An hour later.

The ship landed on the ground, and under the leadership of Hu Tong, everyone filed out.

Meanwhile, a tall and burly member of Starfrost Squad swiftly and skilfully hid the ship in a ravine.

The ravine was already filled with many decaying skeletons and rocks so the ship looked very inconspicuous like scrap among them.

“Further ahead is the danger zone, where you will encounter many teams sent by the Magi Brute Race. It’s not ideal to travel on a ship there,” A'bi explained.

Lin Xun surveyed the surroundings, immediately noticing the dense smog and the dull and oppressive atmosphere. Then a cloying and rancid smell of blood and corpses assaulted his senses.

The mountains were vast, desolate, and lonely. There wasn’t a blade of grass in sight, and the gray sky was covered with heavy leaden clouds, smoke and dust. It was an abandoned war-torn place.

Without further delay, Hu Tong led the squad onwards.

Lin Xun noticed that the members of the Starfrost Mercenary Squad had all become vigilant and cautious, like experienced hunters.

Some scouted out ahead, some analyzed the terrain and some studied the route to take. They each performed their duties and cooperated extremely well.

Even Liu Wen, who had always expressed his dissatisfaction with Lin Xun joining them, kept silent and on the alert. Wielding a pair of scarlet blades and gathering qi in his body, he was like an arrow ready to be released at any time.

“Huh?” Lin Xun was surprised to see the weapon in A'bi’s hand.

It was an unusually sinister-looking sledgehammer. It was dark gray and was covered densely in flickering runes, releasing an intense fiendish qi.

It was quite a sight to see A'bi, a beautiful woman, effortlessly lifting the giant hammer like it was an embroidery needle.

But that wasn’t what caught Lin Xun’s attention. As a renowned young rune founder, he could tell straight away that the giant hammer in A'bi’s hand was damaged, as indicated by the dull runes. Its power was at least forty percent less than it was in its peak state.

“What’s wrong?” A'bi noticed Lin Xun’s gaze.

“Why don’t you switch to another weapon?” asked Lin Xun.

His question immediately drew a mocking remark. “You are indeed a rich young master. You don’t know the sufferings of the common people. Do you think A'bi doesn’t want to use another weapon? Do you know that we, unofficial cultivators in the Blood Kill Battlefield, require a lot of military merits to exchange for a good weapon? We can’t change weapons just because we want to!”

The one who spoke was Yang Xiong, who was also a member of the Starfrost Mercenary Squad. He had a masculine and strong figure, bronze skin and a deep scar on the tip of his brow, adding a fierce and threatening aura to him.

The others nearby smiled disdainfully. Lin Xun’s question made them more and more certain that he was a pampered and spoiled young master who didn’t know anything.

Lin Xun ignored them and said to A'bi, “It won’t be long before your weapon is completely damaged. If you trust me, then I can repair it for you when we return to the barracks.”

“You?” A'bi exclaimed.

The others immediately stopped laughing and donned complicated expressions.

They suddenly realized that even if Young Master Lin didn’t understand anything, with his status, he could easily make other people work for him!

For example, Quartermaster Lu Wenting.

A young master like him, who could make even Lu Wenting treat him with utmost courtesy, could help A'bi get a new weapon, let alone repair her old weapon!

“A'bi, do you not understand? Young Master Lin can get the rune masters in the armament zone to help you repair the weapon in your hand,” Yang Xiong said sourly.

The others’ gazes turned more and more complicated, mixed with envy and helplessness.

They couldn’t compare with the youngster.

The great Young Master Lin might be incompetent and useless, but his special identity and status could help him accomplish things that they could never dream of.

How would they not be frustrated, annoyed and depressed? But it couldn’t be helped. That was the reality.

However, they all misunderstood. Lin Xun was a rune founder! Why would he ask someone else to help A'bi repair her weapon?

Wouldn’t that be a slap to his face?

Lin Xun didn’t try to correct them. He saw no need to explain it to people who were hostile to him. That would be no different from degrading himself.

Before A'bi spoke, Liu Wen suddenly came towards them. “No need, when we get back, I will help A'bi change to a better weapon. Young Master Lin, you don’t need to worry!”

After saying that, he stared at Lin Xun coldly, as though silently warning him to leave A'bi alone.

Lin Xun narrowed his eyes and didn’t say anything else.

A'bi frowned and said coldly, “Liu Wen, how many times have I told you to not meddle in my affairs?!”

Liu Wen’s handsome face suddenly reddened with embarrassment, and anger seethed in his heart. He helped her out of kindness, but was rejected in front of everyone.

However, he didn’t lose his temper at A'bi, but he directed all his anger at Lin Xun. He hated Lin Xun more and more.

In his view, the change in A'bi’s attitude towards him was all because of the incompetent and despicable young master!

Liu Wen huffed, turned around and left. Before leaving, he shot a cold glare at Lin Xun, as if saying, “Just you wait!”

Lin Xun smiled calmly, but his dark eyes were filled with coldness. He had been repeatedly provoked, so did they think that he was a pushover?

Then…

Let’s wait and see!

“Are you angry?” A'bi seemed to sense something.

“Am I angry about someone who is not worthy of my anger? It’s not worth it.” Lin Xun said casually.

“You are clearly angry. I told you that I have your back. I won’t let someone bully you. Don’t worry.” A'bi patted Lin Xun on the shoulder like an older sister comforting a younger brother and made Lin Xun speechless.

Hu—

A strange and hurried howling rang in the distance, like the cry of a night owl.

Hu Tong suddenly halted his footsteps, murderous intent flashing in his eyes. “I have discovered a team of magi brutes one hundred and thirty-six miles ahead. There are nineteen of them. Twelve brute warriors, six Great Magis and one enlightened spirit!”

“A'bi, take good care of Young Master Lin. Everyone else, come with me and fight. If we kill them all, we can earn four third-class military merits!” he commanded, his voice determined and resounding.

The strange whistle was a signal sent by the spies ahead.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

All the mercenaries launched into action, and an invisible killing intent filled the silent atmosphere.

Their formation was orderly, and their movements were calm and swift.

Even Lin Xun’s eyes lit up with admiration. Even though they treated him badly, he couldn’t deny that they were elites in battle. Their ruthless fighting instinct could only be forged on a real battlefield.

“Where are you going?” A'bi rolled her eyes when she saw Lin Xun wanted to follow the rest. “Don’t tell me you want to fight. Did you not hear what the leader said? Just listen and follow me!”

Lin Xun rubbed his nose helplessly. Do they really plan to protect me all the time?

“What? Do you not appreciate it? I don’t even have the chance to kill those magi brute bastards because I have to protect you. I’m not even angry, so you should be happy.”

As A'bi was speaking, she grabbed Lin Xun by the arm and followed the team from a distance.

A battle was about to break out.

It would no doubt be very intense. The two sides would clash as soon as they met and a bloody battle would kick off.

Unfortunately, Lin Xun was pulled to the side of the battle and could only watch from afar.

However, he was glad to be able to relax and observe the battle.

He was able to study the battle techniques and tactics of Hu Tong and the other members of the Star Frost Mercenary Squad.

Elites!

Lin Xun came to a conclusion after a few moments.

Hu Tong and the others were no doubt a top elite team with remarkable coordination and sophisticated fighting methods.

Especially Hu Tong. He was a great Cyclic Derivation cultivator who was stronger than both Qin Xuandu and Zuo Baoying.

The only thing that Hu Tong couldn’t compete with Qin Xuandu and Zuo Baoying was perhaps in terms of weapons and types of equipment. He was only armed with ordinary weapons, which hindered him from displaying his full power.

That was easy to understand. Qin Xuandu was from a powerful family and had no lack of top treasures and equipment.

But Hu Tong was just the leader of a mercenary squad. He had an ordinary background and limited financial resources, especially on the Blood Kill Battlefield. There was no way he could compete with cultivators from the top clans.

“Boss Hu Tong is an amazing master,” Lin Xun marveled. He thought of Third Old Zhu, as he found striking similarities between the two.

The greatest difference between the two was that Third Old Zhu was quiet and reserved while Hu Tong had the qualities that a leader should have.

“Of course our boss is amazing. I have been on the Blood Kill Battlefield for four years, and I almost died seven times during that time. But every time it was Boss Hu Tong who rescued me in the end. The rest of the team have also received help from Boss Hu Tong several times in the past.” A'bi’s eyes brimmed with deep admiration.

Lin Xun smiled. He had seen that kind of look of admiration many times before, but he had always been the one being admired by others.

Soon, the battle came to an end. Hu Tong and the others were victorious, and only a few members of the squad were slightly injured. They also had a pretty good harvest.

The spoils they obtained could be exchanged for four third-class military merits.

“Our luck is not bad this time.”

Yang Xiong, Liu Wen and the others all beamed.

However, someone suddenly asked aloud, “Boss, do we also have to share our harvest with Young Master Lin this time?”

One question instantly ruined the joyous atmosphere. All members of the Starfrost Squad looked at Hu Tong with overcast faces.