They were about to embark on the Path of Death, how could that be easy?
The Love Desert was constantly covered with sweeping yellow sands. As they reached the edge of the desert, gazing at the desolation, Casas found it hard to imagine how their ancestors had managed to erge from the desert lands to reach the nurturing rivers of Ajia Land.
If it were only Casas embarking on this journey alone, he would have given up long ago.
The firm will of Noen and the other slaves bolstered his confidence.
Casas turned his head and saw Noen, clad in a black robe, followed by about a dozen slaves, facing the flying sand ahead.
However, rather than saying that Noen and the slaves bolstered his confidence...
It was more like Noen and the slaves, like a torrent, pushed him forward.
"Young master, let’s set off,"
Noen, leading the cal, said aloud.
The young man stroked the cal’s smooth fur, this was an old cal.
"Alright, Noen, may Kagawus grant us the Prophecy for our journey ahead,"
Casas nodded, praying to Kagawus.
So, the group set foot into the Love Desert.
Noen pulled the cal along, this cal, his young master had purchased for a hefty sum because it had crossed the vast desert many tis before and was their guide.
Initially, they searched throughout the Royal Capital, and at the ntion of the Love Desert alone, there were cal rchants willing to lead the way, but as soon as the Path of Death was ntioned, they could not find a single guide willing to take them onto it.
In the end, they could only rely on this one cal as their guide.
In this era without compasses, the only way to cross the desert was either having rich experience or relying on knowledgeable cals.
Noen led the cal at the front while Casas followed behind; the other slaves led other cals, laden with water and dried food, trailing behind Casas, leaving a series of footprints on the desert sand.
They dared not ride on these precious cals, for fear of overburdening them.
After nearly a day and night of walking, guided by the cals, they found a small oasis to rest.
The oasis had an inn with lights on, these inns in the oasis often served as trading spots for cal rchants.
However, it was not the peak season for spice trade, and when they stepped into the inn, there weren’t many people.
"Oh, you are..."
The owner ca out from inside the inn, sizing up the group; he was a Three-eyed Ape-man.
"We need to rest here,"
Noen glanced inside the inn and said.
There were a few cal rchants inside.
"It’s rare to see so many people at this ti,"
said the owner as he went upstairs and soon ca down with a bunch of burlap,
"There are tents outside, lay these burlap on the straw to sleep."
A few slaves stepped forward and took the burlap from the owner’s hands.
It was then, Casas looked around, cleared his throat, and asked,
"Does anyone know about the Path of Death?"
Everyone in the inn turned to Casas with surprise.
"Are you treasure hunting?" asked a cal rchant,
"No one has ever been there."
The owner also spoke up,
"What do you want to do crossing the Path of Death?"
"Searching for the Ancient Elf Kingdom."
"The Ancient Elf Kingdom? That’s just a legend, rely a myth passed down orally."
People in this inn, like those in the Royal Capital, did not quite believe in the existence of the Ancient Elf Kingdom.
Despite having anticipated this, Noen and Casas couldn’t help feeling a bit disheartened.
Just then, suddenly soone barged in from outside,
"The Path of Death? Are you talking about the Path of Death?"
Noen turned his head to see the man, plainly dressed and dusty, holding a walking stick, appearing to be an experienced guide.
"I am a guide, a guide who can lead people treasure-hunting,"
the guide said.
Noen threw an inquiring look at the innkeeper,
"Yes, he is indeed a guide. Before you, there were so adventurous people who wanted to go to the Path of Death in search of treasure, and he led them there,"
the owner introduced indifferently,
"And importantly, those who embarked on the Path of Death with him, none died, all ca back alive."
Hearing this, a spark appeared in Casas’ eyes.
From what he knew before, the Path of Death was extrely perilous, and it was all too common for accidents to occur.
But this guide could apparently bring people back alive.
Either he was lying, or he was truly experienced and capable.
After a mont’s hesitation, Casas quickly made up his mind.
rely relying on a cal to cross the Path of Death was simply too bleak a hope.
Having a guide would obviously be better.
......
......
The next morning, upon waking up, Casas requested the guide to lead them and after so bargaining, the guide finally agreed to take them on the Path of Death.
So, they set off early, taking their cals and following the guide towards the Path of Death.
The figures in black robes were strikingly conspicuous in the vast desert.
After walking all morning, Noen raised his head, looking into the distance under the high-hanging sun, the terrain ahead was even more barren than before.
"The Path of Death..."
Under the guide’s lead, they arrived at the Path of Death.
"Yes, this is the Path of Death."
The guide pointed to both sides and continued,
"You may walk north or south, just don’t wander too far as sandstorms could arise at any ti."
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