Half a month later, the grain transport team successfully reached the northern border.
The disaster affected a wide area in the north, from east to west and from south to north, with all three major cities in the region affected.
The grain convoy was stunned by the sight before them as soon as they stepped into the disaster-stricken area.
In the village, houses were dilapidated, and many families had fled to unknown locations. The houses gradually collapsed due to lack of habitation and repair, roof tiles scattered everywhere, and walls riddled with cracks, as if telling the tragic story of the disaster.
In the fields, the once lush green crops are now nothing but withered stalks and yellowed leaves. When the wind blows, the dry stalks rustle as if they are weeping.
A heavy, lifeless atmosphere filled the air, making one feel incredibly burdened.
The soil was cracked like spider webs, and stepping on it made a cracking sound.
Those tall trees, once lush and verdant, providing shade for passersby, are now a scene of desolation. Their bark has been stripped away, their branches bent, their leaves withered, as if they have endured countless storms and setbacks. They stand forlornly on both sides of the road, seemingly telling the story of the tragedy and helplessness of this disaster.
On the way, the grain convoy encountered a large number of refugees fleeing famine. They were ragged, emaciated, and their eyes were filled with endless weariness and despair.
The refugees, carrying their meager belongings and families, trudged along the dusty road.
When they saw the supply convoy, they were afraid of the soldiers with swords in their hands, but because of hunger, they would still gather around the convoy and kneel down to beg for alms.
Si Mingye ordered the grain convoy to stop and distribute food to the disaster-stricken people. Meanwhile, Sheng Wanwan found a village with a large, dried-up pit next to it, where she planned to perform a rainmaking ritual.
If the pit were to fill with rainwater, it would be enough for these people to live in the village for a while. Refugees arriving later could also set up camp in the village.
However, after Sheng Wanwan performed the rain-making ritual, she discovered that all the rain-making spells here had failed.
Whether it was a large-scale rain-making ritual or a spell to make rain fall from the sky, it all failed.
"Wanwan, what's going on?"
Si Mingye had personally witnessed Sheng Wanwan praying for rain, and originally thought that Sheng Wanwan's arrival could change the drought situation in the northern region.
But now, after all that effort by Sheng Wanwan, not a single drop of rain has fallen, which is highly unusual.
“I don’t know either,” Sheng Wanwan said, frowning.
"I've never failed to summon rain since I learned the spell! I don't know what happened this time!"
"Wanwan, is it possible that a drought demon, a rare occurrence in ten thousand years, has appeared in the disaster-stricken area?"
Sheng Wenjin frowned as he looked at the yellowish sky, recalling the legend of the drought demon from his previous life.
"Drought demon? Does a drought demon really exist in this world?" Sheng Wanwan was taken aback when she heard this. If it really existed, then there would be trouble.
What is a drought demon?
Si Mingye frowned and asked.
"I know this! Legend has it that in ancient times, there was a mountain called Xikun in the Great Wilderness, and on it was a high platform called Gonggong's Platform. On this high platform lived a celestial maiden named Ba, who was dressed in green and was extremely beautiful."
At that time, the Yellow Emperor and Chi You were engaged in an unprecedented battle. While Yinglong was battling the Wind God and Rain Master, the entire world was engulfed in a raging storm. In his predicament, the Yellow Emperor summoned the Heavenly Maiden Ba for help. Upon Ba's arrival, the storm immediately ceased, and the Yellow Emperor thus defeated Chi You.
Although the Yellow Emperor won the war, the Heavenly Maiden Ba lost her magical powers and could no longer return to heaven. Worse still, she could not control her drought-inducing nature. Wherever she went, the land became arid, and rain ceased. Therefore, Shu Jun suggested to the Yellow Emperor that the Heavenly Maiden Ba be sent to live in the sparsely populated area north of the Red River.
Out of compassion for humanity, the Heavenly Maiden Ba moved to the desolate north of the Red River.
However, the Heavenly Maiden Ba eventually grew bored living north of the Red River, and she would occasionally go out for a stroll. But wherever she went, drought would follow, and people began to fear and hate her.
To avoid disaster, people could only pray that she would return to her home in the north and stop wandering around.
From then on, the Heavenly Maiden Ba was confined to her home by her own kindness and by the people of the world.
However, in the millions of years that followed, whenever large-scale droughts occurred in various places, people would still resent the goddess Ba, feeling that she was once again unable to bear the loneliness and came out to wreak havoc on the human world.
Thus, various methods for expelling the celestial maiden Ba came into being.
The Heavenly Maiden Ba was no longer called the Heavenly Maiden Ba, but was renamed Drought Demon by the world!
Standing on Sheng Wanwan's shoulder, Feng Que recounted the story of the drought demon from his inherited memories.
"I've heard this legend before. It's said that wherever the Heavenly Maiden Ba goes, the land turns barren for miles, vegetation withers, rivers dry up, and no one survives. So praying for rain is naturally useless."
Because of the existence of the drought demon, it's impossible for it to rain in this area, right?
Sheng Wanwan frowned and pondered.
"Theoretically, that should be the case, but it's just a legend after all. Nobody knows whether drought demons actually exist or whether this drought was caused by one. But Master, your rainmaking spell has failed, so there must be something fishy going on!"
Feng Que analyzed.
Sheng Wanwan nodded, indicating her agreement with its point of view.
“I also know some legends about drought demons!” Sheng Wenjin recalled and recounted the legends about drought demons he had heard in his previous life.
"After imprisoning herself for over a thousand years, the Heavenly Maiden Ba was born with a demonic spirit, and she became a demon ten thousand years ago. She was taken in by the Demon God as his first demon general."
Ten thousand years ago, gods and demons fought a great war, resulting in mutual destruction.
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