In the desolate courtyard of the Blood Guard's encampment, Ye Tian's fierce gaze was fixated as he wielded his blood-red blade, each stroke conjuring thirteen streaks of sword energy through the air.
"My comprehension of martial techniques remains unparalleled. In just one month, I've mastered the Blood Shadow Thirteen Slashes to its peak," Ye Tian thought, inhaling deeply as his boundless true energy radiated from within, causing his blood blade to blaze with such brilliance that it rivaled the very sun.
Boom!
A nearby towering tree splintered into pieces from a single strike, shattered by the sheer force of his true energy alone. This display marked the hallmark of a seventh-level martial artist—able to extend sword energy over dozens of feet without even invoking blade intent.
"The seventh level... I can't believe I've reached a strength that rivals that of a thousand-man commander in barely over a year," he mused, captivated by the intensity of his own power. Since joining the Blood Guard, his cultivation had surged, breaking records and earning him a reputation as the strongest prodigy within Blood Jade City.
Of course, most cultivators in Blood Jade City only knew him as a sixth-level martial artist, entirely unaware that he'd reached the seventh level. Ye Tian's true abilities remained his closely guarded secret.
...
"I wonder how that boy Ye Tian's training has been going; I haven't seen him around for days. As it happens, I've got a mission that could be a good test for him!" Zhao Dapeng said, grinning as he strolled towards Ye Tian's courtyard.
"Huh? What's this—" Suddenly, at the courtyard entrance, Zhao Dapeng saw thirteen streaks of sword energy flash through the air, slicing apart a towering tree inside.
"The perfected Blood Shadow Thirteen Slashes!" His pupils contracted before he dashed inside, calling out, "Ye Tian!"
"Uncle Zhao? What brings you here?" Ye Tian sheathed his blade, suppressing his cultivation aura to that of a sixth-level martial artist. Though Zhao Dapeng himself was an eighth-level martial artist, should Ye Tian unleash his blade intent, the outcome between them would be hard to predict.
"You rascal! When did you master the Blood Shadow Thirteen Slashes? Didn't Hong Wu give it to you only a month ago?" Zhao Dapeng's face was a mix of astonishment and confusion.
"Yes, I devoted an entire month to it, finally reaching its perfected state," Ye Tian replied with a smile.
"Only a month?" Zhao Dapeng shook his head in exasperation. "I've trained for over ten years to reach just the tenth slash! Comparing oneself to others really is maddening."
Ye Tian chuckled awkwardly, deflecting the topic, "Uncle Zhao, was there something you needed?"
"A mission," Zhao Dapeng replied, beaming. "At first, I was uncertain if you'd be up to it, but after seeing this, I have no doubt you're ready."
"Oh, a mission?" Ye Tian was momentarily surprised, then nodded, "I haven't taken a mission in a while. It'll be good to get out and clear my head; perhaps I'll even advance further."
"If you improve any faster, the Blood Guard won't have the resources to keep up with you!" Zhao Dapeng chuckled, casting Ye Tian a knowing look. "Once you return from this mission, I have some good news for you."
With that, he turned to leave.
"Good news?" Ye Tian wondered aloud before quickly calling after him, "Uncle Zhao, you didn't tell me what the mission is!"
"It's an escort mission. Gather your men at the main gate to escort a merchant caravan from Blood Jade City to Blackblood City," Zhao Dapeng's voice echoed as he disappeared from view.
Ye Tian stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Blackblood City? After dealing with the Black Armor Army not long ago, I didn't expect to be heading there so soon."
...
At the entrance to the Blood Guard encampment, a vast caravan of over a hundred horse-drawn carts stood waiting.
A plump, middle-aged man, clothed in luxurious brocade, anxiously scanned the encampment.
"Ah Fu, where are they? Could they be refusing the mission?" he fretted.
"Sir, rest assured. Since the Blood Guard accepted payment, they're bound to send someone," a gaunt man beside him said respectfully.
The sound of thundering hooves soon echoed as a contingent of Blood Guards approached from within the encampment.
"They're here!" the plump man exclaimed in relief, as he and his assistant, Ah Fu, exchanged smiles.
A dark horse raised its hooves, coming to a halt near the plump man, causing him and Ah Fu to take a few hasty steps back, stunned by the figure dismounting from the saddle.
"You're the leader of this caravan?" Ye Tian asked, his gaze cool as he looked at the well-dressed man.
"This young? What skills could he possibly have?" Ah Fu muttered, frowning.
Ye Tian's eyes snapped towards him, a fierce gleam cutting through the air. "Got a problem?"
Ah Fu, overwhelmed by Ye Tian's aura, collapsed to the ground, unable to utter a word.
"My apologies, sir!" the plump man hurriedly bowed, casting Ah Fu a scathing glare before turning back to Ye Tian with a warm smile. "Lord Ye, this is my servant, Ah Fu. He didn't recognize your stature—please, forgive him."
"You know of me?" Ye Tian asked, mildly surprised.
Ah Fu, still on the ground, looked on in bewilderment, uncertain why his master was treating this young man with such reverence.
The plump man's eyes gleamed with admiration. "To be so young and already a centurion in the Blood Guard camp—who else could it be but the extraordinary talent, Ye Tian?"
"Ye Tian... Ah, it's him!" Ah Fu looked at Ye Tian in awe, regretting his earlier disrespect.
"Please, just call me Ye Tian," Ye Tian responded humbly, always returning respect when given.
"I'll call you Brother Ye, then. And don't call me sir—just 'Brother Wang' will do," the plump man laughed.
"In that case, I won't stand on ceremony," Ye Tian smiled, finding a certain warmth toward the man.
"Brother Ye, shall we depart?" the merchant asked.
"Yes, let's head out," Ye Tian replied with a nod.
With that, the caravan departed Blood Jade City.
Once they exited the city gates, Ye Tian and his group quickened their pace toward Black Blood City.
To Ye Tian's surprise, Lord Wang declined the comfort of a carriage, choosing instead to ride alongside them on horseback.
"Brother Wang, your horsemanship is impressive!" Ye Tian remarked, somewhat taken aback. It was unusual to see a wealthy man accustomed to luxury riding as proficiently as a warrior.
In truth, Lord Wang possessed a level of martial prowess equivalent to the first stage of Martial Master. However, Ye Tian could tell it was artificially boosted through elixirs and that he would likely struggle against someone of a mere tenth-stage Martial Warrior.
Wealthy merchants such as Lord Wang often practiced martial arts solely for physical well-being, rarely driven by a desire to pursue true martial prowess or engage in life-threatening battles.
"It's a long story," Lord Wang replied with a chuckle. "In my early years of trade, I once encountered bandits and, being trapped in a carriage, barely escaped with my life. Ever since then, I've trained in riding—so that if ever caught in such a situation again, I can at least flee quickly. I must seem quite foolish to you, Brother Ye."
"Not at all," Ye Tian replied, smiling. "It's a wise precaution, and in any case, you can rest easy this time with us Bloodrobe Guards escorting you!"
"Of course! The name of the Bloodrobe Guards is known even among the warriors of Black Blood City. I have no doubts," Lord Wang nodded approvingly.
…
The journey from Blood Jade City to Black Blood City, even at a full gallop, required at least half a month. Given the size of the merchant caravan, Ye Tian estimated they would need a full two months.
Naturally, severe storms could delay their travel even further, but fortune favored them this time; for over a month, they enjoyed fair weather and were now drawing close to Black Blood City.
"Brother Ye, just ahead lies the Great Three Gorges. Beyond this pass, we'll reach Black Blood City in less than half a month. However, the gorges are rife with bandits and thieves. I fear the path ahead won't be a smooth one." Lord Wang pointed toward three massive peaks looming in the distance, a hint of worry on his face.
Ye Tian followed his gaze to the peaks, their immense forms blanketed in dense forest, concealing whatever dangers lay within. Strategically, it was indeed a perfect hideout for bandits.
"Rest assured, Brother Wang. A mere band of mountain thieves stands no chance against the Bloodrobe Guards," Ye Tian said with a cold smile. However, he immediately summoned Liu Hongwu and instructed her to alert the others to remain vigilant.
"Are mountain bandits really worth all this fuss?" Liu Hongwu muttered, unimpressed with Ye Tian's caution.
"Enough. Our mission is to escort the caravan, not just to defeat bandits. The goal is to protect the merchants from harm, so keep your guard up," Ye Tian admonished.
"Fine, fine," she replied, though still unimpressed.
Ignoring her, Ye Tian turned his gaze back to the three towering peaks ahead, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.