Outside Mist Valley.
By the time Ji Lanjun, Meng Jiuxiang, and the others emerged, Lu Feng and Xi Youmeng were nowhere to be seen.
A glance at the sky showed that dusk was already drawing near.
Meng Jiuxiang gestured as he said, "Young Miss, if they are still determined to head for Spirit Flame Lake, they will inevitably have to pass through that great rift valley. They likely will not make it through the rift valley region before nightfall. Once darkness descends, venomous insects will run rampant there and fierce beasts will prowl everywhere, making it all the more dangerous. Given Miss Xi's condition, they most likely will not take such a risk. They should find somewhere nearby to hide and rest, then continue their journey at daybreak."
Chen Shuanghua added, "Not far from that rift valley region, which stretches for more than ten li, lies the former site of Profound Clear Palace. I imagine they will rest there."
As they spoke.
Just as predicted, Lu Feng and the people from Shadow Pavilion arrived at a vast expanse of ruined buildings. As far as the eye could see, halls and pavilions lay scattered in orderly chaos, broken and desolate.
Compared to the Rebirth Church ruins they had passed earlier, the devastation here was considerably less severe. At the very least, quite a few pavilions still stood upright.
Presumably, this sect had not possessed as many treasures as the Rebirth Church during its heyday, which was why it had suffered far less man-made plundering and destruction.
With that thought, Lu Feng carried Xi Youmeng toward the sect gate amid the ruins. As he climbed the broken stone steps rising tier upon tier, every jolt from his footsteps made the sleeping Xi Youmeng instinctively cling a little tighter.
That left Lu Feng