Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!-Chapter 1017 - 702: Humiliation (2)

Every time he heard such evaluations, Morphie's anxiety and resistance would increase even more.

He exerted all his strength, unleashing his Spiritual Energy to the fullest, even using some of his most guarded secret skills. The blade became swifter and more fierce, occasionally forcing Dao Mian Liao to retreat half a step.

But this was his limit.

"That's enough, it's no fun." Dao Mian Liao seemed to have grown tired, and in a head-on collision, his giant axe suddenly exploded with more power.

Morphie's saber was knocked high, leaving his center wide open!

"Bang!" Dao Mian Liao kicked Morphie in the chest, sending him flying like a broken kite and crashing heavily into the side of an off-road vehicle, creating a dull thud.

"Morphie!" Kiro Lan exclaimed, ready to rush over.

"Don't move!" Morphie struggled to stand up, a trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth. The severe pain in his chest almost made it hard to breathe, but he still used his saber to support himself, standing firmly in front of the convoy, eyes staring intently at Dao Mian Liao.

Dao Mian Liao walked over slowly with his giant axe, looking down at the battered Morphie, shaking his head: "You are no good. You're much worse than 'that human before.' When he hit me, I had no temper. When you hit me, it's like a tickle."

He extended his thick green finger and pointed at Morphie, "But you do have some guts, not peeing your pants right away. I'm in a good mood today and don't want to kill a little thing like you. Go back and practice more. Next time we meet, I won't spare you."

He turned around, waved at his surrounding Beastman boys: "Boys! I'm not interested in these humans' junk cars and trash! Let's go find bigger fun!"

The Beastman boys, though puzzled as to why the boss wasn't taking anything, followed orders, and quickly responded with a messy cheer, jumping onto their vehicles.

Dao Mian Liao jumped back onto his war vehicle, giving a last glance at the barely-standing Morphie and the anxious Kiro Lan, grinning: "Tell 'that human from before' that I, Dao Mian Liao, have become stronger! When he returns, I'll challenge him again! This time, I will surely win!"

"Waaaaaagh!"

Accompanied by a deafening battle cry and the roar of engines, the green Beastman convoy, as they had arrived, rolled up a cloud of dust and sped away into the distance.

Soon, they disappeared behind the stone pillars of the wasteland, leaving only a mess of tire tracks and the lingering smell of fuel mixed with the unique stench of the Beastmen in the air.

The wilderness returned to silence, leaving only the sound of the human convoy's survivors' heavy breathing and repressed silence.

Kiro Lan immediately rushed to Morphie's side, supporting his shaky body: "How are you? Are your injuries severe?"

Her Spiritual Energy quickly probed into Morphie's body to check his injuries.

At least two ribs were broken, his internal organs had been shaken, and his Spiritual Energy was somewhat disturbed, but fortunately, there were no fatal injuries.

"I... I'm fine." Morphie coughed up bloody saliva, his face pale, but his eyes filled with reluctance and deep frustration.

He had been defeated, and so utterly, being judged as far inferior to Bai E. The opponent didn't even bother to use lethal force, as if they merely dismissed an unworthy challenger.

This humiliation was harder to bear than the injuries.

"First, let's treat you." Kiro Lan instructed the approaching team medics, then looked at Morphie with a complex tone, "You shouldn't have been impulsive. Our mission is to win the support of other cities, not to bid for bravado here against the Beastmen."

Morphie lowered his head, his fists tightly clenched: "I know... but..."

"I understand." Kiro Lan sighed, looking towards where the Beastmen had gone, "That Beastman... his attitude towards the Master is somewhat strange."

Could it be respect for the strong? Or an obsession with victory and defeat?

He said he'd challenge the Master again when he returns.

It seems the Master left a very deep impression on him back then.

Could this be considered good news?

At least this powerful Beastman warlord seems to recognize only Master Bai E as a worthy opponent and is uninterested in other humans, including themselves, and is even lazy to kill them...

"We need to hurry up now." Kiro Lan withdrew her gaze, her expression more determined, "Morphie, take good care of your injuries. This incident also reminds us that external threats come not only from below ground and higher dimensions; these Beastmen... if used by some ill-intentioned people, or if they go mad themselves, are also huge hidden dangers. We must consolidate our strength quickly. Once your condition stabilizes, we'll immediately set out for 'Ming Pearl Port.'

Morphie nodded without speaking, only looking into the distance, his gaze filled with more than just defeat, but a blazing fire.

Grow stronger! I must become stronger!

Not just to protect but also to... make those who have humiliated me pay the price one day!

After tending to Morphie's injuries, the convoy, after a brief rest, once again headed towards "Ming Pearl Port."

On the journey, Morphie spent most of his time in the back seat of the off-road vehicle with his eyes closed, meditatively regulating his breath.

Kiro Lan used this relatively peaceful time to organize the main points of potential confrontations with various forces in "Ming Pearl Port."

She knew that dealing with the Trade Union Council was far more complex than dealing with a military strongman like Otto Anvil and required more patience, wisdom, and... bargaining chips.

Days later, the convoy arrived at "Ming Pearl Port."

Unlike Anvil City's cold, industrial style, this city was filled with the bustle and vitality of a harbor.

Boats large and small docked at the port, flags of trade caravans from different cities fluttered, the streets were lined with shops, bustling with people, and the air mixed with the smells of the sea, spices, and machine oil.

Beneath the prosperity, there was also a hint of restlessness and detachment from central authority.

The arrival of Kiro Lan's party did not stir much open commotion, but the attention behind the scenes was undoubtedly significant.

They were arranged in a receiving manor designated by the council, decently located but by no means at the core.

Their reception was handled by an experienced councilor named "Ethan," who was courteous, with smooth and meticulous speech, but constantly maintained a professional distance.

"It is an honor for Great Commander Kiro Lan to visit Ming Pearl Port." Councilor Ethan smiled and said, "The council takes this very seriously. However, as you know, the decision-making process in Ming Pearl Port is quite... democratic. We need time to convene all councilors and major trade representatives to fully discuss the terms of cooperation you've proposed. In the meantime, you may rest here and enjoy the views of our port."

Kiro Lan understood this was their usual delaying tactic, using so-called procedures to waste her time and patience while observing the situation and biding their time.

She knew she couldn't be hasty and nodded: "I understand. We also hope for deep, honest exchanges with our friends in Ming Pearl Port. However, Councilor Ethan, time is extremely valuable to all of us. The threats from underground will not wait for our meeting to end, nor have the whispers from higher dimensions ceased. I hope the council can arrange everything promptly."

"Of course, of course," Councilor Ethan's smile remained unchanged, "We will hurry."

In the following two days, Kiro Lan and Morphie moved within limited range, trying to connect with some relatively neutral organizations or individuals friendly to the federation center, to understand more about the real voices within Ming Pearl Port.

They discovered that this place was indeed rife with factions. There were pragmatists wishing to leverage central power to stabilize trade routes and acquire advanced technologies, conservatives fearing central interference would harm their autonomy and business interests, and radicals ambitiously attempting to seize greater power amid the chaos, even seeking independence.

Rumors spread particularly quickly here, with talks of "Bai E is dead" and "the center can't even take care of itself" being quite prevalent...