Chapter 104: Notify You

Early the next morning, Xiao Yan rose early, completed one full cycle of the Burning Scripture, exhaled slowly, and opened his eyes to gaze out the window.

"It's so satisfying having a high-grade cultivation method—the cultivation speed is nearly ten times faster than an Arcane-Rank Low-Level one." For cultivators, the cultivation method is their lifeline; after evolving for over a dozen days, the Burning Scripture's progress equaled a hundred days of his previous cultivation.

Even though High-Level Dou Zhe cultivation is harder and demands more Dou Qi, Xiao Yan's current Dou Qi had already reached the Mid-Stage of First-Star level—he estimated another month of cultivation would let him break through to Second-Star High-Level Dou Zhe.

His gaze sharpened, and his Soul Force Perception sensed someone approaching.

Knock-knock-knock. A soft voice came from outside the door: "Young Master, I've brought hot water for your face."

Xiao Yan got off the bed and said, "Come in."

The door creaked open, and Qing Lin entered carrying a basin of hot water. "Young Master, let me wash your face."

Qing Lin soaked the towel, wrung it out tightly, and approached Xiao Yan with a hint of fear, ready to wash his face.

Xiao Yan shook his head with a wry smile. "No need—I'll do it myself. I'm not used to a life where even washing my face requires help."

Xiao Yan reached out and took the towel from Qing Lin's hand. Even at home, he was never the kind of Young Master who ate without lifting a hand or dressed without lifting a finger.

Qing Lin tugged at her sleeve, hiding the snake scales on her wrist, and spoke timidly: "Young Master… do you despise me for being a tainted human-snake hybrid?"

Xiao Yan wiped his face, placed the towel in the basin, glanced at Qing Lin—whose eyes held a single tear—and said calmly, like a gentle breeze: "You're overthinking it. I hold no prejudice against hybrids or snake-people."

"In six months, I really should take you to Wang Du and introduce you to someone. You always have these strange feelings of inferiority—she's the opposite, always radiating strange confidence."

Xiao Yan stretched his neck and body, did a few stretches, then stepped out of the room. Looking up at the bright sunlight, he smiled: "Good day for big things."

Stepping out, Xiao Yan brought Qing Lin to the training ground in the back courtyard.

When Xiao Yan arrived at the vast training ground, over a hundred members of the Mo Tie Mercenary Corps stood like an army, fully armed and waiting in perfect unison.

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li also stood in the training ground, awaiting Xiao Yan's arrival. As Xiao Yan had just said—today was perfect for big things.

"Big brother, second brother, good morning," Xiao Yan greeted his two brothers with a smile.

Seeing Xiao Yan arrive, both showed rare smiles. Xiao Li said, "All mining equipment and survey personnel are assembled. I've discussed it with Big Brother—we'll send him with a portion of the team first into the Desert for detailed reconnaissance and development."

"I'll take the rest of you to the Sand Mercenary Corps and deal with the troublemakers first."

Xiao Li's eyes even flickered with a hint of malice—he'd long despised the idiots in the Sand Mercenary Corps. If not for their leader Luo Bu being a High-Level Dou Zhe, Shimo City would have only one mercenary group.

Everyone knows monopolization is the most profitable approach. If only the Mo Tie Mercenary Corps operated in Shimo City, income and reputation would undoubtedly surge.

Xiao Yan shrugged. "Do as you please, second brother. If that Luo Bu is foolish enough to resist, wipe out the Sand Mercenary Corps."

Splitting into two groups, Xiao Ding led Qing Lin and the technical team toward the city gate, heading out into the Desert. Xiao Yan followed Xiao Li toward the Sand Mercenary Corps' location in the northwest of Shimo City.

The group marched northward, fully armed and massive—impossible to miss.

Shimo City had only two major mercenary groups—one in the southeast, one in the northwest. Now, with the Mo Tie Mercenary Corps mobilizing everyone toward the northwest, anyone with eyes could see what was coming.

"That's Xiao Li, second commander of the Mo Tie Mercenary Corps—he's heading straight for the Sand Mercenary Corps!"

"Look at the people behind him—all High-Level Dou Zhe and several Dou Zhe—they're sending everyone!"

"Something big's about to happen!"

Shimo City wasn't large, and the news spread fast—many even dragged out chairs and climbed onto rooftops to watch the battle.

"What?! Xiao Li's bringing all the High-Level Dou Zhe and Dou Zhe toward us?!" Hearing the frantic report, Luo Bu jolted awake from sleep, still in his nightclothes, rushing out of his room to the Hall.

"Leader, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li are growing more arrogant by the day. We're the established faction in Shimo City! Those two brats have only been here a few years—and now Xiao Li dares bring men here? He wants war, to monopolize Shimo City's mercenary business," said Mo Xing of the Sand Mercenary Corps, licking his lips with a cold voice.

Luo Bu slammed his fist on the table, face dark with rage: "Damn Xiao Li! So what if your mercenary corps has two more Dou Zhe? Do you think I, a High-Level Dou Zhe, don't exist?!"

"Where are they now?"

Boom—a thunderous crash echoed at the front gate of the Sand Mercenary Corps' courtyard the moment Luo Bu finished speaking.

"What happened?!"

A mercenary stumbled in, gasping: "Report, Leader! Xiao Li of the Mo Tie Mercenary Corps kicked open the front gate with a group of men!"

"How dare they! Do you think the Sand Mercenary Corps is made of mud?!" Luo Bu leapt to his feet, roaring: "Summon everyone! Today, we fight to the death!"

In the front courtyard of the Sand Mercenary Corps, guards fled or feigned unconsciousness at the sight of Xiao Li. Xiao Yan simply pulled out a chair from his storage ring, sat aside, and watched, yawning with boredom.

"Xiao Li! Are you pushing too far?! Our Sand Mercenary Corps and your Mo Tie Mercenary Corps have always kept our distance—what's your meaning now?!" Luo Bu emerged from the Inner Court with over a hundred men.

Xiao Li gripped his spear, pointing it at Luo Bu with a cold laugh: "Luo Bu, you don't even believe your own words. How many times have you sabotaged our hunting and missions? Today, we settle old and new scores together."

"Today, the Sand Mercenary Corps ceases to exist. I'm not here to negotiate—I'm here to notify you."

Hearing Xiao Li's words, Luo Bu's face darkened, and he laughed bitterly: "Hahahaha! Fine! Let's see how you'll notify me! Attack!"

Xiao Li gripped his spear, charged ahead, leading all the mercenaries into the front line.

Xiao Yan lay back in his chair, not moving. Before leaving, Xiao Ding had told him to wait before acting. Xiao Ding planned to absorb the Sand Mercenary Corps to expand their faction's power.

So he let Xiao Li lead—to identify who among them was worth recruiting. After consolidating Shimo City's mercenary industry, they'd need many hands to sustain it.

"Big brother really is too cautious—just a High-Level Dou Zhe's mercenary group. Even if we absorb them, they're useless."

(End of Chapter)