402: Chapter 402 The Land of Defeat

"Chen Xuan, Peak Revered Master of Butian Peak, Dao Seeking Sect."

"So it's the renowned Peak Master Chen. Seeing you today, the reputation is indeed well-deserved."

Immediately, a string of flattering words followed, making the onlookers speechless. But considering these people were from the Red Immortal Pavilion, it became somewhat understandable.

Dongfang Li interjected at the right moment, "Alright, let's put the small talk aside for now."

"Since we've had the rare fortune of meeting you all here, why don't we share some information with each other?"

The Red Immortal Pavilion members exchanged glances upon hearing this. The Blue-Skirted Woman, Cui Yao, pondered briefly before nodding slowly:

"That sounds excellent."

Being able to establish some connection with the Tiangong Pavilion was only beneficial, not harmful, for them.

The Sand-Devouring Rat that had been terrified earlier seemed to have regained its composure. Leading A-Qi, it slowly approached, its tone urgent: "You all should leave immediately! If you delay any longer, it will be a complete disaster!"

Hearing this, Cui Yao immediately frowned. "Our actions, what need is there for a beast like you to..."

As she spoke, spiritual power gathered in her palm—she actually intended to strike down this ungrateful creature. However, a glance from the corner of her eye at Chen Xuan's indifferent expression made her abruptly retract her palm force. Instantly, a smile appeared on her face, and her tone softened:

"There's no need for Fellow Daoist to remind us. You worry too much."

Mu Wanqing curled her lip disdainfully and immediately transmitted a voice message via heart-lake to Yun Xuanxuan: "This woman is such an actress. Could it be she has ill intentions toward our Revered Master?"

"Revered Master's aura is transcendent, his appearance handsome. It's not surprising if someone admires him," Yun Xuanxuan replied calmly, her tone betraying little emotion.

"Junior Sister, that may be so, but would you want to see someone like her trying to hook up with Revered Master?"

"Senior Sister worries too much."

"Revered Master hasn't even looked at her properly once from the start."

Yun Xuanxuan didn't want to dwell on the matter. In her heart, no woman she had encountered so far was worthy of her Revered Master.

Gu Yunshen's gaze fell on the leading Elder Sand-Devouring Rat. He said solemnly, "Tell us, why should we flee in such a panic?"

"Sigh, follow me, everyone. Allow me to explain the stakes slowly."

The Elder Sand-Devouring Rat sighed lightly, turned, and headed towards a relatively larger, crude hut not far away. Before leaving, it didn't forget to instruct the other Sand-Devouring Rats to quickly dispose of King Golden Tongue's corpse.

After everyone followed, it finally spoke:

Everyone followed closely. Once inside and settled, the Elder Sand-Devouring Rat slowly began, "This place is called the Withered Soul Desert, a Land of Defeat ruled by the Yao Race."

Land of Defeat?

Dongfang Li's eyelashes trembled slightly. Her gaze turned to A-Qi, who was still vigilantly guarding the entrance, and she said softly, "No wonder A-Qi kept repeating 'we lost' earlier."

The Elder Sand-Devouring Rat pointed to the left front. "You must have seen the town over there. That is Camel Bell Ferry. That King Golden Tongue just now came from there."

"You mean that mangy... that Demonic Beast toad?" Cui Yao's face was full of disgust as she couldn't help but interject.

Chen Xuan's eyes flickered slightly as he asked, "Why is it that some of you can speak the human tongue, while others seem... as if they've lost their minds?"

"Because it's been too long."

The Elder Sand-Devouring Rat sighed. "We've long forgotten how many years we've lived here, nor do we know why we were captured by the Yao Race. We only know that it seems we lost a fight and have been trapped here for generations."

"We don't even know what we were fighting for back then, or how we lost."

Its gaze swept over the people in the hut. "The Yao Race treats us like livestock. The slightest disobedience brings beatings and curses. Some of our kin, unable to endure the torment, gradually lose the will to live, and their minds slowly scatter. Those of us who can still remain clear-minded and speak the human tongue are merely clinging on by a thread of unwillingness and obsession."

After speaking, it raised a claw to point at A-Qi by the door. "A-Qi was once captured and taken to Camel Bell Ferry. He should know far more than I do. But judging by his current state, it seems..."

At this point, it sighed again.

Upon hearing this, Chen Xuan fell into thought. No wonder A-Qi was so resistant to going to Camel Bell Ferry earlier. That past experience must have left an extremely deep shadow in his heart. That fear is carved into his bones, becoming instinct.

Gu Yunshen stepped forward, his gaze sharp, and asked directly, "Are there any ferry boats in this area? Or are there large ferry boats in Camel Bell Ferry capable of long-distance travel?"

Upon hearing this, a trace of confusion flashed in the Elder Sand-Devouring Rat's turbid eyes before it slowly shook its head. "Ferry boats... If you mean small wooden boats for crossing rivers, you might still find a few by the waterways on the outskirts of Camel Bell Ferry. But they are dilapidated and hardly useful."

"As for large ferry boats..."

It paused, as if recalling something. "In the past... in the past, it seems there really was an extremely large ferry boat that appeared. I remember King Golden Tongue even sent many of our kin to scout the way at the time, but the outcome is unknown."

guixu immortal ferry boat!

Everyone's eyes lit up. They had finally obtained useful intelligence.

"When was 'in the past'? Where did that ferry boat appear?"

Unable to contain his urgency, Pavilion Master Shen pressed for details, afraid of missing even the slightest clue.

The Elder Sand-Devouring Rat shook its head. "Can't remember. It's been too many years, many things have blurred. More importantly, you all should flee this place quickly! These Yao Race beings despise the Human Race the most. If they discover King Golden Tongue is dead, there will certainly be no good outcome."

"Then why don't you hate the Human Race?" Xiao Lingxian suddenly threw out a questioning remark.

"Why?"

The Elder Sand-Devouring Rat looked up blankly, its turbid eyes filled with confusion.

Right, why? Why, upon seeing the Human Race, does an inexplicable sense of familiarity arise, an instinctive desire to help? This thought comes without reason yet is deeply rooted.

Suddenly, A-Qi at the door let out a sharp screech. He clutched his head, staggered, his body swaying unsteadily, and squeezed out a few broken words:

"Today... we... die here, only so that... can stand in the world..."

Before the words finished, he thudded to the ground, rolling in pain.

"A-Qi!"

The Elder Sand-Devouring Rat's heart tightened, and it hurriedly rushed forward to check. Seeing this scene, Cui Yao couldn't help but frown, feeling these two creatures were nothing but trouble.

However, Gu Yunshen's expression turned grave. Bringing two fingers together in a seal, he sent a gentle stream of spiritual power toward A-Qi. After probing for a moment, he said solemnly, "His Divine Soul is like porcelain covered in cracks, eroded by wind and frost, extremely fragile. But there's no immediate danger to his life."

Yun Xuanxuan hesitated for a moment, then took out a blue porcelain jade bottle from her Storage Pouch and turned to look at Chen Xuan:

"Revered Master..."

Chen Xuan gave a slight nod, silently approving his Disciple's action.

The next moment!

The next moment, everyone saw A-Qi, who had been clutching his head in agony, suddenly convulse all over. His body curled into a ball, looking as if he had been poisoned, making the Elder Sand-Devouring Rat's heart clench, almost prompting it to question them.

But in an instant, A-Qi's limbs abruptly splayed out. His breathing steadied, and the aura around him gradually calmed, clearly indicating he was fine.

Only then did the Elder Sand-Devouring Rat heave a sigh of relief!

Seeing this, Gu Yunshen said in a deep voice, "Since we've obtained a clue about the guixu immortal ferry boat, let's hurry to Camel Bell Ferry."

"We might as well see for ourselves what abilities the Yao Race ruling over this Withered Soul Desert possess."

Cui Yao turned to Dongfang Li and the others, a gentle, graceful smile appearing on her face. "Several Pavilion Revered Masters, since we have the intelligence, we shall take our leave here. Until we meet again."

After speaking, she specifically turned to Chen Xuan, performed a slight bow with her hands folded in her sleeves, her smile blooming like a flower.

"Farewell, Young Master Chen."

In Secret Realms, competition and cooperation always coexisted. Now that the core intelligence was in hand, it was naturally time to act separately based on one's own abilities, with none willing to fall behind.

After the group of women from the Red Immortal Pavilion left, Chen Xuan and his party also set off to continue their journey.

Only the two Sand-Devouring Rats remained in the crude hut.

At that moment, A-Qi on the ground suddenly opened his eyes. His gaze was no longer confused but shone with an unprecedented determination. His voice was hoarse yet firm and powerful:

"Today we fight to the death here, only so that future generations may stand firm in the world, free from the trampling of the Yao scourge!"