Early the next morning, they continued along the northern part of the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts.
Haeru led the way, with Bebe sitting on his back. Although Haeru was displeased, he did not throw Bebe off. Doehring walked beside Linley, completely suppressing his deity-level aura.
After half a day of walking, the forest grew increasingly sparse.
Another four hours passed, and an open stretch of land appeared ahead.
Linley stopped.
He saw the sea.
In the distance, the deep blue sea stretched to the horizon. Sunlight shone on its surface, making broad patches of white light shimmer. The sea breeze blew over the mountains, carrying a damp scent.
Linley stood at the mountain pass and watched quietly for a moment.
He had grown up in Wushan Town and later entered the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts to train rigorously. This was the first time he had truly seen such a vast ocean.
Bebe stood on Haeru's back and craned his neck.
"Boss, is that the North Sea?"
"It should be."
"It's much bigger than a river."
Haeru gave a low growl.
Bebe immediately translated, "He says it's just a lot of water. Nothing special."
Linley ignored their argument and simply turned to look at the road beyond the mountains.
Several li away, a main road ran south along the mountain range.
There was a merchant caravan on the road.
Hundreds of wagons formed a continuous line, with mercenaries patrolling both sides. The caravan had clearly just arrived from far away. Many people were resting by the roadside, while the mercenaries inspected the wagons and horses.
After a moment's thought, Linley walked toward the caravan.
They needed to head to the O'Brien Empire.
Traveling on their own would certainly be faster, but having just left the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts, they knew almost nothing about what was happening in the outside world. Traveling with a caravan would at least let them hear some news from the continent.
Linley walked to the front of the caravan.
A middle-aged mercenary immediately gripped the long saber at his waist and looked at him warily, then glanced at Haeru behind him.
The aura of a magical beast at the peak of the ninth level had not been completely suppressed.
Even standing quietly, Haeru was enough to make ordinary mercenaries nervous.
"What can I do for you, sir?" the middle-aged mercenary asked.
"I'm going to the O'Brien Empire and would like a ride in a wagon." Linley took out twenty gold coins. "Here's the fare."
The middle-aged mercenary glanced at the coins, then looked at Haeru again.
"Is he getting in too?"
"He's coming with me."
The middle-aged mercenary hesitated for a moment before finally nodding. "All right. But he mustn't frighten anyone in the caravan."
Haeru gave a low grunt.
Bebe translated, "He says he has no interest in weaklings."
"Tell him to keep his comments to himself," Linley said.
Bebe immediately shut his mouth.
The middle-aged mercenary led them to a fairly spacious carriage. Two mercenaries were already sitting inside, dressed in gray leather armor, with longswords at their waists.
Seeing Linley and Doehring enter, one of them shifted aside.
When Haeru climbed into the carriage after them, both mercenaries' expressions visibly changed.
"Don't be nervous," Linley said. "He won't hurt anyone."
"A high-level magical beast?" one of the mercenaries asked in a hushed voice.
"Yes."
The two mercenaries exchanged a glance and asked no more questions.
The caravan set off again.
The wheels rumbled rhythmically over the main road.
The mercenaries sitting inside soon relaxed, and one of them struck up a conversation. "Are you heading to the imperial capital as well, sir?"
"To the O'Brien Empire first," Linley said. "Has anything been happening in the O'Brien Empire lately?" Wharton should be grown up by now. According to the Dragonblood Secret Manual, members of the clan with a pure Dragonblood bloodline could reach the Saint Realm in a few decades, so reaching eighth-level warrior around the age of twenty would be reasonable. With Wharton's strength, he should have made something of a name for himself in the imperial capital.
"Then you really should visit the imperial capital. The most famous person in the empire lately is the genius Sword Saint, Lord Olivier."
Linley raised his head.
"Olivier?"
"That's right. He's the greatest genius in our empire." The mercenary grew animated. "He entered the Saint Realm in his forties, and not long after his breakthrough, he defeated Dillon, the long-renowned Starry Sky Sword Saint. They say the War God himself even offered to take him as a disciple, but he actually refused."
"He refused the War God?" The other mercenary's eyes widened.
"Exactly! It caused a sensation throughout the empire. Lord Olivier has now traveled the continent and challenged many Saint Realm experts, and he hasn't lost once."
Linley leaned against the carriage wall, listening to their discussion. Dillon? Back then, above Wushan Town, Dillon and another expert had argued over some things they were fighting for, then launched into a fierce battle that devastated Wushan Town. But Linley did not dwell on it and instead continued listening as the mercenary talked about various things in the O'Brien Empire...