But what caused Han Cai to be most curious was a small odd sculpture in a corner of the wagon. The sculpture was exquisitely carved from a single piece of jade and shaped into a perfect representation of a Cloud Serpent, a creature of legend said to control the weather of the grasslands. The serpent coiled on itself, its body covered with intricate scales that shimmered with a radiant green hue. Upon seeing the sculpture, Han Cai revealed great curiosity.
When the old man saw Han Cai's amazement, he respectfully gave Han Cai an explanation, "It seems that Immortal Master hasn't seen a Jade Cloud Serpent before. It really is an uncommon rarity. Not only is it a sight to behold, but it is also said to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits when placed inside. It is a seldom seen treasure for grassland travelers. It is only because our wagon master is such a domineeringly rich man that he was able to acquire four of them."
Han Cai faintly smiled but remained silent. How could he not make out that this Liu Baihe was trying to curry favor on the caravan master's behalf?
Han Cai was seated one side while, Liu Baihe reservedly sat on other side, being very respectful..
Han Cai smiled upon seeing his restraint and amiably said, "Mister Liu, there is no need to be so formal. Please seat comfortably. There are a few things that I'd like to discuss with you."
After a short moment of thought, he straightforwardly asked, "I am a cultivator that came here from another land. I was wondering if Mister Liu could give me an introduction to the nearby regions and customs."
Liu Baihe pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "Since sir immortal came from a foreign land, then I must first tell you that this place is the Emerald Wind Grasslands. We are in the southwest quadrant of this area. The three great plateaus nearby are the Silver Fox Hollow, Robust Bison Plateau, and Red Crane Steppe. Naturally, there are also many plateaus of smaller sizes with both cultivators and mortals living on each.
"We share the same conventions as those of other territories. Every plateau has a plateau lord, a cultivator with the greatest cultivation technique that is responsible for protecting the plateau. If other cultivators wish to settle on the plateau and are willing to hold an office, they will be given a set amount of spirit stones from the plateau lord every year, but they must obey the plateau lord's commands. Naturally, if one were to reside on a plateau and was unwilling to hold an office, they would be required to give the plateau lord a set amount of spirit stones every year if they wished to remain on the plateau."
With that said, Liu Baihe paused, revealing an expression of admiration as if he held great longing towards cultivators.
Liu Baihe continued, "Mortals that live on these plateaus must perform labor or pay spirit stones; otherwise, they aren't allowed to reside on the plateau. Because of the Immortal Techniques that were placed on these plateaus, there is no need to fear assault from insect tides or spirit beasts. As such, us mortals may live without fear. In addition, the Immortal Masters' powers are remarkable. Whenever we mortals travel afar, we spare no effort to hire one or two Immortal Masters to accompany us. That way if we come across any demonic beast while in the grasslands, we will have a chance at living. Naturally, the Immortal Masters that agree to be hired would be comparatively free when compared to those previously mentioned."
"Insect tides?" Han Cai was puzzled upon hearing those words.
This was grassland so it made sense but imagining tides of spiders crawling around all grassland made his skin crawl.
"The previous land that Immortal Master resided in didn't have attacks by insect tides?" The old man appeared to be marveled.
"I saw no insect tides where I previously cultivated. What are they? Something comparable to large number of insects?" Han Cai calmly asked without care.
Liu Baihe sensed Han Cai's skepticism but proceeded with an earnest explanation nonetheless. "There are two main natural hazards in the Emerald Wind Grasslands: insect tides and lightning storms. There are also demonic beast but danger of demonic beast should be issue anywhere.
When it comes to demonic beast. I'm sure, as an Immortal Master, you have more knowledge about them than I do since you came here riding one. Predominantly, these massive creatures of the grasslands specialize in many demonic techniques and are out of reach for us mortals. Only Immortals can defeat them."
"As for the insect tides," he continued, "they are enormous insect waves that hit twice a year, sweeping across the entire Emerald Wind Grasslands. The destruction they leave in their wake is considerable, annihilating life and habitats. Were it not for our plateau being fortified by Immortal techniques, we mortals would face a certain end. It is also believed that even an Immortal, if engulfed by an insect tide, would find it highly challenging to break free, often resulting in a fatal outcome." Fear was visible in Liu Baihe's eyes as he spoke.
Han Cai, maintaining his impassive demeanor, and probed further, "And the lightning storm? What kind of calamity is that?" He aimed to gain a thorough understanding of these two natural hazards to be better equipped should he encounter them.
The old man paused before resuming. He was genuinely taken aback that the cultivator before him was oblivious to the realities of the grasslands and the most enigmatic of the two significant natural disasters, the lightning storm. He wondered about Han Cai's origins. Could it be that he came from a outside of grassland area? But the location was the Emerald Wind Grasslands, where, except for the adjacent grass territories, there were no considerable land areas.The grassland area was so massive that for most of the mortals who lived here the whole continent was only grassland area.
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