Chapter 520: Loulan

"What? Konoha showed up at the door?!"

Sha Men never would have thought the Hokage would bring the Poison Master to Sand Hidden Village.

He hasn't provoked Konoha during this period; what on earth happened?!

But he quickly calmed down; since he didn't provoke Konoha, the Third Hokage isn't an unreasonable person.

There must be some misunderstanding!

So Sha Men immediately ordered Sand Hidden Village ninjas to bring them to the office; any doubts can be cleared face‑to‑face.

Soon, Tuan Cang and Lian Ye arrived at the office.

"The Third Hokage and Konoha Poison Master are coming; what an honor to receive them!"

Sha Men immediately stood up and said politely.

After some polite words, Tuan Cang stated the purpose of this visit.

"Wind Shadow, do you know the exact location of Loulan?"

Sha Men heard that and a flash of surprise crossed his eyes, which Tuan Cang noticed.

"Hokage, what do you intend to do by asking about Loulan?"

Other villages might not know the power of the dragon vein, but as Wind Shadow he certainly knows.

Although the dragon vein is powerful, it is completely uncontrollable and could go berserk at any time.

He can't help but worry that Tuan Cang and Lian Ye intend to seize the dragon vein's power.

If any danger actually arises, this Wind Shadow will surely fail to protect his reputation.

Whether the Hokage succeeds in mastering the dragon vein or is killed by its overwhelming force,

he will meet his end!

"I've heard Loulan has nice scenery; I want to go see it myself."

Before Tuan Cang could speak, Lian Ye cut in.

Sha Men: "…"

This guy really thinks he's a fool!

Being able to utter such a clumsy excuse is like grinding his IQ on the ground!

But faced with Lian Ye's overwhelming strength, he could only pretend to have a sudden epiphany.

"I see!"

There's no way around it; this guy could even kill Madara Uchiha, his strength has long surpassed human limits.

If he provokes anyone later, he won't even know how he meets his death.

After barely hanging on until near retirement, this trouble arises.

"So, can you now tell me the exact location?"

Lian Ye lightly tapped the table with his hand, his threat unmistakable.

Sha Men: "…"

Finally, under someone's coercion and inducement, Sha Men truthfully disclosed Loulan's location.

Emmm, actually there was no inducement; it was all coercion.

He even carefully drew them a map, fearing they might lose their way in the desert.

After sending off the two troublesome guys, Sha Men sat in his chair and let out a long sigh.

"Hope they don't cause too much commotion."

The dragon vein is powerful but unstable, prone to runaway outbursts.

Fortunately, the queens of Loulan have passed down a Sealing Technique for the dragon vein, and a complete runaway has never occurred.

He thinks that with a Sealing Technique in place, the two shouldn't encounter danger.

Otherwise, if Tuan Cang and Lian Ye truly face danger, Sand Hidden Village couldn't withstand Konoha's wrath.

Three days later, in the barren desert, two tiny dark specks approached from afar.

"Lian Ye, are you sure you haven't taken a wrong turn?"

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang wiped the sweat from his forehead, not knowing how many times he had asked Lian Ye this question.

He always feels this guy hasn't learned to read maps.

If they get lost in this environment, they'd waste three days suffering in the desert.

"Exactly, you must trust me!"

Lian Ye looked at Sha Men's hand‑drawn abstract map and said earnestly.

Tuan Cang doesn't trust him at all; he has long learned to read maps, okay?

Even if Sha Men's map is somewhat abstract, combined with the desert's lack of landmarks,

he still has confidence to find the way, thereby proving his ability.

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang watched Lian Ye's confident demeanor, then glanced at the barren desert and sighed silently.

Hope this guy hasn't deceived him; otherwise he certainly won't be spared!

"Let me see where we are."

Lian Ye halted, raised the map and surveyed the surroundings, murmuring softly, "Shouldn't be here?", "Seems like here?", "Brother, don't lose heart, trust my judgment!" and the like.

It sounded as if he were comforting himself.

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang: "…"

Indeed, following Lian Ye on this trip was a mistake, and letting Lian Ye hold the map was a mistake within a mistake!

As he was about to snatch the map, Lian Ye said joyfully.

"I've found the road; it's right ahead!"

Speaking, he excitedly bolted forward.

He didn't know whether he had truly found the road, or was worried his friend would snatch the map…

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang watched Lian Ye's swiftly departing silhouette and could only silently follow, as if he had returned to the time when they were young and carried out missions together.

If they wait a bit longer and still haven't found Loulan's location.

He would then snatch the map!

Fortunately, after trailing Lian Ye for half a day, they finally saw the shadow of a town in the distance.

"Found it, that's Loulan!"

Lian Ye pointed at the distant city, a smug grin on his face, and said.

"I told you I didn't misread the map, you just wouldn't believe it…"

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang offered no rebuttal, realizing he had indeed misunderstood his friend.

There's nothing they can do; Lian Ye's past misdirections have become an inescapable psychological shadow.

Fearing he would lead them astray again and waste three days.

The two advanced toward Loulan's location.

At this time, Loulan was a town brimming with exotic charm. Towering spiral towers dotted the skyline, and chakra‑powered pipes and waterwheels spread throughout the city, emitting a soft buzzing.

In the town's center stood a magnificent tower piercing the sky, its summit radiating massive energy fluctuations.

That was the source of the dragon vein.

"Lian Ye, can the dragon vein really let us traverse space‑time?"

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang stared at the distant tower and asked, somewhat incredulous.

Along the way, Lian Ye told him the purpose of this journey…

They were not merely traveling; they aimed to achieve cross‑time travel.

To be honest, he was shocked by his friend's idea and found it somewhat unrealistic.

But watching Lian Ye fantasize about the future, he said nothing.

He believed Lian Ye could definitely do it!

"In theory it's entirely feasible; the time period of the traversal is completely random—it could be the past or perhaps the future."

Lian Ye chose not to conceal anything and laid out all he knew.

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang couldn't help but feel yearning; traversing space‑time truly was marvelous.

If they could travel to the future, he would certainly want to see how the Village develops.

Whether it becomes stronger, and whether the future Hokage governs the Village well.

"Alright, let's first visit the queen of Loulan."

Lian Ye's words made Tuan Cang cease his daydreams, and the two slipped into Loulan together.

The dragon vein has always been sealed and guarded by the queen's lineage; borrowing its power naturally requires a prior greeting.