Everyone in the newly formed Unit 4 was making preparations.
In Purple Night's room, she was going over several situations and deciding which talismans she might need to use. While looking over her current stock of materials for talisman crafting, she saw that she was running low on rune paper and specialized ink for talisman crafting.
*Buying anything here is way too expensive compared to the markets in the bigger cities. For now, this limited amount of talismans will have to last until our next stop.*
In another room, Death Sword was resonating with both of his swords. Yet, one could tell that this was also a form of training for Death Sword. As a cultivator who had embarked on the path of the sword cultivator, his will, soul, and mind had become as sharp as the sword he wielded.
Jagged didn't have a room for himself. Instead, he had a more open chamber where he could slash and murder wild beasts.
Since he came from a clan that lived for murder and slaughter, killing other cultivators or beasts helped calm Jagged's mind from scattering even further.
The room that had been prepared for Sifir had nothing out of the ordinary.
Yet, something felt off about the room.
It seemed to be too "ordinary."
Being raised in a big clan like the Midnight Clan, Sifir could never overlook anything that might be a coincidence or simply be there without reason. In many stories he had heard, it was the places that seemed simple that were the most deadly.
After looking over the room, Sifir was thrown back to his time in the Midnight Clan.
For the briefest of moments, Sifir remembered going on a mission that was supposed to be simple with a few of his kinsmen.
They had made it known that being part of the Midnight Clan meant living or dying on your own.
Help had to be earned, not given.
During the mission, they visited a clan that the Midnight Clan had given authority to govern one of its regions. However, this clan had become unruly within its region.
Their haughty young master, who was the clan leader's son, thought far too highly of himself.
This was when Sifir understood the meaning of *you live on your own and die on your own.*
For lack of better words, that haughty young master got beaten to a pulp, and the cultivators who were with him received the same treatment.
Later, word reached the clan leader that his son had been disrespectful toward the Midnight Clan envoys.
That same haughty young master was beaten to a pulp again—this time by his own father.
From that point onward, Sifir decided to choose his actions and words more carefully.
Sifir came back to his senses and looked over the room again.
Still, he could not find anything that was off.
Yet, his senses told him not to let his guard down.
Now, he thought about his new team.
Especially the interactions among his new teammates. They seemed both close and distant at the same time.
Death Sword and Purple Night had a certain understanding between them, while Jagged was probably a cause-and-effect kind of pawn.
He knew he needed to get his mental state into its proper condition.
Not wasting any more time, he sat on the floor and entered a light meditation trance.
Time passed quickly.
As soon as dawn broke, Unit 4 departed from the location of the Elder's building.
Unit 4 made quick work of leaving the Elder's range of influence. Once they were a good distance away, the team took a short break to look at the map and determine the best route.
Everyone gathered around Death Sword, who was holding the map.
Purple Night looked at Death Sword as she gathered her words.
"Death Sword, we are currently in the middle of the Sunchaser and Midnight Clan border. If we move south, we will end up in Night Clan territory. We have two options. The first option is to go to the Port of Cuban Lynxs. The second option is to go north, where we can enter Black Port and cross to the Everlasting Continent. It is located at the tip of Midnight Clan territory."
"That is true, Purple Night. If we take the northern route, we will be forced to enter Silver Lake City as well before we can reach Black Port."
"Silver Lake City? I just happen to need to collect a favor from that city lord. I, Jagged, can never leave a favor unchecked."
Both Death Sword and Purple Night looked at Jagged with annoyance. Even though their masks covered their faces, their reactions were obvious.
Sifir looked at all of this with indifference.
"Fall Night, what is your opinion on this matter?"
"Purple Night, the quickest route would be whichever one doesn't make our journey to either the Port of Cuban Lynxs or Black Port troublesome."
Purple Night simply stared at Sifir with her hand on her hip, waiting for him to continue speaking.
"You might be seeking a more specific answer. Am I right?"
"You are right, Fall Night."
Purple Night placed both hands on her hips, clearly annoyed.
"Since that is the case, in my humble but very accurate opinion, going to Black Port would be best. It is the closest port to the Everlasting Continent.
"Going to the Port of Cuban Lynxs in Night Clan territory would give us the most trouble. We do have another option. We should take this route through the Rainy Mist Forest, which will take us to the Seven Element Mountain Range. This should cut our travel time in half."
"Fall Night, is this route a little dangerous? Most cultivators who are in the middle stage of the Human Realm cannot pass through the Seven Element Mountain Range."
Purple Night questioned Sifir's sense of direction.
"That is true, Purple Night. However, we don't have to go through the whole mountain range. If we get to the Third Peak and exit from there, we should have no issues getting to Silver Lake City within three days at most."
"Death Sword, what is your opinion on this matter?"
Purple Night gave Death Sword a knowing look.
"It does have some merit to it. Fall Night, could you please explain why you chose the Third Peak instead of the Sixth or Seventh Peak?"
"Death Sword and Purple Night must know that each peak has its own dangers and monsters. The Third Peak is unpredictable. So, you never know if you will encounter the strongest or the weakest beast there. It also gives us a chance to hone a few skills if needed. In addition, if there are any people tracking us, it will give us enough cover."
"Why would there be people following us, Fall Night?" Purple Night asked curiously.
"Simply put, since the Elder had requested someone from the Midnight Clan, that information should have been leaked or gathered by now. Many clans remain uncertain about the Elder's true intentions. Why wouldn't they send people to follow us?"
Sifir showed no signs of change. He was calmer than before.
"That is a good answer. Yet, that was not the answer I was looking for, Fall Night. You might be smart, and playing clever might work on cultivators who don't care for schemes."
Purple Night's eyes glowed with a soft hue of dark purple through her mask, and her voice carried an almost tempting tone.
"Let me tell you now, there is only one rule in this unit. Strength dictates everything."
"I will remember this lesson today, Purple Night."
Sifir replied flatly, with even more indifference than before.
"Fall Night, I am starting to like you a little more and more. A few adjustments to that dry personality of yours, and you might become more tolerable. Yet, you still have a lot to prove to us. Isn't that right, Death Sword?"
"Yes. Purple Night will be looking over you, Fall Night. When we split our four-man unit into two-man units, Jagged will come with me. For now, let's make a few more options for ourselves."
They continued discussing routes and battle formations.
Unit 5, whose codename was Ghost 1, was not too far from their location. They were watching Unit 4 as they made different arrangements.
"They seem like they don't have a care in the world. Too bad they will not see the light of day after this."
The leader of Unit 5 turned toward the person who had just spoken.
"Shut your mouth! Their mission is just as important as ours. If they fail, so do we. For now, we only have one target. We will not join them in any way, nor will we provide any support."
"Are you sure, Leader?"
With a cold snort, the leader looked at the same person.
"It is not too late to request someone else from one of the other Ghost units. Because you will be dead if you ask me another stupid question."
The rest of the members remained silent.
They continued watching the other unit from a distance. Since their leader had spoken, they watched and studied the activity around them, knowing that anything could happen.