The desert is called "Tianhe", which was the final battlefield of the battle between immortals and demons many years ago, and is also the entrance to the demon realm.
The sky above Tianhe is filled with dead air, and there are still remnants of evil magic and traps set by the demons, making it unsuitable for flying. Therefore, the destination that the group arrived at was a town called "Pingchuan" in the south of the desert.
Although Pingchuan was built on an oasis, it was still filled with endless yellow sand and sparse greenery. Even the leaves looked listless and curled up into a ball.
The gray sky and the yellow air were connected into a piece. Ningning just jumped off the Xinghen Sword and couldn't help coughing.
"After so many years, Pingchuan Town has not changed at all."
Tian Xianzi looked around, not disguising his sigh. Finally, he turned his head and looked at the young man in white beside him: "Brother, are you feeling unwell?"
The man shook his head and replied in a gentle voice: "No problem."
It was Wen Hemian.
At that time, the demons were defeated step by step, and the cultivation world also suffered heavy casualties. It took almost all the efforts of the major sects to finally build the two-meter dust formation, which condensed into a barrier at the end of the sky, separating the human and demon worlds.
Due to the lack of talents, it was difficult for the cultivators to meet the vast spiritual power required for the formation. Therefore, when forming the formation, they often used flesh and blood to fill the spiritual power gap.
Wen Hemian was one of them.
He tried his best, causing his sea of consciousness to collapse and his tendons to be damaged. However, his cultivation was far superior to that of ordinary people, and the remaining sword energy protected the last trace of his spiritual veins, barely saving his life.
When he woke up from the gates of hell, he saw a sea of blood and corpses, and everything had changed.
He was one of the main forces and planners of the two-edition dust formation. He knew every arrangement of the formation. If he wanted to thoroughly investigate any loopholes in the formation, Wen Hemian would be the best choice.
To be honest, Tian Xianzi was always unsure whether he was willing to leave Qingxu Valley.
He knew that this senior brother was arrogant and had been closed in his own little world for many years since he lost his cultivation.
This morning, he brought his disciples to look for him without much expectation. Unexpectedly, before he even set foot in Qingxu Valley, he saw a white robe beside the stone tablet at the entrance.
——In the swaying shadows of the trees, Wen Hemian stood upright, staring down at a letter in his hand.
Hearing his footsteps, the young man raised his eyelashes slightly, and after a very brief hesitation and shock, a gentle arc appeared at the corner of his lips: "Go away."
It was really a strange thing.
The letter looked ordinary, like the material that only young disciples would use, but Senior Brother Wen had almost cut off contact with the outside world and never received any communication symbols.
Who could have sent him this letter? Is it related to Senior Brother Wen's agreement to leave the valley?
Tian Xianzi racked his brains but could not figure out any clues. Full of doubts, he did not notice that Ning Ning's face froze when he saw the letter.
That was the letter she wrote to Wen Hemian last night, still under the anonymous identity of "Little Fan of Elder Jiangxing".
The two of them have always maintained a pen pal relationship. Last night, Wen Hemian suddenly sent a communication talisman. The content was very concise and asked what kind of person he was in her heart.
Ning Ning thought for a long time and wrote him a letter seriously.
So when she went to Qingxu Valley to see him the next day and saw the extremely familiar letter paper in Wen Hemian's hand, she was subconsciously stunned.
Regardless of whether the letter had any comforting effect, Wen Hemian finally agreed to leave Qingxu Valley and go to the desert with them.
This was the best outcome.
"This place is so hot and stuffy."
After finally arriving at Pingchuan Town, He Zhizhou used his hands as a small fan and looked around: "Even outside is like this, how hot must it be in the desert?"
"You have to be mentally prepared."
Tianxianzi smiled leisurely: "There is a barrier in Tianhe, and the devilish energy and death energy have not dissipated. In addition to the monsters that are very likely to hide in the dark, there are also many monsters infected by the devilish energy - the deeper you go, the more uncomfortable you will be."
Ningning asked curiously: "Pingchuan Town is close to the entrance of the Demon Realm, and it is extremely dangerous. According to common sense, the townspeople should have escaped long ago, why are there still so many people left here today?"
"That's right."
He Zhizhou touched his chin: "If it were me, I would never stay here for a moment."
Wen Hemian's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she was about to say something, but she stopped. The unspoken words all turned into a sigh.
"Think about it, with the desert sand and demons rampant, can the brothers and sisters who can live in this place be ordinary people?"
Tian Xianzi said: "Of course not! This place is full of horse bandits and street gangs. If they get angry, they can fight against demons!"
... Fight against demons.
Ningning started to imagine at the right time, and a group of shirtless uncles waving their machetes wildly, chasing demons and crying, appeared in her mind.
It was very magical realism, and very flat.
"The most important point," Tianxianzi continued, "is that this was once the battlefield of the great battle between immortals and demons. Although it has driven back many people, it has also attracted many people."
Lin Xun couldn't figure it out: "Now that the great battle between immortals and demons has ended, what are the intentions of those people who were attracted here?"
He couldn't figure out the cause and effect, but Ningning frowned and replied: "Is it because of... those remaining things scattered on the battlefield?"
Tianxianzi sighed and acquiesced.
In the decisive battle that took place in Tianhe, both sides suffered countless casualties. Whether it was the demon cultivators or the righteous cultivators, they left behind many magic tools and secret books, which were scattered in various corners of the desert.
If you can enter the desert and find one or two valuable items in it, the price of selling the treasures can ensure that you have no worries about food and clothing for the rest of your life.
"But, but this——"
Lin Xun's eyes widened, and he found it hard to accept the logic: "Those who died in the desert were heroes who sacrificed their lives to eliminate demons. What they did was... stealing relics?"
No one responded.
Because this is indeed the truth.
The deceased monks sacrificed their lives one after another, but in the end, not only were they not remembered by the world, but the private belongings they left behind became commodities that were snatched away.
It was really chilling.
"Don't be sad, my friend."
Wen Hemian saw him hanging his head and breathing heavily, and comforted him in a slow voice: "Not all people in the world are like this, there are many people with good intentions."
"Brother is still like this."
Tianxianzi laughed out loud and patted Xiaobailong on the shoulder: "Your uncle is right, but the saying 'human hearts are worse
than demons' is true. You should be more careful when you wander around in the world in the future." He paused, his smile faded for the most part, and his voice became lowered: "The theft of relics is bad enough, right? You certainly would not have thought that during the war, even more disgusting things happened."
Lin Xun opened his lips slightly and listened quietly to him continue.
"Take the incident that happened in the Tianhe Desert for example."
Tianxianzi said patiently, "The group of cultivators who first entered the desert were unfamiliar with the area, so they specially invited several local townspeople to act as guides. Unexpectedly, the townspeople were all seduced by the demons, and for a few gold, silver, and jewels, they led them into the encirclement of the demon cultivators."
"That's the lives of more than a dozen cultivators. For them, it's far less than the glory and wealth of their next life."
When Tianxianzi said this, the smile in his eyes had disappeared, leaving only a dark and despicable look: "You were born in the Dragon Palace, and you have been pampered since childhood. You rarely come into contact with such things. No matter when, you should remember that people's hearts are separated from your stomach, especially in this desolate place--"
Before he finished speaking, a black shadow suddenly passed by.
A little girl bumped into Lin Xun's side, said "sorry" in a hurry, and turned away. She came and went like a gust of wind, leaving no trace.
Tianxianzi and Xiaolong, the most innocent among his disciples, looked at each other.
Tianxianzi: "Do you know what this situation is called?"
Lin Xun answered in a daze: "That... the destined encounter of the hero and heroine in the storybook, the unexpected meeting?"
Tianxianzi: ...
Tianxianzi's expression was like a ghost, and he told him word by word: "Your money bag is gone."
=====
One, two, three, four...
The girl hiding in the shadows held the stupid shark silk bag, counting while frowning involuntarily.
The group of people looked extraordinary, and the money bags they used were also extremely luxurious. They should be high-level disciples of the cultivation sect, why are they so poor.
This bag of stones is not enough to buy a shark silk bag to put them in.
She was concentrating on counting, when she suddenly heard a slow voice behind her: "Hey, are you counting already?"
"Yeah."
She nodded obediently, and in a moment she realized something was wrong. She turned around in panic and saw a familiar face.
The young man who had talked to the owner of the wallet before smiled, leaned over to look at her with his hands behind his back, and the moment their eyes met, he curled his lips: "You should run far away after stealing the money. You hid after turning two corners, aren't you waiting to be caught?"
He didn't say anything else, but an indescribable pressure emanated from his body, which was very light and subtle, and should be intentionally restrained, but it still made her heart tremble.
Tian Xianzi glanced back and pulled Lin Xun forward.
"This, this girl."
Lin Xun was pulled forward suddenly. Even if he had the thought of running away or keeping silent, once he saw his stolen wallet, he felt a pain in his heart.
Every time she took a spiritual stone, the melons in his yard withered, and his heart was cut by the knife. It was as if the girl was not holding a wallet, but his life.
Between life and social phobia, Lin Xun resolutely chose the former: "This, this is my wallet, can you give it back to me?"
The girl looked at him without saying a word.
For a moment, she felt that there seemed to be something wrong with this man's head.
He was obviously the owner of the money, why did he use such a polite tone in front of a thief like her.
Even better than the attitude of many people in this town towards her.
"Why are you so polite!"
He Zhizhou took a step forward and opened his legs. He wanted to act ferocious, but when he saw the girl's pale face and thin body, his words softened immediately: "Girl, stealing is not good. If you can return the purse to your junior brother, we will certainly not pursue it."
He thought that the other party would return the purse obediently, but he only heard the girl's sneer: "From the looks of you, are you also going to enter Tianhe as a cultivator?"
Her tone was unfriendly, and she must have regarded them as thieves.
Lin Xun hated such unkind and unjust behavior the most, so he would never want to be misunderstood.
Just as he was about to explain, he saw her smile heartlessly: "You seem to be quite good at cultivation, why don't you take me with you? I have been in and out of Tianhe for many years. In terms of experience, no one in the whole town is more familiar with it than me."
This girl looked young, but she was actually an old thief.
Xiao Bailong experienced great ups and downs in his emotions, and felt a sense of sadness that he was being played by fate. He opened his mouth and was speechless.
"My name is Lu Wanxing. Go to Pingchuan Town and ask around. Everyone knows me."
As if to prove it, she took out a storage bag from her arms, and then a golden light flashed, and a long sword appeared in her hand.
"See? This bag and this sword, I found them in the desert, they can definitely be sold for a good price - I have more good things on me, you will definitely not be in vain if you take me with you." Although
Wen Hemian still has memories of Tianhe, it has been a long time since then, and the desert is unpredictable. If they have a guide, their journey will be much easier.
But it shouldn't be this girl of unknown origin.
Moreover, from what she said, this girl has been stealing monks' relics for many years. As fellow cultivators, they are repulsive to such ungrateful behavior.
Wen Hemian looked at the sword and whispered, "This sword exudes spiritual energy. It is still glowing after being covered in dust for many years. The owner must be an extraordinary person."
Tianxianzi frowned and looked at him sideways, "I think... this sword aura seems familiar."
"Good vision!"
Lu Wanxing smiled with narrowed eyes, "I have been in the desert since I was a child. I know the topography, climate change and monsters like the back of my hand. If you ask who knows it best, I am second, and no one dares to claim the first place. Why don't you consider it?"
Ningning asked curiously, "There are many cultivators entering and leaving this place. Why did you choose us?"
"I have been to the inner and outer circles of Tianhe. It's not interesting."
She protected the purse in her hand, her eyes turned: "You seem to have a high level of cultivation, you will definitely not be satisfied with just the outer edge of the desert, right? Following you, I will definitely find more good things."
This girl is quite good at judging people and doing business.
"Brother."
Tian Xianzi glanced at Wen Hemian: "What should I do?"
Lu Wanxing raised her head and met the young man's quiet gaze.
Among all the cultivators present, this person's eyes were the softest, and he must be a kind-hearted person.
She was ready to be accepted, but she didn't expect Wen Hemian to shake his head: "Girl, we are not entering the desert to steal treasures."
Lu Wanxing was stunned.
The meaning of his words couldn't be more obvious. If they don't share the same beliefs, they won't take her with them.
"No, it's okay if you don't take the treasure! I'll lead the way for you, how about you pay me?"
She seemed a little anxious: "I'm in urgent need of money now, as long as I have the wages, everything is fine!"
Lin Xun suddenly realized: "So the reason you stole my wallet is because you are in a hurry to use the money?"
Lu Wanxing nodded desperately.
If she was calm, it would be fine, but now that Canghuang has come to this, it is inevitable that it is a little strange.
The demon cultivators are hiding in the dark, and all plans are still unclear. If such a girl with unknown purpose joins in the middle of the journey, it is likely to go wrong.
What's more... she disregarded her safety and was so determined to go to Tianhe with them. This senseless thing itself seems strange.
Ningning originally thought that Wen Hemian was a person who was easy to talk to.
However, he was silent for a moment, without the slightest hesitation, and finally shook his head.
=====
Tianhe is some distance away from the town. After some discussion, everyone decided to hire a carriage to go to the desert.
There were too many of them, more than one carriage could accommodate, so they were divided into two carriages, one in front and one in the back.
Ningning, Pei Ji, and Lin Xun rode in the same carriage. The driver looked to be in his thirties or forties, with a thumb-sized scar at the corner of his eye. He looked like a swordsman in a martial arts movie, quite rough and heroic.
Ningning was still thinking about Lu Wanxing's petty behavior. After getting in the car, she whispered, "Driver, we are going to the Tianhe Desert. Just take us to the entrance."
The driver replied, "Okay."
The desert was full of wild animals, and the carriages were running at an incredible speed.
Ningning was afraid that the carriage that Tianxianzi was in could not keep up, so she stuck her head out of the window and shouted to the wind: "Driver, there is a carriage following us!"
Following them?
She spoke very quickly, and her voice was blown by the strong wind, making her sound even more anxious and flustered. The man's eyes dimmed and he looked back.
In the endless yellow sand, there was actually a carriage following them stealthily, always keeping a distance that was neither far nor close.
If the female guest had not reminded him, he would probably never have noticed this pursuit -
what a despicable method!
The blood of the desert man was suddenly aroused at this moment. The hand holding the reins trembled slightly. He felt unprecedented excitement.
Could this be the legendary...
chase!
Ning Ning thought, it must be her illusion.
Otherwise, why did the driver laugh evilly, arrogantly and self-centeredly when he heard this sentence and answered "no problem"?
At the same time, on the other side.
He Zhizhou was originally following Ning Ning, but when he looked to the window, he suddenly realized that something was wrong.
The carriage in front suddenly jumped out of control, as if it was jumping up and down. It rushed forward at lightning speed...
and began to twist like a possessed snake!
This was such a crazy move that He Zhizhou felt something was wrong and hurriedly shouted, "Brother, hurry up, hurry up, catch up with the car in front! Don't lose it!"
The young man who was driving heard this and a cold light flashed in his cloudy eyes.
No wonder the car was moving so abnormally. It turned out that it sensed someone was following it! Could he be thrown off? No way! That would be an insult to his skills over the years!
"Don't worry."
He snapped his fingers while speaking, and a wicked sneer appeared on the corner of his mouth: "Leave everything to me."
The wind whistled in the wind, and the desert reflected the setting sun.
The snake-shaped and twisted carriage changed from one to two, raising trails of dust on the long road. The horses' neighs and the drivers' roars blended together, showing their skills and style, just like the atmosphere of the 1986 trip to Akina Mountain.
This was no longer a simple carriage ride, but a contest of honor between two men!
This is the desert!
People and horses were thrown to the ground on the road, and the residents of the town were running and screaming.
Someone accidentally glanced at the window of the carriage behind and was almost scared to death.
Everyone in the car was tossed left and
right, jumping up and down. At first glance, all you could see were hands, feet and heads twisted into a ball like a pretzel. The twisted face of a young man in white slid past the window, his pupils filled with the desire to live and the shock from the soul, his tongue and eyeballs were almost thrown off!
He Zhizhou's heart and voice were shaking wildly, and he screamed madly with a broken voice: "Big brother! Slow down, slow down, goose goose!"
The strong wind whistled past, and all the words seemed so pale and blurred. In the end, the only thing that reached the man's ears was the "slow down" that He Zhizhou had infinitely magnified and shouted desperately.
"Uh--!"
The man had long been furious, and he was being left further and further behind. Until this moment, he finally let out the loudest roar of the day.
As a coachman, he would never allow anyone to say that he was slow!
The two carriages raced on the same stage, and they arrived in the desert a whole incense stick faster than the estimated time. If someone didn't know, they would think they were recording the carriage version of "Boys and Girls Go Forward".
After finally getting off the car tremblingly, Ning Ning came out of Pei Ji's arms with lingering fear, and looked at the endless yellow sand behind her in a trance, unable to hide the trembling in her voice: "Uncle, where is the carriage behind us?"
"Don't worry."
The cold wind lifted the hair on his temples, and the scorching sun outlined the man's angular face. He looked up at the horizon and slowly took a puff of smoke.
In the suddenly dispersed white smoke, his eyes were so long and far-reaching, and his low and hoarse voice showed the demeanor of a king: "It's just a mere ant--"
The man sneered and said: "I've already gotten rid of it."
Ning Ning: ???
Ning Ning: !!!
——So you guys are acting in "Infernal Affairs: Cultivation Storm" by yourselves, uncle!