"That's true. The Northern Frost Celestial Realm is getting more and more restless." Han Li's expression was calm as usual as he followed the female cultivator's words.
"May I be so bold as to ask why esteemed guest has come to Elemental Desolation City?" asked the female cultivator.
"To tell you the truth, I want to go to the Barbarian Domain and I plan to leave the city tomorrow." Han Li thought for a while and said.
Are you going with someone? "The female cultivator seemed a little surprised. She stopped and asked.
"I don't have a partner. I'm used to traveling alone." Han Li shook his head and said.
"Please forgive me for speaking out of turn. I don't mean to offend you. It's just that … with Honored Guest's cultivation, if you were to leave the city alone, it would be no different from feeding a tiger with your body and throwing yourself into a wolf's embrace," the female cultivator said as she bowed slightly.
"What do you mean by that?
Is there any great danger outside the city? "Han Li was puzzled.
"Esteemed guest, you may not know this, but outside Elemental Desolation City is a boundless sea of sand that is millions of kilometers wide, and it is filled with bottomless quicksand pits. Not to mention pedestrians, even desert beasts that live in other places are unable to survive here.
Unless you take the large ferry in the city, you can reach the Barbarian Continent on the other side. "The female cultivator explained.
"Since it's impossible to travel by land, cultivators can travel by air. Is there any danger in the air?" Han Li's expression didn't change at all as he asked.
He hadn't seen the danger of the sea of sand with his own eyes, so he didn't pay too much attention to it.
"Not to mention a True Immortal cultivator, even a Golden Immortal cultivator wouldn't dare to fly into that area of the sea of sand.
We are close to the Barbarian Domain. Since the last war in Yuan Huang City, there have been very few fierce beasts appearing in Yuan Huang City. However, there are often powerful wild creatures wandering in the sea of sand. Once targeted, even a True Immortal late stage cultivator will often end up very miserable. "The female cultivator continued.
Han Li heard her tone and knew that she wasn't exaggerating. He frowned a little.
"Apart from that, even if you're lucky enough to avoid being attacked by Ferocious Beasts, there are still many mirages and illusions of the desert waiting for you.
If one got lost, if one was lucky, they might have a chance to return to Elemental Desolation City after a few hundred years.
If your luck is bad, I'm afraid... "The female cultivator hesitated, but the meaning behind her words was clear.
"May I know where I can take the ferry that Miss mentioned?" Han Li asked after pondering for a while.
"The West City Gate's Fire Beacon Fortress is the ferry pier. However, this kind of ferry only leaves twice a year. You've come just in time. There is still half a month before the next ferry leaves." The female cultivator replied after thinking for a moment.
"There's still one thing I don't understand.
If cultivators enter the sea of sand, they will easily be attacked. If so, won't a ferry filled with cultivators attract more ferocious beasts? "Han Li asked, feeling puzzled.
"Esteemed guest, you may not know this.
These Sand Sea Ferries are made by the city lord's mansion. It is said that there are some special mechanisms that outsiders don't know about. They can conceal the aura of the entire ship, making it impossible for wild creatures to detect them. "The female cultivator replied.
"So, if I take this ferry, I can safely reach the other side?" Han Li slightly raised his eyebrows.
"Honored guest must be joking. There is no such thing as foolproof.
In fact, eight years ago, there was an accident on the ferry. It was ambushed by a True Spirit Beast and sank into the sea of sand. There were heavy casualties. "The female cultivator said with a wry smile.
"Since the ferry can conceal its aura, why would it be ambushed by the Ferocious Beasts?" Han Li asked with some surprise.
As they spoke, the two bypassed a Nine Dragon Shadow Wall and arrived at the rear courtyard.
"It is said that a True Immortal Realm Desolate Hunter cultivator killed a nest of young Nine-eyed Suanni in a previous desolate hunting operation, which angered the True Immortal Realm Nine-eyed Suanni that went out at that time. It smelled the aura of the cultivator's bloodline from the blood in the nest, so it caused the disaster later." The female cultivator in the palace dress pushed aside the branches of an ancient tree that stretched over, walked over, and continued to speak.
"Desolate Hunter cultivators? Are they cultivators who enter the Desolate Domain to hunt strange beasts?" Han Li asked.
Hunting strange beasts is indeed a part of the goal of desolate hunter cultivators, but it is not the only goal.
Collecting strange flowers and plants growing in the Desolate Domain, excavating some spirit ores and gems is also one of their goals. "The female cultivator continued.
Han Li stopped and asked, "In that case, countless cultivators must've entered the primordial realm over the years. Are there any maps of the primordial realm? Even if they're incomplete, I'd be happy to oblige."
If you go to the shops these days, you must be careful. Those who sell maps of the Desolate Domain, ten out of ten are liars. "The female cultivator also stopped and shook her head.
"Why is that?" Han Li was puzzled.
"Over the years, there are indeed countless cultivators who have entered the Desolate Domain, but their range of activities is very limited. Those who really dare to go deep into the Desolate Domain and come back alive are almost all high-level Immortals above the Golden Immortal Realm.
But according to legend, those who can cross the Desolate Domain and reach the neighboring Black Mountain Immortal Domain can only be at the Grand Unity Immortal Realm or above.
How few of such people are there?
How many people can draw a map and circulate it? "The female cultivator smiled and said.
"Yes, in that case, there really won't be a real map circulating." Han Li continued to walk forward and nodded.
"Noble guest, you must have a yearning for the Desolate Domain, so you came to Yuan Huang City, right?
When the time comes, you can move around in those areas that have already been explored. I think you will also gain some good fortune, "The female cultivator said with a graceful smile.
The chatting along the way didn't feel long, and the two soon arrived in front of a courtyard in the B grade garden.
Han Li swept his gaze around and discovered that the courtyard was split into three sections. Outside of the main building, there was a wing on each side of the courtyard, with a small garden in the middle. There were some brightly-colored immortal herbs growing there, but they were all quite young.
The female cultivator took out a piece of blue jade card with the words "Rain Listening Pavilion" written on it and waved it in the air.
A restriction formation enshrouding the courtyard was immediately dispelled, and a fragrant scent wafted out from within the courtyard. Two graceful figures in servant attire emerged from within before extending respectful bows toward Han Li and Bi'er.
"These maidservants are female cultivators at the Core Formation Stage, and their bodies are pure.
If the esteemed guest takes a liking to them, then bestow them with some good fortune. Tonight, it will be a fortunate event for them on their path to immortality. If they don't take a liking to them, then let them make tea, sweep the floor, and do some other chores. "The female cultivator handed over the jade card and said.
"No need. I'm used to being alone, so there's no need to serve me." Han Li took the jade card and lightly said.
A hint of disappointment flashed through the eyes of the two beautiful maidservants, who were in no way inferior to the female cultivator in palatial robes, but they didn't dare to say anything.
"Then they don't have good fortune.
Noble guest, please rest for a moment. The banquet will soon be delivered. "The female cultivator's expression didn't change in the slightest as she spoke with a smile.
"Then I'll have to trouble you." Han Li raised his hand and tossed a brocade pouch to the female cultivator.
The female cultivator caught it and put her hand in her sleeve. Suddenly, her expression changed. She was pleasantly surprised, but then she said with a bit of fear, "Noble guest, you are treating me so generously that I feel ashamed.
Why don't we change to another first-class guest courtyard for our esteemed guest? "
"There's no need. This place is fine. You can all leave." Han Li waved his hand and entered the courtyard.
The female cultivator was stunned for a moment. Then, her lips curled into a smile. She took out a top quality spirit stone from the pouch and carefully examined it. Then, she glanced at the two maidservants and sighed, "You two still don't have enough good fortune."
The two maidservants were filled with regret and sorrow.
The next day, Han Li woke up early and left the Misty Garden.
Jin Tong rested for a night and was now full of energy. He followed behind Han Li and ran a few laps around the street. His hands were full of all kinds of delicacies.
"Uncle, are we leaving now?" Jin Tong bit a meat bun in his mouth and asked reluctantly.
"I'm not in a hurry." Han Li noncommittally replied and walked towards the western gate. Soon, he arrived at the ferry at the western gate.
Jin Tong tilted his head and asked, "Uncle, what are we doing here?"
"Wait here for me for a while."
Han Li said to Jin Tong and walked toward a nearby black building. After a while, he came out with a black talisman in his hand. There was a picture of a large ship carved on it.
Jin Tong grabbed the talisman and asked curiously, "What is this …"
With that said, Han Li gave a rough explanation of the ferry to Jin Tong.
"Uncle, it's not that I want to say this, but with our strength, why would we need to take a ferry? Wouldn't it be faster to just fly there?" Jin Tong curled his lips and said disapprovingly.
"We have just arrived in the desolate world. It is better to be cautious. Moreover, there is a ferry that can cross the sea of sand. It would be a waste not to take it," Han Li said with a faint smile.
Jin Tong tilted his head and thought for a moment. Then, he shook his head and no longer thought about it. He lowered his head and enjoyed the food in his hand.
Han Li put away the ferry ticket and walked toward the bustling street in the city.
Although he had many elixirs and other items with him, most of them were looted from the storage devices of Gongshu Jiu and the others. They might not be useful to him. After all, crossing the desolate world was full of dangers. He needed to make some preparations.
Moreover, this city was close to the desolate world. There must be many unique materials of the desolate world in the city. It was worth a visit.
However, Elemental Desolation City was very large. Many places had restrictions that prevented the divine sense from exploring. It would take a lot of time to wander around blindly.
Han Li walked into a nearby grocery store and bought a book that introduced Elemental Desolation City. He quickly flipped through it and gained a general understanding of the situation in the city.
He put away the book and continued to walk forward. Soon, he arrived at a bustling area in the inner city.
This place was very different from other places. It was a huge white jade plaza.
With the White Jade Plaza as the center, there were close to a hundred wide streets nearby, spreading out in all directions.
A white palace was suspended in the air above the plaza. It was as white as jade.
Countless large white talisman characters were hovering around the palace. They emitted bursts of white light that shrouded the white jade plaza and the surrounding streets.