Chapter 24

The convoy had already encountered attacks from mutated swifts and thunderbirds, making Steward Yuan realize that this journey through the Passageway of the Hidden Valley might not be as safe as before.

After the thunderbirds escaped, Steward Yuan instructed Jin Guanchao to go ahead and act as a scout on the road ahead of the convoy.

However, danger came much faster than expected. Before the convoy could set off, Jin Guanchao had already returned in a panic.

"Enemy attack—"

The desperate voice from the usually composed Jin Guanchao brought a different kind of panic to everyone.

As he spoke, Jin Guanchao darted forward and quickly reached the convoy.

Steward Yuan stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder, saying in a calm voice, "Don't panic, what happened?"

Before Steward Yuan could finish speaking, several figures emerged from behind the hill.

"Cang Ling... they are warriors from the Outer Domain!"

Without waiting for Jin Guanchao to speak, Steward Yuan had already identified the newcomers.

However, the convoy members, upon hearing the news, fell into a state of panic.

Tian Mengzi knew that his old friend was not a coward; on the contrary, Jin Guanchao should be quite brave.

But the current panic could only mean that the enemy was overwhelming and likely more powerful than their own side.

"Everyone, prepare to protect the convoy! Get ready to light the seven-colored smoke signal. If the enemy makes any move, request immediate assistance!"

Steward Yuan also realized the danger. While standing at the front, monitoring the Cang Ling warriors, he quietly gave instructions to those behind him.

The Cang Ling warriors who emerged from behind the hill, who had been pursuing Jin Guanchao, clearly did not expect to encounter a convoy of Cang Yu warriors here. They hesitated and did not dare to advance.

Seeing this, Steward Yuan did not relax; instead, his expression became even more serious.

The Cang Ling warriors, seeing a convoy of horses and carriages with dozens of Extraordinary Warriors, still dared to linger, clearly not afraid.

This indicated that these Cang Ling warriors were not alone, and more of their comrades were likely on their way, giving them the confidence to act so boldly.

Soon, Steward Yuan's guess was confirmed. More Cang Ling warriors began to gather behind the hill, bringing the total number to about seven or eight, with more still on the way.

"Quick, light the seven-colored smoke signal! Everyone, we can't escape now; we can only fight to the death. We can only hope that the patrol riders from the College Guard will arrive soon!"

Steward Yuan felt the situation was turning for the worse, and his low, serious voice echoed in the ears of every member of the convoy.

At this moment, they could not retreat.

If they retreated, the entire convoy would be abandoned, and they would be picked off one by one.

The loss of such a large amount of supplies was secondary; behind the convoy were over a dozen Outer Dormitory students who had not yet reached the Extraordinary Warrior realm. They would certainly die.

At this moment, the Cang Ling warriors, who had been lingering on the convoy's route, became even more brazen, pointing and laughing at the convoy from a distance.

Steward Yuan sighed, knowing that the situation was heading towards the worst-case scenario. Despite his initial tension, he now felt an unusual calm.

"Those who have reached the Wuji Realm, step forward!" Steward Yuan said softly.

Tian Mengzi and Jin Guanchao stood on either side of Steward Yuan throughout.

Among the Inner Dormitory students of the College Guard, a few who had advanced to the Two Poles Realm also stepped forward, including Guo You, who had previously caused trouble for Shang Xia.

Seven-colored smoke rose from the convoy, forming a straight column that shot into the sky, visible from miles away.

Shang Xia felt a mix of tension and curiosity.

Even if more Cang Ling cultivators were still on their way, there were only ten of them now.

Requesting assistance was understandable, given the large amount of supplies being transported to the Hidden Valley Peak.

If a battle broke out, the losses would be significant.

But such a state of high alert seemed excessive.

After all, on their side, besides Steward Yuan and two Upper Dormitory students who had reached the Wuji Realm, there were five others who had also reached the Wuji Realm. Including Shang Xia, there were fourteen who had crossed the threshold of the Extraordinary Warrior realm.

In terms of numbers, their side far exceeded the enemy, and their cultivation levels were not much lower.

Despite his many doubts, Shang Xia and the other Wu Yuan Realm students from the College Guard still stepped forward.

Unexpectedly, Steward Yuan glanced at them, pausing on Shang Xia, and said in a low voice, "Once the battle starts, we will try to delay the enemy. You Wu Yuan Realm students should take the opportunity to retreat!"

Steward Yuan's words caused a stir among the group, and Shang Xia furrowed his brow.

Steward Yuan, as if anticipating this, said sternly, "Shut up! Do as I say. We are not their match; staying here means certain death!"

Many showed signs of dissatisfaction, but Shang Xia noticed that the two Upper Dormitory students beside Steward Yuan nodded in agreement, and Tian Mengzi even had a look of resignation.

"But what about the Outer Dormitory students?"

Someone asked the question Shang Xia also wanted to ask.

Steward Yuan sighed, his gaze sweeping over Shang Xia again, and he turned around, "Do as I say, just save yourselves!"

Are they being abandoned?

Shang Xia understood Steward Yuan's meaning, but even if he found it hard to accept, he knew that in a life-or-death situation, the ordinary students who had not yet reached the Extraordinary Warrior realm would only be a burden. The more they tried to protect them, the more people would die.

However, all of Steward Yuan's actions were based on the premise that they were no match for the enemy.

Shang Xia's gaze turned to the Cang Ling warriors on the other side. Could there be multiple Wuji Realm warriors among them?

Otherwise, why would Steward Yuan be so afraid?

Moreover, the two Upper Dormitory seniors seemed to have no doubts about Steward Yuan's plan.

Shang Xia wanted to ask, but at that moment, more people appeared from behind the hill.

As soon as they appeared, the Cang Ling warriors, who had been relaxed, became aggressive, targeting the convoy's supplies.

"Ha ha ha, our luck is still good. Although the thunderbirds made us fail in tracking the mutated swifts, encountering Cang Yu's supply convoy means we can still make a fortune!"

A silver bell-like voice rang out, pleasant to the ear, but the words were chilling: "Men, what are you waiting for? Kill and plunder!"

The woman's words stirred the bloodlust of the Cang Ling warriors. With various cries of agreement, twelve figures charged down the hill, each leap covering over ten yards, as if they were flying just above the ground.

Among these twelve figures, the most graceful was a tall woman in the center. Although not the fastest, her movements were like a true flying swallow, exuding a powerful and agile presence.

"Bad, they are from the Fengyan Clan, and they are after the mutated swifts!"

Tian Mengzi recognized the attackers and his face changed.

The woman's voice was not concealed, and Steward Yuan and the others heard it clearly. Seeing their swift approach, they understood the situation.

Shang Xia was still pondering the Fengyan Clan, a powerful Extraordinary family from the Cang Ling realm, when he suddenly saw Steward Yuan turn and shout at him, "Go now, take the string cage!"

"What?"

Shang Xia was taken aback.

Opening a backdoor during a battle seemed a bit too much.

Hadn't he noticed the change in the other students' gazes?

Tian Mengzi turned back, half explaining and half urging, "Don't overthink it. They are from the Fengyan Clan, and they are after the mutated swifts. If they get a live one, the consequences will be dire. So you must leave first!"

Shang Xia didn't want to be criticized later and insisted, "I can release or kill the mutated swift, so they won't get it..."

"Stupid!"

Steward Yuan interrupted him sharply, but the enemy was already close, leaving no time for further explanation. He shouted, "Hurry up and go!"

Shang Xia said no more, turned, and sprinted towards the rear of the convoy, even using his martial arts to burst forward, his speed rivaling that of the Cang Ling warriors.

Tian Mengzi's voice came from behind, "Survive, and go to the tallest and most majestic mountain peak. That is the Hidden Valley Peak!"

Taking the string cage from the carriage, Shang Xia's gaze met the eyes of sixteen classmates who had not yet become Extraordinary Warriors.

These eyes showed panic, fear, confusion, despair, and even... resentment!

Even from the rear of the convoy, they had heard Steward Yuan's order for Shang Xia to leave.

Though they understood the reason, many still felt dissatisfied.

Huang Zihua managed a weak smile, "Shang Senior, survive!"

Shang Xia nodded slowly and heavily, "Survive!"

With that, Shang Xia, holding the string cage, ran in the opposite direction of the Cang Ling warriors.

Unexpectedly, as Shang Xia accelerated, the mutated swift in the cage was caught off guard and let out a startled chirp.

"Chirp chirp—"

At the front of the convoy, Steward Yuan and the others were already engaged with the fastest Cang Ling warriors.

The combined efforts of multiple Wuji and Wuji Realm warriors caused a shockwave, destroying the front carriages and their contents.

The female warrior, though the leader of the twelve Cang Ling warriors, was not the most powerful among them and was not at the forefront of the battle.

But at that moment, a familiar bird chirp made her shiver.

"What did I hear? Am I hallucinating?"

She instinctively looked in the direction of the sound, her gaze passing over the battle and landing on the figure running at the rear of the convoy.

More precisely, on the cage in that figure's hand!

A live mutated swift!

Instantly, immense joy and happiness washed over her.

At that moment, her eyes saw nothing but the figure about to take away her precious item.

Coincidentally, Shang Xia also turned to check if anyone was chasing him, and their gazes met.

The female warrior pointed at Shang Xia, "Capture the handsome one!"

Shang Xia was stunned, then ran even faster.

The female warrior also bypassed the battle and chased after Shang Xia.

"Protect the young lady!"

A slightly aged voice rang out, and four figures broke free from the battle to follow the female warrior.

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