Chapter 106: A flower sheltered in a greenhouse

Another day passed.

Standing atop the massive golden-feathered eagle with his hands behind his back, Gu He gazed down at the vast landscape below. In the distance, a golden hue stretched across the horizon.

"The Tagore Desert… finally, we're here." With a thought, Gu He guided the golden-feathered eagle into a swift descent.

High in the sky, a golden streak—like a meteor chasing the stars—flashed across the heavens before hurtling toward a lone city standing amidst the golden desert.

When they were still some distance away, Gu He leaped off Xiao Jin's back.

As he neared the city, waves of scorching heat assaulted him.

Squinting at the golden expanse before him, Gu He exhaled softly.

"Ice Emperor Hai Bodong… here I come."

The air near the Tagore Desert was dry and blistering. The relentless sun beat down on the earth, baking the ground until waves of heat shimmered upward, distorting the very air.

Under normal circumstances, such an unforgiving environment would be unbearable. Yet, when Gu He set foot on this land, he was pleasantly surprised.

He discovered that his battle energy flowed smoother here than ever before.

A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. Extending his soul power, he reached out and clenched his fist slightly—instantly, a swirling orb of fire and earth attribute energy coalesced in his palm.

Examining the dou qi sphere, Gu He's lips curled in realization.

"So, this place is saturated with fire and earth energy…"

It seemed the Great Tagore Desert was ideal for cultivators specializing in these attributes.

If given the chance, Liu Ling should train here for a while. The environment would significantly boost his cultivation speed.

As for his disciples, Gu He had no intention of coddling them forever.

A flower sheltered in a greenhouse would never truly bloom.

Once they reached a certain level of strength, he would naturally let them venture out and temper themselves.

Brushing off the dust from his robes, Gu He strode toward the earthen city in the distance.

As he drew closer, the number of passersby increased—mostly sun-darkened, bare-armed men with bold, rugged appearances. The occasional women among them, though similarly bronzed, carried an air of unrestrained allure. Unlike the reserved noblewomen of the empire, they wore snug leather garments that barely concealed their curves, leaving their slender waists and toned legs exposed. Their hips swayed with every step, exuding a wild, captivating charm.

Gu He's eyes lingered appreciatively before he turned his gaze upward.

The city gates loomed ahead, its walls carved with two stark crimson characters that radiated a faint, bloody aura from afar.

*"Desert City…"*

Muttering the name, Gu He approached the entrance, where armored soldiers barked orders at the entering crowd under the scorching sun.

Strange… for such a remote desert town to have such tight security.

The heat had frayed the soldiers' patience, their shouts growing increasingly irritable.

Frowning at their harsh tones, Gu He sighed.

*"No point wasting time with them."*

With a flicker of soul power, he blurred past the gates, reappearing inside the city on a quiet street.

His eyes soon landed on a cluster of uniquely designed desert buildings. Though constructed from ordinary materials, their exotic architecture was striking.

After casually inquiring with a few locals, Gu He located Hai Bodong's residence.

Before long, a map shop named "Gutu" came into view.

Unlike its more extravagant neighbors, the shop exuded a humble, weathered charm.

Curious, Gu He stepped inside. The interior was modestly lit by two moonstones, casting a gentle glow over the sparse collection of maps.

Behind the counter, an elderly man hunched over a parchment, meticulously sketching with a steady hand despite his aged appearance.

Four other customers browsed the shop—three men and a woman, all dressed in lavish attire, trailed by burly attendants. They glanced at Gu He dismissively before resuming their lazy perusal.

The three men bore haughty expressions, while the woman in a tight red dress carried herself with an alluring confidence. The men's gazes lingered on her with a mix of admiration and concealed envy.

Ignoring them, Gu He approached the counter, picked up a map, and idly flipped through it.

'The Ice Emperor Hai Bodong… and the fragmented map of the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame.'

'Now that I am here, I will claim it.'

…

Enjoying the story? Get early access to 10 advanced chapters for just $3.

👉 Join me on Patreon: patreon.com/DarkLord621