Leaving the Northern Plains, stepping into the Central Plains border, the rich spiritual energy and prosperous human presence rushed toward them, making the two of them plus the rabbit, who were used to the ice plains' deathly stillness, feel a sense of familiarity as if from another life. They didn't immediately return to Clear Void Temple but temporarily rested in a large cultivation city at the border named "Wangbei" (Facing North).
This city, being close to the Northern Plains, was an important hub for traveling cultivators to resupply and trade Northern Plains specialties. The city was a mixed bag with well-informed news. Xiao Qi needed some time to completely settle the Northern Plains gains and adjust his state to the best for the upcoming Core Formation. Zhao Tiezhu also needed to stabilize his Foundation Establishment middle stage realm.
They rented a quiet courtyard in the city to stay. Every day, besides meditating and regulating his breath, Xiao Qi pondered the ice-fire balance Dao, thoroughly converting the ancient city gains into his own. Zhao Tiezhu was sweating profusely in the courtyard, familiarizing himself with his newfound power, his fist wind howling, causing the courtyard's restrictions to flicker unsteadily.
One day, tired of stillness, Xiao Qi took the rabbit spirit, whose injuries were healed and bouncing with energy, and leisurely walked to the city's largest teahouse—"Tingfeng Pavilion." This building had five floors, mixed with cultivators and mortals, an excellent place to gather news and hear anecdotes.
Xiao Qi chose a secluded spot by the window on the third floor, ordering a pot of spirit tea and a few delicate snacks. The rabbit spirit crouched on the table, its small paws hugging a spirit fruit bigger than its head, gnawing away happily.
The teahouse was bustling with various discussions ceaselessly. Some discussed the Northern Plains Mystic Ice Pavilion's recent unusual mobilizations and tense atmosphere; some exchanged alchemy and artifact crafting insights; but more revolved around the hottest topic in the cultivation world recently—
"Did you hear? That 'Golden Sand City' in the Western Desert seems to have appeared again!" At the neighboring table, a man dressed in adventurer attire lowered his voice, speaking to his companion with excitement and mystery on his face.
"Golden Sand City?" His companion was a tall thin man whose eyes lit up at the words, "You mean that legendary ancient city that randomly moves in the Death Sand Sea, accompanied by opportunities and danger every time it appears?"
"Right! That's the one!" The adventurer man nodded vigorously, "According to merchant caravans returning from the Western Desert a few days ago, someone saw a mirage near the 'Flowing Gold Sea' area. The city tower's outline was exactly the same as the Golden Sand City recorded in ancient texts! And this time it lasted quite a while—many people saw it!"
The tall thin man clicked his tongue: "Tsk tsk, that's the relic of the ancient Buddhist nation 'Glazed Pure Land'! Legend has it the city contains inheritances left by great Buddhist cultivators, especially the body refining secret technique 'Indestructible Diamond Body.' They say if trained to the extreme, the flesh becomes holy, comparable to gods and buddhas! Don't know if it's true or false..."
"Where there's smoke, there's fire!" The adventurer man's eyes were fiery, "Even without the 'Indestructible Diamond Body,' just any Buddhist treasures and scriptures flowing out of Golden Sand City would be enough for us to benefit endlessly! How about it, old brother, interested in trying your luck?"
"That ghost place in the Western Desert... is the Death Sand Sea a joke? Quicksand, poison scorpions, sandstorms, and those elusive sand bandits..." The tall thin man was somewhat hesitant.
"Wealth and honor are found in danger! Besides, I heard even several great sects and noble families from the Central State have sent people this time. We'll follow behind them—even picking up scraps would be fine..."
The two men's discussion gradually lowered, apparently beginning to plot details.
Xiao Qi held his teacup, gazing out the window at the bustling street, but his heart rippled from the conversation he just heard.
Western Desert? Golden Sand City? Ancient Buddhist cultivators? Body refining secret technique 'Indestructible Diamond Body'?
His current main cultivation technique, the Evergreen Art, was balanced and peaceful, containing vitality; his sword Dao followed the guardian path, sharp yet substantial; he also had trump cards like the Purification Source and Southern Ming Li Fire. But in body refining, besides the foundation laid in early years and the passive tempering of his body during the Northern Plains trip, he hadn't systematically cultivated any top-tier body refining technique. The "Diamond Subduing Demon Divine Ability" Zhao Tiezhu cultivated was a decent body cultivator technique, but leaned more toward fierceness and demon-subduing, not the same source as the orthodox Buddhist body refining arts that pursued the ultimate immortality of the flesh.
If that "Indestructible Diamond Body" really existed and was as miraculous as rumored, it would hold enormous attraction for him. His Dao path pursued all-around strength and protection. A matchlessly powerful body was crucial for both survival and combat. Especially after witnessing the might of a Golden Core cultivator like Elder Ge from the Mystic Ice Pavilion, he felt his own defense in absolute power was still insufficient.
Moreover, Buddhist techniques often focused on nature cultivation, which might complement his Purification Source and guardian Dao heart.
The rabbit spirit on his shoulder also seemed to hear words like "ancient city" and "opportunity," stopping its gnawing, perking up its ears, ruby-like eyes flashing with curiosity and... a glint peculiar to treasure seekers.
Xiao Qi pondered for a moment, downing the spirit tea in his cup in one go. Core Formation was certainly the top priority, but opportunities were equally rare and unpredictable. This Golden Sand City moved unpredictably—appearing this time, who knew when it would next appear? If he could obtain a powerful body refining secret technique before Core Formation and consolidate his body's foundation, it might have unexpected benefits for forming a higher-quality Golden Core.
He put down his teacup, left a few spirit stones, and rose to leave the teahouse.
Returning to the rented courtyard, Zhao Tiezhu had just finished a set of fist techniques, his whole body steaming. Seeing Xiao Qi return, he grinned: "Brother Qi, did anything interesting happen while you were out?"
Xiao Qi looked at his sturdy body and surging qi and blood, his heart moved, and he asked: "Tiezhu, do you still have the desire to go further in body refining techniques?"
Zhao Tiezhu was stunned, then blazing light erupted in his eyes: "Of course I want to! This 'Diamond Subduing Demon Divine Ability' I'm practicing—I feel like I've hit a wall. To progress further, just grinding away doesn't seem enough. Brother Qi, do you have a way?" He knew well his Brother Qi had broad knowledge and deep fortune.
Xiao Qi simply recounted what he'd heard in the teahouse about the Western Desert Golden Sand City and the 'Indestructible Diamond Body' rumors.
Zhao Tiezhu's breathing quickened as he listened, his fists clenching tight, excitedly saying: "Ancient Buddhist cultivator's body refining secret technique?! Flesh becoming holy? Brother Qi, this... this is simply an opportunity tailor-made for me! Are we going?" He looked at Xiao Qi with eyes full of longing.
Seeing Zhao Tiezhu's undisguised yearning, and the rabbit spirit on his shoulder equally eager to try, Xiao Qi smiled slightly, already making his decision in his heart.
"We're going." He said decisively, "Before Core Formation, obtaining this body refining secret technique would have immense benefits for both of us. Besides, the Western Desert's harsh environment might also serve as an alternative form of tempering, further sharpening our will and cultivation."
"Excellent!" Zhao Tiezhu was so excited he almost jumped up, "I'll go prepare right now! I've heard about that Western Desert place—need to prepare enough water and poison-avoidance items!"
Xiao Qi nodded: "Mm, we'll rest here another three days, adjusting our state to the best, then set out for the Western Desert."
The target: Western Desert depths, the moving ancient city—Golden Sand City! For that possibly existing, supreme Buddhist body refining secret technique—the 'Indestructible Diamond Body'! A new adventure was quietly beginning from this rest stop at the Central Plains border.