Shen Yuan smiled and looked towards the majestic Northern Wind Horses, who stood proudly in a line, their silvery white coats shimmering under the sunlight.
Their intelligent eyes reflected their inherent superiority. Each horse exuded a powerful aura that indicated their enhanced stamina and speed.
Shen Yuan approached the horses, gently patting the neck of the lead stallion, who neighed softly in response.
“Good. These will do nicely,” he said with an approving nod.
The guards and other caravan members gathered around, their expressions filled with awe and disbelief. For most of them, this was their first time seeing such rare and expensive creatures up close.
Master Qiu couldn’t help but shake her head in amazement. “These horses… their speed and endurance are unmatched. I’ve heard stories about them, but seeing them in person is truly something else.”
Shen Yuan turned to Lian Fang, who stood nearby with a faintly smug look on her face, as if the horses were her own property.
“Have you ensured they’re properly equipped for the journey?” he asked as he came toward her.
“Of course,” Lian Fang replied, gesturing toward the horses. “I made sure the sellers provided the best equipment and gear. These beauties deserve nothing less. I also got food for them from that guy.”
“Good.” Shen Yuan nodded. He then addressed the rest of the caravan. “Prepare the wagons. We leave immediately.”
The caravan guards scrambled to attach the Northern Wind Horses to the wagons while ensuring the cargo was securely loaded.
Shen Yuan nodded his head as he saw them working. He stood at one side, observing the organized chaos with an air of detachment, his mind already anticipating the ambushes and possible opportunities that might lie ahead.
Lian Fang approached him again, a curious glint in her eyes. “You’re surprisingly generous, Young Master Yuan. I doubt even the wealthy merchants of this city would be able to cough up such a huge amount at a moment’s notice. And you, on the other hand, are spending such a huge amount for merely saving some time.”
Shen Yuan gave her a sidelong glance and replied with a faint smirk, “Time is more valuable than Spirit Stones, especially for someone like me whose every day counts. Besides, I dislike unnecessary delays which can be solved with little spending.”
Lian Fang chuckled. “I can only respect your dedication to cultivation.”
As the caravan finally got ready to move, Master Qiu approached Shen Yuan with a polite bow. “We are all set, Young Master Yuan. Thank you again for your generosity. It seems we’ll be reaching our destination much faster than expected.”
Shen Yuan waved her off casually. “No need for thanks. Let’s just focus on reaching the Sacred Valley Sanctuary safely.”
Everyone got ready and boarded the wagons while Shen Yuan moved towards the lead horse. He gently patted the horse’s back and mounted it.
The Northern Wind Horses neighed and began moving, their steps seeming to leave behind shimmering stars as the onlookers watched them with awe.
…
As the caravan sped through the roads, Shen Yuan moved at the front with his horse. He casually glanced around from time to time for any signs of possible danger.
[You know you painted a bigger target on your back with this flashy display of yours?]
Yue Lan’s voice echoed inside his head.
‘I know that, and that’s why I chose these horses. It would be better if they attack us as soon as possible. And I still need to end this mission sooner. If I used the normal horses, then I would need a week to just reach the Sacred Valley Sanctuary.’
Shen Yuan explained his reasons as he was getting bored on the journey.
[Hmm… you better be careful though. These bandits won’t be the same as the last ones you faced. The people of this region have a much higher cultivation base as well as access to better cultivation techniques.]
She cautioned Shen Yuan.
‘Well, that is to be expected. And I’m ready for that as well. I won’t be as pathetic as I was against that Abyssal Being. And I’m sure I can now take on an Extreme Origin Core Realm genius. I want to test the limit of my strength as well, after all.’
[I’m excited to find out about that as well. Why don’t you go and fight someone in the Mortal Tribulation Realm?]
Yue Lan mischievously said.
Shen Yuan’s eyebrow twitched as he replied, ‘You want to see me get killed or what? I’m sure I can’t handle a single blow from someone at that realm.’
[Aww, be more confident in yourself. But seriously, you can actually take on someone at that level if you pushed your cultivation to the extreme and train a few decades without breaking through and mastering all kinds of intents and techniques.]
Yue Lan spoke seriously, yet it also held a hint of mischief.
‘Like hell I want to spend that much time on this level; my cultivation would already be far higher than someone in the Mortal Tribulation Realm.’
He shook his head, and his focus shifted as he saw one of the healers from the caravan approaching him on her horse.
The healer was a young woman dressed in soft green robes embroidered with lotus patterns, her demeanor exuding calmness and grace.
Her brown hair tied back in a simple braid, and her kind, steady eyes met Shen Yuan’s with a polite smile.
“Excuse me, Young Master Yuan,” she began, her voice as soothing as a gentle stream. “I wanted to personally thank you for your generosity in arranging these magnificent horses. Without them, this journey would have been much longer and more difficult.”
Shen Yuan nodded slightly, acknowledging her gratitude. “It’s nothing. I’m helping myself as well. I want to end this mission as soon as possible to take care of some other work, since from the looks of it, that will take much more time.”
The healer seemed slightly taken aback by his straightforwardness but quickly regained her composure. “Even so, we’re deeply grateful. My name is Mei Xue, by the way, and I’m the leader of the group of healers. If you or any of the guards need healing during the journey, please don’t hesitate to find me.”
Shen Yuan looked at her briefly with amusement. Though her cultivation base was not that high, around the Inner Sea Realm, her aura was steady and pure, which means one of two things:
She didn’t want to use pills to have a steady foundation, or she was too poor to afford pills for cultivation.
Shen Yuan teasingly said, “Are you forgetting which sect I belong to?”
Mei Xue looked at him with confusion for a bit, but her face soon turned red as she lowered her head. “M-My apologies, I forgot that you were a disciple of the Radiant Lotus Sacred Sect. It was presumptuous of me to show my meager skills in front of you.”
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Shen Yuan shook his head while chuckling. “It’s the thought that counts, and I’m not really that good at healing since I have focused on the combat arts more.”
Mei Xue sighed in relief as she said with a bright smile, “Then you can count on me! I will be sure to help anyone in need of healing.”