Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension

Zhou Quan rubbed the sleep from his eyes, emerging from the dilapidated mine with a hand rubbing his ear as he walked.

No matter how many years he had lived in Mystic Iron City, he never grew accustomed to the ceaseless noise, which made getting a proper night's sleep impossible.

The Defensive Array set up by the previous sect still operated from time to time, blanketing Mystic Iron City with a layer of hazy Barrier, but certain areas had already failed. The whirling winds and sand battered against the barrier created by the Formation at the city's edge, producing a rustling, buzzing noise, like swarms of demon locusts descending in billions—an overwhelming cacophony that set newcomers' scalps tingling with fear.

The walls of Mystic Iron City were riddled with holes, many areas damaged, allowing gravel to seep in through the gaps like black, stagnant water, carrying with it the momentum for total erasure, sweeping across the surrounding houses and mines.

Over time, when Mystic Iron City lost a livable environment, it quickly became an abandoned place, facing the same fate as numerous other discarded mining towns in the Desolate Domain.

Most of the Desolate Domain consisted of Gobi deserts and few oases; this vast Boundary, located at the Northwest of Central Continent, was famous for its abundance of spirit mines and variety.

Mystic Iron City was initially a large "mine" that produced Mystic Iron Ore, and twenty years ago, it flourished, hosting a population of thirteen to fourteen thousand. Later, the main Mystic Iron Ore veins were mostly excavated, and the mine lost much of its value.

As a result, the sect powers swiftly relocated, and Mystic Iron City completely fell into neglect, becoming a wild city without anyone to take care of it.

But Mystic Iron City was far from barren; folks like Zhou Quan, who had no roots, still counted on making a living in Mystic Iron City.

He had just dug up a few dozen jins of Mystic Iron Ore in "Bingwu Road."

After selling the ore today, he planned to return to "Moon Spring" for a few days of restful respite.

At this moment, Zhou Quan spotted a person draped in a cloak entering through the western city gate at the end of the road.

Like all those coming into Mystic Iron City from outside, they began to shake off the dust and sand from their body.

Zhou Quan couldn't help but crack a smile, but he quickly covered his mouth.

However, it was already too late; the cloaked person had looked up in his direction.

Zhou Quan promptly turned around. Although somewhat careless, he was quite sharp-minded. He knew which kinds of people should not be provoked and were beyond his league.

Anyone coming to Mystic Iron City alone at this time must possess astonishing martial skills and might even be an Immortal Master.

Wasn't he asking for trouble by standing there and laughing?

"Quan'er, when will you change this playful habit of yours!"

Zhou Quan criticized himself inwardly as he calmly turned to leave.

After walking a few steps and hearing no movement behind him, he finally let out a sigh of relief.

However, just then, someone behind him cleared their throat lightly, "Excuse me, young man..."

Zhou Quan's scalp tingled, but he quickly feigned ignorance, turning his head and spinning around, and, as expected, it was that cloaked individual.

"This one, err, senior, do you need something?" Zhou Quan asked.

Zhou Quan was the quintessential treasure hunter, with rough skin, a tanned face, and strong, powerful limbs.

Strikingly, he had a friendly smile that was quite endearing and had saved him from many a dire strait.

"I'm new here and was looking for directions. Could you tell me how to get to Wind Feather Hall in the city?"

The cloaked person's voice was mild, and the tone amiable, yet the accent sounded unfamiliar.

"Could he be fresh from another Boundary, newly arrived in the Desolate Domain?" Zhou Quan thought to himself, while his smile widened: "Wind Feather Hall, you say! Just go straight from here, turn right at the second intersection in East City, and the shop in the middle of the block is it."

With that, he offered a "simple-minded" grin.

The cloaked individual nodded slightly and turned to head that way.

Zhou Quan couldn't help but glance several times at the retreating figure of the cloaked person before turning and walking away.

Just then, a lustrous white Stone Bead suddenly fell from the sky and landed in his embrace.

When Zhou Quan examined the Stone Bead, he gasped in shock, "A Spirit Stone!"

Uh!

Zhou Quan immediately covered his mouth, quickly tucked the Spirit Stone into his chest, and with a cautious look around, darted into a nearby alley.

After several turns and twists, he was almost back to his dwelling when a malicious breeze hit him from behind. Zhou Quan hastily dodged to the side, but the person who had approached was far superior in speed and skill. They grabbed his shoulder, exerted a bit of force, and flung him against the wall nearby. Their towering frame cast a shadow over him as they said:

"Heh heh, Quan'er, long time no see. You must have dug up quite a few treasures by now, eh?"

Upon recognizing the newcomer, Zhou Quan's face twisted into a bitter smile, "I have Third Master to thank for... taking care of me..."

As he spoke, he flipped his palm and a gold leaf appeared in his hand, which he deftly slipped into the giant's hand.

After taking the gold leaf, the giant's expression turned fierce, "And the rest, hand it over!"

"What else?" Zhou Quan's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained feigning confusion.

The giant, known as Third Master, gave a cold smile. With a little force, he hoisted Zhou Quan up close and bellowed with a vicious look, "Still playing dumb with me? I'm talking about the Spirit Stone! Where is the Spirit Stone!"

Zhou Quan shuddered, his face filled with fear, "Forgive me, Third Master! The Spirit Stone is here!"

As he spoke, Zhou Quan reached into his chest and drew out the Spirit Stone, presenting it before the giant.

Thud!

Zhou Quan fell to the ground,

the giant examined the Spirit Stone, a smile spreading across his face before tucking it into his pocket. Discover more content at empire

Zhou Quan lay on the ground, his body curled up, "I won't dare do it again, Third Master!"

"Get up, I have a task for you!" The giant kicked Zhou Quan's arm and commanded sharply.

"What's the task? I'm not smart; I'm afraid I might fail and jeopardize your important business," Zhou Quan got up, nodding and bowing with a foolish smile on his face.

"Don't say that, you're quite suited for this job. Who else but you, always the good Samaritan giving directions? Who else should I turn to if not you?"

"Giving directions? You mean..."

"The one who just entered from the West Gate."

Third Master spoke in a lowered voice, "You don't need to know anything else. Go join Wind Feather Hall and find an opportunity to mention a 'Treasure Pit' discovered in Yihai Mine Tunnel. Then lead a group of Wind Feather Hall's people to that pit..."

Third Master had been keeping an eye on Wind Feather Hall all along, and his response was rapid.

Something big was indeed unfolding!n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Wind Feather Hall had been a major force in the past, and although it was now in decline, it was not an entity that a treasure hunter like himself could afford to provoke.

Zhou Quan groaned inwardly but complained out loud, "Yihai Road, that's too remote!"

"If it weren't remote, I wouldn't need you."

Third Master scolded, "I'm giving you seven days. At the latest, before the next Black Sandstorm arrives, you're to lure them into Yihai Road... Don't worry about your reward; you'll be well-compensated. Of course, if you fail, you don't need to worry about living either!"

The chilling tone in his words made Zhou Quan's face darken. Yet Third Master laughed heartily, straightening up, "I'd say you're lucky. If this works out! You'll have a plot of land for yourself at Moon Spring,"

At the mention of "land," Zhou Quan shuddered, lowered his head, then lifted it again and said through clenched teeth, "I'll do it! But I need a solid promise, Third Master. Wind Feather Hall's members are ruthless. Afterward, Great Dragon Hall has to ensure my safety."

"Haha, don't worry! After this, Wind Feather Hall will be nothing but a puff of smoke. When they're all dead, who will come looking for trouble with you?" Third Master laughed boisterously, patting Zhou Quan on the shoulder.