As we soared across mountain peaks and flowing rivers, the landscape below began to shift. After fourteen days of travel, the towering cliffs and winding valleys gave way to a vast stretch of wilderness. On the horizon, the towering gates and misty ranges of the Western Continents came into view.
Meng Ruo squinted. "We'll have to walk from here."
I frowned. "Huh? Why?"
She pointed ahead. "It's a rule. No one's allowed to fly through the border zone. Not even sect elders."
"Ah… alright then."
We landed and began walking. The path ahead was lined with ancient stone markers, worn by time. But as we approached the checkpoint, we spotted a small group of rough-looking men collecting "fees" from passersby.
I glanced at Meng Ruo. "Why are they collecting spiritual stones?"
Meng Ruo narrowed her eyes. "I don't know. Last time I crossed the border, there was no one here. These guys… they're not officials."
"Bandits, huh?"
We ignored them and kept walking, but one stepped forward, blocking our path.
"Where do you think you're going?" he sneered. "You didn't get permission."
I raised an eyebrow. "I didn't know I needed yours."
He smirked. "You do now. Hand over 40 mid-grade spiritual stones—and leave the girl behind. Then maybe we'll let you walk away alive."
The others grinned and began moving toward Meng Ruo.
I narrowed my eyes. "And if I say no?"
The leader's grin vanished. "Then you die."
Before he could take another step, I unsheathed my sword in a flash of flame and steel. In an instant, I slashed across the air—his body crumpled to the ground.
Ding!
You killed Qi Refining 8th Layer Cultivator – XP Gained: 1300
The others roared in rage and charged. Four on one—Qi Refining 8th and 9th Layer. But my blade danced like fire in the wind.
I dodged, spun, and struck.
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Their bodies fell like broken leaves.
Ding!
You killed Qi Refining 8th Layer Cultivator – XP Gained: 1280
You killed Qi Refining 9th Layer Cultivator – XP Gained: 1500
You killed Qi Refining 9th Layer Cultivator – XP Gained: 1450
You killed Qi Refining 9th Layer Cultivator – XP Gained: 1490
Ding!
Current XP: 9630
I sheathed my sword and exhaled slowly. "Wow… that's a lot of XP."
Meng Ruo looked at me. "What is?"
I blinked. "Oh, nothing."
She looked at the corpses, then back at me. "You're… good at this. You just killed four cultivators above your level."
I shrugged. "Maybe just good luck. Let's keep going."
We crossed the border into the Western Continent. The moment I stepped over the boundary, I felt it—a rush of pure spiritual energy. It flowed in the air, thicker and more vibrant than anywhere I'd been before.
"So this is the Western Continent," I murmured.
Meng Ruo smiled faintly. "Yes."
I stopped and turned to her. "Alright, we're here. Let's split up."
She blinked. "What?"
"I was told to escort you to the Western Continent—and we've arrived."
Her smile faded. "What are you talking about? My father told you to journey with me."
I frowned. "What? Sect Leader Shen never said that to me."
Meng Ruo crossed her arms and glared. "He said it to me. You were supposed to protect me until we finished our journey."
I rubbed the back of my neck. "This… might be a misunderstanding."
She stepped closer, her tone icy. "Then it looks like you're stuck with me, Zhen Huan. Because I'm not going back, and I'm not traveling alone."
I sighed. "Guess I don't have a choice, do I?"
"Nope."
I looked up at the clear Western sky. "This journey just got a lot more complicated."
She smirked. "You'll live. Now let's move—we still have a long road ahead."