The first to suffer during the apocalyptic catastrophe of the Desolation were naturally the mortals. Wherever Ming Qi wandered, nine out of ten houses were empty, leaving no trace of life.
He first headed for Yaoshan, but upon arriving, he discovered it had completely collapsed. The once majestic mountain had been reduced to rubble, leaving nothing behind.
Yaoshan was Yue Dongqing's home. Without Yaoshan, her home was also gone. Gazing up at the sky, they saw not only the destruction caused by the Origin's tremors, but also faint traces of a major battle. This indicated a battle had taken place there before, and it was likely that most people had died in that battle.
"Let's go."
Ming Qi sensed the entire Yaoshan area and realized there was no sign of a single living being. He shook his head, but the reality was such that any further delay would be futile.
Yue Dongqing remained silent throughout the journey. Yaoshan was destroyed, its inhabitants utterly deserted. She needed time to overcome her sorrow.
Perhaps driven by a longing for Xilan, Ming Qi journeyed through all seven prefectures of Xilan. However, the more he looked, the more astonished he became. Across the vast Xilan Province, there was no trace of human life at all, as if everyone had vanished completely in a short period of time.
Ming Qi continued south, passing the Fire Phoenix Coast and then the South China Sea. He found no trace of human life along the way, demonstrating that the catastrophe had inflicted irreparable damage upon the Tianhuang, wiping out all life.
After reaching the South China Sea, Ming Qi turned north. To the north lay the Western Wasteland, and he wanted to see where Zong Feng and the others were.
The Supreme Map was so fast that Ming Qi could now explore the entire Western Wasteland in just half a day. As he passed over Bai Qi, he suddenly spotted a figure below.
Ming Qi descended rapidly and located Zong Feng directly within it.
Only a few hundred men remained of the former Savage Army, a fact that greatly surprised Ming Qi. Since leaving the City of the Gods, they had been heading west, encountering numerous armies of the Heavenly Sin Camp along the way. In the repeated battles, the soldiers were decimated, including Teng Hui, who had been slain.
Teng Hui's death resolved a difficult issue for Ming Qi. Teng Hui had been among those who had besieged the Holy Flame Emperor. Now that Teng Hui was dead, he no longer had to quarrel with Zong Feng and the Ancient God Lord over this matter.
"Are you planning to defend Bai Qi to the death?"
Observing the posture of Zong Feng and the others, Ming Qi asked, silently crushing the blood bead symbolizing Teng Hui as he spoke.
Zong Feng's expression was heavy. They had only made it as far as Bai Qi and had not yet returned to their thousand-year-old homeland, where their people, mostly women, were still present.
"We had originally planned to return to our clan, but judging by the current situation, I'm afraid we won't be able to."
"I'll take you away from here and seek new opportunities."
Ming Qi stated his intention directly. He had a close friendship with Zong Feng, and he was willing to help him if he could.
Zong Feng understood Ming Qi's intention and, after a moment's hesitation, said, "No matter what, even if we leave, we must return to our clan."
Ming Qi glanced at the remaining Tianhuang warriors, understanding Zong Feng's intention. He nodded, then opened the Divine Map space and gestured for Zong Feng to lead the group inside.
"Show me the way, and we'll be back to your clan immediately."
Zong Feng was a decisive man. Quickly, Ming Qi activated the Divine Map again, and half an hour later, they arrived at a desolate area. It had once appeared to be surrounded by mountains, but now they had collapsed, leaving rubble strewn across the ground.
Zong Feng exited the divine map and quickly rushed forward with Ming Qi. Soon, they found the remaining members of their tribe hidden in a crevice in the mountains. Most of them were women, which was precisely why Zong Feng had been so determined to return.
The race needed to survive. If only the warriors were taken, the ancient Savage Tribe would eventually perish.
Zong Feng spoke briefly before taking the last of his tribe into the divine map.
After settling matters with Zong Feng, Ming Qi continued north, passing through Beiji City and entering the Yinxuechuan region. Unafraid, Ming Qi rushed directly above the dwellings of the Yinxuechuan indigenous people, discovering that some were still there.
"If you want to live, follow me."
Ming Qi shouted a few times, but finding the people below unmoved, he gave a wry smile and turned away.
This opportunity had been given to them; whether they could seize it was their responsibility.
After leaving Yinxuechuan, Ming Qi turned east, heading for Dongxian City, the largest human settlement in the east.
Arriving at Dongxian City, Ming Qi saw a massive, completely abandoned city. Numerous alien monsters roamed the city from time to time. It was obvious that during the apocalypse, these aliens entrenched in the outer reaches had taken advantage of the situation to attack Dongxian City and massacre its inhabitants.
Just as Ming Qi was about to turn and leave, he suddenly spotted several individuals emerging from a rubbled wall, engaging in a fierce battle with the aliens within.
He recognized several of these individuals. Leng Xiaolong and Leng Xiaohu of Dongxian City were among them, along with the two women who had appeared on Fuyao Fairy Island. It was clear that the Dongxian City people had deliberately protected them; otherwise, with all the powerful Dongxian City warriors dead, their survival would have been impossible.
After a moment's deliberation, Ming Qi activated his divine diagram and approached.
"Who are you?"
Leng Xiaolong and Leng Xiaohu, who were battling several giant scorpions the size of millstones, immediately spotted Ming Qi and asked in surprise.
"You two have forgotten so much since we last met on Fuyao Island."
With Mingqi's current strength, he could easily crush anyone, and naturally, he wouldn't dwell on what happened on Fuyao Island. However, Leng Xiaolong and Leng Xiaohu hadn't seen each other for so long, and they hadn't made much progress.
"It's you..."
Sikong Zhuixing, ever the observant woman, quickly recognized this person as the one who had vanquished the other heroes and seized the treasure on Fuyao Fairy Island.
"Tianhuang is about to fall, and the gods have abandoned this place. Follow me."
Mingqi stated his intention without hesitation.
"Where are we going? Are you capable of leading us out?"
Leng Xiaohu frowned, but as soon as he said that, he felt an unprecedented pressure descend upon him. His body softened, and he collapsed.
"I'll give you a chance. You decide your own path."
Mingqi didn't want to waste words; he didn't have much time.
Leng Xiaolong glanced at the ruined Dongxian City and finally nodded in agreement.
"But there's one condition for taking you with me: from now on, wherever you go, you must obey me."
Leng Xiaohu's attitude irritated Ming Qi. Even the Ancient God Lord hadn't questioned his abilities, yet a mere Martial Saint cultivator actually doubted him.
After Ming Qi finished speaking, a brief silence followed.
"The Leng family of Dongxian will be loyal to you for generations!"
Leng Xiaolong knelt on one knee, submitting to Ming Qi.
Ming Qi said no more. He waved and opened the divine map, motioning them in.
Then Ming Qi wandered aimlessly around Tianhuang several times. Still lingering, he finally turned back from the east, intending to visit the City of the Gods one last time.
On his way back, he spotted a group of people below him, like ants, and immediately descended.