Time flowed quietly, and soon it was the day Xiao Bai had summoned them.
Early in the morning, the training grounds of the Iron Desert Mercenary Group were packed with over a hundred people—men and women alike, all exuding a fierce, battle-hardened aura.
Standing atop a raised platform was Xiao Ding, dressed in white, his expression gentle as he smiled at the crowd below. A trace of pride flickered in his eyes. All of this was built by my brother and me, piece by piece.
But then he recalled the news Xue Lan had brought him two days ago, and that pride slowly faded, replaced by a hint of bitterness.
'Xiao Bai didn't even need to lift a finger. Just the residual lightning around him was enough to kill a Great Dou Master. Compared to him, what do my achievements even amount to?'
That guy had stayed at the ninth stage of Dou Zhi Qi for so many years. How the hell did he train? He had always been hard to read, but now he seemed even more unfathomable.
At least he was part of the Xiao family and not an enemy. The thought of facing him as a foe was terrifying.
"Is everyone here?" Xiao Ding turned to Xiao Li beside him.
"All accounted for," Xiao Li confirmed after a quick headcount.
"Then let's move out."
---
Southeast of Stone Desert City
On a sand dune, the last flicker of yellow-gray lightning in the sand beneath Xiao Bai vanished.
After a few moments, Xiao Bai opened his eyes, a sharp gleam flashing within them as he exhaled slowly into the morning sun.
"Six-Star Great Dou Master."
Feeling the immense surge of power within him, Xiao Bai allowed himself a small smile. Refining the Dark Thunder of Wu Earth had left residual energy in his meridians, allowing him to break through three stars in one go.
These thunder seeds weren't absorbed to boost his cultivation—they were merely refined and imprinted with his spiritual mark, allowing him to control them.
In Xiao Bai's eyes, these thunder seeds were still in their infancy, brimming with untapped potential. He would never do something as shortsighted as killing the goose that laid the golden eggs.
Each thunder seed had its own sentience, and he treated them like his own children. The path of cultivation was long, and they would walk it together.
Moreover, they provided immense help. Little Yi had healing properties, Little Bing was unrivaled in offense, and combining the two even allowed him to refine pills.
As for the Dark Thunder of Wu Earth, though it had caused him some trouble, it had also given him a priceless gift—the location of an underground passage.
While refining it, Xiao Bai had extended his lightning sense deep into the earth. The Dark Thunder of Wu Earth, infused with the essence of earth veins, was far more effective than spiritual perception alone in the desert.
By attaching his divine sense to the thunder, he could probe several li underground.
The passage, however, was buried nearly 300 meters beneath the desert. To reach it, he'd need to dig—and that required professionals.
Just then, Xiao Bai's expression shifted. He sensed Xiao Ding approaching with a large group. Standing up, he stretched, his joints cracking like popping firecrackers.
---
"Young Master!"
A petite figure weaved through the crowd, her feet sinking slightly into the sand as she hurried toward Xiao Bai, her eyes bright and her smile radiant.
Seeing her joy, Xiao Bai chuckled and ruffled her twin braids.
"Little friend Xiao Bai!"
"Xiao Bai!"
"Hmph!"
Xiao Bai ignored the last greeting entirely. He nodded at Elder Hai, then turned to Xiao Ding with a smile. "Thanks for coming."
"We're family—no need for formalities," Xiao Ding replied warmly, one hand gripping Xiao Li's arm to stop him from making another snide remark.
"Oh, by the way, when Xiao Li heard you needed people, he personally recalled all our desert veterans overnight!"
Xiao Li: "..." (Damn it, brother, why expose me like that?!)
Xiao Bai turned to Xiao Li, who was visibly struggling to speak as Xiao Ding held him back, his dark, stern face flushing red. Unable to resist teasing him, Xiao Bai smirked and said, "Thanks for that, Xiao Lao'er!"
"Big brother, let go of me! I'm going to kill this bastard!" Xiao Li roared, his anger exploding as he tried to wrench free from Xiao Ding's grip and charge at Xiao Bai.
"Calm down, calm down, second brother!" Xiao Ding strained to hold onto the furious Xiao Li, inwardly sighing. His younger brother was usually so composed, but the moment he crossed paths with Xiao Bai, he turned into a reckless hothead.
"Let's focus on the matter at hand," Xiao Ding said quickly, trying to shift the topic once Xiao Li stopped struggling. "Why did you call us here?"
"To dig a hole."
"A... hole?"
"Mm. I need a tunnel dug to a specific location, about 200 meters underground. Can you do it?"
"No problem!" Xiao Ding assured him. His mercenary corps had experts in excavation. He didn't ask why Xiao Bai needed this—it was part of the mercenary code not to pry into clients' affairs.
After Xiao Bai pointed out the general area, Xiao Ding dragged Xiao Li away to organize the workforce. He didn't dare leave Xiao Li behind—those two would definitely start fighting.
*Before hearing Xue Lan's report, I might've had some confidence in my little brother... but now?* Better keep him on a tight leash, lest he get himself killed in a fit of rage.
Under Xiao Ding's orders, the mercenaries quickly divided into teams—veterans familiar with the desert terrain took charge, while the rest handled manual labor. The site soon buzzed with activity.
"Big brother… do you think the Sand Mercenary Group will come snooping around?" Xiao Li asked, watching the bustling scene with concern.
Xiao Ding turned and patted his brother's shoulder reassuringly. "Don't worry. Even if they do, it won't matter."
He hadn't told Xiao Li about Xiao Bai's capabilities—he didn't want to shatter his pride.
As for the Sand Mercenary Group? Xiao Ding wasn't just unafraid—he was hoping they'd show up. If not for propriety, he might've sent them an invitation himself.
If Xiao Bai takes care of their Great Dou Master leader… With that obstacle gone, Xiao Ding was confident he could unite all the mercenaries in Stone Desert City under the Iron Desert Mercenary Groups' banner. Then, this city will be ours to command.
Xiao Li studied his brother's unwavering confidence, baffled by its source. But since Xiao Ding wasn't explaining, he didn't press. Instead, he quietly sharpened his vigilance.
---
"Kid, are you sure about the location?" The moment Xiao Bai took the ring from Qing Lin, Elder Yao couldn't help but blurt out the question.
"Positive. The Heavenly Flames should be right below us. Don't worry, senior," Xiao Bai replied with complete certainty.
"Ha! Good!" Elder Yao was overjoyed. He didn't know which Heavenly Flames lay beneath them, but it didn't matter—any would do. Even the lowest-ranked Mysterious Yellow Flame would suffice.
Refining his new body only required three different Heavenly Flames —their exact rankings were irrelevant. With two already secured, Elder Yao could barely contain his excitement.
He had been trapped in this ring for far too long. If given the choice, who would want to live like a ghost, skulking in the shadows?
And then there was him—that ungrateful disciple who had reduced Elder Yao to this state. He had treated that boy like his own son, only to be betrayed for the sake of a mere cultivation manual.
"You wretched traitor… you never expected me to survive, did you?" Elder Yao's voice turned icy with hatred. "Once I revive… I'll personally take back everything I ever gave you!"