Chapter 101: Radish

Vast desert, golden sand the only hue, wind whipping sand across heaven and earth, howling without end.

A booming rush of wind—a pair of red fire wings screamed over the yellow dunes, carving a trail on the ground, swiftly buried again by sand.

Xiao Yan flew straight from Mo City to Shimo City; for ordinary people, Shimo City was extremely distant from Mo City.

If forced to compare, Mo City was a port city, Shimo City an island in the vast sea—but for Xiao Yan, who could fly, it took only an hour to arrive.

As for the map Hai Bodong gave him, Xiao Yan didn't even glance at it.

Soon, Shimo City nestled within the Tago Desert appeared faintly in Xiao Yan's sight.

Gazing at the nearby Shimo City, Xiao Yan's face broke into a wider smile.

Hundreds of meters away, Xiao Yan retracted EagleWings and walked slowly to the city gate, paid the entry fee, and merged with the flowing crowd inside.

"Quite a few people here."

To Xiao Yan's surprise, the city in the desert had no shortage of people entering or leaving; most were mercenaries armed with swords and blades, their expressions fierce, others merchants on the move.

Compared to cities within the empire, Shimo City carried heavier, more grim energy—those who settled here came for the desert's resources.

Perhaps because of the SnakeTribe, its defenses were far stricter than Wutan City; armored soldiers patrolled everywhere.

After entering the city, Xiao Yan asked around and immediately learned the location of the Mo Tie Mercenary Corps.

"Looks like the mercenary corps my elder brothers built has quite a reputation in Shimo City."

Hearing the residents' praise for the Mo Tie Mercenary Corps, Xiao Yan felt a flicker of curiosity.

Heading south, not long after, a courtyard nearly matching the size of the Xiao Clan's main compound in Wutan City came into view.

Above the courtyard, a banner fluttered in the wind, bearing the bold characters "Mo Tie Mercenary Corps," its design faintly radiating iron-blooded resolve.

The blood's aura of hardness.

Gazing at the magnificent courtyard, Xiao Yan's tense heart eased slightly—at least his two elder brothers had achieved something out here.

"Stop! This is the Mo Tie Mercenary Corps' grounds—non-members forbidden to enter!" Two high-level Dou Zhe, spears in hand, blocked Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan rubbed his nose, smiled faintly: "I'm the younger brother of your two leaders. I'm Xiao Yan."

"You're the third brother—the genius they always talk about?"

The two gatekeepers exchanged glances, still skeptical, barked: "Prove it!"

Xiao Yan smiled, flicked his finger lightly—a surge of force instantly knocked the weapons from their hands. "Is this proof enough?"

Aren't you causing trouble?!

Seeing Xiao Yan's terrifying strength, instead of stepping aside, one blocked his path while the other pulled out a whistle and blew sharply.

Xiao Yan nodded inwardly: "My elder brothers still have good judgment—they didn't pick cowards."

Hearing the whistle, men inside the courtyard snatched up weapons and stormed out, eyes blazing, glaring fiercely at the troublemaker.

Watching this disciplined group of mercenaries, Xiao Yan smiled: "Alright, let me see how strong my elder brothers' mercenary corps really is."

Xiao Yan stepped forward slowly; the two gatekeepers bared their teeth, knowing they couldn't win, yet lunged to bite him anyway.

Xiao Yan sidestepped, controlled his force, and cracked two punches—sent them both flying.

Hands behind his back, he stepped into the Mo Tie Mercenary Corps' courtyard; seeing someone so brazenly disregard them, every mercenary roared, grabbing weapons and charging at Xiao Yan.

"Sigh, third brother really is…" In a pavilion within the courtyard, a white-robed man resembling Xiao Yan sighed helplessly.

Yet his helpless expression couldn't hide the pleased smile at the corner of his mouth.

"Let him cause a ruckus for a while—good to see how these men react when real enemies attack."

The outcome was predictable: Xiao Yan utterly crushed them in every aspect—Cultivation Method, Dou Technique, Rank, physical strength, Soul Force. Not just these dozens—even ten times as many would be easily subdued.

Whether Dou Zhe or Dou Shi, none could withstand Xiao Yan's single punch; soon most lay groaning on the ground.

"Enough, enough. If you keep this up, they won't be able to go out tomorrow." A young man in white robes smiled at Xiao Yan, his eyes brighter than normal, revealing wisdom and subtle cunning.

"You kid really are a genius—your strength keeps growing terrifyingly. What's your Cultivation Realm now?" Another youth, dressed in mercenary gear, stood tall and powerful, his dark eyes holding laziness and sharp malice.

His face beamed with smiles, yet beneath them lurked the ferocity of a wolf—clearly, he was the type: if you don't provoke me, I won't bother you; if you do, I'll bite back even as I die.

Xiao Yan looked at the two approaching men, warmth flowing through his heart: "Big brother, second brother."

Big brother Xiao Ding, second brother Xiao Li—both were Xiao Yan's full-blooded elder brothers.

"Hahahaha! Little Yanzi, you made it! So, what do you think—does the Mo Tie Mercenary Corps meet your genius standards?" Xiao Li grinned foolishly, rushed forward, hugged Xiao Yan tightly, pounded his back hard, voice thick with excitement and joy.

Xiao Yan hugged Xiao Li's shoulder and laughed: "Really good—physical condition's solid, courage's there, no cowards running away. Worth rewarding!"

Xiao Yan flicked his storage ring—ten Pill Bottles, each filled with Elixir, appeared in his hands.

Seeing the bottles brimming with Elixir, the fallen mercenaries' eyes instantly glowed; even Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were startled.

They'd long heard from Father Xiao Zhan that Xiao Yan was an Alchemist, crafting vast quantities of Elixir that had monopolized Wutan City, making the Xiao Clan its sole giant.

Seeing Xiao Yan's grand gesture today still shocked them.

"Here are nine bottles of One-Rank Spring-Healing Pills, suited for Dou Zhe—quickly heal wounds. And one bottle of Two-Rank Body-Recovery Pills, suited for Dou Shi—effective for both internal and external injuries."

"Second brother, distribute these to them." Xiao Yan shoved all the Pill Bottles into Xiao Li's stunned arms.

"Tsk tsk tsk, you kid really are…" Xiao Li was speechless—so many Elixir? Even the biggest drug merchant in Shimo City couldn't produce this much at once.

Behind him, Xiao Ding glanced at Xiao Yan—he understood his purpose: carrot and stick. This single move would turn the entire Mo Tie Mercenary Corps into solid steel.

Xiao Yan wasn't just testing the mercenaries—he was also elevating his brothers' status, preventing spies from infiltrating the mercenary corps.

With this move, even the spies became his own.

Just asking—do you all want three chapters posted together? Since writing takes time, if posting three together, they'll likely be released all at night.

Leave a comment here—I'll adjust the update schedule based on the majority opinion.

(End of Chapter)