Spirit Immortal

As the sun sank ever so closer to the horizon, the bright blue light of the day gradually drained away to make way for the evening sky. A chilling wind breezed through the convoy sending a shiver down the spines of any who came into contact with it.

”Something seems amiss...”

The Instructor, who was casually steering the wheel of the aether car, glanced around the surroundings in suspicion. After travelling for a few hours, the caravan was nearing Chilyoja Waypoint and might arrive at any moment. However, ever since leaving the clan, he had not seen any other traders or merchants that might be entering the waypoint. Scratch that, he had not even seen traces of any other humans.

”Hmmm? Something wrong, Lou?”

Ines, who had finished answering all of Shin and Juniusʼ queries, at some point returned to her original seat at the front, next to the Instructor. Hearing the upsetting words of the muscular man, she asked for the source of his worry.

”Donʼt you feel that something seems weird? We are about to reach the waypoint, but there is no one in sight. Usually, there would be some other carriages on the roads leading to the gates. But we have yet to see a single soul...”

”Hmmm? Youʼre right… Stop the car, Iʼm getting out.”

Hearing the Instructorʼs legitimate concern, Ines tapped the steering wheel of the aether car and asked the brawny man to stop the vehicle. Once, the car came to a halt, she opened the door and climbed to the roof to get a better viewing angle. Since the car that they were in was leading the caravan, the abrupt and unplanned stop startled those who were behind them.

”Whatʼs going on?”

”Why is Ines on the roof of the car?”

All the other Frie Clan members performed an emergency brake and got out of their vehicles.

”Hraaarhhh, whatʼs going on?”

Waking up from the commotion, Shin, who had decided to take a nap, rubbed his eyes while yawning. Junius, who had also shut his eyes for a light rest, quickly became alert after hearing the noise.

”It seems like there something happening...”

Grabbing on to his pristine, new shoes, Junius attempted to wear his footwear and leave the comfort of his wheelchair.

”Hey, what are you doing?”

Unfortunately for Junius, Shin was still playing the role of his caretaker. Reaching out, the black-haired youth gripped Juniusʼ hands.

”Iʼm going out to check.”

”No can do, you are supposed to stay in that cosy chair of yours for two more weeks!”

”But I can walk with little problems! One or two weeks doesnʼt make a difference!”

”Nope, the doctor said that you have to remain wheelchair-bound for a month! Not one day less. Donʼt worry, Iʼll go out to see whatʼs going on. You remain here and rest like an injured person should.”

Wrestling the shoes away from Junius, Shin kept the footwear at the overhead compartment so that Junius would be unable to reach it. Once he made sure that Junius failed to escape, Shin left the aether car from the back door. But what greeted him were the confused faces of the other Frie Clan members. Many of them looking at the roof of their car. Intrigued, Shin followed the direction of their gazes to find Ines grimly scanning the surroundings.

ʼWhatʼs going on?ʼ

Shin asked mentally. At this point, the more experienced escorts realised that something had gone awry and scrutinised the surroundings.

Ines, with her high vantage point, was able to see much more. Currently, the convoy was on a road that was surrounded by multiple trees. Scanning deep into the woodlands, Ines could see signs of irregular movement. The rustling of leaves hinted that a substantial number of living beings were hiding in the bushes.

”Bandits… I should have expected… Everyone, assume battle positions! We are under attack!”

Raising her right hand upright, Ines gave the order. The highest command present were Ines and the Instructor due to their high cultivation levels. Thus, her words were law.

”Alright!”

”Come at me!”

”Hah!”

The long forest road blinked sparks of red as the numerous escorts gathered spiritual energy to summon their Spirits. As members of the Frie Clan, all of those present had undergone the Spirit Awakening ceremony and had decent cultivation levels. Usually, escort missions were taken by juniors of the clan consisting of Spirit Apostles and Spirit Cores with a Rank 30 Spirit Adept leading the convoy. However, due to some special circumstances, the current caravan had two Rank 50 Spirit Lords presiding over it.

”Hmph! Damned bandits...”