The sand waves gradually receded.
Lu Yuan did not get up until the Sand Crocodile and the catkin girl had vanished from sight.
He brushed the sand from his body, let out a breath, and continued toward the Ancient Sea Oasis.
Two days later.
Lu Yuan crossed a sand dune and saw a verdant forest ahead.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Ancient Sea Oasis. I finally made it."
He stepped forward and headed toward the oasis.
Just then, the yellow sand not far from Lu Yuan suddenly erupted.
A massive Black Shadow charged at Lu Yuan.
Lu Yuan's heart jolted. He sharply turned his head and saw a bloody maw filled with sharp teeth.
His pupils contracted. He stomped on the ground, blasting a small crater into the sand.
His body shot backward several meters.
The Black Shadow pounced where Lu Yuan had been standing.
Lu Yuan got a clear look at his attacker.
It had earth-yellow scales, moved on all fours, and possessed a massive body.
It was a Sand Crocodile.
Sand Crocodiles were widespread throughout the desert regions around Sandstone City.
They hid beneath the sand and ambushed passing Gene Warriors.
Lu Yuan had seen plenty of posts in Sandstone City's regional forum where Gene Warriors had been forced to leave the Origin Land after being ambushed by Sand Crocodiles.
He had seen far too many complaints like that.
Even during Lu Yuan's journey here, he had encountered several Sand Crocodile ambushes.
The one that had left the deepest impression on him was naturally the leader-level Sand Crocodile from two days ago.
And the catkin girl who had chased after that leader-level Sand Crocodile.
The Sand Crocodile before him lay low to the ground, standing around one and a half meters tall.
That was an