West of the Floating Cloud Mountain Range.
Near the edge of the Illusion Sea Desert to the west lay five or six small and medium-sized states. Changping State, with a history stretching back several thousand years, was one of them.
Among the dozens of states across the Floating Cloud Mountain Range Cultivation World, Changping State covered an area somewhat larger than Pei State south of Wei State.
However, nearly half its territory consisted of barren Gobi wastelands and sandy flats. Thus, whether in cultivators or ordinary mortals, Changping State was instead far inferior to Pei State near Taiyue Lake.
The cultivation sect governing this small state was called the Fire Sword Sect. It had only two Golden Core Ancestors, and its strength likewise fell far short of Pei State's True Sun Sect. It was merely an ordinary Golden Core force.
Outside a small marketplace west of Changping State, more than a dozen cultivators were lining up to enter through its gates.
Although this marketplace stood close to the desert, with many places nearby lying bare and barren,
the number of cultivators passing through was no fewer than at marketplaces deeper inland. From time to time, streaks of sword light also flew overhead, heading straight for the Illusion Sea Desert to the west.
As the crowd slowly advanced, it was soon the turn of a male and female cultivator to stand before the gate guards.
"Where are you two cultivators from, and what brings you to Heifeng Market?"
"My Junior Sister and I are cultivators from Liang State in the north. We came specifically to purchase some spiritual materials at the marketplace, then planned to join others in trying our luck in the western desert."
"Demonic cultivators have started causing trouble in the west again recently. Your cultivation is not high,