In Scorchrock Valley, Dai Mubai and his companions continued onward with a company of mercenaries and guards.
Scorchrock Valley abounded in fire- and earth-attribute soul beasts, medicinal herbs, and ores. Some precious ingredients could only be gathered here, making it a major source of income for the region.
But two years ago, wolf bandits had suddenly begun plaguing the area.
At first, things had been manageable; the guards and mercenaries could deal with them.
Yet for some unknown reason, the wolf bandits' numbers only grew as time passed. Even without any reports of nearby villages being attacked, they continued to proliferate.
The local lord had been troubled by this ever since. Wolf bandits had occupied the industry supporting his territory, and his income kept shrinking.
So he invited specialists from Spirit Hall to investigate the cause.
Spirit Hall's people fulfilled their mission, finding a cave and confirming that it was the wolf bandits' stronghold.
When those Spirit Hall soul masters entered it to try to wipe out the wolf bandits, they never came back.
To uncover the truth and eradicate this scourge, the lord spent a fortune hiring numerous soul masters to eliminate every wolf bandit inside.
Their leader was a Soul Saint from Spirit Hall, which showed just how determined the lord was.
Someone like that could not be hired on a whim. The resources and connections it took were beyond what an ordinary person could afford.
If everything went smoothly, Scorchrock Valley's value would eventually make up for the cost of this operation.
"All right, we're not far from the target cave. Everyone, set up camp here and get some rest. We have a fierce battle ahead of us."
Jin Lang, the Spirit Hall Soul Saint nicknamed Vanguard, issued orders to the hundred-odd people.
He and Zhao Wuji