Eternity Starts From His Seed

Chapter 76: Scouting

In contrast to the inner sect, where districts were delineated by the four cardinal directions, the outer sect adopted a numerical classification system, comprising a total of fourteen districts.

These districts fanned out around the outer rim of the inner sect, forming an outer ring.

From the inner sect's east district, the outer districts with the closest proximity were the sixth, seventh, and eighth districts.

Now, Bubai was entering the seventh district.

The first thing his senses immediately picked up was the reeking smell.

In stark contrast to the inner district's clean, fresh atmosphere, the outer sect's air carried a somewhat stale scent, subtly infused with the aroma of sand.

Adding to the sensory shift was the elevated temperature, a noticeable increase from the lukewarm conditions of the inner sect. The warmth left an unpleasant, icky sensation on his skin after only a short walk.

The surface beneath his feet certainly didn't make his journey any easier.

While sandstone paths still existed in the outer sect, they were narrower and more worn than their counterparts in the inner sect.

These pathways, unlike the clean ones inside, were left unswept, bearing the sand from countless disciples' passage.

Not only that, many sand particles clung to the path, glued to the road by peculiar, dried stains, where flies occasionally buzzed around...

Moving forward, Bubai felt the abrasive texture of sand particles grinding against his shoes with every step.

His dynamic vision worked overtime, half devoted to assessing which fresh stains to avoid while the other half devoted to vigilantly paying attention to his surroundings.

Casting his gaze around, Bubai took in the sight of the weathered sandstone houses that surrounded him in the outer sect.

Many of these tightly-packed buildings exhibited cracks on their walls, and mysterious dark stains marred their exteriors.

Broken windows and doors further exposed the interiors, allowing him to eavesdrop, even providing glimpses into the questionable activities transpiring within.

Between the less tightly-packed structures were dark alleys, where the familiar sounds of night crickets already echoed even in the daytime. Some of these hidden alleys even seemed to be hosting a carnival...

"Come again anytime~"

Passing by another dilapidated house, a scantily dressed woman had just sent away a man with a charming smile. Upon noticing Bubai, she immediately waved towards him, "Handsome brother, want to have a taste of my cow's fresh milk?"

Bubai merely cast a glance at her small residence, obviously incapable of fitting a real cow, before walking past her without a word.

Undeterred by his cold treatment, the woman still maintained her charming smile, but as Bubai distanced himself, her faint curses of her discontent reached his sensitive ears, "Arrogant jerk, who is he looking down on!"

Every profession is just as respectable as others. He harbored no disdain for these hard workers, especially since he was willing to accept Xiao Lan and even WeiWei.

However, every mask required a personality... and he wasn't here to have fun.

As he walked forward, Bubai couldn't shake the occasional sensation of unseen eyes observing him from the shadows and within the buildings.

Further along, there was a group of men engaging in hushed discussions ahead, but they hushed up when he approached, their silent stares trailing him as he walked past them.