The group traveled onward for another five days.
Over those five days, the forest gradually thinned. The soft, rotting leaves underfoot gave way to hard-packed earth, more daylight filtered through the gaps in the foliage, and the damp smell in the air faded, replaced by the dry, dusty freshness of the world outside.
They encountered a few small beast hordes along the way, all stragglers at Silver Rank. Before Shen Fei could act, Xiao Ning'er dealt with them herself.
Her Thunder Spear had become much more accurate, and her timing grew increasingly steady. Eight or nine times out of ten, a spear struck a vital point.
Whenever one slipped through the net, Shen Fei finished it off with a slash from the side. Within a few breaths, the beast horde scattered.
Mingyu hovered near the middle of the group, quiet throughout the journey. Aside from occasionally warning them of demon beasts ahead that they needed to avoid, Mingyu barely made a sound.
The Jade Grove Clan's villagers traveled in silence and good order. The elderly, children, and women were protected in the middle, while the able-bodied adults walked along either side and the guards patrolled back and forth. Over those days, no one fell behind, and no one caused trouble.
By dusk on the fifth day, the canopy ahead suddenly thinned, and a broad expanse of gray-white daylight shone through the edge of the forest.
Walking along the group's left flank, Shen Fei looked up. The outline of the distant city wall had begun to emerge faintly.
The blue-gray stone gleamed coldly in the twilight. Banners fluttered above the battlements, and the silhouettes of sentries paced along the wall.
"We're here." Xiao Ning'er walked a few paces away on his right. Her voice was soft, but Shen Fei heard her