The group did not linger long in Peru. After leaving the castle, Zhou Haoyu immediately led the team away from the country.
Zhou Haoyu was very clear that these puppet birds could never be completely wiped out. The only solution was to retrieve the Eye of the Nazca Strange Birds.
Before leaving, Zhou Haoyu told Ostor the general whereabouts of this so-called bird's eye.
As for whether they could find it or not, that depended on them.
Zhou Haoyu had no interest in getting further involved—why should he clean up their mess for them?
Merely giving them the lead was already more than benevolent.
As for that General Motte, he had already been dismissed from duty.
From the standpoint of the city, his choice to protect the safety of the soldiers was understandable, but he also had to bear the consequences that came with it.
After leaving Peru, the group immediately set out for their next destination—Mexico.
"I heard there are pirates near the Caribbean Sea… we're not going to run into them, are we?"
On the sea route forward, Jiang Yu suddenly spoke up.
"With the captain here, what's there to be afraid of." Zhao Manyan replied carelessly.
Everyone silently nodded. They had previously underestimated Zhou Haoyu's strength.
Putting aside the Flame Witch's terrifying power, just recalling the scene of him suppressing General Motte was still vivid in their minds.
Although there was an element of surprise, General Motte was without doubt a genuine Super Level Mage.
It completely shattered their previous understanding.
"Captain, you must protect me well, okay~"
Like a fox who had caught the scent, Jiang Shaoxu immediately latched onto Zhou Haoyu's arm.
Zhou Haoyu wore a helpless expression. After just over two months apart, Jiang Shaoxu had become as clingy as a demoness.
But with Mu Ningxue watching nearby, Zhou Haoyu really couldn't take advantage of the situation.
"Keep moving. Let's find a place to settle down as soon as possible."
The group passed through a small village and soon saw a breathtaking sight.
Here the land lay beside the sea, but the terrain rose in terraced hills, such that the lovely blue wooden huts with grass roofs were built along the slopes in an orderly fashion.
Delicate white mountain paths spiraled upward, flanked on both sides by a type of fragrant herb glowing with a bright crimson hue.
The entire village was like something out of a fairy tale—beautiful and enchanting.
"Captain, why don't we rest here? Please? Pretty please?"
Jiang Shaoxu completely ignored Mu Ningxue's presence, clutching Zhou Haoyu's arm and acting coy.
Zhou Haoyu could feel the pressing, squeezing sensation.
At that moment, he suddenly noticed a trace of stiffness in Mu Ningxue's expression. Without the slightest hesitation, he calmly pulled his arm free.
Compared to the fox-spirit's antics, Zhou Haoyu much preferred the chill of minus ten degrees.
Exciting!
And besides, no matter what, Mu Ningxue was his rightful empress. On the surface, Zhou Haoyu had to restrain himself.
"Hmph~~"
Jiang Shaoxu stomped her foot in anger, her previously good mood vanishing in an instant.
"If you want to stroll, then stroll."
Seeing that Mu Ningxue also showed some interest in the little village, Zhou Haoyu agreed to the request to go in and have a look.
Not long after entering, a woman adorned head to toe with ornaments came up to them.
After some explanation, the group learned that the village was holding a festival, and it was inconvenient to host visitors.
Zhou Haoyu cast a deep glance at her. Under his probing Spiritual Sense, the situation in the village was instantly laid bare.
A band of thieves was plundering the village, and this woman seemed to be their leader.
However, Zhou Haoyu had no interest whatsoever in these "save-the-innocents" affairs.
It seemed the thieves came from some Red Ornament Guild.
Against these brigands, the village had no means of self-defense.
Saving them once was easy, but it wouldn't protect them forever.
Once they left, the wrath of the Red Ornament Guild would only fall upon the ordinary villagers.
Moreover, behind the Red Ornament Guild seemed to lurk the shadow of the Black Vatican's offshoot, the Dalang Guild.
The world not only carried the threat of demons, but also dark forces such as the Black Vatican, the Dalang Guild, and the Assassin Hall.
The Assassin Hall, to put aside for now, killed for the sake of profit.
The Black Vatican was more like a cult organization. Many of its members were lunatics suffering from mental illness—Salang was one of them.
As for the Dalang Guild, they were villains who would commit any atrocity for profit.
As long as money was involved, they were willing to do anything.
The reason Su Lu could gather so many children's hearts was precisely through the hands of the Dalang Guild.
Zhou Haoyu led the group down to the town at the foot of the mountain to rest, while Mo Fan and Zhao Manyan, who were quite interested in that village, split off from the team.
"Captain, the two of them going off on their own… what if something happens?" Nan Jue asked with some worry.
"Mo Fan's strength is not weak. Zhao Manyan also has quite a few trump cards he hasn't even used yet. Even if they really encounter danger, they can escape."
Zhou Haoyu replied calmly.
Without the burden of the Demon Element, Mo Fan's overall strength had risen quickly. Now, his power was no weaker than Ai Jiangtu's.
As for Zhao Manyan, there was no need to say anything more about his defense. Plus, with the Zhao family's wealth and influence, he surely carried no shortage of life-saving magic tools.
"That's true." Nan Jue nodded.
Zhou Haoyu had already received a message from Mentor Feng Li, instructing them to remain in this town for now.
Most likely, it was related to their trial mission.
If he remembered correctly, this trial mission was to exterminate the Red Ornament Guild, and the reward was the Dark Duke Cloak.
The legendary magic equipment that brought fame to the world's greatest Shadow Mage!
But to Zhou Haoyu, it was completely useless—he had no Shadow Element.
To exaggerate even further, with the Godly Eye of Time and Space, Zhou Haoyu truly looked down on the Dark Duke Cloak.
That night, Zhou Haoyu did not choose to spend intimate time with Mu Ningxue. Instead, he cultivated in his room.
Before the trial ended, he had to raise his Space Element to the third Level.
Though with his current strength, he was already the unrivaled existence among the national team candidates.
Winning the championship was no pressure for him at all.
However, cultivation was like sailing against the current—if one did not advance, they would fall behind. Zhou Haoyu had no intention of letting others catch up.
Knock, knock, knock!!!
In the middle of his meditation, Zhou Haoyu suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze landing on the slightly trembling wooden door.
"Could it be Xue'er?"
Zhou Haoyu raised an eyebrow. From past experience, Mu Ningxue would occasionally not be able to resist loneliness.
But in the next instant, Zhou Haoyu sensed who was standing outside the door.
It was not Mu Ningxue as he expected—it was Mu Nujiao!
"Why is she here?" Zhou Haoyu's expression revealed some surprise.
Ever since he and Mu Ningxue had rejoined the team, some were happy, some were resentful, but Mu Nujiao seemed to be deliberately avoiding him.
Perhaps it was because of the arranged marriage.
Zhou Haoyu's eyes swept toward the doorknob, and with a thought, the door creaked open.
At the doorway, Mu Nujiao appeared to have dressed with particular care. She wore a crimson satin gown.
Under the moonlight, her curled red hair by her ears shimmered with a starlit halo.
Her index finger unconsciously stroked the folds of her skirt. Lifting her gaze slightly toward Zhou Haoyu, she carried an air of nervous restraint.
...
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