Because of what happened underground.
It took a lot of time.
When the group of people shuttled between the ancient cities and rushed to the camp, the sky was gradually turning dark.
The cold wind howled.
It was like a knife scraping across my face.
If it were just like this, I could barely bear it, but the cold wind was mixed with sand, gravel and tiny snow particles, which caused waves of pain on my body.
"Damn it, no wonder this place is deserted and ghosts can't survive."
Huamaguai spat and cursed in a low voice.
It felt like a mouthful of yellow sand had just entered my mouth.
Taking out a black scarf from his pocket, he hurriedly covered his face without caring about the mess.
So does everyone else.
Chen Yulou frowned, unable to hide his sadness.
A difficult climb up a sand dune.
Looking up, there were heavy lead clouds overhead, and strong winds rolled up yellow sand all over the sky, forming pillars of sand.
The sky and the earth seemed to be covered by a black curtain. The earth dragons emerged from the ground and came out wantonly, giving people a full sense of oppression.
The temperature is also dropping rapidly.
Chen Yulou tightened his collar, and the breath he exhaled condensed into a fog of frost almost instantly.
It was exactly as Oona expected.
The snowstorm arrived as promised.
It even came out much faster than expected.
I just don’t know how many days this damn weather will last?
Although I was mentally prepared before setting off, the harsh environment of the Black Desert was still a bit beyond imagination.
Looking back now, although Hexi is also full of wind and sand, it at least has mountains and water, which is many times better than this place.
After looking away for a moment, they saw that the sky was getting darker and darker. The group did not stay any longer, but went down the sand dunes.
Under the broken wall of the ancient city.
A sandy valley has been dug out, and the camp is located in it. The tents are close together, and they are blown like sails in the night wind.
It’s been so long since I entered the Black Desert.
They have learned a lot of sand prevention methods.
There are many Haloxylon ammodendron trees buried in the yellow sand on the outermost edge of the camp to prevent quicksand from pouring down in the middle of the night and flooding the tents.
As for the camp, a bonfire was burning.
Although the Black Desert is known as a lifeless land, in fact, in addition to humans, countless beasts live there.
Compared to humans, they are more keenly aware of climate changes and dangers.
It is conceivable.
When night falls completely, this ancient city will welcome many creatures taking shelter from the wind.
Bonfires not only serve as a source of warmth for night watchmen.
More important is keeping the beasts away.
Otherwise, no one would want to open their eyes in the middle of the night and see several sand wolves with fangs exposed and drooling, staring at them.
“The shopkeeper.”
“Shopkeeper Chen.”
“Master.”
Once in the camp.
A few figures walked out of the night.
Miss Hong had her sleeves rolled up, and there were a few stains on her face, which were obviously left by sweat adhering to the wind and sand, and her face could not conceal her tiredness.
Along with her were Yang Fang and Yuan Hong.
Yang Fang returned one step ahead of them, and at this moment, he still had a pungent smell of realgar.
"How's it going?"
Seeing him ask, Yang Fang immediately said seriously.
"Spread it all, and then bury a circle of quicklime around the camp."
Hearing this, Chen Yulou's eyes couldn't help but light up.
When he went down the well into the tomb before, he also thought that he seemed to have forgotten to remind them that they had better be prepared when setting up defenses.
Realgar is doped on the surface of the dunes.
Can drive away black snakes and wild beasts.
Quick lime buried underground can prevent underground ghost ants.
After all, the broken insect road in Insect Valley that day left a very deep impression on him.
Although it cannot be as amazing as the insect-breaking path, with this double precaution, at least most of the snakes and insects can be eliminated.
"Hard work."
"How could..."
Yang Fang waved his hand.
He originally offered to follow me on this trip.
We did see countless unimaginable scenery along the way.
All food, drink, accommodation and transportation are provided by Chen Yulou.
It’s time to put in some effort.
"Where is Yuan Hong?"
After asking a few more questions, Chen Yulou smiled and looked at the last figure.
It is completely different from the vitality in Xiangyin.
After entering the Western Region, its vitality and energy dropped significantly.
At this moment, it is as if it has been hit by frost, and it looks weak.
After all, the species are different.
If it were not for cultivating to become a demon, there would be no apes or monkeys in this vast desert in another hundred years.
Sandstorms and snowstorms are unbearable for people, let alone this.
"It's okay..."
Yuan Hong shook his head.
"I have to stay in the ancient city for a few days to avoid the wind and sand. You have a good rest for a few days."
"Thank you, master."
After hearing this, I originally thought Yuan Hong, who was still grimacing, was instantly excited.
At least there's time to catch your breath.
Waving his hand at it, Chen Yulou thought of something again, glanced at Miss Hong and said softly.
"Oh, by the way, there is an underground river connected to the bottom of the ancient well, so there is no need to worry about the water for the time being."
The latter immediately understood after hearing this.
During this period, because we have never encountered an oasis, the water we carried when we set out from the village was not enough for people and animals to drink, so washing could only be made as simple as possible.
These rough guys can bear it.
But Hua Ling, Oona and Miss Hong are girls after all, and they love to be clean by nature.
Having heard the hidden meaning in his words, the red girl's cheeks couldn't help but feel hot.
But I still couldn't refuse the temptation of washing up, so I immediately found an excuse to leave.
Not long after.
Chen Yulou saw the three of them carrying their luggage and walking deep into the ancient city.
"Kuaizi, tell the brothers not to get water for the time being."
"Okay."
Hua Maguai nodded.
Leave quickly immediately.
Chen Yulou glanced at the remaining people and pointed to the bonfire path in the middle of the camp in the distance.
It is still early and dinner is not ready yet.
One after another figures flashed through the night.
A few laughs came from time to time.
After all, most people could hardly suppress their surprise when they were suddenly in such a vast ancient city. What's more, they had just experienced the ancient city of Xiye, and everyone knew that there were golden and jade artifacts under the yellow sand.
In this way, even if you are tired from traveling during the day, you will not feel sleepy at all.
Walking through the camp with his hands behind his back, Chen Yulou couldn't help but smile as he listened to the slightly childish enjoyment and longing.
Young people are always like this.
When he went to Pingshan for the first time that day, he could not contain his excitement either.
"The boss..."
Seeing him approaching, a group of waiters who were preparing dinner couldn't help but panic and got up one after another.
"I'm busy with you, I just came over to sit down."
"Yes."
Hearing this, the group was obviously relieved.
Then turn around and continue doing things.
In this team, the ratio of old to new was about five to one. Many of them were going down the mountain for the first time. They felt genuine fear in front of this famous leader of the green forest.
After getting used to this, Chen Yulou didn’t want to pay too much attention to it.
Just pointed to the bonfire aside.
Take the first step and sit down cross-legged without any image.
Seeing this, several people also followed suit.
The blazing fire stretched the shadows of several people extremely long.
"Brother, what was the bottom of the well just now?" Leaning against the fire, a lot of the coldness in his body was immediately dissipated. However, the old foreigner had no intention of doing so and couldn't help but ask shortly after he sat down.
“Brother Chen, let’s talk.”
Partridge Whistle shook his head.
He has always felt that he is clumsy of tongue and always does more than he says.
What's more, up to now, he was still immersed in the shock brought by the ink-color murals. He was worried that he would not express what he meant, so he simply asked the question to Chen Yulou.
The latter smiled helplessly.
But there was no delay.
He briefly talked about what happened after going down the well.
Adventures are easy to attract people. In addition, Chen Yulou has the ability to speak like a lotus flower. What he saw and heard after entering the tomb was so ups and downs that he captured the hearts of several people in an instant.
Even Huamaguai, who left and returned, didn’t know when he sat down.
Queen Jingjue, Prince Gumo...
Listen to the stories that happened in this ancient city below you.
Amidst the howling cold wind, I seemed to hear the sound of fighting and iron horses from thousands of years ago.
"Shopkeeper...where is the ancient city of Jingjue?"
Suddenly, a voice of surprise came.
Yang Fang was startled and looked behind him, only to find Huamaguai standing in the shadow behind him.
Hearing him mention the important points, Chen Yulou couldn't help but glance at him appreciatively.
Although he is a little obsessed with money, he has to say that his mind is definitely the fastest among the group.
No matter Xiye, Gumo or Luntai, Loulan and Qiuci, which I have never seen before.
They are far less important than the two words "Jingjue".
However, he did not explain. Instead, he glanced at the complicated figure sitting beside him, illuminated by the firelight.
"If I guessed correctly."
"The ruins of the ancient Jingjue Kingdom are under the holy mountain we are heading to on this trip."
"What?!"
Partridge Whistle seemed to have had a premonition, but it was the first time for the old foreigner to hear this speculation. He stood up in shock, with a face full of disbelief.
In the ancient rumors of Zagrama.
The ancestors migrated from distant continents.
Finally, I encountered two black mountains facing each other, one in the south and one in the north, and then I decided to settle down.
Therefore, he has heard rumors about Kongque River and Shuangheishan since he was a child.
That is also the holy mountain in the hearts of all their tribesmen.
This trip to Yuan Lai is to find the holy mountain and break the curse.
Now... Shopkeeper Chen actually said that the Jingjue Kingdom is under the Holy Mountain. Isn't it just a dove occupying a magpie's nest?
“Old foreigner brother, don’t worry, this is just a guess on my part for the time being.”
"If you want to confirm, you have to go to the foot of the mountain, or... Oona comes back."
Facing his calm eyes.
The old foreigner's turbulent mood finally calmed down a little.
But when he heard the last name, he couldn't help but reveal a touch of incomprehensible surprise on his face. He subconsciously glanced at his senior brother, only to find that his senior brother also frowned slightly, obviously not clear either.
“Brother Chen, I understand what I said above, but what’s going on with Miss Oona?”
Partridge Whistle thought about it.
Even at a certain moment, he doubted whether the Uighur tribe on the coast of Yuhai were the descendants of the ancient Jingjue Kingdom, which was why Chen Yulou said so.
But as soon as the idea came up, he rejected it.
After all, in the walled city that day, Chief Wutuo made it very clear.
Their lineage migrated from the grasslands to avoid the scourge of war, so thousands of years have passed and they still retain their living habits of fishing and hunting.
"Brother Dao, do you still remember the sacred tree that Chief Wutuo mentioned?"
"Sacred tree?"
These two words seem to have some kind of magic power.
The people sitting by the campfire suddenly fell into thinking.
But Chen Yulou did not lose their appetite, and his calm voice slowly sounded.
"We have been walking along the Kongquehe Ancient Road for more than ten days. From the map, we are almost halfway through the Black Desert."
"But apart from Haloxylon ammodendron and Populus euphratica, have we ever seen Other trees?”
“It seems not.” Huamaguai shook his head and then said thoughtfully, “Shopkeeper, are you saying that the sacred tree... actually grows on the holy mountain?” >
“It may be under the ancient city.”
Seeing him react so quickly.
Chen Yulou looked at him with eyes that were filled with admiration.
In fact, when he was still in the Uighur tribe, he had made some guesses after hearing Wutuo's words.
Could the sacred tree be the legendary Kunlun sacred tree?
Jingjue Ancient City and Kunlun Temple are separated from each other by the entire black desert and the Kunlun Mountains.
But the Ancient Jingjue Kingdom and the Snowy Demon Kingdom are of the same origin.
In ancient times, the black desert was not what we see now. Taklimakan means oasis and home in the ancient Uighur language.
At least during the Qin and Han Dynasties, this desert was extremely prosperous and full of vitality. It was not until the Jin Dynasty that it was gradually submerged by wind and sand, the human habitation disappeared, and it became a lifeless land.
So, it is not absurd that the Kunlun sacred tree appears in the ancient city.
The most important thing is that to this day, Oona has never made any move to harvest sacred trees.
They even expressed great concern about them entering the ancient city and looking for ancient artifacts and artifacts.
At least two points can be inferred from this.
First, the sacred trees used by shamans should not exist in Xiye and Gumo.
Second, her familiarity with the two ancient cities shows that she and Azhiya have been here before.
Further ahead is the Holy Mountain and the ancient city of Jingjue.
It is hard not to doubt that the sacred tree that their family of wizards have been looking for in the Black Desert for generations is in the ancient city of Jingjue.
"This..."
Listen to what he said.
The expressions of several people are constantly changing.
Partridge Whistle and the old foreigner brothers, in particular, fell into deep thought again.
What they heard now was far beyond their expectations, and it was understandable that they could not accept it for a while.
See this situation.
Kunlun, Yang Fang and Huamaguai also understood and remained silent in a tacit understanding.
More than half an hour later.
The three Hualings finally walked out of the ancient city.
I didn’t know what I was talking about, but I kept laughing all the way.
"Miss Oona..."
Chen Yulou greeted from afar.
Seeing it was her, a hint of surprise flashed across Oona's face.
Hua Ling and Miss Hong on the side also looked at each other, looking puzzled.
“I’d like to invite you here, Chen wants to ask me something.”
"Okay, shopkeeper Chen, wait a moment."
Hearing this, Oona nodded.
The three of them put their changed clothes back into the tent, and not long after, the three of them came together again.
In the distance, the night wind blew by, bringing with it a faint fragrance of honey locust.
Oona's long hair was not tied up as usual, but hung down behind her, making her look obviously less sharp and more girlish.
I saw a few people sitting around a campfire.
The atmosphere seems a bit solemn.
A trace of surprise flashed in her brown eyes.
"What does Shopkeeper Chen want to ask?"
"I wonder if Miss Oona knows... the ancient country of Jingjue?"
Chen Yulou did not make any insinuations, but spoke directly.
Then his eyes fell on Oona's face.
Sure enough.
It was almost the moment the words "Jingjue Ancient Country" appeared.
A look of disbelief and panic clearly flashed through Oona's eyes.
Even his steady breath became rapid for a while.
Although she tried her best to suppress it, she could not escape the attention of the group.
In Taoist practice, one has mastered the art of breathing guidance.
The most sensitive to the flow of breath.
"It seems...Miss Oona knows."
Chen Yulou smiled faintly and already had the answer in his heart.
Partridge Whistle and the old foreigner looked at each other. The two brothers were anxious and their eyes fell on Oona. They had too many questions.
But in this regard, after experiencing a brief panic, Oona quickly calmed down.
Just looked at Chen Yulou quietly.
“It seems that you are not going to Central Asia for business at all, you may have come here for it in the first place.”
Under still water.
The undercurrent is surging.
When you open your mouth, it’s shocking! (End of this chapter)