Direct shuttle carriages ran from Cangyue City to the Bone Membrane Cave. We arrived at the post station in the north of the city early, only to find it crawling with people dressed as wandering warriors, clearly all heading for the Corpse Demon Cave or the Bone Membrane Cave as well.
Rows upon rows of carriages were lined up neatly in the open area, the coachmen skillfully and busily harnessing their teams—a scene not unlike what I had witnessed when turning the fields. However, this post station north of Cangyue City was more than ten times larger than the one back at the fields. There were over a hundred columns of carriages parked side-by-side, spread out in a perfect straight line, many adorned with banners of various colors.
From the introductions in the Wanderer’s Manual, I knew that the carriages flying flags were reserved; usually, only powerful major guilds with large numbers of members could afford to book them.
Of course, guilds with sufficient wealth could even maintain their own dedicated convoys, though such guilds were rare. Renowned sects like Sabak and Longyuan Gate possessed that kind of financial backing. My own Dragon Shadow Villa, along with the Moon Sect, also held this capability. I was lost in thought when suddenly...
Soon, a dense crowd surged toward those neat rows of carriages. Most were clad in unified attire, featuring a massive, fiery red phoenix emblem emblazoned on their chests.
“Hah! Looks like the Vermilion Bird Alliance is gearing up for something big this time,” someone standing nearby exclaimed in awe.
“Indeed, it seems they’re emptying the nest,” replied a gaunt mage clad in a devilish robe. “They really dare, I wonder what kind of lunatics are leading the Vermilion Bird Guild.”
“What incredible quest have they taken on?” Long Xin couldn't help but ask.
“Heh, you must be new arrivals in Cangyue City,” the mage noted.
“Yes!” Long Xin nodded.
“That explains it,” the tall, thin mage continued. “The three major guilds of the Vermilion Bird Alliance have jointly accepted a Heaven Rank Eagle-level quest: to map the route to the bottom of the Bone Membrane Cave.”
“Mapping the route to the bottom of the Bone Membrane Cave?” Long Xin looked utterly confused. “Doesn’t the Bone Membrane Cave have five levels? That’s recorded in the Wanderer’s Manual. Why does it need mapping?”
“You wouldn’t know about that,” the mage said. “Someone has offered a massive price to explore the passage from the depths of the Bone Membrane Cave leading to the Yellow Springs World.”
“The Yellow Springs World,” Long Qi gasped, horrified. “Isn’t that the domain of the Yellow Springs Cult Leader?”
“Are they mad?” another middle-aged Taoist, looking about forty, exclaimed in shock. “Do they intend to provoke the Yellow Springs Cult Leader?”
“That’s utterly insane,” remarked a middle-aged female mage standing with the Taoist. Judging by their cultivation, they seemed to be at the initial stage of the Crimson Moon realm. Behind them were over twenty advanced-class warriors, with about a dozen fighters, a few mages, and Taoists—their unified clothing and emblems suggested they belonged to the same clan. On the continent, clan emblems were typically shield-shaped, while guild markers were diamond-like with slight curves, making them easily distinguishable.
They appeared to be young disciples from a certain clan, with the middle-aged Taoist and female mage serving as their leaders.
“Something like that,” the tall, thin mage conceded. “You must have heard about the major event that recently occurred on the Biqi Continent.”
“Major event?” the Taoist inquired, surprised. “Are you referring to the formation of the Star Moon Alliance?”
“Precisely,” the mage confirmed. “The latest news is that Dragon Shadow Villa, Flowing Cloud Villa, and Crimson Moon Villa have allied with Tianmen Moon Sect to form the Star Moon Alliance, specifically to counter the powerful union of Sabak, Longyuan Gate, Tiger Roar Gate, and Eagle True Gate.”
“I’ve heard about that,” interjected a tall warrior nearby. “I heard the Alliance Leader is the Master of Dragon Shadow Villa, the Dragon Shadow Sword God.”
“Almost simultaneously, the united force led by Sabak, forming the Heroes’ Society, also came into being. These two major alliances are now the most formidable warrior organizations on the entire Biqi Continent, and rumors suggest a major conflict is imminent.”
“Hmph, I never thought Tianmen Moon Sect could actually persuade the three great villas to unite,” the middle-aged warrior mused.
“Indeed,” the mage agreed. “No one anticipated this beforehand, considering the tangled history and grudges between the three villas. Who could have imagined they would genuinely set aside past grievances and join forces?”
“It wouldn't have succeeded without the Moon Sect using the Zuma Totem as a catalyst,” the female mage explained. “Although the Moon Sect’s Blue Lightning snatched the Zuma Totem right under the noses of the Zuma Cult Leader, the five top experts from the great sects, and the elite disciples, the Moon Sect didn't have the strength to claim the treasure in Sabak City’s underground palace afterward, so they approached the three villas.”
“Ah! Faced with the temptation of Sabak City’s treasure, the three villas had no reason to refuse the wealth, so uniting makes sense,” someone analyzed.
“This is the way of things, the inevitable trend,” the middle-aged warrior stated. “After all, the Heroes’ Society alliance is too powerful. If they didn't prepare a countermeasure soon, they might be picked off one by one by the Heroes’ Society.”
“If the Heroes’ Society hadn't successfully organized that challenge against the Zuma Cult Leader previously, the three villas and the Moon Sect wouldn't have recognized the terrifying power of the Heroes’ Society,” the Taoist added. “Even though Blue Lightning of the Moon Sect snatched the advantage at the last moment, the display of overwhelming combat power shown by the strong union of the Heroes’ Society was enough to instill fear in Dragon Shadow Villa and the others.”
“Only by uniting can they stand against the Heroes’ Society,” the middle-aged warrior sighed.
“But what does this have to do with the Vermilion Bird Alliance’s current action?” the female mage asked curiously.
“It’s directly related!” the mage insisted. “Sabak and the four major sects successfully organized that massive campaign. Although Blue Lightning of the Moon Sect benefited at the final juncture, they proved that the so-called Ten Great Demons were not invincible! And at that time, several warriors from the Vermilion Bird Alliance who were training in the Zuma Temple were fortunate enough to participate in that battle!”
“Are you saying the Vermilion Bird Alliance intends to emulate Sabak and challenge the Yellow Springs Cult Leader?” the middle-aged female mage asked, aghast.
“That seems likely,” the tall, thin mage replied. “The Vermilion Bird Alliance is the most powerful warrior organization in Cangyue. In terms of combat strength, they far surpass the combined forces of Sabak and the four major sects. They certainly can't stand idly by while the warriors of the Biqi Continent boast about their glorious achievement in challenging the Zuma Cult Leader.”
“I think it's more important that they synthesized valuable experience and feasible plans from that operation; only then did they gain the resolve and boldness to launch this current venture.”
“It’s not just us in Cangyue; news is even arriving from the Demon Sealing Continent that the Brotherhood there is also planning an operation against the Iris Cult Leader,” the mage lamented. “Undoubtedly, the joint operation by Sabak and the four major sects made the warriors of the Mafa Continent realize the immense power of unity and alliance—a power so great they might not lose even when facing the Ten Great Demons. Thus, they are rushing to follow suit, unwilling to let the warriors of the Biqi Continent steal all the glory. Currently, the most talked-about topic across the entire continent is that joint action on the Biqi Continent. The younger generation of warriors is reacting particularly strongly: why should Biqi warriors be allowed to conduct such a grand collective action when we cannot?”
“So, it also boils down to a matter of face,” Long Qi realized, glancing thoughtfully at me, as did Long Xin and the others.
“Heh, well, it is a matter of vanity,” I admitted sheepishly, given that I was the one who snatched the Zuma Totem. Yet, it seemed the warriors of the Biqi world were actually proud of it. Thinking deeply, it wasn't that hard to understand. The Zuma Cult Leader, one of the Ten Great Demons existing for thousands of years, was terrifying beyond common comprehension. Making him suffer a setback was certainly a cause for celebration, making it no wonder the Biqi warriors would boast about it everywhere.
“Saving face is just the surface reason,” the tall, thin mage said. “Beyond that, the Yellow Springs Hammer held by the Yellow Springs Cult Leader is their biggest target for this excursion.”
“The Yellow Springs Hammer.” I immediately recalled the oversized hammer wielded by the Yellow Springs Cult Leader in the modern Legend game.
“The Yellow Springs Hammer, the Bull Demon Iron Fan, also known as the Carefree Fan, and the Iris Set—they are rumored to be ancient divine artifacts ranked even higher than the Dragon Slaying Sword, concealing terrifying power. If one could obtain it, achieving invincibility might not be an impossible dream.”
“Invincibility? Isn’t that an exaggeration?” Long Xin questioned. “Besides, if the Yellow Springs Hammer is so powerful, wouldn't the Vermilion Bird Alliance be courting death by provoking the Yellow Springs Cult Leader who possesses it?”
“Perhaps not,” the tall, thin mage countered. “They must have devised some method to defeat the Yellow Springs Cult Leader, otherwise they wouldn't have the courage to provoke him.”
“Maybe so,” the middle-aged female mage nodded slightly.
“Heh, it would be amusing if, at the critical moment, someone like Biqi’s Blue Lightning swooped in and interfered,” the middle-aged Taoist suddenly remarked with a playful smile.
“That seems unlikely,” the tall, thin mage replied. “Having learned from Sabak’s lesson, I doubt the Vermilion Bird Alliance overlooked that aspect. Furthermore, how many people can ignore magical attacks like Blue Lightning?”
“What if Blue Lightning suddenly appeared to cause trouble?” the Taoist inquired.
“The Vermilion Bird Alliance would certainly have a headache,” the middle-aged female mage admitted.
“I believe the Vermilion Bird Alliance would take that into account,” the tall, thin mage said. “If Blue Lightning dared to cause chaos, the Vermilion Bird Alliance wouldn't let him off lightly.”
“I’m afraid the Vermilion Bird Alliance might not be able to do anything about him then,” the Taoist said gravely. “To steal the Zuma Totem right under the noses of the Zuma Cult Leader and the five top experts—that level of skill, even the Vermilion Bird Alliance Master might not be his match.”
“Hmph! Don’t underestimate the Vermilion Bird Alliance! They are the combined strongest force of the three major guilds in Cangyue. How can they compare to Sabak and the four major sects?” the tall, thin mage protested indignantly. “Our Cangyue warrior community doesn't indulge in internal strife like the Biqi community. Our goal is to defeat all the Ten Great Demons—a broad vision those shortsighted Biqi fellows can’t comprehend.”
“Heh, let’s hope so,” the middle-aged warrior sighed. “If they could truly cooperate, perhaps that goal wouldn't be hard to achieve. But what reaction will the warriors from other continents have?”
“I heard that Blue Lightning is an absolutely top-tier master,” the middle-aged female mage added. “Some even say his power is comparable to old monsters like Longyuan Canghai. Coupled with his speed and his technique for ignoring magical attacks, if he deliberately causes trouble, the Vermilion Bird Alliance might not be able to handle him while facing the Yellow Springs Cult Leader.”
“It’s just hearsay, not gospel,” the tall, thin mage dismissed. “Besides, Blue Lightning is currently being hunted by the experts from Sabak and the four major sects; why would he come running to Cangyue to cause trouble?”
“Let’s hope you’re right!”
............................
The conversation had somehow circled back to me, and I was greatly startled. Long Xin and the others stared at me with strange expressions. “Kid, you’re famous now,” Long Xin whispered.
“Heh, the super expert from the Biqi Continent,” Long Qi shook his head pompously. “His strength is on par with those old monsters.”
“Good heavens, it’s reached the Cangyue Continent,” Long Zhan exclaimed in awe. “Truly world-renowned!”
“It’s just that the fame isn't deserved,” I said awkwardly. “It’s just that I run fast; these people’s imaginations are truly exaggerated.”
“In any case, be careful,” Long Qi warned. “Make absolutely sure no one knows your true identity, or you’ll be in big trouble.”
“Do you think I need telling!” It seemed that upon arriving in Cangyue, I was still like a rat crossing the street, hounded by everyone. But I hadn’t provoked them; why were they guarding against me like a thief? Was it really necessary?
..................................
After waiting for about half an hour, the carriages heading to the Corpse Demon Cave were finally ready. Coincidentally, the tall, thin mage, the middle-aged Taoist, and the middle-aged female mage from before ended up sharing a carriage with us.
Thanks to the earlier conversation, we were all much more familiar with each other, so once seated in the carriage, the conversation quickly picked up. Through our talk, we learned that the middle-aged Taoist and the female mage were husband and wife, hailing from Yunsang in Cangyue, likely retainers of a certain clan, and were leading their clan's disciples out for training this time. The Taoist was named Yan Cui! The female mage was named Yan Fei. Both had reached the initial stage of the Crimson Moon realm. The tall, thin mage, however, was a member of a Level Seven guild; his name was Yalin, also a mage at the initial Crimson Moon stage. He was tasked with transporting supplies for his comrades training in the Corpse Demon Cave. We were straightforward about our own affiliations, as the Wandering Dragon Gang wasn't a major guild, so they likely hadn't heard of it.
Through the window, we could see vast stretches of dense forest outside. The most striking impression Cangyue Continent left on me was its thick vegetation; even Cangyue City seemed encircled by massive woods. After traveling for a long time, the density of the forest gradually decreased. Eventually, only a few sparse, small trees remained, drooping listlessly by the roadside like malnourished children. The ground had transformed from lush green grassland to pale brown, sandy earth.
“We’ll reach the Corpse Demon Cave in about two more hours!” Yalin said, noticing me staring out the window.
“That’s strange. It seems that wherever Undead creatures exist, the land tends to become sandy,” I recalled that the area around Skeleton Cave was also a barren expanse of weird stones.
“That’s natural,” Yalin confirmed. “Necromancy signifies death and destruction; it’s inherently incompatible with vibrant forests and grasslands. In places where Undead creatures dwell, it’s rare to see many trees or vegetation. Go further ahead, and you won’t even find grass.” Mutually exclusive, I wondered. Thinking it over, Yalin’s words made perfect sense. Necromancy represented death and destruction, while the forest evoked vitality and the spirit of life. These two diametrically opposed natures seemed truly incompatible, like fire and water.
Indeed, not long after, the surroundings were all scorched yellow, the sight alone making one irritable and uncomfortable. The sunny sky above also grew noticeably hotter. In the distance, the outlines of rolling mountains appeared on the horizon.
“That’s the Corpse Demon Cave,” Yalin pointed.
“It feels terribly gloomy,” Long Xin commented.
“It would be weird if it didn’t,” Bai Zhan replied. “After all, the Corpse Demon Cave is a major gathering place for Undead creatures. With the Necromantic elemental energy spreading everywhere, it’s bound to make people feel uneasy.”
As he spoke, the carriage pulled up at a roadside stop—a place resembling a small town. A large wooden gate bore a sizable plaque with three large characters nailed to it: Corpse Demon Town. In the center of the town was a wide open space filled with countless carriages. The convoy from the Vermilion Bird Alliance, which had departed earlier than us, was parked there too. Many Vermilion Bird Alliance members could be seen bustling about nearby. This scene reminded me of the base camp at the foot of the Centipede Cave. It seemed merchants and peddlers were everywhere. Clearly, Corpse Demon Town was established specifically to cater to the warriors training in the Corpse Demon Cave. Being only about a half-hour's walk from the cave entrance, it was indeed the ideal spot for rest and resupply.
After disembarking, Yalin hurried toward the cave entrance. Bai Zhan, Bai Fei, and the group of young disciples they led immediately sought out an inn to settle down. It seemed they didn't plan on staying overnight in the Corpse Demon Cave. The rest of us found a tavern to fill our stomachs before heading to the Corpse Demon Cave. There were indeed many warriors heading to train there; the Corpse Demon Cave in Cangyue was a famous training ground throughout the entire warrior world, suitable for warriors of all levels. Although it only had five levels, each level was astonishingly vast—at least the size of Cangyue City—meaning the Undead creatures within were countless. Their density was even more exaggerated than in Centipede Cave. The monsters on the first level were mainly Skeleton Spearman. Among all the Undead creatures in the Corpse Demon Cave, the Skeleton Spearman were the weakest, yet even so, each one possessed at least the attack power of the initial Crimson Moon stage—absolutely not to be underestimated. Most who came here to train possessed strength at the initial Crimson Moon stage or higher. Of course, there were many small groups, like Long Xin’s, consisting only of a few high-level core job equivalents, but with proper coordination, their training progress could be extremely fast. Although Skeleton Spearmen possessed initial Crimson Moon strength or above, they were, after all, mindless Undead. Through centuries of practice, countless warrior predecessors had already summarized numerous effective methods for training in the Corpse Demon Cave, including formations that coordinated different job classes. And Long Xin, having been trained at Mengzhong Academy, had mastered various battle techniques and formations far more exquisite than those of ordinary warriors, which should be more than sufficient to contend with the Undead creatures in the Corpse Demon Cave. Otherwise, they wouldn't have such confidence to come here to train.
Following the booming army of levelers, we soon arrived at the entrance to the Corpse Demon Cave. It was an overwhelmingly huge cave. The stone wall directly above the entrance had been carved into a perfectly smooth plaque shape, bearing only three characters, each one the size of a person—Bone Demon Cave. After pausing to observe for a while, the few of us stepped across the enormous stone threshold.