An Empire will burn. A God will die. The Bastard Son of Blood and Sand will rise. Edriah “Rift” Kular, better known as the Bastard Son of Blood and Sand, lives for one thing: revenge. Betrayed by the very empire he once fought for, the outlaw cultivator roams the scorching dunes, growing stronger, biding his time until the day he can topple the empire that cast him aside. But when Rift and his crew stumble upon an ancient artifact—a relic equal parts compass and key—they unlock the path to a legendary, long-buried temple filled with sacred cultivation treasures beyond imagination. Treasures that could make Rift more powerful than he ever dreamed. Unfortunately, he’s not the only one after the prize. A powerful cultivator from Rift’s past is determined to use the temple’s secrets to ascend to immortality, and if he succeeds, the empire will be the least of Rift’s problems. Now, Rift must lead his crew through the perilous sands, evade the empire’s relentless pursuit, and battle the monstrous guardians of the temple. But what lies within is far more dangerous than mere gold or jewels. A dark secret capable of granting Rift the vengeance he craves… if it doesn’t destroy him first. Time is running out. The sands shift, the empire closes in, and immortality beckons. What to Expect:  - NO Harem - Cultivation and Progression Fantasy  - Strong MC but not Overpowered - Secondary Weak to Strong MC  - Very little swearing, but graphic violence - In the Vein of Cradle or Unintended Cultivator (but grittier) - Desert Setting