As Fang Tian approached the Western Desert regional wall, the surrounding environment gradually became dry and lifeless. Along the way, he encountered many unexpected difficulties. He managed to overcome some of them, while at other times he was forced to flee.
It could be said that his luck had been rather poor, which left him feeling somewhat gloomy. But at least, after enduring several hardships and wasting a great deal of time, he finally managed to see the Western Desert regional wall.
The Western Desert regional wall was incredibly massive, rising so high that Fang Tian could not even see its top. Moreover, its color was a fiery red, resembling blazing flames.
"The Raging Flame Wall of the Western Desert. Once I enter it, only a few kilometers will separate me from the Western Desert."
Fang Tian felt excited about entering another region. The Southern Border was vast and enormous, yes—but having a goal to pursue gave Fang Tian motivation to continue living and persevering.
"A person without a goal is no better than an animal, and those with short-term goals are only slightly better… Does that mean I'm only slightly better than an animal?… Hahaha."
Fang Tian laughed as he entered the red regional wall of the Western Desert.
Immediately, he felt a sense of suppression and rejection coming from the regional wall. However, he already knew about this phenomenon, so he was not too shocked—although he still found the feeling unpleasant.
His aura weakened as well, dropping from Rank Five middle stage to Rank Four middle stage. In an instant, his cultivation level had fallen by an entire rank!
"This feeling truly isn't pleasant… but at least the Strength Path Dao marks in my body weren't suppressed. Otherwise, things would have been worse than I expected."
Fang Tian sighed as he moved slowly through the regional wall without activating any Gu worms. His speed was slow—only comparable to Rank Two Gu Masters. However, after modifying his body with Strength Path Gu worms, his legs possessed terrifying strength and speed. Even without using any Gu worms, he could rival Rank Two Gu Masters if he ran.
But the distance ahead was still long before he could reach the Western Desert. Perhaps after half a day, he would reach the other side.
"But the environment here is extremely dark and gloomy. I can barely see twenty steps ahead. If a beast crashes into me, I won't be able to dodge and will have to endure the impact with my body alone."
Fang Tian could use Gu worms, but he would have to endure the violent backlash caused by doing so. Thus, he preferred moving without using Gu worms rather than suffering that backlash.
After several hours, Fang Tian finally passed through the regional wall and truly entered the Western Desert.
Powerful winds immediately struck his face, and he felt the intense heat and scorching sunlight on his skin. As far as the eye could see, sand dunes stretched everywhere, forming small and towering peaks. Grains of sand rolled along with the wind.
Fang Tian could spot several rocks and shrubs capable of surviving the harsh desert climate within a mile's distance.
"Tsk… my investigative abilities have weakened significantly, and my Gu worms are also suppressed. After I reach the Northern Plains, I must refine these Gu worms in parallel so they can adapt to the Northern Plains environment."
Wooden wings appeared behind Fang Tian, though they looked weaker than when he used them in the Southern Border. Fang Tian did not have the luxury to complain and simply activated Wooden Wing Gu, flying high into the sky.
His white turban fluttered in the wind while his clothes tightened against his body. The sensation made Fang Tian somewhat uncomfortable, but he continued moving forward.
Fang Tian flew for several hours without feeling any burden from spending primeval essence. After all, he had stored a great deal of Rank Five middle-stage primeval essence in hundreds of Beggar Moth Gu. These Beggar Moth Gu were spread across his body and continuously supplied him with primeval essence.
"Oh? Is that a caravan?"
Ahead, Fang Tian spotted a caravan about half a mile away. The caravan was quite large and contained over a thousand Gu Masters, along with many ordinary humans following them.
But what caught Fang Tian's attention was the Gu Master leading the caravan. Fang Tian noticed a Rank Four peak-stage Featherman Gu Master leading the caravan and issuing orders to his subordinates.
Fang Tian approached the caravan and openly revealed his aura, immediately attracting the attention of the Featherman Gu Master.
Feathermen were a type of variant human, widely known for their great pride and their natural ability to fly. Every Featherman was at least a quasi-master in flying. Without a doubt, the Featherman before Fang Tian was experienced and skilled, meaning his flying attainment was certainly higher than Fang Tian's.
Fang Tian could not compare to a quasi-master in flying, let alone a flying master. Thus, as a precaution, he lowered his altitude and looked toward the Featherman Gu Master who flew toward him.
"Sir, may I ask who you are?"
The Featherman Gu Master spoke very politely toward Fang Tian. After all, Fang Tian was human, while he himself was merely a Featherman slave.
"Ah, I am Shao Mu. May I ask which force this caravan belongs to?"
"Sir, this caravan belongs to the Wan clan. I am merely a subordinate of the Wan clan and cannot disclose any information to you, so I hope you will not ask for something I cannot provide."
"Oh, the Wan clan… yes, it is a powerful super clan. I have certainly heard of it. May I ask you for a request, my friend?"
The Featherman Gu Master's eyes lit up with caution as he looked at Fang Tian vigilantly.
"Of course. If it is within my ability, I can fulfill your request."
The Featherman Gu Master did not wish to provoke the hostility of a Rank Four Gu Master. If he did so, it would harm the caravan, and he would surely be severely punished by the clan if the caravan suffered losses. If he could neutralize Fang Tian with just a few words, that would be best—but if not, he might have to fight an uncertain battle.
"Listen to my reasons first, brother Ninety-Two. My accompanying you would benefit both me and you. After all, this desert is full of unexpected dangers. What if you are attacked by several Rank Four Gu Masters? Could you fight them alone? Two fists cannot compete against four—especially if they are at the same rank. Even if you are at the peak stage, that difference becomes small once your primeval essence runs out. But if I travel with you, I can defend the caravan alongside you and deter bandits. Also, I need to trade some goods within the caravan. Surely brother Ninety-Two would not reject money, right?"
The Featherman was still unconvinced. Fang Tian gritted his teeth and continued pressing him until he finally agreed.
Fang Tian patted the shoulder of the Featherman named Ninety-Two, smiling happily as he said:
"With Ninety-Two and Shao Mu here, who in the world could dare intercept our caravan?"
Ninety-Two laughed dryly as he led Fang Tian to his new position within the caravan, leaving him there under the watch of several Featherman Gu Masters.
Thus, Fang Tian entered a Featherman-led caravan on his very first day in the Western Desert.