Lu Mingfei, become the King of Elden!

Chapter 271 Within three steps, none can rival him.

Sunlight filtered through the mist, casting its rays and shimmering the fog-shrouded forest in a greyish hue.

Lu Mingfei packed his bags, extinguished the embers of the campfire, and turned to face the weathered wandering merchant.

"Thank you for the hospitality and the information."

Lu Mingfei nodded to the businessman:

"I should continue on my way."

The wandering merchant slowly raised his head, his weathered eyes glancing at Lu Mingfei before looking into the distance of the misty forest.

His hoarse voice broke the silence of the early morning:

"Hyde Fortress...you're heading there, aren't you?"

Lu Mingfei was not surprised that the businessman could guess his destination.

"Yes."

The merchant extended a withered finger, pointing to a direction slightly different from what Lu Mingfei had originally anticipated:

"Follow this direction and pay attention to the traces of the ancient road remaining on the ground."

Crossing a field, you will see a cliff that looks as if it had been split open by a giant.

The fortress was built on that cliff, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.

He paused and added:

"However, the last stretch of road to the fortress is a slope, which is heavily guarded by checkpoints."

Moreover... I heard that things haven't been peaceful there lately, and no one has come out of the fortress for a long time.

Guests must be careful.

Lu Mingfei silently memorized the merchant's instructions.

"Understood, thank you for your guidance."

Lu Mingfei clenched his right fist and pounded his chest:
"Take care of yourself."

May the fog clear your way, and may your journey be carefree.

The merchant responded in a low voice, which gradually faded into the thick fog.

Lu Mingfei mounted his horse, and Torret gave a soft neigh, spurring his horse forward and carrying him back into the thick fog.

By the campfire, the wandering merchant sat alone, his gaze still fixed on the direction where Lu Mingfei had disappeared, muttering to himself:
"Those who pursue the mysterious are often consumed by it... but perhaps you are the one who can unveil the mystery."
-
Lu Mingfei followed the direction pointed out by the wandering merchant and soon discovered traces of an ancient road on the ground.

He rode his spirit horse at full speed and finally arrived at his destination.

Hyde Fortress.

Just as the merchant had said, Hyde Fortress was a fortress built on the edge of a cliff, with only one road leading up to it, flanked by towering boulders crisscrossed with numerous barricades.

The people of the borderlands seem to really like building cities and fortresses on the edges of such terrain. Whether it's Red Lion City or Moen City, at least one side of them has cliffs facing the sea.

Stoneville, needless to say, stands high atop Storm Hill, close to the sky, surrounded by storms all day long; it is almost a magnificent city carved out of the cliff.

Perhaps it was to reduce the defensive strength?
After all, there doesn't seem to be any navy in the border area...

Lu Mingfei blew his whistle to call back Toret, and slowly drew his greatsword from behind his back.

Lu Mingfei gripped the greatsword in his hand and strode toward the somewhat simple gate of Hyde Fortress.

Beneath the towering stone gate tower, only three or four soldiers clad in the distinctive armor of the Grik forces stood guard listlessly.

They clearly did not expect to be attacked in this remote place.

The battle ended quickly.

Lu Mingfei charged forward with a gray-white aura swirling around his feet. His greatsword swung in a few simple arcs, and the sentries fell into pools of blood before they even had a chance to sound a proper alarm.

After dealing with the guards at the entrance, Lu Mingfei did not immediately rush into the fortress.

With such lax defenses... sure enough, something went wrong.

He looked around, his gaze drawn to the small golden tree saplings near the sea cliff. He cautiously circled around the entrance and came to the edge of the cliff.

Although the little golden tree was small, it radiated a pure light.

At its base, a glittering golden light floats quietly.

It was a golden seed brimming with vitality.

Lu Mingfei reached out his hand, his fingertips touching the warm ball of light.

Information about this item naturally came to mind:
Golden Seeds

The golden seed found at the roots of the Phantom Tree increases the number of uses of the Holy Grail.

When the Elden Ring broke

The golden tree scatters golden seeds across various regions—
It's as if life itself knows its final fate.

"nice one."

Lu Mingfei muttered to himself as he carefully put the precious seed into his pocket.

This is the fifth golden seed he has found so far.

One was on Stormhill, one was given to him by Rodrik, one was found in Stoneville, and another was obtained after killing the Rotten Tree Spirit in the Border Heroes' Graveyard.

This means his Holy Grail can be used one more time.

Lu Mingfei stood outside the gates of Hyde Fortress, his gaze sweeping over the high walls.

He was pondering a strategy.

A direct assault would be feasible, but it would inevitably lead to a protracted and arduous battle with the defending forces, resulting in heavy casualties.

Most of these soldiers were simply following orders; his purpose in coming here was to regain control of the fortress, not to massacre the city.

Establish authority and capture the king
An idea gradually became clear in his mind.

He needed a swift and devastating attack to instantly crush the defenders' will to resist with overwhelming force, and then completely destroy their core.

The strategy has been decided.

He took a deep breath, and his aura suddenly became dangerous and sharp.

The next moment, he sprang up like a silver storm and crashed straight into the door!
boom!
Before the ordinary soldiers at the entrance could react, they were swept away by the raging storm and rendered incapable of fighting.

Lu Mingfei's goal was very clear: he headed straight for the tall, pumpkin-headed soldier in the fortress's front yard.

These battle-hardened, fearless swordsmen, despite their mental instability, are far stronger than most soldiers and are often the backbone of the defending troops' morale.

"Roar!"

The pumpkin-headed soldier spotted the intruders, let out a deep roar, and swung his huge flail at them!
Faced with this powerful and heavy blow, Lu Mingfei neither dodged nor avoided it, his golden pupils burning fiercely!
determination!

The combat technique was activated instantly, and under the concentration of willpower, high-intensity energy converged into the sword.

He suddenly twisted his feet, sidestepped the falling flail, and his greatsword transformed into a silver light that tore through the air, slashing fiercely upwards with incredible speed and power!

Click!

The broad, thick blade easily sliced ​​into the chest of the pumpkin-headed soldier!
The sword's momentum didn't diminish, cutting through skin, muscle, and even bone.

puff!

Blood spurts!

Before anyone could react, Lu Mingfei instantly changed his move, and another greatsword thrust forward, piercing straight into the fighter's heart!
The massive body stiffened abruptly, and before it could even cry out in pain, its life force was extinguished.

No more sound.

boom!
The soldier's body, several meters tall, crashed to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

From the moment they broke in to the moment they killed the strongest guard, it only took a few breaths!

The remaining defenders were completely stunned by this overwhelming force, and for a moment no one dared to step forward!

(End of this chapter)