"Duo Huang expert?!"
Staring at the web of cracks spreading from the floor, Xiao Li and Xiao Ding widened their eyes in utter shock.
They had never expected that this young and beautiful woman—this uninvited guest who appeared so suddenly—would actually be a Duo Huang expert!
For people of Xiao Ding and Xiao Li's level, a Duo Huang was no different than a deity. They were far beyond reach—powerful beings one might never encounter in a lifetime.
The only reason they could recognize this terrifying aura was because, years ago, the two brothers had once sensed a similar overwhelming pressure from Queen Medusa from over 800 li away!
That grand, irresistible aura was unmistakable. Under the suffocating might of Green Mang, both brothers trembled involuntarily, their hearts screaming in despair.
'Seriously?! If you're a Duo Huang, why didn't you just say so from the start? What's with the cryptic attitude and dramatic appearance? If you wanted to take Qing Lin, just do it—why waste time taunting a weakling like me?!'
'What in the world did Second Brother do to provoke a Duo Huang expert?!'
"My lady, this must be a misunderstanding! A complete misunderstanding!" Xiao Ding quickly said. To anger a Duo Huang was not just a death sentence—it was the stuff of nightmares.
"Misunderstanding?" Green Mang sneered. "This guy attacked me unprovoked. I don't see any misunderstanding here. Since he prefers brute force, then let's settle it that way."
"My lady, I—"
Pshhk!
With a flick of her hand, a massive wooden spike erupted from the ground, impaling Xiao Ding straight through the chest.
Countless wooden thorns burst out from within, turning his body into a grotesque pincushion. Fresh blood sprayed violently across the room—splattering the floor, the furniture, and even Xiao Li's face.
Thud...
The wooden spike fell to the ground with a dull crash, and under Xiao Li's trembling gaze, he saw his brother's lifeless body—a twisted wreck of flesh and wood, the only trace of recognition left in those wide, empty eyes.
Frozen in horror, Xiao Li trembled from head to toe. His face turned deathly pale as he crawled to his brother's side on shaking knees.
"B-Brother… Big Brother!"
"Don't worry… He won't be lonely for long."
The woman's cold voice, soft as a whisper from the Grim Reaper, sent a jolt down Xiao Li's spine. He instinctively raised his head to meet her eyes.
His expression was full of fear—but even more than that, hatred and fury.
The Xiao brothers had been inseparable since youth. They left the Xiao Clan early to build the Mo Tie Mercenary Company through blood and fire in the unforgiving Tagor Desert.
And now… his brother had been butchered right before his eyes.
The pain was unimaginable.
"AAAAHHHH!! I'LL KILL YOU!!"
"Lightning Arc—Triple Dance!"
With a roar of madness, Xiao Li summoned his long spear once more, lightning crackling wildly around it. He lunged forward, three twisting arcs of serpentine electricity surging toward Green Mang with lethal force.
"Humph."
Her expression was one of utter contempt.
In the next instant, Xiao Li's charging figure was sent flying at an even greater speed. The force knocked over every piece of furniture in his path, shattering them into pieces.
Slammed once more into the wall, he collapsed, blood pouring from his mouth.
"Like a mayfly daring to shake an ancient tree… Know your place."
Green Mang gave a cold chuckle. She wasn't the type to show mercy.
The Mo Tie Mercenary Company had now seen Qing Lin's true nature. If they were allowed to live, it would only invite trouble later.
Better to eliminate the roots altogether.
She stamped her foot—and with a sharp crack, several wooden spears shot from the floor, aimed directly at Xiao Li's pinned body.
Still vomiting blood, Xiao Li was powerless to resist. All he could do was stare at the incoming death with despair.
He didn't even understand how he had ended up offending such a monster…
Boom!!
The spears never struck.
Instead, they exploded midair into a rain of shattered wood. Amid the falling splinters, a figure appeared in the center of the hall.
Green Mang furrowed her brow as she clutched the unconscious Qing Lin. Even the dying Xiao Li stared in disbelief at the newcomer.
He had no idea who this person was or why he had intervened.
But there was no time to wonder.
"Brother… You need to run. She's a Duo Huang… You're no match for her!"
"Duo Huang?"
The calm voice carried no emotion, as if the title meant nothing to him.
"And you are? Why are you interfering?" Green Mang asked, narrowing her eyes as she gazed at the black-robed young man before her.
The youth's handsome features startled her for a moment. Then she smiled with a hint of flirtation.
"A young man, aren't you? Jia Ma Empire truly is a place full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers… Talent like yours is rare even across the entire Northwest Continent."
"But… if you plan to oppose me, you're making a foolish choice."
"It seems Green Yi didn't tell you who I am."
Lin Ran replied indifferently.
"Green Yi?"
Green Mang was slightly taken aback. She studied Lin Ran's face again, and in her mind, the conversation with Green Yi surfaced.
A very young… sixth-grade alchemist…
Her pupils contracted sharply. She blurted, "You're the sixth-grade alchemist who refined the Demonization Pill?!"
"Sixth-grade alchemist?!"
Still coughing blood, Xiao Li managed to slide off the wall. But when he heard Green Mang's words, he stared at Lin Ran in utter disbelief.
That age… and he was a sixth-grade alchemist?!
Impossible. He looked no older than Xiao Yan…
Lin Ran said nothing.
His gaze briefly lingered on Green Mang, then shifted to the unconscious Qing Lin in her arms.
Sensing his gaze, Green Mang's expression darkened.
By now, she had no doubt why this alchemist had come—but she still clung to a sliver of hope.
"I don't want to make enemies with you," she said calmly. "Leave now, and I will forget this ever happened."
"Hand over the girl. I'll spare your life."
Lin Ran's voice was flat and impassive.
The smile froze on Green Mang's lips.
"So… no room for negotiation, then."
Ordinarily, opposing a sixth-grade alchemist would be suicidal. Even the Tian She Clan would hesitate.
But… the Jade Serpent Three-Flower Pupils were simply too valuable.
She couldn't let Qing Lin slip away.
In the next moment, under Xiao Li's stunned gaze— a terrifying surge of power erupted within the hall!
(End of Chapter)