On the way to the City of Slaughter, Zhao Xuan did not continue traveling with Hermione. Instead, he had her remain in Star Luo City.
The events of Ghost Island resurfaced in Zhao Xuan's mind more than once, making him realize that this world still held countless dangers beyond even his control.
What was more, the City of Slaughter was also connected to a god.
On the northwestern border of the Star Luo Empire lay the point where the territories of the Star Luo Empire, the Heaven Dou Empire, and Spirit Hall converged.
Although Spirit Hall spanned the land between the two empires, it did not exercise particularly deep control over the western region. After all, the west was simply too desolate. Not to mention the boundless Star Dou Great Forest in the east, here, even finding a small grove of trees was incredibly difficult.
The western lands were filled with countless mountains and valleys. The ranges consisted entirely of bare yellow earth, and only stunted plants grew there. Even a small tree was a rare sight.
Whenever strong winds rose, yellow sand swept endlessly through the air, filling the land with desolation, as though this were a place cut off from civilization.
Yet in such a barren place, a small town lay quietly nestled within it.
Zhao Xuan crossed a bare ridge, then gazed down at the town below, his eyes narrowing slightly.
The town's architecture was exceedingly rough. Compared to the refined buildings of the Heaven Dou Empire, even the Star Luo Empire's architecture was ten or a hundred times better. At a glance, it seemed as though one had returned to the barbaric age of several thousand years ago.
Yet Zhao Xuan did not dare underestimate this place. Beneath the town, he faintly sensed a dangerous presence.