Laying the Groundwork

Several days passed in the blink of an eye.

The caravan had already waited at Black Wind Pass for a long time, yet the leader still showed no intention of entering.

They hammered a circle of yellow metal spikes into the surrounding ground and scattered plenty of pale green liquid, drawing a ring of green lines across the earth. A strange smell wafted from it.

Every day, people busied themselves outside. They seemed to be standing guard, yet also seemed to be measuring something. They walked and stopped, constantly going back and forth.

Ma Yuan and the others warmed their hands beside a bonfire built in the middle of the caravan.

When he saw Bao Luofei get down from the cart, Ma Yuan rose with a smile as well.

"I thought we would have to wait a while longer, but it looks like we can roughly enter today. Let's get ready and prepare to enter the gorge at any time."

"So soon? When I saw us setting up camp, I thought we would be staying for several more days." Bao Luofei walked over, and someone made room for her by the fire.

"I thought it would take a long time too, but the black wind has weakened much faster than expected. From the looks of it, we should be able to enter the gorge today or tomorrow," Ma Yuan said.

"When do you plan to go in, then? Once we are inside, a great deal of trouble may begin," another leader asked quietly.

"I've already started having the brothers pack up. Once we eat, then..." Before Ma Yuan could finish, he suddenly saw Bao Luofei spring to her feet, her expression changing slightly.

Awoo!!

A wolf howl that seemed to pierce the heavens drifted faintly from afar.

Beyond the huge