A month passed.
In her room, Mu Zi sat cross-legged, absorbing the energy contained within three Yang Yuan stones. These stones slowly dissolved, leaving behind only pure power.
She slowly exhaled, feeling her cultivation advance rapidly. Nodding with satisfaction, she thought:
"Just a few more days, and I'll break through to the Earth Yuan realm."
Ever since she returned to the Mu estate, her goal had been to raise her cultivation level. Now she could clearly feel the barrier separating her from transitioning to the Earth Yuan realm, and only one step remained before the breakthrough.
The dangerous adventure she had stumbled into a month ago had turned into an unexpected stroke of luck. In addition to the stones she had exchanged, Mu Zi now possessed two hundred Yang Yuan stones and a dozen Yang Yuan pills.
This amount was equivalent to a month's income from the Lin clan's mine. Her two new acquaintances from the Earth Yuan realm had truly given her a generous gift.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
Mu Zi opened it, and Mu Lingsha appeared in the doorway, her face beaming with joy. Looking at her curiously, Mu Zi asked:
"What's the occasion for such joy?"
Mu Lingsha, hands on her hips, joyfully exclaimed:
"Hahaha! I've broken through to the Earth Yuan realm!"
"Wow, that's amazing! Well done!" Mu Zi exclaimed, playfully giving a thumbs-up.
Mu Lingsha immediately looked crestfallen:
"Little sister, what kind of tone is that? So indifferent!"
Mu Zi merely chuckled to herself, looking at her older sister's aggrieved expression. In truth, Lingsha's breakthrough was no surprise to her.
At the clan trial, she had already reached the ninth level of Body Tempering. A year ago, Mu Lingsha broke through to the eighth level, and in the last trial, she received an "excellent" average rating, for which the estate rewarded her with a third-rank spiritual herb. Although she conceded the Fire Python-Tiger reward to her younger sister, she still reached the ninth level.
However, the breakthrough to the Earth Yuan realm in three months was possible thanks to Mu Zi's help. During her trip to Qingyang, she had obtained many resources and, of course, didn't forget to share with her sister.
When Mu Zi was in a difficult position, Mu Lingsha's help, like a warm ember in the winter cold, deeply touched her.
When you achieve wealth, don't forget those who were with you!
Now that she herself was rich, she, of course, wanted to help her sister. Mu Zi knew how much Lingsha longed to break through to the Earth Yuan realm.
Mu Lingsha looked curiously at her younger sister. Using Yang Yuan stones for cultivation at the Body Tempering stage—such luxury was something she had never dreamed of before.
Accustomed to a modest life, she hadn't yet grown comfortable with the sudden affluence.
"Are third-rank martial arts that expensive?" she asked curiously.
Mu Zi, regularly acquiring resources, couldn't completely hide it from her close ones, and Lingsha knew about her trading in martial arts.
"Well, tolerable," Mu Zi vaguely hummed, looking away.
She felt guilty: her sister didn't need to know about her bloody exploits.
Looking at her deeply, Mu Lingsha changed the subject:
"Tomorrow, I want to go with the caravan escort," Mu Lingsha said.
"Escort?" Mu Zi repeated with slight surprise.
"Yes," Lingsha confirmed, nodding. "Our Mu estate's main income comes from caravan escorts. We do well in this task, and we've built a good reputation within a hundred li radius."
"Recently, merchants hired us to escort them to Yancheng," she added with a smile. "Now that I've reached the Earth Yuan level, I've become one of the key figures in the family. It's time to contribute to the common cause."
Mu Zi slightly frowned:
"But is it your turn to lead the squad?"
She wasn't naive. Escorting to Yancheng required significant strength, and Mu Lingsha, who had just reached the Earth Yuan level, was hardly ready for such responsibility.
Mu Lingsha, invigorated by the upcoming trip, explained:
"Don't worry, this caravan is special."
"It consists of two parts: a large one and a small one."
"The large group is guarded by Father and the head of the estate, and I'm only entrusted with the small one."
Mu Zi nodded in agreement. Looking at the enthusiastic Lingsha, she mused.
A trip to Yancheng is an excellent opportunity. Mu Zi had long dreamed of acquiring a Qiankun bag. Besides, Yancheng is much richer than Qingyang, and who knows, maybe she'll be able to find a fourth-rank martial art there?
By mastering such an art, she could significantly advance her skills and perhaps even create her own fourth-rank martial art.
The next day, when the Mu estate's escort squad was ready to depart, Mu Lingsha was surprised to find her sister with a packed bundle in her hands.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, wondering.
"I've never been to Yancheng and want to see it," Mu Zi replied.
"No, your cultivation level is too low, it's dangerous!" Lingsha objected, shaking her head.
Although her younger sister was extraordinary, without the Earth Yuan realm, she had no place on the journey.
Mu Zi, pointing to the guard, said:
"Isn't that a seventh-level Body Tempering there?" Mu Zi asked, pointing at something in the distance.
Lingsha didn't immediately know how to answer.
Indeed, Mu Zi's level was quite high, but her age caused some concern. During the selection, no one expected a fourteen-year-old girl to reach the ninth level of Body Tempering.
Noticing her sister's hesitation, Mu Zi quickly added, patting her chest:
"Don't worry, I'm not a child anymore!"
Lingsha raised an eyebrow, looking at this movement. For some reason, it seemed to her that it had become even more obvious since last time.
Mu Lingsha, with a slight smile, flicked her sister's forehead:
"Well, little sister, your wings have grown strong!"
But, seeing Mu Zi's expectant gaze, she softened:
"Alright, to your horse!"
Mu Zi, smiling triumphantly, joined the escort squad.
When the caravan met with the merchants, an elderly man approached Mu Lingsha.
"I am the caravan leader. I've heard of the Mu estate's fame. I hope our cooperation will be successful," he said.
The elder was a master of the mid-stage Earth Yuan realm, and it seemed the merchants didn't fully trust the Mus.
Lingsha replied seriously:
"We will do our best!"
Two hours later, the caravan had covered half the distance.
"Just a little more, cross that forest, and we'll be safe!" the leader shouted.
In the lands of Yancheng, travelers became more numerous, and bandits rarely attacked nearby.
However, that was precisely why bandits might be hiding in that forest.
Everyone understood this and, on alert, carefully watched their surroundings.
The caravan carefully moved through the forest, fully prepared, but surprisingly, it was quiet all the way to the edge of the thicket.
"Perhaps they won't come," the elder said with relief.
However, before everyone could relax, an armed gang with ominous faces appeared from the forest ahead. Their leader, a master of the mid-stage Earth Yuan realm, grinned at the caravan:
"Hand over all your valuables!"
Seeing only one Earth Yuan master, the leader shouted:
"Did you swallow the courage of a black iron leopard?"
Mu Lingsha stepped forward, releasing her Earth Yuan aura.
But the bandit merely smirked:
"Heh, it seems you misunderstood something."
Before he could finish speaking, another group appeared from behind, surrounding the caravan from two sides.
Mu Zi turned around, her pupils constricted, and her gaze grew heavy.
There were four Earth Yuan masters from behind, although only at the initial stage, but they could not be underestimated.
"Hahaha, little brother, your pincer plan is brilliant! Now they have nowhere to run!" one of the bandits burst into laughter.
Their leader's eyes flashed:
"Leave the valuables and the women, we'll spare the rest!"
The caravan realized its predicament, and panic began to rise in the crowd.
What do you think will happen next in the ambush?