Consequently, the two could only watch as their supplies dwindled drastically every day; they were now penniless once again.
However, it was impossible for them to truly abandon or throw away all their supplies. No matter what, they would not give up the last of what remained.
Otherwise, they truly wouldn’t be able to walk out of the desert.
Lian Li glanced at their camels, which had been reduced by half, and said, “Look, our camel-raising plan has shrunk by half.”
Yun Huizhou gave a somewhat helpless smile. He found that even in a situation like this, he was happy as long as he was with Lian Li.
Lian Li would occasionally feel discouraged in normal times, but the more critical and difficult the situation became, the more he displayed an extraordinary spirit of optimism, allowing their taut nerves a moment of relaxation.
He didn’t say these things out of a refusal to face reality; rather, at such moments, he truly faced reality while simultaneously making his own spirit as cheerful as possible.
He was like a plant tenaciously growing in this harsh desert environment.
No matter how difficult it was, he always displayed his own vibrant vitality.
After the two of them took stock of their existing items, Yun Huizhou spoke up, “It should be enough to support us until we leave the desert. But if we bypass the small border town and go directly back to the Border City without restocking, it will be very tight.”
Lian Li said, “It’s not just tight; it’s only enough to support us for half the journey. Unless we can hunt for wild game to supplement our meals like we did when we came, I’m afraid we’ll have to go back on empty stomachs.”
At this point, Lian Li let out a heavy sigh. “Just thinking about it makes me feel so wretched.”
Yun Huizhou also sighed.
The two continued on their way. After walking for a while, Lian Li said somewhat hesitantly, “Yun Huizhou, Master… there’s still no news of him at all.”
Yun Huizhou paused for a moment before answering, “Since so many assassins could come looking for us, Master is likely tied up right now.”
The only thing that could keep a Transcendent Expert occupied was essentially another Transcendent Expert.
Lian Li knew this was the reason in his heart, and he also knew that the South Island Master was a very powerful existence even among Transcendent Experts.
Still, he couldn’t help but worry, though he knew his worrying was useless.
Regarding a battle at that level, even Yun Huizhou didn’t dare say he could interfere, let alone the current Lian Li.
What they needed to do was successfully leave the desert and return to Drunken Dream Island.
Over the past few days, he had also been constantly looking at the sky, hoping that the birds raised by Drunken Dream Island could find them. It was possible that because they had stayed underground for a few days, the birds had lost their trail.
They had been moving quickly during this period, so the birds hadn’t been able to find them.
Otherwise, they could have sent a message back with the birds to have someone support the South Island Master.
Well, while he said it was to support the South Island Master, it was actually to support the two of them.
However, Lian Li also understood that it was likely impossible. A force as deeply hidden as the assassin organization had appeared here in the desert, and even a Transcendent Expert had come.
The situation in the Central Plains would only be even more confusing and blurred.
In any case, rather than counting on reinforcements, it was better to count on the two of them fighting their way out.
At least, they could put in the effort to fight their way out; if they relied on reinforcements, they could truly only offer up a “maiden’s prayer” every day.
To their surprise, they didn’t encounter a single assassin again until they reached the edge of the desert.
This didn’t allow the two to relax. They didn’t think the assassins had given up.
It was more likely that the enemy realized that sending small wave after small wave to find them was simply incapable of keeping them there, and would only result in greater losses of their own manpower.
Therefore, this group of assassins was likely preparing a “big move.” They were probably gathering their forces outside the desert to carry out one final wave of encirclement and slaughter.
After the two exchanged these thoughts, Yun Huizhou said, “They might be running low on manpower as well. At least, the manpower they can use to deal with us is likely insufficient. Otherwise, even though the losses would be greater, they could have ground us down by continuing to send groups to hunt and harass us.”
Lian Li very much agreed with this statement. At this moment, he even had a strange feeling that he had finally finished clearing the “mobs” and was about to face the “boss.”
It wasn’t until they saw a landmark withered tree that they finally reached the edge of the desert.
The two of them couldn’t tell if they were happy or a bit troubled.
They were happy that they had successfully obtained the supreme treasure and left the desert alive; they were troubled because as soon as they left the desert, there was another hard battle to fight.
The two weren’t even sure if they could make it back whole and unscathed.
Standing under the tree, the two made their final preparations. Yun Huizhou said to Lian Li, “How about you sleep for a while now? You haven’t slept well these past few days. Once we go out, I’m afraid you won’t be able to sleep properly until we get back to the Border City.”
Lian Li happened to be yawning. Hearing Yun Huizhou ask this, he quickly checked his movements and said, “It’s fine, no need to rest.”
Seeing that he clearly lacked energy, Yun Huizhou persuaded him, “Sleep for a bit. I remember there’s a large rock over there that provides some shade. Sleep for a while now, and we’ll set out tonight.”
Lian Li’s state was indeed not very good. Hearing Yun Huizhou’s persuasion, he stopped forcing himself to stay awake.
After walking to the shade, Yun Huizhou sat down cross-legged first and then beckoned to Lian Li, “Come here, sleep with your head on my lap.”
Lian Li walked over and lay down, resting his head on Yun Huizhou’s lap. “I’ll rest for two hours, and then when I wake up, you rest for two hours. By then it will be almost night, and we’ll set out.”
Yun Huizhou stroked Lian Li’s hair. After being in the desert for so long, the originally black and supple hair had visibly withered quite a bit.
When he stroked it before, it felt like touching fine satin, but now it felt a bit prickly to the hand.
Not hearing an answer from Yun Huizhou, Lian Li sat up and stared at him.
Knowing that if he didn’t answer, Lian Li probably wouldn’t sleep peacefully, Yun Huizhou replied, “Rest for three hours, then.”
Seeing Lian Li raise an eyebrow as if to speak, Yun Huizhou quickly added, “I mean, we’ll each rest for three hours. We don’t have to set out as soon as night falls; it’s better to leave a bit later.”
Lian Li nodded and lay back down. Before closing his eyes, he was still saying, “Then remember to wake me when the three hours are up. No going over the time.”
Yun Huizhou smiled helplessly. “Yes, I know. Sleep peacefully. I’ll call you if anything happens.”
Having received Yun Huizhou’s answer, Lian Li finally closed his eyes to rest with peace of mind.
Three hours later, Yun Huizhou indeed woke Lian Li up right on time.
Although he hadn’t slept completely enough, three hours of total relaxation and rest made Lian Li feel much more refreshed.
He sat up, looked at the sun, and said, “It’s evening. You didn’t go over the time.”
Yun Huizhou teased him, “Do you really distrust me to wake you on time that much?”
