Chapter 0624: The Secret Realm of the Demon Kingdom

In the past, within Yellow Sand Town, Wushuang Ghost had known quite a few people—companions who hunted fierce beasts together, drank and chatted with him. They were drinking buddies. Among them, one person, by sheer coincidence, was swept into the Secret Realm of the Demon Kingdom during the sudden eruption of a sand tornado. At the time, he gained a considerable opportunity within the secret realm. However, after reappearing, he lived for only three days before mysteriously dying.

It was said that he had been struck by a curse from the Demon Kingdom's secret realm.

He died under the effects of this curse.

That scene left a deep impression on Wushuang Ghost.

They had been drinking together that day, and the cultivator had gotten drunk and spilled many things—secrets and taboos alike, even things that others who had entered the Demon Kingdom's secret realm dared not mention. He spoke of them casually.

But the very next day after getting drunk, he died.

There was no visible wound on his body; it looked like he had died of natural causes, his lifespan exhausted, his vitality depleted, and his Life Wheel shattered. It was an extremely strange way to die.

He had been lively the day before, yet inexplicably died the next.

This made many people treat anything related to the Demon Kingdom's secret realm as taboo. They avoided it, afraid they too might suffer some sort of misfortune or curse.

"Ghost, you know something about the Demon Kingdom's secret realm?"Yi Tianxing asked curiously.

"I know a little. According to what my friend said, that realm is strange and dangerous. He was drunk at the time and didn't say much, only mentioning something about the Nine-Layered Demon Tower within the Demon Kingdom. After that, he mysteriously died."Wushuang Ghost's expression turned grim as he recounted the story in full.

"The Nine-Layered Demon Tower within the Demon Kingdom?"Yi Tianxing's eyes flickered, though he kept his thoughts to himself, merely taking note of the matter. If he never entered the secret realm, there was nothing more to be said.

"There really are hidden things about that place. Seems like those who've been inside are under some kind of taboo—they're forbidden to speak of it. If they do, they mysteriously die, as if cursed."Jin Xiangyu was a sharp woman. She immediately deduced that those who had entered the secret realm had been bound by some kind of restriction. If they leaked any secrets, they would suffer a deadly consequence. A curse-like death.

Which only proved how mysterious the secret realm really was.

"Forget it. This kind of thing depends on fate. If you're not meant to enter it, you won't—no need to worry. But if fate brings you in, then naturally, all will become clear."Yi Tianxing smiled calmly and brushed off the matter.

"Sand tornadoes can appear anywhere in the Golden Sand Desert. There's no fixed location. Who knows, Lord Yi, maybe you'll have the chance to enter the secret realm. If you do—and return—you'll have to tell me everything. I'll even pay you for the intel."Jin Xiangyu laughed softly, clearly interested in information regarding the secret realm.

To her, intelligence was business. What was worthless to some could be priceless to others. It was a profit without cost—after all, you can sell the same information to multiple buyers.

"Ha! My Lord, this Dukang Wine is truly miraculous. I just had a few sips and felt like my whole soul drifted off into a carefree realm—like I was in paradise! No wonder it's legendary. I'd heard of it before, but anyone who had it either hid it away or drank it themselves before others could get to it. Damn! I never understood the hype before, but now that I've tasted it, I see—it's addictive!"Wushuang Ghost grinned, hugging the wine jar tightly. He wasn't planning to let it go anytime soon.

There was still more than half left, and with just a few sips, it had put him in a state of serene bliss. Rather than keep drinking, he treasured it and carefully sealed the jar again, storing it in his storage pouch.

"You don't know yet? Not only do we have Dukang Wine, even Dukang himself now serves under our Lord. As much Dukang Wine as we want, we'll have!"Jin Xiangyu said with a giggle.

"Even Dukang follows our Lord?!"

Wushuang Ghost was thrilled, his excitement uncontrollable.

Dukang! That meant an endless supply of Dukang Wine. He would never have to worry about running out again.

"By the way, Ghost, what brings you to the Dragon Gate Inn all of a sudden? Off hunting fierce beasts again?"Yi Tianxing asked.

According to intel, Wushuang Ghost rarely left the vicinity of Yellow Sand Town. He mostly hunted beasts nearby. His presence here was unusual.

"Of course not. I do enjoy beast hunting, but the desert is full of sand—I hate sand. So I try not to go too far. This time, I heard word of an old friend. I wanted to see if it's really true. That's why I left Yellow Sand Town and came here."Wushuang Ghost's tone was heavy, mixed with expectation and complexity.

He hoped the news was true. But he feared it was false hope.

"Have you found them? Who is this person?"Yi Tianxing asked. Given Wushuang Ghost's abilities, someone he called an "old friend" must be exceptional. Possibly even a talent Yi Tianxing would want to recruit.

"No, I haven't found them yet. But based on what I've heard, the description fits very well. According to the reports, my old friend may have gotten trapped in an oasis. So I plan to investigate. If it's really them, I have to help."Wushuang Ghost said solemnly.

"Trapped in an oasis? Don't tell me... you mean the Devil's Oasis?"Jin Xiangyu's eyes sparkled with insight.

"That's right. The Devil's Oasis."Wushuang Ghost confirmed with a nod.

"What's this Devil's Oasis?"Yi Tianxing frowned slightly, curious.

"In the Golden Sand Desert, there are several forbidden zones. One is the Demon Kingdom's Secret Realm, another is the Devil's Oasis, and a third is the River of Quicksand. All are deadly zones where few ever return. One in a hundred might escape—if they're lucky. The Devil's Oasis is a wandering oasis."Jin Xiangyu took a deep breath and explained seriously.

"It can appear anywhere, looking just like a normal oasis. But those who enter it—humans, beasts, monsters—vanish. Once drawn in by its mysterious power, no one returns."

It was a taboo place, a life-forbidden zone.

What made it truly terrifying wasn't just its pull—it was the fact that it moves. It doesn't stay in one place. You can't even avoid it, because you never know where it'll appear. Once it does, nearby cultivators are in grave danger. No one can say whether they'll survive.

Uncertainty is the most frightening thing of all.

"Yes, it's the Devil's Oasis. If it weren't for the possibility that my old friend is trapped inside, I wouldn't go anywhere near that place. It's far too dangerous. Even I don't have full confidence I'd come out alive."Wushuang Ghost said with a deep breath.

Yi Tianxing nodded inwardly.

To knowingly risk death for the sake of a friend—this showed that Wushuang Ghost valued loyalty and friendship deeply. He had the virtues of the ancients, willing to brave fire and blade for a brother.

"According to reports, the Devil's Oasis last appeared about 300 li from the Dragon Gate Inn. At the time, a group of sand bandits and a female cultivator were fighting fiercely when the oasis suddenly manifested. They, along with many nearby cultivators, were drawn into it and disappeared. Someone waited for a whole day but saw no one emerge."Jin Xiangyu relayed the latest intelligence.

This had just happened nearby—she wouldn't have been qualified to run an intelligence business if she didn't know.

"Is that woman your old friend?"Yi Tianxing looked at Wushuang Ghost and asked.

"Hmm... not sure. But based on her appearance and cultivation level, it sounds like her. Either way, I had to come check."Wushuang Ghost nodded.

"But the oasis has already vanished,"Jin Xiangyu said.

"It may have, but based on past patterns, it never moves too far unless some special change occurs. So it's likely still in the surrounding area. That's another reason I came to the Dragon Gate Inn—when it comes to intel, this place is the most reliable in the Golden Sand Desert."Wushuang Ghost looked at Jin Xiangyu.