The grass in the factory should be plucked

Chapter 514: Jing Jue (Part )

After returning to Aidin Lake and resting for a day, Jiang Li and Xie Changan headed non-stop towards the Taramar Desert.

The location that the mirror spirit passed to Jiang Li showed that the earth-type spiritual plant was in the "Jingjue Ancient City" in the heart of the Taramargan Desert.

Xie Changan checked the information and found that according to records, the "Jingjue Ancient City" was originally the location of a small country in the Western Regions called "Jingjue".

Since the death of the last queen of Jingjue Kingdom, this small country disappeared in the vast sea of sand.

No one knows whether it was destroyed by a natural disaster or a war, as if this country had never existed.

But according to merchants from the Western Regions, someone who accidentally entered the Talamakan Desert saw a city that looked like a mirage:

Tall city walls stand in the sea of sand, camel caravans line up in long queues outside the city gates, servants lead camels loaded with silk through high archways, and groups of maids hold silver plates inlaid with gems and walk on the road paved with gold bricks.

From the city gate, one could vaguely see the prosperous scene of the city: there was a constant stream of pedestrians, brocade signs were hung on the shops on both sides, and curtains made of sand crystals were hung on the door lintels, which cast tiny rays of light on the ground when the wind blew.

But when those Western merchants approached the city, it suddenly disappeared without a trace in everyone's sight.

Therefore, regarding the "Jingjue Ancient City", local residents have two theories. One is that it is a "mirage" formed by the refraction of light.

Another way of saying it is weird.

"That is a cursed city."

Legend has it that the Queen of Jingjue was cursed and turned into a man-eating snake demon. Anyone who looked into her eyes would be turned into stone.

All the people in the Jingjue Kingdom turned into stone statues in the desert and were buried in the wind and sand.

If you see this city in the desert, you will be cursed by the Queen of Jingjue and suffer misfortune.

Jiang Li's eyes sparkled after hearing these legends: "Since the Mirror Spirit placed the earth-type spiritual plants in this city, the Jingjue Ancient City must be real."

Xie Changan nodded: "Yes, I just don't know why he suddenly disappeared in the desert."

Jiang Li thought for a moment and said, "It's either an illusion or a small space."

As for the "cursed queen", it is very likely that she is a demon cultivator who has occupied the ancient city, just like the fire python!

"This monster has been lurking in the desert for many years and has not done anything to harm anyone. It seems to be a good monster and can be used by me."

Jiang Li giggled.

Maybe I can recruit another capable younger brother!

Xie Changan raised his lips slightly: "How many pets do you want to collect?"

He saw that the master-servant contracts in her sea of consciousness were so numerous that they were almost a disaster.

Jiang Li chuckled and said, "Of course the more capable younger brothers I have, the better. I can stay in the mansion and command them, and I won't have to run around."

Five days later, the group arrived at the edge of the Talama Desert.

There are several dilapidated yurts scattered across the desolate Gobi Desert.

Several herdsmen wearing sheepskin hats were loading water bags onto camels' backs. When they saw a fully armed team approaching from afar, they all retreated into their yurts and pulled the felt curtains tight.

Xie Changan signaled his personal soldiers to come forward and question them.

A personal soldier who could speak Uighur dismounted from his horse and threw a piece of silver into the nearest yurt.

"Let's find a guide."

The door curtain of the yurt was opened slightly, revealing a pair of cloudy eyes.

“Go to Heishawo?”

The old voice was full of warning, "There is a storm in Heishawo recently, so you can't go there."

"A few days ago, a group of merchants rode their best camels in, but not even a bone was left."

The guard took out another small ingot of gold and said, "We are not going to Heishawo. Old man, do you know where the Jingjue Ancient City is?"

The old man walked out of the yurt tremblingly and asked tremblingly: "Are you going to find the sacred city?"

He looked around and lowered his voice, "You can't go there! According to what our ancestors have passed down, the queen of that city is cursed by an evil god. If you wake her up and she opens her eyes, anyone she sees will turn into stone!"

The personal guard reported the old man's words to Xie Changan.

"We have reasons to go."

Xie Changan took out a heavy bag and said, "Tell him that whoever can lead the way will get the bag of gold."

The personal guard relayed Xie Changan's words to the old man.

The old man looked at the team with doubt and uncertainty, especially the man and woman leading them.

The desert was windy and sandy, and Jiang Li and Xie Changan both had their faces covered. Although their appearances could not be seen clearly, they were dressed in luxurious clothes and had a noble demeanor. It was obvious at a glance that they were people in high positions.

"A person from Da Chu?"

A lame man came out of another yurt, leaning on a wooden stick. His face was full of grooves left by wind and sand. His left eye was covered with a black cloth, and his right eye was as sharp as a hawk in the desert.

"I can take you in."

He spoke in a hoarse voice, speaking fluent Great Chu Mandarin, and tapped his wooden stick on the ground, "But let me make it clear first, if you enter the Black Wind Pass and hear singing, you must turn around immediately!"

"Why?" Jiang Li asked.

"That means - the queen is awake."

The man twitched his lips and said, "To enter the city of gods, we must sneak in while the queen is asleep."

Jiang Li looked at him and smiled: "Have you been there?"

"I followed a caravan into the ancient city ten years ago, and I was the only one who came out alive." The man grinned, revealing half of his gold tooth.

"People of Da Chu, don't listen to him!"

The old man spitted and said, "He was cursed by the queen, so he has a lame leg and a blind eye!"

Xie Changan smiled faintly: "It's okay."

The personal guards translated the conversations of both parties.

"If you are not afraid of losing your life, just follow him."

Seeing that they did not listen to his advice, the old man walked back to his yurt tremblingly and ignored them.

Xie Changan signaled to his personal guard to hand a gold ingot to the middle-aged man.

"This is a deposit. Once you find the Jingjue Ancient City, this bag of gold will be yours."

The middle-aged man happily took the gold, stuffed it into his arms, and asked, "My dear friends, when are we leaving?"

Xie Changan looked towards the night sky in the east, where the morning star was rising from behind the sand ridge.

"We'll set out at daybreak."

The soldiers then found a sheltered place, lit a fire, and set up camp on the spot.

"What's your name? Where are you from?"

Xie Changan took off the mask and questioned the middle-aged man.

"My name is Qi Yong, and I am originally from Da Chu..."

The middle-aged man was halfway through his words when he suddenly froze.

At this time, Jiang Li also took off her veil, revealing her beautiful face, and the man was stunned for a moment.

"How dare you look directly at the prince!"

With a swish, the sharp knife of the personal soldier was placed on the middle-aged man's neck.

"Please spare my life, my lord, please spare my life!"

The middle-aged man knelt down and kowtowed repeatedly.

What did the guard say? Prince? That beautiful woman was actually a prince?

"Qi Yong, right?" Jiang Li smiled: "Get up, ignorance is not a crime."

Qi Yong did not dare to look up: "I was blind and did not recognize the great man. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Xie Changan snorted: "I believe you also know that the Turpan Khanate has been incorporated into the Great Chu, and now this place is the territory of the Great Chu. If you can lead the way well, I will reward you handsomely."

The long sword from his waist flew out, and the sword energy swept past, splitting a huge rock in half.

"If you dare to have second thoughts, you will be like this stone!"

Qi Yong was frightened out of his wits.

"Yes, yes! I will do my best to serve the prince and atone for my sins!"