Chapter 509

Lemon Camping Ground .

Qiao Meiqi looked at the desolate camp before him and sighed . He’d been to Lemon Camping Ground before and although it was tattered and small at that time, it was full of vitality . Now, not a soul was in sight .

Only the influential higher-ups were concerned about Lemon Camping Ground . Nevertheless, they were only paying attention to that wooden board and the remnant objects .

Yet, not many were interested in the massacre of Lemon Camping Ground .

To those powerful figures, Lemon Camping Ground was just a small territory with a small population . Dead or alive, it didn’t matter to them .

This was times of chaos .

Qiao Meiqi asked himself how many people would care if he died . His eyes regained their coldness . In this chaotic world, there was nothing more important than surviving . Sympathy was worthless .

He was waiting for Ai Hui .

They agreed on Lemon Camping Ground for their transaction location .

Gaining Ai Hui’s trust wasn’t an easy feat . They had a friendly cooperation, but Ai Hui still had reservations .

Qiao Meiqi praised Ai Hui inwardly . He was young, but handled things in a very mature and experienced manner . It was difficult to believe that such a capable fellow had been a laborer .

Still deep in thought, he caught sight of Ai Hui and cried out in alarm, “Your injuries are this bad? I heard you were injured, but did not expect it to be this serious!”

Ai Hui was completely wrapped in bandages except for his eyes, and even then, he looked frail . In the past, Ai Hui’s breaths were long and deep like those of powerful dire beasts . People could feel the force contained within .

Now, his breaths were brief and delicate, a clear sign of his feebleness .

What kind of injuries would have led to this?

It was beyond a Master’s level…

Qiao Meiqi’s heart thumped . He forced a smile . “You look pretty good . “

Ai Hui’s clear and tranquil eyes had the ability to attract gazes, as if possessing a strange force .

Although he tried his best to disguise it, Qiao Meiqi’s change in expression did not escape Ai Hui’s notice . Ai Hui did not get angry . Instead, he said frankly, “Yes, I’m back to the same old me overnight . “

Qiao Meiqi was a wealthy merchant after all, so his expression quickly returned to normal . He said, smiling, “As the saying goes, a thin camel is still bigger than a horse . You’re still able to cause such a scene despite being severely injured . “

He pointed to the wooden board with his mouth .

Among the influential higher ups, this wooden board was even more well known than Ai Hui . The big bloody words did not have the intensity of drawn swords and drawn bows, but it did not conceal its intention to threaten and intimidate .

This was precisely Ai Hui’s style of doing things .

Ai Hui shook his head and spoke, not in an unhappy tone, “It’s already our mistake that they got involved . This is all we could do . “

Qiao Meiqi said half seriously, “You’ve outdone yourself . Five Masters . I was shocked stupid and thought that the news was being spread and distorted . Who knew it was actually true . Knowing that I was coming, many have requested news about you . “

Beneath the bandages came Ai Hui’s soft laughter . “What news would I have?”

Ai Hui did not spend any more time on this topic . He asked, “Did you bring the stuff?”

The playful look on Qiao Meiqi’s face disappeared as he turned serious . “I’ve gotten most of the goods except for a few materials that are harder to purchase . I’ll need more time for those . This is the list of items I’ve yet to obtain . Take a look . I’ll continue thinking of solutions . “

Ai Hui retrieved the list and looked through it carefully .

Qiao Meiqi watched him attentively in attempt to obtain clues from his face . However, it was to no avail since Ai Hui’s face was covered in bandages . His eyes were expressionless and indifferent .

Ai Hui’s list included many types of ingredients . Qiao Meiqi had specially hired somebody to analyze this list, but was still unable to get a clear idea of what these ingredients were for .

Having looked through the list, Ai Hui nodded and kept it . “I’ll trust you to get hold of the remaining items . “

QIao Meiqi hurriedly replied, “Definitely, definitely . “

Ai Hui added, “The snow lava is ready and in a larger quantity this time . I’ll trouble you to get these listed items as soon as possible since it’s more urgent . “

Qiao Meiqi took the list and scanned through it . Seeing that the ingredients were all medicinal he immediately understood . “No problem, I’ll get them as quickly as possible . “

Seems like Ai Hui’s injuries are pretty serious .

Ai Hui expressed his gratitude . “Thank you, Mayor . “

Qiao Meiqi laughed, “We’re old friends, so it’s what I should do! When are you going to take me on a tour around the Central Pine Valley?”

Ai Hui looked at him, half smilingly .

Qiao Meiqi did not know why, but seeing Ai Hui’s eyes jolted him . He burst into laughter, saying, “Just a joke, just a joke . I, too, lead a tiring life since I’m short on money . “

Ai Hui laughed . “If you’re short on money, everyone else is a beggar . “

Whatever awkwardness dissolved in this instant .

Qiao Meiqi understood that from a business point of view, working with Ai Hui brought many benefits . He hoped for this to carry on . It was not his place to get involved in other matters .

He couldn’t afford to provoke the others, but neither could he afford to provoke Ai Hui .

If Ai Hui could chop up five Masters, whp was him?

This thought soothed his heart and relaxed his posture .

Qiao Meiqi did not stay long . After checking the inventory, he bade farewell and left .

Looking at the disappearing caravan, Gu Xuan spoke up . “This guy seems problematic, Boss . “

Ai Hui nodded in agreement . Of course he could tell that something was not right with Qiao Meiqi today . Instead of exposing it, he sighed meaningfully . “Mayor is an intelligent man . “

Gu Xuan asked, somewhat puzzled, “Why have you come personally this time, Boss? Your injuries…”

Ai Hui smiled . “How can they feel assured if they don’t see me in this state? How else can we gain more time?”

Gu Xuan pondered over his words .

… . .

Along the way, Zu Yan had been observing the Spear of Heavy Cloud .

Having lost his family and struggling to survive in the cold, Zu Yan was no longer a willful and arrogant hedonist . He was much more mature now . He had managed to survive and become a Master all because he had a good teacher .

He knew not how to repay his teacher, but knew that his teacher wasn’t in need of his reciprocation .

Teacher had helped him choose this path, so he would continue walking down this path .

In terms of allocation, the Spear of Heavy Cloud was still quite behind the elite battle divisions he’d seen . The member’s abilities weren’t too great and they were inexperienced, probably their biggest weakness .

Other than these, they had more merits than he’d imagined .

Although the members weren’t of a high level, they were willing to work hard without complaining . The fire elementalists were especially hardy, never once complaining about the hardship and weariness they faced .

Having a sturdy and capable backbone served as the basic guarantee of the team’s combat power . He could already imagine how these key experts would step out and make the right choice when met with a predicament during battle .

In terms of powerful experts, however, Spear of Heavy Cloud wasn’t lacking . Shi Xueman as an individual had strong combat power and, with Yang Xiaodong and Zu Yan, there was a total of three Masters keeping watch . Jiang Wei, Sang Zijun, Qian Dai, and the others were all at the pseudo Master level .

Other than them, there was Wang Xiaoshan, a earth elemental master proficient in construction, who could greatly expand the battle tactics of the Spear of Heavy Cloud .

The most praiseworthy person was Shi Xueman .

The former goddess of the Induction Ground had grown beyond his imagination . Shi Xueman was steady, calm, and spoke eloquently like a general . People in the division had only respect and adoration toward her .

“Down below is the designated region . “

Sang Zijun’s words captured everybody’s attention .

Two days ago, they had met scouts from the Infantry Division and received Silver Soldier’s plan . After some discussion and consideration, Shi Xueman had agreed to his battle plan .

They traveled day and night at double speed toward the designated district . According to Silver Soldier’s plan, they were going to lie in ambush together with the Infantry and Sky Edge divisions to surround their enemies .

The lush mountains ahead carried a certain desolation and loneliness . Man had only left the Silver Mist Sea for a few years, yet Nature had already eagerly claimed and expanded its territory . The wild grass and trees had already started to take root in the old cities .

Trekking along the wild made everybody’s heart feel heavy . All of them had at one point lived in the bustling cities of the Avalon of Five Elements . Those splendid lights, endless streams of people, and vehicles like bamboo carts had yet to be forgotten .

Suddenly, Jiang Wei pointed to the valley before them . “Look, there!”

Everybody followed his fingers and saw a huge footprint that was over a mile long . Amid the mountains it formed a low-lying valley .

Everyone became solemn .

Zu Yan mumbled to himself, “Glorious footprints…”

When An Muda died, Zu Yan had been unconscious and wasn’t able to witness it for himself . Now that he’d finally seen it, he couldn’t help but fall into a daze .

Shi Xueman stared absent-mindedly at the big footprint, her eyes turning red .

Teacher had drawn out the Silver Mist Sea’s elemental energy, causing it to become increasingly tattered . Even those who came over from the Old Territory had no interest in it .

It was said that citizens of the Old Territory had already constructed a bridge over the Lava River and that many of them came pouring in like the tide . Now that the elemental energy in the Silver Mist Sea and Cloud Palette Village had withered, they gradually returned to the Old Territory .

Without elemental energy, the Silver Mist Sea and Cloud Palette Village were no longer appealing .

Furthermore, dire beasts would occasionally make their way into the Silver Mist Sea and Cloud Palette Village, resulting in major casualties . This was another factor that spurred citizens to return to the Old Territory .

There was no elemental energy in the Old Territory, but there weren’t any powerful dire beasts either .

The Silver Mist Sea was now completely empty and in ruins . Would the city remnants still be around in the times to come?

She recalled what her teacher had said about leaving the Pearblossom Pavilion to her . She decided to tidy up the place after this battle .

Until then…

Shi Xueman clasped her Cirrus tightly as she looked at the footprint between the hills with a steady gaze .

The first battle was about to unfold beneath Teacher’s footprints . Perhaps it was fate . Teacher must be watching over her in heaven .

In that case, she was going to claim her first victory in memory of him .

She shifted her gaze toward Wang Xiaoshan . “I’ll leave the rest to you, Xiaoshan . “

Wang Xiaoshan nodded sincerely, “I’ll do my best . “

Today, Wang Xiaoshan was a mason who played with mud . His unremarkable looking clothes were still covered in dust, but between his brows lay an indescribable vigor and confidence .