“Ah!” Bishop Brooks was utterly astonished. “This, this, this…” He was at a loss for words, and only after a long while did he collect his thoughts and shout, “Quick, prepare the carriages and horses! I must personally accompany Mr. Bennett to the Grand Temple!” He was overcome with excitement again. “His surname is Wei—does anyone on the continent have this surname? He is clearly the Bennett Beast Keeper bestowed upon us by the Goddess Luo!” Grand Duke Cameron also hurried over. The two of them were beside themselves with excitement, envisioning the benefits Henry Bennett would bring to their future careers. As they knelt before the statue of the Goddess Luo, tears welled up in their eyes!

Outside the temple, beside four luxurious carriages, several coachmen stood waiting, and the glossy, well-groomed horses snorted restlessly. Bishop Brooks, Grand Duke Cameron, Old Grant, and Henry Bennett walked out of the temple together. Just as they were about to board the carriages, a thunder of hooves sounded from the street, raising a cloud of dust as it sped toward them. The rider’s control was superb—rushing at high speed, yet able to rein in suddenly right in front of the carriages. With a beastly roar, a strange creature reared up and obediently stopped beside the carriages.

The rider leapt down, respectfully knelt on one knee, placed his right hand over his chest, and bowed his head, saying, “Captain of the Swallow Sea City Guardian Beast Warriors, Dawson, greets the Bishop and the Grand Duke. Bishop, are we ready to depart?” Bishop Brooks nodded. “Dawson, where are your warriors?” Dawson replied, “They’ll be here soon.” As he spoke, several more clouds of dust rushed in from different streets. Upon reaching the front of the temple, all the riders dismounted in unison, their movements crisp and coordinated, clearly showing that these warriors were battle-hardened elites, each worth a hundred men.

Henry Bennett could also tell that each of them was far more powerful than the guards of Grand Duke Cameron. Dawson said, “Bishop, this time I’ve decided to personally escort Mr. Bennett. I’ve brought six Guardian Beast Warriors and left twelve to guard Swallow Sea City—after all, we still have to watch out for the orcs of the Gruya Mountains.” Dawson was also extremely respectful toward Henry Bennett, as he had learned of Henry Bennett’s special status—possibly the first chief beastkeeper to reach the Keeper level on the Divine Continent in hundreds of years. According to the temple’s ranking system, the Guardian Beast Warriors of the Luo River Temple had only two levels, and Dawson was already a second-level Guardian Beast Warrior—the highest possible rank from the temple’s perspective. After all, the Luo River Temple was just a small temple in a remote corner, surrounded by powerful enemies, and advancing further was as difficult as reaching the heavens.

Originally, Dawson thought he would remain at this level for life, but unexpectedly, the Goddess Luo manifested and sent down a great sage beastkeeper. Moreover, this great sage beastkeeper was a naturally gifted beastkeeper at the Keeper level. If he advanced one more step, he would become a chief beastkeeper at the Keeper level, and at that point, he could rely on his own abilities to raise his rank as chief warrior, no longer bound by the temple’s hierarchy.

Suddenly, Dawson felt as if he had seen a glimmer of light in the darkness. The excitement in his heart was beyond words. He even swore to devote everything to protecting Mr. Bennett. Ordinary people could hardly understand Dawson’s feelings. For a powerhouse like Dawson, although he was a top Guardian Beast Warrior in the Luo River Temple, he knew full well that there was always someone stronger. Yet, due to the temple’s rank restrictions, he could never break through. Staring at the next level, unable to step in, that kind of pain was the most torturous thing for a warrior.

Chapter 015: Spiritual Compensation

“Mr. Bennett!” Dawson strode up to Henry Bennett, bowed, and asked, “May we depart now?” On the surface, Dawson seemed to be sidelining Bishop Brooks, showing him little respect. And in terms of temple hierarchy, no matter what, Brooks should outrank Henry Bennett. But Henry Bennett had another identity—a great sage.

The temple’s respect for great sages was well known, so Dawson first sought Henry Bennett’s opinion, and Bishop Brooks did not seem to mind.

The cunning Henry Bennett had already fully recognized his own “value” and “position” in this world. He feigned piety and said, “Buddha bless us! Captain Dawson, the Goddess Luo has instructed us—let’s set out now.”

“As you command.” Captain Dawson raised his hand. “Please board the carriage first.” Henry Bennett glanced at Bishop Brooks, and the four of them each boarded a carriage. Only then did Captain Dawson wave his arm and shout, “Move out!” He leapt onto his mount and led the way. Behind him were two Guardian Beast Warriors; on each side of the convoy, one Guardian Beast Warrior provided support, and two more brought up the rear.

The convoy set out in grand fashion, with townsfolk kneeling along the way to see them off, their expressions devout. Henry Bennett sighed and thought to himself, “This is the power of religion—people work themselves to the bone and remain utterly devoted.” Exiting through the north gate of Swallow Sea City, they headed northeast. Once outside the city, the road became less safe, and the Guardian Beast Warriors on guard grew tense, straddling their mounts, their eyes sharp as hawks as they scanned their surroundings.

The mounts of Guardian Beast Warriors were generally magical beasts, which the warriors had to tame themselves. The mounts could provide some help in battle, but the greatest aid to the Guardian Beast Warriors still came from the guardian beasts within their own bodies.