Chapter 105: One Strike, Instant Kill

Xiao Yan simply found it boring; it would've been better if he just stepped in and dealt with Luo Bu himself.

But excavating the desert and uncovering deeper rock layers would take some time, so Xiao Yan decided to watch the spectacle as a way to pass the time.

Even though Xiao Li was only a Dou Shi, he still had the ability to counterattack against Luo Bu, a Grand Dou Shi.

"Thunder Arc Three-Step Dance!"

In the arena, Xiao Li let out a low roar, his long spear leaping with eerie arcs of lightning that then wildly stabbed toward Luo Bu.

"Before absolute power, no matter how famed your lightning attribute Dou Qi for being the most aggressive, Dou Qi Armor!" Facing the rushing lightning arcs, Luo Bu roared, his Dou Qi violently condensing—moments later, it solidified into a pair of energy-formed gauntlets.

Luo Bu clenched his fists and slammed them forward; fierce winds mixed with violent force crashed directly into the lightning arcs.

The two collided—Luo Bu's fists shattered three lightning arcs as if crushing dry grass and rotten wood, and even after destruction, their momentum remained unbroken, striking hard against Xiao Li.

Xiao Li spun his spear, blocking it before his chest—with a clang, the punch struck the spear shaft.

Struck by the blow, Xiao Li's eyes hardened; he stepped back violently, retreating over a dozen paces before finally stopping atop a massive boulder at the courtyard's edge.

Xiao Yan wasn't surprised—his second brother, though ruthless in character and gifted in cultivation, lacked matching cultivation methods and Dou Techniques, making it impossible for him to defeat a Grand Dou Shi by leveling up.

When his two older brothers had left the family to venture out, Xiao Yan had considered taking several Xuan Jie High-Level cultivation methods and Dou Techniques from his storage ring to give them—but later feared that possessing such treasures would invite unnecessary trouble, so he didn't.

"After unifying all the Mercenary Groups in Shimo City, Big Brother and Second Brother have built a decent Faction with some self-defense capability; owning Xuan Jie High-Level cultivation methods and Dou Techniques shouldn't be a problem."

Xiao Yan had already planned in his mind—he intended to boost his two brothers' strength before leaving.

He could never stay in Shimo City forever; whether or not he obtained a new Strange Fire, he would leave for Wang Du in a few months.

Xiao Li and Xiao Yan exchanged glances; understanding his intent, Xiao Yan smiled wryly and shrugged, slowly rising from his chair.

What could he do? His second brother's pride was so great he insisted on trading a few blows with the Grand Dou Shi before letting Xiao Yan act.

A sharp clap echoed throughout the Courtyard.

"Sorry to interrupt—everyone, look here." Through his powerful Soul Force, Xiao Yan's voice pierced every mind like a demonic chant.

The Sand Mercenary Corps mercenaries, bewildered, didn't understand why the voice had appeared inside their skulls—they all halted their battles.

"Excellent. Those named will join the Mo Tie Mercenary Corps' preparatory unit—after a three-month probation, those who qualify become full members. Those not named—return home. The Sand Mercenary Corps is hereby dissolved. If you still wish to join the Mo Tie Mercenary Corps, we hold a public recruitment once a month; you may apply and be tested then." Xiao Yan announced calmly.

"Who are you!" Luo Bu glared at Xiao Yan.

"Me? I'm the younger brother of Xiao Ding and Xiao Li. I'm Xiao Yan—you can call me Third Chief." Xiao Yan smiled as he introduced himself.

"I don't care if you're Xiao Yan or Xiao Water—my Sand Mercenary Corps doesn't need your orders!"

"Sigh, do you have a hearing disorder?" With a hum, Xiao Yan instantly activated the Roaring Lion's Roar—eight-winged Flame Demon Tiger's blood aura phantom instantly appeared behind him, towering over several meters.

Xiao Yan raised his hand—behind him, the eight-winged Flame Demon Tiger slammed one claw down, crushing Luo Bu. Even with his Dou Qi Armor covering his entire body, he was pressed into the ground by terrifying force, like a monkey trapped beneath the Five Fingers Mountain.

"Didn't my second brother already say? We're here to notify you, not to negotiate."

Xiao Yan moved! With this single strike, everyone was stunned—the tiger claw formed by the Xuan Jie High Grade Dou Ji, Roaring Lion's Roar, effortlessly crushed Luo Bu, a Grand Dou Shi, into the ground.

Although Xiao Yan hadn't killed him outright—only pressed him into the earth—everyone knew the terrifying power Xiao Yan possessed.

At this moment, Xiao Li truly understood how terrifying his younger brother was—Xiao Yan, a Grand Dou Shi, was on an entirely different level from Luo Bu, a Grand Dou Shi!

Seeing Xiao Yan standing calmly, as if nothing had happened, everyone stood frozen, mouths gaping wide, unable to close them.

That was a Grand Dou Shi! And he'd just been crushed into the ground!! This was insane! And this boy before them was Xiao Li's younger brother—still younger than him!

"Of course, I value freedom, democracy, harmony—I never force anyone to do what they don't want to do. If you don't wish to join, I won't pressure you—you may leave now." Xiao Yan deactivated the Roaring Lion's Roar and spoke with indifference.

Luo Bu, pinned beneath the ground, struggled to rise—his Dou Qi armor had shattered completely, and this was still because Xiao Yan had held back.

Had Xiao Yan truly intended to kill him, Luo Bu would now be a pile of flesh paste.

Slumped on the ground, Luo Bu stared blankly at Xiao Yan, then at the former members of the Sand Mercenary Corps around him—his Battle Intention had vanished entirely.

Xiao Yan's strength was utterly despair-inducing.

Luo Bu, defeated, said: "The Sand Mercenary Corps is disbanded."

Xiao Yan merely smiled, then reclined again like a lord, basking in the sun, waiting for his second brother to finish all the arrangements.

In the end, only one-third of the massive Sand Mercenary Corps were retained; the rest either lacked courage or were too weak to qualify for the Mo Tie Mercenary Corps.

Yet, to stabilize the former Sand Mercenary Corps members, Xiao Li even recruited Luo Bu himself, letting him continue managing his own troops.

Additionally, all assets, Gold Coins, cultivation methods, Dou Techniques, and real estate of the Sand Mercenary Corps were fully absorbed by the Mo Tie Mercenary Corps. The Mo Tie Mercenary Corps' current strength, even in a major city like Wutan City, would rank as a second-tier Faction.

Undoubtedly, Shimo City had changed hands—now, only the Mo Tie Mercenary Corps stood supreme; all contracts for hiring mercenaries to enter the Desert or seek resources could only be given to the Mo Tie Mercenary Corps.

"Wake up, Little Yanzi."

Xiao Yan slowly opened his eyes, stretched, and asked Xiao Li: "Did you finish everything, Second Brother?"

"Yes. No one will interfere with our search for the Strange Fire now." Xiao Li smiled.

Xiao Yan had no interest in unifying the Mercenary Groups—he simply didn't want anyone disrupting him while he searched beneath the ground for the Strange Fire. If someone ruined his chance of finding it, he would go mad.

All potential threats must be eliminated!

"Then let's go. I wonder what's happening with Big Brother. Hopefully, we'll find something this time."

(End of Chapter)