Dahlia stared at the four strangers, her jaw tightening. The disciples stood behind her, tense and silent.
"Who are you? Don't you know the Demon Gate Island has been forbidden for ten years? No outsiders are allowed here!"
One of them stepped forward, smirking.
"Forbidden? Indeed... but only for righteous sects, isn't it?"
Dahlia's eyes narrowed, her instincts confirming what her gut told her.
Eliza leaned in and whispered.
"They're not normal cultivators..."
Clar stepped beside her.
"No, they're worse. They should be underground scum."
Dahlia exhaled sharply.
"So that's what they are? Mercenaries, huh?"
The cloaked man chuckled.
"Mercenaries, killers, traders of secrets... call us whatever you like. All that matters is that someone paid us well to take care of you all."
He tilted his head slightly, eyes glinting.
"A small new sect, barely starting and yet already got quite a high bounty. We're really lucky to get this job."
Rynor spat to the side.
