piratefiction Chapter 70 Stars and Round Cards
Chapter 70 Stars and Round Cards
A desolate wind swept through the camp, as if carrying an ancient call!
Vijay's expression hardened, and 'Karma Yoga' began to glow.
Is it Karma Yoga?
Unexpectedly, in this desolate land beyond the protection of Brahma, it could still have such a use!
Vijay suppressed his inner turmoil, not daring to be the slightest bit impolite. He stepped forward, his posture respectful yet not humble, clasped his hands together and bowed slightly. His tone was steady and earnest: "Elder of the Stone Clan, I, Mittal Vijay, come from the Western Brahma Realm. Following the old covenant of my ancestors, I bring Star Rain Grass as a token. I humbly request the elder to guide me on the secret path to the East."
He spoke frankly and openly, without any pretense or concealment.
Whether it's from the images in his memory or from Old Bim's description, the Mittal ancestor and the Stone Golem must have had a very deep connection. Being honest about his origins and revealing his bloodline is far more likely to win trust than hiding it!
Suddenly, the stone pillar seemed to understand!
A ghostly light flowed through the cracks in the stone pillar, and an aged voice slowly echoed: "Mittal...you bear the scent of a contract!"
really!
Vijay was overjoyed and asked again, "The ancestral records say that the secret path to the east begins in a narrow valley at the foot of the sacred mountain. I have come here to go there. I humbly request the elder to guide me on the path."
The stone pillar remained silent for a moment, its eerie light gradually fading, and its voice, deep and somber like a distant mountain, said: "In the past, the sacred mountain soared into the clouds, towering ten thousand feet high, a place where the spiritual veins of heaven and earth converged. However, as time passed, the heavens collapsed and disaster struck, causing the sacred mountain to suddenly crumble. Heavenly fires scorched the fields, lava spread across the land, and thousands of miles of fertile soil were reduced to scorched earth. The original homeland became desolate, no longer resembling its former appearance."
What does that mean? It's ruined?
The information revealed by the Stone Elder's words shocked Vijay.
The majestic sacred mountain recorded by our ancestors was destroyed by an ancient catastrophe.
Did the Mittal family's trade routes get destroyed in the so-called collapse of the heavens?
Suppressing his shock, Vijay continued to bow, saying, "This junior, Vijay, wishes to offer this sacrificial rite, hoping the elder will provide guidance!"
At this point, Vijay hurriedly turned around and walked quickly out of the camp.
Outside the camp, the caravan members had been waiting for a long time. When they saw Wei Jie come out, they all surrounded him, looking anxious and full of questions.
Bim quickly stepped forward and asked in a low voice, "Master..."
Vijay shook his head slightly, indicating to calm down, then ordered in a deep voice, "Unload the camels and star-rain grass from the carts, and bring some gems!"
Bim didn't dare delay and acted immediately.
In a short while, the remaining Star Rain Grass had been loaded onto the truck, but unexpectedly, less than half a truckload remained.
Fortunately, there were still 5 robust camels and calves, so it was still somewhat worth seeing.
Isn't this gift a bit too meager?
Vijay hesitated for a moment, but soon he personally set up the oxcart, drove the remaining camels and oxen, and headed back to the camp alone.
This time it went smoothly as well. The Stone Clan members gathered around, and Vijay stood beneath the stone pillar, bowing once more: "This humble offering is merely a token of my respect, and I hope the elder will accept it with a smile."
Several members of the Stone Clan stepped forward, picked up most of the Star Rain Grass with both hands, and respectfully offered it to the crack in the Stone Man's head, as if performing the highest form of respect.
The remaining Star Rain Grass was carefully picked up with fingertips, divided into several portions, and held in the hands of the tribesmen as if they were holding some rare treasure.
Then the other stone figures stepped forward, grabbed the camel-oxen, tore them into pieces, and ate them amidst the camel-oxen's screams. The order was perfect, with no commotion or fighting.
As for those gems, they were discarded like trash and no one cared about them.
"Elder, please guide me back to the old place!"
The stone pillar shimmered with a ghostly light, and a burly stone figure slowly emerged. This person was half a time taller than the average tribesman, with a dense and hard rock surface, deep textures, and a profound and steady ghostly light.
The stone pillar's voice fell: "Let him go, lead him back to the old place, return quickly, do not linger."
The burly stone man stepped forward, bent down, and slowly spread out his huge stone palm. His movements were steady and without the slightest malice. He looked at Vijay with a gentle, eerie light.
Vijay understood and carefully stepped onto the stone palm.
The stone man slowly rose, placed him steadily on his shoulder, and strode out of the camp with steady steps.
Vijay, perched on his shoulder, immediately shouted orders upon seeing the caravan: "Everyone, get ready! Check your vehicles, horses, and weapons! Stay close to the guide! Don't fall behind! Catch up quickly!"
Bim knew the procedure, and he was already prepared. He followed closely behind, quickly keeping up with the burly stone man's pace.
The Brahma's eyes hovered to one side of the group. Behind its enormous pupils, countless pink tentacles twitched slightly. Its gaze was fixed on the stone man's back. Its aura was restrained, impartial, and it silently followed without showing any hostility.
After leaving the Stone Man camp, the surrounding scenery gradually changed.
The grasslands became increasingly open, the vegetation shorter and sparser, and the dampness in the air gradually faded, becoming dry and warm, with a faint heat carried by the wind.
The burly stone figure moved extremely fast, taking a stride that covered several meters in a single step, causing the earth to tremble slightly. Each step was steady and powerful.
The thorns, bushes, and pebbles along the way seemed to part automatically to the sides, as if heaven and earth were making way for them.
At first, the caravan managed to keep up, but before long, the horses began foaming at the mouth, the drivers were panting, the caravan gradually fell behind, and the speed slowed down, and it looked like they were about to fall behind.
Just then, Fan Nu's eyes suddenly moved.
A soft white light quietly spread around him, gently enveloping the entire caravan. People, animals, carriages, and goods were all lifted up by the soft light and slowly floated into the air.
The next moment, the floating caravan suddenly increased its speed, moving as if riding the wind, steady and swift, steadily catching up with the burly stone man's pace.
The burly stone figure glanced sideways at the floating caravan, a faint light flashing within it. Its expression remained calm and unmoved as it continued its swift march forward.
We traveled quickly, and as the sun gradually set in the west, half a day passed in the blink of an eye.
At the edge of the grassland, the scenery suddenly changes dramatically, which is breathtaking.
The boundless scorched wasteland stretched to the horizon, with dark brown rocks exposed and the surface covered with jagged, deep cracks. A faint, dark red warmth emanated from the earth, and waves of heat rolled in, making the air scorching and each breath feel like a burning sensation.
The air was thick with the pungent smell of burning. The once majestic sacred mountain had vanished without a trace, leaving only this desolate wasteland, as if it had been burned to ashes by heavenly fire. Not a blade of grass grew, and the place was deathly still, devoid of any sign of life. Only the scorching heat waves continued to surge, making it an extremely desolate and barren wasteland.
The burly stone man stopped, bent down and gently put Vijay down. Without saying anything more, he turned and strode towards the grassland, his imposing figure gradually disappearing on the distant horizon.
Vijay stood on the edge of the scorched earth, feeling the heat scorching his face, his skin burning slightly, and fine beads of sweat seeping from his forehead.
He looked out and saw an endless wasteland with no end in sight. In the distance, he could vaguely see jagged rocks, but they had all been charred black by the heavenly fire.
On the edge of the wasteland, the reddish-brown rocky ground was slightly warm in the lingering heat of the day, and the afterglow of the distant sky gradually faded, with dark purple twilight slowly spreading out.
The caravan slowly came to a stop, raising a light dust.
Vijay withdrew his gaze and looked at the caravan. Clearly, after the battle at the Stone Temple, Fan Numu seemed to have benefited, and his divine power seemed to be even greater than before!
Vijay couldn't say whether this was a good thing or a bad thing, but at least the guy had gained something, and he probably wouldn't keep bothering him with his secret!
Watching the Bim Anton caravan, Vijay slowly stepped onto a slightly elevated rock platform, gazing at the boundless scorched earth in the distance.
He simply couldn't imagine what, apart from a natural disaster, could have created such a land!
But what about the mountains?
What about the valley temple at the foot of the mountain?
What if we use this as an excuse to backtrack?
Vijay turned to look at Fannu, who was still suspended in mid-air, his giant pupils slightly closed, his pink tentacles trembling slightly, his gaze piercing through the heat waves and falling into the depths of the wasteland, as if sensing some kind of hidden aura.
His aura was calm and composed, showing neither impatience nor violence, only a quiet inquisitiveness.
"Rest on the spot." Unable to discern his intentions, Vijay could only give the order in a deep voice.
Without delay, everyone took off their bags and carefully took out the remaining supplies.
Bim walked to Vijay's side, bowed deeply, his expression grave, and his voice trembled with barely concealed anxiety: "Master, our water and food supplies are nearly exhausted. If we continue forward..."
Vijay nodded slowly, his expression calm, but he already knew what was going on.
After days of fierce fighting and long journeys, the consumption of supplies far exceeded expectations. Now, the caravan has only a dozen or so people left, and most of the mules and horses have been lost. They are already at their last gasp.
He looked up at Fan Numu again, but the other party was still meditating with his eyes closed, seemingly ignoring the caravan's predicament. His aura was indifferent, as if the caravan's life or death had never been a concern for him.
As dusk deepened, night fell.
On the desolate plain, the night was astonishingly clear.
Far from the miasma and fog, far from the gloom of ruins, countless stars fill the dark sky without obstruction, dazzling and bright. Their silvery light falls and covers the reddish-brown rocky ground, softening the desolate land.
Having long been accustomed to the oppressive darkness and miasma of the surrounding ruins, everyone felt a sense of relief upon seeing this magnificent scene. The fatigue and oppression of the past few days seemed to be gently soothed by the starlight.
Vijay couldn't sleep. He was weighing his next move. He opened his eyes and looked at the starry sky, but a slight stirring in his heart was stirring within him.
He quietly got up, avoided the crowd around the campfire, and walked alone slowly into the depths of the scorched earth.
The scorched earth beneath my feet was still burning hot. The heat was clearly felt through my shoes, making me feel as if I were in a warm furnace, but instead of burning, I felt a strange sense of security.
He walked step by step, away from the noise of the camp, until he reached the edge of the scorched earth, and looked up at the starry sky.
The starlight was clear and pure, piercing through countless ages, as if it had crossed thousands of years to fall into his eyes.
Vijay gazed intently, his eyes piercing through the layers of stars, finally settling on the brightest star in the sky. Its starlight was clear and unchanging, hanging high in the heavens since ancient times, guiding the way.
In a daze, a strange dizziness struck, and the scene before my eyes suddenly changed.
He seemed to have detached himself from his current body and found himself in the same wasteland a hundred years ago.
At that time, there was also a young man dressed in simple clothes, gazing up at the same star with a firm look in his eyes, carrying the same persistence as himself.
Those were his ancestors, the forefathers of the Mittal family, who also followed this star to embark on the secret path to the East!
The figures of our ancestors were blurred in the starlight, yet they still gazed in the direction the stars pointed, their steps steady and unwavering.
The guidance of the stars has remained unchanged since time immemorial. Even if the sacred mountain collapses and the landscape changes drastically, the stars remain, the secrets remain, and the end of the Eastern Road always lies at the end of the starlight.
He slowly raised his hand, subconsciously touching his chest, where he had hidden the ancient round plaque he had found among his ancestors' relics. Suddenly, it became slightly warm, and then a soft, pale golden light quietly shone through his clothes, faintly illuminating his palm.
Vijay's heart tightened, and he subconsciously clenched his clothes, holding the round token firmly in his palm, afraid that the faint light would leak out and be noticed by the Brahma Eye.
He quickly turned his head and looked towards the camp.
It's just that we can't see the movement in that direction, but no movement is the best movement!
Vijay breathed a sigh of relief, his heart finally calming down a little.
He looked down at the faint light in his palm and realized that he was right. As long as he arrived at the corresponding place, this round token would definitely give him a clue!
Now I should be able to say that I have gone from knowing nothing to mastering most of the secrets of the family's secret business!
If it doesn't work this time, it will definitely work next time!
Vijay looked down into the depths of the wasteland, an endless barrenness with rolling heat waves stretching as far as the eye could see.
His mind raced. The caravan was running out of food and water, and its men and horses were exhausted. To venture too far into the territory would be tantamount to suicide!
After careful consideration, Vijay had made up his mind.
The night passed without incident; the wilderness was silent, save for the starlight and the gentle heat.
The next morning, as dawn broke, pale golden sunlight pierced through the thin mist and shone on the wasteland. The heat subsided slightly, but it was still scorching.
Vijay got up early, straightened his clothes, and led the group with feigned composure, slowly making his way into the depths of the scorched earth.
But just as they approached the edge of the scorched earth, a sudden change occurred.
The accompanying mules and horses suddenly became restless, their hooves pawing frantically at the scorching grass, white breath coming from their mouths and noses, their bodies trembling, emitting terrified neighs. No matter how the servants tried to urge them on, they refused to take another step forward. Some even lay down on the ground, their limbs stiff, their eyes filled with fear, as if a deadly terror lurked ahead.
Upon seeing this, the caravan members all stopped in their tracks, their faces showing hesitation and reluctance.
Vijay stopped, let out a long, feigned sigh of helplessness, his face revealing undisguised exhaustion and frustration, and slowly turned around, walking step by step toward Brahma.
He bowed deeply, his expression sincere, his tone filled with barely concealed earnestness and helplessness: "My lord, the road ahead is fraught with difficulty; we have reached a dead end."
He raised his eyes and looked directly into Fan Nu's huge pupils, his words earnest and truthful: "We have neither food nor water supplies nor enough strength. To force our way in is tantamount to courting death. The entire army will be wiped out in no time."
Fan Nu's eyes hovered in mid-air, his giant pupils slowly opening. His dark red pupils stared at Vijay with a deep gaze, carrying a hint of scrutiny and inquiry, and he remained silent for a long time.
Having arrived at this place, Vanumu now understood that the Mittal family indeed possessed genuine talent, but until now, he had not yet glimpsed the source of the divine grace that the Mittal family had obtained.
In the past, if anyone dared to block his path of exploration at this moment, they would surely incur his thunderous wrath.
At this moment, however, his expression was calm, without a trace of violence, only silent hesitation, his beard trembling slightly, as if he were weighing his options, as if he were pondering.
After a long silence, Fan Numu slowly spoke, his voice still hoarse, carrying a calm yet determined tone: "Continue forward."
His tone was calm, yet still carried an undeniable authority, but the stubbornness within was far less intense than before, and a hint of wavering was faintly visible.
Vijay was secretly pleased, knowing that his words had worked.
All it takes is a few more visible setbacks...
It would be best to make the eyes feel the danger as well...