Task completed.

After a night's rest, Mo Fei and the Gale Mercenary Corps pressed onward toward the mission site. It wasn’t long before they reached their destination.

“Everyone, divide into three groups. Mages and archers will form the central group. Warriors, split into two groups and keep visual contact. Be ready to support at any moment,” Simon instructed, leading Mo Fei’s group forward. Warriors protected the rear and flanks.

They had barely begun their reconnaissance when an alarm sounded from the second group’s direction.

“Captain, something’s happening here.”

Members from the first and third groups rushed toward the second group.

“What did you find?” Simon immediately questioned the scout.

“Captain, look down there.”

Following his pointed finger, everyone gazed down the slope ahead.

“This looks like a training base. Since they attack Imperial legionnaires, they’re clearly not allied with the Dragonrock Empire,” Mo Fei spoke first.

It was obvious now: last time, the legion commander led a team back to the imperial capital, passing through here. This mysterious force mistook them for a punitive expedition, and thus ambushed the commander’s squad.

“Captain, what do we do now?” The Gale mercenaries, realizing their numbers were far inferior, were at a loss and turned to Simon for guidance.

“We have two choices now. First, we can report everything honestly to our client, but that may put us in this faction’s crosshairs. Second, we can storm in and wipe them out. We don’t know their exact numbers or strength, but the commander’s team managed to escape despite a surprise attack, so the base’s personnel can’t be that strong. If we strike now, before they notice us, we might annihilate them,” Simon spoke, clearly leaning toward the second option. He glanced anxiously at Mo Fei.

“Captain Simon, you needn’t worry. I can take care of myself,” Mo Fei assured him with confidence.

“Very well. Listen to my orders. Mages, prepare to cast area spells. Five archers, take cover on the slope and be ready to kill any fleeing enemies. Once the mages finish their spells and chaos ensues, warriors will charge down with me. Mr. Mo Fei, please grant us your enhancement magic,” Simon instructed calmly.

Mo Fei pretended to chant incantations, bestowing Simon and his men with “Wooden Shield” and “Nature’s Power” buffs. Instantly, Simon saw a layer of pale green shield envelop his body, feeling lighter and brimming with explosive strength.

The group exchanged amazed glances—could two low-level enhancement spells truly produce such effects? With this boost, their task seemed much easier. Before they could ponder further, the mages finished their incantations, and the battle commenced.

Above the base, magical elements surged as two blazing fireballs and a massive meteor materialized out of thin air, descending upon the base. Fire magic: “Meteor Fire Rain”; earth magic: “Heavenly Meteor.”

The three mages collapsed after casting their spells, utterly spent. Three area spells had drained their spiritual power.

Meanwhile, the commotion below drew immediate attention from those inside the base. As black-clad figures emerged, they were met with falling flames and boulders. Casualties mounted swiftly. Simon led his team charging down from the slope, engaging the remaining enemies.

In the thick of battle, Simon realized the astonishing potency of Mo Fei’s enhancements. The green shield remained intact under enemy blades, and his speed and strength had surged. He could now stand toe-to-toe with the black-clad leader, who had seemed stronger, while his men completely overwhelmed the others.

Simon grew ever more certain of Mo Fei’s mysterious power. Amidst his excitement, he glanced up toward Mo Fei’s position—and his heart nearly stopped. On the slope’s side, several black-clad figures were charging toward the summit, clearly targeting the mages. Simon forced back the enemy leader with a sword swing and dashed up the slope without hesitation.

“Mr. Mo Fei, look out!” Simon shouted as he raced upward.

Mo Fei, who had been watching the battle below, heard Simon’s warning and spotted the approaching enemies. Calmly, he pointed with his right hand, sending arrows of golden energy flying at the black-clad figures halfway up the slope.

Simon, midway up, paused in shock, “Isn’t Mr. Mo Fei a wood mage? How can he cast metal magic?” He shook off the thought and returned to the battlefield.

Against the ferocity of the Gale Mercenary Corps, the black-clad foes were soon utterly destroyed.

Mo Fei busied himself tending to the wounded. “Everyone, clear the spoils and tidy the site,” Simon instructed, then approached Mo Fei.

“Mr. Mo Fei, we owe you this victory. Without you, completing this mission wouldn’t have been so easy. Once it’s over, I’ll transfer your payment to your mercenary account,” Simon expressed his gratitude.

“Captain Simon, as we agreed from the start, I joined your mercenary group to gain experience across the continent. You needn’t pay me,” Mo Fei replied.

“Mr. Mo Fei, you must accept your reward. While sorting the spoils, we found a staff perfectly suited for you. Please, take it!” Simon said, handing the staff to Mo Fei.

“Well then, since Mr. Mo Fei intends to continue his travels, we’ll part ways here. I hope we’ll have the chance to work together again,” Simon said.

Mo Fei took the staff, bid farewell, and departed.

“Captain, Mr. Mo Fei is so mysterious—surely he’s not ordinary?” a team member asked.

“Don’t ask what you shouldn’t. Speak of today’s events to no one. We don’t need trouble,” Simon warned.

This black-clad faction was clearly beyond the reach of a small mercenary group. Mo Fei, young yet possessing such magical prowess—and able to wield multiple elements—was obviously not someone they could afford to provoke.

Simon believed Mo Fei was a master hiding his true strength, and his guise as a magic apprentice was merely to mislead enemies and conceal his identity.

The next day, Mo Fei walked toward his next city. Suddenly, his mercenary badge at his chest jingled with the sound of coins being credited. Its light flashed, revealing four stars on its surface—his mercenary rank had risen to four-star. Mo Fei marveled at the generous reward.

It turned out Simon had reported the mission in detail upon returning to the imperial capital, emphasizing Mo Fei’s contributions. The client pressured the Mercenary Guild, resulting in Mo Fei’s rank jumping three levels.

Simon had his own motives—if he couldn’t handle the black-clad faction’s possible revenge, it was wiser to push the mysterious, powerful Mo Fei into the spotlight. The black-clad foes would surely target the big fish, not small fry like himself.

Over the following days, Mo Fei wandered the roads by day, taking in the scenery, and cultivated or researched new methods by night. While exploring a mountain, he was delighted to find many aged herbs suited to his current needs. It struck him that now, with spiritual energy in his body, he could finally open his storage pouch!

Cultivators rely on elixirs, after all. Mo Fei’s storage pouch held many treasures and pills, but none suited his current level. He hurried to gather the spirit herbs and stash them away.

In the evenings, Mo Fei now added pill refining to his routine. Though his power hadn’t fully recovered, his cultivation realm remained, making the pills needed for the Qi Condensation stage rather easy to craft.

After several days of journeying with stops along the way, Mo Fei finally arrived at one of his destinations—Storm City.