Deep inside the forest stood a large wooden fortress. Figures in red patrolled each side of the fortress, constantly surveying their surroundings.

Within the fortress, an elderly man occupied a throne in one of its grand halls. Before him knelt a robust figure, awaiting his command.

“Rise,” the elder commanded.

“Thank you, Senior,” the robust man replied, rising to his feet.

“Have you completed the task I assigned?” the elder inquired from his regal seat.

“Yes, I’ve captured those from Sword City,” the robust man confirmed.

He then turned to the side and ordered, “Bring him in.”

A purple-robed figure entered the hall, dragging a round man in his grasp.

The purple-robed figure had blindfolded and gagged the captive, tying his hands behind his back.

Bringing the man before him, the robust man said, “According to our information, he is the current mayor of Sword City.”

“Remove his restraints,” ordered the old man.

Following the command, the purple-clad figure freed the mayor from his blindfold and bindings.

“Who are you? Where am I?” the mayor questioned anxiously, scanning his surroundings.

“You’re in our home,” the sturdy man replied. “As long as you cooperate, you’re safe.”

“Your home?” The mayor’s mind raced, envisioning himself in the clutches of bandits. “I have wealth. I’ll give it all to you. Just release us.”

Shaking his head, the robust man stated, “Our senior has a few things he wishes to ask of you.”

For this robust man to refer to someone as “senior,” he must be a powerful figure, the mayor thought as he turned to look in the senior’s direction.

The mayor’s eyes widened, his brows shooting up in astonishment.

“An expert,” he muttered under his breath.

Having cultivated Qi himself, the mayor could sense its presence; just one glance at the elderly man on the throne revealed his formidable strength.

With a sense of trepidation, the mayor avoided meeting the elder’s gaze and lowered his eyes.

“I’ve heard that you possess an item of great significance to me,” the old man on the throne spoke.

“What item might capture your interest, senior?” the mayor asked, feigning ignorance.

“Maybe that item could buy your and everyone else’s freedom,” the robust man suddenly interjected.

At this, the mayor’s heart sank. He possessed no bargaining chip besides the item in question. Moreover, even if he refused to yield it willingly, they could undoubtedly find a means to take it from him.

Gritting his teeth, the mayor summoned his courage. “I will give the item to you, but you must promise to release everyone.”

“Fine, I can consider letting them go,” the old man conceded. “At present, they serve no purpose to me.”

“Keep your word,” the mayor reminded, putting his hand in his pouch to retrieve the item.

As soon as the mayor retrieved the round item, the whole room became vibrant with a warm glow emanating from it.

With a sudden movement, the old man rose from his throne and leaped toward the mayor, snatching the item from his grasp.

Clutching the item tightly, the old man swallowed hard. “The rumors were true.”

The old man had found the object he searched. While he had received a secret report about it previously, he had doubted its existence until this moment.

This was a high-ranked beast core.

With his experience, the old man immediately recognized the rank and value of the core.

“A Saint-ranked beast core,” he murmured under his breath.

He recognized it as a fire element Saint-ranked beast core, a rarity beyond compare in his experience.

In the realm of cultivation, it was believed that a peak Saint-ranked beast could contend evenly with experts of the Sage realm. Moreover, such Saint beasts resided in the deepest recesses of the forest. For someone to venture there and successfully slay a beast of this caliber was a remarkable achievement in the eyes of cultivators.

The old man couldn’t help but mutter, “How did someone acquire this Saint-ranked core? Is there such a powerful existence still alive?”

“How did you acquire this item?” asked the old man.

“It was sold to one of my establishments,” the mayor replied.

“By a cultivator?” the old man pressed.

“No. According to the workers, he was merely an ordinary mortal,” the mayor clarified.

As the old man examined the beast core, he detected a subtle shift in the Qi energy nearby, causing his brow to furrow.

“Hmm?” he sensed an increasing amount of Qi energy nearby. “Someone’s going through a breakthrough.”

“Go check on the captives,” commanded the old man.

“Yes.” With a nod, the robust man exited the hall to carry out his orders.

Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

As the man stepped outside, a purple silhouette appeared beside him.

“Your orders, my lord,” the purple figure said.

“Gather everyone. Don’t let a fly escape the fortress.”

“Didn’t the senior promise to let them go?” the purple figure asked.

“Senior said he would consider it; he never said he would.”

The purple figure nodded and vanished.

This robust man ruled over the bandits and controlled the entire fortress. However, even he had to kneel in front of the old man. The old man on the throne held a special identity; he was a powerful senior visiting from afar who had arrived a few days prior.

So, this is the item he has been searching for, thought the robust man.

***

“Wake up...”

“Junior brother, wake up,” a voice pierced Lin Mo’s ears, jolting him awake.

Dim light blurred his vision.

Gradually, his vision cleared, and he saw everything from a horizontal angle.

“Huh?” He realized he was lying on the ground with his head resting against the cold surface.

Feeling restraints on his wrists, he forced himself upright and sat straight.

“Junior brother, you’re finally awake,” said the chubby senior, relief evident in his tone.

Lin Mo turned toward the voice and saw large steel bars separating him from his senior. Not just him; others were lined up in different compartments, their hands locked behind their backs

“Where are we?” Lin Mo asked.

“We’re in the bandits’ lair,” replied a hoarse voice.

He turned to see Captain Du on the opposite side. Nearby, the mercenaries were similarly confined, but within smaller bars.

“Where’s the mayor?” Lin Mo asked, noticing his absence in the cellar.

“They took him right after he woke up,” replied the senior, his brow furrowed. “I hope he’s safe.”

“Do you think they will let us go?” a disciple asked.

“They should let the six of you go,” said a mercenary.

“Really?” The disciple’s voice held a note of hope.

“They won’t act carelessly against a powerhouse like your sect,” the mercenary added. “Although you might lose your possessions, you’ll survive.”

“What about you guys?” Lin Mo asked, realizing the mercenary only mentioned the six disciples.

“They’ll force us to work to death or kill us outright. They won’t let us go,” the mercenary replied grimly.

“Then you have to escape,” Lin Mo declared. They had traveled together for three days and nights, and Lin Mo had grown close to them. He couldn’t just leave them to die here.

“How? We don’t have our weapons, and we’re locked up,” a mercenary pointed out.

The bandits had stripped them of everything except their clothes.

Lin Mo turned to his senior. “Senior Brow, you have a way to break free, right?”

“Hehe, I’ve dreamed of this my whole life,” said the senior with a mischievous grin.

Click. Click. Clang!

The restraints on Senior Brow’s hands fell to the ground, and he broke free.

“What happened? What was that loud sound?” Red bandits guarding outside entered.

“I’ll explain,” said Senior Brow from his cell, hands still behind his back.

“Speak,” said one of the red bandits.

“Bring your ears closer.”

Confident in the strength of the steel bars, they approached, unafraid of any sudden attacks.

“It was... Puh!”

“Puh?”

They collapsed one after another, all three lying unconscious with tiny needles piercing their necks.

Lin Mo knew his senior had an arsenal full of hidden tricks; freeing himself was just a minor one. There was never a shortage of surprises around Senior Brow.

“Should I help you, Junior Brother?”

“No need. Help the others,” Lin Mo replied, casually breaking free from the cuffs.

“What a brute,” commented a mercenary, watching Lin Mo snap the cuffs.

Although the steel bars were thick and strong, Senior Brow’s trickery rendered the locks useless, and everyone broke free.

“Look at this guy, still sleeping,” a mercenary said, staring at Spark lying asleep. “Hey, wake up.”

“Huh?” Spark woke up, looking around in panic.

“Now that we’ve broken free, what should we do? We can’t fend off all of them without our weapons,” said another mercenary.

“Once you exit that door, go left and….” Lin Mo explained. “You’ll find our weapons there.”

“How do you know this, Junior Brother?”

“I have a connection with my sword,” replied Lin Mo.

Of course, that was a lie. The old ghost had toured the place and told him the location.

“Now go,” Lin Mo instructed.

“What about you?” asked Senior Brow.

“I’ll be here to clear my mind,” Lin Mo replied.

“Why?”

“I’ll reach my next realm here, right now,” Lin Mo stated.

!!!

“Is it wise to do so in enemy territory?” Captain Du asked, concern evident in his voice.

“Once I break through, I’m confident I can get us all out of here,” said Lin Mo.

Although they couldn’t see how he would do that, they believed him, having witnessed his strength against the robust man.

The group left, leaving Lin Mo and Spark behind.

“Are you sure about this?” asked the old ghost. “That old man is extremely strong for current you.”

The old ghost had explained the presence of a powerful elder in the fortress, far stronger than that robust man. Yet, Lin Mo decided he would break through here.

“I’m sure,” Lin Mo affirmed, his expression determined.

He had a feeling he would reach his next realm here, far from his sect and in the heart of the bandits’ lair. This feeling stemmed from his deep desire to battle someone strong. This was the perfect opportunity to test himself.

…

A while later, the group returned with their weapons strapped.

Captain Du and Senior Brow seemed to be struggling to carry something.

“Big guy, don’t slip, or I’ll lose my shoulder,” said Captain Du, sweat on his forehead. “We’re almost there.”

The two placed the item gently on the wall.

“Why is it so heavy?” asked Captain Du. “Does he carry it around all the time?”

“I don’t know; you should ask him,” replied Senior Brow.

The heavy item was Lin Mo’s sword. They had tried to store it in a spatial pouch but failed, so they had to carry it themselves.

“Junior brother?”

“Shush!” Spark motioned.

Lin Mo’s eyes were closed, and he was already in a deep meditative state. His focus on the outside world was completely cut off.

“He has begun,” Spark added quietly. “He said to tell you to buy him time.”