"Stop here! We will rest here for eight hours before we set off!"
"Look over your inventory and ensure everything is securely packed. Look over your carriages and ensure that they are not damaged, and are sufficiently capable to move for the next three nights!"
The convoy of horse-drawn and ox-drawn carriages was pulled to a halt.
They stopped at a clearing in the forest, resting in a valley with a small river running through it.
"We've stopped at the Thin Stream Valley. Our next resting point will be the Eastern slope of the Blue Grass Mountains."
Warrior of Spring conversed with Corpse Mountain's Settlement Lord. They referred to a map and their premeditated path.
This Thin Stream Valley was their first resting point. It was an ordinary valley, but it had a thin river running through its entirety.
Blue Grass Mountain was also semi-ordinary. It was characterised by its odd colour of grass, fields of blue grass blanket its slopes. This kind of grass carried medical properties and belonged to Union Settlement.
However, due to the presence of healing Dao Arts and Medical Experts among Cultivators, there was no demand for such a resource.
The mountain was occasionally visited by merchants with permission from Immortal Union, but there was nothing stationed in the immediate area.
"If we could encounter a trade caravan, we might be able to hire their aid in transporting our wares and people... but the likelihood of that happening is very low."
"By this time, we are in the middle of the winter season. The Blue Grass should still be plentiful. If we can not encounter a trade caravan, then we can still make use of the Blue Grass if needed."
"Then, it will take two nights' time to reach our last resting point. I am glad that we have not encountered any impasses. At this pace, we will arrive at Union Settlement within the planned eight nights."
Their planning was meticulous.
A path was drawn through the map, with methods created to counter any impasse of the terrain.
Various rivers and landmasses could obstruct their path, but nothing that either Warrior of Spring or Call of Winter couldn't overcome.
"Our only problem would be the Third Tide of Beasts and Spirits, and any encounters with Demonic Cultivators."
"The next night's Late Hour will be the start of the Third Tide... however, I believe we won't have to worry about the Tide itself."
"Why do you say so, Friend Spring?"
"Assuming that those Demonic Cultivators station themselves at the Settlement, they would be the ones forced to handle the beasts."
"That is suggesting that they do not control the beasts, is it not? Should they control the beasts, would they not send the Third Tide towards us?"
"Considering their goals... I suppose not. If it is the corpse within Corpse Mountain, they likely are going to slaughter the beasts themselves, and use their corpses for whatever reason..."
"Ah... I see... I see."
Even though it was reassuring that the Third Tide would likely not implicate their convoy, they did not like leaving these Demonic Cultivators to do as they pleased.
"We will remain vigilant. Anticipate any encounters regardless of the likelihood."
...
Four hours into the resting period.
Sun splayed himself upon the top of a carriage, letting the rain pelt his body with droplets of water.
He found the resting period to be too mundane. With nothing else to do, he continued to look over the Dao Art Medium given to him by Shade of Autumn.
It was at this moment that a voice whispered into his ear.
"To all of the convoy, dim your lights and quieten your steads. A beast group approaches. We will try to avoid confrontation first, but brace yourselves should conflict arise."
Hearing these words, Sun turned to lie on his stomach.
He looked around; he could only spot Shade of Autumn and noticed her looking in the easternmost direction.
Sun led his gaze in that direction, but could not see anything.
'She must be using Immersion... or, Divine Eye Immersion...?'
With a thought popping into his mind, Sun focused Qi into his eyes to utilise Flesh Eye Immersion.
He peered into the veil of foliage and trees in the eastern direction, squinting his eyes as he focused his vision.
The shady veil made it difficult to see through, and the light rain did not help either, but as Sun gradually pushed his enhanced vision further...
"...!"
There was a group of beasts surveilling the area.
'Wolves... there are only wolves around, but the one at the front looks powerful.'
It was large, five times larger than the other ordinary wolves.
Black fur which lifted in spiked tufts, white eyes resembling the stars.
It was a Night-Graced Wolf, a Beast King, if not a Mystical Beast King, at that.
'They don't look like they're going to attack us... merely scounting us? I would not mind having a confrontation, but if the people are implicated...'
Sun softly shook his head at the troubling idea, pushing it out of his mind.
He looked at the beasts, and a chill ran down his spine.
'Is it... looking at me...? It is...!'
As if responding to Sun's whims, the large wolf howled through the silent air.
The other wolves ran between trees and foliage, bursting from the shaded veil and appearing before the convoy.
"They're attacking us!"
"Those who are on the eastern side of the convoy, prepare to attack and defend. Do not let the wolves reach the people. Those who are in other areas of the convoy, do not engage and maintain your position, be vigilant and anticipate other beasts to attack, unless ordered otherwise!"
That last voice appeared in Sun's mind, and everyone elses', undoubtedly.
Warrior of Spring gave orders to defend the people and attack the wolves, but also to anticipate any unexpected attacks.
Sun leapt from the carriage roof he was lazing on.
His halberd was retrieved from within the carriage, and he stood vigilantly from the side.
"Autumn, are we going to fight?"
Turning her head, Shade of Autumn walked towards Sun and shared her thoughts.
"We do not need to step in immediately. Senior Golden Axe-Wielding Fiend has taken that position, so that Mystical Beast King will be handled by him."
"I see... What about the other beasts?"
"Those can be handled by any other warrior..."
Sending the subtle unrest in Sun's body, Shade of Autumn sighed and stepped to the side.
"But... it should be fine for you to step in, if you wish to."