"The Moti Mercenary Group must have had terribly bad luck. With this level of destruction, the one who attacked them must have at least been a Dou Ling!"
"Dou Ling? I saw that man had Dou Qi wings!"
"What?! Dou Qi wings? That means he's a Dou Wang?!"
As one of the major powers in Shimo City, the Moti Mercenary Group was always under countless watchful eyes. The destruction of their base immediately drew widespread attention. Though members of the Moti group were actively trying to drive people away, the number of spectators only grew.
Yet surprisingly, the members of the Moti Mercenary Group remained calm and unafraid, as if the devastation of their camp had nothing to do with them.
"This is the Moti Mercenary Group's territory. Halt your advance!" one member shouted coldly, gripping his weapon tightly as he watched a mercenary squad of over forty men stride forward.
"Hehehe, Captain Xiao Li, I just heard your group's been quite lively recently. I thought I'd drop by and offer my condolences. No need to be so tense."
From the ranks of the Sha Mercenary Group, a man with a sinister expression stepped forward, his gaze sweeping the ruins before him. After glancing at the middle-aged man beside him, his eyes landed on Xiao Li as he spoke with mocking courtesy: "After all, we're all part of the Mercenary Guild. We should look out for one another."
"By the way, where's Captain Xiao Ding?"
Xiao Li, who had been meditating with his eyes closed, immediately opened them, a cold light flashing within. "Rob, keep your dog on a leash."
The middle-aged man from the Sha Mercenary Group frowned. His gaze roved around the scene, as though confirming something. Then, with an arrogant sneer, he said, "When did a mere Dou Shi like you get the courage to speak to a Da Dou Shi like me in such a tone?"
"That's right! Xiao Li, you're just a lowly Dou Shi, while our captain is a Da Dou Shi!"
Backed by Rob, the previously hesitant Mosin now looked bolder, scolding loudly: "Where is Xiao Ding? Hiding like a coward? Don't tell me he was crushed by that unknown powerhouse—"
"Boom!"
A mighty aura descended from the skies. A dark shadow landed directly between Mosin and Rob, and under the crushing weight of its Dou Qi, the two didn't even have time to scream before they were pulverized into nothing but mist and gore!
The newcomer had a human torso and a serpentine tail, with a dark horn on his head. Who else could it be but the Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor—Bai Ya?
"Here."
With a flick of his tail, Bai Ya disdainfully sent bone fragments scattering, casually tossing a severed head to Xiao Li. The Dou Qi wings on his back silenced the entire crowd.
Xiao Li stared in astonishment at the familiar head—the high-and-mighty Elder of the Mo Clan. He quickly composed himself, bowed respectfully, and smiled. "Thank you for your efforts, Lord Bai Ya."
"It was nothing. Just a mere Dou Ling," Bai Ya replied dismissively. He looked around. "What are these people here for?"
"They..." Xiao Li's eyes glinted as he looked over the trembling crowd. Each person, trying to escape but too terrified to move, managed only a forced smile and pleading eyes.
With a slight smirk, Xiao Li said, "They're here to join the Moti Mercenary Group."
"Oh? That many recruits?" Bai Ya raised a brow.
"Of course. Our Moti Mercenary Group is powerful and deep-rooted. Naturally, we're quite the attraction..."
…
Luyi gently extended her finger and tapped it against Qinglin's forehead.
A sudden sharp pain surged through Qinglin's head as vast streams of information flooded her mind. The abrupt influx made her temples throb.
"Wood Python Constrict: a high-grade Xuan-level Dou Technique. A wood-type technique that simulates vines with Dou Qi to entangle targets—extremely durable and near endless!"
As her head slowly cleared, Qinglin carefully analyzed the data imprinted in her mind. Her fair face lit up with amazement.
A high-grade Xuan-level technique—such an art was only held by the most elite experts in Shimo City. Even Xiao Ding or Xiao Li had never possessed such techniques.
She never expected Luyi to gift her something so valuable.
Qinglin felt overwhelmed, but just as she was about to thank her, the second set of information surfaced—this time causing her whole face to flush scarlet. She could barely form words.
"Lady... Lady Luyi, this... this..."
Luyi sighed helplessly, smiling gently. "You are different from me. You are the one Lord Lin Ran has his eyes on. With your Three-Colored Pupil, both your talent and potential are top-tier."
"My staying here is largely thanks to you. Besides..."
Her voice lowered, carried by Dou Qi directly into Qinglin's ear: "You don't want to lose to that little girl, do you?"
"Huh?"
Qinglin blinked, and instinctively followed Luyi's gaze—straight to Xiao Yixian, who sat cross-legged in meditation, completely enveloped by the extreme chill of her Ice Sovereign Qi.
"Lady Xiao Yixian..."
"Don't call her that. Though she got to him first, you and she share the same status—both of you are Lord Lin Ran's maids. She might have some secret too, but I believe in your strength and potential. With your Three-Colored Pupil, your future accomplishments are limitless."
"You two are equally beautiful. But beauty alone won't win a man's heart. You must also be exceptional—someone who can truly hold Lord Lin Ran in your grasp."
"This technique I just gave you came from a sect called the Hehuan Sect. Though only high-grade Xuan level, it uses Yin-Yang dual cultivation to speed up training and offers mutual feedback. Paired with our serpentine charm-based techniques... you understand, don't you?"
Luyi smiled knowingly, then added with another transmission: "That little girl may be close to Lord Lin Ran now, but she's still a virgin. If you can get ahead of her..."
"Lady Luyi! Wh-what are you saying?!"
Qinglin's little head turned so red it looked like steam might puff out of her ears. Her face and even her neck glowed crimson.
Just at that moment, the lava began to boil, and Lin Ran's figure emerged from the magma—just in time to witness the scene.
"What's wrong? Is the heat too much for you?"
Seeing Qinglin's flushed face, he placed his palm on her back, infusing her with a stream of Dou Qi. "You're only at the Dou Qi stage. Although your Three-Colored Pupil grants resistance to high temperatures, your foundation is still too weak... Hm?"
Lin Ran frowned slightly. With his Dou Qi support, Qinglin's face should have calmed down—but instead, it grew even redder.
"Qinglin?"
"S-Sir..."
Smelling his familiar scent, resting against his chest, Qinglin's mind was flooded with Luyi's earlier teachings.
Already flustered, her brain completely shut down. The little girl fainted straight into his arms.
"Qinglin? Qinglin!"
"…"
(End of Chapter)