Yang Kai had originally considered whether to have Chang Qi and Hao An follow the other Shadow Moon Palace disciples. After all, traveling in a group would significantly improve their safety.
Having two middle-aged men of no small age wedged among those young beauties might seem a bit incongruous, but sometimes age was synonymous with experience and know-how. Their strength was considerable, and they might well prove useful to the Shadow Moon Palace disciples.
When he raised the idea, both Chang Qi and Hao An shook their heads and refused.
It wasn't that they were worried about being too old to fit in with the Shadow Moon Palace disciples. Rather, since they had resolved to enter the Flowing Flame Sandlands to seek their own fortunes, they naturally couldn't move as part of a group. If they did, any gains would have to be shared with others. The two hadn't even planned to stick together—they intended to split up as soon as they entered.
They had a point, and after a moment's thought, Yang Kai dropped the matter.
Two days later, Qian Tong made a hurried appearance, distributing entry passes to everyone. He also handed out a small artifact to each person—a Primordial Compass.
The Flowing Flame Sandlands were simply too vast, and inside there was no sun, moon, or stars. Once you entered, you'd be unable to tell direction. The Primordial Compass was designed precisely for navigation.
Wei Guchang had mentioned it to Yang Kai before. Once he had it in hand, Yang Kai fiddled with it a few times and immediately figured out how it worked.
The compass was crafted with extraordinary precision. No matter how you turned it, it always pointed steadfastly toward a specific location. With such a device at hand, there was no need to worry about getting lost within the Flowing Flame Sandlands.
Yang Kai carefully stored the Primordial Compass away, then sat cross-legged with Chang Qi and Hao An to rest and gather his strength.
As time passed, the dark crimson energy veil covering the Flowing Flame Sandlands visibly faded, and from within came waves of highly unstable energy fluctuations.
Once they noticed this, everyone stood up, understanding that the opening of this forbidden zone was imminent. Excitement filled the air as people rubbed their fists and stamped their feet in anticipation.
Many gazed eagerly at the Flowing Flame Sandlands, quietly fantasizing about what kinds of rewards they might find within.
Only the Return Void Realm powerhouses who had led the groups wore expressions of deep concern.
They understood the dangers of the Flowing Flame Sandlands better than anyone. Many of these Return Void Realm cultivators had personally ventured inside four hundred years ago, enduring countless tribulations before narrowly escaping with their lives. Even those who hadn't gone in had read accounts of such expeditions in their respective sects' archives.
Though deeply worried, none of the Return Void Realm cultivators let their emotions show.
After all, if you wanted rewards, you had to pay a price. Even if that price was measured in thousands of lives—as long as the core disciples remained safe, they couldn't care less.
Return Void Realm powerhouses continuously flew overhead, loudly cheering on the Saint King Realm cultivators who were about to enter the Flowing Flame Sandlands. Of course, they didn't forget to remind them to be cautious, avoid conflicts with others inside, show mutual care and courtesy, and so on.
How many actually heeded these useless words, no one knew. Wherever there was profit to be had, there were disputes. Every time the Flowing Flame Sandlands opened, twenty to thirty percent of the casualties came from people fighting over good finds.
Half a day later, the unstable energy fluctuations emanating from within the Flowing Flame Sandlands suddenly subsided. Then, the already faded energy veil went through a dazzling series of transformations before stabilizing as well.
It was clearly visible that in one area, the pale crimson energy veil had faded even further, looking like an open gateway.
The Flowing Flame Sandlands were now officially open!
The elders of each sect shouted with all their might, surging toward the entrance in wave after wave. Shadows jostled and shoulders bumped as nearly three thousand people rushed to the entrance all at once.
A dozen or so peak Return Void Realm powerhouses stood guard there, watching like tigers. The moment they saw the Saint King Realm cultivators rushing forward, they simultaneously unleashed their might.
The entire world seemed to freeze. All the Saint King Realm cultivators were rooted to the spot, unable to move. Those with weaker constitutions turned deathly pale, their clothes soaked through with sweat.
Being enveloped by such might was nauseating. It was the feeling of having no control over life and death—as if your very existence hung on a whim of the might's master.
"What's all the rushing for?" A ruddy-faced elder flew up into the air, swept a stern gaze across the crowd, and bellowed: "Everyone line up and go in one at a time! Anyone who tries to cut in will have their entry revoked immediately!"
At his words, everyone obediently began lining up. Fortunately, the entrance was reasonably wide, so the queue formed five columns. Per the elder's requirement, each person entering the Flowing Flame Sandlands had to hold their entry pass up for the Return Void Realm cultivators to inspect. There was no way to slip through without one.
"Brother Yang! Brother Yang!"
Just as Yang Kai had lined up with Chang Qi and Hao An at the tail end of one of the queues, he heard Wei Guchang calling his name.
Looking toward the voice, he saw Wei Guchang and Dong Xuan'er in a nearby queue, surrounded entirely by Shadow Moon Palace disciples both in front of and behind them.
"Brother Wei." Yang Kai smiled at him.