The next two days of travel were a serene pause in the fast-paced rhythm their lives had taken in the past few days.

The dirt road wound through dense forests and sunny clearings, the only sounds being the hooves of their mounts and the songs of birds, occasionally broken by the distant roar of a beast.

They encountered no major problems. Lesser beasts, sensing their strength, preferred to keep their distance.

When hunger struck, Kyrian used his eyes to locate a beast nearby as they traveled, then drew a bow from his ring, one he had stored in Misty City. With a single, precise arrow shot, he would secure their dinner.

Yanyu, in turn, showed surprising skill in preparing the meat, using wild herbs she knew to season it, something Kyrian had no knowledge of.

But when he tasted it, he nodded in approval, it was indeed better than what he was used to cooking.

The two nights were spent around a crackling campfire. It was during these moments that Yanyu's training progressed even further, not only that, but her cultivation finally advanced as well, reaching the 7° stage of the Qi Accumulation Realm.

Kyrian was a naturally quiet teacher, yet the most perceptive guide she could have.

He didn't teach her any complex techniques, since he himself didn't use them. What he taught were the fundamental principles Rurik had once passed down to him, principles he carried with him to this day.

Things like balance, movement efficiency, and how to read an opponent's intent before the strike even began. He made her repeat the movements of the Seven Leaf Sword until her body moved on its own.

Afterward, they would talk. Yanyu spoke more about her life before joining the sect, her years in the city, and her dream of becoming strong and making a name for herself.

Kyrian, meanwhile, was more reserved, though not closed off. He spoke of Wei Feng, vaguely describing his place of origin, and also of the strangeness of his own abilities.

It was during those conversations that Yanyu finally discovered Kyrian's age, and was immediately shocked. He wasn't even considered an adult yet.

There were long silences between their topics, but they weren't uncomfortable.

It was a peaceful kind of quiet, where the simple presence of the other was enough.

On the third day, the landscape began to change. The tall trees and mountains surrounding the sect gave way to rolling green hills and open fields.

"We've left the sect's territory," Kyrian announced, his eyes scanning the horizon.

"We're now entering one of the twenty-five kingdoms under the Verdant Sword Domain. Yuntal should be just ahead," he added.

After another day of fast-paced travel on their mounts, the road grew busier. They passed groups of travelers on foot, carts pulled by beasts, and small merchant caravans.

Most moved aside quickly at the sight of their imposing horned steeds galloping at a brisk pace, leaving a cloud of dust in their wake.

"Do you know anything about this kingdom? Or about Yuntal?" Kyrian asked.

"Not much. I only know it's not a capital, but probably an important trade city," Yanyu replied, shaking her head.

Kyrian nodded silently.

By the morning of the fourth day, Yuntal's silhouette appeared on the horizon. The sight, however, surprised them both.

They had expected a large city, perhaps with imposing walls like Misty City or the royal capital. But instead, Yuntal was of modest size, its stone walls were low and seemed more decorative than defensive.

It was, in fact, smaller than Misty City.

"It looks… peaceful," Yanyu commented honestly, a bit disappointed.

"The security must be stable," Kyrian replied, his mind already deducing the reason.

"There are no dense forests or beast-infested lands nearby. The risk of beast tides is nonexistent. The real danger here likely comes from other people."

"Bandits, rival merchants, and so on…"

As they approached the main gate, a line of people and carts waited to enter.

Without hesitation, Kyrian guided his black steed to the side of the line, passing everyone.

Murmurs of indignation arose, and one braver man, his face tense with anger, opened his mouth to protest.

But his gaze fell upon Kyrian's robe and the emblem on his chest, then on Yanyu's inner disciple attire. The courage vanished from his face, he lowered his head and stepped back.

The path was cleared for them.

A guard, wearing a simple yet well-kept armor, rushed to meet them.

His eyes widened when he saw their clothes and insignias.

"Young master, young lady," he greeted respectfully.

"This way, please."

Yanyu whispered to Kyrian, confirming what he already suspected.

"Inner disciples of the Verdant Sword Sect don't pay tolls in any city within the domain."

Kyrian didn't even need to respond. The other guards quickly moved aside, clearing a direct path for the two to ride through the gate.

Entering Yuntal without any obstacle, Kyrian felt a faint interest. Truly, the privileges of being from the sect were convenient.

Inside the walls, the city was a whirlwind of activity, but in a different way from the sect.

The air felt impure, lacking the sharp pressure of sword Qi. Instead, it carried the smells of fresh bread, spices, sweat, and the constant hum of trade.

The streets were lined with two-story houses made of wood and stone, colorful awnings casting shadows over countless market stalls.

Cultivators, craftsmen, and merchants crowded the avenues.

It was a vibrant world, but somewhat chaotic.

Following the directions given by the elder at the task pavilion, they navigated through the streets until they reached a more organized commercial district.

There, they stopped in front of a sturdy-looking building with a metal sign that read.

"Shen Company."

It was a medium-sized establishment, well-maintained, exuding prosperity, but without the ostentation of many nearby firms.

Kyrian dismounted his horse in one smooth motion. Yanyu did the same, standing beside him.

He then walked to the entrance, where an attendant watched them with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. Without waiting, Kyrian raised his hand, showing the cut-leaf brooch.

"We've come on behalf of the Verdant Sword Sect to fulfill the escort mission. Summon your leader, Lao Shen," he said, his voice direct and clear, carrying a natural authority that made the attendant obey instantly.

The man rushed to the back with hurried steps, and in less than a minute, a middle-aged man appeared.

His presence was calm yet carried a certain weight, not the kind born of great cultivation, but of experience and the responsibility of command.

Lao Shen wore a neatly pressed light-brown robe without unnecessary adornments. His short, well-trimmed beard and sharp eyes gave the impression of someone who missed nothing.

He approached the two with one hand behind his back and gave a slight bow.

"Disciples of the Verdant Sword Sect… it's an honor to receive you," his voice was firm and composed.

"I am Lao Shen, the one in charge of this Shen Company branch."

Kyrian returned the gesture with a simple nod.

"Kyrian and Yanyu. We've been assigned to your escort mission, to accompany your caravan to Gylp."

"Excellent. Come, let's talk in my office." Lao Shen gestured for them to follow.

The interior of the company was clean and quiet, the noise of the streets fading as they moved through the corridors.

Walls paneled in dark wood gave the place a sense of refinement, and every employee who crossed their path paused to bow respectfully before disappearing back to work.

Reaching a room at the back, Lao Shen opened the door and invited them in.

The space was simple yet well-organized, with a wide wooden desk, stacks of documents and scrolls, and a large map fixed to the wall showing the twenty-five countries under the Verdant Sword Sect's domain. Several company branches were marked on it.

He sat behind the desk, gesturing for Kyrian and Yanyu to take the seats across from him.

"I'm relieved the sect sent someone so capable," Lao Shen began, his eyes studying Kyrian's.

"The road to Gylp isn't particularly dangerous, but it's long. Still, lately there have been strange reports. Some of my caravans, and others from different companies, have vanished near the border with the Scarlet Domain."

Lao Shen paused briefly, his gaze turning to the map on the wall, where a red line marked the boundary between domains. He ran his finger along the point where the company's route almost crossed the border.

"So far, we haven't been able to gather any solid information," he continued, his voice heavy with concern.

"Some say it's bandits, others claim it's fierce beasts or even cultivators from the Scarlet Domain. But… not even traces of the caravans have been found."

"It's as if they had completely disappeared."

Yanyu frowned.

"Disappeared? Not even wreckage or signs of a fight?"

"Exactly." Lao Shen replied, tapping his finger against the table.

"The last caravan sent out two weeks ago departed with five cultivators at the peak of the Qi Accumulation Realm. But none of them returned. That's why I sent the request to the sect."

"The Shen Company is an old one, we don't usually ask for help, but we can't handle this quickly enough on our own, and we need to reach Gylp within fifteen days."

Kyrian, who had remained silent until then, rested his elbows on the table and clasped his hands in front of his face.

"Where exactly is the point where the disappearances began?"

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