Chapter 203: The Mysterious Caravan

Chapter 203: The Mysterious Caravan

"Do you realize what you're doing, Ji Hanxing?" Xiao Cheng roared in fury.

"I know perfectly well."

Clad in white scholar robes, Ji Hanxing stood tall and unyielding, her Dragon Elephant Halberd Spear gleaming with Profound Qi, its sharpness matching the intensity of her gaze.

In White Dragon City, the clamor of battle raged on, flames engulfing entire districts and painting the sky crimson. Outside the city, Ji Hanxing and Xiao Cheng stood locked in a confrontation, their auras clashing like towering mountains and raging rivers. The air grew heavy, the winds stilled, and the temperature soared.

Xiao Cheng was now certain—Ji Hanxing had developed feelings for Ning Xiaochuan, a fact he could not tolerate.

The Primordial Silver Ring, a Five-Star Mystic Artifact obtained by the Cloud Marquis on the battlefield, spun rapidly in his grasp, emitting a series of metallic chimes. The engravings on the silver ring pulsed with mystic light as it expanded, its diameter swelling to five meters, transforming into a colossal divine halo.

"Whoosh!"

The Primordial Silver Ring shot forward, its blinding radiance illuminating the darkened world like a silver moon streaking across the sky.

"Boom! Boom!"

Ji Hanxing swung her Dragon Elephant Halberd Spear, unleashing a torrent of Profound Qi that roared like a dragon and howled like a tiger, coalescing into a massive, raging qi dragon.

"Primordial Seal of the Gods!"

Xiao Cheng struck the Primordial Silver Ring with his palm, sending it hurtling forward once more. The silver ring shattered the qi dragon and slammed into Ji Hanxing's chest.

Though Ji Hanxing had reached the seventh level of the Transcendent Realm and her injuries had healed, her Blood Qi had yet to fully recover. Struck by the Primordial Silver Ring, she was sent flying backward, landing hard on the ground with blood trickling from the corner of her lips.

"Roar!"

The Scorpion Lion let out a deafening screech, its massive wings flapping as it ascended into the sky, circling overhead.

Standing atop the Scorpion Lion's head, Xiao Cheng gripped its chains in one hand and the Primordial Silver Ring in the other. He sneered, "Junior Sister, you're no match for me. I’ll go kill Ning Xiaochuan now. The next time we meet, you’ll see his severed head."

"Roar!"

With another piercing cry, the Scorpion Lion surged forward, vanishing into the gloomy clouds.

Clutching her Dragon Elephant Halberd Spear, Ji Hanxing bit her lip tightly, watching helplessly as the enormous shadow disappeared into the heavens before collapsing onto a thick bed of fallen leaves.

After leaving White Dragon City, Ning Xiaochuan headed toward Nine Death Cliff but did not rush there immediately. Instead, he stayed in Five Willows Town, located 400 kilometers from White Dragon City.

After waiting for three days, news finally arrived.

A group of martial artists from White Dragon City gathered in a tavern, discussing the great battle that had taken place three days prior.

"The Heavenly Annihilation Dao has stabilized, but after this battle, they’ve undoubtedly suffered heavy losses. Their ranking among the Six Great Dao Lords of the Demon Sect will surely drop," said a martial artist who had reached the Seventh Level of the Divine Body Realm.

Ning Xiaochuan picked up a jug of wine and approached, pouring a cup for the man. With a smile, he asked, "Brother, you came from White Dragon City, didn’t you? Tell us, what was the outcome of that battle?"

The Martial Artist, seeing Ning Xiaochuan's friendly expression, smiled and said, "What else could happen? It's all Elder Qiu Wangu's fault for being so foolish. He actually sent two severed heads to Mu Honglai's 80th birthday banquet, which enraged Mu Honglai. The two sides clashed, and in the end, neither gained any advantage. Instead, the Ninth Lady reaped the benefits and took control of White Dragon City."

Another Martial Artist nearby chimed in, "Wait, that's not what I heard. I heard those two heads were sent by Ning Xiaochuan."

"What do you know? Ning Xiaochuan wouldn’t dare provoke Mu Honglai like that. It was all orchestrated by Elder Qiu Wangu," argued the Seventh Level of the Divine Body Realm Martial Artist.

Ning Xiaochuan poured him another cup of wine and smiled. "Since the Ninth Lady has become the new leader of the Heavenly Annihilation Dao, what happened to Mu Honglai and Elder Qiu Wangu?"

"Elder Qiu Wangu was killed on the spot by the Ninth Lady. His corpse was hung in the center of White Dragon City as a warning to those who dare disobey her. As for Mu Honglai, he fled with a few trusted subordinates, but he was severely injured—even lost an arm to the Ninth Lady. He won’t be causing any more trouble."

A faint smirk curled Ning Xiaochuan's lips. Mu Honglai deserved such an outcome.

Now that he knew the situation in White Dragon City, Ning Xiaochuan saw no reason to stay any longer. He decided to set off for Nine Death Cliff today.

Of course, Ning Xiaochuan was aware that many would still be hunting him along the way. Traveling alone would make him an easy target, so he needed to join a merchant caravan for cover.

He went to the Western Plains Trading Company to inquire if any caravans had recently passed through the town.

A young attendant named Gu Liu, around 16 years old with big eyes and a small nose, greeted him with a cheerful smile. "You’re heading to the Demon Ridge Domain? That’s a journey of 32,000 kilometers! An ordinary person couldn’t make it in a lifetime. The road is fraught with danger—treacherous terrain, bandits, Mystic Beasts, untamed forests, and endless deserts. Without formidable martial prowess, you’d be lucky to leave even a scrap of bone behind."

Ning Xiaochuan, wearing a Bamboo Hat that obscured half his face, chuckled. "Exactly why I need to travel with others."

He handed Gu Liu a hundred Large Coins.

Gu Liu discreetly pocketed the coins, his face breaking into a wide grin. "Actually, a caravan from White Dragon City arrived yesterday, bound for the Demon Ridge Domain. But they’re only looking for a Heart Nurturer—and one with a clean background."

Ning Xiaochuan’s expression shifted slightly. "I am a Heart Nurturer."

"Great! I’ll arrange it with the caravan. I’ll just say you’re my distant cousin." Having taken Ning Xiaochuan’s money, Gu Liu was eager to help.

Ning Xiaochuan smiled. "Much obliged."

The caravan Gu Liu mentioned was stationed at the edge of town, consisting of over 600 people, including 19 Mystic Beasts, carts, and goods. Most of the travelers were Martial Artists, with some women and children among them.

Gu Liu negotiated with the caravan’s leader before bringing him to meet Ning Xiaochuan.

"Miss Duanmu, my cousin is a man of great capability. In his early years, he studied under a Primary Heart Nurturer and has always dreamed of traveling the world... No, no, absolutely clean background, I guarantee it, a guarantee of his character," Gu Liu said with full confidence.

A young girl with a ponytail and wearing a checkered robe sized up Ning Xiaochuan and asked, "Are you really a Heart Nurturer?"

Ning Xiaochuan had a pair of fake mustaches stuck to his lips, making him look like a man in his thirties. He took out the Primary Heart Nurturer Robe of the Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall and draped it over himself, saying, "I am indeed a Primary Heart Nurturer of the Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall."

"Then you may travel with us. But our caravan has strict rules. If you dare break them, you’ll lose your head," Duanmu Linger said coldly, giving Ning Xiaochuan a scrutinizing glance before finally relaxing slightly, finding nothing suspicious.

Ning Xiaochuan pretended to be a little afraid and replied, "I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare. I promise to behave properly the entire journey."

At sunrise, the caravan set off toward the Demon Ridge Domain.

This caravan truly had strict rules—everyone conducted themselves with extreme discipline. Even the accompanying women rarely made a fuss.

The guards and soldiers were even more solemn and imposing, as if they had stepped out of an iron-blooded army.

Ning Xiaochuan sensed an unusual atmosphere, feeling that they didn’t seem like an ordinary merchant group.

Eight days passed, and the caravan left the Soul Domain, entering a desolate desert.

During these days, while cultivating, Ning Xiaochuan also observed the people in the caravan and discovered that several hidden martial arts experts were among them, some even reaching the Transcendent Realm.

This discovery was startling.

"This caravan is probably not simple. What they’re transporting likely isn’t ordinary goods," Ning Xiaochuan thought to himself.

At nightfall, the caravan stopped to rest.

Eighteen Mystic Beasts gathered together, forming a Mystic Beast Wall to block the desert winds and sand.

Inside the wall, the caravan members lit a bonfire, took out meat and strong liquor, roasted the meat, warmed the liquor, and began eating and drinking.

"Ding Xiaosan, come here," Duanmu Linger called out from where she sat on the sand, beckoning Ning Xiaochuan over.

Ding Xiaosan was Ning Xiaochuan’s alias.

After these days of travel, Ning Xiaochuan had learned a few things. Duanmu Linger’s cultivation was high, and her status was extraordinary—she was the leader of this caravan. Even those hidden Transcendent Realm experts had to obey her orders.

Ning Xiaochuan walked up to Duanmu Linger and cupped his hands in respect. "Miss Duanmu, what do you need from me?"

"You’re a Heart Nurturer, right? Then do you know if there are any creatures in this world that specialize in digging out and eating human hearts?"

Duanmu Linger toyed with a curved blade in her hand. The blade resembled a crescent moon, and when drawn from its sheath, it emitted a radiance brighter than the moon itself, even absorbing the moonlight’s power.

This was undoubtedly a Mystic Artifact-level blade.

Upon hearing Duanmu Linger’s question, the surrounding martial artists instinctively glanced toward a large cart carried by a Mystic Beast not far away.

Of course, they only looked for a brief moment before immediately averting their gazes, as if wary of something.

The other Mystic Beasts were all stationed at the periphery, with only the Red Tiger Mystic Beast lying at the center, guarded by a group of Martial Artists. Among them, a Transcendent Realm Elder stood watch beside the Red Tiger Mystic Beast, never straying far, his body exuding a power that made one's heart tremble.

Chained to the back of the Red Tiger Mystic Beast was a massive Bronze Iron Cart, sealed shut with steel nails as thick as a man's arm, emitting a chilling aura. It looked almost like a giant iron coffin.

Ning Xiaochuan noticed all these minute details, and his heart suddenly understood—what was inside that iron cart was the real cargo they were escorting. The other goods were nothing more than decoys to mislead others.

Ning Xiaochuan forced a bitter smile. "Miss Duanmu, don’t scare me like that. There’s no such thing as creatures that specialize in eating human hearts. I’ve never heard of such a thing—it’s too horrifying."

The flickering firelight cast a smooth, dewy glow on Duanmu Linger’s face, accentuating her striking beauty. She lifted her proud chin and laughed. "You Heart Nurturers are really useless if you don’t even know this. Let me tell you, there really are creatures that eat human hearts—I’ve seen them with my own eyes."

Ning Xiaochuan pretended to be so frightened that his legs gave out, plopping down onto the ground.