Li Rui had already set off on the return journey with Cheng Mingyue. Despite both being exhausted from the battle, they safely left the encirclement of the Demon Race who coveted the palace, because as they walked out of the palace doors, the magnificent building, which never really existed in the desert, instantly turned into mist and dispersed in all directions.

Everyone knew that the legendary treasure had indeed been taken by these few individuals.

The only thing the Demon Race misunderstood was that the legend described not just one treasure, but an entire treasury, from which Li Rui and Cheng Mingyue both gained.

Wherever they went, the demon sand bandits parted automatically, not daring to obstruct the path, afraid that a careless mistake could cost them their lives.

Zhu Wen felt this was the highlight of his demon life. He had never been looked upon with such admiration by so many demons, even if it was just a sidelong glance intended for him.

Li Rui instructed the Gigant to return quickly, as their purpose was already achieved. There were still many unexplored areas in the desert, and just the few of them would take a long time to survey them all. It would be more efficient for the rest of Dragon Country to join in the exploration.

On the way back to Bamboo Village, Li Rui was resting with his eyes closed when he suddenly heard Zhu Wen’s exclamation. He opened his eyes and leapt onto the shoulder of the Gigant and saw a lake in the distance, with greenery all around its shores, like an emerald in the vast yellow sands.

"An oasis? Which way are we heading?"

Zhu Wen excitedly responded, "The original route! This is the original route!"

"Towards Yellow Sand Ancient City?"

"Yes!"

"This wasn’t here when we came this way!"

Zhu Wen trembled, "It used to be here. Long ago, this place was called Cyan Back Lake, just north of Yellow Sand Ancient City. It disappeared after the desert became drier, but it’s all back now!"

Li Rui realized, "That palace, it was the reason for the desert’s barrenness."

He pondered how anything related to the Upper Realm was indeed formidable, perhaps it began siphoning the essence of Nuanyang State many years ago, turning areas that could have supported many demons into pure desert, and now with the palace gone, nature was being restored.

The Gigant ran towards the oasis with heavy steps, and in such a short time, the oasis had expanded by at least half a mile. If one stopped to observe closely, they would see that the wetlands and plants were growing at a visibly rapid pace.

"It’s truly a miracle!!"

Zhu Wen was overwhelmingly excited, rushed to the water’s edge, scooped up a handful of water, and finally confirmed it wasn’t an illusion.

Water droplets flowed down his aged face covered with scale armor, returning to the clear lake.

"Let’s go, first we head back, we need to share the good news with your kin."

Li Rui patted his shoulder, Zhu Wen was stunned for a few more seconds, then boarded the Gigant again, prepared to continue the journey.

Li Rui glanced at Cheng Mingyue, who was asleep in the basket. Despite all the commotion made by Lao San, she hadn’t woken up.

By the time they returned to Bamboo Village, it was already the third day. Thanks to the Gigant, both Li Rui and Cheng Mingyue had regained their strength.

After Zhu Wen recounted the events in the desert, the entire three-legged tribe was shocked. They continuously sent people to the outskirts of the desert to confirm, discovering that the temperature indeed dropped significantly, and many oases had been restored. It wouldn’t be long before it could support life like before, even if it was a bit barren.

The demon race warmly entertained Li Rui and his group, wanting them to stay for many days before allowing them to leave.

However, Li Rui certainly couldn’t waste time here. The Secret Realm battlefield was only a two-month ordeal, and it was nearing its end, so after firmly refusing their goodwill, he left Bamboo Village with Cheng Mingyue and the two Monkey Demons. The rest, such as where the three-legged demons should go, was not his concern.

"Alas, the final reward is gone, suddenly I have no interest in any other spoils."

Li Rui was in quite a cheerful mood, having acquired a Legendary Level+ weapon, granting him the ability to stand tough against world NPCs for three minutes. From now on, even a ten-star Secret Realm would pose no threat.

Cheng Mingyue laughed, "Don’t celebrate too soon, the Polar Alliance and Western Kingdom are still here, not yet entirely safe."

Li Rui snorted, half-jokingly, "We’ll head back, if anyone dares stop us, we’ll fight them."

As they were chatting casually, a group of demons suddenly appeared ahead. Just as they were about to be on guard, a human emerged from the back of the group—it was the communication officer, Duan Ling.

"Huh, what brings you here?"

Li Rui instinctively sensed something was wrong and jumped to the ground to inquire.

Duan Ling said, "Something happened, I’m here specifically to inform you. Do you remember the dual blade wielder who was with Zuo Qiutian in the Peach Blossom Lady’s tomb?"

"I remember, has he come to this area?" Li Rui immediately guessed the possible situation.

If it wasn’t for such an urgent event, the command center shouldn’t specifically send someone to find him.

Duan Ling nodded, "Yes, he landed in the south, killing Hopkins and several other high-risk targets. But this is just news from the Polar Alliance side, before I set off, Conductor Kong individually went south to verify the situation."

Li Rui couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious.

Sending only one person was clearly to guard against an ambush. To put it harshly, even if it were a conspiracy by the Western Kingdom and Polar Alliance, at most only one person would be lost.

He immediately informed Cheng Mingyue of the situation and then urged the Gigant to pick up the pace, heading straight to Yellow Earth City.

...

"Who are you, and what is your relationship with Zuo Qiutian?"

Kong Ji coldly stared at the dual blade wielder standing in the pool of blood.

"Oh? Finally met someone who can talk,"

Song Yuanhua’s expression was rather relaxed, "How do you know Mr. Zuo? I get it, you and that kid are in the same faction, right?"

Kong Ji’s mental fortitude was quite strong, remaining vigilant but not panicking.

"Which kid, I don’t understand what you’re talking about."

Song Yuanhua shook his head, "Why bother? I could have let you live a bit longer." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Clang!!

His figure suddenly disappeared from where he stood, reappearing before Kong Ji, and the two engaged once more.

This time, however, Kong Ji was again on the back foot. He didn’t have Li Rui’s overpowered attribute skills and equipment and could only stumble back, while Song Yuanhua pursued closely, launching a second strike.

From Kong Ji’s perspective, his opponent’s move was straightforward, a direct chop. Despite using short blades, there was a sense of grand openness.

To be honest, he couldn’t withstand this strike, so he directly used a consumable item, the Bright Light Mirror.

This Legendary Level item had five charges, with two remaining. Once used, it could definitely block any damage below level 70.

Buzz!

Song Yuanhua’s body turned, striking the mirror with his blades. Originally thinking he could shatter it, he found the mirror to be quite extraordinary, actually withstanding his blow and utilizing his force to create a rebound, momentarily halting his pursuit.

Meanwhile, Kong Ji was ready with a counter. Taking advantage of the Bright Light Mirror momentarily hindering his opponent, he activated three status skills, and his staff and precept knife combined into a blazing great blade.

He didn’t choose a conventional strategy to probe before finding a chance to strike, but instead went all in.

This was a no-choice situation. The disparity between them was too great, and if he hesitated, he might not even have the chance to use his skills before dying.

Regardless, while Song Yuanhua was off-balance due to the rebound, Kong Ji stepped forward twice, smashing through the ground. His sturdy body leapt into the air.

The burning long blade seemed to pull down a red sun from the sky, cleaving towards Song Yuanhua.

Hiss!

Though it hadn’t yet landed, the surrounding grass and trees ignited, instantly transforming the vicinity into a sea of flames.

Song Yuanhua had just regained his posture and had to face Kong Ji’s grand attack head-on.

Yet, the young dual blade wielder showed no panic, even nodding slightly in apparent appreciation.

He took a step back, then forward again, performing what seemed to be a simplified array with his steps, then brought his seemingly ordinary short blade up to meet the attack.

Boom!!!

Everything around shattered like the end of times, yet within a nine-foot radius around Song Yuanhua, all was calm.

The red sun cleaved by Kong Ji was easily neutralized by a single strike from him, vanishing amidst the Wind Blade.

Poof!

He felt a chill in his chest.

From start to finish, the dual blade wielder hadn’t used any flashy moves, yet he ended the fight so simply.

Thud, thud.

He stepped back a few paces, glanced northward, and his vision dimmed.

.....

"Whew—"

Kong Ji suddenly sat up from the awakening room bed, looked around, and took several seconds to remember where he was.

He rubbed his face, "Oh no, I didn’t pass the message to Cheng Wen, a misunderstanding might occur."