C1021 Ashen Hollow(1)

In the frigid, desolate depths of the Star River, three landmasses known as Ashen Hollow by the bandits drifted slowly. Yu Yuan found himself temporarily residing in this place. The foremost of these landmasses, referred to as Ashen Hollow, contained unique energy crystals essential for propulsion. The bandits had to continually replenish these crystals, similar to those used in the Voidfarer warships, to enable the land to soar.

The latter two landmasses lacked such energy crystal cores and were merely like carriages dragged by wild horses. Benin and Hart revealed that the first landmass, which housed the energy crystals, was inhabited by the close associates and families of the three Kings of Bandits. The subsequent two landmasses, towed by the first, were laden with various looted goods awaiting sale. However, the items on these trailing lands were not of exceptional rarity and thus of limited value.

The bandits active on these two landmasses were either weaker in combat or were family members, along with the enslaved captives they had taken. Should Ashen Hollow ever face a formidable foe, the golden chains linking the latter two landmasses would be detached. The primary landmass, powered by the energy crystals, would cast off the trailing lands and dramatically increase its speed to escape.

Zhan Ruonan and Sun Jun of the Ruby Hand displayed a rather nonchalant attitude towards the bandits, harboring no deep-seated animosity. Yu Yuan learned that cultivators from the Everlands and archdemons from evilkind paid little heed to the bandits who eked out an existence in the margins. Should they cross paths in the Star River, a cultivator in a foul mood might dispose of a bandit without a second thought.

Nevertheless, the combined forces of the Human Race and evilkind typically did not go out of their way to attack bandits scattered across remote regions. This was because the bandits' victims in the extraterrestrial Star River were almost exclusively Otherkin from various major races or inhabitants of weaker Domains. Moreover, any human venturing into the Star River would be at least a Solar Spirit or an eighth-level archdemon, often moving in small, coordinated groups. Scattered bandits dared not consider the formidable humans and archdemons of the Everlands as potential targets, opting instead to quickly evade and flee upon encounter.

Those less fortunate might find themselves at the mercy of a team composed of humans and archdemons, facing a brutal end. Bandits posed no real threat to the vast populations of humans and archdemons in the Everlands; in fact, they served as a nuisance to the allied forces. Consequently, the Everlands' mightiest wouldn't bother hunting them down without good reason.

Notably, many such as Green Willow, the Ghoul King, and dark disciples previously confined in the Sword Prison had interactions with these bandits. These bandits were the misfits among the races, purged by the regular armies of the coalition. Even dark disciples like Peach Madam, after fleeing the Everlands, took care to avoid the five greatest powers.

In some respects, the circumstances of both parties bore similarities, leading to minimal friction between them. Those not recognized by the five supreme forces often sought out bandits to purchase looted magic items, which they used to enhance their weapons and advance their cultivation levels.

Yu Yuan, shortly after his arrival, quickly grasped the situation with the help of Benin, Hart, Peach Madam, and Zhan Ruonan. He also learned that the Ashen Hollow was headed towards a Domain fervently constructed by the Skyreach Consortium.

Although the three Kings of Bandits had not yet returned, they were aware of the developments and understood the intentions of the White Crane and its master. Given that the Skyreach Consortium could precisely track the Ashen Hollow's course, the Kings of Bandits, lacking an alternative, had no choice but to direct their warship towards the bearings provided by the White Crane to avoid a swift demise at the hands of its master.

Yet, they remained hidden, biding their time and seeking to uncover the Skyreach Consortium's true motives. Yu Yuan and Peach Madam, upon discovering their destination, promptly decided against departure. Benin and Hart, lacking the power to traverse the fearsome Star River, were compelled to stay. Zhan Ruonan and Sun Jun, indifferent to the bandits' stance and capable of leaving at will, oddly opted to remain.

The bandits of the Ashen Hollow, always wary in their dealings with humans, instinctively submitted to the concealed strength of Peach Madam and the Solar Spirit emanations from Zhan Ruonan and Sun Jun. This deference extended to the point of advising other bandits to keep their distance and remain unseen.

Yu Yuan utilized his spare time to search for magical items that could benefit him on this stretch of land, which was at most a few dozen miles across. Often, objects deemed worthless or of little value by the Otherkin were considered precious to humans and archdemons alike. The same held true for him. For instance...

Yu Yuan stood amidst an area that resembled a cluttered marketplace, radiating his vitality. He suddenly narrowed his eyes at a collection of crystal tubes shaped like fingers, filled with fresh blood, and chuckled, "These?"

Kothen, a Stoneborn warrior who identified himself as such, possessed only a seventh-level bloodline. His Stoneborn realm had been ravaged by an archdemon, and he had narrowly escaped, only to fall into the life of a bandit. Kothen was tasked with monitoring Yu Yuan closely, ensuring that he did not leave this territory.

"Many of the smaller clans possess lifeblood of lower levels," Kothen said, bowing slightly with a humble demeanor. "Take the Crypt Clan, Fiend Scorpions, and Fire Lizard Clan, for example. In the Star River, they rank merely at the third and fourth levels. Neither the Fiend Scorpions nor the Fire Lizard Clan have yet produced a ninth-level powerhouse, and their numbers are sparse."

Kothen provided Yu Yuan with a detailed explanation. The crystal tubes, brimming with the lifeblood of lower-tier Otherkin, originated from a wrecked warship belonging to the Starborn. It was rumored that a Starborn squadron was pursued by the humans of the Everlands, and an elder sacrificed himself to enable the warship's escape.

This elder, who had a keen interest in the bloodlines of various clans, had amassed numerous crystal tubes filled with their lifeblood. After his death, the warship had barely escaped when it caught the attention of the King of Bandits from Ashen Hollow. Most of the valuable contents had been sold off, leaving behind only the lifeblood of fourth and fifth-level Otherkin. Since it had been overlooked, it was brought here to be dealt with later.

"What's the value?" Yu Yuan inquired with a smile.

Kothen paused briefly before responding, "Are you interested in purchasing?"

"Yes, if the price is right, I'd like to buy it," Yu Yuan confirmed with a nod.

Kothen's spirit lifted.

Yu Yuan hadn't resorted to force or simply demanded what he wanted; instead, he inquired about the price—a very promising sign!

It indicated that Yu Yuan and the others who had mysteriously arrived weren't intent on a massacre, nor did they plan to plunder in the manner of marauders!

"President Lyi of the Skyreach Consortium, since you've extended an invitation and the location you're requesting is also the Consortium's chosen site, I have no intention of causing trouble," Yu Yuan addressed his concerns. "Now, I'll select some items that suit me, using the methods of bandits, but through the proper channels of the Skyreach Consortium."