"So, if we want to return to the Eastern Saint Garrison, our only option is to go back the way we came?"
In the valley, Wang Ba asked with a grave expression.
The people he addressed were Hua Meng, whom he had rescued, and the other two Heavenly Gate Sect cultivators fortunate enough to survive.
At Wang Ba's inquiry, all three hastily nodded. Hua Meng spoke with an equally somber expression:
"When we came, we also slipped through Incense Dao territory. But now they know we exist. Along this route, from the heavens to beneath the earth, there'll likely be plenty of cultivators standing guard."
"So if we want to go back now, I'm afraid it'll be very difficult."
"Can't we take a detour to the southwest?"
Still unwilling to give up, Wang Ba asked.
The south was bound to be heavily guarded, while the Mountain-Sea Sect lay to the southeast.
The east and northeast were also occupied by the Incense Dao.
That left only the southwest looking somewhat more hopeful.
"To the southwest is Zheng Yuanhua, another leader of these Incense Dao fiends. Yan Yun of the Sword Demonic Dao was gravely wounded by his schemes before..."
One gaunt Heavenly Gate Sect cultivator suddenly spoke.
At the name Zheng Yuanhua, Wang Ba's expression immediately tightened.
He knew of this man too.
He was said to be on the same level as Li Canghai.
And now that Wang Ba no longer had the Jade Pendant Zhao Feng had given him, he had no means of threatening the man.
At this thought, Wang Ba quickly shook his head and voiced his idea. "How about we go to Thousand Islets Lake?"
"Thousand Islets Lake?"
Hua Meng and the other two exchanged looks. "That's where the rogue cultivators..."
"It doesn't matter whether they're