Chapter 110: Into the Woods

The man was stared down by Qian Ye’s blue eyes, feeling as if doused in icy water. His pale yellow hair stood on end, and he leapt up from the ground like he had been burned, letting out a scream.

He glared at Qian Ye with a sharp, high-pitched voice, “What are you looking at!”

Qian Ye replied coldly, “What are you yelling about?”

The sinister man raged, “You’re courting death!”

Qian Ye’s hand already rested on his sword, Dongyue, with a flash of murderous intent in his eyes. He scanned his opponent without restraint using his true sight. In Qian Ye’s eyes, even though this man’s level was three ranks higher, his power was not formidable, and thus, he was not to be feared.

Seeing the conflict about to erupt, a Li family warrior responsible for the ship stood up to mediate, saying, “We are soon to be comrades-in-arms. With a common enemy before us, let’s set aside our minor grievances.”

The sinister man used this opportunity to step down, reining in his power, and sneered, “I can’t believe a mere lieutenant general is so intimidating these days.”

Qian Ye smiled faintly, “If you provoke me again, you’ll learn how a lieutenant general can kill you.”

The sinister man rose abruptly, but the Li family warrior hurriedly held him back, standing between them, and managed to persuade him back to his seat after much persuasion.

At that moment, the airship vibrated, taking off towards the battlefield. The atmosphere in the cabin became increasingly tense. Qian Ye, who had no intention of clashing with imperial warriors before the battle, ignored the sinister man and found an empty seat.

On Qian Ye’s left was a woman in her thirties, quite attractive, but the thick aura of blood and violence around her warned others that she was not to be trifled with.

Qian Ye glanced at her and asked, “Who was that fool just now? Can you tell me?”

The woman gave Qian Ye a deep look and said, “If I’m not mistaken, you are Qian Ye, right? That guy is called Du Li. He seems to have appeared out of nowhere, and the Li family seems to be considering him to lead a mobile squad. Ha ha, to provoke you upon meeting, indeed a fool.”

Not only did the woman’s gaze linger on Qian Ye, but several others who heard his name also looked over, their expressions subtly changed.

Qian Ye was one of the fastest-rising new stars in the empire, but his name was once associated with the Yan Yun Zhao clan. The empire’s twin stars were more like the Zhao clan’s twin stars. Yet, he was now aboard a warship of the Jing Tang Li clan, and the fact that a Li family steward chose to stop Du Li showed that they placed great importance on Qian Ye.

“Still, he’s a level thirteen warrior, nearly a major general,” Qian Ye shrugged, seemingly oblivious to the attention. He had already noted Du Li’s name and, if given the chance, would give him a lesson he wouldn’t forget. Qian Ye never hesitated to return malice to those who harbored it toward him.

“So what if he’s level thirteen? I’ve heard your kill list includes a genuine Dark Count.”

“Actually, he was just the lowest rank of count.”

Hearing Qian Ye’s nonchalant response, those around him felt an urge to hit someone. Even for imperial warriors of the same level as a Dark Count, having such a kill record was a source of pride.

In fact, many who heard the rumors did not believe Qian Ye could have killed a Dark Count alone. But one of the sources of the news was the Jing Tang Li clan, and it was said that someone from the Li family had witnessed it. Given the strained relationship between the Zhao and Li clans, this increased the credibility of the rumor.

On the other side of the cabin, Du Li conversed with another strong warrior and a member of the Li family, his expression shifting, clearly hearing about Qian Ye’s background and past achievements. Yet, he showed no fear and had no intention of apologizing, only shooting Qian Ye occasional, more sinister glances.

The high-speed airship flew for nearly two hours, finally reaching the forward base on the edge of the Fog Forest. This base was built by the Jing Tang Li clan and several upper-middle-class families, and there were three such bases in the Fog Forest area, though this was the largest.

The airship stopped outside the base, and Qian Ye was the first to step out, surveying the temporary camp that could hold about ten thousand people. Hundreds of soldiers were still building the new encampment, which would be large enough for tens of thousands.

Beside the landing field, a massive transport ship was docked, and a dozen high-ranking warriors were unloading a huge metal component. Qian Ye recognized it as a key part of a power tower, indicating the Li family’s ambitious plans. They were even building a power tower, clearly planning to establish a permanent base here.

A thousand meters away was the Fog Forest, where hundreds of soldiers patrolled vigilantly. Behind them, more soldiers dug trenches, and signs of recent combat were visible at the front lines.

As Qian Ye descended the gangway, he asked an officer waiting below, “Have the dark races appeared?”

“Yes, a small team just attacked, but they were all eliminated. However, the team included arachnoid demons, vampires, and werewolves,” the officer said, his face clouded with worry.

Not just Qian Ye, but the other free warriors who followed also looked grave. Those who had dealt with the dark races knew that when various races mixed in a team, especially vampires and werewolves, it meant a powerful figure or force was leading, suppressing the racial tensions.

“Do you know their clans?” Qian Ye asked.

“No, none of the dark warriors had any markings.”

Qian Ye nodded, glanced at the Fog Forest, narrowed his eyes, and said, “Prepare some water and rations for me. I’m going into the Fog Forest now.”

The officer was startled, “Now? Don’t you want to rest first?”

“No need.”

The officer’s orders were to fulfill the needs of these free warriors to the fullest extent and not to interfere unless ordered from above. He immediately sent two soldiers running to prepare the supplies.

Qian Ye walked through the camp, observing the construction along the way.

Though the Li family’s camp was still in its early stages, less grand than the forward base guarded by the Third Fleet, the basic layout was clear. It included an airship base, a repair facility, and foundations for four large anti-air towers.

From the camp alone, it was evident that the Li family had plenty of talent. Even Qian Ye, with his keen eye, could find no fault.

As Qian Ye was about to leave the camp, two soldiers ran up with a half-person-high military backpack, saying, “This is the standard ration and water supply, enough for ten days.”

Qian Ye took the backpack, glanced at the Fog Forest, and said, “Make sure your people cover me.”

“Yes, General.”

Just as Qian Ye was about to cross the camp’s forward line and enter the Fog Forest, a voice called out from behind, “Wait.”

Qian Ye turned to see the strong woman from the airship.

She moved like the wind, stepping up to Qian Ye in a few strides, giving Thunder a glance, and said, “I’m Zhu Huan, a level eleven close-combat warrior. How about we work together? I think we can collaborate well.”

Without hesitation, Qian Ye shook his head, “No, I prefer to act alone.”

Zhu Huan said, “Maybe you need someone to watch your back.”

Her words carried a deeper meaning. Qian Ye glanced in Du Li’s direction and said, “I have eyes on my back too. Most who try to approach from behind end up dead.”

Zhu Huan frowned, evidently proud, and didn’t insist. She simply said, “Good luck,” and prepared to leave.

But Qian Ye pointed at Du Li and said, “You should be careful of that man. If you follow me, you’ve already offended him.”

Zhu Huan snorted, “I’m not afraid of him.”

“His eyes are strange,” Qian Ye warned.

“Thanks.”

Qian Ye nodded, said no more, and turned towards the Fog Forest, disappearing into the mist. As he vanished, Du Li glared at the spot where Qian Ye had disappeared, his eyes filled with hatred and killing intent.

With only a level ten general by his side, Du Li’s plan to form a team crumbled as most of the other strong warriors, following Qian Ye and Zhu Huan’s lead, chose to act independently.

Back in the Fog Forest, Qian Ye noticed the fog’s dampening effect on his senses was slightly reduced, perhaps due to the disappearance of the void beast’s will, which had previously suppressed sensory perception.

Even so, his range of perception was still limited to five hundred meters, despite his promotion to second-class viscount and enhanced vampire abilities, including true sight.

However, in the complex terrain of the forest, a five-hundred-meter range was sufficient, as it was rare to find a clear line of sight that long.

Qian Ye estimated that human warriors of the same level might only perceive within a few dozen meters, while the dark races, though better, would be around a hundred meters. In the Fog Forest, Qian Ye still had a significant advantage.

Qian Ye did not linger at the edge but headed straight into the depths of the forest. After running several kilometers and ensuring no one followed, he stowed his supplies and adjusted his equipment to be in optimal combat condition.

He then activated his bloodline, blending with the fog, and cautiously advanced.

After a short while, he heard a sound like breaking branches, unusual in the Fog Forest. The forest floor was covered with a purple substrate, making it almost silent. The towering, branchless trees made such sounds unlikely, suggesting someone was moving through the forest and accidentally caught something.