Chapter 12: Contact with the Caravan (Major Revision)

[Your Majesty, the caravan has arrived.]

Chi Yixuan muttered, “Only now? These people are a little slow!”

[One of their companions was harassed by sandworms and urgently needs treatment.]

In order to earn points, Chi Yixuan had spent the past few days studying his own territory and the surrounding terrain inside and out. How could he not know what sandworms were?

Strictly speaking, sandworms were not insects. They were a kind of plant. A plant that could run around and bite people. But since immortal cultivation already existed, there was nothing particularly strange about plants being able to dance.

It was said that this plant had originally been no different from ordinary plants, but after this land rapidly desertified, they could not adapt to the environment and withered and died off in great swathes. That lasted until some of them mutated, discarded their stems and leaves, detached their roots from the soil, and learned to twist and travel through sand. Since their roots looked like tiny insects with several legs, the people first attacked by them mistakenly thought they were bugs, and so they gained the name sandworms.

Sandworms were plants after all. Although they had learned to move, they were not as nimble or swift as true animals. They often lay dormant in the sand, and their tiny, light roots would take flight along with sandstorms, seizing the opportunity to burrow into human bodies, bite through skin, and draw blood as food. Sandworms that had drunk their fill of blood would turn red, then split into new individuals within seven days.

This was how they reproduced.

Although there was no evidence, Chi Yixuan strongly suspected that sandworms had formed under the influence of the nearby Sea of Suffering Path. He also suspected that the reason they chose to suck human blood was because they could not compete with mystic armor beetles. Their roots could not drill through mystic armor beetle shells.

In this cruel world of immortal cultivation, every living thing had to choose a reliable partner. The cacti chose mystic armor beetles. Sandworms had nothing else to eat, so they could only go after humans. They usually moved only at night, which was why Strange Treasure Hall transported human sacrifices only during the day and never stayed overnight.

At first, when Chi Yixuan still did not know about sandworms, he had simply followed Strange Treasure Hall’s example and cautiously refused to let his people travel at night. It was a good thing he had not allowed it back then. Otherwise, his subordinates probably would have found his ignorance of sandworms very strange.

[The caravan is here. The materials produced by the Artifact Refining Workshop can finally be sold. Would you like to go out and take a look?]

Chi Yixuan had already stood up, but when he heard the life-bound artifact say that, he sat back down.

“I’m the boss. How can I personally step forward for every little thing? I’ll watch from behind the scenes first.” The main point was that he was unfamiliar with this world. The more he said, the more mistakes he might make. Staying behind the scenes was different. He could adjust his strategy in time through the life-bound artifact’s real-time monitoring. If his subordinates could handle it, that would save him a lot of trouble. If they could not, he would step in and resolve it.

The area marked “Zhaoge” on the game map enlarged without limit, revealing the real-time scene outside.

…

Once Luo Yanxing and the others confirmed that the “Zhaoge” that had suddenly appeared in the desert was not an illusion, they were wild with joy. This meant they could save their companion’s life and would not have to risk spending the night in the wilderness.

But just as she was about to go forward, an old man in the caravan suddenly stopped her.

Luo Yanxing immediately halted. “Uncle Qi, is something wrong?”

Uncle Qi was an old hand in the trading company. His wilderness experience was seasoned, and over the years, more than half of the caravan’s trade routes had been opened up with his help. Because of that, he was greatly respected.

Uncle Qi said, “Because of the Sea of Suffering Path, this desert is sparsely populated. We only took this route out of necessity. What kind of person would live here? Look again carefully…”

Uncle Qi pointed toward “Zhaoge.” The stone-paved path on the ground was clearly new, and beside the lanterns under the signboard, a few moths were fluttering back and forth.

Any traveler who had lost their way in the desert night would not be able to resist approaching when they saw this road and those lights. Luo Yanxing had only been anxious to save someone earlier, but now, after Uncle Qi’s reminder, a faint sweat immediately broke out across her forehead.

Did this place not look exactly like a flame meant to lure moths? If they rashly rushed forward, perhaps they would end up like moths as well, burning to death in the fire.

At that moment, the assistant who had been invaded by sandworms let out a weak moan. His face also quickly turned deathly pale, which meant that quite a few sandworms had burrowed into him. Once more than half his blood was sucked away, he would be beyond saving.

The companions surrounding him were both worried and furious. “You really were possessed by a dung beetle and insisted on courting death! Of all things to sell, why did you have to sell your armor?”

“If you die here this time, you’ll have brought it on yourself!”

That assistant had only taken a chance for a moment. He truly had not expected to end up like this. He cried, “I really had no choice. My mother is sick and needs Spirit-Replenishing Pills.”

At those words, everyone fell silent for a moment. Spirit-Replenishing Pills were low-grade mystic-tier pills, spiritual pills cultivators commonly kept on hand. When used on mortals, they could cure all illnesses and extend lifespan. Many terminal illnesses among mortals could be treated with a few Spirit-Replenishing Pills. Even if the person could not fully recover, they could still drag things out for another ten years or so. If they continued taking them, it was common enough for them to live out their natural lifespan and reach a hundred years old.

But for mortals, Spirit-Replenishing Pills were truly too expensive. An ordinary family might not be able to buy even one pill after bankrupting themselves.

They had originally thought this assistant had sold off his armor for petty profit. They had not expected there to be such circumstances behind it. Even the most irritable among them could not keep scolding him, because they knew that if they themselves encountered such a situation, they might not make a better choice. After all, when walking through the desert, one might not necessarily be unlucky enough to encounter sandworms, but a relative’s life could be saved with just one pill.

Luo Yanxing and Uncle Qi naturally heard those words as well. Luo Yanxing wanted to go and investigate “Zhaoge,” but Uncle Qi pressed her down with one hand.

Uncle Qi’s eyes narrowed slightly, yet his nose twitched rapidly several times like an animal’s. Then he opened his eyes and said in a low voice, “This old man smelled it. The scent of medicinal herbs and pills.”

Under Luo Yanxing’s astonished gaze, he continued, “There is an alchemy room inside. At the very least, it has high-grade Blood-Replenishing Pills and Qi-Replenishing Pills.”

Blood-Replenishing Pills and Qi-Replenishing Pills were both yellow-tier pills, and they were also among the pills they had prepared for this journey across the desert. Of course, the ones they had prepared were all low-grade Blood-Replenishing Pills and Qi-Replenishing Pills, and they had lost them in the previous sandstorm. Yet now, Uncle Qi had smelled high-grade pills in that valley.

Luo Yanxing’s gaze flickered slightly. She understood Uncle Qi’s meaning.

If it was only to save one assistant, Uncle Qi would definitely not be willing to let the caravan take the risk. But the pills inside were worth everyone taking that risk once. When the time came, that assistant could also be saved.

After a brief discussion, Luo Yanxing led the caravan along the stone path toward “Zhaoge.”

…

Qiu Ping’an was sitting at the valley entrance, dozing.

Although the Immortal Master had not given any extra instructions, they very consciously assigned people to guard the valley entrance every night. First, they were worried that some slave might not know what was good for them, run out, and get their blood sucked dry by sandworms. Second, they had to guard against outsiders.

Every night, three people took turns guarding the valley entrance. It happened to be Qiu Ping’an’s turn to doze off. Who would have thought that just as he closed his eyes for a moment, he would be pushed awake by his companion? Qiu Ping’an thought his companion was shirking, and was just about to curse when he heard the other man shush him. “Outsiders are here.”

Qiu Ping’an jolted fully awake. He said in a low voice, “Go call Brother Ma and Brother Guo over.”

That menial worker also understood and immediately turned to look for them. None of them wanted to disturb the Immortal Master, so naturally they went to fetch cultivators who had entered the Dao like Ma Hongxuan and Guo Qianshan to hold the line.

Qiu Ping’an stood up and went to meet the newcomers.

Qiu Ping’an had originally been timid and unable to take responsibility, but over the past two days, he had not only been responsible for dealing with the steward from Strange Treasure Hall who transported human sacrifices, he also had to lead the other menial workers in managing a group of slaves. Somehow, he had actually developed a somewhat slick personality. Compared to before, he was practically a completely different person. Qiu Ping’an felt that since he had improved so much, it must be the protection granted by the palm the Immortal Master had placed on him that day!

Qiu Ping’an stood at the valley entrance, his body positioned beneath the center of the signboard that read “Zhaoge.” After quickly counting the number of outsiders, he asked, “Who are you people? What are you here for?”

The group that appeared outside the valley had more than thirty people. All of them were wrapped in robes that shielded them from wind and sand, and their faces were covered with protective lenses, making it impossible to tell their age or gender. Qiu Ping’an saw that the horses they led were carrying plenty of bags and boxes, and judged that this was a caravan.

A caravan? The Immortal Master had said that if a caravan passed by, they could sell them the armor plates produced by the Artifact Refining Workshop.

As Qiu Ping’an calculated this in his heart, the leader of the caravan spoke. It was a woman.

“We are people from Swift Wind Trading Company. One of our assistants has been afflicted by sandworms. We would like to ask for a place to treat his injuries.”

As Luo Yanxing spoke, the hand hidden under her robe had already pressed against the dagger tied at her waist, ready to fight at any moment. Everyone behind her was also fully on guard, prepared for a crowd of killers to surge out of this inexplicably appearing place.

Their caravan had traveled far and wide, and who knew how many black inns they had encountered? That they had lived until now relied not only on caution, but also on their own martial force, because their entire caravan was made up of cultivators.

Cultivators were mortals who had summoned life-bound artifacts and entered the Dao to cultivate. Although they were not immortal cultivators, they were still far stronger than ordinary mortals. As long as they were not ambushed, if they really had to fight, they might not necessarily fear the other side.

They had never considered the possibility that there might be immortal cultivators inside. After all, the Easternmost Continent was a place with poor spiritual energy. To immortal cultivators, it was a poor countryside backwater. Very few immortal cultivators would remain in the Easternmost Continent. Running into an immortal cultivator by chance in the Easternmost Continent was even less likely than meat pies falling from the sky.

What Luo Yanxing and the others did not expect was that after the suspected guard finished listening, he simply raised his hand and invited them in.

“Be careful. The more they act like this, the more we have to guard against traps,” Uncle Qi whispered in her ear.

Luo Yanxing nodded to show she understood, then had people carry the assistant carefully into “Zhaoge.”

As soon as they entered, they saw the Medical Workshop near the valley entrance.

Now that they were closer, there was no need for Uncle Qi to remind her. Luo Yanxing also smelled waves of medicinal fragrance coming from that direction. This medicinal fragrance was different from other places. Simply smelling it made her feel some of the exhaustion on her body fade away. Luo Yanxing and Uncle Qi exchanged a glance, and both understood that this Medical Workshop was extraordinary.

Sandworms needed to move through loose sand and were afraid of firelight. Many fires had been lit in this valley, and the ground was also flat and firm. If not for the group of unknown people here, this place really would be very suitable for treating wounds and spending the night.

Luo Yanxing, Uncle Qi, and the others kept watch on the people in the valley, while several others swiftly stripped off the assistant’s clothes, pulled the sandworms from his body one by one, and threw them into the fire, where they turned to ash.

But that alone was not enough. The assistant had lost too much blood. If he did not take a Blood-Replenishing Pill soon, he probably would not live through the night.

Luo Yanxing swept her gaze over their surroundings. She saw that several more people had appeared beside the guard who had just let them in. All of them were cultivators around the middle tier! They were looking at them, their gazes dark beneath the night, and from time to time, they whispered to each other, like a pack of wolves discussing how to divide them up and eat them.

Luo Yanxing and the others tensed all over, warning bells blaring in their hearts.

On the other side, Ma Hongxuan, Guo Qianshan, and the others were speaking quietly.

Guo Qianshan said, “Since they are from Swift Wind Trading Company, they should be able to afford this deal.”

Ma Hongxuan said, “Swift Wind Trading Company is said to have a good reputation, but its assets are far from comparable to Strange Treasure Hall’s.”

Qiu Ping’an said, “Strange Treasure Hall does have immortal cultivators holding the fort, after all.”

Ma Hongxuan said, “But don’t they have someone injured? Why aren’t they buying medicine from us? Should we take the initiative?”

Guo Qianshan shook his head. “Although I’ve never done business, I do know one saying: rushing forward doesn’t make a sale.”

Qiu Ping’an clapped his hands. “No matter what, this is a task the Immortal Master gave us. This deal must be completed today. Otherwise, how are we supposed to support this whole valley of people?”

These days, they had been eating either cacti or wild beasts they hunted outside, but they could not keep living like this forever.

Guo Qianshan said, “None of us have met people from Swift Wind Trading Company before. Whether they are real or fake is just based on their word. Besides, this caravan is almost entirely made up of cultivators. If they harbor ill intentions…”

Qiu Ping’an snorted. “There are so many of us in Zhaoge. Are we supposed to be afraid of them?”

Ma Hongxuan said gently, “There is no need to be afraid, but it would be bad if too great a disturbance broke out.”

That was right! They absolutely could not disturb the Immortal Master!

This thought flashed through everyone’s minds one after another. They were all people who had received guidance from the Immortal Master. If they ended up at a disadvantage in a fight, would that not disappoint the Immortal Master?

For a moment, their wariness toward that caravan also rose to its peak.

Chi Yixuan, watching from a distance: …

“Pfft!” He could not help laughing. In the end, the more he laughed, the harder it became to stop. Finally, he clutched his stomach, fell onto the bed, and rolled back and forth.

[Are you very happy? Why?]

After the life-bound artifact asked him this, Chi Yixuan instead did not know how to laugh anymore. So he climbed up from the bed and said, “Probably because the way they’re both wary of each other gives me the illusion that I’m watching a funny short-video compilation!”

[Are you missing your hometown again?]

Chi Yixuan instinctively wanted to deny it again, but after thinking about it, he felt there was no point. If he still hid things and swallowed his words in front of his own life-bound artifact, how boring would life be? He sprawled listlessly in front of the table. “Yeah. After all, this place doesn’t even have food delivery.”

He glanced toward the game panel, then suddenly straightened and let out an eh. “They actually broke the ice?” After all, Chi Yixuan had a God’s-eye view. Through the life-bound artifact, he had clearly seen what happened on the caravan’s side, so naturally he knew they had no ill intentions. That was also why Chi Yixuan had tacitly allowed Qiu Ping’an to let them in.

But the caravan did not know any of this. All they knew was that a village had suddenly appeared in the desert, and that it even seemed like a trap deliberately luring people inside. Under these circumstances, their willingness to trade first actually put them under no small amount of pressure.

Chi Yixuan looked more carefully and finally discovered that the assistant’s breathing had already grown weaker and weaker. The caravan was urgently seeking a trade in order to save him. He said to the life-bound artifact, “They value the companions around them this much. Whatever else can be said, the people of this caravan at least pass in terms of character.”

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