Ch. 940 - City of Destruction, Longevity Dew

A single white crane could carry about ten people.

This was not because the crane could not carry more, but because the cranes were also divided by rank.

Depending on the price, one could choose different grades of cranes.

When Xu Zimo and Ji Ruobing stepped onto the back of the crane, the other eight seats were already filled.

The two of them sat down quietly.

Hundreds of cranes took off together, flying toward the Land of Destruction.

The sky was as clean and blue as if it had just been washed.

As the cranes spread their wings, the thick clouds were split apart, scattering before their eyes.

Such a sight was rare during the misty rains of late autumn.

Even one’s mood was lifted by it.

“Are all of you heading to the Land of Destruction as well?” an old man asked with a smile.

Beside the old man sat an elderly woman. The two looked like a couple, leaning against each other affectionately.

“Yes,” a burly man sitting nearby replied with a grin.

“I’ve heard the Land of Destruction has been restless lately,” the old man continued. “You should all be careful.”

“Isn’t that exactly why we’re going there?” the burly man said with a laugh.

Hearing him, a man with his hair tied back, holding a curved blade and exuding a sharp, cold aura, suddenly snorted in disdain.

“There are always people who want to try their luck. Without strength, going there is just throwing your life away.”

“Who says I don’t have strength?” the burly man retorted.

“In our Ox Village, I’ve beaten everyone without rival.”

“Ox Village?” The tied-hair man’s face showed even deeper scorn. “Must be some closed-off little mountain village, ignorant and small.”

“That’s none of your concern,” the burly man said flatly.

“The Blood Rune Space had a flaw appear. The Lord of Destruction issued a bounty, and anyone can take part.”

“Alas, another life wasted,” the sword-wielding man sighed.

“You’re not going for the Blood Rune Space as well, are you?” Ji Ruobing asked Xu Zimo, probing.

She hadn’t paid much attention to the Land of Destruction before, but seeing so many people heading there, something significant must have happened.

“You could say yes or no,” Xu Zimo replied vaguely.

He was going for the Ancient Celestial Court. The Blood Rune Space was just incidental.

“What exactly happened with the Blood Rune Space?” Xu Zimo turned to the burly man and asked. “Can you tell me more about it?”

“Another one rushing to die,” the tied-hair man sneered.

“Doesn’t matter if I tell you. By now, everyone knows about it in the Land of Destruction. You’ll understand once you get there.” The burly man laughed.

“You should know the Blood Rune Space’s sealed location is right here in our Overlord Region’s Land of Destruction. That much I won’t explain further. The Land of Destruction has always symbolized ruin since ancient times. Even the imperial lineages avoid meddling there. That’s why the ruler there is called the Lord of Destruction.”

The burly man paused to collect his thoughts, then continued.

“Some time ago, a crack appeared in the Blood Rune Space’s seal. Though it was patched quickly, a small number of Blood Rune Beasts still escaped.”

“You’re all going to hunt Blood Rune Beasts then,” Xu Zimo realized.

He had thought something went wrong with the Ancient Celestial Court.

“That’s right. The Land of Destruction put out a notice: anyone who captures Blood Rune Beasts will forever be a friend of the Land of Destruction.”

The burly man’s face lit up with excitement.

“And everyone will receive Longevity Dew, brewed personally by the Lord of Destruction.”

“Longevity Dew?” Xu Zimo asked with surprise. “What’s that?”

“You don’t even know that?” the burly man quickly explained.

“It’s a rare item that lets one’s spirit travel the Path of Immortality. They say with enough Longevity Dew, you might even comprehend the Dao of Fate.”

“Fate? One of the highest Primal Daos? That’s ridiculous,” Ji Ruobing said in disbelief.

“You just don’t understand,” the burly man replied. “They say Longevity Dew is even listed among the Grand Thousand Treasures. And the Grand Thousand Treasures are ranked in the Outer Heavens. Rumor has it Longevity Dew came down from there.”

As he spoke, the burly man made a mysterious gesture, pointing upward to the sky.

“You know quite a lot,” Xu Zimo said with a smile.

Outer Heavens, Grand Thousand Treasures.

This man’s identity didn’t seem so simple. What sort of place was this so-called Ox Village?

“Don’t underestimate me,” the burly man laughed.

The old man sitting nearby also chimed in, “What he says is true. The Longevity Dew really does have the power to aid in comprehending the Dao of Fate. They say it is condensed essence from the Longevity Tree itself. Although it’s very difficult to comprehend, it has indeed happened before.”

Hearing this, Xu Zimo thanked them and nodded.

It seemed this trip would indeed be lively.

The journey passed without conflict.

The group rode on the crane’s back. Although the distance from the Immortal City to the Land of Destruction was not particularly long, it still took about two days.

They spent the time watching sunsets and sunrises in rare tranquility.

Finally, by noon on the second day, the cranes approached the borders of the Land of Destruction.

From the sky, one could clearly see the contrast: the Land of Destruction was the complete opposite of the world outside.

Its ground was black, as though scorched by a massive fire.

The heavens above were also pitch-dark.

Even the air carried a trace of decay.

The land was barren, without a blade of grass, eerily desolate.

Human presence was sparse, with only the occasional vulture circling in search of carrion.

“We’re headed for the City of Destruction,” Ji Ruobing explained beside him.

“Tell me more about the Land of Destruction,” Xu Zimo asked.

“There’s not much to it. The City of Destruction is the largest city here. Nearly eighty percent of people gather there. It’s also ruled directly by the Lord of Destruction,” Ji Ruobing said.

“As for the outer areas, like the borderlands, there are only scattered tribes. They form and split constantly, hardly worth mentioning.”

“And this Lord of Destruction, what is he exactly?” Xu Zimo asked.

“That I don’t know. They say since the Land of Destruction came to be, the Lord of Destruction has existed. He is the true master of this land,” Ji Ruobing answered.

“No one knows his origin. He commands eight Martial Gods who each manage part of the Land of Destruction for him. But as for himself, he’s as elusive as a dragon, mysterious and unseen.”

“Interesting,” Xu Zimo chuckled.

At last, the crane entered the Land of Destruction, racing swiftly across the gloomy land.

In the distance, the group finally saw a massive city standing tall upon the scorched earth.

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