Evolution Begins With A Big Tree

Chapter 387, The Great Desert, Hellish training

Translator:  Ashish

Translation Checker: Silavin

The Western Desert, also known as the Taklamakan Desert, has been a vast stretch of desert since ancient times. However, after the advent of the Era of Transcendence, it had turned into a treacherous land.

Though, even before ancient times, the Taklamakan Desert was known as the ‘Sea of Death,’ meaning it was a place where once one entered, they could not come out.

Thus, one could imagine how terrifying the Taklamakan Desert became in this era of Spiritual Energy resurgence, where everyone and everything was evolving.

*Swoosh…* Ferocious winds relentlessly blew across the desert, lifting up sand dozens of meters high.

However, under the setting sun, a closer look at the sand would reveal a subtle tint of bloody red, marring the golden yellow landscape.

And this was not an illusion.

Because a subtle yet nauseating smell of blood also lingered in the air.

Looking up at the sky, a round sun hung at the edge of the desert, casting a dark and deep hue over the land, painting the desert red. The sand dunes under the setting sun seemed like frozen waves of the sea, creating the impression of a dark red sea in a slumber.

This was the Taklamakan Desert, where many creatures had been buried under the sand. An extremely treacherous land.

Compared to the North Pole and Yangtze River, the sand in the Taklamakan Desert seemed as if soaked in blood. Let alone venturing it, the flying sand would riddle ordinary people with holes, like bullets.

Although comparing the sand to bullets might be an exaggeration, in case of a real sandstorm, the sand was even more terrifying than bullets. They could reduce an enormous Mutant Beast into a pile of bones in just a few seconds. In other words, without some special means, it was almost impossible to survive in the Taklamakan Desert.

And now…

*Boom, boom, boom…*

Accompanied by terrifying tremors, 8-9 figures appeared at the distant horizon, braving the flying sand.

*Roar, Roar, Roar…* The next moment, one roar after another reverberated through the desert, shaking everything within a radius of several kilometers. Countless creatures hidden beneath the sand could not help but shiver, instinctively curling up.

The fierceness of these roars, and the murderous aura accompanying them, was beyond what ordinary Mutant Beasts could handle.

Even at a distance, the roars made one’s Soul tremble, a testament to the terrifying nature of their owners.

If one looked closely at these 8-9 figures, they would notice that most of them were galloping through the desert on all fours, like a quadruple animal.

However, the most notable of them were the two figures in the middle.

One figure that stood out, adorned in black and red fur that sharply contrasted, accompanied by a fierce scar etched across its face. At a glance, it exuded an intimidating presence.

It was a Panda, and a very fearsome one at that.

Sitting atop the Panda was a figure with short hair, radiating an extremely cold aura.

The other was also another Panda carrying a figure.

However, this Panda is a bit smaller, adorned with fur as white as jade and a faint contrast of black. This was none other than Rolypoly.

Except, compared to a few days ago, the current Rolypoly had a much more terrifying aura. Especially the uncanny gleam in the depths of his eyes, which made people involuntarily raise their guards.

On the back of Rolypoly was, naturally, a short-haired girl. To call them short was not entirely accurate, because they had now grown to her shoulders.

Soaking in the Spirit Pond was akin to a baptism. Not only did it heal most of her hidden injuries, but even her appearance had undergone some changes.

The current Liu Zi Yan was as fair as snow, and had shoulder-length black hair. Her pupils were also different from before; they were now jade-green in color, the same as her mount, Rolypoly.

It was because she had gained Rolypoly’s ability after Rolypoly had broken through.

Unique Ability: Mirror of the Soul – The jade-green eyes can see through all the subtle movements of the opponent, and to a certain extent, can perceive the flow of Spiritual Energy.

It was quite a terrifying ability. Combined with Liu Zi Yan’s superb martial arts, her combat power had risen significantly.

Ordinary people could not even withstand a blow from her, let alone face her in combat.

She was Zi Yan, the Deputy Commander of Misty Mountains’ infamous Knights of Mist. The only one who could stand side by side with her was naturally Ah Long, also Tier-2 Knight.

The two of them were riding their respective Pandas, galloping through the swirling sand. Right behind them were four Tier-1 Knights riding their Pandas side by side. 

However, that was not all. 

If one paid close attention to the vicinity of these Knights, he or she would notice other Mutant Beasts on either side of them.

One was none other than Lupin, the two-headed wolf, now carrying Golden Ant, sprinting with all his might.

On the other side happened to be a Mutant Snow Leopard as white as snow, panting heavily.

On his head was a palm-sized Mutant Mantis, standing still.

“Hurry up, your endurance is much worse than theirs,” shouting in an iron-willed voice, a green Willow Branch repeatedly whipped Lupin and Snow Leopard.

*Crack, crack…* Accompanied by a crisp snap, a pain shot through Lupin and Snow Leopard’s body, causing their slowing down speed to increase once again.

However, battered and exhausted as they were, they failed to notice a tinge of green quietly seeping into their bodies when the Willow Branch whipped them.

The sight of eight figures galloping ahead through the vast desert brought a smile.

Despite all its dangers, Yu Zi Yu could not help but admire the beauty of the desert.

[The sight of the setting sun on the horizon, reminiscent of a sunset over a long river, and the sand gracefully lifting off the dune tips like smoke—nothing can surpass these.]

However, compared to Yu Zi Yu’s satisfied mood, an upheaval of emotions raced in Lupin and Snow Leopard’s hearts.

Three days, they’ve been galloping for three days straight.

Even with their robust bodies, they were on their last leg.

The Pandas, on the other hand, were all fiercer than iron. Their stamina was made for endurance, especially for Rolypoly and Stormscale, who had advanced to Tier-2. They did not look tired or out of breath at all.

Compared to them, Lupin and Snow Leopard, who were not good at long-distance trekking, were completely flabbergasted.

If it were not for the inexplicable force surging from the depths of their bodies every time they were exhausted, they would probably have collapsed long ago.

Nevertheless, Lupin and Snow Leopard were on the verge of collapse. If it were not for a Willow Tree, over ten meters tall, following right behind them, they would have given up long ago.

“Master, is it really okay for you to do this?” With a smile, Nine Tails, who was walking on the air beside Yu Zi Yu and churning waves of flames, suddenly turned her head and asked curiously.

“Better than okay.” Yu Zi Yu mischievously laughed as his branches danced gently, seemingly expressing his joyful mood.

However, it made sense.

Yu Zi Yu had always dreamt of pulling out his roots and running under the setting sun, which he had now realized most of it.

So, how could he not be happy?

As for Lupin and Snow Leopard, they were definitely not going to die from exhaustion. After all, they were being secretly taken care of by Yu Zi Yu from time to time. He would always secretly infuse his lashes with Life Essence.

It would rather be strange if anything happened to them.

And compared to their fatigue, this was the real training.

Only through such hellish training could they make further progress and go beyond their limits.