Chapter 85: Taking Them Down One by One

Chapter 85: Taking Them Down One by One

Gu Tianci's decision to split his men into smaller groups to search the forest proved to be a fatal misstep. What he underestimated was the deadly coordination and tenacity of Mu Feng and his companions.

Silent Assassins in the Shadows

The two mercenaries trudged through the dense foliage, their conversation light yet tinged with greed.

"Where the hell are those brats hiding? We've been wandering around for ages," one grumbled, slicing through a branch with his blade.

"Keep looking. Those spirit fruits are worth a fortune," the other replied, licking his lips at the thought.

"Fortune? Don't kid yourself. You think the Young Commander will let us have more than scraps?"

Unbeknownst to them, three sets of cold, calculating eyes watched their every move from the underbrush. When the two mercenaries stepped past a dense thicket, Mu Feng struck.

A golden finger strike shot out with lethal precision. The lead mercenary didn't even have time to scream before the energy pierced his skull, killing him instantly.

Simultaneously, Mu Kuang leaped from the shadows, clamping his hand over the remaining mercenary's mouth. Bai Ziyue delivered a swift and silent thrust to the man's heart, his blade sliding effortlessly between ribs.

The mercenary's eyes widened in terror before his body slumped lifelessly to the ground.

Mu Feng knelt over the corpses, placing his hand on each. The Shura Divine Jade glowed faintly as it absorbed the blood energy, leaving the bodies shriveled and dry like ancient mummies.

"Let's move," Mu Feng commanded. The three disappeared into the trees like phantoms.

Gu Tianci's Growing Fear

Half an hour later, Gu Tianci stood over two more desiccated corpses, his expression grim. Around him, his remaining men shifted uneasily, fear etched into their faces.

"This isn't normal, Young Commander," one muttered. "They're turning our people into... those things."

Gu Tianci clenched his fists, suppressing the gnawing unease clawing at his chest. "We underestimated them," he admitted, venom dripping from his words. "Send the signal—rally the rest. We can't afford to be picked off one by one."

His voice was steady, but his thoughts churned. The deaths were gruesome, unnatural. He hadn't expected the three youths to possess such ruthless and efficient methods.

Before his orders could be carried out, a cold voice cut through the tension.

"Too late," Mu Feng said, stepping into view with his companions flanking him.

Clash of Strengths

"Still alive, I see," Gu Tianci said, narrowing his eyes. His men braced themselves, weapons drawn.

Mu Feng smiled coldly. "You split your forces and let us take the advantage. Now it's your turn."

"You brats think you can take me in a straight fight? I'll crush you in ten moves," Gu Tianci sneered, yellow energy crackling around his fists.

"We'll see," Mu Feng replied evenly, his calm demeanor unnerving Gu Tianci's men.

The Fight

Gu Tianci charged first, his Mountain Shattering Fist tearing through the air with devastating force. The sheer impact uprooted trees and sent leaves scattering like confetti.

Mu Feng met the attack head-on with his Twelve Veins Punch, a low-tier technique enhanced by his refined control over energy. The two fists collided with a thunderous boom, sending shockwaves through the forest.

Mu Feng skidded backward, his arms throbbing from the impact. Gu Tianci smirked, advancing with renewed confidence. "Is that all?"

Mu Kuang and Bai Ziyue faced their opponents in parallel battles. Both mercenaries had higher cultivation levels, but their crude techniques couldn't match the polished skills of Mu Feng's companions. The fights were fierce, the clash of steel echoing through the trees.

Turning the Tide

Gu Tianci pressed his advantage, launching a relentless barrage of punches. Each blow carried the weight of his Purple Palace Stage cultivation, but Mu Feng's agility kept him just out of reach.

As Gu Tianci swung wide, Mu Feng seized the opening. Two golden finger strikes shot forward, one grazing Gu Tianci's shoulder while the other found its mark. Blood sprayed as the energy tore through his left shoulder.

"Damn you!" Gu Tianci roared, his movements faltering as pain rippled through his body.

Mu Feng didn't let up. Channeling the fire energy he'd painstakingly refined, he launched his Nine Inferno Fist. Flames surged around his fist, the intense heat warping the air around it.

"Take this!" Mu Feng shouted, his punch obliterating Gu Tianci's blade in a fiery explosion. The force sent Gu Tianci hurtling backward, his chest scorched and his breathing ragged.

Victory and Aftermath

Mu Kuang and Bai Ziyue dispatched their opponents with a final, coordinated strike. The two mercenaries fell, their blood soaking the forest floor.

Gu Tianci, battered and broken, struggled to his knees. He glared at Mu Feng with hate-filled eyes. "You'll... regret this…"

"I doubt it," Mu Feng replied, his voice icy. He stepped forward, blade in hand, prepared to finish it.

But before he could strike, the distant roar of a powerful beast echoed through the forest, sending chills down their spines.

"We've overstayed our welcome," Bai Ziyue said, his voice tense.

Mu Feng glanced at Gu Tianci, then back to his companions. "Leave him. He's no longer a threat."

The three disappeared into the shadows once more, leaving Gu Tianci to his fate.