"Ciyou, look ahead."
That afternoon, as the two of them crested a massive dune, Elinalise suddenly reined in her mount and pointed toward the distant horizon.
Cui Ciyou followed her finger and saw a towering "wall" where earth met sky.
The wall was yellowish brown, broad at the base and narrow at the top, stretching endlessly as though it would divide the entire world in two.
It churned slowly, giving off a deep, oppressive roar like the breathing of a gigantic beast.
"A sandstorm?" Cui Ciyou frowned slightly.
"No." Elinalise's expression grew grave.
"Ordinary sandstorms move, but this thing... seems to stay right there, without any sign of moving."
They rode a little closer and felt the terror of that "wall of sand" more keenly.
Fierce winds swept up sand and gravel, forming rapidly spinning tornadoes that howled shrilly.
This was no longer mere wind, but an enormous grinding machine capable of shredding steel.
"It looks like this sandstorm is here year-round. It won't disperse easily."
Cui Ciyou gave his assessment.
He discussed it with Elinalise for a while, and they ultimately ruled out both going around and waiting.
A detour would cost them who knew how many days, while waiting offered even less certainty.
With Roxy's safety at stake, they could not afford to waste another moment.
"In that case, we'll have to force our way through."
Cui Ciyou took a deep breath, determination flashing in his eyes.
He urged his Horned Dragon Horse to the edge of the sandstorm and extended his right hand.
"Elinalise, stay close."
[Magic Nullification]
An invisible, strange pulse that seemed capable of warping space itself erupted from Cui Ciyou's palm and spread into the sandstorm ahead!
Every blade of grass and every tree, every grain of sand and every stone in this world-even