"Lord Locke, you're here."
When Locke arrived at the guild, an elderly man smiled and bowed as he came forward.
"My apologies, President Ross. I was delayed by some matters and kept you waiting."
"Nonsense, nonsense. It is my honor to receive Lord Locke's attention."
"I've already prepared a carriage for you, please, please come this way."
President Ross smiled as he led Locke to a lavish-looking carriage. Pulling aside the curtain, he asked, "Lord Locke, does this carriage meet your satisfaction? If not, I can have another prepared immediately."
"President Ross, this carriage is more than fine. There's no need to trouble yourself further."
Hearing this, Ross visibly relaxed.
"Then I won't disturb your rest, Lord Locke."
"Mm. President Ross, if there's anything you need on the way, don't hesitate to let me know."
"Hahaha, thank you, Lord Locke."
President Ross laughed heartily. After all, all his efforts boiled down to this one sentence of acknowledgment.
The Ross Guild was the same guild Locke had entrusted with delivering his family's letter.
The Frost Snow Empire was vast.
After all, it was a super-empire established by gods, uniting an entire dimension.
Over a hundred years ago, the Light Temple's deities invaded the Wakanda dimension, establishing the Light Temple and waging wars with the Frost Snow Empire for faith. As a result, the empire lost four layers of its territory.
Yet even so, the Frost Snow Empire, occupying more than half a dimension, was no smaller than Earth where Locke had once lived.
Locke's hometown lay in Enzo Territory.
Like Vidia Territory, Enzo Territory was also ruled by a Frost Snow Empire duke.
Both Vidia and Enzo had been Sanctuary-level strongholds for centuries.
Traveling from Vidia Territory to Enzo Territory would take at least a month, even at full speed.
Since Locke had decided to live as a free wanderer, he did not wish to rough it.
Having already experienced a month of escape, he had no desire to endure such hardship again. So, he contacted a guild traveling to Enzo Territory to hitch a ride.
Coincidentally, the Ross Guild, having delivered Locke's letter before, reached out upon learning of his plans, hoping for his patronage.
After all, Locke had shown them his Fifth Legion badge when requesting their help.
A Level-6 mage could, in certain circumstances, intimidate more effectively than an ordinary Level-7 warrior.
After all, the attack range of a mage far exceeded that of a warrior.
With Locke's protection, the Ross Guild could transport far more valuable goods.
Perhaps this journey's profits alone could surpass a year's revenue for the guild.
All the Ross Guild had to do was provide a luxury carriage for Locke and attend to his needs along the way.
Ross then coordinated with other guilds wishing to travel to Enzo Territory.
However, with Locke accompanying the caravan, any guild wishing to hitch a ride had to pay Ross Guild a fee.
Soon, the arrangements were complete, and the caravan set off.
Counting carefully, over forty heavily loaded carriages formed a long line heading toward Enzo Territory.
Around them, more than a hundred warriors patrolled.
Although none were Level-7 elites, all were at least mid-level warriors above Level-3.
Such a massive caravan naturally drew attention.
Some shrewd merchants, having learned the caravan's destination, bought goods and trailed behind at a distance.
In their eyes, anyone daring to organize such a large convoy must have strong escorts.
By following at a distance, they could ensure their own safety.
After the main convoy left the city, over twenty additional loaded carriages straggled behind.
Of course, these trailing merchants, having paid no fees to Ross, would be chased off if they came too close.
No one wanted to contribute effort for free, only to be secretly mocked.
This massive caravan didn't just attract independent merchants—it also caught the attention of bandits between Vidia and Enzo Territories.
Along the route, travelers occasionally glimpsed shadows moving through the mountains and forests.
Yet neither the main Ross caravan nor the twenty-vehicle trailing group were easy targets for ordinary bandits.
When faced with such a large convoy, bandits would often unite to attack.
Both caravan and bandits were well aware of this strategy.
Until the bandits gathered, the caravan was perfectly safe.
…
It had to be said: President Ross excelled at hosting Locke.
Not only did Locke ride in the most luxurious carriage, but the food was also plentiful.
After reaching Level-7, Locke spent less time analyzing spells, focusing more on refining mana and enhancing spirit force.
He aimed to reach Sanctuary as quickly as possible.
At that level, with a Sanctuary-grade spirit force, deciphering spells and grasping law fragments would be far faster.
Only upon reaching Sanctuary could he fully unleash the power of his comprehended law fragments, greatly amplifying his strength.
Below Sanctuary, a weak spirit force could not sustain Heaven-Man Unity for long.
Whether grasping or utilizing law fragments, spirit force—soul power—was fundamental.
Naturally, understanding law fragments before reaching Sanctuary allowed one's spirit force to be tempered and rapidly strengthened.
The more fragments mastered, the stronger the growth.
Locke's case exemplified this.
His water affinity was only moderate.
Ordinarily, with his talent, he might not touch the Level-7 barrier until after forty.
Yet, because he had comprehended a fragment of the Illusionary fog law, his spirit force was tempered by the laws of heaven and earth, allowing him to reach Level-5 advanced mage at eighteen.
Now, at twenty-four, he had become a Level-7 Grand Mage.
If word got out, Locke would surely be hailed as a once-in-millennia genius.
(End of Chapter 8)