At that moment, Xiao Chong rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the giant claw of the sandworm. His sharp eyes caught sight of a slightly dull scale on the sandworm's abdomen, where an old wound lay hidden, faintly glowing as if recounting a forgotten past.
"Your wound..." Xiao Chong suddenly stopped, his gaze fixed intently on the scar. "I can feel your pain. Let me try—perhaps I can help you."
The sandworm abruptly halted its attack, its massive head lowering as it scrutinized this tiny human with its deep, enigmatic eyes. For the first time, a hint of curiosity crept into its voice.
"You? A mere human, capable of healing my old wound?"
"I try. Though I may not be the most talented, I have some skill in alchemy," Xiao Chong said confidently, standing firm and slowly spreading his hands.
"Hmph, if you truly have the ability, I might give you a chance. But remember, if you fail, the punishment awaiting you will be worse than death," the sandworm declared with an air of unquestionable authority.
Xiao Chong smiled faintly and pulled out a delicate vial from his robe. Inside was a clear, pristine liquid—his specially prepared healing elixir.
"This is my 'Scar-Healing Spirit Liquid.' While it may not work instantly, it has an incredible restorative effect on old wounds."
He approached the sandworm cautiously, each step deliberate, careful not to startle the colossal creature.
"Trust me. There's no need for a blood bath between us—actions will speak for themselves."
The sandworm pondered for a moment before finally deciding to give this human a chance.
Its massive body curled slightly, exposing the old wound to Xiao Chong.
Gently, Xiao Chong uncorked the vial and evenly applied the liquid to the scar. A faint, refreshing fragrance wafted through the air, filling the surroundings with a warm, healing energy.
"How does it feel?" Xiao Chong asked softly.
The sandworm remained silent for a long while. Suddenly, the once-dull scale seemed to come alive, shimmering with a subtle glow. A faint green light began to emanate from around the wound—a sign of life returning.
"Incredible..." The sandworm voice carried a rare note of astonishment. "You do have some skill, human." The sandworm then said to him "However, to obtain the Essence of Sand, you must meet three conditions."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Chong brow lifted slightly. These three conditions sounded both mysterious and challenging, perfectly aligning with his thirst for the unknown.
"Tell me more. What are these three things, and how can I fulfill them?" he pressed, his eyes gleaming with determination and curiosity.
The sandworm slowly uncurled its body, its massive eyes reflecting the thin moonlight above the desert. Its deep voice echoed across the silent sea of sand:
"The Soul of the Leaf is the essence condensed from the leaves of the oldest desert tree, the 'Shadowy Phoenix Tree,' on the night of the full moon. This tree grows beneath the shifting sands, hidden at the end of time. Only those truly acknowledged by it can find its trace."
"The Breath of Water, it is not an actual water source but a rare treasure hidden beneath the dunes, formed by the fusion of thousand-year-old ice and scorching sand grains. When night falls and the sand winds cease, a faint, elusive moistness lingers in the air—that is your target. However, beneath this ice lies a deadly peril. One misstep, and you'll face eternal doom."
"Lastly, the Hand of Radiant Abundance is the most mysterious existence in the Sea of Sand—the Dew of Dawn. It only forms when the first ray of sunlight pierces the sand mist at dawn, illuminating a specific patch of sand. Like a morning star, it is fleeting yet radiant. This dewdrop contains the purest energy from the depths of the Sea of Sand. Collecting it requires unparalleled patience and fortune."
After hearing this, Xiao Chong felt a surge of ambition and determination.
"No matter how difficult, I will give it a try!" His words were resolute, and his eyes burned with an unyielding flame.
"Admirable courage, human," the sandworm tone carried a hint of approval for the first time.
"But remember, each treasure has its guardian. They may be cunning or ferocious. You must be both wise and brave to overcome them."
"Then let me see what these so-called guardians are capable of!" Xiao Chong lips curled into a confident smile. His gaze pierced through the endless yellow sand, as if he had already glimpsed the thorny path to success.
....
The next morning, as the first ray of sunlight broke through the darkness, Xiao Chong and Zi Yan were ready to embark on their journey.
In his heart, he not only harbored a desire for the "Essence of Sand" but also a passion for exploring and conquering the unknown.
The first challenge: the Shadowy Phoenix Tree.
The sunlight bathed the ancient Shadowy Phoenix Tree, casting a golden glow over this mysterious giant. The intricate patterns on its bark seemed to record the secrets of time, each ring a mystery yet to be unraveled.
Xiao Chong and Zi Yan stood beneath the tree, gazing up at this towering phoenix tree, their eyes filled with awe and reverence.
"This tree is even more magnificent than I imagined," Zi Yan murmured softly, her eyes sparkling with curiosity, eager to uncover the secrets of this giant tree.
"Indeed, the guardian trial is truly extraordinary."
Xiao Chong nodded, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings, searching for a way to enter the Shadowy Phoenix Tree.
"Zi Yan, let's split up and look for clues."
The two began to carefully circle the tree, searching meticulously. Time passed minute by minute. Just as they were about to regroup and discuss their lack of findings, Zi Yan suddenly exclaimed.
"Brother Chong, come quickly! There's something different here!" Her voice was a mix of excitement and tension. Her fingers lightly touched a raised carving on the tree trunk—a seemingly ordinary vine pattern, but compared to the other markings, it appeared more delicate and slightly warm.
Hearing this, Xiao Chong rushed over. He saw the vine pattern beneath Zi Yan fingers slowly rotating, accompanied by a low mechanical hum. The trunk of the Shadowy Phoenix Tree gradually parted, revealing a hidden door.
"It seems your fortune has arrived," Xiao Chong said with a smile, his eyes filled with unmistakable admiration for Zi Yan.
Zi Yan cheeks flushed slightly as she bit her lower lip, stepping through the gate with a hint of unease. Xiao Chong followed closely behind, and the moment they both entered, the door slammed shut, cutting off the light from the outside world.
Behind the door was a winding stone staircase descending into the depths, lined with luminous pearls that emitted a soft glow, providing the necessary illumination for this path into the unknown.
At the end of the staircase lay an expansive space, in the center of which stood a massive mirror. The mirror surface reflected countless images of them, as if they had entered an infinite loop of reflections.
"Is this... a spatial illusion?" Xiao Chong furrowed his brows, well aware that in such an environment, the slightest misstep could lead to losing oneself.