Chapter 5 Scavenger Camp

The forbidden area formed in the eastern part of Southern Phoenix Continent is not very large. The ruins from which Xu Qing and his group departed are located at the edge of this forbidden area. This is also why the scavengers could reach the city on the first day of sunshine. Therefore, by the time the sky began to darken, they were almost out of the forbidden area. Although they encountered some mutated beasts along the way, these scavengers quickly dealt with them. Observing this, Xu Qing made a judgment in his heart. He felt that if he intervened, among these six scavengers, aside from the elder known as Lei Team, he could handle the others himself. "They are not cultivators, but their ruthlessness in action and their timing, along with their seemingly fearless attitude towards death at critical moments, enhance their lethality." Xu Qing analyzed internally, pondering that aside from Lei Team, he could fight each of the others alone. If it were two at once, he could manage, but three together would likely be too much for him. With this judgment, Xu Qing became even more cautious. He also keenly noticed that as they approached the outer world, the expressions of the scavengers relaxed considerably. They even exchanged jokes along the way. Only the elder known as Lei Team remained silent throughout. The others showed great respect towards him, which piqued Xu Qing's curiosity about the elder's identity. However, this curiosity did not diminish his vigilance. Even though they were close to leaving the forbidden area, Xu Qing remained alert, keeping a safe distance while cautiously listening to their conversations. As the sky was about to fall completely, a warm feeling rushed towards him. Xu Qing paused, looking back at the wasteland behind him and then towards the world ahead. In the vastness of heaven and earth, it seemed as though there was an invisible boundary where he stood. Within the boundary was the newly formed forbidden area, cold and chilling. Outside the boundary was the normal world, springing back to life. They had exited the forbidden area. Although it was night outside, the starry sky was brilliant, and the bright moon hung high. The land was desolate but nowhere near as cold as the forbidden area, and one could occasionally hear the normal sounds of birds and beasts. In the distance, Xu Qing even spotted a rabbit cautiously watching them from the grass. All of this left Xu Qing a bit dazed. The scavengers visibly relaxed, even Lei Team eased his brow a little. "We finally made it out. This time was relatively smooth, and if possible, I never want to step into the forbidden area again." "Not going to the forbidden area? In this damn world, if you want to survive, if you want to live a bit better, you must fight in the forbidden area. Sooner or later, I will buy a residence right in the Seven Blood Eye division city!" Outside the forbidden area, these scavengers clearly felt at ease, their voices echoing among them. Xu Qing remained silent but listened carefully. Throughout the journey, he had learned a lot of information that he previously could not access. For example, he heard the scavengers mention Seven Blood Eye multiple times, which seemed to be a powerful force. The name Purple Soil was also mentioned several times. "Is that all the ambition you have? The Seven Blood Eye division city is numerous; nearby is Deer Horn City, but there, your qualification is not just about having enough Spirit Coins. You also need recommendations from Seven Blood Eye disciples. Moreover, what is the value of a residence right there? My goal is to obtain the entry qualification for Seven Blood Eye and become a disciple!" "If you go to Seven Blood Eye, you won't survive three days. Who can't boast? Why don't you say your goal is to travel to the overseas Wanggu Continent? That's where the origin of humanity is!" Hearing this, Xu Qing's heart stirred. He had seen the name Wanggu in 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 scavengers seemed to have some verbal conflict, arguing with each other. Xu Qing perked up his ears, ready to continue listening to their conversation for more information. The elder from Lei Team shot a glance at the two and spoke for the first time during the journey. "Want to go to Wanggu Continent? It's not impossible. There are four methods. You can think about which one suits you best. "First, build your foundation before the age of fifteen, becoming a rare prodigy. Second, pay three hundred thousand Spirit Coins to buy a migration quota from Purple Soil, Seven Blood Eye, or Li Tu Sect. "Third, make outstanding contributions to the human race in alchemy. Fourth, be accepted as a direct disciple by one of the major families of Purple Soil, a peak master of Seven Blood Eye, or the leader of Li Tu Sect." "Oh, and there’s a fifth method: become a treasure nurturer. Think about which one fits you?" The scavengers fell silent, especially when they heard the fifth method. Their expressions became very unnatural, fear evident in their eyes. Xu Qing's eyes narrowed as he recalled hearing the term 'treasure nurturer'. Back in the slums, he knew a few familiar companions who were taken away by some elegantly dressed individuals. They were said to be groomed to become treasure nurturers, and at that time, the other children in the slums envied them. So he hesitated for a moment, looking at the elder from Lei Team and quietly asked, "Excuse me... what is a treasure nurturer?" The elder's gaze fell on Xu Qing, speaking calmly, "A treasure nurturer uses their own body to nurture treasures, practicing a special cultivation method, relying on their flesh and blood to dilute the alien pollution of the treasures, so that the alien increase caused by each use of the treasures can be moderated for continuous use, while the nurturer gradually withers away and dies." Xu Qing's eyes widened, unable to speak for a while, falling into silence. The others seemed to lose their desire to speak upon hearing the term 'treasure nurturer', quietly walking in the night. After walking some distance away from the forbidden area, they chose to camp on a plain. Unlike the forbidden area, the camp outside had not only tents but also a bonfire lit. As the flames burned, the warmth around increased, and the scavengers sat around the bonfire, taking out food to roast, gradually filling the air with a savory aroma. Watching their food, Xu Qing swallowed hard, sitting at a distance and taking out a piece of hard jerky from his pouch, biting down on it with force. Lei Team's gaze swept over, and he walked over to Xu Qing. As Xu Qing looked up abruptly, Lei Team tossed over a pouch containing a few warm steamed buns. At the sight of the buns, Xu Qing's eyes widened, struggling to contain his impulse, and he quietly said, "Thank you." Lei Team said nothing, returning to the bonfire, where a scavenger beside him laughed and spoke. "Lei Team, why are you being so nice to this kid?" "We're all pitiful people; meeting is fate. If I can help, I will." There were three buns, and they were hot in his hands. Xu Qing hesitated for a moment, seeing that everyone by the fire was eating the same buns. He pretended to take a bite first, observing the scavengers. After a while, finding that they were still as usual, he resisted for a long time before finally taking a small bite, holding it in his mouth for a moment. Confirming it was safe, he slowly chewed until it was mushy and swallowed. After waiting for a long while and confirming it was still safe, he finally breathed a sigh of relief and could no longer hold back, devouring a whole bun in large bites. Then he hesitated for a moment and ate the second one in small bites. Although he was still hungry, he carefully wrapped the last bun up and placed it in his pouch as if it were a treasure. Soon, night deepened, and the scavengers returned to their tents one after another. Lei Team, as before, handed him the sleeping bag and said before leaving, "This is for you." Xu Qing looked up at Lei Team and suddenly asked, "Why?" "Why what? Three buns, one sleeping bag... no reason. If you have a heart, just bring me some food in the future." Lei Team turned and walked towards the tent. "What do you like to eat?" "Me?" Lei Team stood beside the tent and thought for a moment. "How about snakes? They taste pretty good." After saying this, he entered the tent. Xu Qing held the sleeping bag, looking at Lei Team's tent for a long time, then nodded heavily, burrowing into the sleeping bag and closing his eyes. But he did not fall asleep immediately. Instead, he silently practiced the Haishan Jue in his mind, which had become his habit. Even in the icy cold while cultivating, he did not give up for a moment, seizing every moment to strive for progress. Especially with what Lei Team said today about building a foundation before fifteen, he did not compare himself with the prodigies in his words, but he still had some thoughts in his heart. "I am fourteen this year..." Xu Qing murmured, continuing his cultivation. Time slowly passed, and soon five days went by. Xu Qing followed these scavengers over mountains and across grasslands. Along the way, three people left midway, confirming Xu Qing's previous judgment that they were a temporary group. On the seventh day, after two scavengers with knives left, only Xu Qing and Lei Team remained. That night, under a mountain, by the bonfire, Lei Team looked at Xu Qing, who was carefully finishing his bun and saving half, and spoke slowly. "Kid, by noon tomorrow, we will reach our destination. It is where I live, a gathering camp for scavengers." Xu Qing looked up at the elder. The elder gazed into the distance and continued, "Scavenger camps are often established near forbidden areas, so the camp on the other side of the mountain is also a forbidden area." "Compared to the newly formed forbidden area you were in before, that place has existed for a long time. Inside, there are not only fierce beasts but also dangerous terrains, and the alien presence is extremely dense. Ordinary people who enter for a day without coming out are bound to die. Even I can only last a maximum of seven days inside." "But it is rich in Seven Leaf Grass, which is essential for refining White Pills." "White Pills are the basic medicinal pills used by cultivators to resolve their own alien presence, so many outsiders come here. They cherish their lives and are unfamiliar with the geography, so they rarely go in personally to gather; they mostly spend Spirit Coins to have local scavengers collect it for them." After saying this, the elder glanced at Xu Qing. "Do you understand what I mean?" "You mean that the local scavengers in the camp are all desperate people who will do anything for money." Xu Qing's eyes narrowed as he heard about the White Pill and its effects, and after some thought, he spoke softly. The elder from Lei Team showed a surprised look, smiling slightly. "You answered part of it correctly. What I want to tell you is that the rules of scavenger camps are the law of the jungle, where the strong prey on the weak." "But at least it is a place to live, with a marketplace and a place to buy necessities, and occasionally, merchant caravans come by. Thus, each house inside has considerable value." "Therefore, not just anyone can enter. Every newcomer wanting to gain residency rights must go through a beast trial, as set by the camp owner." "And if you succeed, I can allow you to reside with me for a fee," the elder said, looking at Xu Qing, slowly speaking.