https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-553-Y-u-M-ng-Palace-Howling-Wind-Plains/13474616/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-555-Unyielding-Unity-United-Against-the-Enemy/13474669/
Chapter 554: Sudden Change, Powerful Gale Wraiths, Departures
Chapter 554: Sudden Change, Powerful Gale Wraiths, Departures
"Trouble, it's a gale wraith!"
Hearing the distant roar of the beast, the Armored Giant's expression turned grave.
"How could gale wraiths appear so soon after we entered the Howling Plains? Normally, they hide deep within the plains, don't they?"
The middle-aged man beside the Armored Giant also looked troubled.
The route they had chosen was carefully selected to avoid most of the gale wraith nests.
Usually, this route allowed them to bypass the majority of the beasts. But this time, why had a gale wraith appeared so quickly?
The Armored Giant and his companions felt a sense of unease. The unexpected appearance of the gale wraiths suggested that something might have changed in the Howling Plains, something they were unaware of.
But it was too late to turn back now. The convoy moved slowly, and with the speed of the gale wraiths, catching up to them would be effortless.
The wind grew stronger, and the sandstorm intensified, making it almost impossible to see ahead.
With no other choice, the Armored Giant gritted his teeth and summoned a lantern-shaped magical artifact. In the next moment, a powerful aura emanated from the artifact, and a protective light barrier enveloped the entire convoy.
This barrier not only provided strong defense but also dispersed the wind and sand, stabilizing the convoy and the people who had been thrown off balance by the gale.
"Everyone, be on your guard. A gale wraith might attack soon. Make sure to stay within the light of my Calmwind Lantern. If you leave its range, we won't risk rescuing you!"
The Armored Giant's voice boomed through the howling wind via divine soul projection.
"This giant is quite responsible", Lu Qing thought, sitting in the corner of the carriage. His eyes showed a hint of admiration.
Although the smaller merchant caravans had paid the Chengyun Merchant Guild for protection, the current situation was clearly dire. The Armored Giant's willingness to use his own magical power to protect everyone demonstrated his sense of duty.
"However, the situation is clearly not good", Lu Qing mused, sensing the danger ahead. His cultivation was far superior to anyone else's, and he had already detected what lay ahead.
"Little friend, have you noticed something amiss?"
A voice beside Lu Qing caught him off guard. He inwardly cursed the old fox for being so perceptive.
Seeing the others in the carriage looking at him, Lu Qing feigned embarrassment. "Old sir, you jest. I was just worried about the fierce gales of the Raging Wind Continent. I wonder if we can make it through safely."
"Ah, you're worried about that", Old Qiao smiled. "There's no need to be concerned. The Chengyun Merchant Guild frequently crosses the Howling Plains and has a lot of experience. Otherwise, these small merchant caravans wouldn't pay a large amount of spirit stones to have them lead the way."
"Hmph, coward!" A slender youth sneered. "It's just a small Fierce Gale Valley. What's there to be afraid of? If you're scared, I suggest you turn back now before we go too deep."
"Friend, there's no need to worry. I also traveled through the Howling Plains with the Chengyun Merchant Guild last time, and everything went smoothly without any incidents", a crimson-robed woman chimed in, smiling.
"I see, that's a relief", Lu Qing said, feigning embarrassment.
"The Chengyun Merchant Guild has been doing business in the Howling Plains for a long time. They have their strengths, so there's no need to worry..."
Before the crimson-robed woman could finish, a blood-curdling scream cut her off. It was a sound of sheer terror, as if something incredibly terrifying had happened.
The scream was followed by a flurry of panicked cries from outside.
"What's happening?"
Everyone in the carriage jumped out in shock. As soon as they stepped outside, they saw a horrifying scene.
In the rear of the convoy, a guard from one of the smaller caravans, a Core Formation Realm cultivator, was being torn apart by a monster. His lower half was already gone, and only his upper body remained, still struggling and screaming in the beast's mouth.
He was outside the range of the Calmwind Lantern's light.
The guard continued to scream, but no matter how he struggled, his Core Formation Realm cultivation was useless. In a matter of moments, he was swallowed whole, and his screams abruptly stopped.
At that moment, a spear flew through the air and pierced the monster’s forehead.
The monster let out a blood-curdling scream and transformed into a swirling cloud of yellow sand, fleeing the scene.
Only the magical spear remained, lying on the ground.
“It’s a Gale Wraith!”
Old Qiao watched this unfold with a grave expression.
He had felt that something was amiss about this journey, and now his suspicions were confirmed.
The crimson-robed woman’s face turned even more grim.
She had just said that traveling with the Chengyun Merchant Guild was completely safe, and now someone had been killed by the Gale Wraith.
It was a direct slap in the face.
“This is a Gale Wraith?” Lu Qing’s mind raced.
The monster, though it had devoured living beings, could transform into sand and escape.
It seemed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding gales, concealing its presence.
This was why the Core Formation Realm cultivators in the carriage hadn’t detected it in advance.
“What’s going on? Didn’t I tell you not to leave the range of the Calmwind Lantern?”
The Armored Giant rode his scaled warhorse, galloping from the front of the convoy.
The magical spear suddenly flew up and landed in his hand.
It was he who had driven the monster away.
“No, we didn’t leave the range of the lantern. The monster suddenly attacked and carried Old Wu away!”
A middle-aged man stammered in response.
“How could that be?” The Armored Giant found it hard to believe. “To break through the protective light of my Calmwind Lantern, one would need at least the cultivation of a First Stage Golden Core.”
“We’ve only just entered the Howling Plains. How could a Golden Core-level Gale Wraith appear so quickly?”
“I’m telling the truth. Everyone saw it happen!”
The middle-aged man continued.
Seeing the expressions on everyone’s faces, the Armored Giant knew the man was telling the truth.
But this realization only made his heart sink further.
Today’s events were far too unusual.
Not only had a Gale Wraith appeared so quickly at the edge of the Howling Plains, but it was also a Core Formation Realm level creature.
In the past, such high-level Gale Wraiths only stayed in specific areas deep within the Howling Plains and rarely ventured out.
Could something have happened inside the Howling Plains?
The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he became.
After a moment of hesitation, he gritted his teeth and shouted loudly using Divine Soul Projection:
“There’s something amiss in the Howling Plains. It’s no longer safe to proceed. We’re turning back and retreating to the valley!”
His words caused a stir among the smaller caravans.
“Turn back? Are you kidding me? I have a deal with a wealthy client to deliver the goods in five days!”
“My batch of spirit herbs must be delivered to the Danxin Sect within seven days!”
“Exactly, we paid in spirit stones. How can you just turn back?”
“If the delivery is delayed, will you compensate us with spirit stones?”
“You promised to guide us through the Howling Plains!”
“Didn’t the Chengyun Merchant Guild pride itself on its integrity?”
The leaders of the smaller caravans became agitated.
Some of them had urgent deliveries to make to their clients.
They wouldn’t have risked the Howling Plains otherwise.
Now, having paid in spirit stones, they were not about to accept the Armored Giant’s decision to turn back.
If the delivery was delayed, they would have to pay penalties according to the contract!
Of course, there were some caravans whose schedules were less urgent and did not object.
The terror of the monster had truly frightened them.
The Howling Plains were too dangerous. If they could retreat, it would be for the best.
“Shut up!”
The Armored Giant’s eyes flashed with anger as he roared.
His divine soul power shook the air, causing the leaders of the smaller caravans to pale.
The weaker ones even spat out blood, clearly injured.
“Understand your place!”
The Armored Giant glared at the frightened faces of the smaller caravans, his expression cold and severe.
“You begged us to guide you through this route.
Before we set out, I made it clear that you must follow my orders.
Since you’re not willing to turn back, go ahead and proceed on your own!
Don’t blame me when you die in the Howling Plains!
Here are the spirit stones you paid. Take them and get lost!”
With that, the Armored Giant tossed several cloth bags to the most vocal leaders of the smaller caravans.
He then turned and headed to the front of the convoy, preparing to lead his people back to the valley.
"Sir, we meant no offense. Please give us another chance..."
Seeing the Armored Giant actually walk away, one of the small caravan’s leaders panicked and quickly called out.
However, before he could catch up, the swirling sand and wind beside him suddenly coalesced.
It formed a massive beast, which then extended its claws, breaking through the Calmwind Lantern’s defense.
The beast snatched up the shouting leader and several others, dragging them away.
This sudden and shocking turn of events frightened everyone.
"I’ve been waiting for you!"
Just as the few were about to be taken by the beast, the Armored Giant, who was almost out of sight, suddenly turned around and summoned his spear artifact.
In the next moment, the artifact glowed brightly, unleashing its formidable power.
The beast’s arm was instantly pierced by the spear, half of it exploding into a cloud of sand and wind.
However, the beast seemed to feel no pain.
Despite losing half its arm, the claws holding the captives did not loosen.
Amidst the cries of terror, the beast dragged the few into the endless sandstorm and quickly disappeared.
"Damn it!"
The Armored Giant’s face darkened when he saw that his powerful attack had still failed to save the captives.
The Gale Wraiths were notoriously difficult to deal with. Although their offensive capabilities were weaker compared to other beasts of the same realm, they possessed a unique ability to transform into wind and sand, making them extremely hard to kill.
This was why he was reluctant to tangle with these creatures and wanted to retreat to the valley.
If it were just a Bamboo Foundation Realm Gale Wraith, he could still handle it. But a Core Formation Realm Gale Wraith was a different story, far more challenging.
Even with his Fifth Stage Golden Core, he would find it difficult to slay a Second or Third Stage Gale Wraith in a short time.
"You’ve seen it. The Howling Plains are undergoing a major change.
Even in this peripheral area, Core Formation Realm Gale Wraiths are appearing.
If you’re not afraid to die, feel free to continue. We, the Chengyun Merchant Guild, will not accompany you."
With that, the Armored Giant turned and walked away, this time for real.
Soon, the Chengyun Merchant Guild’s convoy began to turn around, heading back in the direction they came from.
This time, the small caravans that had been shouting earlier dared not speak a word.
They all followed closely behind the guild, fearing they would be abandoned.
After witnessing the gruesome fate of the few who had been taken, they realized that no matter how important their business was, nothing mattered more than their lives.
Without the protection of the Chengyun Merchant Guild, they wouldn’t last a minute in the Howling Plains.
"What do you think, should we retreat to the valley with them?"
Old Qiao, holding two children, asked Lu Qing and the others.
"Hmph, just a few puny Gale Wraiths, what’s there to be afraid of? I don’t have time to waste on these cowards.
Since you’re too scared to move forward, I’ll go alone!"
Before anyone could respond, the Slender Youth sneered and then used his technique to break through the Calmwind Lantern’s light, rushing into the endless sandstorm.
As soon as he emerged, the sand and wind coalesced again, and another beast appeared.
Its massive claws lunged at the Slender Youth.
"Get lost!"
The Slender Youth coldly shouted, summoning a Flying Sword.
The sword’s light sliced through the beast, tearing it apart and causing it to collapse.
After defeating the beast, the Slender Youth didn’t look back and vanished into the sandstorm, out of sight.
"Such a swordsman! No wonder he’s so arrogant!"
The Crimson-robed Woman was visibly surprised.
Sword cultivators were known for their formidable offensive capabilities.
Powerful sword cultivators could unleash incredible force, often capable of fighting above their rank, a common occurrence.
No wonder the Slender Youth had been so arrogant and aggressive all this time.
He was, after all, a rare sword cultivator!
"Red Yan, what about you?" Old Qiao asked again.
"I have some urgent matters to attend to and can’t afford to linger. Farewell, Old Master Qiao."
The Crimson-robed Woman smiled and then transformed into a red cloud, disappearing into the sandstorm.
Old Qiao, seeing this, knew she must possess some unique abilities.
Frustrated, he turned to the remaining Lu Qing and the silent middle-aged man.
"Brothers, are you leaving as well?"
(End of Chapter)
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