As she spoke, she pointed to a towering stone pillar in the distance. "There's a Baleful Fiend nest over there. We nearly walked into it last time. Luckily, Qin Yu spotted it early and led us around."
Lin Qing understood.
No wonder she knew her way around so well. This was not her first visit.
"So that's how it is," he said. "The pavilion closest to the water really does catch the moon first."
Having a Martial Temple master for a grandfather made all the difference. Others had to fight tooth and nail for a chance to train here, while she had been coming along since childhood. Naturally, she had far more experience.
It was an advantage anyone would envy.
Yue Ling'er grinned without denying it. "You're right! Grandpa says it's called making the most of your resources."
"I'm not as strong as you lot, so I'm no good in a fight. But when it comes to finding our way, finding food, and avoiding danger, I'm much better than you."
"Stick with me and you definitely won't get lost." She patted her chest as though she had everything covered, making Lin Qing laugh again.
They continued across the Gobi Desert. After roughly three double-hours, the land around them grew increasingly desolate.
Vegetation thinned, loose stones multiplied underfoot, and the wind began to whip up more sand.
Yue Ling'er suddenly stopped, her smile fading.
She caught Lin Qing by the sleeve and pulled him behind a huge roadside boulder. "Pacifying Sea King," she said gravely, "there are Baleful Fiends ahead."
The tug made Lin Qing stumble, but he quickly steadied himself.
Without asking questions, he slipped behind the boulder, held his breath, and looked where she pointed.
Ahead, two black figures moved slowly through the gray haze of windblown sand.
The