Chapter 782: Holy Earth Hall
Unable to persuade Old Urchin to change his command, Xiang Shaoyun was forced to softly swing the bamboo pole at the old donkey's rear. Tragedy befell him. Before his bamboo pole could land, the donkey kicked him away.
The kick was extremely powerful. Even a third-stage Dragon Ascension Realm cultivator like Xiang Shaoyun was sent flying far away. He was in so much pain his tears nearly came out.
Why am I so unlucky? Xiang Shaoyun howled inwardly.
"If you're not dead, get your ass back here. I'll teach you the Great Donkey Driving Technique. With that, the old donkey won't kick you anymore," said Old Urchin as he waved his hand.
An incorporeal power appeared and dragged Xiang Shaoyun back onto the carriage.
"Come, learn the Great Donkey Driving Technique from me. Mhm ah ya, mhm ah ya, silly donkey, time to move..." Old Urchin started singing.
When Xiang Shaoyun heard that, he nearly spat blood and fainted from anger. What bullshit Great Donkey Driving Technique was that? To his surprise, the stubborn old donkey actually started moving.
Xiang Shaoyun felt extremely helpless. He wanted to escape, but he also knew he couldn't do anything before absolute strength. If he wanted to escape, he needed to wait for the opportunity. When the Old Urchin wasn't paying him any attention, he would be able to leave stealthily.
He refused to believe Old Urchin could see through even his invisibility. Pulling the carriage, the old donkey moved forward. He looked like he was leisurely and moving slowly, but he was actually displaying the shrinking space ability.
Xiang Shaoyun was completely dumbstruck. Inwardly, he muttered, This old donkey is probably an old demon that has lived an untold number of years.
"Senior Urchin, where are you going?" probed Xiang Shaoyun.
Old Urchin completely ignored the question, as if he had fallen asleep. Xiang Shaoyun called out to him a few times, but Old Urchin still remained silent. He had no choice but to shut his mouth.
After an unknown amount of time, the old donkey stopped, "Old Urchin, we have arrived at the entrance of the Hall."
Entrance? Where? Xiang Shaoyun wondered inwardly.
They were still in the Desert of Despair, and before them was still the boundless desert. He did not see anything at all.
"Um. We have returned yet again," said Old Urchin as he sat up and rubbed his eyes.
He then left the carriage, and a circular token appeared in his hand. His energy converged on the token as it shone in a certain direction. Next, a miraculous scene appeared.
The sand suddenly opened up into a crack. As the vast sand rippled aside, stairs connecting to the underground appeared before their vision. A massive stele stood erect, with the words "Holy Earth Hall" carved into it.
Xiang Shaoyun watched on with disbelief. He had never imagined that there would actually be such a place in the Desert of Despair.
"Stop staring. Go," said the old donkey as he kicked Xiang Shaoyun toward the stairs.
Both the old donkey and Old Urchin entered the passage of stairs. The entrance closed behind them, and the desert returned to how it was, as if nothing had happened. Xiang Shaoyun followed Old Urchin and the donkey down the stairs, his mind in a daze. After reaching the bottom, he found that there were people standing guard.
"Display the Holy Hall Token!" the guard said with an emotionless voice.
Old Urchin did not waste any time and took out his token.
The guard pointed at Xiang Shaoyun and asked, "Who is he to you?"
"Attendant," answered Old Urchin impatiently.
The guard took out a book and wrote something in it before saying, "Register yourself here."
"Damn it! I, Old Urchin, am only bringing an attendant back. Do I have to go through so many procedures? Are you tired of living?" Old Urchin shouted, feeling humiliated.
"This is the rule of the Holy Hall, we can't break it," said the guard coldly.
"Damn the rules," grumbled Old Urchin furiously. He then looked at Xiang Shaoyun and said, "What are you standing there for? Register yourself."
Helpless, Xiang Shaoyun picked the pen up and signed his name.
"A drop of your blood is required as well," said the guard.
"How about I don't go in," said Xiang Shaoyun gloomily.
"No!" both Old Urchin and the guard answered at the same time.
Xiang Shaoyun then gloomily dripped a drop of blood on the book.
Old Urchin beckoned at him, "Come. The entrance is here."
Xiang Shaoyun walked over unwillingly, and when he stood beside Old Urchin, an incorporeal power enveloped them and sent them away. When Xiang Shaoyun's vision cleared, he found that the scene before him had changed completely. A city was before him, with endless traffic, presenting the scene of a glorious and flourishing city.
"Where are we?" Xiang Shaoyun asked blankly.
He had thought that he would be brought to the territory of a mysterious organization. The place would have a strict classification of ranks and would be guarded by super experts. Ordinary people would not be able to enter.
But he was seeing something entirely different. This was obviously a populous city. People of all strengths could be seen, and there were even commoners around. This did not look like the secret base of an organization.
"Stop dreaming and get going. Look for a tavern. Time to get something to drink," said Old Urchin, pulling Xiang Shaoyun back to reality.
Xiang Shaoyun got on the carriage and said, "Senior donkey, you know this place well. Why don't you lead the way?"
He had no intention of singing the Great Donkey Driving Technique song. It would be too embarrassing if anyone overheard him. Alas, the old donkey completely ignored him.
"Senior donkey, come on, move already. Senior Urchin is still waiting to get his drink," urged Xiang Shaoyun.
The old donkey remained still, as if he had heard nothing.
"Kid, I told you. Unless you use the Great Donkey Driving Technique, the old donkey won't budge," said Old Urchin.
"This, I-I failed to remember the song. Why don't you teach me one more time?" said Xiang Shaoyun as he wiped his cold sweat.
"Are you tired of living? Use the Great Donkey Driving Technique immediately!" berated the furious Old Urchin.
Xiang Shaoyun shivered and quickly sang, "Mhm ah ya, mhm ah ya, silly donkey, time to move..."