Ancient Dragon Elephant Technique

Chapter 1238: Chapter 18: Niu Dajiang

A group of people rode in a beast carriage through the Primordial Ancient Forest because flying on aerial mounts above the forest was too dangerous and easily attracted attacks from fierce beasts.

In contrast, traveling by beast carriage was less noticeable and much safer.

Three Eternal Giant-level figures shared one beast carriage, while the rest traveled in a larger one.

The reason for not separating was that staying together would allow them to look after each other in case of danger, preventing situations where one might have to fight alone.

”Oh dear... Our beast carriage can only seat nine people. Brother Lin, could you perhaps ride along with the guards on horseback?” Zhang Hanxuan looked at Lin Feng with a half-smile.

Although they agreed to let Lin Feng accompany them to the Spirit Array Master Holy Temple, it was clear they hadn’t fully accepted him. In their eyes, Lin Feng was destined to be from a different world.

”We could squeeze in to make some room,” Zhao Ling’er suggested.

”Thank you for your kind offer, Miss Ling’er, but there’s no need... I actually prefer riding a horse,” Lin Feng nodded and mounted a Xuanhuang Steed.

These Xuanhuang Steeds, with demon beast blood flowing through their veins, were no ordinary horses but demon horses, capable of traveling tens of thousands of miles in a day and easily killing cultivators at the Martial King Realm.

As the group set out, Lin Feng and a few other cultivators, also riding Xuanhuang Steeds, followed at the rear of the convoy, moving quickly into the Primordial Ancient Forest.

Among the twenty or so guards, only a few came from the noble families of the young masters and mistresses, while the rest were loose cultivators who had allied with the Great Dragon Ancient Immortal Dynasty.

Most of Zhao Ling’er’s entourage were descendants of the major families of the Ancient Immortal Dynasty and the Great Dragon Immortal Dynasty.

The Great Dragon Immortal Dynasty was akin to a Quasi-Primordial Force, with considerable strength, and the top families within it were also quite formidable.

Thus, it was quite normal for them to nurture some talented and high-level young Spirit Array Masters.

A guard named Niu Dajiang looked at Lin Feng with a smile and asked, ”Little brother, you’re not just going to the Spirit Array Master Holy Temple to watch the excitement, are you?”

Lin Feng smiled and replied, ”I’m going to the Spirit Array Master Holy Temple to find someone.”

Niu Dajiang exclaimed in surprise, ”Little brother, do you have a relative working at the Spirit Array Master Holy Temple?”

Lin Feng said, ”Not exactly a relative, but there’s some connection.”

Niu Dajiang said, ”You’re being modest, little brother. If you find your relative and manage to stay at the Spirit Array Master Holy Temple as a guard or something, you’ll be set for life.”

Niu Dajiang and the other guards looked at Lin Feng with envy. They were all loose cultivators who had allied with other forces for survival, often risking their lives. For example, escorting this group of young masters and mistresses through the Primordial Ancient Forest was fraught with danger, and with bad luck, one’s life could easily end here.

However, since they were being paid by their ”employer” and had contracts and agreements, they had to follow orders, no matter the danger.

If Lin Feng could become a guard at the Spirit Array Master Holy Temple, he would face little danger. And what a place the Spirit Array Master Holy Temple is! Forget being a guard—just working there as a staff member isn’t something just anyone can qualify for.

Lin Feng said, ”I’m not counting on a meteoric rise; the times are tough. I just hope for a smooth life ahead.”

”Yes, indeed, times are tough,” the guards nodded.

”Which family are you guards from?” Lin Feng asked.

Niu Dajiang said, ”Those three Eternal Giant-level figures, along with the six guards at the front, belong to several major families of the Great Dragon Ancient Immortal Dynasty. The rest are part of the Great Dragon Ancient Immortal Dynasty’s Imperial Guards External Affairs Office. We receive 120 top-grade spiritual stones annually from the Great Dragon Ancient Immortal Dynasty and have served it for over a hundred years.”

”So, you’re quite experienced guards. The Great Dragon Ancient Immortal Dynasty should reward you with estates and territories, right? I’ve heard many Ancient Immortal Dynasties offer such rewards to attract experts.”

Niu Dajiang sighed and said, ”The Great Dragon Ancient Immortal Dynasty does have such regulations. If one serves it for 180 years, they’re entitled to an estate in the Imperial City and a thousand-mile territory as well. My brothers and I were about to reach the 180-year mark, but unfortunately, the head of the External Affairs Office retired last year and was replaced. The new officer doesn’t plan to keep us, so we can’t continue as guards for the Great Dragon Ancient Immortal Dynasty. The estate and territory we were expecting are now out of the question. This is our last mission, and after this, we plan to seek refuge with another force.”

Ordinary cultivators, especially loose cultivators, strive all their lives, mainly to secure a livelihood for themselves or their family in old age.

With a new official in place, they promote their own power. Niu Dajiang and his men were supporters of the previous officer, so they are no longer employed by the Great Dragon Ancient Immortal Dynasty.

The situation Niu Dajiang and his men face naturally angers them, but as loose cultivators, they feel more helpless than anything.

This might be the tragedy loose cultivators face against powerful forces.

Lin Feng said, ”Once we reach Holy Temple City, you can find me at the Spirit Array Master Holy Temple. I’ll help you find jobs.”

”Haha, we’ll have to thank Brother Lin by then,” Niu Dajiang and the others laughed.

Clearly, they didn’t take Lin Feng’s words seriously, as they assumed he was also seeking refuge.

His own future was uncertain.

How could he arrange jobs for a dozen people?

Niu Dajiang and the others just thought Lin Feng was young and, like many young people, enjoyed boasting, so they didn’t mind.

”Look at that Lin Feng, chatting happily with a bunch of guards. What a vulgar person,” Liu Lishui couldn’t help but sneer.

Zhao Ling’er, somewhat displeased, said, ”It’s not very dignified to talk behind someone’s back, Brother Liu.”

Liu Lishui’s face darkened slightly, and he said, ”Ling’er, you’re going a bit too far.”

”Second brother, say no more,” Liu Shige glared at Liu Lishui. He was pursuing Zhao Ling’er and didn’t want any discord between her and Liu Lishui.

If Zhao Ling’er disliked him because of Liu Lishui, wouldn’t that be unjust?

Liu Lishui ceased speaking with a sullen face.

Zhang Hanxuan tried to ease the situation with a smile, ”We’ve been friends for years; there’s no need to hurt our camaraderie over an outsider.”

Zhao Ling’er nodded and let the matter drop.

...

The group had been traveling in the Primordial Ancient Forest for ten days. Though they encountered some fierce beast attacks, they were fortunately unharmed thanks to the presence of three Eternal Giants.

Until the thirteenth day in the Primordial Ancient Forest, when they encountered trouble.

They were surrounded by a dense array of forest giants.

These forest giants stood at least thirty or forty meters tall, with some of the larger ones reaching a height of a hundred meters.

Known for their ferocity, witnessing these forest giants turned many people’s faces pale with fear.