Chapter 493: Treasure Hunt in the Desert (Part 2)

Half a month later, Zhang Yuan arrived at the location marked as a red dot on the Treasure Map.

A ruined ancient city hidden deep within the sea of sand appeared before his eyes.

Finally, I’m here!

Even though Zhang Yuan’s strength and Cultivation had reached a high Realm, recalling the hardships and challenges of the past ten days of desert journey, he couldn’t help but express his admiration.

In the boundless desert, the most dangerous threats weren’t bandits, Fierce Beasts, or eerie occurrences.

Because he never encountered any of those!

The real danger was the sandstorms that could appear anytime in the sand sea.

Often, when the skies were clear, a sandstorm would suddenly rush in from afar like an overwhelming tidal wave.

The sandstorms in the heart of the desert are extremely terrifying; the wind speeds are incredibly fast, and countless grains of sand blot out the sun, leaving no place to hide.

If people or horses were caught in such a sandstorm, they would surely be swept up into the sky.

Fortunately, Zhang Yuan had anticipated the desert conditions before setting out, so he made preparations in advance.

He stored several large rocks and multiple thick stone slabs in his Storage Space.

As soon as the Red-eyed Crow detected an approaching sandstorm, Zhang Yuan would immediately retrieve the rocks and slabs from his Storage Space.

Then, with utmost speed, he would build a small stone hut that, though simple, was highly sturdy.

The large rocks he stored weighed tens of thousands or even over a hundred thousand pounds each, serving as a trump card against large targets and easily withstanding the sandstorm.

With such a rapidly built temporary shelter, Zhang Yuan sheltered with his Yellow Steed inside, unafraid of the sandstorm.

In the worst-case scenario, the stone hut might get half buried by sand.

However, sometimes the sandstorm would last several days, significantly delaying his journey.

Otherwise, he couldn’t have taken half a month to reach his destination.

Zhang Yuan dismounted and first fed his hardworking and meritorious steed enough food and water before setting it to rest nearby.

He then circled the ruins.

The ancient city was vast in area, comparable in scale to the Daqian Prefecture City, likely a Royal City in ancient times.

Unfortunately, most of the city had been destroyed and buried by wind and sand, leaving very little of it above ground.

Therefore, it didn’t take Zhang Yuan much time to understand the situation of the ancient city.

What puzzled him, however, was that although the treasure markers on the Treasure Map were located here,

the reality left Zhang Yuan unsure of how to proceed.

The treasure was surely beneath the ruins, but without finding an entrance, he couldn’t just dig randomly and hope for the best.

Otherwise, who knows how long it would take to find it.

However, Zhang Yuan recalled the Xia Ruins, where he once caught a Silver-furred Rat in its underground labyrinth.

This gave him some ideas.

Neigh～

At this moment, the sudden cry of the Yellow Steed reached Zhang Yuan’s ears.

His expression changed immediately.

For the steed’s cry was incredibly shrill, as if it were under attack!

Due to the distance, Zhang Yuan immediately shifted his perspective to the Red-eyed Crow patrolling the sky.

To his astonishment, he discovered a large hole on the ground where the Yellow Steed had been resting.

A massive "Sand Worm" emerged several meters high, seizing the struggling Yellow Steed in its tooth-filled maw!

Poor steed, utterly helpless, bloodied and with broken bones, was devoured alive by this sand monster armored in earthy yellow.

Damn it!

Zhang Yuan erupted in anger.

He hadn’t expected his negligence to let a monster intrude, claiming the life of the steed that had accompanied him over ten thousand miles.

What a disgrace!

Clang!

Zhang Yuan suddenly drew his saber from its sheath, launching himself like an Arrow Leaving the Bowstring toward the Sand Worm.

At the same time, he simultaneously activated the Black Giant Ant, Golden Grasshopper, and Jade Mantis as Hosts.

To augment himself with heightened Strength, agility, and Sword Technique Profound Communication!

Within a breath, Zhang Yuan closed in on his target.

The desert monster at this moment was swallowing the mashed Yellow Steed in a few swift bites.

Having hunted successfully, it began retracting into the burrow.

However, a razor-sharp Sword Aura sliced through the air, cutting across the gap and striking the carapace on the monster’s head-neck junction.

Instantly, a brilliant yellow flame erupted!

The desert monster’s body measured five to six feet in diameter, its entire body armored in thick earthy-yellow shells, clearly possessing strong defensive capabilities.

The Sword Aura Zhang Yuan unleashed was indomitable but merely managed to barely breach the monster’s defense in one strike.

It couldn’t penetrate any further.

Yet, following the Sword Aura, Zhang Yuan dashed forward, thrusting his Taowu Saber, radiating fiery red Blood Evil Qi, heavily into the crack that the Sword Aura barely opened.

Thump!

The desert monster’s massive head flew skyward, dark yellow ichor gushing wildly from the wound.

Having succeeded in beheading with one slash, Zhang Yuan deftly withdrew to avoid being splattered by the monster’s ichor.

His caution proved entirely justified, as the ichor on the sand emitted wisps of gray smoke, strongly corroding the sand itself!

Moreover, the severed worm body writhed violently in the burrow for a moment before rapidly decomposing and melting at a visible rate, spewing forth billowing gray poison smoke.

It was utterly appalling!

As for the severed head, it was no exception; even the hard carapace was wholly corroded.

Leaving Zhang Yuan without a single trophy!

He didn’t even have time for an offering.

After half an incense stick’s time, only a dark, gaping hole remained in the sand.

Leading into unknown underground perils!

After some thought, Zhang Yuan shed his outer garments and stored them in the Storage Space.

Next, he activated the Dragon Carp Armor.

Zhang Yuan hadn’t used this Profound Artifact in quite some time, mainly because its defense was quite ordinary, only displaying its true capabilities in water.

Now he armed himself once more with the Dragon Carp Armor.

Then, gripping the Taowu Saber, he leaped into the Sand Worm’s burrow ahead.

Zhang Yuan wanted to see if he could use this burrow to find the treasure’s location!

Since the Sand Worm’s diameter was five to six feet, its burrow could easily accommodate a person.

Moreover, the tunnel walls were tightly compacted, lined with viscous fluids, and didn’t seem likely to collapse soon.

In truth, Zhang Yuan’s descent was a substantial risk; if the tunnel collapsed, it would be incredibly perilous.

But Zhang Yuan sensed that this was likely his only chance to find the treasure point for now.

Mis step, and once this tunnel vanished, seeking it slow and steady could require immeasurable time and effort.

Thus, with a fierce determination fearful of any mistake,

he resolutely took the risk!