"What are they doing? Are they trying to get themselves killed by flying up there?" Zhang Xiaohou asked with a confused look.
"I think it's some kind of ritual. For some reason, the Sandstorm Demon Locusts are summoned here to perform a ritual to regenerate the flames," Lin Feili said.
"What kind of ritual is that?"
The group saw the Sandstorm Demon Locusts flying into the Burning Mountain Range as they were talking. Some of the Sandstorm Demon Locusts that were not able to withstand the flames were set on fire.
As the Sandstorm Demon Locusts ventured deeper into the Burning Mountain Range, more of them were devoured by the flames.
The flames continued to spread among the Sandstorm Demon Locusts that were flying close together. The locusts that had lost their wings turned into fiery feathers and fell to the ground.
Not long after, the entire Fiery Demon Mountain fell like a rain of fireworks, lighting up the entire desert night sky. It was as bright as a dreamy night.
However, the fireworks were made up of the lives of the Sandstorm Demon Locusts that had just been born. It was a strange sight when hundreds or even thousands of locusts died.
"Is this their ritual? Jumping into the fire pit one after another?" Jiang Shaoxu wondered.
The ridiculous ritual lasted for more than an hour. The group was impressed by the number of Sandstorm Demon Locusts. It took them such a long time to burn the entire Burning Mountain Range down.
The sky was filled with ashes. Unknowingly, the night deepened. The demonic fire in the entire Demonic Flame Mountain began to extinguish.
The group finally dared to approach the Burning Mountain Range after the flames were gone. Lin Feili was leading the way. He led the group to the top of the mountain along a winding path.
"I don't know when it started, but the Sandstorm Demon Locusts have been committing suicide here every night. They are fearless and fearless. It's like they are enjoying the flames. I haven't seen any of the Sandstorm Demon Locusts running away in fear," Lin Feili said.
"Are you saying that the Sandstorm Demon Locusts are committing suicide here every night? Aren't the Sandstorm Demon Locusts supposed to be dead by now?" Jiang Shaoxu said.
"The Burning Mountain Range doesn't burn all the time. I don't know what the pattern is, but the Sandstorm Demon Locusts will come whenever it's burning," Lin Feili said.
"That's strange!"
"Humph, it's very strange. The Sandstorm Demon Locusts are the greatest threat to the west. Not even a blade of grass grows in the places they attack because of their overwhelming numbers. Isn't it a good thing that they are committing suicide here?" Zheng Tong said.
"You're right, the more burned, the less the disaster will be!"
"I'm afraid it's not that simple."
Stepping into the mountain, the residual heat of the flames was still there. The scalding heat under their feet made everyone feel as if they were walking on a hotpot. Not long after, some people couldn't hold on any longer.
The Sandstorm Demon Locusts, the Sandstorm Demon Locusts, Sandstorm to Sandstorm
"Brother Fan, I don't think we can go any further. The temperature is too high." Zhang Xiaohou said while sweating profusely.
Mu Nujiao, Jiang Shaoxu, and Ling Ling were the same. They couldn't withstand the temperature. If they continued climbing, they would faint from dehydration sooner or later.
"You should head back to the relay station to rest. I'll go up myself," Mofan did not force them.
Lin Feili was a Fire Mage. He told Mofan that he would reach the top of the Burning Mountain Range if he followed the path. He might find the sacred land of fire that set the whole mountain range on fire.
…
Mofan left the group. The others had no choice but to return to the team.
Tong Li seemed to be still concerned about his sister. He could not help but ask, "Feili, my sister mentioned in her last letter that she and her patrol team discovered an ore vein. She said she would be stationed there. Do you know where the ore vein is? I'm thinking of going there to take a look. Maybe I can find some traces of her."
Lin Feili was a little hesitant, as if he did not want to hear the word 'ore vein'. His face flickered with alertness and hostility.
"I've been worried for years. I just want an answer. Feili, if you know where my sister is, please tell me, even if it's just a pile of bones. I'll bring her back to my hometown, "Tong Li said.
"Lin Feili, do you really not remember your sister?" Jiang Shaoxu asked softly.
Lin Feili fell silent for a long time. He finally said, "I'll bring you there, but only you."
"Sure, thanks, thank you so much. If I can find my sister's remains, I'll be able to explain it to my parents!" Tong Li blurted out excitedly.
"You … you, come with me," Lin Feili suddenly pointed at Zhang Xiaohou and said.
"Me? Why do you need me to go with you when you're going to look for the remains … "Zhang Xiaohou was confused.
"I only trust you," Lin Feili said.
"… Tong Li won't harm you," Zhang Xiaohou said helplessly.
"Zhang Xiaohou, just go with them. Lin Feili has been living alone with the demon creatures for too long. He's sensitive to everything. He's going to be hostile," Jiang Shaoxu said.
"Alright."
…
The others had returned to the relay station. They were planning their next route. Zhang Xiaohou, Lin Feili, and Tong Li headed toward the mountain of black sand. Zhang Xiaohou had found Lin Feili there.
The three soon arrived at the cave that Lin Feili was staying in.
"What are we doing here?" Zhang Xiaohou asked, puzzled.
Meanwhile, Lin Feili reached the end of the cave and shoved the boulder away.
Zhang Xiaohou finally realized that there was a hidden space inside the cave. It was so deep that he had no idea where it led to.
The three went into the pitch-black cave. Lin Feili was very familiar with the place. His eyes were glowing even though it was pitch-black.
After walking for about half an hour, the path began to move upwards. The three of them exited the cave and arrived at a basin valley surrounded by black mountain rocks on all sides.
The place was surrounded by jagged black rocks. Only a few grains of sand were blown into the place. The basin was like a secluded place that was isolated from the desert.
"She was buried here …" Lin Feili said, pointing at a pile of rocks nearby.
Tong Li was startled. His eyes soon reddened. He was relieved after so many years, even though it had been a long time.
"Can I take her with me?" Tong Li asked.
"Sure."
Tong Li removed the rocks and rummaged through them. Indeed, there was only a small pile of bones left. He carefully collected every piece of bone and wrapped them in a cloth bag. It was clear that he cherished them very much.
"Tong Li, where are you from? Is it a custom to bury the dead in your hometown too? You're willing to come to such a dangerous place with us just for the sake of it. You're quite a righteous person," Zhang Xiaohou asked.
"(Sigh), the people in my hometown believe in this custom. They feel that their souls won't be able to rest in peace if they die outside. Commander Zhang, it's only a few days until the ritual. I'm hoping to find my sister before that, so she won't become a wandering soul. I'm afraid I won't be able to stay here with you, "Tong Li said.
"You're in such a hurry?" Zhang Xiaohou was startled.
"Yeah, the ritual is held once every four years. Those that have left their hometown must return on that day. Otherwise, they will have to wait for another four years. I'm not sure if I can make it back in time, but I can't just leave my sister's remains here," Tong Li said.
"But no one is planning to go back yet."
"Everyone has marked the way back. I'll just follow the path back. The only problem is the Sand River, but luckily, my secondary Element is the Wind Element. I should be able to make it back safely if I'm careful not to fall into it. I didn't expect to stumble into Lin Feili here. Brother Lin Feili, thank you so much! "Tong Li said.
"I've been talking to her all these years. It's good that you're taking her with you. I believe she would prefer to go back," Lin Feili said.
Zhang Xiaohou was startled, but he soon realized what Lin Feili meant.
Lin Feili must have been murmuring to the grave all the time. However, Zhang Xiaohou did not understand why Lin Feili chose to live here alone instead of going back to the city. Did he have something he could not bear to part with?
…
Tong Li left on his own. Zhang Xiaohou looked at his back and sighed. Tong Li was willing to take such a risk to come to this desert just so that his late sister could return to the dust of his hometown. It was truly commendable.
"Where are you from, Commander Zhang?" Lin Feili asked. He could already speak fluently.
"I'm from Bo City in the south," Zhang Xiaohou said.
"Why are you here in the west?" Lin Feili asked.
"I'm here to broaden my horizons. Speaking of which, why are you here?" Zhang Xiaohou asked.
"Someone asked me to stay here," Lin Feili said.
"An order?" Zhang Xiaohou was startled.
Lin Feili nodded.
"You almost forgot who you are. Why are you so worried about the order? The person who gave you the order might not even be alive," Zhang Xiaohou said.
"He is indeed dead. I should die here too, but … "Lin Feili paused in the middle of the sentence. He glanced at the spacious basin.
"Is there something hidden here? Why do I feel like you're very concerned about it?" Zhang Xiaohou asked indifferently.
"Mm, I'm still alive because I don't want to be covered up …"
"Covered up?" Zhang Xiaohou was confused.
"Do you really think the relay station was devoured by the sand?" Lin Feili said.
"Am I wrong?"
Lin Feili let out a wry smile. However, for some reason, his eyes were filled with hatred.
"What happened here?" Zhang Xiaohou asked seriously as he sensed something.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
