Battle Through The Heavens : I Am The Thunder Emperor

Chapter 139: Harvest and Trouble

"Just over there, not too far."

As the man's voice faded, Mo Yu glanced in the direction he pointed, casting a quick look at a small hill, and nodded slightly.

After signaling Qing Lin to hide for the moment, Mo Yu grabbed the man's arm and stamped hard on the ground. With a dull explosion, the ground was blasted into a large pit. Using the rebound force, Mo Yu and the man shot up onto the hill.

Once atop the hill, Mo Yu swiftly moved again, darting a distance before stopping in a tall tree. He dropped the stunned man onto a branch, then stepped forward, his gaze fixed on a group of people below in the forest.

In the forest below, several mercenaries, armed with weapons, stood back-to-back. Surrounding them were dozens more mercenaries, wearing uniforms embroidered with a golden lion emblem. It was clear that the two groups belonged to opposing factions.

"So, these are the people from the Wild Lion Mercenary Group?" Mo Yu's eyes swept over them, focusing on the three leaders. Their strength as eight-star Dou Fighters earned them some attention from him.

"Sir... that small team surrounded in the middle is part of our Demon Mountain Mercenary Group. We had just acquired the Soul Fruit of the Earth's Heart and were planning to return, but we were ambushed by these guys from the Wild Lion Mercenary Group…" The man's tone was filled with respect as he glanced at Mo Yu's back. The speed Mo Yu had just displayed made the man realize that this young-looking boy was a hidden master.

"Hmm." Mo Yu nodded slightly, his gaze once again sweeping over the ten mercenaries trapped in the middle. There were eight mercenaries in total—seven men and one woman. His eyes paused on the slim, graceful figure of the woman.

She appeared to be around twenty years old, with a pretty face. However, her slightly raised eyebrows carried a wild and rebellious look, like a young leopard from the forest. From her demeanor, it was clear that this beautiful mercenary was also thorny.

The woman was dressed boldly and provocatively. Her short top barely covered her chest and the area below, leaving her sexy, bronze-toned waist exposed to everyone's view. Beneath her short leather skirt, a pair of long, shapely legs were revealed.

But Mo Yu's gaze didn't linger on her body. Instead, his eyes locked onto the black pouch in her hand.

The pouch didn't appear out of the ordinary, but a peculiar and intoxicating fragrance emanated from it.

"It's really the Soul Fruit of the Earth's Heart." Sensing the fragrance, Mo Yu felt his spirits lift, even from several hundred meters away. His soul power seemed to stir as well.

Heavenly treasures, truly extraordinary.

"Kill them all, but leave Cersei alive. She's the daughter of the leader of the Demon Mountain Mercenary Group!"

One of the leaders of the Wild Lion Mercenary Group, his lecherous triangular eyes scanning over the woman, shouted this command, his gaze finally resting on the black pouch in her hand.

At the leader's order, bloodthirsty expressions appeared on the faces of the surrounding mercenaries. Armed with spears and broadswords, they began closing in on the trapped members of the Demon Mountain Mercenary Group.

"Stay alert, everyone! Norden has already gone back to get help. We just need to hold out a little longer, and we'll be saved!" The sexy woman bit her red lips, her delicate hand tightly clutching the pouch as she spoke in a cold voice.

Hearing this, the mercenaries of the Demon Mountain Group were slightly encouraged, but their hands, gripping their weapons, were still slick with sweat.

The strongest among them was only a seven-star Dou Fighter, but their opponents had multiple eight-star fighters, and the Wild Lion Mercenary Group outnumbered them significantly. Could they hold out until reinforcements arrived?

"Attack!"

One of the Wild Lion leaders sneered, waving his hand. Instantly, the surrounding mercenaries, their eyes filled with savage intent, charged toward the members of the Demon Mountain Group.

The Wild Lion Mercenaries were not only numerous but also incredibly powerful. In just a few moments, they had the Demon Mountain Mercenaries heavily injured, all of them bearing serious wounds.

"Heh, Miss Cersei, this Soul Fruit of the Earth's Heart belongs to our Wild Lion Mercenary Group now!"

As the sexy woman fought with all her might to fend off the Wild Lion Mercenaries, the leader with triangular eyes suddenly darted out like a gust of wind, aiming to snatch the black pouch from her hand.

"Damn it!"

Sensing the danger, the woman's expression changed. The Soul Fruit had cost her group several lives, and if sold to an alchemist or artifact forger, it would bring great wealth and connections. But now, watching it being stolen by the Wild Lion Mercenary Group, how could she accept it? In a fit of anger, she threw the black pouch as far as she could.

Seeing the pouch fly through the air, the leader with triangular eyes looked ecstatic. After all, it contained the Soul Fruit of the Earth's Heart!

His group had been tasked with capturing a Storm Wolf pup by their leader, but along the way, they stumbled upon the Demon Mountain Mercenaries acting suspiciously.

Sensing something amiss, the leader had captured one of them and tortured him, learning that they had acquired the Soul Fruit. This discovery had excited them immensely.

Their leader had been troubled over what birthday gift to send to the "Little Beast King" of Mulan Valley. A Storm Wolf pup had been one option—a fully grown Storm Wolf was a fourth-tier magical beast, perfect for raising as a battle pet. But compared to the Soul Fruit of the Earth's Heart, the pup seemed worthless. Giving the fruit to the Little Beast King would allow their group to curry favor with a truly important figure.

With these thoughts racing in his mind, the leader with triangular eyes abandoned his original mission and led his men to hunt down the Demon Mountain Mercenaries.

Now, seeing the black pouch fly toward him, he was filled with eager anticipation.

Just as he leaped forward to grab the pouch, a sharp sound cut through the air.

"Whoosh!"

A sharp whistling sound suddenly echoed in the sky, as a black shadow streaked across like a bolt of lightning, smashing toward the leader with triangular eyes.

Sensing danger, the leader's heart raced, and he quickly twisted his body to retreat.

The dust gradually settled, and a thin figure holding a black spear appeared in everyone's sight. The black pouch was now securely in this person's hand.

The sudden appearance of the handsome young man shocked both sides. But the Wild Lion Mercenaries were furious when they saw that the fruit had been snatched by this boy.

After all the fighting between the Wild Lion and Demon Mountain Mercenaries, was someone really trying to swoop in and claim the prize? That was a death wish!

Glaring at the intruder, the leader with triangular eyes was initially stunned, but then his expression twisted with rage. His eyes swept coldly over Mo Yu, and without a word, he signaled five of his men, each a two-star Dou Fighter, to attack.

Mo Yu raised his head slightly, taking a deep breath of the Soul Fruit's fragrance. A slight smile tugged at his lips as he swiftly stored it in his spatial ring. Then, looking at the charging mercenaries, he let out a cold, disdainful laugh.

His hand gripped the black thunder spear tightly, his foot lifting gently before stomping down hard. His figure suddenly went from complete stillness to extreme motion, streaking forward like a flash of lightning. In the blink of an eye, he had crossed paths with the five mercenaries.

"Bang... bang!"

As their figures crossed, Mo Yu came to a sudden halt. The five mercenaries, however, were sent flying backward as if struck by a heavy blow, blood spraying from the spear wounds in their chests.

Loosening his grip on the spear slightly, Mo Yu's face remained calm. Defeating five two-star Dou Fighters would have been a challenge for even a five-star fighter, yet Mo Yu had done it with just one strike.

"Ah…"

In the short span of barely ten seconds, Mo Yu had effortlessly determined the outcome of the fight.

Seeing his swift and decisive action, everyone present stood with their mouths slightly agape, faces filled with shock as they stared at the boy's back.

It was hard for them to imagine how such terrifying power could be hidden within such a slender body.

"This guy... he's so handsome and strong," the sexy woman muttered in awe, her red lips slightly parted as she stared at the boy who had effortlessly taken down five powerful mercenaries.

"Miss Cersei, are you all okay?" From the tree, the man with the injured leg excitedly ran down, carefully avoiding a few of the Wild Lion Mercenaries, and approached the Demon Mountain Mercenaries, smiling at the woman.

"Norden, didn't you go back to Lannister Town to get reinforcements? Why are you still here?" The woman, called Miss Cersei, raised her delicate eyebrows and scolded him.

After being scolded, Norden gave a bitter smile and pointed at Mo Yu's back, explaining the situation.

"He's after the Soul Fruit of the Earth's Heart too?!" Cersei frowned upon hearing Norden's explanation.

"Probably. To rescue you all, I had no choice but to reveal the Soul Fruit's existence." Norden shook his head with a wry smile. "But first, we should focus on driving away the Wild Lion Mercenary Group, or our lives will be in danger."

"And how do you suggest we drive them away? With his help?" The sexy woman glanced skeptically at the young man. Although his earlier thunderous strike had left a deep impression on her, the Wild Lion Mercenary Group had three eight-star Dou Fighters, and Mo Yu didn't look older than twenty.

Hearing this, Norden froze, then awkwardly chuckled. "I think… he should be able to handle it. After all, I did mention the strength of the Wild Lion Mercenary Group to him. If he wasn't confident, why would he have come here?"

Cersei frowned and pondered for a moment before shaking her head in frustration. In the current situation, they could only pin their hopes on the young man performing beyond expectations.

On the other side, seeing Mo Yu effortlessly injure his subordinates and place the Soul Fruit into his ring, the leader with triangular eyes narrowed his gaze and said coldly, "Boy, offending the Wild Lion Mercenary Group in the Beast Mountain Range is not a wise decision. If you're smart, return the Soul Fruit immediately!"

In response, Mo Yu sneered. "I believe the Soul Fruit belongs to the Demon Mountain Mercenary Group. If it should be returned, it should go back to them."

"You're asking for death!" The leader's face darkened with malice at Mo Yu's refusal. He waved his hand, his voice icy, "Everyone, attack! Kill him!"

"Yes!" After hesitating for a moment, the surrounding Wild Lion Mercenaries hardened their expressions, brandishing sharp spears and charging at Mo Yu.

"Wounded, stay where you are. The rest, follow me!" Seeing the Wild Lion Mercenaries preparing to attack together, Cersei raised her eyebrows and waved her delicate hand, shouting coldly.

"There's no need. You all just stay put so you don't get in the way," Mo Yu said indifferently, not even bothering to turn his head as he heard the commotion behind him.

"You…" Cersei, who had been about to rush forward with her weapon, stopped in her tracks. Her brows furrowed in anger, feeling underestimated for the first time. Yet, as she looked at the boy's lean and cold back, she couldn't help but feel a strange sense of confidence that Mo Yu might actually succeed.

Not far away, Mo Yu stood holding his long spear. After a brief silence, a faint silver battle energy gradually enveloped his body like a veil. Outside this battle energy cloak, wisps of crimson thunder flames occasionally flared up, creating a strange and intimidating sight.

Seeing Mo Yu's preparation, the leader with triangular eyes felt a rising sense of dread.

"Boom!"

Despite being outnumbered, Mo Yu decided to strike first. He flashed in front of several Wild Lion Mercenaries who were three-star Dou Fighters. His cold gaze fixed on them as his long spear, infused with fierce energy, pierced through their chests with lightning speed.

In an instant, several muffled thuds were heard. The men's pupils contracted sharply, and they spat out blood mixed with shattered organs. A gaping hole appeared in each of their chests before they collapsed lifelessly to the ground.

In the blink of an eye, Mo Yu had killed several low-level Dou Fighters. He swiftly shifted and appeared among a group of Wild Lion Mercenaries, who were four- and five-star Dou Fighters, his long spear moving like a machine gun, swiftly killing all ten of the panicked mercenaries.

The members of the Demon Mountain Mercenary Group, who had been watching this scene in stunned silence, exchanged shocked glances. Such overwhelming strength—where was this boy from? Could he be from one of the great families of the empire?

Watching their side suffer such heavy losses in just a few rounds, the leader with triangular eyes became filled with a bloodthirsty rage. He exchanged a glance with the two remaining eight-star Dou Fighters, and murderous intent flashed across their faces. Their battle energy surged as they formed a triangular formation and charged at Mo Yu together.

Their coordinated attack showed they had trained together for a long time. Three eight-star Dou Fighters working together could pose a serious threat, even to a Grand Dou Fighter.

But Mo Yu was no ordinary person. Despite being a six-star Dou Fighter, his strength was clearly far beyond that of an average fighter.

With a heavy stomp, Mo Yu drove his Black Thunder Spear into the ground, channeling his internal battle energy. A powerful silver energy rapidly coated his spear, growing thicker and more intense. Eventually, the energy formed a roaring lion's head above the spear tip.

Seeing the battle energy lion's head forming on his spear, Mo Yu's gaze grew colder. The spear in his hand trembled violently before he suddenly stomped the ground. "Swift Flash!"

With a roar, Mo Yu launched himself like a bolt of lightning toward the three Wild Lion leaders, shouting, "Roar of the Wild Lion!"

This advanced Xuan-level battle technique, which Mo Yu had obtained while exploring a cave with Little Doctor Fairy, was incredibly powerful when unleashed.

As Mo Yu shouted, the enormous energy lion on his spear surged forward, its ferocious roar echoing through the forest and causing Cersei to turn pale with shock.

"Not good!" The three leaders of the Wild Lion Mercenary Group immediately paled as they witnessed this. Mo Yu's strength had far exceeded their expectations, and they quickly activated their own battle techniques in a desperate attempt to block him.

"Wild Lion Slash!"

"Heartbreaker Fist!"

"Tiger Taming Palm!"

Three formidable battle techniques were unleashed in succession, but despite their higher cultivation levels, the leaders were clearly outclassed by Mo Yu in terms of battle energy depth and technique mastery.

"Boom!"

The collision of energies created shockwaves that tore trees in half, and deep cracks began to spread across the ground beneath their feet. The dust kicked up by the impact obscured everyone's vision.

As the three Wild Lion leaders struggled to withstand Mo Yu's attack and tried to catch their breath, a black shadow suddenly appeared above them.

"Instant Flash!"

A cold, deathly voice rang out as the shadow swung its long spear down on one of the leaders to the left of the man with triangular eyes.

Looking up in terror at the young man with the spear, the Wild Lion leader could only watch in horror as Mo Yu, like an assassin, darted above his head and stabbed down fiercely with his weapon.

"Thud." Blood and brain matter splattered through the air as the leader's lifeless body slumped to the ground.

The second leader tried to flee, but Mo Yu swiftly executed him in the same way.

Watching his two comrades fall one after another, the leader with triangular eyes was overcome with fear.

"You can't kill me! If you do, our leader—no, the Prince won't let you off!"

With this desperate threat, the leader turned and bolted into the dark forest.

Seeing this, Mo Yu frowned. He quickly hurled the Black Thunder Spear from his hand, aiming at the fleeing Wild Lion leader.

"Whoosh…"

The spear shot through the air like lightning, piercing the leader's neck and pinning him to the ground. Blood splattered as his body slumped lifelessly to the earth, leaving only the spear's shaft visible.

Without even glancing at the fallen leader, Mo Yu calmly walked over to his heavy ruler sword, grasped the spear, and pulled it out of the ground.

"So, the Prince, huh…" Mo Yu murmured to himself, thinking back to the leader's last words.

(End of Chapter)

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