Chapter 6: Ambush by the evil cultivators

Although the mercenaries were prepared to defend themselves, they quickly realized they were trapped in a formation laid by the enemies. Panic set in as one of them shouted, "Damn it! This is bad! It's the Evil Blood Formation!"

"What? The Evil Blood Formation?!" another exclaimed, his face pale.

"Oh no! We're doomed! We don't even have a formation master with us today!"

"This cursed formation will drain our blood, turning it into mist to strengthen the enemy!" one of them cried in despair.

Despite their efforts, the barrier surrounding them remained unyielding. Watching their futile struggle, the Dark Holy Church members burst into sinister laughter.

"Hahaha! Struggle all you want. It's pointless!" sneered one of the attackers. "We warned you not to meddle in the affairs of the sects, but you didn't listen. Now, accept your fate and die obediently."

The mercenary captain, his eyes blazing with anger, retorted, "Your Dark Holy Church started this! You harmed the people under our jurisdiction, and when we asked you to stop, you ignored us. We had no choice but to act!"

"Ha! We don't care about who's right or wrong!" another cult member spat venomously. "The Dark Holy Church demands absolute obedience! One day, we will rule the entire Dahong Wilderness region, and you all will bow before us as slaves. But for now—just die!"

"You can kill us," one of the Red Corps mercenaries growled through gritted teeth, his face pale from blood loss. "But don't think you'll get away with it! The Central Forest forces will avenge us. Your end will be worse than ours!"

"Hahaha! Let them try! You have no idea of our true power. Whoever stands in our way will perish!" The Dark Holy Church members laughed maniacally, reveling in their cruelty.

Just then, one of them paused, frowning. "Wait… why are those two mortals unharmed?"

All eyes turned to Liu Haoyu and Shi Yun, who were seated calmly amid the chaos. The master reclined leisurely, his eyes half-closed, while the boy curiously observed the scene, unafraid.

"You two! Who are you?!" a cult member demanded, pointing at Liu Haoyu.

Liu Haoyu sighed, opening his eyes slowly. "This has become tiresome." His gaze darkened, and he added coldly, "You all reek of innocent blood."

As his words echoed, Liu Haoyu's eyes turned pitch black, devoid of pupils. A suffocating pressure filled the air, and wherever his gaze fell, destruction followed. Flames of pure energy scorched everything in their path, as if heralding the apocalypse.

The Dark Holy Church members screamed in terror, their arrogance evaporating. They disintegrated into ash, their wails abruptly silenced. The Evil Blood Formation shattered, releasing the mercenaries. Wounds healed, strength returned, and it was as if they had never been injured.

Shi Yun, unfazed, watched his master with admiration. I always knew Master was this powerful!

The Red Corps mercenaries, however, were stunned into silence. After a long pause, one whispered, "By the heavens… we were traveling with such a powerful master this entire time. Thank the stars we didn't offend him!"

Liu Haoyu's eyes gradually returned to normal. The captain stepped forward, his voice trembling with respect. "Mr. Liu, we owe you our lives. If not for you, today would have been our end. We can never repay this debt."

"It's nothing," Liu Haoyu replied calmly. "I have my own grudge against the Dark Holy Church. No need to repay me. Just remember—evil begets evil."

The captain nodded solemnly and ordered his team to prepare for departure. After ensuring everything was in order, he returned to Liu Haoyu. "We're ready to leave, Mr. Liu."

Liu Haoyu gave a slight nod and entered the carriage with Shi Yun.

As they set off again, Shi Yun turned to his master, eyes sparkling. "Master, I've finished reading this book!"

"You've memorized everything?" Liu Haoyu asked, raising an eyebrow.

Shi Yun nodded earnestly.

"Very good," Liu Haoyu praised, and Shi Yun's lips curled into a small, pleased smile, though he tried to hide it.

Liu Haoyu chuckled softly at the boy's pretense, and the mercenaries, watching the exchange, couldn't help but laugh as well. Shi Yun, now a bit annoyed, pouted but quickly brightened when his master handed him a new book and a space ring for his belongings.

"Master is the best!" Shi Yun exclaimed, his face glowing with happiness. "It feels so good to have you as my master! Master, will you teach me that powerful technique someday?"

Liu Haoyu smiled warmly. "Of course. You'll have your own exclusive technique, tailor-made for you."

"Thank you, Master!" Shi Yun's joy was infectious, and he flashed a triumphant smile at the mercenaries.

The mercenaries exchanged glances, their thoughts unanimous: This boy is spoiled! We want a powerful master too! But they could only keep their envy hidden, smiling indulgently instead.

A few days later, as they neared their destination, Liu Haoyu's memories began to resurface. Each fragment of memory brought a deeper calm and steadiness to him. His demeanor grew increasingly extraordinary, and even a single glance from him carried a subtle yet oppressive weight, leaving all who witnessed it in silent awe.

Finally, on the sixteenth day after leaving the small town, they arrived at the outskirts of the Central Forest territory. The city gates loomed large and imposing, heavily guarded by armored sentries who scrutinized everyone entering. Once they passed through the bustling queue at the gates, a sprawling, prosperous city unfolded before their eyes.

The streets buzzed with activity as crowds hurried about, each person engrossed in their tasks. Vendors called out to potential customers, and the air was alive with the hum of trade and industry. Towering buildings lined the streets, each showcasing a specialized craft. Shops dedicated to alchemy refinement, weapon forging, talisman creation, and formation construction were bustling with patrons, their entrances adorned with intricate symbols and glowing artifacts that advertised their trade.

Amid the lively cityscape stood an enormous, ornate building that dominated the surroundings. A grand plaque above its entrance bore the words Mercenary Mission Hall in bold, gleaming letters, catching the light and drawing attention. It was clear that mercenaries were the backbone of this bustling economy.

The demand for their services was evident—beast bodies, precious resources harvested by mercenaries, were the lifeblood of the city's industries. These materials were essential for enhancing alchemy medicines, forging powerful weapons, strengthening formations, and crafting potent talismans.