Bei Yingluo and her group marched steadily through the desert. It was still early morning and they wanted to make good time before it got really hot. They would then have to take a break until it was close to sundown before they could resume walking. They wanted to make it to the next outpost location in three days at most. This meant they would have to push the pack animals to the limit and travel throughout the night when it was cooler. But this would also mean more possibility of dangers.
"Yingluo, look! That mountain is called the Love Break Cliff. They say that over a hundred people have jumped off that cliff due to a broken heart." Fourth Aunt Bei Jixiang pointed to a set of jagged peaks in the distance.
She then proceeded to tell other tall tales about the surrounding geography. This section of the Great Hui Desert was mountainous. It was mostly dry cliffs and barren hills with the occasional mountain range in between. The trade route went up and then down over the terrain and there wasn't a single drop of water to be found anywhere.
"Jixiang, you know so much about this region. Did you work for the trade caravans?" The person who asked was her husband, Sun Di.
Known as Red Saber Sun Di, he wielded a large saber that emitted flame energy. As a result, he walked several meters away from everyone else. He didn't seem to mind and even seemed to enjoy the environment.
"That's right, I would sometimes join groups that escorted caravans through this region. The pay was good and I could meet some handsome men."
"Cough, cough." Sun Di doubled over as he choked on his own spit.
He looked like he wanted to say something but was afraid to.
"Sis, don't tease your hubby too much. Otherwise, I might just steal him away from you." Fifth Aunt Bei Jiyang chimed in.
"You dare?" Bei Jixiang shot back.
The two continued to bicker for the rest of the morning. Their wide-ranging arguments did not result in too much ill-will but they provided the family with plenty of entertainment. As long as these two were around, the trip wouldn't be boring.
"Alright, alright. You two, stop arguing. Let's set up camp and rest." Bei Yingluo said.
The group stopped beside a tall cliff that provided shade against the blazing sun. The Bei Clan formed a perimeter while the other people tended to the draft animals or unpacked their bags. All morning, they had not seen another human being or even a living creature so the group was in good spirits.
Bei Yingluo remained alert and studied the surrounding cliffs. Danger was all around them even if they couldn't see it. The Great Hui Desert wasn't a walk in the park.
Suddenly, she sensed the fluctuation of spiritual energy from above their heads.
"Careful!"
Right as she shouted, several large boulders broke off from the cliff face. From the height of several stories, they came thundering downward like heavenly hammers.
Before the people below could scream out in fright or lament their impending death, Bei Yingluo leaped into action.
"Grow!"
The Jade Tusk Spear in her hands glowed with jade-green spiritual energy. As she swung at the largest piece of rock that was as big as a horse carriage, her spear multiplied in weight. It turned from a metal spear that weighed a few kilograms into a heavenly rod that exceeded several tons.
Crack!
The spear slammed horizontally into the rock and shattered it into countless pieces.
Kah!
Crash!
Around her, her aunts and in-laws had also leaped into action. The largest rocks were all dealt with while the group was pelted with smaller pebbles and clouds of dust.
"Stay alert! It's not yet!" First Aunt Bei Yujing reminded the rest.
She was right and more boulders detached from the cliff face as if the mountain itself was alive and trying to kill them. The Bei Clan members blocked this second wave while the rest fled to safety. When the dust finally settled, three desert mules had been crushed to death but there were no other casualties.
Bei Yingluo stared fiercely up at the cliffs. She found the culprits and she wasn't going to let them go.
"I'll take care of it!"
She lifted her spear above her head. Instead of weighing several tons, it had turned light as a feather. Gathering all of her strength, she threw it like a javelin at a particular spot among the sand-colored rocks.
Bang!
Her spear went flying after it collided with something extremely heavy.
Roar!
Half the cliff fell away as a massive creature with long, spindly legs emerged. It was a giant stone spider, a powerful predator of the desert.
The beast stared at the minuscule Bei Yingluo and roared again. Its stony carapace exuded power and spiritual energy. It was at least at the third or fourth level of the Spirit Initiate Realm, a fearsome opponent given its size and power.
"Yingluo, let us handle it." Bei Yujing came up with the other aunts.
Bei Yingluo waved her off and summoned the Jade Tusk Spear which returned to her hand.
"No, I can handle it! This was master's instruction to me, to fight until I run out of strength. This spider is an excellent first opponent!"
At her words, her family members backed away. Although they were apprehensive, they understood the power of that spear. Bei Yingluo might still be at the Mind Focusing Realm but as long as she had that weapon, there wasn't too much to worry about.
Bei Yingluo brandished the Jade Tusk Spear and the beast, "Come, don't you want to eat me?"
Roar!
The spider came down the cliff and charged toward her. She also leaped forward to engage the beast. Her master had told her to be wild and she had to obey.
She had finally been able to activate her secret power for the third time. She was eager for a fourth and even a fifth. She still didn't quite understand what had happened during her fight with Thousand Streams Qian Xi at the city lord's manor. All she remembered was that she had been really tired and desperate. It had been the kind of feeling that training and sparring couldn't create. It had to be a real battle.
Faced with such a powerful beast, she wasn't going to give up until she felt that crimson spiritual energy once more.