"Haru! How dare you show your face before us brothers again!"
"Oh my, you two brothers are still so emotional. Just now you were putting on a tearjerker, and now you're acting all bitter and resentful. Is life that hard?"
Haru paid no mind, his tall frame exuding confidence. He held two high-grade species in his hands, both devoid of life.
Seeing the two corpses, the two brothers' pupils constricted.
"Dao Tong... did you kill them?"
Haru shrugged. "Of course."
The two brothers exchanged a look, fear evident in their eyes.
Although they had also defeated Dao Tong, it had taken considerable effort. Haru had defeated two alone, and not a single scratch was on him, nor did he even seem to be breathing heavily.
"Haru, you've gotten stronger."
"You two have too."
Haru continued, "Actually, my level is still the same, no great progress. I've just been training intensely for two months, and my body and skills have become more integrated."
With their new equipment and Jun Qing's previous recuperation, the two of them had made significant progress in their strength.
They had thought they could finally get their revenge.
But now, Haru's progress rate surpassed theirs!
"This... is talent, huh?"
Haru said to them, "Don't dwell on the past too much. We fought before because of tribal conflicts; when I took your brother's salt spirits, we were each serving our own masters. Now that we're under the same banner, let the past be the past."
"Easy for you to say!"
"Otherwise, what can you two do?"
Haru spread his hands, looking utterly helpless.
"You!!"
The two were not ones to be insulted. Even if they were outmatched, they would fight Haru to the end!
Unexpectedly, Haru turned around and waved his hand. "With that energy, you could kill two more enemies and earn some money. You're grown adults, and you don't know how to live your lives."
"If you two really have the strength, head in that direction."
Haru pointed towards the烈阳山 command center. "Inside that building should be the biggest fish of this operation. But it's a bit late to go now."
"Why?"
"Experts from the Northern Region have been eyeing that place for a long time. They should be returning with heads by now."
"Even you call them experts... How do you compare?"
Haru recalled for a moment and said directly, "I am no match for the Ten Greats of the Northern Region!"
The Ten Greats of the Northern Region were old veterans who had been famous for decades. Haru had only encountered one of them.
That was the fisherman known as the Old Man of the Cold Pond.
This old man wielded a bamboo pole like a club or spear, and he also possessed invisible silken threads that were as sharp as knives!
When fighting him, one had to be wary not only of his fierce close-combat staff techniques but also of the flying silken threads that could end your life at any moment!
Boom~~~
A mushroom cloud rose in the distance, accompanied by soaring flames!
On a giant tree, Mo Du, Chu Xiang, and the Northern Tribal Elder were gathered.
A Northern Tribal Elder pointed in the direction of the command center. "It seems the Fisherman has made his move. Today's first merit will undoubtedly belong to our Northern Region!"
War, as always, was tied to profit.
Besides rescuing people, the rare treasures and resources of the Cloud Kingdom were also highly coveted.
And the distribution of these spoils of war naturally depended on merit!
The Elder proudly said, "Mr. Chu Xiang, do you see how brave my Northern warriors are?"
"What are you boasting about? I think my Black List warriors are no less!"
"Heh heh~ Such a big mouth!"
The Elder proudly declared, "My Ten Greats of the Northern Region are all peerlessly strong. How can your Black List compare?"
"The Ten Greats of the Northern Region? The youngest are at least 60 years old. I think they're just old men celebrating a holiday... Grandpa's Joy, right?"
Chu Xiang didn't want to be so sharp-tongued, but these old fogeys were extremely annoying, constantly pestering him and exaggerating their achievements. They would inflate their own contributions infinitely.
Chu Xiang, representing the interests of the Black List, naturally could not back down.
Only Mo Du remained silent, continuing to be a transparent figure.
Seeing the growing tension between the two sides, Mo Du rubbed his forehead in exasperation. "Everyone, during joint operations, unity is paramount."
"Unity?"
The Elder continued to taunt, "Before the battle, the Black List said they would bring their top ten experts. Where are they? I think they're hiding in the rear, conserving their strength, plotting some shady business!"
"Heh, only four of the Ten Greats of the Northern Region have shown up, and you have the nerve to talk about me?"
The Fisherman, the Magician, the Tailor, the Painted-Face Tiger... these were the easiest among the Ten Greats to contact. The others were either too far away or were cultivating in extremely dangerous places. Three days was too short a time.
The situation with the Black List was similar.
Number Seven, Chengcheng; Number Eight, Hurricane; Number Ten, the Human Skin Doll...
Among these, Mo Du only knew of the Human Skin Doll. It was said that its shapeshifting technique was developed and revised by the Human Skin Doll itself, and then simplified by the Black List to be used as one of the advanced courses in the training camp.
The Elder proudly stated, "Even if only four of the Ten Greats of the Northern Region have come, they are enough to flatten the Cloud Kingdom!"
More and more Northern allied forces converged on the command center. Once this was taken,烈阳山 would have no possibility of resistance!
Another roar echoed!
The entire command center turned into an inferno!
Blazing flames soared into the sky, and a mountain-like figure slowly emerged from the fire.
The person held a head in one hand and a fishing rod in the other. Even the raging flames could not affect him in the slightest.
The head was thrown far away. The onlookers watched the charred head, and screams of extreme fear erupted.
"It's... it's the Fisherman!"
"The Fisherman is dead! Dead!"
The towering figure was none other than Bo Gang!
He was now engulfed in flames, like a demon risen from hell. His entire body was covered in fine wounds, making him look like a ham wrapped in cotton thread, almost comical.
Bo Gang raised his bamboo pole. In the flames, it still looked like a withered yellow pillar.
"Bamboo? Fishing? Hahahaha~~~ Trash!"
Bo Gang held the bamboo pole horizontally in front of his chest, then pushed up with his knees...
*Crack*
The bamboo pole broke, and he then tossed it aside like garbage.
With a casual wave, a gem-encrusted saber flew into his hand. He pointed it at the Northern allied forces and roared arrogantly and savagely, "Who else!!!"
His presence was unparalleled!!!
Heng Xing, who had always been fearless, froze in place, his eyes flashing with fear, resentment, and other emotions.
Heng Xing swallowed, a fine sheen of sweat trickling down his forehead. He said with great seriousness, "It's him! The one who attacked the venue that day! His offensive method should be explosions, and now it seems he can also use fire..."
Haru asked, "What, you fought him?"
"Fought him? I'm not worthy."
Heng Xing gave a self-deprecating smile, gritted his teeth, and said, "That day, when he attacked the venue, with just one strike, he cut more than a dozen people in half. My arm is also his doing."
"I was defeated like a mere minnow, casually by him. From beginning to end, he didn't even spare me a glance."
"Damn, he's that strong?"
A master like the Fisherman couldn't even protect himself and lost his life.
But Haru never expected that Heng Xing, who was not much different from him before his weight loss, would be so easily defeated.
Bo Gang took a step forward, brandishing his saber and roaring, "Who else? Come on, fight!"
Despite having thousands of soldiers, the allied forces retreated one after another.
Bo Gang before them was as unshakeable as a mountain!
Just then, a messenger ran towards Bo Gang, panting, shouting, "My Lord, something terrible has happened!"
Bo Gang smiled. "What? What other bad news is there? Just tell me all at once!"
"You will surely lose this battle, and you haven't had time to pick a feng shui spot!"
A dark green poisoned blade emerged from beneath the messenger's abdomen, completely in Bo Gang's blind spot!
The poisoned blade pierced flesh, and even the blood that spurted out was green...
Bo Gang swung his saber, and flames erupted!
The messenger was struck, burning in mid-air, and he chuckled sinisterly, "Corrosive body poison, please savor it."
Bo Gang swung his saber, and the rotten flesh on his abdomen was instantly sliced off.
"Very good! Very good! Things are getting more and more interesting."
The charred messenger stood his ground, and with a pull, ripped off the rotten skin from his face, revealing a faceless head.
"A truly valiant warrior, but my favorite kind to kill are you little cuties~"
Bo Gang licked his lips, squinted his eyes, and asked, "Who are you?"
"Black List Number Ten. I've played so many roles, I've long lost myself. But everyone likes to call me the Human Skin Doll. Such a cute girl's name~"
The Human Skin Doll's voice was sometimes high-pitched, sometimes low, making it impossible to discern gender!
A tall man walked out from the crowd. "One of the Ten Greats of the Northern Region, the Painted-Face Tiger! I seek your guidance!"
This man was bare-chested, with black body hair and a dark birthmark on his face, making him appear incredibly ugly.
The Painted-Face Tiger roared in place, and his body instantly swelled. Except for his underwear, which seemed to be made of an unknown material, all other clothing was torn to shreds!
After swelling, the Painted-Face Tiger was at least five meters tall, even a bit larger than the corpulent Bo Gang!
Despite his massive size, he was extremely agile and moved at lightning speed!
With a powerful burst step, he charged directly at Bo Gang and smashed down from above!
A deafening explosion instantly occurred. The allied soldiers quickly covered their ears, and some of the lower-grade laborers were so affected by the shock that they bled from their ears and fainted.
From a great distance, even Chu Xiang exclaimed, "What an exciting battle! This level, I fear I will never reach in this lifetime."
He claimed to be the representative of the Black List, but Chu Xiang knew how much real power he held.
The Northern Elder proudly stated, "Don't be fooled by the Painted-Face Tiger's amusing name; his strength is real. Even the Painted-Face Tiger alone could level烈阳山."
Chu Xiang was not discouraged and retorted, "My Black List's Human Skin Doll attacked first. Do you know about the corrosive body poison? If you and I were infected, we would turn into green water in a few breaths. How much combat effectiveness do you think that Painted-Face Tiger will have left?"
"He's just providing support... the main attack still falls on the Painted-Face Tiger!"
...
The dust and smoke on the battlefield dispersed.
The two were in a stalemate!
The Painted-Face Tiger's two fists, which he had leaped down to strike, were firmly caught by Bo Gang. Both sides were trying to overpower the other with brute force!
"You two are having quite a bit of fun~"
Just as they were locked in a struggle, the Human Skin Doll suddenly appeared behind Bo Gang. The poisoned blade in its hand lightly traced Bo Gang's chubby face before stabbing down fiercely!
Bo Gang immediately released one hand and twisted his body to grab the Human Skin Doll!
Meanwhile, the other hand of the smiling tiger was freed, and he rained punches down on Bo Gang.
But Bo Gang remained unfazed, roaring wildly, "Little rabbit, I've caught you!"
Flames erupted from Bo Gang's body, and one thunderous roar after another echoed outwards!
The heatwave generated by the flames alone made the onlookers unable to open their eyes, as if they were looking directly at the sun!
"I!"
"Am!"
"The demon Bo Gang!"
"Who else dares to fight me!"
"Hahahahahaha!!!"