At the edge of the Black Forest, the former tranquility and natural beauty were no more. The numerous tree stumps stood out like a sore thumb. Despite the forest’s regenerative power, it couldn’t withstand the destruction caused by hordes of mercenaries. Without the protection of the indigenous races, even the eerie Black Forest was helpless against such devastation.
Hundreds of workers and mercenaries were still tirelessly cutting down trees. The opportunity to log in the Black Forest was rare, causing timber prices to soar, and even be used for tax payments. Now, the Lord of South Azure City had raised the purchase price by thirty percent, which attracted many low-level mercenaries who dared not venture deep into the forest. They found they could earn decently by logging at the forest’s edge, without the risk of their previous perilous battles.
These mercenaries, regardless of their low levels, proved to be the best workers, given their strength. It seemed the Lord of South Azure City was impatient, already setting up logging camps before clearing all the indigenous races.
Guarding the logging sites were squads of fully armed elite warriors, even though their insignias were removed, they could still be recognized as the Lord of South Azure City’s direct troops. He was already beginning to claim land on a grand scale. Even if someone later caught wind of this and reported it to the Empire, South Azure City had already seized the initiative. By providing a large supply of timber, it would surely gain more support from the Empire. Moreover, if the Black Forest were so easy to exploit, timber wouldn’t be so expensive. With the Lord’s strength, he still needed to rely on the might of the Spider Emperor to achieve such smooth progress.
When Qian Ye appeared, the guards mistook him for a lone mercenary seeking fortune in the Black Forest. Such individuals were common, so they waved their guns, indicating that Qian Ye should go around the logging camp and enter the Black Forest.
The Black Forest now was vastly different from when Qian Ye first traversed it. Signs of fierce battles were everywhere, with many fallen trees lying unabsorbed. The forest was deathly silent, devoid of vitality.
Battles marks were scattered throughout, making it hard to discern directions. But since he was already here, Qian Ye didn’t hesitate and dashed towards the sound of distant clashes. Soon, he came across several mercenaries rushing hurriedly.
Qian Ye, alone with his sword, blocked their path, expressionless, and asked, “Where is the little girl being surrounded?”
A belligerent mercenary glared at Qian Ye and sneered, “Why the hell should I tell you?”
Without a word, Qian Ye flashed his sword, and the mercenary’s head flew into the air, shock and fear frozen on his face. After killing one, Qian Ye turned to the next. This mercenary, still reeling from the shock, instinctively aimed his gun at Qian Ye. Thankfully, he reacted quickly and lowered his weapon, sweating coldly.
“The little girl and the indigenous spirits are in that direction. We’re heading there,” the mercenary pointed.
“What’s the situation there?”
“It’s said that the leader of the Furious Gale is commanding the operation. They’ve set up an encirclement and are gradually eliminating the indigenous spirits.”
Qian Ye, somewhat puzzled, asked, “Aren’t you afraid of retaliation from the indigenous races for your large-scale attack and deforestation?”
“Word is that the Spider Emperor has sent true powerhouses to oversee, watching over the indigenous races. Any reinforcements from them will be intercepted. Rumor has it that some big shots are also coming.”
Realization dawned on Qian Ye; these people must be determined to claim the Black Forest. Just for Little Zhu Ji, this scale of action wouldn’t make sense unless the Spider Emperor was unaware of her true potential. If he knew, he would probably come himself.
With the information he needed, Qian Ye’s gaze turned cold.
A sharp-eyed mercenary screamed, “Run, he’s going to attack!”
But it was too late. With a few swift moves, Qian Ye slew the mercenaries and rushed towards the encirclement.
Qian Ye’s speed through the Black Forest far exceeded that of ordinary men. Soon, he reached a chaotic battlefield.
Across the vast expanse, battles erupted in clusters, with groups of mercenaries and indigenous warriors clashing. Small battlefields intersected, forming no clear line. Behind the front lines, dozens of strong warriors wielded axes and saws, felling ancient trees. These workers were stronger than those at the outer camps, able to fell a giant tree in a few strikes.
Under continuous logging, a narrow strip of cleared land rapidly formed, dividing the forest into two parts.
Qian Ye didn’t rush in, but observed and soon noticed the pattern. Wherever this strip extended, the indigenous warriors’ movements slowed, and their elusive tactics diminished, reducing their combat effectiveness. The indigenous warriors, aware of the threat, continuously charged out of the forest, trying to kill the loggers, while the mercenaries desperately held them back.
Mercenaries, skilled in small-scale skirmishes, anticipated the indigenous warriors’ attacks, balancing offense and defense. Surprisingly, they managed to hold their own in the Black Forest. A middle-aged warrior in gray armor directed the troops from a high point, shouting orders to fortify weak spots. Under his command, the defensive line held firm, no matter how the indigenous warriors attacked, the strip remained unthreatened.
This strip’s effect was mysterious, seemingly severing the forest’s mystical energy from the indigenous warriors. The crude method’s effectiveness was surprising.
After observing for a moment, Qian Ye glanced at the commanding middle-aged mercenary and passed through the line, heading deeper. Concealing his presence, he became unremarkable in the chaotic battlefield. Occasionally, a few unlucky ones spotted him, only to become corpses.
In the Black Forest, it wasn’t a true encirclement, just a wide net. But under the Furious Gale’s command, the net was tight, not missing key targets.
Past the chaos, the surroundings quieted, and the forest grew darker. Qian Ye sensed the mysterious energy lingering in the air. This part of the forest remained intact, allowing the indigenous warriors to exert more power.
However, faint sounds of battle could be heard in several directions, indicating that top-tier mercenaries had penetrated deeper, seeking more gains.
Within the Black Forest, Qian Ye’s senses were limited, unable to locate Zhu Ji. But at the core of the battlefield, finding her was simple: kill the mercenaries, and Zhu Ji would be safe. As for the indigenous races, it depended on their treatment of Zhu Ji. If hostile, Qian Ye wouldn’t hesitate to slaughter them.
Qian Ye swiftly navigated the forest, reaching a battlefield where a dozen mercenaries, all from the Furious Gale, were advancing in a half-moon formation. Among them were three human warriors and three vampire viscounts, making them exceptionally formidable.
They moved steadily, facing dozens of indigenous warriors. The indigenous warriors leapt between the ancient trees, moving unpredictably, trying to confuse the mercenaries. However, the experienced mercenaries remained unfazed, pushing forward methodically.
If the indigenous warriors tried to break through the flanks, the mercenaries would adjust, and the other side would launch relentless attacks, holding them back. Unless the indigenous warriors paid a heavy price, escape was unlikely. Yet, unwilling to abandon their comrades, they were forced to retreat.
Eventually, the indigenous warriors would be driven out of the core forest, and then completely surrounded and annihilated.
Sensing the dire situation, the indigenous warriors periodically attacked the mercenaries. But with too many strong mercenaries, any charge was quickly crushed. Despite repeated attempts, the indigenous warriors only left corpses behind.
Amid the chaos, a small figure appeared, perched on the shoulders of a tall warrior—Little Zhu Ji.
Seeing her, the mercenaries’ eyes lit up. A warlord and two vampire viscounts immediately broke off and lunged at Zhu Ji!
Their combined attack was formidable. The indigenous warriors guarding the tall warrior couldn’t hold, flying apart, dead. The three mercenaries converged from different angles. The viscounts wielded dual swords, unleashing a storm of attacks, while the human warlord, slightly behind, took out an origin gun, circling the tall warrior, but not firing.
The tall warrior roared, overwhelmed. His strength far surpassed any single mercenary, but he had Zhu Ji and had to guard against the human mercenaries.
In a flash, the human warlord found an opening and fired!
Zhu Ji screamed as the shot was aimed directly at her. Too close to dodge, a flash of blood appeared on her forehead, and she flew backward, unconscious.
The tall warrior, enraged, leapt to save Zhu Ji, leaving himself open to multiple sword strikes. When he held her, he was drenched in blood.
“Fall back! Lao Meng, you went too far. If the kid dies, the boss will have your head!” a human warlord shouted.
The three retreating mercenaries glared, but suddenly, a figure emerged from the ranks, holding a chilling long spear, and said coldly, “None of you are going back.”
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