: Profits!

The two镖头 (bodyguards) dared not be careless. After the smoke cleared, they waited for a while until they were sure that the three had completely escaped and showed no signs of returning before Zhao Dalong breathed a sigh of relief.

His strength is evident; he has only just entered the fifth level of Qi Refining, and his strength is not yet stable.

Judging from their aura, the opponent must be at least at the sixth level of Qi Refining, and at most even at the same level as the Third Escort!

He didn't consider himself one of those geniuses or strongmen who could cross borders to kill enemies. Let alone fight them, he wasn't even confident of surviving the other two.

Everything calmed down quickly; the previous bombardment seemed to be nothing more than the impotent rage of someone who had been outmaneuvered.

By the time Chen Lu and his companion descended the mountain, the three cultivators from Yuansheng Sect had already fled.

Clang!

The three镖头 (bodyguards) carried the four wounded cultivators over and casually tossed them to the ground.

Fortunately, Chen Lu and his companion deliberately avoided vital points when they attacked, so their lives were not in immediate danger.

He's currently unconscious due to bleeding from his wound; he'll wake up in half a day at most.

Wang Shengsong followed beside him, watching him meticulously inspect the spirit-summoning crossbow, and patted him on the shoulder with a smile.

"You little rascal, you've really been hiding your true colors. If it weren't for you, we would have lost at least a few men on this mission."

Chen Lu raised his head and smiled, "It's just that I sensed something was wrong beforehand and had the advantage of striking first. If it really comes down to a head-on confrontation, we'll have to rely on Third Escort and Brother Song to hold things up."

Wang Shengsong felt even more pleased to hear this.

He neither steals credit nor fails to give face to others; no wonder he was able to establish himself in the security escort agency at such a young age.

The third镖头 (head镖师) instructed, "Alu, you have made the greatest contribution, so you should choose the spoils first."

"yes!"

He crouched down and stroked the four people, the most valuable things being the magical artifacts in their hands.

The Yuansheng Sect has been wiped out for several years now, and the members have not only been living freely despite the bounty on their heads, but have also been roaming around as treacherous cultivators.

Of the four of them, three used ordinary bow-like magical implements, while one was somewhat different.

After inquiring with Wang Shengsong, it was learned that this different bow was called the Void-Breaking Bow, a low-grade magic weapon, and was a custom-made item by the Yuansheng Sect.

These custom-made items are vastly different from the ritual implements available on the market.

It is said that special materials, which can only be used within immortal sects and clans, were used in its refining.

Its quality is excellent, surpassing all other magical artifacts of the same level.

This directly leads to the fact that once such magical artifacts enter the market, they are immediately snapped up at high prices, and there is no worry about selling them.

Even if he sells it to a secondhand dealer, he can easily earn back the money he spent on the 'Spirit-Guiding Crossbow,' which is equivalent to getting a low-grade magic weapon for free.

In addition, he also found a superior archery technique secretly passed down by the Yuansheng Sect, which was specially used in conjunction with the Sky-Piercing Bow.

If sold together, the price can increase by another 4%!

Unfortunately, the spirit armor he was wearing had been pierced by his crossbow bolt, so it wouldn't fetch a good price.

What remained in the storage bag were some elixirs, talismans, and other miscellaneous items, which could be used for personal purposes.

After careful consideration, just as the divination indicated, there was a small gain.

Almost as soon as the selection was completed, Amo, who was in charge of escorting the bodyguards, arrived.

As for extracting information through torture, the group wasn't very good at it. After some discussion, they decided to hand it over to their families when they returned to the market. All they needed to do was collect spirit stones and contribution points.

This is a good opportunity to force out the three Yuansheng Sect cultivators who escaped.

Moreover, with 5 people against 3, the advantage is on my side.

Just in case, Chen Lu also consulted the oracle about the fortune of his trip that day. Only after receiving a divination indicating that everything would go smoothly did he truly relax.

The following day, after the danger had passed, Chen Lu changed the direction of the divination.

"Disciple Chen Lu humbly beseeches the divine will to reveal to me where my destiny lies!"

[Auspicious/Inauspicious Fortune Telling - Good Fortune: During the midday rest period, you can spar with the Three Escorts. After you are defeated, they are in a very good mood and decide to bestow some insights into body refinement upon you.]

[Auspicious/Medium Fortune: During the midday rest, you will be given the task of hunting spirit beasts to enjoy as a treat.]

At the giant rock, proceed north for 1,800 zhang (approximately 630 meters), where you can hunt a wolf cub, which you can raise as a spirit beast.

[Auspicious/Medium Fortune: Around noon, next to a crooked tree, travel east for two thousand zhang.]

At noon, precisely at the right time, dig up the rare, sixty-year-old, extremely yang-toned medicinal herb from beneath the ancient vine. Preserve the entire root, including the soil, for it to be effective.

"While the insights gained from body refinement are important, my main focus is on magic."

When one's cultivation reaches a standstill, one can explore alternative paths and delve into them carefully.

There's no need to waste too much energy on it normally; otherwise, it will do more harm than good.

After pondering for a moment, Chen Lu abandoned his first option.

He would still choose cultivation enlightenment, but he has no plans for physical cultivation enlightenment at the moment.

"As for the wolf cubs, if they are properly trained, they will play a great role in escorting the goods."

For example, this time, its sense of smell could be used to detect ambushes hidden in the mountains and forests in advance, which would be a great help in the battle.

Chen Lu hesitated for a moment; he had always wanted to raise a spirit pet.

However, he was too busy with his spiritual practice to even eat without taking fasting pills, not to mention he had an extra mouth to feed.

"A rare, extremely yang-enhancing elixir that has been around for sixty years... It can be sold for money or used to form connections with others."

An opportunity that requires absolutely no effort and can be obtained immediately.

Chen Lu took a deep breath, caught in a dilemma; the latter two were considered average to good fortune.

Both were beneficial to him, and both were things he desired.

Zhao Dalong suddenly interrupted his thoughts.

"Hey! Ah-Lu, want some mulberries?"

Chen Lu turned his head and saw him holding fruit, his face covered in purplish-black juice.

"Mulberries? Where did you find them?"

Chen Lu curiously took it and then put it in his mouth. Instantly, a faint fragrance burst in his mouth, and his somewhat drowsy mind became a little clearer.

"This is actually a spiritual fruit? I've walked this road for over ten years and I've never seen one before."

Zhao Dalong chuckled, pointed to a small path, and whispered:

"Last year, around this time, I suddenly had some abdominal pain. You were all resting here, but I was thinking of going somewhere else."

As a result, somehow, I discovered a spirit tree, but the birds had eaten most of it, and I only had a few seeds left.

There was a hint of pride in his voice as he spoke:

"It's strange, even the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) who's been walking this road for decades didn't find it, but I was the one who did!"

"Are you the only one who has discovered... that the right time, the right place, and the right people—all three elements are in place?" Chen Lu muttered to himself.

"Hmm? It has all three elements! It is said to be able to reduce dryness and calm the mind, nourish the essence and blood, and beautify the skin."

Unfortunately, I forgot to bring the protective charm. If it's not properly stored after being taken down, it will expire in at most 3 days.

Hopefully, the birds won't have eaten all the fruit when we return.

Zhao Dalong was somewhat disappointed. If he could have given it to Wang Xiaohe, she would surely have been happy.

"Anzhi Talisman? There are spiritual plants in the goods we're transporting this time. We always put a few extra on each shipment to prevent them from becoming ineffective in case of accidents."

Chen Lu pointed to one of the trucks.

Zhao Dalong was overjoyed and pulled on the reins, eagerly returning to the location where he had found the spiritual fruit.

"Then you keep an eye on it for me, I'll go pick it."

Watching his retreating figure, Chen Lu had a sudden thought and made a decision.

Demon wolves are found all over the mountains and forests, and their cubs are not uncommon.

The creation of a miraculous elixir requires both the right timing and the right location; without either, it is difficult for it to be created.

To be found by a cultivator, one also needs exceptional luck, which is called "human harmony." If any one of these three factors is lacking, one will not be able to find them.

According to the divination, both are equally important to him, but the elixir is much harder to find.

Zhao Dalong's talent is average; if he wants to surpass others, relying solely on his own efforts is not enough.

Let him try with that wolf cub; if he finds it, it won't be a wasted opportunity.

When Zhao Dalong returned, his face was filled with joy.

After traveling for another hour or so, the third镖头 (head镖师) shouted loudly, telling everyone to rest.

Seeing that the bodyguards seemed more tired than usual, he had an idea.

"Brothers! We've been moving very fast these past few days, arriving half a day earlier than planned."

There just happened to be a small river nearby, and it was the time when the eels were at their fattest.

"Set up the pot, I'll go catch a few for the brothers to try!"

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately perked up.

These past few days, in order to prevent the Yuansheng Sect's raiders from launching a sneak attack, I haven't been able to eat or sleep well, for fear that if I relax even for a moment, someone will take my life.

Now that many people have been captured, those who escaped will not dare to attack again for a while. In addition, with the words of the Third Escort, everyone can finally relax for a while.

Seeing his opportunity, Chen Lu quickly reminded Zhao Dalong:

"Hey! Brother Da Long, that's your future father-in-law. How can you, as his future son-in-law, not be more diligent?"

"Huh?" Zhao Dalong was taken aback, but thought Chen Lu was right, so he quickly took over the task.

"By the way, Brother Dalong, a few years ago, I saw a patch of perilla about 500 zhang to the north. It goes perfectly with eel. See if you can find it."

Before he left, Chen Lu guided him toward the opportunity of the young wolves.

But he didn't say much, nor did he insist that Zhao Dalong go, because some things depend on fate and cannot be forced.