C1021 The Gloomy Paradise(1)

In the desolate expanses of the galaxy, three landmasses known as "Gloomy Paradise" by marauding bandits drifted slowly through space.

Yu Yuan had temporarily settled on these lands.

The foremost of these landmasses, dubbed "Gloomy Paradise," housed a unique core of energy crystals. The bandits had to constantly replenish these crystals, identical to those powering the Galaxy Ancient Starship, to enable the land to soar.

The remaining two landmasses lacked such energy crystal cores and were akin to horse-drawn carriages.

Benin and Hart revealed that the first landmass, which contained the energy crystal core, was inhabited by the closest followers and families of the three kings of the roving bandits.

The subsequent landmasses, dragging behind the first, were laden with various plundered goods awaiting sale.

The goods stored on these trailing lands were not rare treasures and were of limited value.

Those active on these two landmasses were either weaker bandits or their relatives, as well as the slaves they had captured.

Should "Gloomy Paradise" face a formidable foe, the golden chains linking the latter two landmasses would be detached.

The leading landmass, with its energy crystal core, would cast off the others and escape at a speed several times greater.

Zhan Ruonan and Sun Jun from the Red Devil Sect displayed a rather indifferent attitude towards the bandits, harboring no deep-seated animosity.

Yu Yuan learned that the human cultivators and demons from the Boundless Land tended not to concern themselves with the bandits who eked out an existence in the fringes.

Should they cross paths in the depths of the Outland Star River, a human cultivator in a foul mood might casually dispatch a bandit.

Nevertheless, the joint forces of humans and demons generally did not go out of their way to hunt down bandits scattered across remote areas.

This was because the bandits of the Outland Star River primarily preyed on other races or weaker domains within the Realm.

Moreover, any human venturing into the Outland Star River was at least a Yang God or an Eighth Level Great Demon, often moving in small teams.

Scattered bandits dared not consider the mighty individuals from the Boundless Land or the Great Demons as targets, fleeing swiftly upon encounter.

Only those with poor luck would fall victim to the human cultivators and Great Demons' wrath.

The bandits posed no threat to the people and demons of the Boundless Land; in fact, they could even be leveraged to vex the allied forces. Consequently, the mighty beings of the Boundless Land saw no benefit in exterminating them.

Many evil cultivators, such as Lvliu and Yin Corpse King, who had once been confined in the Sword Prison, also engaged with the bandits. These bandits were the misfits among the various races, having been purged by the regular armies. After fleeing the Boundless Land, even nefarious figures like Yin Corpse King and Peach Madam steered clear of the five supreme forces.

In certain respects, the circumstances of both groups bore striking similarities, leading to a mutual lack of animosity. Those not recognized by the five supreme forces often turned to the bandits to procure spiritual materials, which they used to forge their weapons and enhance their realms.

Yu Yuan quickly grasped the lay of the land with the assistance of Benin, Hart, Peach Madam, and Zhan Ruonan. He also learned that the "Gloomy Paradise" he stood upon was headed towards the very Realm currently under construction by the Babel Chamber of Commerce.

Although the three kings of roving bandits had not yet returned, they were aware of the unfolding events and understood the intentions of the White Crane and its owner. Following the White Crane's revelation that the "Gloomy Paradise's" course could be precisely tracked by the Babel Chamber of Commerce, the bandit kings had no choice but to command their forces to navigate towards the coordinates provided by the White Crane, to avoid a swift eradication by its master.

Yet, they remained out of sight, biding their time and seeking to discern the true motives of the Babel Chamber of Commerce.

Upon realizing their destination, Yu Yuan and Peach Madam, along with Zhan Ruonan, immediately decided to stay put. Benin and Hart, lacking the power to soar through the fearsome galaxy on their own, were compelled to remain as well. Zhan Ruonan and Sun Jun, indifferent to the bandits much like the majority of human powerhouses, had the means to depart at will but opted to stay.

The bandits of "Gloomy Paradise" always approached interactions with humans with utmost caution. The concealed strength of Peach Madam, along with the presence of Zhan Ruonan and Sun Jun's Yang Gods, prompted them to adopt a submissive posture, avoiding any provocation and advising other bandits to keep a low profile.

Yu Yuan took advantage of his spare time to search for spiritual materials that could benefit him on this stretch of land, which spanned no more than a few dozen miles. Often, objects deemed worthless or of minimal value by other races could be incredibly precious to humans and Greater Demons. This was also true for him.

For instance, Yu Yuan found himself in an area that resembled a cluttered market stall, emanating his Qi. His gaze was drawn to a collection of crystal tubes, shaped like fingers, filled with fresh blood. With a smile, he inquired, "These?"

Ke Dun, a Rock Clan warrior with only a Seventh Level bloodline, had survived the destruction of his clan by Greater Demons and had since turned to banditry. He was assigned to watch Yu Yuan closely, ensuring that Yu Yuan didn't leave the land.

"Many smaller clans have bloodlines of a lower grade," Ke Dun said, bowing slightly in a show of humility. "Take the Crypt Clan, Demon Scorpion Clan, and Fire Lizard Clan, for example; they are merely third and fourth echelon clans within the Star River. Neither the Demon Scorpion Clan nor the Fire Lizard Clan has produced a Ninth Rank expert, and their numbers are sparse."

Ke Dun provided Yu Yuan with a thorough explanation. The crystal tubes before them, filled with the blood of lower-grade beings, were salvaged from a damaged Galaxy Ancient Starship of the Star Race. It was rumored that this ship had been pursued by humans, and the clan elder sacrificed himself to ensure its escape.

That elder had an interest in the bloodlines of various clans and had amassed numerous crystal tubes filled with blood. After his death, the ship was soon targeted by the king of roving bandits from Gloomy Paradise. Most of the valuable contents were sold off, leaving behind only the blood of Fourth Level and Fifth Level lesser races. Since it had attracted little interest, it was brought here to be dealt with later.

"What's the value?" Yu Yuan asked, still smiling.

Ke Dun hesitated before responding, "Are you interested in purchasing?"

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

Duncan's spirits lifted.

Yu Yuan hadn't resorted to forceful taking; instead, he inquired about the price—a very positive sign!

This indicated that Yu Yuan and those who had mysteriously arrived weren't here to wreak havoc. They had no intention of looting them in the manner of roving bandits!

"President Lyi of the Babel Chamber of Commerce, since you've extended an invitation and the location you're interested in is also the Chamber's chosen site, I have no intention of causing trouble," Yu Yuan addressed the concern. "Right now, I'll select some items that suit me, but I'll do it in the fashion of the roving bandits!"