Early morning.
Perhaps it was because something weighed on his mind, or perhaps the nights on this continent simply did not allow anyone to sleep soundly.
Of course, the more likely reason was that he had spent the past few days sleeping by day and traveling by night, and his body clock had yet to adjust.
Cui Ciyou slept only briefly before waking at the first light of dawn.
The relatively peaceful campsite, lit by bonfires the night before, had now transformed completely.
By daylight, Kalaf Town presented a scene utterly unlike its nighttime appearance, brimming with raw vitality.
It was bustling and noisy, yet orderly.
Huge rugs had been spread before countless tents, displaying all manner of goods.
Many dark-skinned merchants with cloths wrapped around their heads were loudly hawking their wares in booming voices that cut through the din.
Not a single shop here had a respectable storefront. All business was conducted at these most rudimentary "street stalls."
It was very much in keeping with what they had seen the night before.
Even the food vendors used rugs as both seats and dining tables, lending everything a casual, carefree air.
Merchants shouted out their wares and prices, while interested customers answered even louder, bargaining back and forth.
Some transactions used those square, copper-colored coins, while others simply reverted to the oldest form of trade-bartering.
Such scenes of everyday life played out everywhere amid the crowded marketplace.
There was no shortage of arguments over prices, either, with spittle flying and faces flushed red.
But perhaps because they all made their living on this harsh land and observed some unwritten code, no one seemed to take things as far as drawing blades and spilling blood.
"Hey... Ciyou, look at that."
Elinalise tugged at his sleeve and pointed toward a particularly