Chapter 126 - 126: Hunting Outside the City, Hidden Dangers Lurk
In Dream Ruins City.
“Is it daytime now?” “Lu Xuan” looked up at the sky, his consciousness residing within the wooden figure, controlling its movements. The experience was somewhat like playing in virtual reality. However, Lu Xuan’s soul was powerful enough to multitask, controlling the wooden figure while still conversing with Cheng Lingzhu in reality.
He observed this world. In Dream Ruins City, there was no sun in sight. The sky was a deep grey, with the brightness of the day even dimmer than twilight in the Archean Eon Realm.
“Yes… Senior Gong Gong,” He Zhao responded, squatting down and mimicking the communication style of the other members in the Immortal Tomb.
Dream Ruins City’s “daytime” was just like this.
Lu Xuan lightly hopped onto He Zhao’s shoulder. “When are you leaving the
“In another half ‘Xu time,”‘ He Zhao estimated.
‘Xu time’ was the unit of time measurement in the Dream Ruins. One Xu time was equivalent to half an hour, and half a Xu time was about the duration of burning an incense stick.
“Take us around the city,” Lu Xuan suggested.
Ru Shou didn’t join their conversation. After greeting Lu Xuan, he had been observing this world silently. Hearing Lu Xuan’s suggestion, Ru Shou said, “Carry the two of us with you, but try not to be too conspicuous.”
He Zhao nodded. bending down to Dick Ru Shou and placing him in his pocket. His short jacket had large pockets on both sides. Lu Xuan didn’t wait to be picked up; he hopped into the pocket himself.
Walking through Dream Ruins City, the streets were sparsely populated. The occasional passersby were thin and appeared undernourished.
“This architectural style…” Ru Shou’s wooden figure peeked out of a pocket, observing the cityscape.
He Zhao passed by several houses, some with black cloth hung at their doors, signifying a death in the family. Often, these deaths were the result of hunting outside the city.
“Every time we go hunting outside the city, injuries are common, and deaths are not rare,” He Zhao explained.
“Are the creatures outside the city very strong?” Lu Xuan inquired.
“Very strong,” He Zhao replied solemnly. “It often takes three members at the Conviction Stage to subdue a regular Nightmare Demon, and the Evil Spirits are even more elusive. The most dangerous part about the outside is that we can’t see the paths clearly. Even if someone carries a ‘Dream Lantern,’ it only illuminates an area within ten feet. However, Nightmare Demons and Evil Spirits can see us. In such situations, we don’t have the upper hand.”
He Zhao paused before continuing, “Although Nightmare Demons are fierce, their meat is edible and can strengthen Qi and blood. If we have enough manpower and encounter a weaker Nightmare Demon, it’s actually a cause for celebration. However, Evil Spirits are different. When killed, their bodies turn into a black mist that dissipates. If anyone comes into contact with this black mist, even a cultivator, they will fall ill.”
“What cultivation level do most of the city’s residents have?” Ru Shou suddenly asked.
He Zhao was momentarily taken aback but honestly replied, “The city lord is at the Mystic Passage Stage, which is above the Sitting Illumination Stage. As for most people, they haven’t even reached the Conviction Stage, like me.”
He Zhao’s father was once a Daoist Foundation warrior, and He Zhao’s dream was to become like his father. However, being young and of average talent, he had yet to cross that threshold.
“In this city, I haven’t sensed any spiritual energy from heaven and earth, ” Ru
Shou contemplated before asking, “What do you use for cultivation here?”
“Dream Stones, a kind of red jade,” He Zhao gestured. “They can only be found in the darkness outside the city. Warriors can extract power from them, making them very precious.”
He Zhao had one such stone, left by his father. However, he had yet to reach the Daoist Foundation Stage and couldn’t use it yet.
At that moment, a figure appeared in front of He Zhao – it was Hong Zhen.
He Zhao’s expression changed slightly, and he tried to walk around Hong Zhen but was blocked.
“Young He, why the rush?” Hong Zhen stood in his path.
“What do you want?” He Zhao frowned.
“You’re going out of the city soon, right? The outside is a truly terrifying place.
You’re not even a Daoist Foundation warrior; what if you encounter danger?” Hong Zhen’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “My brother Hong Feng is also out there. He’s a late-stage Daoist Foundation warrior. How about letting him protect you?”
“You’re being kind?” He Zhao scoffed.
“Ah, let’s talk business,” Hong Zhen looked at him, rubbing his fingers together. “Protecting you requires some payment. How about that Dream Stone your father left you?”
“In your dreams!” He Zhao flatly refused. “That stone is for my cultivation. How could I give it to you?”
He Zhao knew that his father’s last mission was with Hong Zhen. Hong Zhen returned unscathed, while his father and other members stayed outside forever. Hong Zhen had once pretended to cry and then offered to help take care of He Zhao’s mother and him. After being rejected by He Zhao’s mother, he never gave up, repeatedly causing trouble for the He family, and now even coveting the Dream Stone.
He Zhao clenched his fist, then released it, just glaring at Hong Zhen.
“To cultivate martial arts, you need to be alive,” Hong Zhen’s smile faded, replaced by a cold look..