Chapter 532: Meeting the Captains, the Mu Clan
In the northwest of the Central Plains lies Mo Lei City, a vast forest teeming with life and lush greenery. Within this forest stood an enormous stone square, grand and imposing. The stone platform, about a hundred meters off the ground, was supported by massive basalt pillars. From a distance, it appeared like a giant standing between heaven and earth, giving an awe-inspiring sense of grandeur.
On this massive platform, the space seemed distorted, flickering with silver light. From these flashes of light, figures would occasionally appear, landing lightly on the square. At this moment, the entire platform was crowded with people, their chatter merging into a deafening roar that echoed into the sky.
"Whoosh."
In mid-air, the space twisted again, and a few figures shot out from the distortion, landing steadily on the stone platform.
"This must be the Thunder Stone Square that the map mentioned. It seems we haven't taken a wrong turn," Xiao Yi Xian said with a slight smile, looking at the vast platform before turning to Mo Yu.
"Yeah." Mo Yu nodded, his eyes scanning the huge platform. With his keen perception, he could sense that the people gathered here were not weak. There were even several presences he had to take seriously.
"No wonder this is the young master's clan. Those invited to observe the Captain's Competition are all genuine experts. Their influence is truly terrifying," Qing Lin remarked, a hint of amazement flashing across her delicate face as she surveyed the surroundings.
Mo Yu smiled and glanced toward the east. In the distance, the silhouette of a massive city loomed. "That must be our destination, Mo Lei City. Let's go."
With that, a look of curiosity appeared on Mo Yu's face as they prepared to head toward the city.
Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin, of course, had no objections. The group wasted no time, taking to the sky and flying toward the distant city.
Though the forest was vast, it was no obstacle for the three of them. In less than ten minutes, the enormous city came clearly into view. Mo Lei City exuded a domineering presence—not only was it tall and majestic, but the walls also seemed to be made from some kind of rock infused with thunder energy, making it incredibly sturdy.
Under the sunlight, the black sheen of Mo Lei City resembled thunder clouds, and its intimidating presence was palpable. In Mo Yu's eyes, it would take more than ten Dou Zun experts to even think of destroying this city—it was an unbreakable fortress.
As they drew closer, Mo Yu noticed that the entire city was enveloped in a faint, almost transparent barrier. The barrier might have looked thin, but it emanated an oppressive aura that seemed to come from deep within one's soul. This oppressive force made many approaching the city visibly uncomfortable. Those who knew the city's history looked upon it with respect and awe.
"This city was built by one of the Thunder Clan's Dou Di (Battle Emperor) experts from ancient times. That barrier contains a trace of Dou Di's power. Combined with the city's natural durability, this makes Mo Lei City an impregnable fortress," Xiao Yi Xian whispered. It was clear she had gathered much information before their journey.
"Dou Di's power, huh…" Mo Yu murmured, a hint of longing flashing in his eyes. The Dou Di level was his ultimate goal. Only by reaching that level could he shatter the void and journey to the Great Thousand World, where he could find his two sworn enemies.
"To show respect for the Dou Di, no one is allowed to fly within a thousand meters of Mo Lei City. We should walk the rest of the way. Otherwise, the pressure from the barrier will only increase," Xiao Yi Xian continued.
Mo Yu nodded, understanding the long-standing traditions. He descended toward the ground first, followed closely by Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin. Once they landed, their speed didn't slow. They moved like blurs, swiftly heading toward the imposing city.
At the entrance to Mo Lei City, the three figures slowed to a halt. Mo Lei City wasn't open to just anyone—without an invitation from the Thunder Clan, ordinary people were not allowed entry.
The three followed the line of people moving toward the city gates. After a while, they finally reached the front. Mo Yu glanced around and noticed that nearly a hundred guards stood on either side of the gate, clad in black armor and holding spears. Their sharp, cold gazes swept over the crowd, and the strong auras they emitted left a deep impression on those around them.
When it was Mo Yu's turn, instead of producing an invitation, he pulled out a simple black token from his robes.
Upon seeing the token, the Thunder Clan guard's eyes widened in surprise. He examined it carefully, and then his face changed drastically.
"Greetings, Captain!" The guard respectfully returned the token to Mo Yu and immediately knelt down on one knee.
As the guard knelt, the other Thunder Clan soldiers behind him exchanged shocked glances before following suit, kneeling in unison and shouting, "Greetings, Captain!"
Their synchronized greeting echoed at the city gate, drawing the attention of everyone nearby. Upon seeing this scene, many onlookers were shocked.
After all, the Thunder Clan was one of the Eight Great Ancient Clans, and although they might not be the most powerful, their pride and arrogance surpassed even that of the Gu Clan or Soul Clan. The Thunder Clan believed in strength above all, and earning their respect was incredibly difficult.
"Could that silver-eyed young man be Mo Yu, the Lord of Yuan Manor, who has recently risen in the Western Region?" someone in the crowd whispered.
"Mo Yu? Isn't he from the Northwestern Continent? How is he part of the Thunder Clan, let alone a Captain in their ranks?"
"I heard that the Lord of Yuan Manor is quite skilled with lightning, and even the Soul Palace has suffered losses at his hands. If he's a Thunder Clan member, it all makes sense now…"
Many people recognized Mo Yu, given his rising fame in the Central Plains. Upon learning that Mo Yu was not only the Lord of Yuan Manor but also a Captain of the Thunder Clan, rumors began to swirl, with many speculating that his rapid rise was due to the Thunder Clan's backing.
Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin frowned upon hearing these rumors, feeling indignant. They knew better than anyone that Mo Yu had built Yuan Manor from the ground up, without any help from the Thunder Clan.
For Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin, such comments were an insult to Mo Yu's hard-earned success. However, Mo Yu took it in stride. With a calm wave of his hand, he stopped Xiao Yi Xian from speaking up in his defense. He then turned to the Thunder Clan guards and said coolly, "Now that you recognize me, may I enter the city?"
The guard nodded quickly and respectfully replied, "Of course, Captain. You are welcome to enter."
With a wave of his hand, the guard signaled, and the other soldiers parted to allow Mo Yu and his companions through.
Just as the three were about to enter, a voice suddenly interrupted.
"Wait a minute! Who gave you permission to let them in without proper checks?"
A young man appeared at the city gate, standing tall and straight. He had a handsome face and wore a suit of black armor that glowed faintly with thunder energy, giving him a sharp and cold demeanor. His cape fluttered behind him, making him look both proud and confident.
The sudden interruption caught the attention of everyone around, and many turned their curious gazes toward the young man and Mo Yu. They were intrigued. Mo Yu had just been acknowledged as a Captain, a prestigious position in the Thunder Clan. But this young man didn't seem to care about that at all.
"Lord Mu Mang, this man is the Captain of the Black Thunder Flag, so—" The Thunder Clan guard began to explain.
Mu Mang, the son of the head of the Mu Clan, one of the Thunder Clan's four major vassal families, was a figure of considerable importance. The guard spoke with great respect toward him.
Mo Yu also noted the surname. The Mu Clan, along with the Mo, Mang, and Lin Clans, was one of the Thunder Clan's four major vassal families, each of them powerful in their own right.
"The Captain of the Black Thunder Flag?" Mu Mang raised an eyebrow, eyeing Mo Yu up and down. A playful smirk appeared on his lips. "The Captain of the Black Thunder Flag should be that useless guy from the Mo Clan, Mo Yu. But how do we know this man is really him? For all we know, he could have stolen that token."
Despite Mu Mang's mocking tone, Mo Yu's expression remained calm. He flicked his fingers, sending the black token flying toward Mu Mang at lightning speed.
"Hmph!" Mu Mang's expression darkened. He let out a cold snort as thunder energy surged around his hand. With precise timing, he caught the token midair.
However, the moment Mu Mang's hand closed around the token, an intense surge of thunder energy erupted from it, scorching his palm black.
The sudden pain caused Mu Mang's face to twist in anger, but he bit his lip and endured it. He was no ordinary person, after all.
"Yes, it's the Captain's token of the Black Thunder Flag, but that doesn't prove you're really him. Who knows if you just took it from that useless Mo Yu? He only got that position because of a fleeting favor from the clan elders. His strength is laughable," Mu Mang sneered, clearly unimpressed.
Thunder Realm was isolated from the rest of the world, so they weren't up to date on Mo Yu's accomplishments. It was evident that Mu Mang had no idea of the fearsome reputation Mo Yu had built in the Central Plains.
"In the Black Thunder Army, the token represents the Captain himself. If you don't understand the rules, you should go ask your elders. Now, hand the token back," Mo Yu said coldly.
Mu Mang's face twisted with rage as he gripped the token tightly. "If you want it, come and take it!"
"Whoosh!"
Before Mu Mang could react, his vision blurred, and the token disappeared from his grasp. By the time he regained his senses, Mo Yu was already holding it in his hand.
The speed and precision with which Mo Yu had taken back the token left Mu Mang red-faced with embarrassment. He had just thrown out a challenge, only to lose in the blink of an eye. His pride was shattered.
"Damn you!" Humiliated, Mu Mang roared and summoned a massive thunderous palm strike, aiming it directly at Mo Yu.
"Bang!"
But before the attack could land, Mu Mang's vision blurred again, and a lightning-fast kick slammed into his chest, sending him flying backward. His body crashed heavily into the city wall.
"Ugh!"
Mu Mang spat out blood as he slumped to the ground, disbelief and shock etched across his face. He was no weakling—he was a one-star Dou Zun (Battle Master) and considered a rising star within the Thunder Clan. Yet, with a single kick, this outcast from the Mo Clan had defeated him. The humiliation burned deeply.
Those watching weren't too surprised, though. Many had already heard of Mo Yu's impressive feats, and his swift victory over Mu Mang only confirmed the rumors.
"Disrespecting your superior is a serious crime in the Thunder Clan. Next time, you won't be so lucky," Mo Yu said coldly as he reclaimed his token, giving the defeated Mu Mang a disdainful glance.
"Arrest him!" Mu Mang shouted in fury, his eyes bloodshot.
But despite his orders, none of the nearby Thunder Clan soldiers moved. They exchanged uneasy glances, knowing full well that challenging a Captain was a grave offense in the Thunder Clan. None of them dared make a move against Mo Yu.
Seeing their hesitation, Mu Mang's face flushed with shame. He spat out another mouthful of blood before losing consciousness and collapsing to the ground.
(End of Chapter)
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