Chapter 664

Chapter 664: Yan Yao Continent

Two weeks later.

The long trade caravan wound its way along the mountain path, followed by several carriages carrying passengers.

Thick indigo-dyed fabric covered the carriages, shielding them from the scorching sun. The gentle breeze from the roadside swayed the curtains, bringing cool air inside and dispersing the heat within the carriages.

Since this was an official road, it was relatively safe. Inside the carriages following the trade caravan, many travelers were heading to distant lands.

The wheels rolled over the gravelly ground, causing slight jolts. Passengers inside the carriages leaned against the backs of their seats. Some closed their eyes to rest, some idly watched the scenery outside, while others engaged in quiet conversation.

Lolan Hill, who sat in a corner, veiled her face and glanced at the people inside the carriage before lowering her head and resting against the side of the carriage, preparing for a nap.

“Have you heard? Recently, there have been more beast attacks in the Blackwater Marsh,” said a middle-aged aunt opposite her. The other passengers around her asked curiously.

“Aren’t there the Crimson Immortal Sect there?”

“Who would deny that? But it’s said that the Crimson Immortal Sect has lost face this time, as they didn’t manage to suppress it right away. Later, they had to invite experts from the Yanxing Gate to sneak into the marsh and slay the giant crab.”

“It seems the Crimson Immortal Sect is declining with each generation. Even the legacy of the ancient immortal, Scarlet Trainer, is fading.”

“That’s quite normal, after all, so much time has passed. Even the virtuous influence eventually wanes.”

As they talked about the past of the Seven Thunder States, they sighed deeply. At this moment, the carriage turned slowly over a high hill.

The view ahead turned crimson. The leaves on the mountainsides were yellow and red, rustling in the warm summer breeze.

“We’ve arrived at Yan Yao Continent,” someone inside the carriage said.

“It’s getting hot again. No wonder it’s called Yan Yao Continent.”

Lolan Hill looked out the window. The vast expanse of red and yellow leaves was lush and extended far into the horizon.

“Yan Yao Continent…” she recalled the introduction in her books when she studied at Emanas.

“In ancient times, two hundred miles west of the Thunder Marsh, there lived a fish with white scales and bird wings, a red tail and long whiskers, adorned with green spots. Wherever it went, there was a bountiful harvest.” — From “Chronicles of the Five Phoenix States: Red Feather: Youzhang State: Yan Yao”

It was said that long ago, there was a giant fish in these mountains named Yan Yao. In winter, it would dive into the depths; in summer, it would soar through the skies.

Here, the layers of forest are dyed red, a sign of bountiful harvest.

Even though thousands of years have passed, and the legendary Yan Yao has long vanished, its story still lingers. Within Yan Yao Continent, there remain shrines and temples, worshipping this divine fish. The locals here hold red in high regard, favoring long-sleeved feather garments, dancing like red-winged swimmers.

Two days later, after days of traveling along the mountain roads, the carriage finally came to a stop. Lolan Hill stepped out from the station.

It was mid-afternoon, the sky was clear blue without a cloud, and the sunlight made the ground shimmer white.

She raised her hand slightly to shield her eyes from the sun and walked down the tree-lined street.

Sunlight filtered through the sparse red and yellow leaves, casting bright yellow and orange spots on the ground. Occasionally stepping on a fallen leaf produced a faint crunching sound.

Compared to other regions, the temperature here was several degrees higher. Fortunately, the gentle breeze that blew from time to time alleviated the heat, allowing the residents to endure living here.

Lolan Hill carried her suitcase and walked down the road, curiously examining her surroundings.

The attire across the regions of Eastern Dragon Continent varied; within the seven states of Ji Lei, there was a preference for indigo dye and five-color silk threads, giving a rustic, wild style. Yan Yao Continent, however, was much more prosperous. The locals here dressed more lightly, favoring gauze and various skirts.

Many girls’ skirts on the street were cross-back styles, exposing their knees and calves, with thin gauze hemlines adorned with red and white patterns, resembling the tail of a goldfish.

As she walked down the street, Lolan Hill noticed that there were many Extraordinary Beings of the Dragon Sequence and Mystic Water Sequence. From their attire, it was evident that many belonged to the same faction.

Arriving at an inn, Lolan Hill placed her suitcase beside her feet and asked the shopkeeper behind the counter.

“Hello, do you have any vacant rooms?”

“Hello, you’ve come at just the right time; we have one deluxe room available.”

The attendant smiled when he saw this Western-style girl.

“What is the price?”

“Four silver rings per night. It’s tight on rooms right now, so this is unavoidable,” the attendant replied.

Lolan Hill blinked slightly, sensing the situation inside the inn. In fact, not only one room was vacant, but the attendant wasn’t entirely lying; most rooms were indeed occupied.

“Alright.” The girl took four small silver rings from her little pouch and placed them on the counter.

Now was not the time to be frugal; finding a place to stay was the priority.

“Alright, follow me.” The attendant called another colleague to watch the store and helped Lolan Hill carry her suitcase.

Leading the way ahead, he first entered the courtyard at the back, then proceeded to the west side of the second floor, and opened a guest room.

“This is it. Are you satisfied?” He introduced the furnishings in the room, which included a carved wooden bed against the wall, a small round table, a dressing mirror, a teapot, a copper basin, and such.

“Fine.” The young lady nodded, and then this attendant stepped out.

After putting down her luggage and washing her face briefly, Lolan Hill rested on the bed for a while.

When she woke up, it was nearly dusk. She walked down the stairs, and it wasn’t as hot as it had been at noon.

In the middle of the inn’s courtyard stood a tall pine tree. Under the tree, two men—one robust and one thin—were sitting around a stone table playing chess. A yellow dog lay in the shadow of the stone table, occasionally shaking its legs and panting in the heat.

“Jump the horse, take.”

“Move the cannon, checkmate the chariot.” The robust man with bare arms moved his pieces.

“This…” Seeing that his chariot had to be taken, the thin young man hesitated slightly.

“This game is almost over,” the robust man said, lifting his body and waving a palm fan beside him. “Seeing that your position is hopeless.”

“Yes, Senior Brother is indeed impressive.” Seeing the unfavorable situation on the board, the young man simply gave up and stopped worrying about it.

“Haha, practice makes perfect,” the senior brother laughed, then noticed Lolan Hill stepping out from a nearby room.

“Greetings, miss. Are you here to watch the grand ceremony of the Yan Yao Continent?” he asked casually.

“Ceremony? What is that?” Lolan Hill, with her veil, curiously looked at the two brothers.

“It’s the Yan Yao Festival. At the ceremony, the current witch will offer sacrifices to the dragon veins of this continent, regulating the elemental forces.”

“The sacrificial site can feel the overwhelming presence of the dragon veins, which is beneficial for cultivation, so many people from foreign lands come to witness it.”

“We brothers have come from the north. After all, the festival occurs only once every five years, making it quite rare.”

“So that’s it.” Just as Lolan Hill finished speaking, a lively sound came from the street outside the courtyard.

A series of crisp cracking sounds followed by the loud noise of gongs and drums, accompanied by various footsteps and voices.

“The prelude to the festival has begun. Over the next three nights, there will be wind fish parading through the streets, praying for blessings, just as in ancient times. Wherever the Yan Yaos pass, there will be bountiful harvests.”

Hearing the commotion, the younger brother in white slowly stood up and looked toward the sky above the courtyard, where sporadic fireworks were rising.

(End of Chapter)