Xu Chunniang recalled that when those people had seen her, their first reaction had been to flee.
"Why were you so eager to leave when you saw me just now?"
"You may not know this, Fellow Daoist, but Prison Sand Mountain is a harsh place. Sand beasts often appear here. To fight them, cultivators who come here in search of heavy stones usually travel in groups. Anyone capable of walking alone through Prison Sand Mountain is certainly no ordinary person.
When we saw that you had appeared here ahead of us, we did not wish to cause any misunderstanding, so we planned to leave directly."
So that was it. It seemed these people were rather cautious by nature.
"I want to return to the Northern Territory. If I keep heading north, can I leave Prison Sand Mountain?"
"In theory, yes. But Prison Sand Mountain is exceedingly vast, and its terrain changes with the climate. It is very easy to lose one's way while traveling within it.
For safety's sake, if you wish to leave, you may travel with one of the merchant caravans from Sand City. Demon King Realm cultivators accompany the caravans, greatly improving their safety."
Xu Chunniang was somewhat surprised. "Merchant caravans from Sand City? There is actually a city built within Prison Sand Mountain?"
"There was not one originally, but as more and more people came to Prison Sand Mountain looking for heavy stones, the present Sand City gradually came into being. Though it is called Sand City, it is not particularly large. You will know once you get there.
However, the caravans charge no small price. You should prepare yourself mentally, Fellow Daoist."
"Thank you for telling me all this."
After giving it some thought, Xu Chunniang took out a high-grade demonic crystal from her storage