"Are you heading out on a long trip? Do you want me to get you a detailed map?" Du Feng put away the bag of crystals and took a sip of tea.
"What kind? I actually have a map, but it's too basic. What kind do you have?"
The map Lu Heng had was obtained from the original city lord's mansion in his space. That map was indeed a simplified version, with inaccurate markings and proportions, only good for a rough overview.
"Is that so? Then compare it to see if it's the same."
Du Feng took out a sheepskin map and handed it to Lu Heng.
Lu Heng opened it and looked. This one was indeed more reliable than the one he had, but it was still too simple. Lu Heng felt that even a primary school student in modern society could draw better.
"I'll copy it and return it to you shortly."
Lu Heng knew that things like this were hand-copied here, and it wasn't easy to draw one. He could take a picture with his phone to keep.
"Since it's different from yours, you can use this one for now. I'll have a disciple copy another one later."
"This is a recipe for stir-frying tea. Bring it to Wu Chenzi when you have time." Lu Heng handed Du Feng a tea-making recipe. He hadn't given it to Du Yichen because he knew that giving it to Wu Chenzi might involve several intermediaries. Giving it to Du Feng meant he could deliver it directly to Wu Chenzi.
"Oh, right. I've also accumulated quite a bit from selling crystals and tea. Here you go. Compare it with the account book later, and if there are any discrepancies, let me know."
Du Feng took out a storage bag and pushed it towards Lu Heng. It contained the income from Danyang Sect helping Lu Heng sell crystals and tea.
Lu Heng didn't count it. He didn't stand on ceremony with them. Although he wasn't short of money, he couldn't reveal that.
It wouldn't make sense in this world if he sold crystals and didn't accept payment.
Leaving the shop again, Lu Heng headed towards the city lord's mansion.
Upon arriving at the city lord's mansion again, it had also been renovated. The yamen gate now stood with two majestic and imposing lions. These lions were animals not found on the Shenyuan Continent, clearly designed by Zhu Di.
It seemed Zhu Di had truly claimed Jinyang City as his own. He wondered if he was residing here.
Previously, Zhu Di had also harbored a wish to establish a sect.
However, he didn't want to delve into these matters now. He wanted to focus on contracting some magical beasts that could carry people and possessed combat capabilities.
Although Wuming City might develop various high-tech products in the apocalypse with the things provided by Bona, Lu Heng felt that the contracted beasts in his possession were more reliable.
Leaving Jinyang City, Lu Heng rode the eagle-beaked beast, following the map towards the location of the Fire Phoenix.
He wanted to see if he had a chance to capture two Fire Phoenixes, preferably a pair, to breed them in his space. The offspring of contracted beasts could also enter his space.
The Fire Phoenix's habitat was said to be on a place called Blazing Island. The high temperatures there year-round prevented many creatures from approaching. Yet, it was in this extreme environment that the Fire Phoenix, a fire-elemental magical beast that favored high temperatures, came to be.
Of course, there were other fire-elemental magical beasts there, but due to the harsh conditions, not all of them could survive.
After flying for about three days, Lu Heng finally felt a hint of heat.
It seemed he was approaching Blazing Island.
After flying for another half a day, the eagle-beaked beast could no longer tolerate the heat. Lu Heng recalled it back into his space.
He summoned Pang Hu and rode him towards Blazing Island.
If Pang Hu's fire-elemental level hadn't improved, it too would have struggled with the climate here.
"Master, it's really hot here. Can I have another cup of well water?"
After walking for half an hour, Pang Hu once again asked Lu Heng for water.
"Why don't you go back too? I'll walk myself."
Lu Heng looked at Pang Hu, who was sticking out his tongue like a hanged ghost, feeling both pity and amusement.
"The ground temperature is so high, Master, you probably can't stand it either."
"It's fine. If not, I'll bring out the plane and fly."
If all else failed, he still had the flying equipment given by the aliens.
"Then I'll go back. Master, see if the plane can be used."
Lu Heng wasn't sure if the plane could operate normally in such high temperatures.
Stepping onto the ground, Lu Heng finally felt the intense heat spread through his body from his feet. He hadn't felt it so directly when he was sitting on Pang Hu's back, not in direct contact with the ground.
Lu Heng considered that using the plane here might scare away the magical beasts or directly attract them to attack, so he didn't bring it out.
He took out the flying device given by Bona and pressed the button on the metal block. The device immediately followed Lu Heng's will, hovering and flying in the air with his robes fluttering.
If anyone in the apocalypse saw Lu Heng in this state, they would have thought he was an immortal flying on his sword.
Bona's flying device carried Lu Heng through the air. High-tech products were indeed good; it made no sound at all.
Lu Heng constantly observed his surroundings. Fortunately, almost no one came here, so people from the Shenyuan Continent wouldn't discover his peculiar appearance.
Although the Shenyuan Continent had its share of cultivators, they were quite different from the people who could fly on their swords in novels.
The various spells they practiced were merely natural abilities, similar to the evolved special abilities of humans in the apocalypse.
At most, they could move slightly faster on the ground, but to move in the air, they still needed to ride flying magical beasts.
After flying for a while, Lu Heng finally saw a place ahead where no plants grew.
The area ahead was covered in dark red rocks and cracked soil, a barren land that made it hard to imagine any life residing there.
However, Lu Heng saw a flash of bright color circling in the air from afar. That faint red color, trailing vibrant and long tail feathers, was none other than the Fire Phoenix he had seen with Wu Chenzi.
There were quite a few Fire Phoenixes. Lu Heng saw at least seven or eight circling ahead.
These should all be adult Fire Phoenixes. Lu Heng wasn't sure if it was their breeding season. It would be best to contract adult Fire Phoenixes; he didn't want to take an egg back to hatch himself, as that would be too slow.
There were no places to hide ahead; it was all bare. Seeing this, Lu Heng had no choice but to control the flying device forward while constantly moving in and out of his space and the Shenyuan Continent.
At least, this way, the Fire Phoenixes wouldn't notice him too much.