Chapter 204: Looks like you can't do it conveniently

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On the wide official road, a queue of about ten meters long was slowly moving forward.

"Let the convoy stop and rest for a while!"

From inside a carriage came a melodious voice of a woman.

"Yes, miss."

Outside the curtain, the coachman responded, standing up and shouting.

"Everybody stop, let's take a break!"

As the man's voice sounded, the entire queue came to a halt.

After a long day's journey, both the people and horses were tired. Some people drank water from their water flasks to quench their dry throats, while others began to feed the tired horses. Some engaged in conversations.

In the carriage, a fair hand extended through the curtain and pulled it open. Then, a young woman with short blue hair emerged from the carriage. She appeared capable and spirited.

"How much longer until we arrive at Skywater City?"

The woman looked up at the scorching sun hanging in the sky. The hot temperature and stifling air made her uncomfortable.

A middle-aged man respectfully replied to the woman, "Miss, we will reach Skywater City before sunset."

Upon hearing this, the woman nodded. She took out a yellowed parchment and unfolded it to read. Then, she raised her head, surveyed the surrounding environment, and said, "Yang Shu, instruct our people to be vigilant of any movement in the vicinity. Bandits are known to frequent this area. Be cautious."

"Miss, why worry about mere bandits? With my strength, I will make sure they regret even coming here." Yang Shu dismissed her concerns. He was confident in his forty-eightth level of soul power. Those who could become bandits couldn't possibly be strong. Besides, why would someone stronger than him willingly become a notorious robber? It would be more advantageous to join a powerful faction, become an elder, and live a better life than being a bandit.

Yang Shu's words caused the woman to crease her brow, and a trace of displeasure flashed in her eyes.

"Just do as I say! This shipment is very important, and we can't afford any mishaps, understood?"

Noticing the coldness in the woman's tone, Yang Shu shivered uncontrollably.

"Yes, I will inform them immediately." Yang Shu hurriedly responded, turning around to relay the order to the others.

"Scout soul masters, check the surroundings and report any changes immediately!"

"This sun is truly scorching!"

Zeng Yi glanced up at the blazing sun in the sky. Sweat dripped down his cheeks. The scorching heat was challenging even for a soul master to endure.

"It must be close to forty degrees." Zeng Yi wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve and took out a water flask to drink. Gulp, gulp, gulp... In no time, the entire flask was empty.

"Ah~ refreshing!"

The cool water moistened his dry throat, and Zeng Yi felt refreshed.

He activated his soul power, and an invisible gust of wind circulated around him, dispelling the heat.

However, even the wind was hot, irritating Zeng Yi's mood.

"When will I reach Skywater City? We've been walking for over a day, and there's no sign of anyone. Could I have taken the wrong path?" Zeng Yi couldn't help but complain. Ever since parting ways with the old man, he had followed the route the old man had indicated, heading towards Skywater City. However, he still hadn't arrived.

"Will it rain in this sweltering weather?"

Zeng Yi surveyed his surroundings, trying to sense any signs of human activity through the flow of wind. He wanted to find someone to ask for directions.

Suddenly, Zeng Yi's brows furrowed as he detected a faint scent carried by the wind—a scent of blood.

There was a battle happening nearby, not far away.

Following the smell of blood in the wind, Zeng Yi swiftly made his way.

"Hahaha, it seems like you won't be able to hold on much longer. Just hand over the goods in these carriages, and we'll spare your lives." Looking at the miserable figures in front of him, a bare-chested man with a body as muscular as a bear burst into laughter.

Indeed, he resembled a bear, with bulging granite-like muscles covering his body. His black fur-like hair stood on end like steel needles. On his large bear-like paws, sharp claws dipped with fresh blood emanated a fierce and evil aura.

He had five soul rings shining on him—one white, one yellow, two purple, and one black. Possessing ten thousand-year soul rings, he was a powerful Soul King. The oppressive aura he exuded made the surrounding space feel heavy.

Behind him stood six or seven soul masters, each with a menacing expression, their eyes fixed on the few individuals surrounded by them. Their soul rings also indicated their strength.

These people surrounding them also had several more members, aside from the Soul King. Among them, there were two Soul Ancestors, five Soul Elders, and the rest were Soul Masters or Soul Scholar.

This group's strength was remarkable.

The people being surrounded were also a group of soul masters—ten of them. Each of them had soul rings shining on their bodies. In the team, there were two Soul Ancestors, seven Soul Elders, and one Soul Grandmaster. Their overall strength seemed formidable, but compared to the opposing group, they were still inferior.

Several corpses lay on the ground, staining the soil with blood.

"You dare rob the carriage belonging to the Fang family of Skywater City, being only a mere Soul King? Can you handle it? Don't choke yourself to death." Out of the surrounded soul masters, a woman stared coldly at the leader of the bandits. Her icy gaze revealed a chilling intent.

She was one of the two Soul Ancestors in their group—a young and beautiful woman with a configuration of two yellow and two purple soul rings, signifying her extraordinary status.

"I appreciate your concern, young lady. But rest assured, I can handle these goods in the carriages. Once I have them, I won't need to work for years. Otherwise, I wouldn't have put in all this effort, creating enmity with a power in Skywater City."

Besides, I am just a Soul King—a bandit without a place to stay. Once I rob them, I'll move on and enjoy my life elsewhere. Who can catch me?

If not for fearing the power behind this group of people, he would have killed them long ago. There was no need to speak unnecessarily.

However, if they still failed to comprehend, they would only have themselves to blame.

Watching the group in front of him, the bandit Soul King narrowed his eyes. His gaze roamed over the graceful figure of the female Soul Ancestor, feeling a wave of heat surging within him.

In this desolate place, even if he killed them, no one would know.

Having been in this line of work, he didn't know how many people he had killed and how many factions he had offended. Offending one more wouldn't make a difference.

"Attack! Spare none except the two women!"

With a statement filled with killing intent, the bandit Soul King's subordinates burst into a maniacal laughter, erupting with their formidable soul power. Their imposing momentum oppressed the group of people.

Feeling the overwhelming soul power from this group of bandits, the woman felt a tinge of despair.

These were not ordinary bandits; their strength was comparable to that of small sects. The escorts of their small merchant convoy were no match for them.

They were outnumbered, and there was a Soul King on the other side. In a fight, the Soul King only needed to tie down one of their Soul Ancestors, leaving the others to be attacked by the two Soul Ancestors. It was an insurmountable situation.

Moreover, listening to the bandits' words, it seemed they intended to insult her, fueling her anger.

She would not let these bandits off easily, even if it cost her life!

As the Soul King charged toward her, Fang Nan clenched her teeth. Her body's soul power surged as a layer of icy blue soul power enveloped her. A cold aura spread outward, freezing the ground within a three-meter radius of her feet.

"Excuse me, can I ask for directions to Skywater City? Are you available now?"

An unexpected voice echoed in the field, leaving everyone stunned, halting their attacks. Their gazes scanned the surroundings.

"Who's there?"

The bandit Soul King couldn't help but be shocked. The voice had suddenly appeared without any warning. As the strongest person there, he wasn't even able to sense the presence of this person—an eerie feeling crept over him.

"No need to look any further, I'm right here!"

A gentle breeze swept through the field, passing through everyone. The wind carried a sharp coldness that made everyone's hearts tighten.

That mysterious voice echoed again, and all eyes turned to see a man in a green robe standing on top of a carriage. He wore a sword at his waist, with long hair flowing in the wind. A faint smile adorned his face, displaying a charismatic and uninhibited temperament.

"Can I also join in?"

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