Traveling Between Two Worlds: From Bread for Maids to Fantasy Overlord

In the early morning of the Azure Mystic Realm, before the thin mist had fully dissipated, ten horse-drawn carriages loaded with modern refined salt and medicine slowly drove away from the inter-realm supply transfer station. Qin Hu, holding a heavy sniper rifle, stood atop one of the carriages, vigilantly scanning his surroundings. After many days of training, he was no longer the naive boy he once was; his posture was upright, his eyes sharp, and the pistol at his waist and the rifle on his back were his most solid foundation.

"Brother Tiger, Black Wind Valley is just ahead. I heard some minor sects have been roaming around here lately. Should we speed things up?" a member of the guard shouted, his tone tinged with wariness. Black Wind Valley is a treacherous place, a vital passage on the dual-realm trade route, and also a frequent haunt of bandits and rogue cultivators.

Qin Hu grinned, patted the heavy sniper rifle in his hand, and said arrogantly, "What are you afraid of? We have the equipment Brother Ming gave us. Let alone small sects, even if those scum from the Black Stone Sect come, we'll make sure they don't leave alive!" Despite his words, he still signaled the guards to speed up and injected spiritual energy into the rifles, preparing for battle—Huang Yiming had repeatedly instructed him that the trade route was crucial to the foundation of both realms and could not afford the slightest mishap.

Just as the carriage was about to leave Black Wind Valley, a piercing shout suddenly came from ahead. Dozens of cultivators dressed in gray robes rushed out from both sides of the valley, wielding swords and knives to block the carriage's path. The leader of the cultivators had a burly face and a murky aura. His cultivation level was at the fourth level of Qi Refining. The insignia of "Azure Wood Sect" was embroidered on his chest, indicating that it was a small sect in the vicinity.

"This road is mine, these trees are mine, if you want to pass, leave your toll!" The leader of the Green Wood Sect cultivators sneered, his gaze sweeping over the goods on the carriage, his eyes filled with greed. "I've heard that Huang Yiming's dual-realm trade route transports all sorts of good stuff. Today, I'll intercept them and taste the 'rare treasures' of the mortal world!"

Qin Hu leaped off the carriage, raised his heavy sniper rifle, and aimed it at the leader. His tone was icy: "If you know what's good for you, get out of the way, or don't blame me for my gun being blind!" He deliberately released a trace of spiritual energy—under Huang Yiming's guidance, he could also absorb a small amount of spiritual energy. Although his cultivation level was low, it was enough to intimidate these low-level cultivators.

The leader of the Green Wood Sect sneered, waving his hand and unleashing a burst of spiritual energy that struck the ground at Qin Hu's feet, creating a small crater: "A mere mortal dares to be arrogant in front of me? Just because you're under Huang Yiming's protection and wield a few ordinary weapons, you think you can contend with cultivators? Today, I'll not only intercept your supplies, but I'll also kill you to teach Huang Yiming a lesson!"

As soon as he finished speaking, dozens of Qingmu Sect cultivators rushed forward, their spiritual energy coiling around their swords, and charged towards the guards and carriages. Qin Hu's eyes narrowed, and he pulled the trigger. The bullet, carrying spiritual energy, whistled out and accurately struck the dantian of the cultivator at the forefront. The cultivator screamed and fell to the ground on the spot, his spiritual energy instantly dissipating.

"Fire!" Qin Hu shouted, and the guards immediately raised their rifles, unleashing a hail of bullets at the Qingmu Sect cultivators. The Qingmu Sect cultivators hadn't expected mortal weapons to be so powerful, and were thrown into disarray. Many were hit by bullets, some falling to the ground seriously injured, others fleeing in disarray.

The leader of the Green Wood Sect's expression changed drastically. He hadn't expected Qin Hu to be so powerful, nor had he anticipated that ordinary weapons could so easily injure a Qi Refining cultivator. He gritted his teeth, channeling all his spiritual energy, a faint green light emanating from his body. His longsword also swirled with spiritual energy as he lunged at Qin Hu: "Boy, I'll fight you to the death!"

Qin Hu dodged to the side, simultaneously pulling the trigger. Several bullets were fired at the leader, but were blocked by his spiritual energy barrier. "Futile!" the leader sneered, swinging his longsword and sending a green spiritual energy blade hurtling towards Qin Hu at incredible speed.

Qin Hu's heart tightened. He had no time to dodge and could only raise his rifle to parry. The spiritual energy blade struck the rifle with a loud bang, and Qin Hu was thrown back two steps, a trickle of blood escaping from the corner of his mouth. Just as the leader seized the opportunity to step forward, intending to kill Qin Hu with a single sword strike, a clear, cold voice suddenly rang out: "Stop!"

Everyone looked up and saw a Qingyun Sect disciple dressed in white, long sword in hand, slowly leaping down from the top of the valley. His aura was pure and powerful, indicating he was a Qi Refining Level 5 cultivator. The Qingmu Sect leader, upon seeing the Qingyun Sect disciple, turned deathly pale. He quickly sheathed his sword and bowed deeply, saying, "This disciple greets the Qingyun Sect Immortal Master. I was unaware of your presence and have greatly offended you. Please forgive me!"

The Qingyun Sect disciple's eyes were icy as he swept over the Qingmu Sect cultivators, his tone serious: "The Qingmu Sect dares to block Young Master Huang's trade route and disrupt the peace between the two realms. Are they tired of living?"

The leader of the Qingmu Sect hurriedly explained, "Immortal Master, you misunderstand. This disciple was just confused for a moment and wanted to seize the supplies. I would never dare to be an enemy of Young Master Huang, much less disrupt the trade route between the two realms." He secretly lamented that he hadn't expected the Qingyun Sect to support Huang Yiming. If he had known this earlier, he wouldn't have dared to intercept the trade route, even if he had the greatest courage.

Qin Hu stood up, leaning on his rifle, and looked at the Qingyun Sect disciple with a wary gaze: "Who are you? Why are you helping us?" Although he knew that the Qingyun Sect was a neutral sect, he dared not trust it easily—after all, the Black Stone Sect had previously joined forces with other sects, and it was hard to guarantee that the Qingyun Sect did not have other motives.

A disciple of the Qingyun Sect spoke calmly, "I am Lin Feng, a disciple of the Qingyun Sect. I have been ordered by Elder Li Xuan to guard the trade route between the two realms and prevent any deliberate sabotage. Young Master Huang has gathered three mid-level tokens and is wholeheartedly dedicated to protecting the peace between the two realms. The Qingyun Sect will naturally provide its full assistance." He paused, then looked at the leader of the Qingmu Sect, "Get lost! If you dare to obstruct the trade route again, the Qingyun Sect will not let you off lightly!"

The leader of the Green Wood Sect felt as if he had been granted a pardon and hurriedly led the remaining disciples in a hasty retreat, not even bothering to take the wounded with him. Qin Hu looked at Lin Feng, his tone softening slightly: "Thank you very much for your help, Immortal Lin. I am deeply grateful. I will definitely inform Brother Ming about this matter and have him personally come to express his gratitude."

Lin Feng waved his hand, his tone indifferent: "No need to be polite. Protecting the trade routes is the duty of the Qingyun Sect. Young Master Huang is currently facing a crisis with the Demonic Sect, so it's only right that we lend a hand. However, it seems that the Black Stone Sect has a shadow behind the Qingmu Sect. You must be careful in the future; they will not let this go."

Qin Hu's heart sank, and he nodded: "Thank you for the reminder, Immortal Lin. We will be more vigilant." He knew that the Green Wood Sect was just a minor player, and the Black Stone Sect behind it was the real threat.

Lin Feng gave a few more instructions before turning and leaving. Qin Hu watched his retreating figure with a serious expression. He immediately contacted Huang Yiming through the system and truthfully informed him of the Black Wind Valley's interception. Huang Yiming's voice quickly came through, his tone calm: "Understood. Take the supplies back to Qin Family Fortress first. I will arrange for reinforcements to strengthen the trade route as soon as possible. Also, keep a close eye on the movements of the Green Wood Sect and the Black Stone Sect. Report any abnormalities immediately."

"Don't worry, Brother Ming!" Qin Hu ended the call and signaled the guards to clean up the scene and continue on their way. Sunlight pierced through the thin mist and shone on the carriage, the supplies gleaming faintly in the sunlight. However, Qin Hu knew that behind this seemingly peaceful trade route lay countless dangers, and a much larger conspiracy was quietly brewing.

As soon as Qin Hu drove the carriage out of Black Wind Valley, he spotted a dark figure flashing past in the distant mountains and forests. The figure was surrounded by a dense black aura, and in its hand was a token similar to Huang Yiming's—clearly a member of the Demonic Sect, and its aura was stronger than any Demonic Sect cultivator they had encountered before!