Chapter 7
Chapter One – Travelling Alone
This handsome middle-aged man with a small moustache was the castellan of the City of Neversetting Sun, Luo Li Daren.
Luo Li spoke so quickly that Mo Ling and the others were unable to stop him in time. When they reacted, Luo Li had finished speaking.
The soldiers who had been making trouble just now collectively inhaled in shock. They felt as through a blade cut through their necks and their heads were about to drop at any time. So Su Jian saying he was the nephew of the empress was the truth! And not just him. Even the empress and some members of the imperial house were here. This matter was big!
Luo Fu’s expression was ashen. He could not withstand the blow and fainted.
“Official Luo Li, there is no need for such courtesy. You have guarded the Fortress of Neversetting Sun for so many years, and developed this place so well that it could defend against the magic beast tides. As to your nephew, he has already received a lesson. Punish him lightly and do not let him do as he has in the future.” Roth finally spoke at this time with a small smile. He lifted with his hand and Luo Li stood up.
Luo Li exhaled in trepidation. It was fortunate their highnesses were unharmed. If something happened to any of them, he would not be spared.
Focusing, he said solemnly to Roth. “Your Excellency Roth, I have come to receive everyone because the Kaya Imperial Court has sent a secret message that I needed to personally deliver to Her Highness the Empress.”
“Secret message?” Roth stilled and suddenly had a bad feeling. He nodded and pointed to the carriage. “Empress Su Ya is inside the carriage. Official Luo Li, please.”
Luo Li did not stand on courtesy. He walked towards the carriage. At this time, Mo Ling’s curious voice sounded.
“Hm, Big Brother Zhui Yun, why aren’t you surprised at our ident.i.ties at all?”
Aofeng moved her gaze back and smiled faintly. “Something that I was already sure about is not a surprise. Do not worry, I will not distance myself from you due to this.”
“What? You … … you guessed our ident.i.ties?” Su Jian shouted as he rubbed his head.
Roth could not bear to keep watching. He shook his head and laughed. “You guys, Zhui Yun saw through you a long time ago yet you were all so smug and wanted to keep it a secret. Zhui Yun knew who you were when he saw me. From you to Mistress, all of you. You just didn’t find out until now.”
Aofeng had known from the start? The four looked at Aofeng with amazement. They didn’t know what to say. The amount of shock they had received in their life added up together was not as much as what they had experienced today.
Yu Fan jumped up suddenly and shouted, “Then the things you said about n.o.bility at Hyde Corporation was on purpose?”
Aofeng shamelessly glared at him and said, “I know you wanted to taste what it felt like to having your ident.i.ty revealed and showing off, wasn’t I trying to satisfy your desire?”
You were clearly toying with this young master! You made me feel happy for nothing for so long! Yu Fan’s face and ears were flushed in embarra.s.sment. But after this, he had to admit his defeat to Aofeng. In terms of intelligence and ability, Aofeng was above them. He had to admit defeat.
The five young people became more chatty after the obstacle between them disappeared. They chatted and laughed easily, and even talked about inviting Aofeng to the imperial palace to visit when the other got to the imperial capital. Just as they were in the thick of conversation, the door to the carriage was suddenly opened. Mistress Su Ya dressed in her long dress came out of the carriage with a grave expression.
“Your Excellency Roth, Zhu’er, Ling’er, we must make an early return to the imperial capital. We are leaving now.” Mistress Su Ya said as she walked towards Aofeng and hugged the other. She gave an apologetic look. “Child, sorry, we have to separate.”
“What?” Everyone shouted. This was too sudden!
Mo Zhu’s clear eyes were locked onto Aofeng with great reluctance. He asked, “Mama, aren’t we going to find the Fire Dragon Fruit?”
Going to find the Fire Dragon Fruit was just an excuse. Mo Zhu’s hope was to stay a while longer with Aofeng. Even though there had not been many words exchanged between them, he felt strangely happy if he could just see the other.
Mistress Su Ya sighed. She shook her head with a frown. “No, we must get going immediately. We are returning to the city with Official Luo right now and will be riding the lion vultures immediately to return. Your Father-Emperor is ill, seriously ill. He needs me to return to his side.”
The nine-star magus beast lion vulture was among the best of the flying magus beasts. In order to cross the Forest of Neversetting Sun, the Kaya Empire chose places with few magic beasts to set up lion vulture stations. Riding the lion vultures, it would only take a fortnight to cross the Forest of Neversetting Sun that would take several months on foot. However, the number of lion vultures was low, and one had to spend great amounts of obsidian in order to ride them once. Also, their use was limited to the n.o.bility and those above second level in their professions.
“What!” Everyone shouted and had expressions of urgency at hearing the news.
His Majesty the Emperor was ill!
This was a great matter. In political terms, this matter was about the stability of the Kaya Empire’s court, and in private, this man was her husband and the father of the children. No wonder Mistress Su Ya was in such a hurry.
“Since that’s the case, you should leave with Mama Su Ya. After a while, I will go to Karroll. We can meet up then.” Aofeng saw them looking back with reluctance and shook her head. She knew that they wanted her to go with them but she had decided to gain experience in Neversetting Sun. In the future, she could go find them when she went to the empire.
Even with a cold expression, the group who had an understanding of her personality still could hear her intentions of comforting them in her words.
“That … … Zhui Yun, you said you will not distance yourself from us. When the time comes, you have to find us.” Mo Zhu bit his lips. Ignoring everyone’s gazes, he daringly took out a faint blue jade pendant and shoved it into Aofeng’s hand. “When you come to the imperial palace, show this to the guards and they will know. I’ll … …I’ll wait for your arrival!”
The mutton-fat warm jade was warm when it entered her hand. With a touch, she knew the quality was not ordinary. There was also a small “zhu” character carved on it. Aofeng turned it around to look and then looked up in astonishment. She was unable to refuse Mo Zhu’s clear yet determined gaze.
While the others felt that Mo Zhu’s action was slightly inappropriate, they could not say more when they heard his words.
Roth’s gaze flashed and he took out the thin Cicada Wing. He gave it to Aofeng. “Little Guy, I promised to give this to you. Take care of yourself. When we meet next time, I antic.i.p.ate you would have become even stronger.”
Aofeng’s eyes glittered. She recognized this sword master Roth’s help. She took the Cicada Wing and then made a rare shallow bow to him before given him a respectful gaze.
Under Mistress Su Ya’s urging, the young people climbed back into the carriage. Liao Ya jumped back to Aofeng’s side. The group followed Castellan Luo Li’s troops. The back door to the carriage was open, and from afar, she could still hear the shouts of Mo Zhu and the others.
“Zhui Yun! I’ll wait for your arrival!”
“Big Brother Zhui Yun, I’m also waiting for you!”
“Company Leader, you are forever our company leader, we will explore the world together in the future!”
“You are the first person that this young master admires, you cannot break your promise to find us!”
Friends were actually very simple. Even Yu Fan who had been at odds with her at the beginning could be called a friend now.
In the forest that had become quiet again, Aofeng looked at the warm jade pendant. Her eyes flashed and she suddenly gripped it tightly. She did not put it away into the spatial ring but hung it around her neck.
After seeing off Mistress Su Ya’s group, Aofeng and Liao Ya rested for a night where they were. On the next day, they headed back into the forest. On their way here, they had learned the general location of where the fire dragon fruit grew from Mistress Su Ya. This was too great a temptation for her at her present level. No matter whether she succeeded or not, she had to try to find it.
Only when one became a spirit magister would they truly be considered beast masters who could use magus beasts to a.s.sist them, could they order magus beasts into an armor transformation
to form the useful and beautiful magus beast armor to protect their bodies. Their offensive power would increase greatly. There was a tangible difference between spirit magisters and senior magisters. Aofeng wanted to become strong as fast as possible.
Liao Ya and Aofeng were fast on their feet. After leaving Mistress Su Ya’s group, they were even faster. Using their outstanding perception, they avoided the large magic beast herds. The human and the wolf quickly got closer to the Soul Breaking Cliff where the Fire Dragon Fruit was maturing.
Translator Ramblings: Goodbye … for now.
Chapter Two Crimson Forge
After travelling for five days, Aofeng and Liao Ya gradually came close to the Soul Breaking Cliff. There was an enormous mountain range in the Forest of Neversetting Sun people called the Death Mountain Range. This was where the Forest of Neversetting Sun was truly dangerous. While the Soul Breaking Cliff was only a small out cropping along the perimeter of the forest, it was still where high level magic beasts resided.
In a little place like Qin City, a sacred beast was valuable because the rumor was that the sacred beast was in its infant stage and it was rare for one to be alone. However, in the Forest of Neversetting Sun, high star magic beasts were not rare, and there were even divine beasts. But even if one was able to kill divine beasts, they would be unable to tame them unless they were some of the best beast tamers, a grandmaster tamer came. Average beast tamers could not even tame adult spirit beasts.
As to the emperor beast tamers that could tame super-divine beasts, no one knew if the continent even had any.
“We’ve found many high star magic beasts. I don’t know if there is anything in here.” Avoiding a large group of ice lake flies, Aofeng and Liao Ya walked out from behind some hidden bushes. She looked towards the peak of Soul Breaking Cliff that was in the distance.
“Master, I feel the presence of several high star spirit beasts from that cliff. There could even be sacred beasts. It most likely will not be easy to get that Fire Dragon Fruit,” Liao Ya warned Aofeng. “Spirit beasts above seven-stars will usually not gather in large numbers unless there is a sacred beast that dominates and controls them.”
“Sacred beast?” Aofeng frowned and made a decision. “Then we will not be the first ones to test this! I saw many mercenaries coming this way along our way here. There are also many explorer groups. Their goal is most likely that fire dragon fruit. We should not be impatient. Let’s wait for a few days at the base of the mountain. When there are many people, it will be easier to sneak in.”
Liao Ya could deal with normal spirit beasts, but if a group came, he could not kill them all. Also, he had just become a one-star sacred beast. If there really was a sacred beast up on the cliff, he might not even be a match for the other beast.
No wonder they had sent court protector-warriors to come harvest the fire dragon fruit. Without someone as strong as Roth, it would be difficult to achieve the goal.
“Ah!” A wave of screams came from the distance. The odor of large amounts of corpse-eating ghouls wafted far.
Aofeng turned back for a glance. Another group of unfortunate people had appeared. The Forest of Neversetting Sun was a ruthless world where the strong ate the weak. Things like this would happen multiple times every day. Anyone faced the danger of dying at any time. In this kind of environment, one’s desire to grow strong would strengthen.
Originally, Aofeng did not plan to meddle. However, when she saw a flame insignia on a mercenary that was running over in terror, her eye twitched.
Crimson Forge Mercenary Company!
Rong Luo’s handsome and reliable face flashed across her eyes. Aofeng did not hesitate to take out “Vanquisher of Armies.” Jumping lightly on the b.a.l.l.s of her feet, she descended from the tree.
“Ahhhh! Save me!” The mercenary that was running was tripped by his fellow. The odor of the berserk corpse-eating ghoul came down on his. The sharp teeth were clear to see, and he screamed in a panic.
Just as he thought that he would die, a black shadow flashed over his head and a blade severed the neck of the berserk corpse-eating ghoul!
This mercenary watched as the berserk corpse-eating ghoul fell down in front of him, the noxious blood spraying over his body. He lifted his head slightly and saw a youth dressed in long and exquisite black robes wearing a cold expression. His eyes widened in disbelief as though he was more terrified than when he had been being chased by a corpse-eating ghoul.
Heavens, what kind of person was this! The other only seemed to be fifteen or so, and was able to kill the nine-star magic beast corpse-eating ghoul in one blow!
Just as he was thinking, he heard the aloof black-robed youth ask, “Which direction is your main group in.”
Many mercenaries had scattered as they fled. Following the sound, she might not find the right place, so she asked the question.
“Ah, Daren! That way! Captain and the others are over there!” The mercenary hurriedly pointed in a direction. He warmed, “Daren, be careful! There are about fifty corpse-eating ghouls there. If Daren cannot manage, do not force yourself and cause trouble to come to you!”
The great majority of people in the Forest of Neversetting Sun would not help save other people. He was very grateful that Aofeng had saved his life. The mercenaries had their own rules. Even Captain would not hope that the one who saved him would risk their life trying to save others.
“Liao Ya, go!” Aofeng nodded when she heard this and called for Liao Ya to come down the tree. Silver light flashed under her feet and Liao Ya turned back into his true form of a four-winged silver wolf. Aofeng jumped up. The human and the wolf flew in the direction of battle.
That mercenary had been worried originally but when he saw the silver pattern under the “young man’s” feet, he was struck dumb.
“Nine-star senior magister? The h.e.l.l!”
Fighting was intense in the nearby forest.
“Captain Thetan! The members on the perimeter is not strong enough, the defense line will collapse! Even if we kill this group of corpse eating ghouls, we will have heavy loses!” a five-star senior magister cut off the head of a corpse eating ghoul and said urgently as he wiped his face of blood and sweat.
The other young male that was on a Hurricane Eagle that was a six-sword senior magister said as he fought, “Vino, tighten the ranks, we are part of Crimson Forge, we cannot fall here! Brother Luo is still waiting at Neversetting Sun City for us to meet up together to fight against the magic beast tide. If we cannot complete this mission, we have no honor left with which to see him!”
The other mercenaries nodded and raised their weapons. Just as the battle was intensifying, an enormous shadow suddenly came over their heads in the sky!
“Heavens! Such a large wolf!” The mercenaries shouted in shock. Just the physique of this magic beast was powerful. The four-winged silver wolf was an extremely rare spirit-rank magic beast. They could barely manage against a nine-star magus beast. But if it was a spirit beast, unless the young captain was here, they could not defeat it.
The group of mercenaries thought that a calamity was about to descend when they saw the silver wolf’s enormous wings flap and blow away that group of corpse eating ghouls. The wolf showed no intentions of attacking them and they gaped.
Before they managed to digest the shock, a black and thin shadow landed from the back of the silver wolf and entered the battle. As the person moved their hand, the heads of the surrounding corpse eating ghouls fell to the ground. The ghostly figure immediately swept in another direction. Everywhere the person pa.s.sed, the bodies of the corpse eating ghouls fell to the ground!
“Heavens! Who is that!” Thetan inhaled deeply and said in shock, “So that silver wolf is his!”
“Captain! That person is so strong! He probably can match Young Captain!” The five-star senior swordsman Vino shouted excitedly.
“They are on our side! Kill!” The mercenaries immediately reacted, their presence increasing as they furiously fought back. After the addition of Aofeng and Liao Ya, the situation immediately reverse. Not even fifteen minutes later, more than fifty nine-star magic beast corpse-eating ghoul corpses fell to the ground. The mercenaries cheered after their hard battle.
After a short period of celebration, the people’s excited gazes gathered on the person and the wolf nearby. That was a youth clad in black robes with cold features.
Aofeng put away the short Vanquisher of Armies. Liao Yao turned back into a normal silver wolf. The mercenaries moved to form a path of their own accord. Their eyes when they looked at her were filled with shock, respect and gratefulness. Most importantly was that the person’s presence when they appeared out of the sky had won over everyone here.
Thetan and Vino exhaled in relief and turned to look
look at the black-clad person walking towards them. When they looked, their shock erupted. In battle just now, they had not seen the person’s appearance clearly. When they looked now, they found it was such a young and beautiful youth.
“Mimicry? That’s a sacred beast!” The breath they had just exhaled was sucked in again. Thetan had gone to many places and was widely learned. He naturally knew that only magus beasts that were sacred rank or above could use mimicry. His gaze when he looked at Aofeng became even more astounded. Which prestigious family was this young master from?
People would usually not obtain such high ranking magus beasts unless it was a prestigious family.
Thetan walked forward. He bent forward slightly and his right hand turned into a fist at the left of his chest as he made a full bow. “Young Magister Daren, I am very grateful for your help! Thetan of Crimson Forge gives you my respect.”
Aofeng looked around and didn’t see Rong Luo. She was slightly disappointed. She said coolly, “Gather the spoils, we must leave here soon. Otherwise, the blood will attract more corpse-eating ghosts.”
The surrounding mercenaries were overjoyed. While the corpse-eating ghosts were the bottom among the nine-star magus beasts, and they gave off a noxious odor, their entire body was treasure. Their claws and teeth could be sold. Aofeng telling them to clean up meant that the person was giving this wealth to them. Even if they hadn’t completed the mission this time, their trip could be considered fruitful.
Several dozen nine-star magus beast corpses were nothing to Aofeng. All of her interest was on the Fire Dragon Fruit at Soul Breaking Cliff, so she did not care.
“Thank you for your generosity!” Thetan said with a respectful and joyful smile. He hurriedly directed his subordinates to clean up the battlefield as fast as possible, and then left with Aofeng to continue to move towards the Soul Breaking Cliff.
Through Thetan’s introductions, Aofeng learned the ident.i.ties of this group. They were the Ninth squad of the Crimson Forge Mercenary Company. Thetan and Rong Luo were extremely close friends.
Rong Luo had brought the people that had just left Qin City to partic.i.p.ate in the Neversetting Sun City’s magic beast tide. Thetan’s squad had coincidentally received the mission of the Fire Dragon Fruit. They planned to first obtain the fire dragon fruit and then meet up with Rong Luo on their return. They hadn’t expected to have the bad luck to encounter a large swarm of corpse-eating ghosts.
“You are also searching for the Fire Dragon Fruit?” Aofeng’s fine brows creased as she reminded them, “According to my knowledge, there are many spirit beasts that reside on Soul Breaking Cliff. Even one spirit beast isn’t something that your squad can withstand. Aren’t you going to your deaths?”
“Is Zhui Yun Daren‘s magus beast that sensed this?” Thetan looked with admiration at Liao Ya. He then glanced at Aofeng who had an aloof expression from the start and rarely spoke. He was even more sure of his guess. Only sacred beasts could feel the presence of other high star-level spirit beasts.
Vino laughed from the side and added, “So Daren has also come for the Fire Dragon Fruit. You really found the right people. Actually, our squad received this mission last year, and we found a secret.”
Aofeng’s eyebrow rose. “Secret?”
“Yes, Daren, there is actually more than one place where the Fire Dragon Fruits grow.” Thetan said to Aofeng without concealing anything. “There is a Fire Dragon Fruit near the front of Soul Breaking Cliff and it will attract many mercenaries and magic beasts when it matures. There will most likely be great chaos then. This is something everyone knows. Last year when Vino and I came here, we accidentally wandered into a hidden valley that reaches into the depths behind Soul Breaking Cliff. Fire Dragon Fruit also grows there as well, and it seems to be the nest of only a single sacred beast. We picked the fire dragon fruit when the front was in chaos and finished our mission.”
The Fire Dragon Fruit matured once a year. If one knew the location, they could come to pick them annually. Thetan undoubtedly was trusting Aofeng greatly to speak of this.
Seeing Aofeng’s slightly furrowed brow, Thetan smiled honestly. “Zhui Yun Daren, do not worry. You saved so many of us here. We will not hold a mere Fire Dragon Fruit so highly. If we only find one, naturally it will belong to Daren. Even if there is more, we only need to present one to finish the mission.”
To the person who had saved their lives, the Crimson Forge mercenaries that were usually honorable would not be frugal.
“Many thanks, the Fire Dragon Fruit is very important to me at this stage, I will not refuse.” Aofeng smiled slightly and sighed inwardly. This really was karma. If she hadn’t saved these people, then she might still be having a headache over the Fire Dragon Fruit at the front of Soul Breaking Cliff that everyone wanted.
After the group finished their discussion, the light suddenly brightened, the giant trees above their heads decreasing as their vision broadened.
There was a tall mountain range that stretched into the distance. Alarming roars of ancient wild beasts could be hear from within. Soul Breaking Cliff was in the distance. A verdant green plant on the cliff could be seen from far away. The red fruit among the green leaves was unusually eye-catching. It was still wrapped by the leaves. It hadn’t completely matured.
“Daren, after the Fire Dragon Fruit matures, the green leaves around it will completely open. We will wait here for the Fire Dragon Fruit here to mature,and then detour into the mountain valley during the chaos,” Thetan said in a low voice to Aofeng.
Aofeng nodded coolly. “Set up camp. If we cannot even wait for that long, we will not succeed in doing anything.”
Thetan and Vino exchanged a look and a smile when they heard this. Their admiration of Aofeng increased.
This was clearly a proud n.o.ble young master from a large family, but this person wasn’t just strong, he was reliable and calm in his conduct, and didn’t put on any arrogant airs. While he was cool in personality and seemed to keep people at a distance, there was no awkward feeling when they interacted together. That coldness and pride seemed to be innate and natural to other people, and made them feel respect and reverence.
When they set up camp at the base of the cliff, there were many groups of explorers and mercenaries in the surroundings. The people who were able to come here were magister and swordsmen that were seventh level or above. Many people were in second rank. Seeing the flame insignia that each member of Crimson Forge Mercenary Company had, many people had expressions of shock and they descended into discussion.
“It’s Crimson Forge Mercenary Company!”
“The large mercenary company on the continent. They have also come for the Fire Dragon Fruit? Ooh, this is bad, we don’t have any hope!”
“Ah, even if it is Crimson Forge Mercenary Company, it is hard to say if they can obtain the Fire Dragon Fruit from under the spirit beast’s claws. It will depend on who is fastest when the time arrives. Maybe we will all die.”
Just as people were in hot discussion, Aofeng and the other two people who were at the front of the camp heard a disdainful laughter.
“Crimson Forge? Are they so great? I, Ba Erbo, don’t believe it! Rong Luo, that coward, is hiding in Neversetting Sun and resting, but tells you, Thetan, to put you life on the line. He’s really honorable! Haha … …”
Coward? This person dared to speak of Big Brother Rong Luo this way!
Aofeng’s eyes flashed with cold light and she turned to look. The person who had spoke up in mockery walked, surrounded by a big group of mercenaries, towards Crimson Forge’s camp. This was a young male that was about twenty five or so who had hair standing up and wore an insignia with a wing on his shoulders.
“Flying Aspara Mercenary Company?” She seemed to have seen this insignia before. Aofeng immediately recalled it.
Flying Aspara Mercenary Company was the third-ranked mercenary company on the continent. Aofeng had encountered them a while ago and naturally had some memory of the company.
There was friction between mercenary companies, especially the three largest mercenary companies. They were close in strength, and they were compet.i.tive amongst themselves. Aofeng repeated the name Ba Erbo mentally. Was this the son of the Company Leader of the third-ranked mercenary company, Ba Tuke?
Seeing these people, Thetan had a look of dislike in his eyes. His cool tone confirmed what Aofeng thought!
“Zhui Yun Daren, this Ba Erbo is the young captain of Flying Aspara Mercenary Company. He is at odds with our Crimson Forge’s young captain, Brother Luo. He keeps on trying to steal business from Crimson Forge all over the place, and humiliate the squads we have in different places. Recently, he has been extremely arrogant in the Neversetting Sun Region. He is a one-sword spirit magister and has a two-star spirit beast of considerable power. As a result, we normally try to stay away from him.”
One-sword spirit magister? Ba Erbo was not
was not yet thirty and at his age, this talent could be said to be great. No wonder he was so arrogant.
“Hmph, is a one-sword spirit magister very special? Young Captain is about the same age as him and is already a seven-sword spirit magister. Also, Young Captain’s Golden Marked Lion is a seven-star spirit beast. This person is just jealous of Young Captain’s talent and magus beast. He only dares to make trouble for us. In front of Young Captain, he doesn’t dare to even fart!” Vino continued to speak and also glared hatefully at Ba Erbo.
Rong Luo’s great talent was know in the mercenary circles and also inside the Kaya Emperor. He was a reliable person with a good reputation. In comparison, Ba Erbo was more ordinary. They were both the eldest sons of mercenary captains, and they were also both talented magisters. Compet.i.tion could not be avoided.
But Rong Luo was the young captain of the first-ranked mercenary company and he was of the third-ranked mercenary company. Rong Luo was a seven-sword spirit magister, he was only a one-sword spirit magister. Rong Luo had a seven-star spirit beast, he only had a two-star spirit beast. With many shortcomings compared to Rong Luo, this person’s compet.i.tiveness turned into the fires of jealousy.
Aofeng immediately understood. She threw a disdainful look and said coldly, “There are some people that clearly are lacking compared to others but always compare themselves against others, especially by attacking them. But no matter how these people jump, they aren’t even worth a toe of the other person.”
The three of them did not speak in low voices. Even the normal mercenaries and the explorers heard them, not just Ba Erbo’s group. The two large mercenary companies were attention-catching to being with. Many eyes immediately paid attention. However, most of the people who came here were elite, and this was not a situation where they flooded over to watch.
Ba Erbo was used to throwing his weight around in this area. Seeing that Thetan’s group was not as strong as his group, he thought that he could beat down on Crimson Forge during this time that Neversetting Sun was filled with the elite of the mercenaries and the explorers. He hadn’t expected the other to throw words back at him. Under the gazes that were like blades, he immediately felt humiliated.
“Thetan, you are very daring today, you want to make trouble?” Ba Erbo said as he glared angrily at Aofeng’s group.
“It’s not us that wants to make trouble, it’s that you want to die,” Aofeng said coldly. Her eyes that flashed with a sharp and cold light locked onto Ba Tuer. She gave off a strange pressure.
“Yes, we don’t come to provoke you, but that doesn’t meant that our Crimson Forge Mercenary Company is afraid of you! You dare to humiliate our young captain, even if you want to spare me, I don’t want to spare you!” Thetan spat and then cursed with a cold expression. They had been enduring this person for a long time. Now that Aofeng expressed support for them, what were they afraid of!
After seeing Aofeng’s power, Thetan had confidence that Aofeng’s strength was above theirs, and a lot higher. Even though spirit magisters and senior magisters could not be compared, Ba Tuer didn’t have a sacred beast.
Spirit beast? Was it very grand? A sacred beast could kill a low star-level spirit beast with two blows!
“Not spare me? Haha, I want to see how you will not spare me!” Ba Erbo laughed in anger. A status as a spirit magister was something respected by other people. He felt extremely angry that some insignificant two-rank professionals that were not even seventh-level dared to argue against him.
The raging Ba Erbo was about to move forward when a old person dressed in yellow robes who had been silent all this time suddenly stopped him. “Young Captain, it’s late, we do not need to waste time with them here. If someone else gets the Fire Dragon Fruit, won’t we become a joke? Let’s spend our energy on obtaining the Fire Dragon Fruit.”
Stilling slightly, Ba Erbo then heard the yellow-robed old person say in an extremely low voice, “Young Captain, I fear that this youth is not ordinary! Thetan and the others are resolute in temper, but they are not idiots. If they did not have anything supporting them, why would they be so fearless? Also, while Thetan and Vino are the squad leader and second-in-command of this squad, they are not leading at this time. They are looking with respect at that youth. Even Thetan and Vino are standing next to that youth. This old man thinks this matter is suspicious. Young Captain, it is better to be careful, do not forget our mission.”
As the old person spoke, Ba Erbo finally examined the black-robed youth with seriousness. He saw the youth’s features were cold, the skin as white as jade, the deep and black eyes flashed with cold light. The cold presence was one that shook people’s minds. He couldn’t help but think of the n.o.ble young masters of those large families. Only they could be maintained so perfectly until they looked as beautiful as women?
Ba Erbo was not stupid. His eyes turned and he forced down his anger. He swished his sleeve and said, “Yes, this young master will not argue with you. If you have b.a.l.l.s, let’s compete to see who can complete the Fire Dragon Fruit mission. We are leaving.”
As he spoke, the group of people from Flying Aspara Mercenary Company retreated like the tide. They had come quickly, they left even quicker.
Aofeng’s gaze flashed but she didn’t immediately chase after them. It would be fine if she was alone, but there was a large group of mercenaries behind her. That old person with Ba Erbo seemed to be an expert. If they really fought, the Crimson Forge Mercenary Company might be the one that suffered losses. She didn’t want that to happen.
However, these people leaving of their own accord was a small victory for Crimson Forge.
It was the first time Thetan and Vino saw Ba Erbo in such a sorry state. The two roared with laughed. The mercenaries of Crimson Forge Mercenary Company looked at Aofeng with even more heated gazes. They all knew who had scared Ba Ertu off.
With Aofeng’s strength, she would not lose if fighting occurred. However, this person hadn’t made trouble out of consideration for all of their safety. This moved the mercenaries even more.
“Zhui Yun Daren is really a good person.”
“Of course, it would be great if Zhui Yun Daren could join our Crimson Forge Mercenary Company. I would follow him!”
They were talking among themselves when they heard exclamations of shock from explorers far in the distance.
“Look! The Fire Dragon Fruit is about to mature!”
What?
People looked over in excitement. As they expected, the bright red fruit that was wrapped in green leaves on the cliff face was becoming clear like a red crystal. It flowed with light. That layer of leaves that had wrapped around it had started to fall.
Now everyone became nervous. The adventurers’ eyes lit up as they sprinted towards the Soul Breaking Cliff. The people of Flying Aspara Mercenary company did the same.
Thetan was astounded and he shouted, “How come it is so early? The fruit matured prematurely! That’s terrible, we haven’t yet arranged for people to attract the sacred beast … …”
Aofeng stilled when she heard this. She seemed to think of something. Her eyes flashed. She raised her chin and asked Thetan and Vino, “Attract the sacred beast? Something like a herb?”
“Yes, Daren. The scent of the Sidian plant’s pollen is the most attractive to spirit beasts. It is an essential for many magisters to catch magus beasts. We got a small bottle.” Vino took out a small gla.s.s bottle and said nervously, “Zhui Yun Daren, are you planning to go by yourself? It is very dangerous. If you touch even a bit of this thing, it will attract a great amount of spirit beasts and even sacred beasts. Even sky magisters do not dare to casually use it. You have to pay attention.”
“A large amount of spirit beasts? That’s good, I was afraid there wouldn’t be enough.” Aofeng smiled under the gaze of the pair. She patted her chest and the cute Xiao Bing poked out half of its head. The round black eyes looked in puzzlement at Aofeng.
“Aren’t you able to become invisible after levelling up? Go, pour this onto that Ba Erbo.” Aofeng shoved the bottle into Xiao Bing’s arms. She thought for a moment and then said coolly, “Not too much, half a bottle is enough. Spread the rest on the other members of Flying Aspara Mercenary Company. One spirit magister, one group of above-average mercenaries. They should take care of a lot of trouble for us.”
Thetan and Vino gaped. Their knowledge of Aofeng went up a level. The two would have never dreamed that this beautiful youth that appeared naive had such a scheming personality. While this person hadn’t immediately made trouble for Ba Erbo, this person used such a shameless and low method against him right after, and was trying to kill him!
Half a bottle? Heavens, that was going to attractgoing to attract all the spirit and sacred beasts in this region of the forest!
Xiao Bing liked doing “bad things” like this the most. It immediately became excited. It shook the bottle, and then disappeared instantly into the air. Ice mice were famed for their speed. Only rodent-type magus beasts had the abilities to become invisible and split themselves.
Thetan and Vino looked into the distance in pity. They already foresaw the outcomes of those people. They mourned for one second. The pitiful Ba Erbo … …
Ba Erbo was extremely excited at the moment. Very very excited. Seeing the Fire Dragon Fruit that glowed on the cliff, and smelling its faint fragrance, he wanted to grow a pair of wings and fly over!
Because they had kept the information locked down, no one except the insiders knew the importance of this mission to Flying Aspara Mercenary Company.
Flying Aspara Mercenary Company was a B-ranked mercenary company. They had reached the required amount of missions. They only had to finish an rank mission or three suprB missions to become a ranked mercenary company and to develop further. However, if they chose to do three suprB-ranked missions, if one of the missions was a failure, the other two were for nothing. They had to start over.
The biggest factor that the Flying Aspara Mercenary Company’s influence fell behind Crimson Forge Mercenary Company and Wolfpack Mercenary Company was because the other two were rank while they were B-rank.
The benefits and payment that the Mercenary Union gave rank and B-rank were completely different. They believed if they had the benefits and resources of an rank mercenary company, they could quickly develop and rival the other two mercenary companies. As a result, Ba Tuke even had his spirit magister son come, and also sent another three-star spirit magister, the old man in the yellow robes, to make sure the mission was successful.
They hadn’t actually completed the ranked mission at Qin City. Radiance Magus Church had suffered great losses.. While they had paid the hiring fee, that mission had been judged a failure. Due to this, the Flying Aspra Mercenary Company could only put their sights on the Fire Dragon Fruit which was a suprB-rank mission.
After several years, they had completed two suprB-rank missions already. They only had one more to go. Could Ba Erbo not be happy?
“Elder Luo Xi, you were wrong this time! Look, those Crimson Forge mercenaries still haven’t followed us. This means they don’t have the ability to rival us and are retreating. This time, we will be the ones to finish the Fire Dragon Fruit mission. Then we will be an rank mercenary company!” Looking around and seeing not even the shadow of the Crimson Forge Mercenary Company, Ba Erbo couldn’t help but snort and smile proudly.
As he spoke, he was still slightly irritated. Just now, he had left immediately because that young boy had been showing off. They had gotten off easy. If he encountered them on the way back, he would definitely show that person his power! Not very old but that person had been cunning. You dare to make a fool of me, Ba Erbo, you dare to be even more arrogant?
“It’s better to be careful. The Soul Breaking Cliff is already close to Death Ridge which doesn’t lack for high rank magic beasts.” The yellow-robed old person frowned. He kept on feeling that something was not right. He had a bad feeling but he could not pinpoint where the problem was.
Ba Erbo snorted in laughter. “Elder, don’t worry. As long as that Rong Luo hasn’t come, that Fire Dragon Fruit is ours. With our strength, we do not have to worry about normal spirit beasts. It would be better if they came. We can get a few more spirit beast corpses and magic crystals.”
“That is true,” the yellow-robed old person said. He was very confident in his own strength and he suppressed that strange feeling of anxiousness.
They climbed up. The Fire Dragon Fruit was just ahead of them. The group from Flying Aspara Mercenary Company managed to ascend the cliff before all the other adventurers. They forced all the other small mercenary companies that were competing against them to the back. Those small mercenary companies were angry but didn’t dare to verbalize it.
“It’s ours!” Looking at the Fire Dragon Fruit, Ba Erbo was happily reaching to pluck it. But when he just took a step, a hard gust of wind suddenly shot for his head!
“Ah, it’s a high star spirit beast! Young Captain, careful!”
The yellow-robed old man’s expression changed. He hurriedly called for amorization. As the silver light flashed, he charged out and saved Ba Erbo from the claws of that eagle. Before he had the chance to take a breath, another golden condor pecked down!
“How come two high star spirit beasts attacked at once?” The yellow-robed old person inhaled in shock. He hurriedly grabbed Ba Erbo and then somersaulted to the side. He pa.s.sed over the enormous stone wall. From here, he could see the Soul Breaking Cliff and the mountains beyond it. The two looked towards that place. It would have been better if they hadn’t looked. When they did, their souls almost were scared out of their bodies.
“Heavens! They … … they are all spirit beasts?” Ba Erbo’s eyes almost popped out. His hairs stood up on end. He saw a large black patch of smoke. He made a rough estimate. There were at least a hundred spirit beasts!
“Motherf***er! A large group of spirit beasts are coming!”
“Oh, we are going to die, going to die! We are really going to die this time!”
“Quick, quick, flee!”
The mercenaries and the adventurers had terrified expressions as they shouted in panic. They ran down Soul Breaking Cliff even faster than they ascended the cliff. At the edge of life and death, many people had speed that was hard to imagine. However, the spirit beast swarm behind them were even faster. Many people were caught and screams filled the air.
Under the claws of the spirit beasts, ordinary adventurers and mercenaries could not withstand even a blow!
“d.a.m.n it! It’s the Sidian Pollen! That fragrance i smelled earlier wasn’t the scent of the Fire Dragon Fruit!” The yellow-robed old person finally found where the problem was but it was too late. He could only grab Ba Erbo and flee. A large group of spirit beasts followed closely after them.
“No! Our rank mercenary ranking!” He watched as the Fire Dragon Fruit that had been within his grasp get drowned by this large group of spirit beasts. This meant that their mission and his dream had both failed. Ba Erbo grieved and wanted to die. After thinking, he knew who had done this to him. He couldn’t help but gave out a high and furious howl.
“Crimson Forge mercenaries! That brat! We’re not finished!”
From far away, Aofeng and the group of Crimson Forge mercenaries were hiding in a valley and observing the events coldly. They heard this harsh shout.
“We aren’t finished? You need to be alive first.” Aofeng pushed aside a bush and her lips curved in a beautiful curve. She looked back disdainfully and aid, “Also, if I can trick you once, can’t I trick you a second time?”
“Ahahaha, that pig’s head. Even if you fought ten rounds, he would be the loser!”
“Yes, if he and Zhui Yun Daren have a fair fight, he would suffer an even worse loss. However, it seems more enjoyable to trip him like this. We really got ours back for the past few months! Hahaha … …” Thetan and Vino felt extremely good watching as Ba Erbo was chased by that large group of spirit beasts. They breathed out, and they had smiles on their faces.
They cared about honor but they were not pedantic. Other than their own friends, there were no orthodox parties in the Forest of Neversetting Sun. They were not repelled by Aofeng ‘s actions and actually admired it.
In Thetan and Vino’s eyes, Aofeng became even more mysterious. This person had a sacred beast, a valuable ice mouse common of the n.o.bility. This ice mouse had actually surpa.s.sed nine-star to become a spirit beast. Everything was so startling.
“The spirit beast swarm has pa.s.sed. Let’s go.”
An endless stream of spirit beasts chased Ba Erbo and the yellow-robed old person into the forest. No more spirit beasts appeared. They knew that this was about time. Vino immediately started to cut a path through the undergrowth using his broadsword at the front. There was a little path that was the width of one perseon. They walked deeper, moved around some large cracks in the rock, and walked for almost an hour until a peaceful little valley appeared in front of them.
When they came here, they almost collectively stilled. Each person had an expression of ecstasy on their faces.
In the mountain valley, there was a spring near the corner of the cliff side. Above the spring, there was a verdant green plant that had three bright red fruits!
“Three Fire Dragon Fruits! Zhui Yun Daren, we have such good luck!” many people started to cheer.
Thetan and the others were not the only ones who started breathing heavily when they saw the three Fire Dragon Fruits. Even Aofeng felt some joyful surprise.