“I do not know.” the Spectral Eagle King croaked weakly.

“Hmm?”

Nie Kong sneered, “It seems you truly wish to die!”

As he spoke, the ball of purple light swept the remnants of the Spectral Eagle King’s soul energy into his psychic vision.

“I really, truly do not know!”

The Spectral Eagle King was terrified, his spirit nearly fleeing his body, screaming in panic, “The Dark Soul Hall is vast. Even for me, the guardian spirit beast, the rear chambers are forbidden territory. I couldn’t even get close. How would I know what the back entrance looks like? I swear I’m not lying to you!”

This fellow didn’t seem to be lying, and Nie Kong frowned. “If the rear chambers of the Dark Soul Hall are forbidden, then how did Meng Tianjun enter?”

Hearing this, a hint of confusion crept into the Spectral Eagle King’s voice as well. “I am not entirely clear on that either. There is a barrier etched with spiritual patterns separating the front and rear chambers of the Dark Soul Hall. It seems only spirit beasts like myself are affected by it; humans can pass straight through.”

Fearing his answer might displease Nie Kong, the Spectral Eagle King quickly added, “When Meng Tianjun burst into the Dark Soul Hall, I saw a chance for escape and was overjoyed. I wasn't paying close enough attention, and she slipped into the rear chambers. At the time, I was beside myself with anxiety, terrified she wouldn’t be able to get out once she was inside.”

“Then how did this key end up outside?” Nie Kong asked, surprised.

“I do not know,” the Spectral Eagle King answered honestly.

“You don’t know? Aren’t you the guardian spirit beast of the Dark Soul Hall?” Nie Kong was utterly speechless; this creature was useless when questioned.

“I have not guarded the Dark Soul Hall for very long, only about a thousand years. Perhaps someone broke into the rear chambers a millennium ago and took the key out,” the Spectral Eagle King stammered nervously. “There were several guardian spirit beasts before me; perhaps they would know.”

“Oh? Where are they now?” Nie Kong asked instinctively.

“They are all dead.”

Seemingly sensing a shift in Nie Kong’s mood, the Spectral Eagle King hastily explained, “We Spectral Eagle Kings are not born of parents; we are manifested by the Dark Soul Hall itself. A new guardian only appears when the previous one dies, inheriting the mission to guard the Dark Soul Hall. However, through generations of inheritance, this sense of mission has grown weaker. Otherwise, when Meng Tianjun first entered the Dark Soul Hall, I should have struck her down, and I certainly wouldn't have conceived the idea of escaping the Dark Soul Hall myself…”

“You can just shut up!”

The previous guardians were all dead—what more was there to say! Nie Kong couldn't help but chastise, interrupting the Spectral Eagle King’s incessant chatter. After rambling on with this dullard for so long, he hadn't gained a single useful piece of information. To know whether this inky black small sword was indeed the key to opening the Dark Soul Hall's back door, he would have to wait until they entered the ‘Stygian Fire Spring.’

Putting the black sword key away, Nie Kong proceeded to circle the four city gates. These locations were patrolled daily by numerous members of the Zhan family, making them the perfect source for gathering intelligence from passing Spirit Masters and their mounts. After all, any Spirit Clan members below the Spirit Royal rank who wished to enter the ‘Wild Sand Wasteland’ would still need to purchase a ‘Snow Wave Sand Camel.’

However, after one full circuit, Nie Kong had spent thousands of gold coins without obtaining much valuable news. There were plenty of female Spirit Master teams arriving in Sunset City in groups, but based on the descriptions given by the Zhan family members, Nie Kong knew they weren't the Spirit Clan members he was looking for.

Nie Kong did not lose heart. There were still several days before the Stygian Fire Spring opened. Perhaps the Spirit Clan members hadn't arrived yet, or maybe the people he spoke to simply hadn't seen them when they entered Sunset City—either possibility existed.

It was already late when he returned to the inn.

Gu Changgong, Ming Tian, Lan Shang, Liu Hemin, and the others had all retired to their rooms. Only Bai Yuqing remained, sitting quietly in the inn’s main hall, eyes closed, meditating. Her enormous sword, resembling a small door panel, rested across the table.

Some of the men nearby stole glances at her, their eyes occasionally flashing with admiration.

When Nie Kong entered, Bai Yuqing’s cool eyes snapped open, and she gave him an almost imperceptible nod. Seeing her there surprised Nie Kong, and he walked over, laughing. “Little Sister Bai, were you waiting for me? You really needn't worry; nothing untoward is going to happen in Sunset City.”

“I wasn't waiting for you,” Bai Yuqing said, hoisting the greatsword onto her shoulder, her tone flat. “I just wanted to see if any of the men around here would try anything. That way, I could stretch my muscles. It’s a pity that after all this time, no one has dared approach. They’re all all bark and no bite!”

“Little Sister Bai, you really know how to deflate a man’s ego. When I first saw you, I was deeply moved, only to find out you weren't waiting for me after all,” Nie Kong sighed dramatically, feigning a 'wounded' expression. Unfortunately, Bai Yuqing clearly lacked a sense of humor, furrowing her brow and huffing, “I have no habit of waiting specifically for someone!”

As soon as she finished speaking, Bai Yuqing turned and strode toward the stairs leading to the second floor.

“You truly are… direct!” Nie Kong rolled his eyes and followed her helplessly.

Watching Bai Yuqing’s graceful, swaying figure, the eyes of many young men in the hall nearly bulged out of their sockets. Yet, no one genuinely dared to provoke her, even if she called them 'all bark and no bite'! This woman was a disciple of the Inner City of Spirit Royal City. To harass her would be asking for death. Did they think the two old masters staying at this inn were merely decorations? A little eye candy was fine…

The next morning, when Nie Kong appeared, not just Ji Shen and Jing Lan, but even Lan Shang and Liu Hemin—the two most composed inner city disciples—wore expressions of surprise. Having spent more time in the Inner City, they had vaguely heard the rumor that the City Lord's daughter had been in a coma for fifty full years.

However, it was only yesterday that they learned the City Lord’s daughter had finally awakened over two months prior, and that Nie Kong was the one who healed her. Everyone knew Nie Kong was formidable at refining medicine and detoxifying, but they hadn't expected him to be so adept at treating such difficult ailments. After all, the strange illness afflicting City Lord's daughter, Meng Tianjun, was said to be something even a high-grade Spirit Alchemist like Gu Changgong couldn't resolve.

Gu Changgong and Yan Tian did not press Nie Kong about what Lin Sixian and her mother had discussed with him. They merely inquired about the women’s residence and then left together. However, by the time they reached Lin Sixian and her daughter’s lodging, the pair had already departed Sunset City by daybreak. Gu Changgong and Yan Tian could only sigh in resignation.

For the next few days, the group remained in Sunset City to recuperate. Nie Kong spent his time wandering the city, which Gu Changgong and the others didn't interfere with, only cautioning him to be mindful of his safety. As the date approached July 7th, the number of Spirit Masters arriving in Sunset City surged, but Nie Kong never managed to spot any groups resembling the Spirit Clan. In the end, Nie Kong had to abandon the fruitless investigation and pin his hopes on the Stygian Fire Spring. On July 6th, as dawn barely broke, Gu Changgong led everyone out, heading west of the city. The ‘Snow Wave Sand Camels’ were now laden with various supplies.

After about fifteen minutes, the group crossed the steep Sunset Mountain Range, and the boundless yellow sands immediately flooded their vision. Looking into the distance, the yellow earth met the clear, azure sky, creating a scene as vast and boundless as a magnificent, surging ocean.

Upon entering this region, the ten Snow Wave Sand Rips became instantly alert, like cats catching the scent of fish. With a roar, they broke into a gallop, their long, dense fur rippling continuously, resembling patches of white clouds. This sight lifted everyone’s spirits, and laughter spread amongst them.

Gu Changgong and Yan Tian, the two Heavenly Spirit experts, floated gracefully beside the ten Snow Wave Sand Camels, appearing as if they were taking a leisurely stroll. The torrents of yellow sand kicked up by the rapidly moving camels did not affect them in the slightest.

As they journeyed on, Nie Kong observed numerous other galloping Snow Wave Sand Camels and Spirit Masters heading in the same direction, presumably all bound for the Wild Sand Wasteland. When the sun fully rose, the terrain ahead was no longer flat; sand dunes of varying heights began to jut out from the ground.

Another hour or two passed, and the temperature became intensely hot. Fortunately, even Bai Yuqing, the lowest in cultivation, was at the second grade of Spirit Transformation, making the intense heat a temporary, manageable issue.

However, many inner city disciples started to feel a touch of anxiety. Judging by the speed of the Snow Wave Sand Camels, they had already ventured hundreds of miles into the desert between dawn and noon, yet there was nothing around them except sand and other Spirit Master groups—not even a tiny oasis in sight.

By noon, Gu Changgong’s loud shout suddenly echoed in everyone's ears: “Attention! The true ‘Wild Sand Wasteland’ is just ahead!”

The group quickly focused their gaze, but all they saw was an expanse of yellow sand, drenched by the scorching sunlight, making the fine grains on the ground seem ready to melt. Between heaven and earth, there wasn't even a slight breeze. At this moment, even Lan Shang and the others were starting to struggle with the surrounding heat, sweat pouring down their faces. In contrast, Nie Kong felt waves of coolness periodically emanating from the spiritual treasure essence within him, driving away the scorching heat; he hadn't even beaded with sweat yet, much to the astonishment of the other inner city disciples. Even Bai Yuqing occasionally threw him surprised glances.

“Look!”

A sharp cry of astonishment rang out. The speaker was Gu Ruofei. Thanks to the little loli Gu Jing, Nie Kong had become quite familiar with this handsome, forthright, and sincere young man over the past few days.

Hearing his voice, Nie Kong quickly followed his line of sight. In the distant sky to the left, a small patch of clear void suddenly appeared hazy and blurred, and it was expanding rapidly in all directions.

In the blink of an eye, that grayish space almost completely dominated the crowd's vision, surging toward them like a tide. Suddenly, the entire world dimmed, vision became shadowy and indistinct, and a deafening, shrill whistling sound continuously assaulted their eardrums…