This time, only Mo Tang and Xiao Yixian were on the journey. Mo Tang's cultivation had already reached the level of a two-star Dou Huang, so the two of them were naturally extremely fast. In just one day, they had left the territory of the Jia Ma Empire.
Of course, the constant journey was tedious, and Mo Tang and Xiao Yixian were not in a hurry. Whenever they encountered mountains and dense forests rich in celestial energy, they would stop and search.
High-quality medicinal herbs are often found in these wild and desolate areas.
Of course, high-quality elixirs are often guarded by powerful magical beasts, so Mo Tang inevitably encountered some powerful beasts in the mountains along the way.
This journey, this search and kill, led to Mo Tang finding many valuable items, including several fourth and fifth-level magic cores.
This was the benefit of increased strength.
When returning from the Black Horn Territory, Mo Tang, still only at the Dou Wang level, would not have dared to be so reckless, fearing that he would be hunted down by those powerful magical beasts.
But now, not only had he reached Dou Huang, he was also accompanied by Xiao Yixian, a Dou Zong. Unless they encountered a seventh-level magical beast, they were unstoppable.
The feeling of just grabbing and running was truly thrilling!
This journey had taken over three months...
Though a considerable amount of time had been lost, the rewards were still considerable. At least Mo Tang now had over two thousand more energy points on his system panel.
"Where's our first stop?" Xiao Yixian asked, gazing at the vast plains of the Black Horn Region that appeared like a black curtain before them.
Mo Tang paused.
His purpose for coming to the Black Horn Region was simple: to spend his vast amount of gold coins, exchanging them for resources that would help him improve his strength.
In the Black Horn Region, almost every city regularly held auctions...
but these individual events were relatively small, so they were unlikely to pique Mo Tang's interest.
Every so often, however, powerful factions within the Black Horn Region would unite with other factions, pooling numerous auction items for a grand, joint auction.
Auctions of this magnitude were considered a major event within the Black Horn Region, and the rarity and quality of the items offered were enough to attract countless powerful individuals and factions within the region.
These auctions were Mo Tang's true goal, so besides purchasing items in any city they encountered, they also sought out information about which factions within the Black Horn Region were planning to hold such large-scale auctions.
They arrived at a city called Dongshi City, a second-tier, modest city, but Mo Tang still found a pharmacy within it that looked substantial.
Upon entering, Mo Tang acted like a nouveau riche, spending millions of gold coins to clear out every mid-level medicinal herb and elixir that met his system's standards.
His actions not only startled the surrounding customers but also caught the attention of the city's rulers, the Dongshi Mercenary Group.
"Captain, those two are clearly rookies who've just come out to see the world. Not only are they spending lavishly, they have absolutely no sense of restraint!
That's millions of gold coins, they're just splashing out without a wink. I'm sure they have even more!"
A scarred man, his face filled with a sinister and ferocious expression, goaded Liao Dongshi, leader of the Dongshi Mercenary Group.
The Dongshi Mercenary Group is considered a quasi-first-rate force in the Black Horn Territory. Leader Liao Dongshi holds the power of an Eight-Star Dou Wang, and his two deputy leaders are also Novice Dou Wangs, giving them considerable renown.
After the scarred man's constant exhortation, Liao Dongshi couldn't resist the allure of the money and immediately made a decisive decision. "All the elite mercenaries will be dispatched, and I'll lead them personally. Even if the opponent is a Dou Huang this time, I'm sure to take their cake!"
Furthermore, if the entire Dongshi Mercenary Group were dispatched, they could potentially wear down a Novice Dou Huang.
This was the source of his confidence in this no-cost venture.
…
…
After leaving the city, Mo Tang and the other man had barely made it far when they sensed someone following them.
"Haha, it seems our earlier actions in the city did attract quite a few interested parties," Mo Tang said with a smile.
Little Medical Immortal was speechless.
She knew full well that this guy's previous bravado was likely motivated by this very idea.
Although this was her first time in the Black Horn Territory, Little Medical Immortal had heard of its reputation.
In such a lawless place, it would be unusual if Mo Tang's recent behavior went unnoticed.
"These people, are you really scheming against them like this?" Little Medical Immortal couldn't help but ask.
The implication was self-evident.
A bunch of second-rate forces, barely above Dou Wang level, wasn't it a bit disgraceful for Mo Tang to scheme against them like this?
Mo Tang simply shrugged.
"That's not true. It's all their own choice."
Just as the two paused to discuss whether this was a worthwhile move, the East Stone Mercenary Group surrounded them.
"Kill them!"
Without a second thought, Liao Dongshi immediately issued the kill order.
Mo Tang was speechless upon seeing this.
As a villain, shouldn't you give yourself a few words first to give yourself a chance to show up? You're not playing by the rules...
But never mind. Mo Tang really wasn't interested in arguing with a bunch of nameless extras.
Looking at the incoming enemies—four Dou Lings and over twenty Grand Dou Masters—they were already incredibly powerful.
Not to mention, there were three clearly the leaders behind them, all Dou Wangs...
"Great Wind-Splitting Hand!"
Cyan energy quickly gathered in Mo Tang's palm, culminating in a single strike.
In an instant, countless razor-sharp whirlwinds, like steel knives, ripped the charging elites to shreds.
The scene was so bloody that it could only be blurred.
"Oh no! They're Dou Huangs!"
Although Liao Dongshi hadn't sounded afraid of them, considering their combat prowess, how could they possibly fight him after wiping out all his elites with a single strike?
How many strikes could they possibly withstand?
"Run!"
In an instant, Liao Dongshi and the other two made the right choice.
Unfortunately, they still underestimated the young man and woman across from them...
The stunning woman in white simply clenched her fist, and the space around the three people instantly became like a quagmire. No matter how they mobilized the fighting spirit in their bodies, they could not break free from this oppression.
Shaking his head, Mo Tang directly took out the Moon Chasing Bow and three Black Dragon Iron Back Arrows, and with a single strike, he shot three arrows, taking the lives of the three people.
After searching the corpses, he went to the East Stone Mercenary Group's base to loot, but only found a few magic cores and less than six million gold coins.
Although this made Mo Tang somewhat dissatisfied, at least he earned back the money he spent, so it was not a loss!
(End of this chapter)