Arthur and the others continued on their journey towards the White Dominion Sect territory. Six months after everyone had left the Winter Rain Mountains, everyone, without exception was a Rank 2 Fae Master.
Not only had they had the benefits of using the Origin Essence Liquid Pond beneath the Clan Reserves, but all of them had used some sort of Rank 2 or higher origin essence regeneration Fae, in tandem with a Vein Limit Fae, or an origin essence sea expansion Fae.
Arthur had given everyone a single origin essence sea expansion Fae, in order to boost their maximum origin essence sea size, and by extension increasing their maximum origin essence limit.
Everyone present, had a second-tier talent or higher.
Andrea and Arthur were the only ones without a second-tier talent.
Parvan now possessed a 240% origin essence sea.
While Zlatanna and Iryna possessed a slightly lower origin essence sea, roughly around 235%.
Milena was the only one whose origin essence sea size went beyond the limits of a second-tier talent, reaching 268%.
She now had an origin essence sea comparable to the old Nyssa.
Arthur had made sure to only give them Rank 1 origin essence sea expansion Fae, telling the rest of them that he had used the higher Ranked ones of himself beforehand.
Milena and the others were a little disgruntled that Arthur kept the better Fae for himself, but didn't take it much to heart. At this moment, even if his talent was lower than their own, his perception and combat prowess far exceeded any of theirs.
If his origin essence sea expanded in size, Arthur could last even longer during extended fights. He could use his Attribute Control Skills more effectively this way, and become an even greater power than he was previously.
Arthur and the others were currently approaching the boarder between one of the Empty Regions and the territory built around the White Dominion Sect. The spiritual essence in the air was becoming thicker, even though it was only by a tiny margin.
The passing plant life seemed to possess a much more vibrant colour to them, and their vitality was much stronger than anything they had seen in the Empty Region. Not only that, but the section of the Yellow Springs Famous River and the Enlightened Bodhi Famous River that the White Dominion Sect had built their Sect around were much closer to the origins of the River than where the Kovacs Clan had built their Village on the Falling Snow Famous River.
As such, the quality of spiritual essence would be much higher, and the amount of Fae materials would be even more abundant.
Dagen and Henrik glanced towards each other before turning towards Parvan in the carriage behind them.
"Arthur said that many bandit tribes and scavenger camps exist on the boundary between Empty Regions and territories close to Fae Grounds. They can hide better within the mortal world, where Fae Masters don't dare to enter".
Parvan nodded.
"Keep an eye out for any investigative type Fae or reconnaissance type Fae! We don't know the land as well as they do, and all the thieves and bandits that we've come up against in the past few months are nothing in comparison!".
Everyone nodded.
Even Arthur, who was normally just silently cultivating in his carriage, had opted to sit on top of the large wooden construct instead. Despite the fact that his eyes were closed, Arthur had kept his breathing completely steady, and his origin essence slowly churning, ready to speed up at any moment.
If him and the others weren't attacked before they reached the White Corpse City on the Western edge of the White Dominion Sect territory, then something would definitely be wrong.
The prevalence of bandit tribes and scavenger camps within every Era was something that hadn't changed, even after ten thousand years. Some people were unhappy with the status quo, or liked to live their lives by taking treasures, Fae and even beauties from others.
Arthur hadn't experienced life as a bandit, but he had lived as a wanted criminal in his previous life. To some degree, that was even more damning.
A few more hours passed, and the sun that was once high above the heads of the Kovacs Fae Masters slowly dipped over the horizon behind them. Their shadows extended much further forward, and every time they tried to turn around, the faint radiance of the sun, caused them to cover their eyes and bite their bottom lips.
Nyssa glanced towards Arthur, who just tapped his fingers a few times against his knee, causing Nyssa's eyes to widen and copy the action, letting the others know what Arthur had found.
High above their heads, the smallest figure of a bird could be seen.
A Rank 3 Sky Eyes Fae that Arthur had taken from the unknown Fae Masters that tried to approach the Village. It's maximum range was thirty kilometres in every direction away from the Fae Master, so letting it fly a few kilometres upwards, allowed Arthur to peer down at the earth below.
Even in the faint evening breeze, shadows flickered in every direction imaginable. On this long path, heading East, a forest grew just North of their current position, while a long forgotten ancient field laid directly to the South.
The dirt had turned to mud over time, and nothing could grow they save a few weeds and small plants.
Arthur could see faint movements in both the forest and the muddy field. Not to mention-.
"Arthur! There is something burning straight ahead of us!".
Arthur opened his eyes, hearing the faint screams and cries of young women and children. The expression on his face seemed unperturbed, while looks of hatred and rage flashed through the eyes of everyone else.
Their caravan slowly moved to the side of the road, avoiding the burning carriage. Arthur didn't spare them a second glance, but the others frowned, and felt something pull at their heartstrings as they gazed into the raging flames.
Locked in a steel cage, several naked young women and children extended their arms out tearfully, feeling the fire lick at the unprotected soles of their feet. Just from a glance, one could see that they bodies were covered in scars and bruises, obviously an indication of the torment they had suffered before they ended up in here.
One of the young women, whose long blonde hair attracted the attention of the Fae Masters, extended her arm out towards them, her tears evaporating before they had the chance to hit the ground.
"Please help us! We'll do anything!".
"Please big brothers! Big sisters! Help us!".
"If you're not going to help, then just put us out of our misery already!".
"All you fucking Fae Masters are the same! Treating mortals like playthings! I hope all of you burn, and join us in hell for eternal-".
All of the other Fae Masters gritted their teeth and clenched their fists. They all turned towards Arthur, hoping that he would say something, but just stood up and narrowed his eyes.
His carriage was at the very rear of their caravan, and he was in charge of protecting their rear. Turning his attention towards the forest and muddy field to their sides, Arthur tightened his grip on his Rank 3 Leafsword Fae, before feeling his pupils shrink as the hairs on the back of his head raised.
Arthur's figure flickered out as he activated his Verdant Root Fae, summoning a massive, elephant sized root up from out of the ground, blocking a volley of multi-Attributed arrows from hitting Dagen and Henrik's carriage.
The strength of these arrows were all at Rank 2, and there were dozens shot all at once.
Not even sparing the others a glance, Arthur spoke.
"Defend the carriages as much as possible. Look out for one another, and don't even think about sparing your opponent. Unless you want to end up like all of them....".
The nine others glanced at the burning corpses within the steel bar prison. Their stomach churned, and Arthur could feel the hatred within them, being focused on the hidden enemies around them.
Arthur let out a deep breath.
It had been a long time slaughtered people so publicly....
'I wonder what types of Fae these bandits have....'.
He grinned. The demon within him didn't have any reason to hide anymore.