The sun's warm rays were bathing the bloody ground, adding a mystical sight for those used to battles and wars.
Around the carriage, ten guards lay dead, some of them had their limbs severed, while some had their heads dismantled from their bodies. The sight was horrifying for anyone who wasn't a bone-fide cultivator with a ton of experience.
Yet, even though the casualties of the guards weren't a number to be trifled with, leaving only five of them barely standing on their feet. The bandits attacking them didn't differ much, their ranks which consisted of twenty martial arts in the foundation establishment realm were also reduced to a measly eight.
Unfortunately, the guards could only accomplish such a feat because of the bandit's low cultivation base. The highest of them was only at the peak of the fourth layer, while the guard's ranks consisted of two 5th layers and their leader, an 8th-layer foundation establishment realm cultivator.
Albert who had his hands around his sword, ready to sacrifice his life in order to buy time for his lady, couldn't help but shout as he noticed that the bandit's leader finally made his move.
"Raven! take Sara with you and leave this place, I'll hold them for a few minutes," He gritted his teeth and wiped the blood streaming out of his mouth with a heavy expression.
"Get out of here!"
He shouted once again as he gripped his sword with both hands and thrust it towards the burly man heading his way, a faint layer of spiritual energy could be seen covering its edge.
The muscular man with heavy black armor and a face full of scars, couldn't help but look in disdain at the old man using his last bit of qi to hold him.
In the next second, the bandit's leader could be seen tapping his right leg on the ground, the moment he did so, a word escaped his lips and he immediately vanished out of place, effortlessly evading the guard's attack.
"Blink,"
When Albert saw the bandit's leader vanishing out of his spot, unprecedented shock and fear invaded his soul.
'Don't tell me...' Albert's heart was beating so fast that he failed to react to another bandit almost beheading him from behind, thankfully his friend managed to react in time and blocked his attack, while simultaneously taking the fight to another spot.
Albert's eyes went blank as he took a look at the bandit's leader who instantly showed up in front of the carriage right after,' Damn it, these people are no bandits."
He cursed in his heart as he moved his head right and left, appearing to be looking for something.
In a few seconds, he spotted a young man hiding behind one of the carriage's wheels, his eyes closed and his head between his legs.
Albert's anger intensified after witnessing his disciple's behavior, but he still controlled himself from doing the unthinkable and focused on the bigger picture.
"Kim, inform the clan that Sword Cliff ambushed us on our way to the mission!"
The young man called Kim opened his eyes as he heard his master calling him out for him, the moment his eyes locked into his and felt the rage burning in them, he didn't dare to waste any time and immediately took out a bird's cage from the back of the carriage.
His action was swift, taking a pen and paper to write the message on it, placing it on the bird's legs, and sending him his way.
"I sent it master!" Kim informed, instantly shrinking back right after, fearful that someone might target him after spotting his position and noticing his frail body.
Albert heaved a deep sigh of relief hearing that,' At least I can avenge my death after this incident,'
He couldn't help but look at the carriage with rage mixed with helplessness in his eyes.' Who would have guessed that even the Sword Cliff would be on high alert from our clan heading to meet their ancestor to the point where they will even ambush us.'
'But how did they even get their hands on such information?' Albert's thoughts collided tens of times, yet he still couldn't think of anyone who would betray them since the only people who knew in the first place were the clan head and him."
'This doesn't make sense, but what if,' Albert's eyes locked into a boy gazing at the bandit's leader from the window,' No, it can't be him, he is just a kid with no strength nor cultivation realm to begin with.'
He immediately brushed off that crazy unrealistic idea from his mind and focused on the rest of Sword Cliffs cultivators around him.
As for their leader?
Albert knew it was pointless to resist their fate anymore.
If they were lucky, he would ask for their ancestor's whereabouts thinking Sara had it, and then after finding out she doesn't hold such information, he would automatically go to him in order to get it.
As for their lives?
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say not even the whole clan behind him could do anything about it. And even though Albert and the bandit's leader were 8th-layer cultivators, the gap in techniques and foundation was like the difference between heaven and earth.
The Aura he radiated alone made Albert constantly tremble in his presence.
***
Around the carriage, a conversation that would shock Albert and everyone from Snow Lake City was occurring right now.
The bandit leader had his sword in hand. His air was sharp and powerful, making him seem like a sword himself. His aura locked onto Raven.
Raven was excited, his blood boiling and body trembling with excitement.
He didn't know this middle-aged man would have this strong aura and deep foundation!
For Raven, this was a pleasant surprise
"I am Romeo, an outer elder from Sword Cliff!"
Romeo introduced himself.
"From Snow Lake City, Raven!"
Raven returned the greeting.
Feeling Romeo's sharp aura, he became increasingly excited. He had just entered the world of Cultivation, and his heart was clear, but he had yet to comprehend a few things about the sword technique his master gave him.
Maybe this was an opportunity!
To fight with a martial artist from a renowned sect, and understand the highs and lows of the Sword Technique while also deepening his fighting experience!
At this moment, Raven even forgot and couldn't care less about Romeo's identity and the fact that he was disguised as a bandit to rob his friend's carriage.
As for his safety?
Raven was not worried in the slightest.
He had already confirmed from his master that dealing with this bandit was as easy as drinking for her, hence he could go all out.
If the situation became dangerous to the point where his life would be in danger, his master would intervene in time and save him.
Raven's confidence and strong fighting spirit came from the backing behind him!
"Fellow cultivator Raven!" Romeo took this situation seriously as he scrutinized the kid from head to toe multiple times.
He then inquired curiously: "May I know, what realm are you in?"
He was unsure about Raven's realm.
It was clearly not a Qi condensing realm, but it did not seem like a foundation establishment realm.
How could a foundation-establishment martial artist have such a powerful aura?
What surprised him more was the ring coiling around Raven's finger. Its overwhelming presence shocked him. He had never seen such a spiritual item in his life before.
"I've just entered the world of Martial Arts, I'm at the stage where I have mastered control over my sword and soul!"
Raven replied straightforwardly.