jiushi! From the looks of it, are you back in the West Domain?”

“Cut the crap. I need to buy some information.”

“Information? What information? Brother, I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

Si Jiushi’s gaze grew sharp as he glared at the image. “Ling Kui, this isn’t our first transaction, so don’t play dumb. This is important.”

“Brother, please stop joking. All of our previous transactions have only ever been for spirit veils. What information? You must have called the wrong man.”

Si Jiushi frowned, but he said nothing.

“Brother, I’m a bit busy here, so let’s talk again when you’re interested in buying spirit veils. Goodbye.” With that, the image vanished.

Si Jiushi stared at his communication device, still processing the conversation.

Lu Yin looked over. “It looks like your friend ran into a bit of trouble.”

Si Jiushi’s expression had turned grave. “He works with the Spirit Treasure Guild’s logistics. In the West Domain, their intelligence network is unmatched. He always provided highly valuable information, which is why I’ve bought from him before. How could this happen?

“For him to be in trouble, it must be the Spirit Treasure Guild itself that’s run into a problem. If he was being targeted, he wouldn’t even be able to make contact with outsiders. However, if it’s not them, then who in the West Domain would dare to touch him?”

“Is the Spirit Treasure Guild that powerful?” Lu Yin asked, intrigued.

Si Jiushi explained, “More than just the ancient carving technique is hiding within the West Domain’s sand. There are also spirit treasures brought back from expeditions to foreign megaverses. All of them end up being buried in the sand. Most cultivators who find a spirit treasure aren’t able to use it themselves, and they can’t even unseal them. All they can do is trade them, and to do so, they need a spirit veil. Without those, the spirit treasure’s danger zone is a big problem.

“The Spirit Treasure Guild supplies all spirit veils, and they will even send people to a location to help with sealing, transporting, selling, and more.

“By monopolizing the spirit veil trade, the Spirit Treasure Guild essentially controls the entire spirit treasure market in the West Domain. That allows them to have eyes watching everything that happens. It’s no exaggeration to say that even Skyveil City’s three great clans usually can’t do anything that isn’t noticed by the Guild.”

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