Interception (Part 1)

The convoy moved forward slowly beneath an enormous transparent shield, like a giant turtle carrying its shell, sluggish in its movements.

Yet none of the tiny insects and snakes they passed along the way noticed the convoy advancing at all.

It was as though the shield had completely concealed the convoy. Not a single sound or scent escaped from it.

Ma Yuan's heart had remained tightly strung the entire way.

He knew the power of his shield best. Its greatest advantage was that it could bring spiritual energy into play within this area. For the many experts unable to use spiritual energy, that was undoubtedly a tremendous gap.

The difference between using spiritual energy and not using it was immense, so it was only natural that the shield could serve such a powerful purpose.

But there was one thing he feared most: the spirit jade was nearly exhausted, and the shield might not last long enough. Once they were exposed... if the people behind them caught up, the consequences would be unthinkable.

He sat atop the first ox cart, his brows tightly furrowed, his eyes vigilantly sweeping the surroundings from the corners of his gaze now and then.

The convoy continued onward. After another hour or so, the exit of the gorge finally came faintly into view ahead. Black wind gathered and blew outward, while beyond the gorge mouth lay a hazy expanse of gray clouds that churned endlessly, like a conspicuous gray wall.

Within a recessed section of rock beside the exit stood a grayish-white stone statue. Its robes billowed, one hand resting on something as it gazed at the heavens. Its face was pale and beardless, though it wore an extremely tall, elongated crown. At its feet crouched a strange man covered from head to toe in thick