C886 Dragon Servitor

In the pitch-black wilderness, the incessant clash of metal upon metal pierced the night air. From the halted caravan, more than a dozen cultivators of varying levels emerged from their respective carriages, now locked in combat with another group of mysterious cultivators whose origins were unknown.

To Yu Yuan, observing the scene, the combatants' abilities were hardly worth noting. The majority were merely at the Yellow Court Stage or the Profound Break Stage, with only a few reaching the Penetrating Stage.

Yu Yuan had instructed Qin Yun and Qi Yunhong to remain inside the carriage while he lifted the curtain and stepped out to survey the battle. His mastery of the Evil Body Refining Skill allowed him to sculpt his features at will, presenting an unremarkable, sallow-faced man who appeared to be in his mid-thirties.

"Dragon Servitors from Hidden Dragon Lake..." he mused silently. The effects of the Star Concealing Fruit were still active, so he refrained from using his soul consciousness to sense them. Instead, he deduced their identities from the unique characteristics of their Spiritual Spells.

Yu Yuan harbored no fondness for Hidden Dragon Lake, and to his astonishment, the cultivators concealed within the merchant group were stronger than the attacking Dragon Servitors, who had clearly underestimated their opponents. The skirmish ended with the Dragon Servitors leaving behind several corpses as they beat a hasty retreat.

An elderly woman, her face etched with wrinkles and her back hunched, directed her companions to dispose of the Dragon Servitors' bodies. As the highest-ranking member of the group, in the late period of the Penetrating Stage, she wielded a Dragon Head Staff. Orders given, she disappeared into one of the dark wooden carriages with a furrowed brow.

Meanwhile, an elder named Wu Dong approached Yu Yuan, extending greetings. He soon arrived beside Yu Yuan, his expression tinged with regret. "My apologies, we did not foresee such an event. It's a two-day journey from here to Valwall. If you're concerned, we're willing to refund some of your fare so you can make your own way," he offered.

As Wu Dong spoke, others in the caravan had already begun to pack up and depart. The wilderness between Beacon City and Valwall was rife with bandit activity. Wu Dong, hailing from Beacon City, was known for his integrity and amicable relations with local bandits, earning him respect that typically kept his caravans safe from their raids. But this incident was no mere bandit attack...

"No need, we'll stick with the group," Yu Yuan said with a smile.

"Little brother, I really think you should consider leaving," Wu Dong earnestly advised, his gaze inadvertently drifting to the seven black carriages at the center of the group. "I have this premonition that this incident isn't over yet. And as you've probably noticed, it involves the powers of cultivators." His voice dropped noticeably when he spoke of cultivators.

"I've always been lucky; I'm sure I'll be fine," Yu Yuan said, pulling back the curtain and stepping into the carriage.

Wu Dong paused, letting out a soft sigh, "Such a stubborn fellow."

He moved on to another carriage, trying to persuade those uninvolved to leave the caravan.

"Do you know Wu Dong?" Yu Yuan inquired curiously, turning to Qin Yun once inside the carriage.

It was Qin Yun's idea to join this merchant group and blend in with the crowd on their journey from Beacon City to Valwall. Wu Dong was the one he had negotiated with for protection.

"I'm familiar with some of his exploits, which is why I chose this group under his protection," Qin Yun acknowledged with a nod. "But we've never actually met. He's gone through quite some lengths to make my acquaintance, though." Qin Yun chuckled.

Formerly the sect master of the Seven Divine Sect within the Rainier Empire, Qin Yun was a figure of considerable stature, while Wu Dong had only recently reached the Early Period of the Penetrating Stage—a stark difference in their levels.

"We hadn't noticed the seven black carriages before, but it seems the Dragon Servitors from Hidden Dragon Lake have set their sights on them. I'm not well-versed in the affairs of the Rainier Empire, so I'm unsure of the significance of those in the black carriages. For now, they've managed to fend off the Dragon Servitors," Yu Yuan mentioned offhandedly.

In the corner of the carriage, Qi Yunhong rested with his eyes half-closed, showing no interest in joining the conversation.

The recent skirmish had only seen combatants up to the Profound Break Stage, with most, including the attackers and those from the black carriages, still within the Profound Break and Yellow Court Stages. To Qi Yunhong, who had risen to the level of a Yang God, they were mere ants.

"The Wen family from Beacon City is likely involved," Qin Yun deduced after a quick peek through the curtain's gap. "It's peculiar. To my knowledge, the Wen family has always maintained a good rapport with Hidden Dragon Lake. Come to think of it, their relationship is somewhat akin to the early days between the Zhao family of Darkmoon City and Hidden Dragon Lake."

Yu Yuan was taken aback, "Then why would the Dragon Servitors of Hidden Dragon Lake attack them?"

"I'm just as clueless," Qin Yun shook his head. "The Wen family holds significant sway in Beacon City. They made no secret of their identity en route to Valwall, and no bandit would dare to interfere. Yet, they concealed themselves in those black carriages and even enlisted Wu Dong for protection."

"Master, there's no need to concern yourself with such minor issues," yawned Qi Yunhong, curling up inside the carriage. "I'm rather weary."

With that, he promptly closed his eyes and fell asleep.

"Young Master, it's really not worth your attention," Qin Yun said with a reassuring smile.

"Understood."

Over the next half-day, Wu Dong managed to convince most of the mixed group of travelers to depart.

Inside one of the black carriages, an elderly woman leaning on a Dragon Head Staff eyed Wu Dong warily as he entered. Her tone was cool, "What's the meaning of sending those people away?"

Wu Dong gave a wry smile, "Older sister, the Dragon Servitors from Hidden Dragon Lake have already found us. It's likely they'll be relentless. Please, let's not drag the innocent into the Wen family's feud with Hidden Dragon Lake, shall we?"

"I tasked you with assembling a caravan as a diversion. Without those people, how can we mislead anyone? You've scattered them all, leaving just us. Might as well fly the Wen family's banner outright," the old woman's wrinkled face darkened, "A few commoners' deaths are hardly consequential."

"Wu Dong, remember, you're in debt to our Wen family!"

Her Dragon Head Staff was now pointed directly at Wu Dong's face.

Wu Dong maintained his smile. "The Dragon Servitor came looking, didn't they? Now that we're exposed, there's no need for them to stick around."

"The Dragon Servitor might have found us, but what about the others?" The old woman's face grew stern as she brought the staff down hard on Wu Dong's shoulder. "Misfortune for the Wen family doesn't just come from Hidden Dragon Lake! Beacon City and Valwall have their share of troublemakers who might act against us."

"Your actions have only made us stand out more. Forget leaving the empire—we'll be lucky to make it to Valwall without being completely wiped out."

In a fit of rage, she struck Wu Dong several times with her Dragon Head Staff.

Wu Dong bore the blows silently, waiting until her fury had subsided before he ventured, "Why leave the empire?"

"Keep your curiosity to yourself!"

The sharp end of the Dragon Head Staff in the old woman's grip was now pressed threateningly against Wu Dong's throat. "Listen to me! From this moment forward, you're forbidden from convincing anyone to leave! And another thing, I'm aware of your cozy ties with those outlaws. They're as good as dead anyway. I want you to round up fifty of them to blend in with the caravan!"

"Now scram! And see that it's done immediately!"

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