Fortress Ruins

Brother Octopus refused and climbed back onto Chen Cheng's shoulder.

"He said he'll take us out of here if we each give him one Magic Crystal."

Snow Maiden turned to Chen Cheng, her voice brimming with excitement.

Chen Cheng had no idea how Snow Maiden communicated with the Sandworm, but if Magic Crystals could win him over, he wasn't going to begrudge him a few.

"Tell him we agree. And if he can take us to the glowing thing, I'll give him extra Magic Crystals."

If they could find a broken wall here, Chen Cheng figured there might be more ruins scattered through this underground space.

He had no interest in archaeology. He wanted to see whether any ancient devices had been left behind in the ruins. Even if they were broken beyond use, the Magic Runes engraved inside them would be treasures worth a thousand pieces of gold.

Snow Maiden relayed his request.

The Sandworm had spent years hungry and wasn't as clever as Snow Maiden. As soon as he heard he could get more food, he agreed.

But after hearing what he had to say, Snow Maiden's little brows drew together.

"He said he can take us there, but it's their nest. The seasonal winds have driven many Sandworms outside to forage. We have to leave before the others return."

Chen Cheng thought it over. According to Doyle, the seasonal winds wouldn't last long; otherwise, Desert City above would have been buried in sand long ago.

Most of a day had passed since the wind began. They didn't have much time left.

Even so, Chen Cheng wanted to take a look. "Tell him I agree."

Once the Sandworm got the answer he wanted, his gaping mouth began to contract. He curled in on himself until what had been