The Eight Desolate Mass Graves was originally a forbidden zone.
However, because of Master Kaihong and the discovery of the ancient ruins, various powers had now begun converging on this location.
In practically no time at all, this desolate place — once regarded as a forbidden region by the world — had transformed into an extremely lively gathering spot.
At first, those who arrived were all people of considerable standing. Hardly a single one was an ordinary individual.
But gradually, as the news spread ever wider, many onlookers who had merely come for the spectacle also made their way here.
These people were not particularly strong in cultivation. Their goal was never to compete for the treasures within the ruins — they had simply come to join the excitement and broaden their horizons.
Before long, someone actually spotted a business opportunity outside the Eight Desolate Mass Graves and built an inn that offered both lodging and dining, providing comfortable accommodations, fine cuisine, and even the company of beautiful women for the visitors.
"Wow, Wifey, look — look over there! There's an inn! Let's go grab something to eat and rest for a bit."
Wang Qiang, Chu Feng, and Zhao Hong were all wearing bamboo hats and had been heading straight for the Eight Desolate Mass Graves. But upon spotting the inn, Wang Qiang suddenly came to a halt.
"For crying out loud, you're a martial cultivator — would you actually starve to death if you didn't eat?" Zhao Hong shot Wang Qiang an irritable glare, her eyes filled with exasperation at his hopeless nature.
"I wouldn't, of course I wouldn't — wouldn't starve to death. It's just that enjoying the delicacies of the mortal world is one of life's great pleasures."
"Besides, I — I'm not doing this for myself. It's for you, Wifey. You've been flying us around for so long — you must be exhausted." Wang Qiang put on an ingratiating smile.
"I'm not tired," Zhao Hong said flatly.
"Wifey, look at all those people down there. Maybe we could pick up some useful intelligence."
"After all, it never hurts to be prepared. If we — we gather some information beforehand, we'll have a better shot at whatever's inside the ruins in the Eight Desolate Mass Graves," Wang Qiang continued.
"There really are quite a few people gathered down there. We might actually learn something useful," Chu Feng agreed.
"Fine. But we're only eating one meal. Once we're done, we leave," Zhao Hong conceded.
The three of them then descended into the inn. The inn had been constructed using barrier formations and was quite spacious, with a steady stream of patrons coming and going.
In order to gather intelligence, the three did not head for a private room. Instead, they sat directly in the open main hall.
Though it was crowded, noisy, and bustling with all manner of people, there were plenty of conversations to overhear. As long as one listened carefully, snippets of useful information could be picked up.
After finding a seat, the three ordered a lavish spread of food and wine. Wang Qiang ate with tremendous enthusiasm, completely forgetting about the matter of gathering intelligence. Chu Feng, however, discreetly sent a voice transmission to Zhao Hong:
"Zhao Hong, you said that once we arrived at the Eight Desolate Mass Graves, you would reveal your plan. We've arrived now — so you can tell us what your plan is, can't you?"
It wasn't that Chu Feng distrusted Zhao Hong. It was simply that a great many people had already gathered here, and the experts of the major powers had long since entered the ruins.
With so many powerful cultivators competing for the treasures inside, without a solid strategy, their strength clearly wouldn't be enough to claim anything of value.
So Chu Feng wanted to know exactly what Zhao Hong's plan entailed, so he could gauge whether it was sound.
"That's right, Wifey — what — what's your plan? You can tell us now, right?" Since Chu Feng's voice transmission was two-way, Wang Qiang could hear it too, and he chimed in with equal curiosity.
Of course, his words were also transmitted privately, audible only to the three of them.
"Actually, on the day the ruins were discovered, I obtained two extremely important things. One of them was a map."