In the Western Wilderness Region, yellow sand raged, and fierce winds howled. Sandstorms filled the sky like rain, and as far as the eye could see, not a single cloud could be seen on the boundless horizon. Only the blazing sun, like a fireball, emitted terrifyingly high temperatures that were unbearable.
The world was scorching hot, the air devoid of any moisture, and the endless yellow sand was devoid of any other color. The fine, shifting sands became as hot as burning coals under the blazing sun. This place was truly a desolate wasteland.
In the vast desert, Xiao Yan, dressed in a black robe, walked slowly westward, his steps heavy yet steady.
Since leaving Shahepu, Xiao Yan has been walking in the desert for seven days. During these seven days, Xiao Yan has spent several hours each day tempering his physical body. Although the process is painful, it must be said that under such repeated tempering, Xiao Yan's physical strength has also improved rapidly. Moreover, after repeated training, the Dou Qi in Xiao Yan's body is also rapidly solidifying.
The pure Dou Qi, refined by the Heavenly Flames, became even purer. What was originally a fist-sized ball of Dou Qi, after being refined by the Heavenly Flames, eventually transformed into a thumb-sized ball of pure energy droplets, which flowed into the Qi Cyclone Space within Xiao Yan's body.
Through this repeated, slow refinement, Xiao Yan's cultivation gradually stabilized.
After seven days of hellish torment, Xiao Yan's once fair skin had turned completely black, and several layers of skin had peeled off. Xiao Yan only knew that he had been bleeding constantly throughout his journey. The bright red blood would quickly congeal into a scab the moment it gushed out, and then it would crack and fall off just as quickly, only to gush out, crack, and fall off again and again.
Xiao Yan's body was constantly being ravaged and destroyed in this environment. However, compared to the first day, Xiao Yan was now able to rely on his physical strength to endure for most of the day in the desert. Although the final result would be that Xiao Yan would lose all his physical strength and even be unable to mobilize his internal Dou Qi, it was precisely because of this that Xiao Yan's strength improved at an even faster pace.
The saying goes, "Blooming amidst destruction, growing amidst adversity." Even Demon Phoenix needs to endure the pain of Nirvana to become a true dragon among men. Wouldn't one have to suffer even greater pain to become a dragon among men?
Fortunately, Xiao Yan's greatest strength is his perseverance and extraordinary resilience. He will never give up on anything he wants to do, no matter how much pain or danger he faces. Xiao Yan has played a significant role in his success.
Amidst a stretch of yellow sand, Xiao Yan sat cross-legged in mid-air, his hands forming cultivation hand seals. With a thought, the Flame Mantra Technique within his body immediately began to circulate.
Within the vortex, the pure Dou Qi circulated rapidly along the path of the Flame Mantra. After completing one cycle, it was refined by the Heavenly Flames and transformed into a drop of pure water, which then disappeared into the Qi Cyclone Space.
This process lasted for three hours. When Xiao Yan opened his eyes again, it was almost dusk. However, unlike the Western Lin Region, in the Western Wilderness Region, even at dusk, the sun was still blazing, only no longer as intense as at noon. But, a sultry atmosphere enveloped the world.
Protected by the Heavenly Flames, Xiao Yan was not affected by the harsh environment. However, as dusk approached, he should find a place to rest for the time being.
The desert environment changes extremely quickly. Without fixed road signs, even Xiao Yan cannot identify the correct direction. During the day, he can use the sun's trajectory to determine the route, so that he will not deviate from the west. However, at night, without a directional sign, even a map is of no use.
The map in his hand was indeed of the Western Wilderness Region, but due to the terrain, Xiao Yan was still on the outskirts of the Western Wilderness Region. This was a desert with undulating sand dunes, so what use could the map be?
Ordinary powerful individuals would simply fly across the desert on the outskirts of the Western Wilderness Region, which would take them only a day to traverse. Who would be foolish enough to walk like Xiao Yan? Otherwise, with Xiao Yan's strength, he could have officially entered the territory of the Western Wilderness Region in just half a day.
As night falls, the vast desert loses its daytime golden brilliance, and the once azure sky gradually deepens in color until it turns black.
Not a single star can be seen in the heavens, nor a single ray of light on the earth. The entire world is shrouded in mysterious darkness, where time has no measure, like quicksand in broad daylight, engulfing all injustice.
In the darkness, two figures were approaching each other at an extremely fast speed without making a sound. Upon closer inspection, it could be discovered that it was not both figures that were moving, but rather one of them was rapidly approaching the other in the darkness.
In this dense darkness, the figure was like a venomous snake, lurking in the shadows, its sharp fangs ready to pierce the person's throat.
Thousands of feet, hundreds of feet, tens of feet, until they were almost upon each other. However, just as the figure was about to make a move, a colossal creature suddenly burst forth from beneath the quicksand.
"Hiss!"
Sand and gravel flew up, surging outwards like sand waves, halting the movements of the dark figure. At the same time, a gaping maw lunged at the other seated figure, seemingly intent on devouring it whole.
When the beast's body was exposed to the darkness, it could be vaguely seen that it appeared to be a giant python.
This beast usually hides under the thick yellow sand, waiting for its prey to appear before it. Then it will seize the opportunity to launch a sudden attack, killing it instantly and devouring it. Today, seeing Xiao Yan come into its territory, it naturally regarded him as its prey as well.
Unfortunately, it chose the wrong target.
"Bang!"
As the giant snake slammed down and devoured Xiao Yan's body, Xiao Yan's seated figure suddenly shattered and quickly dissipated.
What that beast just swallowed was nothing more than an afterimage of Xiao Yan.
At that moment, as the giant snake turned its head, it discovered that in the darkness, an indistinct human figure was standing above its head.
"Roar!"
A deafening roar erupted, and just as the giant beast was about to make a move, Xiao Yan clenched his right fist and, in the instant the beast raised its head, slammed his fist down, piercing through the beast's head.
The terrifying force instantly shattered the tissues inside the giant snake's head, even piercing its jaw. Foul-smelling blood gushed out, and the beast's life force vanished rapidly.
Then, Xiao Yan withdrew his hand, without a trace of blood on it. Just as the giant beast's corpse crashed heavily onto the sand dune, Xiao Yan's gaze suddenly shifted, looking at the void not far from the giant snake.
There, a strange black mist churned in the air.
In an instant, Xiao Yan's face turned gloomy, and a chilling white flame ignited in his dark eyes.
" Ghost Hall!"