Free Web NovelChapter 81: Escort Mission Turns Deadly
The atmosphere around the caravan became heavier after Damian’s warning.
No one dared to treat the mission casually anymore.
The inner disciples tightened their formation, and even Marden Lou no longer hid inside the wagon with a fake smile. He sat near the front, trembling every time the forest made the slightest sound.
Damian looked at the tired disciples and frowned slightly.
They had fought several times already.
Although no one had suffered serious injuries, their Qi and stamina were clearly being drained.
At this rate, even if the bandits were weak, they would slowly wear everyone down.
Damian clicked his tongue. "This is annoying."
Then he reached into his storage ring and took out several jade bottles.
The nearby inner disciples immediately looked over.
Damian tossed one bottle to the lead disciple. "Pass these around."
The lead disciple caught it and opened the lid.
The moment the medicinal fragrance drifted out, his eyes widened. "This is..."
Damian said casually, "High-Rank Profound Grade Blood Qi Recovery Pills."
The disciples froze.
Even Marden Lou almost fell from the wagon.
"High-Rank Profound Grade?" one disciple blurted out. "Senior Brother Damian, are you giving these to all of us?"
Damian glanced at him. "What, you want to faint on the road instead?"
The disciple immediately shut his mouth.
Another disciple looked at the pill in his palm with disbelief. "This quality... Senior Brother Damian, where did you get so many?" ƒrēewebnovel.com
Damian smiled lazily. "I’m an alchemist."
The group went silent.
A core disciple under Elder Selvara, strong enough to crush bandits, and also an alchemist who casually handed out High-Rank Profound Grade recovery pills?
What kind of monster was this?
Damian clapped his hands once. "Alright, stop staring. Eat them."
The disciples quickly swallowed the pills.
Warm medicinal power spread through their bodies, restoring their blood Qi and easing their fatigue.
Their pale faces quickly regained color.
Damian looked toward the road ahead. "We quicken our pace. The faster we reach Redstone City, the less time our enemies have to arrange more attacks."
The lead disciple nodded seriously. "Understood."
Marden Lou also hurriedly shouted, "Speed up the wagons!"
The horned spirit beasts were urged forward, and the caravan’s pace immediately increased.
This time, Damian no longer walked near the middle.
He moved to the very front.
His dark-silver sword rested in his hand, and flame and thunder flickered faintly along the blade.
Whenever a shadow moved in the forest, his eyes shifted toward it.
Whenever a bandit suddenly appeared, he was already there.
One group tried to block the road with fallen trees.
Damian cut through both the trees and their formation with one slash.
Another group tried to launch arrows from the forest.
Damian’s thunder flashed, and their screams followed a breath later.
The inner disciples watched his back with complicated expressions.
At first, they had felt awkward about a core disciple joining them.
Now, they were only glad he was here.
Damian looked ahead and muttered, "Come on then."
His grin slowly returned. "Let’s see how many fools are waiting on this damn road."
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The caravan rushed forward at full speed.
The horned spirit beasts snorted heavily, their hooves striking the road like drums.
For a short while, everything seemed to be going smoothly.
Then suddenly...
BOOOM!
A terrifying aura exploded from the forest ahead.
Even the road beneath the wagons seemed to sink slightly under the pressure.
The inner disciples’ faces changed instantly.
Marden Lou’s face turned completely pale. "W-What is that?"
Damian’s smile disappeared.
He slowly looked toward the forest, and his brows furrowed. "Goddammit..."
His voice became low. "Golden Core cultivator."
The moment those words came out, the surrounding disciples felt their hearts drop.
Golden Core Realm.
That was not something Foundation Establishment disciples could casually fight.
Even a weak Golden Core cultivator was still on a completely different level from ordinary bandits.
The lead inner disciple clenched his sword tightly. "Senior Brother Damian..."
Damian raised one hand and stopped him from speaking. "Go."
The disciples froze.
Damian did not look back. "All of you, go. Escort Marden Lou and the wagons away from here."
The lead disciple frowned. "But Senior Brother..."
Damian’s voice became sharper. "I said, ’Go.’"
The road became quiet for half a breath.
Then Damian pointed toward the wagons. "Bring the client with you. Leave the suspicious item behind."
Marden Lou’s eyes widened. "Leave the jade box?"
Damian glanced at him coldly. "Their target is that thing. If you carry it, they will chase you."
Marden’s lips trembled, but he could not argue.
The lead disciple looked at Damian with a complicated expression. "Senior Brother Damian, are you sure?"
Damian smiled faintly. "No."
That answer made everyone freeze again.
Then Damian’s grin slowly returned. "But if all of you stay here, you’ll only become extra things I need to protect." ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
The inner disciples were silent.
They understood.
Against a Golden Core cultivator, they would only slow him down.
Finally, the lead disciple gritted his teeth and cupped his hands. "Senior Brother Damian, survive."
Damian waved lazily. "Don’t make it sound like I’m already dead."
The disciples quickly moved.
Marden Lou was dragged away from the lead wagon, while the sealed jade box was placed on the road beside Damian.
Soon, the caravan began moving again, leaving Damian alone on the road.
The forest grew quiet.
Then a figure slowly stepped out from between the trees.
It was a thin man in a gray robe with cold eyes and a long black spear in his hand.
Golden Core pressure rolled from his body like a heavy wave.
Damian picked up the sealed jade box and tossed it lightly into his storage ring.
The gray-robed man’s eyes narrowed. "Hand it over, boy."
Damian slowly drew his dark-silver sword.
Flame and thunder flickered along the blade.
His heart was beating faster than usual, but his grin only widened. "Golden Core Realm, huh..."
He took one step forward. "Let’s see if my current strength is enough to let me become one of those main characters who can fight across ranks."
