Chapter 27
The group began their trek across the dunes, their footsteps sinking into the soft sand. Each step was an effort, the shifting ground sapping their energy. The sun beat down relentlessly, and the lack of shade made the journey even more grueling.
Feng Jiao Xue remained silent as they walked, her gaze flickering to the horizon. The dunes rippled under the heat, creating mirages that danced and shifted. She frowned slightly, her sharp eyes catching something the others missed.
"Stop," she said abruptly, her voice cutting through the stifling silence.
The group halted, turning to look at her.
"What is it?" the crown prince asked, his tone cautious.
Feng Jiao Xue pointed to the horizon. "There," she said. "Do you see that line of haze? It’s moving toward us."
The others squinted, their eyes following her gesture. At first, they saw nothing but the endless expanse of sand. Then, gradually, they noticed the faint, undulating line in the distance.
"What is that?" Mei Lin asked, her voice tinged with unease.
"A sandstorm," Feng Jiao Xue replied, her tone calm but firm. "It’s moving fast. We need to find shelter now."
"A sandstorm?" Han Qing repeated, his brows furrowing. "How dangerous can it be?"
Feng Jiao Xue turned to him, her cold gaze unwavering. "If we stay out here, it will tear us apart. Sandstorms in distorted spaces are even more violent than normal ones. Trust me, you don’t want to test it." Many often dares underestimate the dessert. It takes a different kind of resolve to be able to live here. Even more so for those that dares to treck it.