"Alright, then I have a few questions that need to be answered first." After some consideration, Brian Carter asked, "Did Your Highness's party come to Nanyang in secret?"

This group of people came from Nanyang by boat, so of course it would be impossible to hide from the Liu clan, the overlords of Nanyang. It could only be said that the two families already had close ties.

"Yes." David Bennett saw that Brian Carter was still watching his expression and nodded slightly. "Apart from a few important figures from the Liu clan in Nanyang, we haven't met anyone else. Outsiders don't know about our visit."

"Then, on your journey by boat from Nanyang to Xiangyang, besides the parties in Xiangyang and Nanyang, is there anyone else who knows?"

"No." David Bennett shook his head firmly. "I can guarantee that. There's absolutely no way outsiders could know."

"Is Nanyang the first stop for Her Highness the Princess, or have you already visited other places?" Brian Carter raised his eyebrows and asked.

After a moment's thought, David Bennett replied, "We've been to other places as well, but this trip to Xiangyang was a last-minute decision. The time was very short, so it's unlikely anyone else knows."

"Oh, I see." Brian Carter nodded. "Then let me do a brief analysis for Lord Bennett and Her Highness the Princess."

Brian Carter looked completely confident and at ease, which genuinely surprised David Bennett, the burly man Mark Clark, and the young girl. Could it be that this guy really had some skills, and could deduce some earth-shattering secret from just a few simple words?

Perhaps because they had reached the outer chamber of the girl's boudoir, all the other armored guards had already left, leaving only the three of them and Brian Carter. Brian Carter also knew that the reason these three dared to leave him here so nonchalantly was because they were certain he couldn't pull any tricks in front of them.

Just from the girl's earlier performance, Brian Carter could tell that she was most likely skilled in the mystical arts. However, she had only demonstrated her abilities through magical instruments, which suggested she might be highly accomplished in crafting such items. But as for her spiritual power? Her skill in spellcasting? That was unclear.

But even putting the girl aside, the aura exuded by both David Bennett and Mark Clark was enough to crush him at will. Trying to play any tricks in front of them was nearly impossible.

Still, no matter how slim the chance, he had to take a gamble. From the current situation, it seemed the other party had no intention of killing him, but their trip was clearly very secretive. There was a high possibility they might imprison him on this boat. Even if he failed, it was unlikely they would kill him immediately—there would still be a chance.

The problem was that relying on martial skills alone, there was no way to escape. Both David Bennett and Mark Clark could easily kill him in an instant, especially David Bennett, who was clearly a formidable figure who had already reached the Celestial Realm. Mark Clark, in his prime, probably wasn't much weaker than the long-browed man.

And all he had was the talisman that Paul Clark had given him.

Paul Clark had said this was the only top-grade spiritual root he had found in recent years, and he had spent over a year crafting this wood-element spell talisman. It was not to be used except in a life-or-death situation. That's why, when dealing with the enemies in Nanyang, he had only used the earth-element talisman hidden in the toe of his boot, keeping this life-saving treasure in reserve. Helen Clark himself had sworn that its effect was outstanding, fully comparable to the level of a master spellcaster, but since it had never been tested, Brian Carter wasn't very confident.

But now there was no choice. This world was ruled by the strong. Even if he was weaker than the others, he still needed to prove his strength, or else they would look down on him even more, making it even harder to escape.

Although Brian Carter had been subdued earlier, they hadn't searched him—not out of carelessness, but because, in front of the long-browed man and the burly man, everyone felt it was unnecessary. David Bennett and Mark Clark thought the same. With just a little probing, they could tell the depth of Brian Carter's martial arts. With such meager strength, even if he carried a divine weapon, it would be useless in front of them.

"First, we need to analyze the relationship between the Liu clan of Nanyang and the Xiao family of Xiangyang, as well as their complex ties with the surrounding powers..." Brian Carter took a deep breath, then subtly moved his wrist, quietly sliding the talisman hidden in his sleeve into his hand.

Chapter Eight: Boundless Falling Timber

Just as David Bennett and the other two were deep in thought, Brian Carter quietly took a step back, gathered his profound energy, and activated the talisman, raising it in offering.

The pale yellow wooden talisman was only as long as a finger, crystal clear and lustrous. It spun and leapt into the air, and as it turned, a hazy yellow glow spread out, instantly transforming into several massive rolling logs, each a zhang square, forming a gigantic rolling log formation. With a thunderous rumble and overwhelming force, it charged fiercely at David Bennett and Mark Clark.

"Boundless Falling Timber?!" The girl exclaimed in shock, her eyes wide. This was a high-level wood-element spell—how could it be possible?! And it was being cast with a talisman!

David Bennett and Mark Clark both turned pale with shock as well. None of them had expected that the man who seemed about to give a thorough analysis would suddenly hit them with such a completely unexpected "surprise." It was far beyond their expectations.

The swirling halo of rolling logs rapidly expanded to fill the entire cabin, with David Bennett bearing the brunt, unable even to dodge.