An Encounter on the Road, Blood Sect Ambush

Three days later, at the northern gate of Tianbei City.

A sizable caravan had already assembled. Dozens of wagons loaded with goods stood in neat rows, each pulled by a handsome low-tier magical beast known as a Wind Runner Colt. The guards all carried themselves with fierce competence, with even the weakest being Da Dou Shi, while several of the commanders were Dou Wang experts. The Han Family crest hung from the carriages—a crescent moon encircling stars. Within Tianbei City and the surrounding region, this banner was enough to intimidate many petty scoundrels.

Han Yue had changed into a light-purple fitted outfit suitable for travel, one that perfectly outlined her graceful figure. It lessened some of her usual aloofness and added a touch of heroic spirit. She stood beside the most luxurious carriage at the front of the convoy, her gaze repeatedly turning toward the city gate, a faint, barely perceptible anticipation on her lovely face.

When she saw that familiar figure in blue robes appear unhurriedly at the city gate, a glimmer flashed through Han Yue's beautiful eyes, and she hurried forward to greet him.

"Young Master Xiao, everything is ready. We can depart now," Han Yue said with a faint smile.

Xiao Chen nodded and swept his gaze across the entire caravan, satisfied with the Han Family's efficiency. He said nothing more and, at Han Yue's invitation, boarded the most spacious and comfortable carriage.

At the caravan leader's command, the massive convoy slowly began to move. It departed Tianbei City and proceeded along the broad official road toward Sacred Pill City.

The carriage's interior was elegantly furnished and spacious, with a soundproof formation that made it quite comfortable. Han Yue and Xiao Chen sat facing each other, separated by a small fixed table bearing fragrant tea and several plates of delicate pastries.

"From here to Sacred Pill City, even traveling day and night at a caravan's pace, it will take half a month," Han Yue said softly as she poured Xiao Chen a cup of hot tea. "We will pass through several dangerous places along the way and may encounter some trouble. But rest assured, Young Master Xiao. The Han Family guards are experienced enough to deal with ordinary bandits."

Xiao Chen accepted the teacup and thanked her, but said little else. His Soul Power had long since spread outward like mercury flowing across the ground, taking in everything within dozens of miles. The watchful gazes hidden in the shadows, as well as several not-weak auras, had all failed to escape his perception. Still, he did not expose them. So long as they did not provoke him, he could not be bothered to pay them any attention.

The beginning of the journey was fairly peaceful. Many caravans traveled along the official road, making it seem rather safe.

Han Yue was an intelligent and articulate woman. Seeing that Xiao Chen seemed quite interested in the sights and customs of the Central Plains, she took the initiative to start conversations. From local customs and traditions to strange tales of the major factions, even ancient secrets passed down through rumor—she spoke of them all with ease. Her voice was cool and pleasant, and her knowledge extensive, adding much color to the otherwise dull journey.

Most of the time, Xiao Chen merely listened quietly. Only occasionally would he raise one or two crucial questions, often striking directly at the heart of the matter, leaving Han Yue even more astonished by his insight and depth.

Several days passed amid this peaceful travel. Their relationship also grew much closer through their constant companionship. Han Yue discovered that this Young Master Xiao, who appeared cold and whose strength was unfathomable, was not actually difficult to approach. It was simply his nature to dislike talking too much. His composure, as though even Mount Tai collapsing before him would not change his expression, and the unique understanding of the laws of heaven and earth that he occasionally revealed, both won her heartfelt admiration.

On this day, the caravan entered a region known as the Black Wind Mountain Range. The mountains here were high, the forests dense, and the terrain perilous. The official road passed between two steep peaks, forming a naturally narrow gorge. It was a notorious haunt for bandits.

The caravan commanders visibly heightened their vigilance. The guards gripped their weapons, warily scanning the deep forests on either side.

Han Yue's smile also faded as she said quietly to Xiao Chen, "Young Master Xiao, Black Wind Gorge lies ahead. We must be careful."

Xiao Chen nodded slightly. He had long sensed more than a hundred auras concealed in the forests on both sides of the gorge. Several had even reached the Dou Wang level, while the two leaders were Dou Emperor experts! Such a lineup was certainly not made up of ordinary bandits.

Sure enough, just as the caravan fully entered the middle of the gorge—

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Countless arrows wrapped in Dou Qi shot from hidden positions along the mountain walls on both sides like a swarm of locusts, filling the air with piercing shrieks as they blanketed the entire caravan!

"Enemy attack! Form a defensive formation!" the caravan commander shouted sharply.

The well-trained Han Family guards immediately raised their shields. Their Dou Qi light joined together, forming a defensive barrier that blocked most of the arrows. Yet a few arrows still pierced through the defense, causing some casualties and throwing the convoy into instant chaos.

"Who are you vermin, to dare rob the Han Family caravan?" a Dou Wang-level guard commander roared.

"Hehehe... the Han Family? The Han Family is exactly who we're robbing!"

Amid the eerie laughter, dozens of figures clad in blood-red robes sprang from the forest. The auras of the two leaders were formidable—they were both Five-star Dou Emperors! Ferocious blood-red skulls were embroidered onto their robes. They were none other than the Blood Sect, a brutal force active in this region!

"People from the Blood Sect! Why are they here?" Han Yue's expression changed slightly. Though the Blood Sect had a notorious reputation, it had never crossed paths with the Han Family before. For them to openly rob a Han Family caravan now, there was likely another reason behind it.

"Both Sect Masters came personally. You truly think highly of my Han Family," Han Yue said as she stepped out of the carriage. Her cold eyes swept over the two Blood Sect Sect Masters, and her voice carried a chill.

"Miss Han?" One of the Blood Sect Sect Masters, a sinister-looking man, licked his lips as his greedy gaze swept over Han Yue's exquisite figure. "I heard that among the goods the Han Family is transporting this time is a rare Seven Illusions Azure Spirit Saliva. If handed over to the Alchemist Tower, it would be enough to exchange for a seventh-tier medicinal pill! Isn't it rather unfair for your Han Family to keep such a treasure all to yourselves?"

So it was for the Seven Illusions Azure Spirit Saliva! Han Yue's heart sank. The news of this item had been kept extremely secret. How had the Blood Sect learned of it? It seemed there was likely a traitor within the family!

"Enough nonsense. Hand over the Seven Illusions Azure Spirit Saliva and all your valuables, and perhaps we'll leave you with an intact corpse!" the other Blood Sect Sect Master, a fat and burly man, roared impatiently. His Dou Emperor aura pressed down upon the Han Family members without reservation.

The Han Family guards turned pale beneath that pressure, while the two Dou Wang commanders looked as though they faced a great enemy. Their opponents had two Five-star Dou Emperors, far stronger than them!

Han Yue clenched her jade-like hand as the peak Dou Emperor aura within her began to rise. Though she was slightly weaker than her opponents, her gaze remained firm and fearless. "If you want it, then let's see whether you have the ability to take it!"

Just as the tension reached its peak, an indifferent voice came from within the carriage, clearly reaching everyone's ears:

"Leave within three breaths."

"Otherwise, die."

The voice was not loud, yet it carried an unquestionable majesty, like the judgment of an emperor.

Everyone froze, their gazes turning in unison toward the luxurious carriage.

The expressions of the two Blood Sect Sect Masters darkened. The sinister Sect Master sneered. "What coward is hiding in there and spouting such nonsense? Get out here!"

Before his words had even faded, he suddenly struck out with his palm. Blood-red Dou Qi condensed into a huge palm print that carried a stench of blood as it blasted fiercely toward the carriage!

That strike was enough to smash a carriage forged from refined steel into pieces!

Han Yue's expression changed as she was about to intervene.

However, when that blood-red palm print was still several feet from the carriage, it seemed to strike an invisible wall and exploded apart, failing to stir even the slightest ripple.

Then, beneath everyone's horrified gazes, the carriage curtain moved without wind. A figure in blue robes appeared silently before the carriage like a ghost, standing with his hands behind his back.

It was Xiao Chen.

He calmly looked at the two Blood Sect Sect Masters as though they were two buzzing flies.

"Three breaths have passed."

"Looks like you have chosen death."