Listening intently, they could indeed hear the faint sound of wheels, indicating that their targets were about to appear!

This was an exhilarating moment, and every bandit held their breath. For fear of detection, they had even set up wards on both sides of their ambush. Everything was prepared; they were just waiting for the caravan to walk into the trap!

Meanwhile, on the other side, upon spotting the "Yin Feng Gorge" from afar, Zakharov’s brow furrowed. Based on his years of roaming experience, this terrain was perfectly suited for an ambush!

The moon was high and the wind cold now, lending an extra layer of gloom to the "Yin Feng Gorge"! "Everyone, be alert! We're crossing this gorge quickly!" Zakharov suddenly shouted back to the convoy. Though he said this, the speed of the convoy actually slowed down even more than before! Everyone felt the tension in the air, their hands gripping their weapons tighter.

As they proceeded cautiously with heightened defenses, the bandits hidden among the strange rocks were also poised for an attack! A fierce battle was about to unfold!

And just then, the small merchant group, including Zhong Shenxiu, gradually caught up. Because they had fewer people and lighter carriages, their speed was significantly faster than those large caravans; catching up was entirely normal!

At this moment, both John and Abel noticed the large caravan ahead, and a flicker of joy ignited in their hearts. If they could travel alongside the large caravan, the journey would be much safer, as such large groups invariably had superior security measures, capable of easily turning danger into safety even when facing bandits! Go! Driven by this thought, the two urged their convoy to speed up, heading toward the larger group. However, inside the carriage, Zhong Shenxiu revealed a playful smile. "Young Master, should we give them a warning?" Xia Luo inquired.

With their current strength, they could all sense the bandits lying in ambush several li away, yet none of them displayed the slightest sign of panic!

For beings as monstrously powerful as them, no matter how many bandits there were, they posed absolutely no threat because the level disparity was too vast. Even if every single bandit were composed entirely of "Grade B Combatants," it wouldn't change a thing! "You decide, then!" Zhong Shenxiu leaned back, once again collapsing into Robin’s arms, his expression carrying a hint of roguish abandon.

Fortunately, those who knew him understood that he wasn't intentionally taking advantage of Robin, and even if he wanted to, Robin would willingly submit! --,III

Xia Luo hesitated slightly now. If she warned John and the others, it would inevitably cause some panic and might even delay their journey. But if she remained silent, John and his group might suffer a sudden fright, though she could guarantee this caravan's safety one hundred percent!

Meanwhile, the large caravan had also spotted the small one behind them. A guard immediately ran to Zakharov to report: "Captain, there's a carriage approaching us from behind; looks like a small merchant group!"

"A small merchant group?" A look of hesitation crossed Zakharov's face. Why did this small caravan show up now, right as they were about to pass through the "Yin Feng Gorge," and not earlier or later? Could there be some conspiracy? Caution is the mother of long life!

Zakharov immediately stopped and said to the reporting guard, "Go, take me to see!" "Uncle Zakharov, are people trying to rob the cargo?" Wennar inquired, having sensed an unusual atmosphere. "Third Young Master, you and Yehut stay here and keep watch. I'll go take a look!" As he spoke, Zakharov mounted his white tiger and headed toward the rear of the convoy. Because of this delay, the entire caravan came to a standstill!

The bandits lying in ambush were inwardly furious. If only they had taken a few more steps, we could have acted immediately! they thought. Could they have discovered us?

Various doubts began to surface in the minds of the bandits, but unlike them, the scar-faced man commanding the operation remained calm behind the strange rocks, completely unperturbed by the caravan halting.

In truth, he was indeed a "Grade B Combatant," and one who had only emerged from the "Access Point" a few months ago!

Previously, he was just an exceedingly ordinary thief, possessing neither fame nor formidable strength. However, during his survival struggles in the "Alternate Dimension," he underwent earth-shattering changes; not only had his strength increased several times over, but his very temperament had transformed completely!

In the battles against the Demon Insects, he had learned composure and unflappability! Although he didn't know why the caravan suddenly stopped, he was certain they hadn't detected the ambush here!

Back to Zakharov, under his gaze, John and the others finally drew near and slowed their pace. "Hello, I am the person in charge of this small caravan; my name is John..." Fearing misunderstanding, John quickly announced his identity first. Zakharov observed them and, finding nothing suspicious, asked, "Where are you headed?"

John quickly answered all his questions and tactfully requested permission to travel alongside the large caravan.

Zakharov saw that the small caravan had no escorts (Zhong Shenxiu and the others remained unseen inside the carriage), and he understood John's intentions.

Because some small caravans run on lean profits, many forgo hiring mercenaries to save expenses. Moreover, many tend to trail behind larger caravans simply to benefit from their protection!

"We are not responsible for your safety, and we ask that you maintain a certain distance from our caravan!" Zakharov stated plainly. While this sounded like a refusal, it was effectively an indirect agreement for John’s group to follow!

John nodded vigorously in agreement. Immediately, Zakharov returned to the front of the column, and the caravan resumed its forward movement!

The waiting bandits finally grew excited again. The caravan was now squarely within their kill zone, awaiting only the commander's signal!

However, the scar-faced man remained poised where he lay, his brow slightly furrowed. He suddenly had a very bad premonition, causing him to hesitate in giving the final order! But he scanned the area for a long time and failed to spot anyone in the caravan that concerned him. Could this just be a false alarm?

In that brief moment, he considered letting the caravan pass, but recalling the half-month of preparation and the critical importance of this haul, he quickly dismissed the thought!

He needed to amass his power in the shortest possible time; supplies were an indispensable factor. In reality, he wasn't overly obsessed with power, but rather took up his old trade out of sheer necessity for survival.

Since he had only recently emerged from the "Access Point," he understood one thing more clearly than most: this world would soon face a massive catastrophe! Countless Demon Insects would sweep across every corner of the land!

The "Access Point" expanded daily, and many super Demon Insects from the alternate dimension were gathering near its entrance. Once the "Access Point" grew large enough for them to pass through, this world would swiftly be overrun by the insects!

Before that moment arrived, the scar-faced man needed to gather as much strength as possible; only then would he have a greater chance of survival! He was acutely aware of the terror of the Demon Insects; if not for his luck and vigilance, he would have long since become insect excrement with his meager strength! A piercing beast cry suddenly erupted from his throat—the command to attack!

In that instant, the bandits hidden behind the strange rocks sprang out, brandishing various weapons, rushing down like a flood toward the stunned caravan!

"Ambush! Everyone, be careful!" Zakharov roared, golden-yellow Dou Qi erupting around him.

This was a contest between offense and defense. The bandits clearly held the advantage in timing, terrain, and numbers, suppressing the resistance of the "Tiger Leap Mercenary Group" in mere moments!

The battle instantly reached a fever pitch, filled with incessant shouts and constant cries of agony!

Because they maintained a distance from the large caravan, John’s small group wasn't immediately engulfed by the bandits’ onslaught, yet they were situated frighteningly close to the fighting, vulnerable to collateral damage at any second!

John and Abel were both paralyzed with terror. To be honest, this was the first time they had witnessed such a brutal battle at such close range. Watching the continuous stream of falling bodies, both men trembled, unable to utter a word!

It wasn't just them; the drivers responsible for the horses were also stunned into inaction by the sudden turn of events, forgetting to flee, staring blankly ahead!

The chaos lasted for nearly a minute before some of the bandits finally turned their attention toward John’s group.

"Brothers, there are stragglers over there! Follow me and we'll finish them off!" a ferocious-looking brute shouted, leading the charge.

Behind him, two dozen companions followed. In their eyes, John's group were mere lambs ready for slaughter; they had no defensive measures, and judging by their stunned expressions, they clearly had no experience with such a scene!

John and Abel could only tremble uncontrollably as the twenty-odd bandits charged toward them, their faces turning deathly pale!

But just then, Xia Luo's voice drifted over from behind: "Don't worry, we're here!"

Only then did John and Abel remember that they had hired mercenaries, and very formidable ones at that. They immediately looked behind them!

Not far behind the two of them, the entire contingent of the "Misty Mercenary Group" stood arrayed. Their calm expressions stood in stark contrast to John and Abel's terror! Their matching uniforms fluttered in the wind, looking incredibly heroic!

It seemed the "Misty Mercenary Group" was about to warm up! (Oh yeah~) F