Ambush in the Rift!

When they climbed back to the surface from the bottom of Shattered Star Valley, the early morning mountain wind poured down from above the rift, blowing away the lingering steam and mineral scent from their clothes.

After stopping at the exit, Qian Yaoting reopened the notebook and spent a moment comparing the ore vein locations copied from the metal stele with the direction of the mountain ridges before closing it and heading down the western mountain road.

Li Long followed behind him, the Dragon Emperor Rod swaying lightly at his waist as the two advanced along the mountain highway toward the western region of the Balak Kingdom.

After traveling for most of the day, the highway descended from the ridgeline and entered a valley passage flanked by two mountains.

The rock walls on either side of the road were steeper than those outside Shattered Star Valley. The vegetation along the ridges had changed from mixed forest to low shrubs and grassland, making the view even more open than the day before.

Qian Yaoting walked in front, his pace somewhat faster than in the past few days. He intended to leave this valley region before sunset and enter the flatter lands of western Balak Kingdom.

A dense clatter of hooves came from the bend in the road ahead.

Qian Yaoting slowed down and stepped aside, while Li Long followed him beneath the rock wall by the roadside.

A group of around fifteen or sixteen people emerged from behind the bend, riding identical dark-blue warhorses and wearing uniforms of the same color, with Balak royal emblems pinned to their chests.

Leading the group were two Soul Saint-level Soul Masters with steady, seasoned auras. Among the guards following behind them were several Soul Emperors and Soul Kings as well.

They were moving quickly,