The dangerously steep cliff that plunged into a bottomless abyss was covered in floating clouds. The crimson sunset was prominent in the sky, shining on the towering cliff that now looked like a giant red branding iron.
This cliff was far away from the Valley of Sunshine. This kind of cliff wasn't uncommon in the Kerlan Mountains. Rugged, oddly shaped rocks were scattered all over the bare cliff, and no plants grew anywhere.
Standing at the top of the cliff, Han Shuo jumped straight down. In an instant, he fell through the clouds and landed safely on a huge protruding rock.
This large rock was in the middle of the cliff, and above and below it was a thick white mist. Part of this ledge was flat, and although it was a bit steep, it wasn't too dangerous as long as he was careful.
"Who are you?" A man with a bare torso shouted. His face was untidily bearded, his hand holding a dwarven forged axe as he glared at Han Shuo in a hostile manner.
"I'm looking for Trunks." Han Shuo replied with a smile.
The Soul Destroyer mercenary band was located on a vast, flat plain on the protruding rock in the middle of the cliff. The rock floated on this cloudy mist, and for some unknown reason, this thick mist didn't spread to the centre. Above and below this flat plain was a vast expanse of misty white, giving it a somewhat strange appearance.
A number of bamboo huts were spread out along the flat plain. Many bare-chested mercenaries were practising martial arts on a battlefield the size of a football pitch. Behind it were several large caves, which could also be used as dwellings.
This flat plain was truly wondrous. It was shrouded in thick fog above and below, leaving only the centre, which was isolated by a simple enchantment. This thick layer of white fog was a natural barrier, ensuring that no one would discover the flat plain within. There was no fog in the centre of the plain, and the air was fresh. It was quiet and hidden, a good place to hide.
Han Shuo held the gentle girl in his arms. Her eyes couldn't see and her ears couldn't hear as he had already restricted her senses. The moment he landed, Han Shuo immediately felt Gilbert's presence.
"Honoured Master! You've finally returned!" The pitch-black Gilbert stood in the middle of the fighting platform. His body was naked from the waist up, revealing his shiny black muscles. He threw two tangled mercenaries aside and shouted loudly as he ran towards Han Shuo.
The brawny axe wielder, who'd been eyeing Han Shuo with hostility, immediately curved his mouth into a smile when he heard Gilbert call Han Shuo his master. He said in a friendly manner, "Your weapon is very good. Thank you."
Since Han Shuo was offending both the Church of Light and the Church of Calamity at the same time, he didn't tell Trunks about his other identity in order to protect himself from these two churches. These mercenaries only knew Han Shuo as a good friend of Trunks, but they didn't know about the other matter.
"No need to stand on ceremony. Where is Trunks?" Nodding, Han Shuo asked this brawny guy.
"He went out for something, but he should be back by evening. Honoured Master, you've returned." The naked Gilbert shouted as he walked forward. Many mercenaries on the flat plain could hear his voice. Many of them came out of their bamboo huts and rock caves to look at Han Shuo in surprise.
Gilbert had been loafing around this place for quite some time. Even in his human form, none of these mercenaries could handle his tyrannical dark dragon body. Obviously, he had acquired a powerful image during this time.
This powerful being actually humbly called Han Shuo Master, shocking the mercenaries who resided on this flat plain. They couldn't help but want to take a look and see how powerful this figure was that he could make Gilbert submit.
"Thank you for your weapons! They are really useful!"
"That's right. This broadsword is amazing. Worthy of a weapon forged by the dwarves!"
"Thank you, thank you. The weight of this double-edged hatchet really suits me, thank you!"
The mercenaries shouted one after the other, their eyes gazing at Han Shuo with gratitude and goodwill. Obviously, they were extremely pleased with the weapons Gilbert had brought.
"No need to be polite. Trunks and I are the best of friends, hehe!" Han Shuo nodded and laughed in a friendly manner, his eyes shining as he assessed these mercenaries.
Han Shuo saw more than a hundred mercenaries on this flat piece of land. Each of them had a calm and experienced demeanour. The majority were swordsmen, plus a dozen or so mages and more than thirty archers. Judging by the presence emanating from their bodies, they must be great men with extraordinary strength and tough minds.
Compared to the bandit group led by Janet, the Soul Destroyer mercenary group also had over a hundred members. Their power was slightly stronger. Among them, some mercenaries were still young, but they had a cold and calm demeanour. Han Shuo knew that these people had once been part of the Rainbow Sickle mercenaries he'd met at the House of Menlo. Their calm and cold demeanour, forged through many battles, made Han Shuo look at them a few more times.
"Hey, your name is Bryan? Hehe, you must be very powerful to be Gilbert's master. Are you interested in exchanging blows?" An experienced mercenary offered. He was about one metre and ninety centimetres tall, naked from the waist up, revealing his bulging muscles. He held a broadsword one and a half metres in length as his eyes squinted at Han Shuo, measuring him with his invitation.
As he spoke, his right hand, which held the sword, waved lightly as if to demonstrate his strength. A dark green combat aura suddenly flared as a sharp blade light flickered in and out of existence.
"Alright!" Trunks wasn't back yet anyway. In order to remove any future obstacles when he revealed his identity, Han Shuo wanted to leave a powerful impression and engrave it deep into their hearts. This would be the most effective method.
Han Shuo walked towards the fighting platform, relaxed and unrestrained. As he walked, he took off his shirt so that his body was also naked from the waist up. His body was over one metre eighty centimetres tall, every muscle looking as if it had been carved by a knife. His strength was powerful and explosive. The rows of muscles were perfectly coordinated, formed naturally by the tempering of his demonic magic.
When he threw off his shirts, the mercenaries around him saw his body and immediately made surprised comments. A few of them jumped excitedly as they shouted, "Grant, you're in trouble!"
They were all knowledgeable people. When they saw the strong muscles and perfectly coordinated lines on Han Shuo's body, they immediately knew that this sturdy and balanced body was best suited for fighting. Grant held a broadsword and his body was large. However, some of his muscles weren't so visible. His muscles could reach explosive strength thanks to his combat aura, but his speed would obviously be affected.
On the contrary, every piece of Han Shuo's muscles was clear and harmonious. Even in the most difficult place to grow muscles - his V-lines appeared as if they had been carved. This type of body with perfect muscle coordination was the most suitable for fighting.
Grant also showed a surprised expression. When he saw that Han Shuo had come empty-handed, he was stunned for a moment, then he threw his broadsword aside and shouted defiantly, "Then we won't use any weapons, just rely on pure physical strength to compare."
"As you wish!" Han Shuo laughed loudly. He walked towards Grant without using any magic yuan.
Grant was delighted. He increased his speed and charged forward without waiting for Han Shuo to approach. His body lunged violently at Han Shuo, curling his lips and clenching his fist, aiming straight down at Han Shuo.
Unexpectedly, Han Shuo moved step by step without doing anything else. He just watched the incoming iron fist, the corner of his mouth curving into a strange smile.
Boom!
The momentum of Grant's strike was like a rainbow as it slammed into Han Shuo's chest. A muffled drum-like sound emanated from his body. Han Shuo's figure stood still, even the smile on his face remained unchanged.
"Oh my god, is your body made of steel?" On the contrary, it was Grant who grimaced. His fist in pain, his face wretched.
"Hehehe!" Han Shuo made a move like lightning. He grabbed Grant's shoulder and suddenly threw him over his shoulder. The big man's one metre ninety centimetre body fluttered like a feather, flew a few metres into the air and landed exactly on a large, soft cushion.
Leisurely sweeping his eyes to look at the nearby mercenaries, Han Shuo called out boldly, "Any other brothers want to try? Whether it's physical attacks, combat aura or magic, I can do it all!
As his words fell, each and every one of the Soul Destroyer mercenaries fell completely silent. They looked at Han Shuo dazed and stunned. No one dared to stand up.
"Wakaka, you are idiots! You dare to compete with my master in physical strength? In the forbidden land of the Dark Forest, even the Golden Dragon, who was said to have the most powerful body, couldn't fight against my great master. You brats are truly mad!" Gilbert shouted triumphantly, shocking the already stunned mercenaries.
"Mighty Master, you've even brought me a woman this time? You are becoming more and more considerate!" Gilbert squealed as he suddenly spotted the subdued woman Han Shuo had pushed aside. He walked over excitedly.
"Stop. This woman is not to be touched. I still have great use for her. She belongs to that bandit Janet, and so I must use her to arrange a meeting with Janet!" Han Shuo glared at Gilbert as he snapped.
Gilbert immediately became honest when he heard Han Shuo's cry. At this time, the sound of rustling wind echoed down the steep cliff. After a while, Trunks, along with Odysseus and a few others, landed from above.
"Ah, you've come!" Trunks said with a smile when he saw Han Shuo. As he walked over to him, his eyes accidentally glanced around. He was suddenly stunned when he saw the girl Han Shuo had brought with him, his expression extremely strange.
After a while, Trunks shouted out "Annie" loudly before rushing over to her side in anger. The people next to him were originally from the Rainbow Sickle mercenary group. They were ecstatic at first, before looking at her with some suspicion as they muttered, "Something's wrong.