Chapter 1234: For a New Beginning (2)

Xu Ran’s expression was indifferent, ignoring the change in his title, he simply asked calmly, “Star Map.”

“Yes! Yes!” Tu Feng seemed granted amnesty, quickly taking out an ancient beast hide from his storage Magical Artifact. Nobody knew which starry sky giant beast it was tanned from, its surface imprinted densely with light spots and lines, forming an incomparably complex star domain map.

He respectfully handed over the beast hide, explaining, “Senior, this is the ‘Black Sand Star Domain Map’ that our Black Sand Vultures rely on for survival. This area, within the cosmic ruins, is called the ‘Black Sand Belt’, named after the black dust floating in void for years that erases Divine Thought. We usually, in this area… plunder, no, make a living.”

Xu Ran received the star map, scanned it with Divine Thought, and vast information flooded into his mind. This star map is indeed detailed, not only marking each safe route and dangerous absolute land but even some resource points.

His gaze swiftly moved across the star map, quickly locating several prominently marked areas.

“Broken Star City? Burial God Star Abyss? Blood Prison Star Sea?” Xu Ran’s fingertip lightly skimmed over the beast hide, each name emanating an aura of desolation and bloodshed.

Tu Feng’s body instinctively trembled, quickly saying, “To answer Senior, Broken Star City, is the only… city, or rather, a gigantic trade black market in the Black Sand Belt. It’s established on a massive remnant of the world, controlled by the ‘All Realms Commerce Alliance’. As long as there’s enough ‘Dao Origin Crystal Fragment’, anything can be bought there, including intelligence, slaves, and even… broken Dao Ancestor Magical Artifact!”

“Dao Origin Crystal Fragment?” Xu Ran caught this new term.

“Yes, it is the hard currency of the cosmic ruins.” Tu Feng explained, “After the world collapses, its Origin of the Great Dao condenses into a Crystal Stone containing pure Power of Laws, called Dao Origin Crystal Fragment. This thing can not only be used for cultivation but also essential for activating void vessels and setting up Grand Arrays. We… we were just mining a small Dao Origin Crystal Fragment ore vein.”

Xu Ran understood. This is the “Immortal Stone” or “Spirit Stone” within the ruins, but its essence is higher, directly linked to the Origin of the Great Dao.

“What about Burial God Star Abyss and Blood Prison Star Sea?” Xu Ran continued to ask.

Mentioning these two names, deep fear appeared in Tu Feng’s single eye, and his voice lowered significantly, “Senior, those places are absolute Restricted Areas in the Black Sand Belt! Burial God Star Abyss, it is said to be a battlefield from ancient god wars, where not a single real divine level existence fell, even today, filled with lingering divine resentment and slaughter Dao Principles— even a Dao Ancestor-level strong person might get lost and become ‘divine abomination’ only knowing slaughter!”

“And Blood Prison Star Sea… is the territory of the Black Sand Belt’s local emperor, ‘Master of Blood Prison’! The origins of Blood Prison’s Master are unknown, only known his fame has lasted several eras, with ruthless methods and unfathomable cultivation— rumored to be among top Dao Ancestors, only a step away from that legendary ‘Immortal’. His Blood Prison Star Sea consists of nine hundred ninety-nine world remnants refined into demon stars, filled with his blood prison demon army. In the Black Sand Belt, it’s better to venture into Burial God Star Abyss, never provoke the Blood Prison Master!”

Xu Ran silently noted down this information, his understanding of the cosmic ruins clearer. This is truly a place where dragons and snakes mix, crouching tigers and hidden dragons abound. A local emperor of a star domain might be a top Dao Ancestor— what a turbulent grandeur must the entire Sea of Realms be?

“Any major event occurring recently?” Xu Ran asked the final question.

“Yes!” Tu Feng’s spirit lifted, quickly saying, “Senior, you’ve arrived exactly on time! The ‘Broken Star City Grand Auction’, occurring once every ten years, will be held in three months! By then, powerhouses and factions from the entire Black Sand Belt and even surrounding domain bands will gather in Broken Star City. It’s said that one of the finale treasures at this auction will be… an incomplete ‘Ancient Navigation Map’!”

“Ancient Navigation Map?” Xu Ran’s eyes flashed for the first time with a gleam.

This is precisely what the Tomb Guardian sent him here to find!

“Yes! It’s the ancient navigation path to the depths of the Sea of Realms!” Tu Feng confirmed, “That item, for all strong ones trapped in the shallow waters of the ruins, is a coveted treasure. Its appearance each time will incite a storm of bloodshed!”

Xu Ran made up his mind. He must go to Broken Star City , and this ancient navigation map is something he is determined to obtain.

He glanced at Tu Feng and the frightened minions behind him and said blandly, “I requisition your void vessel. You will guide me to Broken Star City.”

“What?” Tu Feng was stunned, then his face beamed with ecstasy.

Being able to serve such an unfathomable powerhouse— not to mention just guiding the way, even serving as cattle and horses is a thousand times better than being a robber in this precarious Black Sand Belt, which means they have a massive backer!

“Yes, Senior! We are willing to serve you with all our might, never fearing death!” Tu Feng was so excited he bowed again, those minions behind him also quickly reacted, uniformly knelt in unison, earth-shattering.

Xu Ran said nothing; a moment later, he appeared on the deck of the largest void vessel.

“Set sail.”

He stood with arms crossed, gaze directed toward Broken Star City’s location on the star map, eyes deep, as if already seeing that chaotic and opportunity-filled lawless city.

…

Boom!

The void vessel, pieced together from the remnants of countless worlds, under Tu Feng’s command, turned into a dark red light, sailing into the depths of the vast Black Sand Belt.

This void was even more desolate and dangerous than Xu Ran initially saw.

Temporal turbulence, like lurking beasts in the dark, might tear apart the route at any moment. Massive, long-dead star skeletons, like gravestones, silently float in darkness, emanating ominous vibes. Occasionally, strange-shaped void creatures could be seen, swarming by, with no intelligence, only primitive devour instincts.

Along the way, they encountered several bands of star pirates.

But they didn’t even need Xu Ran to act.

When they viciously surrounded them, various malicious divine techniques and magical treasures about to be deployed, an invisible ‘reverse’ domain had already enveloped the entire field.

Next moment, those star pirates horrifically discovered that their shot destructing divine light turned into healing Holy Light midway, aiding their opponents; split space fissures not only failed to hurt but instead swallowed their void vessel beneath; released lethal gas reverse transformed into invigorating celestial energy, revitalizing Tu Feng and others…

Several times over, without Xu Ran’s void vessel near, those star pirates were already crying, abandoning helmets, and fleeing in disarray.

“Senior… truly a god among men!”

Tu Feng and others, from initial shock, turned completely numb and in awe. They had never seen such unimaginable combat methods, bloodless killing, heart slaying invisibly. In front of this senior, all laws and order seemed like toys to be molded at will.

Xu Ran didn’t care, spending most of his time sitting cross-legged, comprehending the Law of Chaos here.

Though shattered and violent, the laws of the cosmic ruins, precisely because of this, break free from the tight control of “heavenly principles”, showing a wild growth posture. For Xu Ran practicing “reverse” Dao, it’s like fertile soil. Here, he can clearly see various ‘truths’ birth, collide, and nirvana, which imperceptibly deepens his understanding of his own Dao.

Thus, after sailing for about two months, a dazzling band of light finally appeared at the end of the deathly silent void.