The black-robed leader gave a slight nod, his gaze still fixed on the deep, winding alley ahead. After a moment of silence, he said, "Kid, you've just arrived, and this world is far more complicated and dangerous than you imagine. This place is called the Illusion Sand Realm. At first glance, it seems to be an endless wasteland occupying most of the territory, but in truth, it conceals countless ancient ruins and mysterious secret realms. They draw powerful figures from every side, who come either to seek treasures and explore mysteries or to compete for inheritances."
As they spoke, the group turned a corner. Strange rune-light flickered across the walls on both sides of the street, as if silently recounting stories of the past. "The many factions in the city are deeply intertwined. Take our Black Robe Society, for example. We specialize in the Law of Sand, and excel at controlling sand and dust for our own purposes—repelling enemies and exploring secret realms. Even so, we're no more than a drop in the ocean of the Illusion Sand Realm. Then there's the Sand Spirit Palace, famous for raising Sand Beasts and controlling spirit sand. Their methods are sinister and ruthless, and they often clash with us over resources."
Ao Yue listened intently, nodding from time to time. The black-robed leader continued, "Deep in the desert, legend has it that there's a Tongtian Sand Tower. It's said to be the source core of the Illusion Sand Realm. Those who reach the summit can grasp the true essence of the Law of Sand, obtain supreme power, and reshape the balance of the entire world. Yet over the past thousand years, countless heroes have followed one after another, only to meet defeat and die along the way. Some were buried in the jaws