A branch of the tree moved at high speed toward David.
Although unprepared, David swiftly reacted and hurriedly jumped to the side.
Booom!
A loud explosion suddenly occurred, and a small crater formed where David was standing a moment ago.
The explosion sent dust and particles of stone flying everywhere.
Leon hurriedly covered his eyes and retreated; just now, he wasn't able to clearly see from where the branch suddenly appeared.
It was too dangerous for him to stay close to that thing.
David barely had the chance to get up, when like snakes, dozens of branches attacked him from all directions.
But he wasn't afraid. Just as he was about to use his movement technique, Sophie's figure materialized in front of him.
David saw a flash of light and all the branches that were coming in his direction were slashed apart.
Sophie's red hair danced wildly in the air. Holding a sword in her hand, she looked extremely heroic.
"Get back."
Sophie spoke in a shaky voice without even looking back.
She wasn't going to let any incidents happen under her watch.
Sophie was going to prove everyone wrong who doubted her ability.
The daughter of the North River Sect Master wasn't useless.
Suddenly, Sophie's sword flashed once more and all the Deadwood trees that came in contact with her sword were cleanly split into two parts.
After taking one last look at her surroundings and confirming everything was safe, Sophie finally sighed with relief.
She wanted to blame David, but upon thinking about it for a moment, she realized it was her own mistake.
As the leader of the team, it was her responsibility to warn others.
Treating it as another lesson, she looked in David and Leon Direction.
Both of them were looking at her silently.
Finding their gaze focused on her made her face red like a tomato.
"Ahem! Let's Discuss the objectives of our mission."
"We have to investigate a strange occurrence in the nearby village."
After taking a deep breath, Sophie calmly said.
Leon and David just listened without commenting.
They seemed to want her to continue.
"There have been reports of multiple disappearances of people near that village."
"Moreover, the village lies on an important trading route connecting Deadwood City with the capital of the empire."
Sophie explained what she had been told in the briefing. She tried to sound as calm as possible. Stopping for a moment to confirm that the attention of both of them was on her, she continued to speak.
"If this news spreads, the route might be abandoned by the merchants, and thereby directly affecting Deadwood City."
David nodded, understanding the implications of her words.
As an astute investor, he knew the critical role played by trade routes.
At this time, Leon casually asked.
"How far away are we from that village?"
Sophie looked at him and answered.
"It's nearby, let's go."
"And one more thing: stay away from these Deadwood trees. Although they are harmless, but if you get too close to them they will suck all of your vitality."
Sophie looked at David and spoke in a stern tone.
After hearing her words, David wanted to say something but in the end he didn't.
After finishing her words, Sophie started to walk.
David also silently followed her from behind.
After walking for five minutes, Sophie suddenly started to speak.
"Deadwood forest wasn't always like this."
"It was a forest filled with vitality."
Her voice was peaceful, filled with a tinge of reminiscence."
"One day, a meteorite fell from heaven, and sucked all the vitality of this place..."
David listened to her words silently. This was the first time he was hearing something like this.
Meanwhile, Leon's thoughts were somewhere else.
"Fate, Fate," Leon focused and tried to remember where he had heard the word Fate.
Suddenly, his eyes, flashed and he remembered.
"Hmmm! Now I finally remember. Father wanted me to get close to the Sect master of the North River Sect, Edward Fate."
"Ahhh!"
"I get it the Sect master also has a useless daughter."
Leon thought about the rumors he had heard about the sect's master daughter.
Twenty-five years old and still hasn't been able to break through to the Foundation Building Realm.
Sophie suddenly looked in his direction with narrowed eyes.
Leon shivered and turned his head away.
He looked at the sky and commented in a cool voice.
"The weather sure is lovely today."
However, the weather was anything but lovely.
The sun was high up in the sky, scorching the earth.
After some time, signs of human life started to appear around them.
David could even see dozens of tiny homes further away from him.
Sophie, who was at the front, raised her hand and said in a low voice.
"Stay alert!"
After receiving her signal.
Leon's face turned vigilant, and a sword appeared in his hand.
David frowned because he didn't have a sword.
The idea of buying a sword hadn't even crossed his mind once, as he was all day busy cultivating.
Thinking for a moment, he bought one of the cheapest chairs that was available in the shop.
In his hand, a cheap-looking chair that appeared to be made of plastic suddenly appeared.
"Country bumpkin! What are you doing?"
Leon looked at his actions with wide eyes and couldn't help but yell.
Was this guy going to use this flimsy-looking chair as his weapon?
David coldly looked at the direction of Leon, he was getting tired of this guy.
"Wanna taste the power of the chair?"
David spoke in a provocative tone and released a little bit of his pressure, aimed at Leon.
Leon suddenly felt as if someone had placed a thousand kilogram boulder on his shoulders.
"Cut it out, both of you."
Just as David was about to increase the pressure, he heard the voice of Sophie form ahead.
After hearing her words, David stopped.
Leon instantly felt the weight disappear from his shoulders. His back was drenched in cold sweat.
David and Sophie had left him behind.
Leon took a deep breath and looked at David's back.
A smile appeared on his face and he muttered in a low voice.
"Looks like I am not the only one with a little secret."
Leon started to run to catch up with them.