Chapter 3: Midnight Ambush

Upon hearing the news brought by his confidant, Duke Mast's expression shifted. Although he knew that the rebel faction led by Jiru would not let him off, he hadn't expected it to come so quickly. Just as he was waiting for Mels to leave the palace, an armed float car suddenly appeared near his mansion and fired a series of energy beams into its inner courtyard. Fortunately, in Mofalak City, any merchant group was prohibited from carrying large-scale destructive armaments like anti-gravity cannons; otherwise, his mansion might have been completely destroyed. However, even small beam weapons were evidently destructive to ordinary structures—the lavishly built inner courtyard garden was almost entirely devastated.

After pressing for details on casualties and confirming that his family was unharmed, Mast finally relaxed and explained the situation to Mels, while tactfully informing him that he could no longer escort him back to the guesthouse. Mels, of course, understood that Mast had to rush back to his mansion to handle emergency measures, so he said nothing more and let Mast hurry away.

The truth was, Mels knew this was only the first challenge launched by the opposition forces led by Jiru against Mast. If Green Hair's calculations were correct, major military and political strongholds, as well as the mansions and villas of high-ranking officials, would soon come under attack. This wasn't because Jiru had lost his mind after stepping down, but because he hoped to induce panic within the royal capital, allowing him to reap the rewards from the chaos.

After returning to the guesthouse where he was staying via the palace's float car, Mels immediately learned from the news broadcasts that seven high officials' mansions had been attacked by unknown armed forces in a single day. Mels didn't need to think to know that these officials would be terrified after the attacks, and their only place to complain would be Mast, who had just risen to power. No doubt, the chaos in the royal capital would continue over the next few days, and Mast would be forced to deploy the already scarce security forces in the capital to defend various locations. Once Mast made such a decision, the forces originally stationed near the guesthouse, ready to arrest the armed assailants, would be dispersed—and that would be the time for Jiru to truly begin his kidnapping plan.

Although Mast also understood Jiru's intentions, the current situation left him no choice. The initiative had completely shifted to Jiru's side. If Mast did not disperse his forces to various locations, he would not only fail to effectively stop the attacks but might also lose the trust of most officials. If he dispersed his forces, Jiru's kidnapping plan would likely succeed. What Mast least wanted to see was a city-wide lockdown, which would not only cause panic among officials but also make ordinary citizens feel that his abilities were inferior to Jiru's. In the long run, the consequences would be severe.

Anticipating such a situation, Mels knew they could only rely on themselves to face the potential enemies. At Green Hair's request, from that day on, the five youths began living in the same room to avoid being caught off guard by the enemy.

Time passed quietly. Mast's response to the attacks was almost exactly as Mels had predicted: nearly all important officials' mansions and key military and political locations in the royal capital had three times the usual security forces. Correspondingly, the forces originally stationed near the guesthouse were significantly reduced, though still more than those at ordinary mansions. However, Mels knew that if the enemy truly intended to attack the guesthouse, the current forces were still insufficient—but this was clearly the best arrangement Mast could make.

Over the next few days, thanks to the efforts of the security forces, the attacks became increasingly rare. Meanwhile, Mels continued to visit the palace daily to chat with the young chieftain. As they spent more time together, Mels grew even fonder of the spirited young chieftain. In truth, the young chieftain was a pitiable child. Although his father and elder brother treated him well and he had been made a king at a young age, the age gap was too great for him to receive genuine affection. Moreover, the palace had many strict protocols, and children of the same age generally couldn't play or frolic with the young chieftain, making him even lonelier and filling him with fantasies about the free world outside.

The more the young chieftain interacted with Mels, the more he clung to him. Now, he even called Mels "big brother," as if he trusted him completely. Mast was growing concerned about this, fearing that his influence over the young chieftain was gradually diminishing. However, he was currently overwhelmed by the attacks in the city and had little energy to manage the relationship between the young chieftain and Mels. Amidst these ever-changing circumstances, another half-month passed, and the true battle for the royal capital was about to reveal its bloody side. One evening, after finishing dinner as usual, Mels and the others returned to their room. However, as soon as they entered, the alert Akafir stopped them with a gesture.

"What's wrong?" Seeing the lightning-like gleam in Akafir's eyes as he scanned the empty room, Mels immediately knew something was amiss. Among them, when it came to hiding and searching, no one could match this child from the mountains. Therefore, when Akafir issued a warning, it meant danger was near.

"Boss, someone has been in our room." Turning to look at Sol, who was about to speak, Akafir added, "Not the cleaning servants, but someone searching for something. Although they were very careful and left everything exactly as it was, I'm certain someone was here—at the very least, the smell in the room is different!"

"Really? We were only out for a short while. It seems the enemy can't have gone far and might still be nearby. Kaslo, Sha Luo, you two protect Sol. Akafir, try to track their trail. I'll follow you." Mels acted decisively, assigned tasks to everyone, and then led the way into the room.

Akafir nodded slightly and immediately began crawling on the floor like a hound, sniffing the surroundings. In no time, his eyes fixed on a small indentation in the carpet. He then looked up and gestured to Mels, pointing toward the only hiding place in the inner room—a large wardrobe.

In truth, Mels had already heard faint breathing in the room, but since arriving in the Sub-Humans' world, he hadn't encountered any Sub-Humans who could use martial arts or magic, so he assumed he was mistaken. Only when Akafir clearly indicated that the enemy was hiding in the wardrobe did Mels realize with surprise that the hidden enemy was a master.

"Friend inside, there's nothing valuable in the wardrobe. If you're feeling stifled, why not come out and chat with me?" Mels steeled himself and raised his voice, speaking loudly toward the wardrobe. However, there was still no movement from within, as if the person inside still hoped Mels and the others weren't targeting him.

Seeing no response, Mels frowned slightly and raised his voice threateningly, "Since you're hiding so cowardly, it's clear you're acting like a petty person. It seems I'll have to ask the guards to come up and open fire on the wardrobe to force you out for a proper talk!"

Upon hearing this, the person in the wardrobe sighed softly, slowly pushed open the door, and stepped out, saying, "As expected of a Lion-Tiger Clan expert who managed to escape from the Wolf Tribe Bandits. It seems I've underestimated you." With his voice, the hidden enemy was finally exposed under the light. The man was in his prime, exuding a faint aura of authority. Although he was also a member of the Bear Clan, his appearance differed slightly from ordinary Bear Clan members, especially the ring of golden fur around his neck, which was identical to that of Mels' Lion-Tiger Clan. It seemed this person was likely a new-generation Sub-Human born from the intermarriage of the Lion-Tiger Clan and the Bear Clan.

"So you've finally come out. May I ask why you entered my room at night? Could it be that you've recently checked into the guesthouse and misread the room number?" Mels taunted him with a dark expression.

"Hmph! I, Naba, am known throughout the Bear Clan for keeping my word! If it weren't for Prime Minister Jiru's past kindness to me, why would I stoop to such sneaky deeds?" The old man who called himself "Naba" glared.

Seeing that the other party was also straightforward and bold, Mels wasted no more words. His eyes flashed with a cold light as he shouted, "Since you claim not to be a petty thief, then state your purpose clearly. Otherwise, don't think you'll leave this place!"

"Haha, it's been years since I've seen a youngster dare to act so arrogantly in front of me. Let me tell you, today I came specifically to capture you brats and take you to meet the Prime Minister. If you're sensible, I won't make things difficult for you. Otherwise, you'll have to ask whether my iron palms are willing to let you go!" Naba seemed to have lost his temper as well. Mels could clearly sense that he had gathered his Qi energy, ready to attack Mels and the others at the slightest provocation.

In truth, Mels didn't know that Naba's reputation in the Bear Clan was indeed quite illustrious. In earlier years, during the war between the Bear Clan and the Lion-Tiger Clan, Naba had single-handedly infiltrated the Lion-Tiger Clan's army, taken the head of their commander, and changed the outcome of the entire conflict. If Duke Mast were standing here today, he would never provoke Naba. However, Mels didn't care who Naba was—in his eyes, Naba's Qi energy was pitifully weak.

"Haha, then let me see just how powerful your iron palms are!" After saying this, Mels waved his hand, signaling his companions to step back a distance. He then released the Qi energy he had been tightly suppressing, ready to strike.

Mels was battle-hardened and had recently received guidance from the Forgotten One. Even if he were in the human world, there were likely only a few dozen masters who could match him. Now, releasing his Qi in anger immediately caused the room's furnishings to rattle, and the surrounding air seemed to be drawn toward him. Feeling the sudden surge of Qi from Mels, Naba was startled. He could hardly believe that this seemingly unremarkable Lion-Tiger Clan youth possessed such immense Qi energy. Although Naba had long heard that the youths they were dealing with came from the Five Clouds Cave, he never imagined they would be this strong. Naba knew very well that if the awe-inspiring Qi energy was indeed emitted by Mels himself, he would be no match for him.

However, Naba was, after all, a renowned master who had roamed the Sub-Humans' continent for many years. Even knowing he was outmatched, as long as he had breath left, he would strive with all his might to complete his mission. Thus, moments later, when he snapped out of his initial shock, he instead let go of his apprehensions, and his Qi energy gradually became steady and composed.

Although Naba said nothing, Mels could tell from the current atmosphere that the other party was prepared to fight to the death. At this moment, even if Mels felt a twinge of reluctance, he knew that capturing Naba alive was the first step to gaining Mast's trust, so he couldn't afford to waver. As if making a final effort, Mels calmly said, "You should understand the gap between us. Originally, I had no grudge against you, but since you've come after me, I have no choice but to act. If you're willing to give up resistance, I give you my word that no one will harm you. Once this period passes, I will ensure you regain your freedom."

"Kid, you underestimate me too much! Although I admit I'm no match for you, I am certainly not a spineless traitor who doesn't know the meaning of 'shame.' Enough talk—let's settle this with our skills." With that, Naba assumed a stance, ready to face Mels' attack at any moment.

Naba's response was within Mels' expectations, yet Mels still felt a tinge of regret. However, the current situation didn't allow him to let his guard down. With no other choice, Mels raised his palm, intending to subdue his opponent as quickly as possible to avoid complications.

But before Mels could strike, the unexpected suddenly occurred. A loud explosion sounded from the outer wall of the guesthouse. By the time Mels and the others realized something was wrong and hurriedly dodged, a massive beam had pierced through the room. As soon as the beam vanished, before the melted walls could catch fire, three Sub-Humans of varying appearances appeared between Mels and Naba.

"Who are you? Why are you destroying the Bear Clan's guesthouse?" Mels was the first to react, demanding sternly.

The three Sub-Humans wore identical blue robes but looked completely different. The one on the left resembled Mels and the others, with the fierce appearance of the Lion-Tiger Clan. The one in the middle had wings on his back, an eagle-like head, and slender three-toed steel claws on each hand. The one on the right was smaller in stature, with the visage of a vicious wolf, and held a metal staff.

Instead of directly answering Mels' question, the middle one retorted, "Are you Lion-Tiger Clan brats the ones who impersonated the Five Clouds Cave in the Bear Clan and caused chaos here?"

"Haha, that's ridiculous. We've been in the Bear Clan for less than two months—how could we have caused such chaos? As for what the Five Clouds Cave even is, we have no idea, so why would we impersonate it? I should be asking you three blocks of wood where you came from and what you're doing here!" Before Mels could answer, Sol spoke up first.

"How dare you! In the presence of the Three External Envoys of the Five Clouds, you not only refuse to kneel but also speak so insolently. Take this, brat!" The Wolf Clan Sub-Human on the right, enraged by Sol's taunts, immediately raised his metal staff and charged forward. "Right Envoy, calm down. The Five Clouds Cave has always acted with reason. Let me explain things clearly to them before we take action." The Eagle Clan Sub-Human in the middle seemed to be the leader. Raising a hand to stop the Wolf Clan Sub-Human, he turned to Mels and declared loudly, "Regardless of whether you impersonated disciples of the Five Clouds Cave, the Cave Master has issued a warrant for your arrest. Even if you have grievances, they must be handled by the Cave Master himself. Now, follow us back to the Five Clouds Cave without resistance, and I assure you won't be harmed. If you remain obstinate and resist to the end, casualties in battle will be unavoidable!"

The Eagle Clan Sub-Human's words were not only arrogant but also exuded an air of superiority. Mels and the others were the type who responded better to reason than force. Moreover, since their training with the Forgotten One, they hadn't truly used their martial skills in a long time, so encountering such opponents excited them rather than instilling any sense of crisis.

Faced with the other party's haughty attitude, Mels said nothing more. With a wave of his hand, he sent a sharp gust of palm wind toward the window that had been pierced by the beam but hadn't fallen, causing it to shatter. He then said, "Since you're interested in a contest, let's take it to the rooftop! This place is too cramped for us to fight properly." Hearing Mels' words, the Eagle Clan Sub-Human replied, "It makes no difference where we go. As you wish." However, he was inwardly surprised—not because Mels had casually shattered the window, but because the Five Clouds Cave was renowned across the continent, and even clan chieftains wouldn't dare act so defiantly toward them. Yet this Lion-Tiger Clan youth not only issued a challenge as if it were nothing but also showed no regard for the prestigious "Three External Envoys," which left him astonished.

Unaware of the Eagle Clan Sub-Human's thoughts, Mels didn't hesitate once the other party agreed. He leaped through the window first, landing on the guesthouse rooftop. Sha Luo and the others followed closely, protecting Sol as they flew outside, while the three Five Clouds Cave envoys were the last to emerge.

By now, the area around the guesthouse was filled with Bear Clan soldiers who had rushed to the scene. Under their commanders' orders, they surrounded the guesthouse but seemed unwilling to enter, merely blocking the nearby roads. When the three Five Clouds envoys stepped onto the rooftop, they were visibly taken aback by the situation. After a brief, hushed discussion, the leading Eagle Clan Sub-Human took out a small metal scepter, infused it with Qi energy, and shouted loudly, "The Three External Envoys of the Five Clouds Cave are here under the Cave Master's orders to arrest impostors claiming to be disciples of the Five Clouds Cave. Bear Clan soldiers and civilians, as well as unrelated persons, must retreat immediately, or we will not be responsible for any casualties."

Upon hearing that these were the highest-ranking officials of the Five Clouds Cave responsible for external affairs, a commotion broke out among the Bear Clan troops. It took a while for their commanders to suppress it. Although the troops didn't retreat, it was clear that many Bear Clan soldiers had no desire to oppose the Five Clouds Cave and had quietly lowered their weapons.

At this critical moment, Duke Mast finally arrived. Without even wiping the sweat from his forehead, he picked up a loudspeaker and addressed the three envoys respectfully, "Greetings, esteemed envoys. I am Mast, Duke of the Bear Clan. Naturally, I dare not obstruct your mission to capture criminals, but these individuals are guests of our Bear Clan, and their identities are merely rumors spread by common folk. I can assure you they have never publicly claimed to be disciples of the Five Clouds Cave. I wonder if you could grant me a favor and temporarily hand them over to me. I will surely provide you with a satisfactory answer."

Hearing Mast's humble, almost pleading words, the Eagle Clan Sub-Human frowned and replied without giving any face, "Whether they are guilty or not is not for us—nor for you—to decide. Everything must be determined by the Cave Master after he personally interrogates them. We three are merely carrying out the Cave Master's orders. Do you intend to use the Bear Clan's military strength to obstruct us?"

"I wouldn't dare. How could I dare obstruct you, esteemed envoys?" Mast wiped the sweat from his head and licked his lips. "It's just that these honored guests are related to our chieftain's lineage. Currently, the Bear Clan has just quelled a rebellion, and they are key figures. Seven hundred years ago, the Five Clouds Cave signed an agreement with various clans to not interfere in each other's internal affairs. Therefore, I request that you hand them over to me for custody. This would neither harm the good relations between the Five Clouds Cave and our clan nor compromise your dignity."

"Hmph! Enough nonsense. Today, since we three have come under orders, we will not return empty-handed. No matter what, we must take these individuals back. If you're smart, you should lead your men away. Otherwise..." Before the Eagle Clan Sub-Human could speak, the Wolf Clan Sub-Human struck his metal staff heavily and spoke loudly, completely disregarding Mast's dignity.

From the conversation so far, Mels had gathered that among the three Five Clouds envoys, the Eagle Clan Sub-Human was tactful and clearly the leader; the Wolf Clan Sub-Human was hot-tempered and acted without considering consequences; and the Lion-Tiger Clan Sub-Human standing silently to the side was evidently a taciturn warrior who observed everything coldly.

Seeing Mast in an awkward position, unable to speak, Mels knew it was time for him to step in. Although Mels somewhat disliked Mast's cunning, he now felt a hint of goodwill toward him. After all, facing the universally revered Five Clouds envoys, Mast had still spoken up in their defense and hadn't completely abandoned Mels and the others. Even if Mast had ulterior motives, the current situation made Mels and the others grateful.

"Lord Mast, there's no need to say more. Although we may not be a match for the Five Clouds envoys, since they insist on testing our true strength, I won't disappoint them. I know you're in a difficult position, but for the sake of the Bear Clan's interests, it's best for you to stand aside. Leave this to us! Even if we are captured, we will not blame you in the slightest." After addressing Mast, Mels turned to face the three Five Clouds envoys.

"Will you come at us together or one by one? Let us experience the prowess of the Five Clouds Cave!" Mels declared with fervor.

"Brat, you have no idea what you're asking for! All of you, come at me! I alone can deal with you!" The Wolf Clan Sub-Human, infuriated by Mels' audacious words, stepped forward, his face contorted with rage as he roared.

"Akafir, why don't you go cool this gentleman down? Remember, take your time. Make sure he's thoroughly convinced." Faced with the Wolf Clan Sub-Human's provocation, Mels remained unperturbed and smiled as he instructed Akafir.

Akafir understood Mels' meaning perfectly and knew his opponent was impatient. If he could keep him engaged and make him increasingly agitated, even the greatest skills would be rendered ineffective.

"Yes, boss. Just wait and see!" Akafir responded loudly, then "produced" a slender soft sword from his hand and lunged forward. Among Mels' group, Akafir was the most agile. If he intended to engage in hit-and-run tactics, even Mels might not be able to subdue him quickly. However, Akafir didn't fight entirely as Mels had intended. As soon as he entered the fray, he employed his signature rapid assault, unleashing the Great Wind Sword Technique and relentlessly pressing the Wolf Clan Sub-Human with swift strikes.

Human martial arts differed significantly from Sub-Human martial arts. Due to humans' smaller stature and Sub-Humans' generally greater strength, Sub-Human martial arts were largely broad and forceful, emphasizing power. The Wolf Clan Sub-Human's metal staff, known as the "Ten-Thousand-Catty Staff," was a perfect example. Although it didn't actually weigh ten thousand catties, it was nearly a hundred kilograms. When swung, the sheer weight alone created a formidable wind; a single hit would likely leave one either dead or paralyzed.

However, the weapon's greatest weakness was its weight. Although Sub-Humans were physically robust, wielding such a heavy weapon consumed immense stamina. Moreover, the excessive weight reduced the wielder's speed, making it harder to strike the opponent. And now, the Wolf Clan Sub-Human faced the slippery Akafir—defeating him would likely require another century of training.

Akafir's immediate use of rapid assault completely disrupted the Wolf Clan Sub-Human's fighting rhythm. Unable to keep up with Akafir's speed, the Wolf Clan Sub-Human was struck several times. If not for his thick skin and the threatening nature of his weapon, which kept Akafir somewhat at bay, more than just his clothes would have been damaged!

In truth, Akafir didn't want to finish off the Wolf Clan Sub-Human too quickly. After gauging his opponent's attack patterns, speed, and strength, Akafir began to slow down, engaging in the hit-and-run tactics Mels had taught.

The Wolf Clan Sub-Human, who had been overwhelmed by Akafir's rapid assault, now saw his opponent shift to hit-and-run tactics after gaining the upper hand. This led him to believe Akafir was running out of steam and that he could finally counterattack. Driven by this thought, the Wolf Clan Sub-Human rallied his spirits, swinging his weapon even more fiercely in an attempt to quickly defeat his foe. However, the more impatient he became, the more relaxed Akafir grew. Within half an hour, while Akafir remained relatively unaffected, the Wolf Clan Sub-Human was drenched in sweat.

This was exactly the outcome Mels wanted. Defeating the Wolf Clan Sub-Human wouldn't have been difficult for Akafir, but Mels knew that since all three envoys were from the Five Clouds Cave, the other two wouldn't stand idly by if the Wolf Clan Sub-Human was in danger. Rather than securing a meaningless victory by defeating him too soon, it was more advantageous to exhaust his stamina, rendering him less of a threat in a potential melee. It was with this consideration that Mels had instructed Akafir not to rush for victory.

That said, the Wolf Clan Sub-Human fell for the trap not only because of his arrogance but also because his opponent was Akafir. Although Akafir's sword techniques were lightning-fast, his Qi energy was pitifully low. Most martial artists would sense their opponent's Qi energy during combat to gauge their strength. From the start, the Wolf Clan Sub-Human had detected Akafir's minimal Qi energy and thus assumed he wasn't worth fighting seriously.

Subsequently, Akafir's initial fierce assault and subsequent shift to hit-and-run tactics after gaining the upper hand misled the Wolf Clan Sub-Human's judgment. Even the other two Five Clouds Cave envoys watching from the sidelines believed the Wolf Clan Sub-Human was on the verge of victory. Unfortunately, they had underestimated both Akafir and Mels. This single miscalculation would lead to their defeat.

As the Wolf Clan Sub-Human grew increasingly exhausted while Akafir remained composed and seemingly at ease, the Eagle Clan Sub-Human's brow furrowed. He now understood that they had indeed encountered formidable opponents, and the Wolf Clan Sub-Human's defeat was only a matter of time.

Just as the Eagle Clan Sub-Human was about to loudly warn the Wolf Clan Sub-Human to retreat if he couldn't hold on any longer, Mels preempted him, saying, "Akafir, stop playing around. Capture that big oaf of a wolf and bring him back to me within three moves!"

As soon as Mels's command was issued, Akafir, who had long grown impatient, let out a cheer. He then leaped high into the air, executing six or seven sword techniques in succession. Under the crescent moon, Akafir seemed like the embodiment of a war god, his arms leaving a series of phantom shadows across the sky as he was propelled by his suddenly released Qi energy.

The wondrous sight left all the Bear Clan members present dumbfounded. Following this spectacle, Akafir let out a loud shout, and his long sword descended from the sky like the Milky Way falling to earth. Thousands of sword shadows shot through the air toward the Wolf Clan Sub-Human's head. These shadows, though launched later, arrived first, merging into dozens of massive silver beams of light just before reaching the Wolf Clan Sub-Human.

Seeing this, the Wolf Clan Sub-Human knew he couldn't escape this calamity, but on instinct, he still refused to yield. Summoning all his strength, he swung his massive ten-thousand-jin rod into a circular shield, hoping to block Akafir's powerful attack.

Unfortunately, the Wolf Clan Sub-Human still underestimated Akafir's ultimate move. Amid a series of rapid and dense clangs of metal, the rod in his hands shattered into eight pieces, leaving only a stub of iron less than thirty centimeters long in his grip. However, Akafir didn't seem intent on finishing him off. Though his sword technique was fierce, he deliberately avoided taking the Wolf Clan Sub-Human's life, instead injuring the crucial joints all over his body to temporarily immobilize him. The Wolf Clan Sub-Human, collapsing to the ground with a thud, struggled to get up, but with all his joints dislocated, how could he continue to move? He could only watch with eyes filled with resentment as Akafir grabbed him and cheerfully walked back toward Mels.

In fact, during the moment Akafir was battling the Wolf Clan Sub-Human, Mels and the Eagle Clan Sub-Human also engaged in a battle of wills. The Eagle Clan Sub-Human's martial skills were far superior to the Wolf Clan Sub-Human's, so he clearly understood that the Wolf Clan Sub-Human couldn't withstand the move Akafir had unleashed. Originally intending to lend a timely hand, just as he was about to exert his strength, he suddenly felt a gaze as sharp as a blade piercing his body. The source of this gaze was naturally Mels.

Mels had long anticipated that the opponent wouldn't stand idly by and watch the Wolf Clan Sub-Human be captured alive by Akafir. Therefore, at the same time Akafir made his move, Mels had already drawn the Soft Sword at his waist and gathered his Qi energy, preparing to launch an attack. When he noticed the Eagle Clan Sub-Human's unusual movement, Mels immediately focused his Qi into a gaze as sharp as a blade directed straight at his opponent. It was precisely due to this threat that the Eagle Clan Sub-Human could only focus on defense, not daring to recklessly attack Akafir. A similar situation occurred between Sha Luo and the Lion-Tiger Clan envoy. However, the Lion-Tiger Clan envoy never showed any intention of making a move, and Sha Luo merely remained vigilant without emitting an aura truly threatening enough to intimidate the opponent.

Akafir's overwhelming victory not only shocked the Eagle Clan Sub-Human but also left Mast and the many Bear Clan soldiers watching from the courtyard dumbfounded. It took Mast a while to regain his senses. Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, he said with extreme trepidation, "My heavens! It's a good thing I didn't do anything to them, or else my head would have been chopped off without me even knowing what happened!"

On the rooftop, the Eagle Clan Sub-Human, watching his companion captured by the enemy, turned pale and remained speechless for a long time. In contrast, after praising Akafir a few words, Mels turned to him and said, "Sir, your companion has fallen into our hands. I wonder if you still wish to fight us? If you don't want to fight, I'll return your companion to you immediately. If you still want to cause trouble, then come join him!" Mels's dismissive words instantly provoked a furious rage in the Eagle Clan Sub-Human. Just as he was about to recklessly step forward to engage Mels, the Lion-Tiger Clan envoy behind him grabbed his arm. The Lion-Tiger Clan envoy spoke in a deep, muffled voice, "You are no match for him. Only I might be able to fight him."

This was the first time Mels had heard the Lion-Tiger Clan envoy's voice. What puzzled Mels greatly was that this envoy appeared to be at most middle-aged, yet his voice was exceptionally aged. Moreover, though he spoke only a simple sentence, it carried an undeniable weight of authority, as if he were the true leader of the three.

Sure enough, after the Lion-Tiger Clan expert spoke, the Eagle Clan Sub-Human immediately fell silent, respectfully stepping aside and deferring everything to this expert. The Lion-Tiger Clan envoy didn't decline. After taking two steps forward, he suddenly said to Mels, "The subordinates you lead are indeed extraordinary. Even I misjudged them. To apologize for our earlier rudeness, I shall grant you the knowledge of my true identity. I am Mika Luo, one of the Four Great Dharma Kings Protecting the Cave under the Cave Master of the Five Clouds Cave—the 'Mad Lion Dharma King.'

Originally today, I was responsible for other duties and didn't intend to participate in the work of the Three External Envoys. However, seeing your imposing demeanor and skills, I truly don't want to miss this opportunity to cross swords. Additionally, I observed that your subordinate, despite having the upper hand, still refrained from taking a life. This greatly impressed me. Therefore, I can assure you that if you can defeat me, the Five Clouds Cave will never be your enemy from now on. I will take full responsibility for everything that happened before!"

To Mels, Mika Luo's words meant nothing, carrying no weight at all. He didn't know what the Five Clouds Cave was, nor did he understand what a Dharma King Protecting the Cave was. However, Mast was completely different. Upon hearing the title of Dharma King Protecting the Cave, he was so frightened he almost fell over.

The Four Great Dharma Kings of the Five Clouds Cave are figures whose status is second only to the Cave Master and the Guardians of Light and Darkness. On the Sub-Human continent, they are considered godlike existences. It is said that during the first war between Sub-Humans and the Federation, the Dharma Kings Protecting the Cave were the commanders of the strongest forces in the Sub-Human alliance. In the subsequent two battles, they were also the ones who single-handedly saved the Sub-Humans from being annihilated by the allied forces. Therefore, to Sub-Humans, they are like saviors and the embodiment of war gods. Although above the Four Great Dharma Kings, there are the two Guardians of Light and Darkness and the Cave Master, since they rarely appear before the world, for ordinary Sub-Humans, the Four Great Dharma Kings symbolize the pinnacle.

Although Mels didn't know exactly who the Dharma King Protecting the Cave was, he understood that his opponent's strength was difficult to gauge. Just based on the mounting pressure before the battle, Mels knew he had encountered a formidable opponent. Meanwhile, Sol behind him had already taken out a small metal box from his pocket—the power detector taken from the Forgotten One. Without a word, Sol gently pressed a button on the box. Amid a faint sound, his eyes seemed deeply captivated by the numbers on the green screen. "B-Boss... the opponent's combat value... exceeds... exceeds forty-five thousand," Sol stammered.