Ambush on the Return Journey

Leaving the bounds of Myriad Poison Swamp, the poisonous miasma and deathly aura in the air gradually thinned, replaced by the dryness and desolation unique to the Western Wasteland's Gobi.

Lu Chen and Yun Qingyue flew through the air at an unhurried pace. As he flew, Lu Chen silently circulated his cultivation art, consolidating the foundation he had just restored while digesting the insights gained from his battle with the Marsh Monster.

Yun Qingyue remained on guard beside him while using Medicine King Valley's secret technique to regulate herself and recover from the exhaustion of the past several days.

The two tacitly refrained from speaking much, yet the atmosphere between them no longer carried the faint distance it had when they had first entered the Western Wasteland.

Their life-and-death battle side by side, followed by her careful treatment of his injuries, had invisibly drawn them closer.

"Going by Old Hu's map and our speed, we should see Ironwall Pass in a little over half a day," Yun Qingyue said softly as she estimated the distance.

Lu Chen nodded. "Once we reach Ironwall Pass, we'll rest for a day or two, replenish our supplies, and ask around for any recent unusual news. Then we'll set out for the Capital City. By my count, there are less than ten months before the Return to Ruins Secret Realm opens. We need to make some targeted preparations."

At the mention of the Return to Ruins Secret Realm, a sharp gleam flashed through Lu Chen's eyes.

It was the key to completely restoring his foundation and breaking through to a higher realm.

His foundation had now recovered to ninety-five percent, and his combat strength was largely unaffected. If he could find the Life Creation Spring or another stroke of fortune within the secret realm and