Chapter 24: Six-Star Dou Practitioner, Hemeng

The forest in the early morning was bathed in sunlight filtering through the dense foliage, casting patches of golden light on the ground.

A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, creating a soft whisper as if murmuring in one's ear.

The morning dew made the air fresh and moist, mixing with the scent of grass and flowers to create a delightful fragrance.

The entire forest, under the morning sunlight, seemed full of vitality, brimming with new hope and energy.

However, for the members of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group, there was no beauty in any of this.

The terrifying explosion from the previous night still lingered vividly in their minds, even after the passage of time.

Reaching the camp of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group, Xiao Yan leaped down from a tree and strode forward.

"Wait, you're just going to go in like that?" Yao Lao asked in surprise, noticing Xiao Yan's actions.

Xiao Yan drew the heavy black ruler from his back and replied, "Although the Wolf Head Mercenary Group is camped in a forest, it's too far away. Unless I grow wings, it's hard to approach silently. This time, it's all about raw strength!"

"Raw strength? Who would believe that?" Yao Lao fell silent.

Seeing Xiao Yan brazenly appearing outside the camp, alone, the mercenaries of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group gasped in shock and instinctively tightened their grip on their weapons.

"It's that black-robed youth!"

"The black-robed youth has appeared!"

"Third Leader, the black-robed youth is here! Avenge our brothers!"

Despite their loud cries, none of the mercenaries, who outnumbered Xiao Yan more than tenfold, dared to make the first move.

They didn't dare to get too close, fearing they might fall victim to another mysterious explosion and die a senseless death.

Xiao Yan didn't concern himself with any of this. Stepping firmly on the ground, his figure shot forward like a cannonball, heading straight for a small group of mercenaries.

One of the mercenaries was a tall and muscular man with a body as solid as stone. He never imagined that his robust build would make him the first target.

Caught off guard and unable to react in time, a black giant ruler came crashing down on his head with a whooshing sound.

With a dull thud, his head exploded instantly, sending a column of blood spraying into the air. The hot blood snapped the other mercenaries out of their stupor. They realized that fear was useless; only by fighting could they hope to survive.

"Yellow Rank, Low-Level Dou Technique: Whirlwind Blade!"

A mercenary beside the fallen man swung a broadsword emanating a green Dou Qi, slashing fiercely toward Xiao Yan.

The broadsword cleaved through the air, stirring up a gust that lifted sand and stones from the ground, forming a semicircular arc.

Regaining his fighting spirit, the middle-aged mercenary unleashed his Dou Technique with more power than ever before.

The heavy black ruler in Xiao Yan's hand turned as he struck back with a pure, forceful chop.

Sword and ruler collided, producing a crisp metallic sound.

The mercenary's expression changed drastically as a tremendous force surged through the blade into his hand. With a loud snap, his wrist fractured.

Simultaneously, the broadsword in the mercenary's hand cracked with a snapping sound, splitting cleanly. The break was smooth as a mirror.

The black ruler's momentum did not diminish in the slightest, smashing heavily onto the mercenary's shoulder.

The horrifying impact penetrated the mercenary's body, shattering his shoulder bones in an instant and causing his internal organs to rupture.

With a spurt of blood, the mercenary collapsed.

Only one mercenary remained in the small group. Looking at the black ruler that could even cleave a broadsword, he shivered in fear, realizing that this was no ordinary weapon.

"Want it? Here you go!" Xiao Yan smiled faintly, tossing the black ruler toward the mercenary.

The mercenary, already stunned by Xiao Yan's display of strength, instinctively reached out to catch the precious weapon.

However, as soon as the ruler landed in his hands, its terrifying weight sent him tumbling to the ground.

"Eight Extremes Collapse!" Without the burden of the heavy ruler, Xiao Yan felt as light as a feather. His speed increased several notches as he transformed into a blur, appearing behind the mercenary, striking with his elbow into the mercenary's back.

Even without any hidden force, Xiao Yan's full-strength attack was fatal to a defenseless mercenary.

Though it seemed cumbersome, everything had happened in a flash.

The remaining mercenaries, witnessing Xiao Yan slaying three of their brothers in just a few breaths, began to sweat profusely: "Is he even human?!"

At this moment, Hemeng slowly walked out from the central tent, standing tall with a powerful and haughty aura.

"A six-star Dou Practitioner?!" Xiao Yan's pitch-black pupils narrowed sharply. Yesterday, this guy was only at five stars!

Yao Lao's voice sounded in Xiao Yan's mind, "When pushed to the edge of life and death, a person's potential can be fully unleashed. Like a sword honed to its peak, it becomes sharper. That's why I only intervene at the last critical moment."

"Yesterday, if he hadn't used two mercenaries as shields and had rock-attribute Dou Qi for defense, he would have almost died or been crippled by the explosion. After experiencing a brush with death, it seems his potential has been triggered."

A mercenary, trembling all over, said, "Third Leader, let's retreat. This youth is inhuman! He killed three of our brothers in an instant, three of them!"

"Retreat? He's already come knocking, and you want to retreat?" Hemeng's brows furrowed in anger as he raised his palm, fan-like, and slapped the mercenary's face.

With a crisp smack, three of the mercenary's teeth were knocked out, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

"If anyone dares to mention retreat again, I'll kill them myself before that kid gets a chance!" Hemeng coldly scanned the mercenaries with retreating thoughts.

Under Hemeng's gaze, the mercenaries seemed to find their backbone, their fighting spirit reigniting.

Watching the mercenaries, now revitalized, Xiao Yan thought to himself, "A six-star Dou Practitioner with a group of mercenary fighters—this won't be easy."

Taking in the renewed confidence of the mercenaries, Hemeng's eyes burned as he looked at Xiao Yan.

"Kid, you have some skill, but the stronger you are, the more precious the treasures you possess! Not to scare you, but I've already broken through to a six-star Dou Practitioner. With these mercenary brothers, we can wear you down to death!"

A six-star Dou Practitioner?! The third leader had broken through to a six-star Dou Practitioner!

The mercenaries, hearing this news, felt a surge of morale.

Based on the third leader's cultivation speed, he was supposed to break through in about a year. Now, with his strength suddenly increased and his rock-attribute Dou Qi providing robust defense, he could certainly lead them to easily kill this black-robed youth!

Mystical-level skills and techniques!

At this moment, Xiao Yan no longer appeared so terrifying to them; instead, he looked like a glowing golden mountain waiting to be harvested.

Hemeng chuckled inwardly. Announcing his strength wasn't meant to intimidate.

Jamming the black ruler into the ground, Xiao Yan laughed, "You do have numbers, but…"

As he spoke, Xiao Yan retrieved two crimson spheres from his pocket. "Die! Flame Burst!"

(End of Chapter)