A new direction

While Isaac and Dustin had their fun training and talking about yams, fights for survival took place near Pritwood city. The Leigh family is undeniable a family steadily rising to the top of the chain, but the Dahar family isn't behind by much. While a direct confrontation between the two would destroy them mutually, they could still battle on other battlefields.

The income of important families come from taxes. Mortals and enforcers that live under their 'jurisdiction' pay them for living and selling their products, from alchemy and blacksmithing to farming and leatherworking. The better their numbers are, the more money would flow to their coffers. Usually, they would protect them and encourage their business through investing. If the enemy was too 'strong,' things like company sabotage weren't uncommon.

"FASTER! THE ENEMY IS APPROACHING!" Shouted a person on the back of a wagon. "PREPARE THE SHIELDING TALISMANS!" He wore red robes, a Saber sheathed on his hip, and flames engulfing his forearms.

A carriage pulled by giant lizards carrying ores and workers raced through a forest against time. They were members of the Leigh family working at the mines approximately 40 kilometers away from the city. It yields iron and, on rare occasions, mithril ore, a light yet strong metal perfect for weapons.

As this is usually a sensible cargo, foundation establishment warriors do guardian duty every time they move in or out of the mine to protect the workers and the goods. And as the last layer of protection, land drakes are the ones pulling the carriage. Rank 2 spiritual beasts like these are a good deterrent for other animals. Sadly, there are times where the enemy is too strong.

After roaring the order, the man unsheathed his Saber and deflected an arrow that flew to his head. But didn't notice a small needle flying from behind, striking his calf.

"FUCK!" He tried to remove it, but it dissolved inside his body and spread like poison.

Another arrow was about to finish the job, but a milky white energy shield protected him. The man bit his lip and readied his stance.

"Took too long Mikhael," After a quick laugh, flames engulfed his body as he readied his technique.

"Yeah, yeah, let's discuss that after we get out alive, James." Another man with similar clothes and burning legs stood at his back, holding his Saber with cold light on his eyes.

In an instant, eight robbed figures jumped towards them with shortswords in their hands, while more arrows flew towards them from several directions. James released a flaming sword slash that lit some of the attackers in flames. Mikhael did the same and stabbed the closest one in the head, ending in a single move.

But their victory was short, as arrows pierced Mikhael's throat and abdomen. James tried to protect his dying comrade, just to get diced into pieces by the attackers.

"How many went down?" Asked one of the figures after landing on the roof of the carriage.

"Two of us, sir." Another one bowed and cupped his hands. "They were careless and overconfident."

"This is a lesson for the living ones, don't get cocky." The man snorted and approached the driver, a poor foundation establishment man that didn't resist after a single slash. "Secure the goods and the prisoners. We're moving to the safe house."

Similar scenes happened through the Leigh family's domains over the days after Isaac's intervention. It didn't take a genius to know that the Dahar family was behind the mess, but other families would only involve themselves if the fight became 'too public' or if the gain was substantial.

The great majority of the attacks succeeded, leaving no trace of the cargo, the missing people, or the assailant's identities. The small number of surviving convoys told that the group got made by foundation establishment warriors led by a mysterious figure.

---

"What were today's losses?" Dixon asked, eyes focused on the sheet of paper in front of him.

"Bandits are attacking our supply chains from the eastern mines, and several members of our crafting guild got kidnapped." A black-robed figure kneeling in front of him spoke. "The alchemists' association got severely hit due to a disease spreading through their herbs, and young master Trucy suffered an assassination attempt on her way here. She is safe and sound. Our forces managed to rescue her."

"The Dahar are getting bold these days." He tiredly sighed. After quickly channeling the Adarna stance, he calmed down again.

The damage that the Dahar family was making was by no means insignificant. Far from it, their business and trustworthiness were dropping as a consequence of this. As his final resort, he had to buy products from his competitors to give his workers a chance to finish their quotas and not lose too much money. But Dixon had a plan.

-This technique is well paired with the Spirit beast and Spiritual herbs codexes. If we can't pour our resources into blacksmithing and alchemy, let's pursue another path.- He thought to himself, looking at a window to the backyard. He saw his son sparring with the Mann boy near the 'fields.

He was surprised not only by Isaac and Dustin's progress but the potential that the plants could have if they could mass-produce them.

After tapping the desk with his pen, the man used his spiritual sense to read the letter. After that, he tapped his right foot twice and did a small hand sign.

Dixon had written with the family's secret language: "how's the secret forces' training?" The answer was a resounding 'excellent.' The technique's power was more than Isaac made it seem. The difference between cultivation methods was like heaven and earth. However, cultivating the Sun splitting Saber was easier. Especially to those that didn't build their Astral gate.

The Sun splitting Saber involved channeling the Sun's power into the body to advance to energy condensation, build a strong sun pillar in Foundation establishment, open a gate to the Sun during Astral gate, and hopefully forming a star using this energy at Star formation. That was the end of it.

But the Path of the spiritual guardian went beyond that. Not only describing how to breakthrough but when and how to prepare for the next one. From creating multiple stars during Star formation to drawing a powerful constellation to ascend to the heavens.

The skills inside the method were top-notch as well. After Samantha and Duarte did a preliminary test using this fighting style, they noticed that their fighting prowess would be far superior to anyone on their level. Even if they had to abandon the Saber that their family treasured for generations, the sheer versatility of the Path of the spiritual guardian made up for it.

From relentless close moves using the Infernal Bear stance, the defensive options from the Earth Dragon turtle, The crowd control and healing capabilities from the dancing Adarna, and mobility mixed with ranged attacks from the Kun Peng.

More testing was needed to see if the new plants depend on the technique or if others could replicate it, but that still gave him hope. After thinking for some time, he wrote another note in the secret language and left it on the desk before heading out.

"Begin buying lands, farms, and cattle. Have members of the special forces cultivate the young and talented using the new techniques. Try to be discreet. There are eyes everywhere." The black-robbed figure nodded to himself and burned the letter with a hand move. Then, the man disappeared after opening a window.

Farming is a necessity for mortals and low-leveled cultivators. However, after foundation establishment, cultivators don't need to eat to survive. That's why blacksmithing, alchemy, and premium goods like spirit stones, beasts' carcasses, and spirit cores dominate the market. However, Isaac changed the game. If Dixon could start a business using his methods and crops, the Leigh family could pass this tribulation with flying colors.

-Everything will fall into place eventually, and this family will rise to the heavens...A father can't be more proud of his sons.- After a quick chuckle, he disappeared in a streak of light. He needed to take care of some pests before implementing his ideas.