Chapter 89: and ===GLOSSARY=== sections

Since they started eating meat, Xiao Li and Xiao Yixian naturally moved in together.

Originally Xiao Li thought Xiao Yixian was young, but…

He doesn't listen to him.

……（Heijiao Yu basically has nothing going on now, let the protagonist retreat into seclusion for a while, train some new combat techniques, before the three-year agreement just deal with the Magic Flame Valley, now Xiao Li and Xiao Yan have both written, write about eldest brother Xiao Ding, I am still very much looking forward to the scene where the eldest and second brothers bring their respective forces to help Xiao Yan hold the stage. ）

Green Mountain Town, Xiao Ding, who had already reached the peak of Dou Shi, naturally became the big boss here.

Wait, why is it Green Mountain Town?

Things still have to go back to a year ago, when Xiao Yan wiped out the Mo family; Xiao Ding worried that the Yunlan Sect behind the Mo family would take revenge, so he transferred the Mo Iron Mercenary Corps ahead of time and even changed its name; now Mo Iron has transformed and become the Azure Blade Mercenary Corps of Green Mountain Town.

Feeling the blood furnace slowly turning within his body, Xiao Ding couldn't help but sigh, his younger brother truly has talent—he can even obtain such powerful and mysterious combat techniques.

Relying on the Grand Absorption Method and the high-grade wood-attribute cultivation method of the Profound Rank left by Xiao Li, Xiao Ding quickly reached the peak of Dou Shi in a short time.

"Captain, someone claiming to be from the Jia Nan Academy has come."

Hearing his younger brother's words, Xiao Ding did not dare delay, hurriedly coming to the reception hall.

Xiao Li's former instructor, Su Fei, is right here.

"Are you the captain of the Azure Blade Mercenary Corps, Xiao Ding?" Su Fei raised her eyebrows, gazing at this man who bore some resemblance to Xiao Li and Xiao Yan, and had already made up her mind.

Fortunately, Xiao Yan had told Xiao Li about the mercenary corps' name change; otherwise Su Fei really wouldn't have been able to find Xiao Ding.

That's right, Su Fei was commissioned by Xiao Li; her purpose was to escort the intermediate earth-rank cultivation technique that Xiao Yan obtained from the Scripture Pavilion.

Xiao Ding nodded, "That's right, I am Xiao Ding, and you are..."

Su Fei smiled faintly; the Xiao family indeed has abundant talent. Although Xiao Ding is not as gifted as Xiao Li and Xiao Yan, he is still a genius who reached the peak of Dou Shi before nineteen, which would be considered average even in the inner court.

"I am the admissions instructor who brought Xiao Li into the Jia Nan Academy; this time I came because your two younger brothers entrusted me to deliver something to you."

Saying this, Su Fei took out a token, which was the agreed-upon signal item between Xiao Yan and Xiao Ding.

Seeing this, Xiao Ding also took out his own token with relief.

"This space ring contains what they gave you." Su Fei handed a space ring to Xiao Ding, then left the Azure Blade Mercenary Corps' camp; having rarely left the academy thanks to Xiao Li's status, she of course wanted to give herself a vacation.

Xiao Ding nodded, had someone see Su Fei off, then returned to his own bedroom, where no one would disturb him, making it convenient for him to examine the items in the space ring.

The space ring held not much: just a few manuals of cultivation techniques and combat skills, a pile of gold coins, and a joint letter from Xiao Li and Xiao Yan.

Xiao Ding didn't bother with those techniques and money; instead he first took out the letter.

"Elder brother, the things inside are what I and Xiao Yan have prepared for you; in a year and a half, we'll meet at the Yunlan Sect."

The letter was brief; Xiao Ding smiled knowingly, read it over several times, then carefully placed it back into the space ring.

"Earth-rank intermediate cultivation technique, 'Forest of All Phenomena'!"

Xiao Ding's eyes widened; an earth-rank intermediate cultivation technique?

The Xiao family's best cultivation technique seems to be nothing more than their father's low-rank Profound Rank 'Wild Lion's Furious Gang'; with this manual, plus the Blood Pill, Xiao Ding is confident he can break through to Grand Dou Shi within a week.

"'Forest of All Phenomena' can accelerate the recovery of vitality, strengthen the physique, and also has the ability to help others recover from injuries."

Xiao Ding, somewhat impatient, picked up the next combat technique manual.

"Profound Rank low-grade movement technique, 'Wood Shadow Evasion'."

It allows one to use trees or shadows to teleport or become invisible.

"Profound Rank mid-grade attack technique, 'Hundred Poison Wood Spikes'."

It allows Xiao Ding's attacks to carry various toxins, such as numbness, dizziness, and deadly poison.

"Profound Rank mid-grade defense technique, 'Forest Shield'."

Relying on one's own battle qi or the natural environment, it creates a tree-based barrier for defense.

"Advanced application techniques for wood-attribute battle qi."

Rapid growth, seizing opportunities, medicinal herb cultivation……

Five books—covering attack, defense, movement, cultivation, and application—clearly arranged for Xiao Ding.

Xiao Ding conservatively estimated that just this one earth-rank intermediate cultivation technique could match half of the Xiao family's cultivation techniques and combat skills.

If not conservative, it's probably about the entire Xiao family's cultivation techniques and combat skills.

……One week later (no filler).

Xiao Ding led people to the Ten Thousand Medicines Hall.

The master of the Ten Thousand Medicines Hall, Yao Zhai Zhu, personally came out to greet them; seeing Xiao Ding's entourage bringing along people who were eating, Yao Zhai Zhu wiped a cold sweat from his forehead.

"Lord Captain, I don't know why you've honored us with your visit; what business brings you here?"

Xiao Ding gave him a cold glance; when he first arrived in Green Mountain Town, this old fellow had often brought people to ostracize him.

Originally, without the Wolf Head Mercenary Corps, the Ten Thousand Medicines Hall would be the big boss of Green Mountain Town, while the Blood War Mercenary Corps remained neutral.

No matter how Yao Zhai Zhu looked at it, he was unwilling to let Xiao Ding take a share, so he naturally became quite hostile toward the Azure Blade Mercenary Corps, leading Green Mountain Town's local forces in a constant boycott of the Azure Blade.

Meanwhile, Xiao Ding relied on his peak Dou Shi cultivation to withstand the pressure, and even won over many fence-sitters to his side.

If the two sides were to go to war now, even two Ten Thousand Medicines Halls would likely not be a match for the Azure Blade Mercenary Corps.

I came today to ask Master Yao: in Green Mountain Town's medicine trade, can my Azure Blade secure a place?

Xiao Ding's voice was cold and devoid of warmth; Yao Zhai Zhu's breath hitched, and he took a step back into the Ten Thousand Medicines Hall.

"Xiao Ding, a place—how much do you want?"

Yao Zhai Zhu's tone and expression turned stern; he already knew Xiao Ding came with ill intent, and saying these things to a medicine-focused force is no different from a rat peddler selling rat poison.

I want it all!

As his words fell, Xiao Ding stepped forward, his three-foot Azure Blade thrusting out, stirring up gusts of gang wind.

"Hundred Poison Wood Spikes!"

Yao Zhai Zhu's eyes widened in shock, and he exclaimed involuntarily, "Grand Dou Shi!"

Yao Zhai Zhu did not dare delay, fully activating his battle qi armor, and likewise swung his long sword.

But how could a merchant's fighting power compare to that of someone like Xiao Ding, a tough fighter who has struggled in Shimo Cheng?

"Wood Shadow Escape!"

Xiao Ding flickered and strangely darted out from the counter selling medicinal herbs at the Ten Thousand Medicines Hall.

Although Xiao Ding hasn't yet mastered these two moves, defeating an ordinary Fighter Master is still extremely easy.

The potent toxin spread through his body, and Master Yao's body instantly turned green, collapsing onto the floor of the Ten Thousand Medicines Hall.

Xiao Ding looked at the various hostile forces gathered here, snorted disdainfully, "Just a bunch of fighters, dare to come here to join the fun."

"Drop your weapons, and those who surrender will not be killed!"

Xiao Ding gave a fierce shout, prompting the over a hundred people present to drop their weapons to the ground.

Xiao Ding gave a sinister laugh, "Kill the leaders and cores of all mercenary groups, and detain the others."

Everyone was shocked and accused Xiao Ding of breaking faith, but he paid no heed.

Being a graceful gentleman is his attitude toward family, but when facing enemies over interests, Xiao Ding never shows leniency.

These people previously opposed me, but now that I've won, they might secretly sabotage me due to diminished interests; it's better to settle things early.

A dozen or so people who hastily grabbed weapons were no match for the Azure Blade Mercenary Group's over a hundred members, and were easily slain.

It's worth noting that neither Xiao Ding nor Xiao Yan is as ruthless as Xiao Li the Absolute; if Xiao Li were here, everyone would likely die, rather than just killing the leaders and cores.

If you ask him, it's……

"How do you know there aren't any disciples, families, or loyal followers of these dead among the ordinary mercenaries?"

The Xiao Ding chapter ends; it should be the three‑year agreement, finally reaching this point—everyone must die, everyone must die!

(End of chapter)