Chapter 001: Contesting with Nature
A single question stunned the members of the Mercenary Guild
Meanwhile, strange cries echoed from outside. Following the cries, the sound of crunching leaves underfoot grew increasingly intense. As Chen Mu gazed into the dark depths of the forest, where shadowy figures occasionally flickered, he instinctively tightened his grip on the weapon beside him, remaining vigilant as he watched the depths of the forest.
The situation became difficult to control in a short period of time
Fighting spirit! It is indeed fighting spirit! Upon seeing that faint glimmer of essence, Chen Mu's face was filled with uncontrollable joy, and his eyes even glistened slightly. After all these years, his cultivation had finally yielded a hint of reward. Clenching his fists tightly, he murmured to himself: "Chen Mu, you have finally entered the ranks of fighters"
All I could hear was someone shouting: "Doesn't this sound like the roar of a beast from the Eastern Continent?"
At this moment, a group of mercenaries is resting in a clearing within the Lost Forest.
Haha... Haha, hard work pays off for those who are determined. Chen Mu, you have finally mastered your fighting spirit. Chen Mu encouraged himself, saying: "I wonder how those arrogant individuals will gossip behind my back now that I have mastered my fighting spirit and entered the realm of combat skills. It is only right and proper for me to participate in the entrance examination of the Imperial Guard!"
"It is the legendary monster, everyone run away!"
However, for Chen Mu, it is still quite good. Although he encounters traces of the witch dragon every time, he has never been attacked by it. Putting these coincidences together, Chen Mu has even wondered if he might be the nemesis of the witch dragon. Otherwise, why is it that whenever he steps forward, the witch dragon disappears without a trace? As for the reason, Chen Mu has yet to find out.
As the conversation unfolded, the figure in green was about to make a move. Chen Mu, who had been observing in the shadows, saw this urgency and called out loudly, "My lord in green, please hold on!"
Wujiao, it is Wujiao
Accompanied by Chen Mu's incessant secret joy, suddenly, deep within the Lost Forest, a gust of cold wind swept through, and the brightness of the campfire was instantly diminished by several degrees
The way follows nature, taking from nature. Can even the fighting spirit draw upon the forces of nature?
Have you failed again
In a secluded corner behind the Mercenary Guild's vehicle depot
Upon seeing the newcomer, the entire mercenary guild came to a halt, kneeling on one knee, and in unison exclaimed: "Lord in Green!"
Haha, haha
Meanwhile, the Mercenary Guild has begun to panic
After stabilizing the situation, the imposing Qingyi commanded, "Do not scatter, members of the Mercenary Guild with three-star fighters step forward to protect my princess at the back, while the rest will follow my lead. Watch how I personally behead the witch Jiao!" As he spoke, Qingyi had already leaped into the air. This was not mere bravado; rather, it was due to the formidable reputation of the Seven Guests under Crown Prince Su Yala, with Qingyi ranking third among them and possessing strength comparable to an eight-star fighter. Although he was not as strong as Jiao, it was rumored that Qingyi was adept at using Azure Profound Battle Qi, which could instantly double his strength, giving him a certain level of confidence. Qingyi had already leaped into the air, not out of arrogance, but because of the renowned status of the Seven Guests under Crown Prince Su Yala, with Qingyi ranking third among them and possessing strength comparable to an eight-star fighter. Although he was not as strong as Jiao, it was rumored that Qingyi was adept at using Azure Profound Battle Qi, which could instantly double his strength, giving him a certain level of confidence.
Although the name Wujiao is ordinary, how could Chen Mu, who has long guided the Mercenary Guild, be unaware of the story of Wujiao? It is rumored that Wujiao is no ordinary magical beast; it is a hybrid born from the mount of the God of All Beasts, the Jiaolong, and the ancient magical beast, the Wuliao. It possesses a charming appearance akin to that of the Wuliao, yet its temperament is as fierce as that of the Jiaolong. It is a ferocious holy beast comparable to a fighter-level beast, and it is among the rarest in the entire Eastern Continent. Some people go their whole lives without ever seeing the form of Wujiao. In a certain sense, Wujiao is the king of the underworld who claims lives.
Chen Mu was also filled with doubts. Dou Qi, Dou JI, indeed, Dou JI is condensed from Dou Qi, and it also erupts in the form of Dou Qi. If an ordinary person can master even a trace of Dou Qi, they can officially step into the realm of Dou JI. However, under the guidance of my two masters, I have not had the slightest reaction over the years. The Dou Qi I occasionally gather is fleeting and never remains within my body, let alone take form to strike. There has always been a chasm that I do not know how to cross. Over the years, regardless of the sweat, tears, or blood I have shed, I have never awakened the Dou Qi within me. If I cannot enter the realm of Dou JI, how can I survive in the Eastern Continent? My sincere comprehension has yielded no results. Why is this?
"This does not sound like the cries of the beasts on the Eastern Continent? Could it be..." A troubling thought flashed through Chen Mu's mind, and suddenly, several terrifying images emerged in his head. He exclaimed in surprise, "Could it be that... witch dragon!"
Respecting skill as paramount, guiding with spirit, but from where does the spirit arise? From where does the spirit come?
Feeling the natural aura fluctuating around him, Chen Mu stood calmly, his hands pressed together, drawing upon the natural fighting energy, yet not gathering it within his body. Suddenly, he slashed through the air. In the deep of night, a silver-white fighting energy surged forth. It was initially thought that this fighting energy would carve a brilliant arc in the night, but with a soft "sizzle," it dissipated, leaving only a faint groove on the ground.
Hmph! Seeing the reactions of everyone, the woman in blue let out a cold snort and said lightly: "A mere Level 4 magical beast, the Wujiao, do you think there are no fighters, or even great fighters, under my master, Prince Su Yala? You fear the Wujiao, but do you not fear the three-foot Qingfeng of my master?"
No
Why? Why?!
Quack!
No
After these loud shouts, the mercenary guild fell into complete chaos. Under normal circumstances, when attacked, the mercenary guild would choose to fight to the death to protect the safety of their clients, and such a situation as the current one would never occur. However, unexpected events can happen; when the entire mercenary guild could potentially be devoured by the witch dragon, and no one could escape, no one would choose to sacrifice themselves
Is it a mistake of my own choosing, or is this path fundamentally flawed? ... Or perhaps ...! ... I am simply not suited for competitive fighting!
Shaking his head, Chen Mu brushed his hair, yet his face bore the calm expression that had long become second nature. The Eastern Continent established its path through martial prowess, and the way of martial arts is propelled and unleashed by fighting spirit. For Chen Mu, the path of cultivating fighting techniques through dozens of levels was such that even the most basic fighter could not formally step into it.
"Damn it, with a great enemy approaching, why are you all in a panic!" At the same time, a figure as swift as lightning streaked across the night sky, trailing several streaks of azure light. With his appearance, he gently waved his hand, stirring up several streams of light in the chaotic mercenary guild, instantly suppressing the rising dust.
The figure in the blue attire, whose appearance was indistinct, offered no response at all and coldly commanded, "Although the Wujiao is terrifying, the matter has yet to be clarified. Why are you all in such a panic? Is it possible that the power of Crown Prince Su Yala is inferior to that of the Wujiao?" The sound of thunder echoed, amplified by the pressure of fighting spirit, resonating throughout every corner of the Lost Forest
The competition is not great, what is the greatest? The way of heaven? ... The way ...? ... The way follows nature?
The situation is on the verge of collapse
At that moment, no one dared to resist, responding timidly to the anger of the figure in blue.
Just as the youth was filled with disappointment, a faint glimmer of fighting spirit reignited in the very place where the fighting spirit had just vanished.
On a dark and windy night, the sound of crackling campfires echoed through the deep mountains. This is the Lost Forest on the Eastern Continent, a place of legend and taboo within the Sualara Dynasty. Few dare to come here in search of miraculous elixirs, all because of the legendary sacred beast—the Wujiao.