I Was Forced To Marry The Phoenix Empress

Chapter 290: Black Rock Kingdom

It was only after he had rubbed mud on his face and washed it a couple more times that the stink finally dissipated.

"That hateful bastard!"

Yi Chen cursed, remembering the taunting eyes of the horse after it had sneezed on his face.

It clearly was aware that he was deliberately acting like a statue and did that.

However, a part of him was still glad.

’...at least I survived.’

Remembering the beast’s enormous figure, he was forced to swallow his grievances. Getting drenched in its snot was much better than getting stomped under its feet.

At the same time, his misgivings about the system’s remarks were more or less resolved. If not for its instruction at that time, he would have definitely tried to run away as fast as possible.

Now that he had already witnessed just how quickly the beast disappeared into the woods, he knew that escaping from it had always been a pipe dream.

With an exhausted yet relieved sigh, he splashed another handful of water onto his face before finally starting to move.

Maybe it was because of the beast’s presence, but for the next fifty or so kilometres, Yi Chen didn’t encounter any other beasts.

It was only when the daytime approached that occasional Grade 1 and Grade 2 beasts started popping up here and there, which he dealt with accordingly.

When it was nearing ten in the morning, Yi Chen’s steps finally came to a halt as he looked ahead of him with an expression of realisation.

"So that’s what she meant...."

As he said that, an expression of relief took over his face.

He had finally arrived at the Black Rock Kingdom.

A long mountain range completely black in colour appeared in front of his eyes.

It wasn’t just the mountains that were black, but the ground starting a couple of feet away from him was also the same.

Looking down towards its direction, he could clearly see a distinction where the healthy brown mud changed to ash black.

With curiosity taking over him, he couldn’t help but bend down to grab a handful.

The grainy texture was the same as any other soil, so raising his hand up, he took a sniff the next moment as a strong burnt smell pervaded his nose.

"This...can something even grow in this soil?" he couldn’t help but mutter at the strong smell as a frown formed on his face.

The next second, his eyes looked around for some kind of vegetation, but all he could see was a rocky terrain laden with this charred soil and a black mountain range at a distance.

"It’s as if the entire place was caught in a massive firestorm..." Yi Chen muttered as the burnt smell still lingered in his nose.

Despite these thoughts, he started moving towards the mountain range.

Since his surroundings were new, instead of rushing, he took his time to carefully observe the area while walking to get a general idea about it.

"Oh, it’s not completely barren..." he said all of a sudden as his gaze fell on a small sprout which was growing all by itself in this barren land.

Taking a few steps towards it, he sat on his feet to observe it more closely.

"White leaves, huh? How strange..." he muttered curiously at the distinct colour of the leaves.

It was his first time seeing a plant with white leaves.

Gush...Gush...Gush

’Wait...is that a stream?’

Sensing a familiar sound, he immediately craned his neck up.

The source was still far away, but because of his improved hearing, he was clearly able to hear it.

It was coming just a few meters away from the valley he was moving towards.

The stream was likely flowing down one of those ranges and meandering its way around the area.

"I haven’t had a bath in a few days..." he muttered while standing up and, not bothering the sprout any longer, started rushing towards the stream.

After covering ten kilometres, he finally came across a stream of water flowing downhill from the top of the mountain.

"This..."

However, instead of delight, his expression fell soon after when he saw how black the water was. It was as if it wasn’t fresh water but sewage water that was streaming down the mountains.

Luckily, the ashen scent in the air didn’t let that doubt linger in his mind for long, as with an annoyed expression he used his ability on the water.

====== STATUS ======

Name: Mountain Stream

Remark: Don’t drink. [Regenerate: 10,000 EXP]

====================

"Well...it’s literally black in colour. Something should be really wrong with me if I were to try drinking it even after that."

Yi Chen muttered to himself while kneeling on one of his legs, his hand reaching towards the stream that was barely five centimetres deep.

Tsheshesheshe

The cold water gently flowed past his hand just like regular water.

However, when he retracted his hand, it had turned completely black in colour.

"Yep...not drinking it even if I’m dying of thirst." He muttered while wiping it clean on his robes.

With that, his idea of freshening up went down the drain.

"Barely any trees, contaminated water....is this place really a kingdom or a post-apocalyptic land?"

He shook his head and, turning towards the valley’s entrance, which was just a few meters ahead, increased his pace.

’Lava City is the closest to the borders, so I should start seeing signs of people soon if I keep following this path...’

He thought while rushing through the valley.

He soon chanced upon a dirt track which, by its condition, conveyed that it was frequented by people.

Therefore, wanting to meet them and ask for proper directions, he kept following the path while keeping an eye on the mountain walls on his sides.

It was only after moving for almost half an hour that he arrived at the other side of the mountains.

A vast plain which, unlike the previously barren one, was completely covered in rows of trees.

’Aren’t they of the same species as the one I saw back then?’ he thought while glancing at the rows of trees that were spread far and wide on both sides of the dirt track he was on.

All their leaves were snow white in colour, just like the small sprout he had encountered near the borders.

"The only drastic change was these trees, and now it feels as if I’ve stepped into heaven..."

Yi Chen muttered, totally enamoured by the dream-like sight in front of his eyes.

The black ground was in perfect contrast to the white leaves, giving out a result that was truly a delight to one’s eyes.

’There are also people here!’

His eyes widened in delight as his sight fell on several old people near the far-off trees trying to pluck something from them. However, because of the several canopies blocking his vision, he was unable to get a clear view of it.

Furrowing his brows, he turned his head in the other direction, and it was at this moment that he noticed the back of a cart that was several meters ahead of him.

It was almost two kilometres away, but with his eyes and the little elevation he was standing on, he was clearly able to notice it.

"Yes...if it’s a cart driver, then he would surely know the direction of Lava City."

Yi Chen thought out loud and started rushing behind it.

The cart was being pulled by a donkey and was driven by an old man whose slouched back was clearly visible from behind.

’What’s that purple thing?’ Yi Chen thought in curiosity while looking at the round items which the cart was transporting.

However, not bothering over them much, he accelerated his pace and soon arrived next to the cart driver.

HEEWAK!

The donkey brayed in surprise because of the sudden sound of the Bursting Fire Steps and stood up on its hind legs as Yi Chen came to a stop.

"Hey, Calm Down!"

"Calm Down!"

The old man whipped its back several times, taken aback by the sudden change, and finally managed to calm it down.

Confused as to what the cause was, the old man’s eyes went to the side and fell on Yi Chen’s figure.

His movement froze the moment his eyes fell on Yi Chen’s face.

The very next moment, his entire body tensed up, and getting down from the cart, he immediately kowtowed.

"Esteemed cultivator! How can this old man be of help to you?"

’Oh, he figured it out so easily? Guess my disposition has truly started to resemble that of a powerful cultivator now,’

Yi Chen thought in satisfaction as he glanced at the old man who had his head firmly placed on the ground next to his feet.

’Well...this still feels a little awkward,’

"You may rise." He immediately gestured the next moment and continued, "I stopped you to ask for directions. Do you know where the Lava City is?"