My Celestial Ascension Chapter 879: Hexoria City

A boundless desert stretched out before them, a parched and blistering landscape where sand dunes rolled toward the horizon in every direction. No signs of civilization could be found in this desolate expanse, and not a single soul was visible to the naked eye.

The sun beat down with such ferocity that the desert had become a lethal wasteland. Only specialized creatures capable of enduring extreme temperatures and thriving in such brutal conditions could possibly call this place home.

Even though Yuan and his wives had only just arrived at the fringes of the Demonic Continent, the terrifying solar radiation was already palpable. The heat here was significantly more intense than anything found on the Beast or Human Continents.

"Is this truly the Demonic Continent? I pictured a grim realm filled with repulsive monsters lurking in every corner..." Vanessa remarked, her expression one of clear conflict.

"It is nothing but a vast, empty desert... this is not at all what I anticipated," Anna Grace chimed in, her gaze flickering with skepticism.

"Let us press on. Eventually, we are bound to encounter a settlement within this wasteland," Yuan noted serenely, a small smile playing on his lips.

The group signaled their agreement and continued their journey. The temperature was becoming torturously high, particularly for Nyx, who lacked the benefits of being a cultivator.

In contrast, Yuan and his wives remained completely unfazed by the sweltering environment. Their high level of cultivation actually made the heat feel somewhat pleasant.

Furthermore, they had enveloped themselves in a subtle layer of Qi. This protective barrier did more than just block the scorching rays; it also acted as a filter for the air they inhaled.

Following several hours of travel, the desert sands finally began to recede. The terrain grew slightly less arid, and the silhouettes of trees started to emerge.

These trees possessed a bizarre appearance, their trunks twisted into grotesque shapes and their bark blackened, as if they had been forged by violent winds and harsh elements.

It was likely that the flora had undergone mutations caused by the relentless heat and the high concentration of spiritual energy. Interestingly, Yuan noted a total absence of Mana within the atmosphere.

"This entire region feels uncanny... I find myself wondering how the demons survive in such a barren land," Valeria whispered, maintaining her position mid-air beside Yuan.

"Do not forget that demons are not the only sentient race living on this continent," Vanessa pointed out with a soft smile.

"Though I must admit, I have no clue which tribe's lands we are currently traversing," Vanessa added, letting out a faint sigh.

Two centuries had passed since the conclusion of the war against demonkind. In the intervening years, the Demonic Continent had been entirely cut off from the rest of the world.

The great conflict was a memory of the past, and the legendary heroes had long since turned to dust. Given the passage of time, it was certain that the Demonic Continent had evolved significantly.

They pushed forward, searching for any sign of a village or city where they could gather intelligence before charting their next move.

The atmospheric conditions of the continent remained peculiar; while Mana was nearly non-existent, the Spiritual Energy was exceptionally potent.

After an hour of flight, Yuan and his companions caught sight of strange movements in the distance. They extended their Divine Sense for a better look, only to be met with a shocking sight.

A group of skeletons was moving across the plains in perfect formation, equipped with shields and weaponry. They moved with a rigid, mechanical precision, resembling mindless puppets driven by basic instinct rather than consciousness.

Their bleached white frames caught the sunlight, reflecting it from miles away. With no foliage to hide behind, they were easily spotted by Yuan’s party.

"T-Those are the undead... How can this be? I was under the impression they were wiped out during the war... how do they still walk this earth?" Vanessa whispered, her hand flying to her mouth in shock.

"Undead? I have encountered them in literature... but seeing them in the flesh is something else entirely," Lily murmured, looking dazed.

"Should we go down and eliminate those foul things?" Xi Meili asked, a thrill of excitement in her smile.

Yuan shook his head in disapproval. "There is no point. We should continue our path. We lack knowledge of this land, so our main goal remains finding a city or settlement."

After a considerable journey, the group arrived at a location that felt profoundly sinister. The very air was heavy with the smell of putrefaction.

Despite using their Qi to filter the air and protect themselves from the odor, the sensation of decay lingering in the environment was unmistakable.

Stretched out before them were hundreds of thousands of undead soldiers. Some were engaged in drills, while others stood as silent sentinels over the territory.

"It appears we have stumbled into an undead domain... and the sheer numbers are staggering!" Rose cried out, her face pale with shock.

"Yuan, this place gives me the creeps... we should get away from here right now!" Ava said, her voice trembling as she watched the sea of skeletons below.

Meanwhile, in the depths of a subterranean vault, a formidable skeleton suddenly tilted its head upward. Flickering blue flames ignited within its dark eye sockets as it stared toward the surface.

This being was clad in heavy gold armor, etched with the scars of a thousand battles. A magnificent red cape draped from its shoulders, and a crushing aura radiated from its frame.

Surrounding it were several other skeletal figures, each projecting a sense of immense power and authority.

"Hmm... I wonder how many years have slipped by since an outsider last set foot in our realm," the golden-armored skeleton spoke, his voice sounding hollow and ancient.

"It has been over two centuries, my Lord... We have been isolated from the world since the end of the Great War," another skeleton answered with deep respect.

"What brings this to your mind, my Lord?" a third skeleton inquired, though his skull remained expressionless.

"Simply a passing thought... pay it no mind," the armored leader replied after a moment of silence.

’Two hundred years... and suddenly, visitors from beyond the sea appear...’ he mused internally, rubbing his jagged chin bone.

’It seems the tides are shifting. I wonder if the Holy Church still stands... or if any Heroes remain...’ he wondered, the light in his eyes pulsing.

’Those individuals... whoever they may be, possess incredible strength. I can sense them noticing my gaze even as I watch them,’ he reflected.

’Fortunately, they seem to have no ill will toward my lands... I shall refrain from provoking them without cause,’ he decided, his focus sharpening.

—

Hours later, Yuan and his wives finally spotted the outlines of a living population a few kilometers ahead. It was a sprawling metropolis.

They wasted no time and accelerated toward the city. The prospect of finally encountering living residents of the Demonic Continent urged them forward.

They reached the massive city gates in short order, finding a lengthy queue of travelers already waiting for entry.

"Should we find a way to slip in unnoticed, or should we just wait our turn?" Julie asked, her eyes sparking with mischief as she looked to Yuan.

"It is better to enter through the proper channels to avoid complications later. We will use the main gate," Yuan decided, beginning his descent.

"Agreed," Valeria said, following his lead down to the ground.

The rest of the group descended as well, curious to see the inhabitants of this urban center.

As they took their place in line, the other travelers could not help but stare at Yuan and his companions.

The guards and the citizens alike shared physical traits that Yuan’s group lacked.

They possessed dark skin, ears that were slightly pointed, and a pair of small horns on their brows—features absent from most of Yuan’s party.

While Xi Meili and Vrasha did have horns, their style was completely different. Sylvia’s skin was somewhat dark, yet her overall look was distinctly foreign to them.

"W-Who are these odd people?"

"They look like nothing I’ve ever seen on this continent!"

"Who are they... and what is their business here?!"

Whispers rippled through the crowd at the gate as suspicious and curious eyes locked onto the newcomers.

Yuan and his wives remained unperturbed. They stayed composed, paying no mind to the stares or the audible gossip surrounding them.

When they finally reached the front of the line, a guard stepped forward to block their path, his eyes narrowing at their unusual looks.

"State your names. I have never seen your kind before. Identify yourselves before you are granted entry," the guard demanded arrogantly, his hand resting near his weapon.

"My name is Yuan, and these are my companions. This is our first journey away from our homeland, so we are a bit overwhelmed by everything," Yuan explained, maintaining a friendly tone and a look of feigned confusion.

The guard scoffed. "Don't play the fool with me. Where do you come from? For all I know, you are infiltrators sent by those mangy werewolf tribes!"

"I realize we look different, but I promise we aren't spies. We simply hail from a very isolated region," Valeria interjected with a self-assured smile.

"And we truly are lost. Perhaps you could tell us where we are?" Sylvia added, moving closer to Yuan with a gracious smile.

"How bizarre... I've never met people so ignorant of the world. It’s hard to believe..." one guard muttered, shaking his head.

"How have you even survived this long? It makes no sense..." another added, equally baffled.

"Fine, since you are so clueless, I will explain," the first guard said, sighing heavily.

"You are at the gates of Hexoria City, one of the four legendary capitals governed by the Supreme One—the Great Demon Emperor, Zar’Khaelis!"

The guard spoke with palpable pride, his face lighting up as he recited the title of his ruler.

"The entry tax is twenty-three gold coins for the group. No discounts," the guard stated firmly.

Yuan pulled thirty gold coins from his system storage and handed them over with a grin.

"Keep the change and buy yourselves a drink," Yuan said, leading his wives through the city gates.