194 Fickle Hearts

Several hundred meters away from the Luzon Clan entourage, three black-clothed men could be seen on tree branches.Their bodies looked like mist and they melded with the shadows of the leaves above them.The only trace of their existence was their crimson eyes that eerily floated in the air that stared at the Luzon Clan."Shadow, what do you think, should we commence the plan now?" The man at the left side mumbled, his tone filled with impatience."He's right, Shadow. The Emperor ordered us to retreat as fast as possible after completing this mission, if we let them go too far, it would take us longer to return." The man at the right supported his comrade's claims. His voice leaked a hint of killing intent.Shadow, who stood at the center glanced at the two and said, "Mist, Darkness, both of you. Don't be so impatient.""Do you really think that Mathias, the Headmaster of the Paradyne Academy would let such a fat piece of lamb go?"The man at the left, referred to as Mist replied in a confused tone, "And why would he do that, Shadow? Didn't he say that he would let them go? Why would he break his promise and hurt his pride?"Darkness at the right nodded his head in support and Shadow rubbed his aching temples.'Despite being so intelligent and knowledgeable in battle, these guys are too dull when it comes to mind games.'"Do you really think that something like a verbal promise cannot be broken? That's just naive thinking! Anyone is willing to risk their life for wealth much less, dignity."He shook his head and the two finally understood what he meant. Realizing this, the two of them turned towards Shadow and said, "Shadow, could it be that the Emperor sent us here for...""Yes, that's right..." Shadow nodded his head,"A fall of the clan wasn't something that can easily recover from, the Emperor would rather pillage their resources for himself than to gamble on the Luzon Clan's comeback."Mist intervened, "But I don't understand, the Luzon Clan is one of the most loyal clans to the Emperor, why would he do such a shameful thing?"Shadow bitterly chuckled, "In this world, resources and wealth are the most important things that even relatives are willing to kill each other for it..."His words seemed to have awakened something deep within his comrades' heart as the three of them went silent.The Luzon Clan continued on their journey towards the faraway Desert Wilderness Bazaar, where they could temporarily stay and recover.Even though most members of the clan were injured, with the help of Heavenly Materials and medicinal pills, they went on unimpeded.Jamie held a parchment on his palm that shone in a faint golden light. Unfolding the parchment, three faint dots could be seen on it."Patriarch, it seems like there are three people following us from behind. Judging from the light of the dots, their cultivation is at the Peak Divine Soul Realm."Jamie whispered towards the Patriarch and the latter nodded his head, "Since they're not doing anything to us and are keeping a safe distance, they should be the protectors that the Emperor sent for us."A smile broke out of his lips, "With this, our journey will become somewhat easy, since we don't have to worry about the pursuers from the Paradyne Academy."Jamie stared at the zealous light of loyalty shining through the Patriarch's eyes. A sense of premonition surged in his mind.He understood well about how ruthless the Emperor could become for the sake of his Empire.What if the Emperor sent those experts to kill us before the Paradyne Academy could?Sweat dripped down his forehead, even with his Divine Soul Cultivation, he wasn't confident that he could beat experts with higher experience than him.He turned towards the Patriarch, but after seeing his shining eyes. He shook his head and decided to keep his thoughts to himself.A kilometer away from the Luzon Clan, Dan and Natalie carefully pursued. Their movements looked carefree, but under the veil of the tree branches and the dim light from the sinking sun, their figures looked hazy.Manipulating negative energies and around their bodies, they merged with the darkness and inhibited their aura and breathing.Natalie wielded her soft sword that looked like a flexible snake, while Dan observed her expression.[The target is under the influence of Negative Energy.][Effects: Heightened Senses, Excitement and Arousal. Duration: Unknown.]Her expression looked glazed and her breathing, laboured. Chilling winds enveloped her body that could sent shivers down the spines of anyone."Dear, do you feel anything strange? Are you okay?" Dan asked with concern.Natalie turned towards him and said, "Of course, I am doing fine, what are you saying suddenly?"Dan shook his head: "Your cheeks looks as bright as an apple and your breathing is ragged, your hand that's holding your weapon is trembling..."Natalie was taken aback for a moment before regaining her ccomposure. Suppressing the murderous desires within her body, she said."The truth is, I'm not really fine. Ever since, I absorbed someone else's cultivation, strange thoughts kept on appearing in my mind.""I can normally suppress them but whenever i think about revenge or killing, they simultaneously appear and fill me up...""I'm afraid that I may become something or someone that you'll hate and feel ashamed of."Natalie hung her head low and deflated like a balloon. Her expression revealed hints of fear and worry.Dan lightly smiled, Natalie's honesty astonished him and he stretched his hand out and pinched her puffed cheeks."What are you saying? We're family, you know? Even if you became a killing machine or a Slaughtered, you would still be the Natalie that I adore..."His words stunned Natalie and she moved her head into his chest, asking for a gentle embrace and a round of headpats that Dan gladly bestowed.Afterwards, the two separated and continued their pursuit.At the distance, Natalie spotted the hidden figures of three experts standing on tree branches."They're at the Peak Divine Soul Realm, most likely the Emperor's men. As long as we can surprise them, there's a chance that we can defeat them.""Dear, I'll take care of the one on the left and you go and suppress the other two for fifteen breaths.""After I'm done, we'll swiftly retreat, and if our sneak attack fails. We'll also retreat. Fifteen breaths is enough." Natalie mumbled in a confident voice."Fifteen breaths? Are you sure about that, Dear? We can just attack them together."Dan expressed his concern, fifteen breaths wasn't a short time but it wasn't long either.And the two of them were merely at the Peak of the Spirit Tempering Realm, can they really jump a whole realm and Assassinate these three experts at the Peak of the Divine Soul?Natalie saw through his worries and sweetly smiled, "Don't be so worried, Dear. It's impossible for me to kill them, but severely injuring them is possible..."Dan's countenance brightened, nodding his head, the two of them dashed at the three. figures with their weapons drawn and killing intent soaring towards the skies!