Chapter 1: Scavenger Camp

The forbidden zone that had formed in this eastern corner of the Southern Phoenix Continent was not very extensive. The ruins Xu Qing and his group had left were located on its edge. This was also why the scavengers had been able to reach the city on the first day of sunlight. So, as dusk approached, they were already nearing the edge of the forbidden zone.

Although they encountered some mutated beasts along the way, the scavengers swiftly dealt with them. As Xu Qing observed, he formed a judgment. He believed that if he were to engage, he could hold his own against any of the six scavengers, with the exception of the elder known as Captain Lei.

"They are not cultivators, but their ruthless attacks, precise timing, and seemingly fearless attitude towards death at critical moments enhance their lethality."

Xu Qing analyzed in his mind, concluding he could take on any of the others one-on-one, except for Captain Lei. Two would not be impossible, but he feared he wouldn't manage against three. With this assessment, Xu Qing grew even more cautious. He also keenly noticed that as they drew closer to the outside world, the scavengers' expressions visibly relaxed. They even occasionally joked and laughed among themselves along the way.

Only the old man known as Captain Lei remained silent throughout the journey. The others showed him considerable respect and awe, which piqued Xu Qing's curiosity about the old man's identity. However, his curiosity did not diminish his vigilance. Even though they were about to exit the forbidden zone, Xu Qing remained cautious and did not stay too close to the scavengers as he followed them. Instead, he kept a moderate distance behind, listening to their conversations while cautiously accompanying them.

Just as night was about to fully descend, a wave of warmth washed over him. Xu Qing paused, looked back at the barren land behind, then towards the world ahead. It was as if an invisible boundary existed where he stood, dividing the world. Inside the boundary lay the newly formed forbidden zone, cold and chilling. Outside the boundary was the normal world, where the earth felt like spring.

They had exited the forbidden zone. Although it was nighttime outside, the starlit sky was brilliant, and the bright moon hung high. Though the land was still desolate, it was nowhere near as bleak as the forbidden zone, and occasionally, normal sounds of birds and beasts could be heard. In the distant grass, Xu Qing even saw a rabbit watching them warily. All of this made Xu Qing feel a bit dazed.

The scavengers' expressions visibly relaxed completely, and even Captain Lei's brow unfurrowed.

"Finally, we're out," one exclaimed. "It was relatively smooth this time. If I have any choice, I never want to step foot in the forbidden zone again."

"Not go to the forbidden zone?" another retorted. "In this hellish world, if you want to survive and live better, you must risk your life in the forbidden zone. Sooner or later, I will buy residency in a Seven Blood Eyes branch city!"

Outside the forbidden zone, the scavengers were clearly in a relaxed mood, exchanging words. Xu Qing remained silent but listened carefully. Throughout the journey, he had learned much information he previously couldn't access by listening to their conversations. For instance, he had heard the scavengers mention "Seven Blood Eyes" multiple times; it seemed to be a very powerful organization. The name "Purple Earth" had also been mentioned by them several times.

"Is that all your ambition?" one scoffed. "There are many Seven Blood Eyes branch cities; the nearby Antler City is one. But residency there isn't just bought with enough spirit coins; it also requires a recommendation from a Seven Blood Eyes disciple. Besides, what's residency there worth? My goal is to gain entry qualifications into Seven Blood Eyes and become a disciple!"

"If you went to Seven Blood Eyes, you wouldn't survive three days," another scoffed. "Anyone can brag. Why don't you say your goal is to go to the ancient continent overseas, where the origin of humanity is?"

Xu Qing's heart stirred upon hearing this; he had seen the name "Wanggu" on a bamboo slip.

"Wanggu? If I had the ability to ignore those forbidden things in the sea, do you think I wouldn't go?"

Two of the scavengers seemed to be having a verbal conflict and started to bicker. Xu Qing pricked up his ears, just about to continue listening to their conversation for information, when Captain Lei, who was nearby, glanced at the two and spoke for the first time throughout the journey.

"It's not impossible to go to the Wanggu Continent," he said. "There are four ways; you can consider which one suits you. First, establish a foundation before turning fifteen, becoming a rare prodigy. Second, pay 300,000 spirit coins to purchase a migration quota from Purple Earth, Seven Blood Eyes, or the Litou Sect. Third, make outstanding contributions to humanity in alchemy. Fourth, be accepted as a direct disciple by one of Purple Earth's major families, one of Seven Blood Eyes' peak masters, or the Litou Sect's leader. Oh, and there's a fifth way: become a Treasure Nurturer. Which one do you think suits you?"

The scavengers fell silent, their expressions growing unnatural, and fear appearing in their eyes, especially upon hearing the fifth method. Xu Qing's eyes also narrowed; he had heard the term "Treasure Nurturer" before. That was when he was in the slums; he once had several familiar companions who were taken away by richly dressed people. It was said they were to be trained as Treasure Nurturers; at the time, the other children in the slums were quite envious.

So he hesitated for a moment, looked at Captain Lei, and quietly asked, "Excuse me... what is a Treasure Nurturer?"

Captain Lei's gaze fell on Xu Qing, and he spoke calmly. "They are individuals who use their own bodies to nurture magical artifacts, cultivating special methods. They rely on their flesh and blood to dilute the foreign substance contamination from the artifacts, mitigating the increase in foreign substance with each use, thereby allowing for continuous use. In return, they gradually wither and die."

Xu Qing's eyes narrowed, and he fell silent, unable to speak for a long time. The others also seemed to lose the will to talk because of the words "Treasure Nurturer," and they walked in silence through the night.

After they had traveled some distance from the forbidden zone, Captain Lei chose to set up camp on a plain. Unlike in the forbidden zone, camping outside meant that besides the tents, there were also lit bonfires. As the flames burned, the warmth around them intensified. The scavengers gathered around the bonfire, each taking out food to roast, and soon, a rich aroma filled the air.

Looking at their food, Xu Qing swallowed. Sitting a distance away, he took out half a piece of hard dried meat from his leather pouch and bit into it forcefully. Captain Lei, by the bonfire, glanced over, then got up and walked towards Xu Qing. As Xu Qing suddenly looked up, Captain Lei threw him a leather pouch containing several hot steamed buns. The moment he saw the steamed buns, Xu Qing's eyes widened. Suppressing his urge, he spoke softly.

"Thank you."

Captain Lei said nothing and returned to the bonfire, where a scavenger by his side chuckled and spoke.

"Captain Lei, why are you so good to this kid?"

"We are all pitiful people," Captain Lei replied. "Encountering each other is fate. Help if you can."

There were three steamed buns, hot in his hand. Xu Qing hesitated. Seeing that everyone by the fire was also eating the same steamed buns, he first pretended to take a bite and observed the scavengers. After a while, realizing they were still behaving normally, he suppressed himself for a long time before truly taking a small bite, holding it in his mouth and waiting for a moment. Confirming it was safe, he then slowly chewed it until it was mush and swallowed it slowly. After waiting a long time again and confirming it was safe once more, he sighed in relief and could no longer resist, devouring an entire bun in large bites. Then he hesitated for a moment and slowly ate the second one as well. Although his stomach was still hungry, he wrapped up the last steamed bun and carefully placed it in his leather pouch, as if it were a precious treasure.

Soon, it grew even darker, and the scavengers gradually returned to their tents. Captain Lei, as on the previous day, handed him the sleeping bag and said something before leaving.

"It's a gift for you."

Xu Qing looked up at Captain Lei and suddenly spoke. "Why?"

"What 'why'?" Captain Lei mused. "Three steamed buns, a sleeping bag...? There's no why. If you're willing, just get me some food in the future." Captain Lei turned and walked towards his tent.

"What do you like to eat?"

"Me?" Captain Lei stood by his tent and thought for a moment. "Snakes, they taste good." With that, he entered his tent.

Xu Qing held the sleeping bag, looked at Captain Lei's tent for a long time, then nodded heavily and slipped into the sleeping bag, closing his eyes. But he didn't immediately fall asleep. Instead, with eyes closed, he silently practiced the Sea Mountain Art; this had already become his habit. Even though cultivating was extremely cold, he didn't give up in the slightest, seizing every moment to diligently cultivate. Especially regarding Captain Lei's mention of establishing a foundation before turning fifteen, although he didn't compare himself to the prodigies mentioned, he still harbored some thoughts.

"I'm fourteen this year..." Xu Qing murmured, and continued to cultivate.

In this manner, time slowly passed, and soon five days went by. Xu Qing followed the scavengers, crossing mountains and traversing grasslands. Along the way, three people left midway, which confirmed Xu Qing's earlier assessment that the group was temporary. By the seventh day, after the two scavengers carrying knives had also departed, only Xu Qing and Captain Lei remained.

That night, at the foot of a mountain, by the bonfire, Captain Lei watched Xu Qing slowly finish his steamed bun and carefully put half away, then slowly spoke.

"Kid, we'll reach our destination tomorrow at noon. That's where I live, a scavenger encampment."

Xu Qing looked up at the old man. The old man looked into the distance and continued speaking.

"Scavenger encampments are often built near forbidden zones, so beyond the encampment on the other side of the mountain, there's also a forbidden zone. Compared to the newly formed forbidden zone you were in before, that place has existed for a long time. It not only contains ferocious beasts but also dangerous areas, and the foreign substance is extremely potent. If an ordinary person enters for a day and doesn't come out, they will surely die. Even I can only last a maximum of seven days inside."

"However, that place is rich in seven-leaf grass, an essential ingredient for refining White Pills. White Pills are basic elixirs used by cultivators to dissolve foreign substances in their bodies. Therefore, many outsiders come here regularly. They value their lives and are unfamiliar with the terrain, so they rarely gather it themselves. Instead, they mostly spend spirit coins to have local scavengers enter and collect it."

The old man paused and looked at Xu Qing. "Do you understand what I mean?"

"You mean the local scavengers in the encampment are desperate individuals who will do anything for money?" After Xu Qing heard about White Pills and their effects, he narrowed his eyes, and after some thought, spoke softly.

Captain Lei's eyes showed surprise, and he smiled.

"Your answer is partly correct. What I want to tell you is that the rule of scavenger encampments is survival of the fittest, where strength reigns supreme. But it's at least a place to live, and it has a market, a place to buy and sell necessities, and sometimes even merchant caravans come through. Therefore, every dwelling within it has considerable value. It's not a place anyone can just enter. Every newcomer who wants to gain residency rights must undergo a 'Beast Trial.' This is a rule set by the encampment leader."

"As for you, if you successfully pass, I can allow you to live at my place for a fee." The old man looked at Xu Qing and slowly spoke.