Martial Conquest of the Nine Desolates

According to the map, Xiao Ye traveled day and night, finally nearing his destination after nine days.

In the city closest to the Ancient Relics, Xiao Ye planned to rest briefly before heading into the mountains.

According to the information revealed by Elder Yang, the Array that protected the ancient ruins would soon cease operation, making it the best time to enter.

"Looking at your appearance, sir, are you planning to continue heading west?"

Inside the tavern, seeing Xiao Ye's travel-worn appearance, the waiter couldn't help but ask.

"Hm?" Xiao Ye was slightly startled.

This waiter's perception was indeed commendable, having guessed that he was heading west.

The waiter seemed to know what Xiao Ye was thinking and couldn't help but smile: "Don't overthink it, sir. I have been working in this tavern for many years and see many Martial Artists daily, so naturally, I've developed a knack for reading people."

"Our city is very remote; usually, few people come here. It's mainly Martial Artists from our own city who stop by. Sir, you look unfamiliar; you must be here for that matter."

Xiao Ye's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this, growing even more curious.

This waiter was quite a talent, knowing so much information.

Of course, what interested him the most was the 'matter' the waiter mentioned.

Could it be that the Ancient Relics had been discovered by someone? This would be greatly disadvantageous for him. What if Emperor Realm strongmen were attracted?

His strength was indeed not bad, and he also possessed treasures that could save his life, but competing for treasures against Emperor Realm strongmen was purely masochistic.

To know, the news Elder Yang had divulged was decades old. Who knew if other Martial Artists had discovered the Ancient Relics over the years?

Thinking this, Xiao Ye took out a Top-grade Primordial Stone from his Space Ring and tossed it to the waiter.

"I'm just passing by; could you tell me more about this matter you just mentioned?" Xiao Ye inquired nonchalantly.

"Sure, sure!" Seeing Xiao Ye's generous tip, the waiter's eyes brightened, and he pocketed the Top-grade Primordial Stone.

The salary he earned at the tavern didn't add up to a Mid-grade Primordial Stone in a month, let alone a Top-grade one.

"Our city is located right in between cracks of the Ten Great Regions of Central State, and it's sparsely populated. Usually, no powerful Martial Artists come here."

"But thirty years ago, a King Martial Realm strongman arrived. After resting briefly in our city, he headed towards the Lost Mountain Range located twenty miles outside our city."

"It's called the Lost Mountain Range because it's shrouded in fog all year round. Even Martial Artists of the King Martial Realm can get lost inside and fail to find their way out."

"That King Martial Realm warrior ignored advice and insisted on entering."

"However, ten days later, he emerged from the Lost Mountain Range severely injured but seemed very excited. He didn't stay long in our city and left immediately."

"Since then, rumors have circulated in our city that there are treasures within the Lost Mountain Range."

"Once this rumor appeared, it often attracted Martial Artists who forcefully attempted to enter the Lost Mountain Range to discover the treasures. Unfortunately, none of them ever came out, ending up buried within the Lost Mountain Range."

"So, this rumor is merely a frivolous tale. I advise you, sir, not to take it lightly and absolutely not to enter the Lost Mountain Range. Many foreign Martial Artists have perished because of this rumor," the waiter elaborated at length.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ye trembled all over.

A powerful King Martial Realm warrior thirty years ago!

Could this waiter be talking about Elder Yang?

Xiao Ye, piecing together Elder Yang's current situation and this rumor, suddenly understood. It definitely was Elder Yang.

"I had no idea so much had happened after Elder Yang left this place."

"And the Lost Mountain Range is still enveloped in fog…" Xiao Ye pondered thoughtfully.

He quickly suspected that the fog was not the real culprit but the Array that enveloped the Ancient Relics.

It was because the Array protecting the Ancient Relics was so terrifying that many Martial Artists became lost, giving rise to the legend of the fog in the Lost Mountain Range causing King Martial Realm warriors to lose their way.

With this realization, Xiao Ye breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as he had the map and the information Elder Yang revealed, he'd be able to enter and exit the Ancient Relics without a problem.

As long as no other Martial Artists discovered the secrets hidden within the Lost Mountain Range.

"Alright, I understand. You may go now," Xiao Ye said indifferently to the waiter, then sat down and began drinking alone.

He listened to the conversations of other Martial Artists in the tavern and noticed they didn't mention the Lost Mountain Range.

Perhaps as the years went by, they gradually forgot about Elder Yang's incident.

Soon, it was evening, and Xiao Ye took action!

Like a ghost, he flew out of the city and ascended to the Heavenly Dome under the cover of night.

With the help of the misty moonlight, Xiao Ye looked ahead and saw a sprawling mountain range stretching for hundreds of miles, like a mysterious Ferocious Beast lying on the ground, obscured and hidden by the ethereal fog, looking extremely mysterious.

"Is this the Lost Mountain Range?" A flicker of wonder crossed Xiao Ye's eyes.

From the outside, it was impossible to discern anything special about this mountain range.

However, if he carefully sensed his surroundings, he could detect mysterious fluctuations from within the mountains, as if they were calling out to him, making him nearly lose his composure.

Whoosh!

Xiao Ye swiftly flew past, quickly arriving at the edge of the Lost Mountain Range.

He stared into the fog that seemed endless, pausing for a moment, then pulled out his map to reconfirm the direction. He realized the Ancient Relics were just over twenty miles away from his current position, so he plunged headlong into it.

The entire Lost Mountain Range was eerily quiet at night, with neither the sounds of wild animals nor Ferocious Beasts, just the occasional breeze rustling the leaves, which sounded rather comforting and relaxing.

However, Xiao Ye's nerves were incredibly tense.

Given the size of this large mountain range, how could there not be a single wild animal? It was too quiet!

This only indicated that there was great danger within the Lost Mountain Range, causing all the animals to flee far away.

"Little White, help me keep watch around us. If there's any danger, notify me immediately," Xiao Ye called out to Little White, instructing carefully.