110: Stormy Desolation, First Encounter with the Snake People

Thousands of miles of yellow earth, wind and sand assailed their faces.

Li Ao and Medusa flew through the air at an extremely fast speed, and the desolate mountains below swept backward like a yellowish-brown tide. This region, known as the "Barren Domain," had thin Spiritual Qi and scarce resources, far less prosperous than the Central Plains, and even inferior to the Northwest Continent.

During the flight, Li Ao was also constantly sensing the Heaven and Earth energy and Laws. Although this place was desolate, the Heaven and Earth Laws seemed more primitive and direct, subtly touching him as he comprehended the "returning to nothingness" and "returning to Origin" aspects of the Annihilation Rule.

Medusa, on the other hand, was more focused on sensing the faint Bloodline aura of snakes in the air. After fusing with the heavenly serpent emperor's reverse scale, her perception of homologous Bloodlines became extremely acute.

"A thousand miles ahead, there's a gathering place with a slightly stronger Bloodline aura, indicating Snake-People Clan activity," Medusa suddenly spoke, her purple eyes looking into the distance.

"Snake-People Clan?" Li Ao raised an eyebrow. To encounter Medusa's kin in such a remote place? This might be an opportunity to gather information, or even obtain help.

The two accelerated, and in less than half an hour, a crude city built on several connected stone mountains appeared at the end of their vision. The city was constructed from yellow earth and giant stones, with a rough style, and vaguely visible figures with snake tails patrolled the city walls.

As they approached, a smell mixed with sand, sweat, and a faint fishy odor drifted on the wind. At the city gate, Snake-People guards held bone spears, most of them at the Dou Master or Great Dou Master level, vigilantly scrutinizing the two figures descending from the sky.

When their gaze fell upon Medusa's incredibly solid Soul body, radiating an indescribable nobility and majesty, all the Snake-People guards were stunned. Immediately, a surge of excitement and reverence, originating from the depths of their Bloodline, washed over their hearts like a tide!

Although Medusa had restrained most of her aura, the Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python Origin, sublimated by the heavenly serpent emperor's reverse scale, was like a commoner encountering an emperor to these ordinary Snake-People—an absolute suppression at the life level!

"Thump!" "Thump!"

The guards involuntarily knelt, their bodies trembling slightly, not daring to raise their heads. They could only speak in trembling voices: "We... we don't know which esteemed adult of the Upper Clan has graced us with your presence... Blackrock City has failed to welcome you, please forgive us!"

They didn't even dare to inquire about Li Ao's identity, only feeling that anyone accompanying this "Upper Clan adult" must also be an extraordinary existence.

Medusa's gaze swept indifferently over her kin, not showing the slightest emotion at their prostrations. In her eyes, these thinly blooded Barren Domain Snake-People were no different in essence from her clansmen in the Tagor Desert, just more... impoverished.

"Rise," her clear, cold voice rang out, carrying an unquestionable authority. "This King is passing through and needs to rest and gather some information."

"Yes! Yes! Adult, please follow this humble one! Lord City Lord will surely greet you personally!" The guard captain hurriedly stood up, bowed, and led the way, his attitude extremely respectful.

Li Ao and Medusa followed the guards into the city. The interior of the city looked even more dilapidated than from the outside. Both sides of the streets were lined with low stone houses, and most of the passing Snake-People looked sallow and had low cultivation levels. Sensing the unconscious Bloodline pressure emanating from Medusa, all the Snake-People retreated in terror to the sides of the road, prostrating themselves on the ground, not daring to look directly.

Soon, the news reached the City Lord's Mansion.

A middle-aged Snake-Person, clad in worn leather armor, with a weathered face, and a cultivation level of roughly Five-Star Dou Wang, rushed out with several of his trusted subordinates. When he saw Medusa, his reaction was identical to that of the guards, even more excited and reverent!

"Mo Ba Si, the City Lord of Blackrock City, greets the adult of the Upper Clan!" The City Lord, named Mo Ba Si, knelt on one knee, his voice filled with excitement and trepidation. He had never felt such a pure, such a noble Snake Clan Bloodline pressure; this was definitely a great figure from the Bloodline Origin!

"Rise and speak," Medusa slightly raised her hand. "Find a quiet place."

"Yes! Adult, please follow me!" Mo Ba Si quickly stood up and personally led the two to the cleanest stone reception room in the City Lord's Mansion, dismissing everyone else.

"May I ask, Adult, what instructions you have for gracing my remote little city with your presence?" Mo Ba Si kept his posture extremely low, asking cautiously. He secretly glanced at Li Ao beside her, and sensing the unfathomable aura within him, his heart grew even more solemn.

Li Ao spoke, "We have just arrived in the Barren Domain and do not understand this place well. We wish to inquire about the situation from City Lord Mo Ba Si."

"Senior, please speak, Mo Ba Si will tell you everything he knows!" Mo Ba Si quickly bowed respectfully to Li Ao as well.

"Where in the Barren Domain is this place? What forces are around? Have there been any unusual occurrences recently? Especially... news about Soul bodies, or the appearance of unfamiliar strong individuals?" Li Ao asked.

Mo Ba Si collected his thoughts and respectfully replied, "Replying to Senior, this place is the eastern part of the Barren Domain. Our Blackrock City is under the jurisdiction of the 'Stone Python Tribe.' The entire Barren Domain is mainly controlled by three major tribes: the 'Sand Lizard Tribe,' the 'Stone Python Tribe,' and the strongest, the 'Flame Scorpion Tribe.' All three major tribes have Dou Huang experts guarding them, and they constantly fight among themselves, vying for the scarce resources and water sources of the Barren Domain."

He paused, then continued, "As for unusual occurrences... In the past six months, there have indeed been some strange things. Occasionally, some mysterious Black Robed Men appear in the Barren Domain, seemingly searching for something, their movements secretive. Their strength is very high, at least at the Dou Wang level, and the three major tribes dare not easily provoke them. A few days ago, it is said that a brief but intense battle broke out in the territory of the Flame Scorpion Tribe, with extremely strong energy fluctuations, suspected to be Dou Zong engaging in combat. After that, those Black Robed Men disappeared."

Black Robed Men? Searching? Dou Zong fighting?

Li Ao and Medusa exchanged glances, understanding. The Hall of Souls' reach had indeed extended here! And their actions were so swift!

"Do those Black Robed Men have any characteristics?" Li Ao pressed.

"Characteristics... They all carry a cold, sinister aura that makes people very uncomfortable. Moreover, they seem to be... collecting powerful Souls. Several of our tribe's hunting parties went missing mysteriously, and only some dried corpses with their Souls drained were left at the scene..." Mo Ba Si's voice trailed off, tinged with fear.

It was indeed the Hall of Souls! After their failure in the Savage Ancient Domain, they immediately expanded their search area, not even sparing remote places like the Barren Domain!

"Besides these Black Robed Men, is there any other news about Medicinal Pills, especially Heaven And Earth Treasures that have miraculous effects on Souls or Bloodlines?" Li Ao changed his line of questioning. Although the main ingredient for the heavenly soul merging blood pill was obtained, the auxiliary ingredients were also extremely rare.

Mo Ba Si pondered for a moment, his eyes suddenly lighting up: "Yes! Approximately three months from now, in Quicksand City, in the center of the Barren Domain, a 'Barren Domain Grand Market' will be held, once every ten years. At that time, the three major tribes and all surrounding forces will participate, exchanging their needed materials. I heard that a thousand-year 'blood soul branch' might appear at this Grand Market. This item has miraculous effects on nourishing the Soul and strengthening Qi and Blood. It is said that the Flame Scorpion Tribe regards it as a supreme treasure and intends to exchange it for urgently needed materials at the Grand Market."

"blood soul branch?" Li Ao's heart stirred. This was precisely an important auxiliary ingredient for refining the heavenly soul merging blood pill! Although not as rare as the blood essence demon fruit, it was also something rarely encountered outside.

"Quicksand City... Barren Domain Grand Market..." Li Ao silently noted it down. It seemed necessary to make a trip to this Grand Market.

After inquiring about some more details regarding the geography and forces of the Barren Domain, Li Ao and Medusa decided to stay in the City Lord's Mansion for a few days. On one hand, to digest the information obtained from this trip, and on the other hand, Li Ao also needed to start Alchemy to refine some Medicinal Pills for Medusa to stabilize her Soul and nourish her Origin, laying a solid foundation for her future Physical Body reconstruction.

Mo Ba Si naturally wished for these two "great figures" to stay for a few more days, immediately arranging the best rooms and offering the best medicinal herbs and food that could be collected in the city.

However, on the second night after Li Ao and Medusa moved into the City Lord's Mansion, an unexpected change occurred!

A powerful aura, without any warning, appeared above Blackrock City, carrying undisguised arrogance and killing intent!

"Mo Ba Si! Get out here, you scoundrel! You dared to harm people from my Sand Lizard Tribe, today I will make your Blackrock City flow with blood!"

The booming voice, like thunder, instantly awakened the entire city!

Li Ao and Medusa simultaneously opened their eyes, their gazes piercing through the stone walls, looking up at the night sky.

Under the moonlight, a burly man wearing yellow leather armor, with a ferocious face and a huge lizard tail, stood in the air. His aura had actually reached the Two-Star Dou Huang level! Behind him, more than ten strong individuals from the Sand Lizard Tribe followed, all of them at the Dou Wang level!

Trouble, it had come knocking on their door.

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