From Ulthar to the Bnazic Desert, there were land and water routes.
The land route would take him through Neil and Hatheg, through the 'Stony Wasteland' and the city of 'Meroy', and then he would reach the northern part of the desert. The journey would take him about a month if he was fast. It was a long journey but relatively safe.
The water route would take him west of the Skye River, past Mount Relion, and then the river would reach the eastern part of the desert. If he was fast, it would only take him about 10 days. However, there were many unknown dangers along the way, especially the part of the river that passed through the grassland. The passing merchant ships would often be ambushed by the Ossarians.
To save time, Gu Jun chose the water route.
When he left Ulthar, he carried many questions with him.
He wanted to go to Hatheg Kola to see the mysterious giant seal at the peak, he wanted to learn more about the dream world from Atal or the Elder Zoog. But his priority was to return to Earth. More knowledge might make it impossible for him to leave so he purposely stayed away from it.
Peacock refused to tell him what the relic was, she merely said, "You'll know when you get there." It was as if she was trying to trick him into going there.
According to the Elder Zoog, the vines around his feet were plants called 'Devouring Vines'. They could merge with flesh and blood creatures.
The Zoog's vines were of the gentle type, they were more ferocious in the Eastern Continent's Devouring Vine Forest. The vines there captured all kinds of creatures, most of them were humans. Some of them were still conscious but they could only grow there, unable to move.
Biologically speaking, this should not happen but this was the dream world, there were rules.
"These gentle vines have become part of your body." The Elder Zoog said, "Actually you can control them, you can try."
Gu Jun gave it a try. He focused his mind and indeed he could control them. The vines were like more limbs.
This … seemed to be useful in a way. But he knew the vines were also corrupting and changing him. Structure determined function, perhaps it determined human nature.
Therefore, he asked the Zoogs to remove them for him. The Elder Zoog had him drink a medicinal wine called 'Withering Vines Wine'. According to him, after drinking it for a few days, the Devouring Vines in his body would naturally wither away.
Gu Jun adopted this plan but he required the Elder Zoog to accompany him and drink the wine for five consecutive days. After the animal experiment, then the peacock participated in the human experiment. Nothing happened, so he started to take it himself.
"Mr. Nightmare Man, it is my honor to test your medicine." Peacock volunteered and she did not hide her intention. "I only hope that this little service of mine will improve your impression of our tribe."
She was different from Malachite. Malachite was stubborn and didn't say much.
Peacock was the kind of person who was willing to sacrifice anything. Even if she was humiliated, she would not retreat.
Gu Jun respected such people very much and had no ill intentions towards them. If he deliberately made things difficult for them, it was just to test them. He had not let his guard down. These people could be cultists at any time, and they were leading him into a trap.
The tranquility of the three towns of Ulthar was a fluke. As soon as the merchant ship entered the area of Mount Relion, the environment suddenly became harsh.
Thunder rumbled at the peak of Mount Relion all year round. The rainstorm washed over the primeval rainforest. On the seventh day, as the merchant ship headed southwest, they saw a vast grassland. The tall grass blocked their vision and the danger increased by a hundred times.
"When we were young, we wanted to burn down this grassland so that the Ossarians would not come to disturb us."
Peacock brought up a small story. "Even the adults said that it would not work, it would not burn down. But we refused to believe that. Look at these grass, it will turn into a sea of fire with just a little bit of fire. "
"Hmm." Gu Jun knew that was true. It was already autumn and the grass was turning yellow. They were easy to burn and there was no rain here.
"Then the few of us …" Peacock shook her head and laughed. "Me, Malachite, Gold, Aquamarine and the rest, we sneaked out of the tribe. We walked for 3 days until we reached the edge of the grassland. We set the place on fire, it was a real sea of fire. When we returned, we were so happy that we didn't even need to sleep. "
She paused at this point and her tone turned lonely. "But the Ossarians still came that year."
Gu Jun heard the silence. After these few days of interaction, he could feel the sincerity of the woman's emotions …
He had asked the Elder Zoog about the land's travellers before Peacock and Aquamarine.
"The land's travellers are a bunch of strange people." The Elder Zoog was confused. "We do not understand them."
Was there anyone the Zoog did not understand? He asked for the reason and the Elder Zoog answered, "Their settlement is very secretive and difficult to find. Even if we do find it, we won't be able to get close."
"Our tribe has always been on high alert." Peacock explained, "Forgive me for being blunt, but no tribe will welcome the Zoogs to sneak into their territory. Otherwise, all our defensive strategies will fall into the hands of the Ossarians the next day. Our place is so guarded that not even a rat can sneak in. "
"But aren't you all being too cautious?" The Elder Zoog sighed. "But this is my first time at Bnazic, let's see how you defend yourself."
Peacock was right, Gu Jun believed if he was the tribe leader, he too would eradicate these rats.
On the eighth day, after they disembarked from the merchant ship at the mouth of the river, they switched to a camel wagon and traveled through the scorching desert.
It was another 2 days of journey. The closer they got to the tribe's settlement, the more nervous Peacock and Malachite became. Their eyes shone brightly.
Gu Jun shared the same complicated feeling, perhaps even more so than them. What was the origin of this tribe? Time to change? Future? Parallel worlds?
After these 10 days, he basically believed that he would help as much as he could. Like Peacock said, he was from the same tribe.
He could not figure out anything from the Pnakotic Manuscripts but perhaps the wise ones could?
Under the afterglow of the setting sun, the undulating yellow sand stretched as far as the eye could see. The camel left a string of footprints as it pulled the caravan forward.
"Mr. Nightmare Man, look, it's over there! Our Kindling City. "Peacock said excitedly. Suddenly she saw something and shouted," Little Sugar! "She introduced with a smile," That's Little Sugar, she's our sister. "
Peacock hopped down from the wagon and rushed over, "Little Sugar, go inform the city that we have a VIP! Of course we have a present for you, we bought it at Dylath-Leen. Look. "She took out a ceramic dog doll and handed it to Little Sugar," This is for you. "
"Little Sugar!" Malachite, who was driving the cart, laughed and said, "That pottery doll is more expensive than a real dog."
They were overjoyed but inside the wagon, Gu Jun's heart had sunk to an abyss. He focused his eyes on his surroundings …
There were no children. There was no village ahead.
There weren't even any broken walls. There was only a small lake that was close to drying up, as well as a pile of rocks and weeds.
Peacock released her grip and the doll fell to the sand. She was still smiling, "Don't listen to Malachite. Don't worry about the price, as long as you like it."
"What a bunch of strange people." The Elder Zoog who was also inside the wagon said, "That is their settlement but we Zoogs have been unable to find them."
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