Damien saw that the man in front of him was accompanied by another man and a woman who were also in the same age group as the man. Both the men had good looking features while the woman had a slender and voluptuous figure enough to make men drool upon seeing her.

The people dispersed as soon as they saw these three approaching Damien thinking that there was no point in lingering any longer.

They discussed among each other,

"Aren't those three the famous Fearless Trio?

"Are you blind? Is there even a need to ask? Who won't recognize the best Earth Ethereal Realm experts in our empire? The guy on the front, Marcus was the best core disciple in the Imperial Ethereal Court during his young days. In fact, these three were the best of the best and they passed out together from the Imperial Ethereal Court."

"Of course I know about that. They were no less than geniuses. I even heard rumors about how they can even escape from a Sky Ethereal Realm beast without a scratch though no one has any idea how."

..

Damien saw that the guy behind Marcus had a heroic and daring vibe, and it seemed as if the woman and the man were a couple. He noticed that the woman was coming from a well off family while the guy beside her seemed to be coming from a modest family by observing their bearings.

However, he noticed that the man leading them had a sly glint hidden deep within his eyes.

Just by looking into one's eyes, Damien would get a kind of gut feeling letting him know what kind of person he is looking at.

There wasn't any special reason, but it was the type of feeling nurtured after experiencing an innumerable amount of people trying to kill him, having the knowledge of every type of evil, and being on the brink of death countless times.

And he could tell that this Marcus guy wasn't definitely a man with principles despite the facade he was putting up.

Damien spoke in a deep voice, "What makes you so confident you can face those Sky Ethereal Realm beasts with your cultivation?"

Marcus's expression didn't change but maintained his confident smile, "With all due respect Sir Alchemist, why don't you let us worry about that? We have dedicated most of our life adventuring away in dangerous regions all over the empire and it has basically become a way of life for us. We will get what you want and we will only ask for payment once the job is done. If we fail, there's nothing to lose."

Damien replied, "Wrong. This mission requires you all to escort me to the right place safely since only I know how to extract the required herb. Right now I am preparing my ethereal core for a breakthrough, so my ethereal cultivation is temporarily restricted to a lower realm. That is why I need protection as well while you three make your way there."

Marcus frowned a bit while the couple behind him was slightly surprised, and it seemed as if they were also thinking about Damien's proposal.

But Marcus' expression returned to normal, "Sir Alchemist, till when would you be unable to use your cultivation? Is it necessary we must collect the herb before you are able to use your cultivation again?"

Damien responded casually, "Yes, the herb is very rare and will only be in full bloom for these 10 days and god knows how many years it would take for the next one to bloom. Otherwise, I could have collected it myself easily after these ten days."

Marcus had a pondering expression for a while and turned around to the couple behind him. They both nodded with a determined look when Marcus looked at them.

He sighed and said with a smile, "Alright, it won't be a problem. Life won't be entertaining without a few challenges after all. We will use this opportunity to hone ourselves, isn't that right guys?" He looked at his friends as he asked.

"Of course, it would be our pleasure to protect you, Sir Alchemist Azrael." The woman replied in an slightly excited tone and her boyfriend nodded while looking at Damien with reverence.

The couple were thrilled inwardly that they get to accept a mission where they had the chance to earn massive amount of wealth but also because they felt it an honor to protect the reputed Alchemist Azrael. Maybe, they could even possibly form some connections with him.

Marcus said to Damien pointing at the woman, "These two are my trusted friends and mates. The name of this pretty lady here is Emily and this good looking chap is my good brother named Leo. We three have been through thick and thin for more than a dozen years and I wouldn't hesitate to trust my life in the hands of these two good people." He said with a proud expression.

The couple were moved and had a warm expression on their face hearing his words.

Leo said in an earnest tone, "Brother Marcus, you have been like our big brother who has taken care of us ever since those old days at the Imperial Ethereal Court. We also wouldn't hesitate to do the same for you."

Marcus laughed as he patted Leo's shoulder, "Gosh...that's enough, you guys are embarrassing me. We are in the presence of Sir Alchemist Azrael, don't make me lose face haha."

The couple wryly smiled realizing they were being sentimental in front of a stranger and laughed it off.

'Oh god...how much gullible can these two be?' Damien shook his head inwardly.

"Then since it is all set, I will contact you within this week so that we can set out to the Wailing Woodland." Damien didn't waste his time anymore and went on his way after exchanging messaging talismans with them.

He wasn't worried that Marcus might try something during the journey. In fact, Damien felt that it couldn't be more perfect.

He actually didn't have much hope of finding someone to escort him through the Wailing Woodland region but still simply decided to try his luck out before he thought of some other plan. However, it went smoother than he expected.

——

The same night,

"Big Brother Damien, you are saying you won't be able to come here for three days?" Valentina asked anxiously.

Damien sighed as he said, "Yes, I would be away for these three days because of some urgent work. But don't worry when I come back there would be surprise presents for you haha."

Valentina smiled, "Hehe I don't mind as long as Big Brother returns."

——

It was morning the next day,

"Thank you for the class, as usual, Master." Lily giggled.historical

"You seem to be in a good mood. I take it that everything went well with Alchemist Azrael?" Damien asked as he raised one of his brows.

Lily's eyes sparkled as she said, "Yes, things couldn't have been better. You were right, Alchemist Azrael exceeded my expectations. He is the only one who said that it was not impossible to cure the Ancestor. Now I just have to wait for him to get ready to cure the Ancestor."

"Great, I couldn't be happier for you." He said cheerfully.

Damien paused for a moment as he continued, "By the way, Lily there's some other thing I would like to say."

Lily's expression suddenly became a little stiff hearing Damien's serious tone, "What do you want to say?" She asked in a tense tone.