Qing Lin's innate Tricolor Pupils of the Jade Snake allowed her to sense snake-type magical beasts—an ability so natural to her that neither Lü Yi nor Bai Ya questioned her account. As Lin Ran listened to her explanation, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. By his estimation, the timing aligned precisely with Medusa's acquisition of the Green Lotus Core Flame.
And judging from the events of the original timeline, there was still about a month before Gu He and Yun Yun would arrive. That gave him ample time to make several important moves.
"You Mo Tie Mercenary Group… are not entirely useless."
Lin Ran offered a faint smile to Xiao Li. A flick of his hand sent a strand of Dou Qi into Xiao Li's body.
As the Dou Qi entered, a rush of intense heat surged through Xiao Li's meridians. He suddenly felt all the pain from Lü Man's vicious attacks disappear, replaced by a wave of soothing warmth. But the relief lasted only a moment.
The next instant—agony engulfed his entire body.
"Hiss!!"
Xiao Li's eyes flew wide open as a cold breath escaped between clenched teeth. It felt like a volcano had erupted within him, his bones and muscles being torn apart and reforged in molten fire.
"Second Commander!"
Qing Lin gasped in alarm.
"I-I'm fine..." Xiao Li gritted his teeth.
"Of course he is."
Bai Ya, as a Duo Huang expert, could immediately tell what was happening. Clicking his tongue, he muttered, "This human's luck is outrageous. Boss actually helped a weakling like him cleanse his meridians. I have no idea what boss sees in him."
Cleansing meridians?
The crowd instantly understood. Their gazes turned toward Xiao Li with clear envy.
Despite the pain, Xiao Li forced himself to endure. Lin Ran's Dou Qi surged through his meridians with brutal intensity, blazing a trail as it tempered and reshaped him from the inside.
The process lasted for roughly half an hour. When Lin Ran finally withdrew his Dou Qi, Xiao Li collapsed, pale-faced, drenched in sweat, and completely spent.
Yet his expression was not one of exhaustion—but wild elation.
"Six-star Dou Shi—I actually broke through! I even jumped two entire stars in one go! How is this even possible?!"
He had only been a four-star Dou Shi, yet after just one round of Lin Ran's Dou Qi running through his body, he advanced two stars. It was nothing short of a miracle.
Forcing himself to his feet, Xiao Li took a deep breath and dropped to his knees before Lin Ran in front of the astonished crowd.
"Thank you for recreating me, my lord! I have no way to repay you. I, Xiao Li, will devote my life to serving you, even unto fire and death!"
"Very well. Whether your sincerity is real or not, the fact that you're willing to say these words in front of me means your heart's in the right place."
Lin Ran chuckled and pulled a wooden token from his ring, tossing it to Xiao Li. "But your strength is still far too weak. You're not yet qualified to be part of my forces."
"I've expanded your meridians. With hard work, you should be able to reach Da Dou Shi within a year. As for Qing Lin, I'll be taking her with me. Your Mo Tie Mercenary Group… Bai Ya will help you handle Stone Desert City's complications."
"I…"
Qing Lin opened her mouth, unsure what to say. She instinctively looked toward Xiao Li, only to see him respectfully accept the wooden token and bow deeply to Lin Ran.
"Everything shall be as my lord commands."
"Mm."
Lin Ran nodded slightly, satisfied. Then he turned back to Qing Lin.
"You should be able to determine exactly where she stayed, correct?"
"I-I think so. Though it's been months, the remnants of her aura are still extremely strong. I believe, using the bloodline in my body… I can find the place."
Qing Lin lowered her head, voice soft. Her fingers clutched her robe nervously.
Xiao Li's earlier choice had made everything clear. From this moment on, she was no longer part of the Mo Tie Mercenary Group.
From now on, this young man was her new master.
"I-If my lord wishes to go, I will do everything I can to lead the way!"
"Very good."
Under Xiao Yixian's slightly jealous gaze, Lin Ran reached out and ruffled Qing Lin's soft hair.
"For now, stay with Xiao Yixian."
"Yes, my lord."
"Just call me Young Master."
"Y-Young Master..."
…
Lin Ran led the group away and took up residence at another inn within Stone Desert City. The Mo Tie Mercenary Group's compound had been completely destroyed, and even if Xiao Li wanted to host them, it was no longer possible.
The immense battle had stirred great curiosity. Once the terrifying pressure dissipated, nearly every mercenary group sent people to investigate the Mo Tie Mercenary Group's territory for information.
"So, want me to just kill all these nosy bastards?"
Bai Ya chomped on a sizzling beast steak and cast a casual glance at Xiao Li.
Xiao Li shook his head and gave a helpless yet respectful smile. "Most of these mercenary groups don't have great relations with me, and a few are outright enemies. But if we wipe them all out, the Mercenary Guild will definitely object, and the city lord will likely hold me accountable."
"While my lord fears nothing, if the Mo Tie Mercenary Group wants to rebuild its footing here in Stone Desert City, we still need official support."
"You humans are such a pain. Do what you want."
Bai Ya snorted. "But don't take too long. Boss told me to assist you for a while, but I don't have time to babysit you forever."
"Of course, of course."
Xiao Li bowed deeply again.
He fully understood the power of this serpent-like being before him. A real Duo Huang expert—unless someone from the upper echelons of the Jia Ma Empire stepped in, Bai Ya could pretty much do whatever he pleased.
With Bai Ya backing him, Xiao Li now held a metaphorical imperial sword. He could kill whoever he wanted.
"The strongest figure in Stone Desert City is Elder Mo of the Mo Clan. He's an outer deacon of the Yunlan Sect. And that sect… has humiliated my third brother terribly..."
A glint of resolve flashed in Xiao Li's eyes. What he desired was not just dominance in the Mercenary Guild, but full control over all of Stone Desert City.
To achieve that, he had to wield this blade to its fullest potential.
With that in mind, he turned toward Bai Ya and bowed respectfully.
"Lord Bai Ya."
"Hmm? So you've made up your mind?"
"I have. There is one enemy I need your help with. He's very powerful. Even the city lord is no match for him. And he's also a deacon of the Yunlan Sect—with deep background and frightening power."
"Powerful, huh? What level?"
"Rumor says… he's a Dou Ling expert..."
"Heh."
(End of Chapter)