Xu Zimei gave the shops on both sides a few glances; there was a bit of everything for sale.
There were taverns but also blacksmith shops, herbal stores, and the like.
This street was quite long, stretching along the gorge and extending far into the distance.
"Is this where the remnants of the Divine Race live?" Xu Zimei asked.
"When I was here before, it was much barer. I never imagined it would change so much," Jiuyou reflected.
"Where is the Clan Leader of your Divine Race’s remnants?" Xu Zimei inquired.
Jiuyou looked around and said, "I’ll take you directly to the Forbidden Land; they’re likely to be there."
The remnants who saw Xu Zimei and his group, despite being somewhat unfamiliar, didn’t give it much thought.
After all, the population of the remnants was growing, and they couldn’t possibly recognize everyone.
After passing through several streets, the deeper they went, the more remnants they encountered.
The central point was a marketplace where all the remnants’ trading took place.
The place was bustling, with people coming and going; the elliptical marketplace was roughly a kilometer in length.
"Back in the day, the Clan Leaders would distribute resources for cultivation; now, everything must be sourced by ourselves," Jiuyou explained on the side.
"On the outside, the remnants are no different from ordinary humans, and we often blend into human society to live."
The area was extraordinarily lively, with some selling treasured swords they had obtained.
Others slowly dragged enormous carcasses of Monster Beasts past.
The history of the Divine Race had long since vanished, and not only was the human race searching for it, but these remnants had never ceased either.
They would sell unwanted Divine Race relics here; in short, all kinds of transactions were present.
"Just beyond this marketplace is the residence of our Clan Leader," Jiuyou stated.
As he walked through the marketplace, Xu Zimei noticed that the stalls were filled with many ancient objects.
Some were genuinely ancient, while others were fakes; smeared with dirt to appear as if they were dug out from the ground.
"Have a look! The sword once used by the Divine King, on sale for a low price."
"Divine Race Holy Healing Pills, can resurrect the dead and mend white bones, and even offer a chance to awaken the Divine Race bloodline within one’s body."
Surrounding them, a crowd of vendors shouted energetically, proffering all sorts of titles.
Xu Zimei found it amusing; according to Jiuyou, these people were merely experiment subjects raised by those in higher positions.
The world is full of all sorts, with everyone struggling to live.
All the while, the White Bone Demon wrapped himself up to avoid startling the snake in the grass.
In truth, these Divine Race remnants weren’t truly of the Divine Race, and their demise was not important to Xu Zimei at all.
He just needed the bloodline of the strong to unlock the Lock Demon Bell, that was all.
If he was in a good mood, he might additionally exact revenge on behalf of Jiuyou.
As the three of them left the marketplace, a passageway appeared before them.
The gate at the front of the passageway was wide open, guarded on both sides, clearly a tough entrance to breach.
Xu Zimei walked straight forward, and before the guards could move to stop him, the White Bone Demon waved his right hand, silently impaling and pinning both guards to the passageway.
The motion was light, with the white bones stabbing into their abdomens, but because the bones propped them up, their bodies did not fall.
If one did not look closely, it would be hard to tell that the two were already dead.
Xu Zimei and his companions entered the passageway, which was about ten meters long.
No sooner had they emerged from the passageway than a "bang" sounded; the large door behind them suddenly shut tightly.
He looked up, and the view before him opened up.
The space ahead was a very open area, akin to a square, roughly a few thousand square meters in size.
At the far end of the square, a tall stone statue stood upon the earth.
"That is the Forbidden Land," Jiuyou said softly, pointing at the statue.
The gender of the stone figure was indistinct, with short hair, but the face was carved to give a sense of delicate androgyny.
It had two pairs of wings on its back and its feet were standing on a giant bird, both snowy white in color.
"It seems we won’t have to make a move ourselves; someone is already coming out to meet us," Xu Zimei said with a smile.
"What do you mean?" Jiuyou asked, puzzled.
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a round of applause came from the side.
"How audacious it is for you remnants of the Demon Race to throw yourselves willingly into the net here in Heavenly God Valley."
An aged voice came from the side.
Jiuyou quickly turned his head, only to see three elders dressed in pale white high-collared robes striding toward them with imposing momentum.
"It’s the Clan Leader and the two protectors," Jiuyou hurriedly said.
The elder in the middle had white hair and even his beard was peppered with white.
In his hand, he held something resembling a compass.
Inside it, a needle ceaselessly spun, pointing directly at Xu Zimei and his companions.
"This is a treasure of the Divine Race, the Demon-Pointing Compass, if not for its warning, you would have successfully sneaked in," the Clan Leader snorted coldly.
"Looks like a traitor has emerged within our ranks, how did you get in?"
"Clan Leader, long time no see," Jiuyou, with hatred in his eyes, stared unwaveringly at the elder, gritting his teeth as he spoke.
"Eh?" the elder looked at Jiuyou with surprise, pondered for a moment, then sneered.
"I remember you now, you are the traitor who trespassed into the Forbidden Land that time."
"If I hadn’t accidentally stumbled in, I might still be in the dark about your vile experiments to this very day," Jiuyou said coolly.
"What, after running away for so many years, now you’ve joined up with the remnants of the Demon Race?" the old man laughed heartily. "Do you think they could avenge you?
Once we awaken the bloodline of the Divine Race within us, the entire Eternal Ancient Continent will have to submit beneath our feet."
"A bunch of remnants with weak bloodlines, still dreaming big dreams," the White Bone Demon sneered.
He continuously rotated white bones in his hand.
With a wave of his right hand, countless bone spikes shot toward the three.
"You walk through the gates of Hell on your own accord, and today you will serve as the sacrificial offering to my research," the elder bellowed.
A pale white Spiritual Energy surged from his body, his blood running in reverse, boiling like scalding water.
The aura around them intensified, and the Divine Power swirling around them grew increasingly fierce.
The bone spikes that had been shooting towards them were all shattered by a swipe of the elder’s palm.
At that moment, the two protectors stood on either side.
The Clan Leader in the middle had his white hair flowing, appearing like a true Heavenly God personified, with his powerful palm thundering down from above.
"Quite interesting, you’ve really managed to work out some tricks," the White Bone Demon said with an evil laugh.
He too threw a punch at the elder’s mighty palm.
On his fist, sharp bone spikes swirled around.
At the moment of the fist meeting the palm, a cruel smile appeared on the face of the White Bone Demon.
The bone spikes pierced right through the elder’s palm, spreading toward his arm.
Screams of agony echoed across the desolate square.
"You are not just a remnant of the Demon Race," the elder shouted.