An iron fist pounded over with the momentum of wanting to cleave through mountains and split open rocks. The strong force rippled audibly through the air as an unbounded dominance spilled forth like the tidewaters, making Han Shuoâs hairs stand on end.
Han Shuo took a deep breath in and circulated his magical yuan to his right hand, deploying his magical cultivation to its extreme. Han Shuoâs right hand turned into the color of black jade. His bones seemed to be embedded into black jade as his hand sparkled with a faint light. A cloud of purple magic circulated in the palm of his right hand, appearing as spellfire.
Trunks and Emily had been shocked by the sudden development and was about to intervene when they saw Han Shuoâs right hand suddenly change. They all stood there, flabbergasted and didnât say a word.
After his hand had changed, Han Shuo suddenly shot out from his defensive position at an unparalleled speed. He then pulled his right hand back and materialized a purple-black streak of lightning, crashing it onto Lauretonâs oncoming punch.
A thunderous crash sounded that was even louder than when Laureton had crashed into the pillar with the boulder. The collision reverberated throughout the entire hall.
An overwhelming force traveled up Han Shuoâs right hand into his body. The strength was beyond his imagining. If it wasnât for the perverse level of durability his body was at, his right hand wouldâve absolutely shattered and exploded from this touch.
Even so, his body couldnât help but fly backwards and fall down in front of the doors to the hall, crashing into a black boulder with an audible crack. His body sagged to the ground, as chief Laureton stood firmly rooted like a boulder. However, an icy cold presence spread from his fist throughout his body and froze the small trickles of sweat running down his body into gleaming, translucent pearls. White smoke rose from his body as the frosty air covered him.
âAre you alright?â Emily moved quickly and travelled to Han Shuo in the blink of an eye, reaching out a hand to help him up.
His arm was numb from his fist up to his shoulder, and it was still shaking lightly even now. Han Shuo panted heavily as his heart was filled with shock, full of astonishment at Lauretonâs strength.
âLaureton, it looks like your strength has improved once again. Donât think I canât tell even though youâve held back some of your strength. You may have already materialized the level of being berserk thrice over!â Light danced in Trunksâ eyes as he stared at Lauretonâs body.
Han Shuo had been about to comfort Emily when he heard Trunksâ words. The shock in his heart grew even greater. From Trunksâ words, Han Shuo knew that perhaps that blow just now may have been fierce, but it still hadnât been Lauretonâs true strength. Based on the domineering strength from that earlier blow, Han Shuo was certain that Laureton wasnât any less inferior to earth rider Clark or swordmaster Phoebe.
This wasnât even his true strength! If Laureton truly brought his full strength to bear, then itâd be even more astonishing. No wonder he was the chief of the Cairo mercenary band and controlled the order of the Valley of Sunshine. Ice had covered Lauretonâs body when cracking sounds suddenly sounded over his body. The frozen beads of sweat scattered down from his body down to the floor like gleaming pearls, shattering into shards of ice when they came in contact with the stone ground.
Shivering involuntarily, Laureton sneezed and wrapped a fur cape around himself tightly, then looking at Han Shuo with surprise. âWhat kind of technique was that? I couldnât sense any fighting aura or magic, but why did it have the power of the two combined?â
âI couldnât feel any ripples of fighting aura or magic from you either, but your strength isnât any less than a swordmaster and his fighting aura. This is nothing to be shocked about!â Han Shuo shrugged and responded with a smile.
âUs berserkers have a special way of training, and a very specialized method at that. Youâre not a berserker, how can you do this? This is truly very strange!â Laureton looked askance and shook his head.
âAlright, I think this wasnât your point in inviting us here?â Han Shuo walked leisurely to the front and sat down on a stone seat not too far from Laureton, also calling out to Trunks and Emily as well.
After the blows theyâd just exchanged, Han Shuo understood that Laureton was likely stronger than himself. The Cairo mercenary bandâs greatest enemy currently was the Rainbow Sickle mercenaries, so Laureton definitely hadnât invited them to come so he could act against them. Therefore, Han Shuo was quite at ease.
Emily and Trunks also walked over carelessly when they saw Han Shuo was so relaxed, pulling over a stone stool each for a seat.
âHarris, whatâs Floridaâs condition now after returning to the Rainbow Sickles?â Laureton revealed an approving look at the ease of Han Shuo and the others and lifted his head to look at Harris.
âFlorida suddenly fell into a coma at the door in front of the valley and was brought back to the Rainbow Sickles. According to our observations, he should still be comatose, so we donât know his condition right now either.â Harris displayed an appropriate amount of respect in front of Laureton and responded quickly.
Nodding, Laureton rubbed his gleaming, bald head and seemed to contemplate something. He looked at Han Shuo after a while and said loudly, âYour strength isnât bad, Iâd hoped that you would consider joining our Cairo mercenary band, but since you know Trunks, you likely wonât be willing to.â
âI know Floridaâs strength, and I tested you just now. I think itâd be impossible for you yourself to harm him to that degree, not to mention that he had some experts by his side. Can you tell me what happened?â
âAn enemy helped me. Edwin, who entered the valley today, happened to be enemies with Floridaâs grandfather. Florida bumped into Edwin along the way and the two fought first, I just happened to take advantage of the situation.â Han Shuo responded honestly since the truth was laid out in them, and there was nothing worth concealing about it.
âEdwin⊠Dark archmage Edwin of the Calamity Churchâthat old monster has entered the valley?â Laureton was startled and he turned his head to look at Harris.
âThat would be him. Another masked woman entered the valley after a while and is staying with him for now.â Harris nodded and responded to Laureton.
âThis person is very difficult to handle, heâs your enemy?â Laureton smoothed over his gleaming head again and appeared a bit troubled.
âLaureton, I havenât heard that you were afraid of anyone all these years. Can it be that an old man is frightening you? It looks like the stronger you are, the more cowardly youâve become!â Trunks seemed to know the meaning behind Lauretonâs head rubbing and couldnât help but mock him.
âIâm not afraid of him, Iâm afraid of the Calamity Church behind him. This is the most evil cult in all of the Profound Continent, and they never speak of any rules or logic. Their power is incredibly vast as well. They wonât rest if you provoke them, and all the kingdoms on the continent are quite scared of them, not just our Valley of Sunshine.â Laureton rubbed his head and spoke with some worry.
The Calamity Church was the disaster and nightmare of the entire continent. They nursed some unreasonable, fervent ideals and tried to use their power to destroy all those who didnât agree with them. Even the Lancelot Empire would react as if facing an oncoming enemy when they heard of the Calamity Church, not to mention a mid sized mercenary band. From this point alone, it was apparent to see that the Church was very terrifying indeed.
âEdwin is my enemy and Floridaâs as well. Now that heâs within the valley, I think heâll be making a move!â Not much expression could be seen on Han Shuoâs face as he opened his mouth to speak remotely.
âIâve heard that Miss Phoebe of the Boozt Merchant Guild is buying a shop for you. That shop is in a forbidden zone within the Valley of Sunshine. Itâs rumored that itâs been cursed by an evil god. Any whoâve bought that shop in recent years have all died from having their blood drained. Do you really plan on buying it?â Laureton didnât keep asking about Edwin as he raised the next topic of interest.
âIndeed, Iâve never believed in any curse from an evil god. I hope chief Laureton will sell that shop to me?â Han Shuo admitted and responded.
âBryan, why do you want that shop? Iâve heard of that place as well. Many died there when the Rainbow Sickles were in charge. We even made an investigation once, but found nothing. Thatâs an unlucky place, donât take that risk!â Trunks was quite startled when he heard this and immediately turned back to frown at Han Shuo.
Emily was also startled. She turned to fix her stare on Han Shuo. âNo, donât take the risk! Iâve heard of that place too, thereâs an incredible curse there. You canât take that!â