NOVEL FROG Conflict
The crowd quickly rushed towards the direction of the third squad. As they were getting closer, they felt an overwhelming wave of heat hurling over them, forcing anyone who approached to retreat, fearing that the intense heat would burn their skin.
Li Xiao nodded in satisfaction. This must be the entrance to the underground passage. Finding the entrance so quickly, the efficiency of the Desert Metal Mercenary Group was indeed impressive.
One of the mercenaries from the Desert Metal Mercenary Group chuckled and said, "The entrance was originally blocked by yellow sand. If it weren't for this lady here sensing the aura, we wouldn't have found the entrance so easily."
Just as everyone was feeling elated, a piercing laugh echoed around them, accompanied by a gust of yellow sand. Members of the Sand Mercenary Group approached.
"Hahaha, where do you think you're going?"
Leading the group was none other than a Dou Grandmaster fighter, the leader of the Sand Mercenary Group, Luo Bu.
The strong oppressive force he emitted made Xiao Ding and Xiao Li's faces turn solemn. They hadn't expected the Sand Mercenary Group to actually show up.
Xiao Ding, aware of the Sand Mercenary Group's strength and not wanting to provoke unnecessary conflict, stepped forward. "We, the Desert Metal Mercenary Group, are on a mission. We hope you can understand and allow us to proceed."
Mo Xing, the cunning strategist of the Sand Mercenary Group, mocked, "Captain Xiao Ding, I haven't heard of the Mercenary Guild issuing such a mission. Besides, this is within our Sand Mercenary Group's territory. I don't see any issue with us being here."
Since Li Xiao's commission was directly given to the Desert Metal Mercenary Group and not through the Mercenary Guild, the Sand Mercenary Group seized this loophole.
Luo Bu, who was not the brightest, was easily swayed by Mo Xing's instigations. He glared coldly at Xiao Ding, "Xiao Ding, you're crossing the line. This is our Sand Mercenary Group's territory, and you're doing a mission here as if we don't exist."
Mo Xing coldly added, "Let's be straightforward. Our leader also likes this place, so you…"
Before he could finish his sentence, an ice blade silently pierced through Mo Xing's body, impaling his heart.
Just a moment earlier, Lian Xue had been making a small movement with her finger. Clear water droplets fell from her delicate fingers onto the scorching sand and the ice blade had been formed from those water droplets.
Mo Xing knelt on the ground, unwillingness painted on his pale face. He hadn't even registered how his heart had been pierced.
Seeing his strategist killed, Luo Bu was furious. Mo Xing was his most trusted advisor, and now a mere woman had killed him. He immediately drew his two large blades and charged at Lian Xue.
"Moron," Lian Xue mocked disdainfully.
With Li Xiao's permission, she teleported behind Luo Bu, and with a slight movement of her delicate fingers, Luo Bu's body was pounded into the sand like a stake, his legs broken.
The intense pain spread throughout Luo Bu's body, his bones cracking audibly. His pupils dilated as he trembled, "What… what level… is this… Dou King?"
"Die."
"No!"
A piercing roar filled with unwillingness came from Luo Bu as his body emitted a blinding light, followed by a deafening explosion.
A massive mushroom cloud rose into the sky, swallowing the nearby Sand Mercenary Group soldiers in an instant.
The body of the Dou Grandmaster turned into a mist of blood and vanished without a trace.
The remaining members of the Sand Mercenary Group were terrified, kneeling on the ground, trembling in trepidation and fear. Their once-proud leader was dead, killed in a single strike!
The Desert Metal Mercenary Group members were equally shocked. What had just happened? This woman had killed Luo Bu, a Dou Grandmaster, with a mere flick of her finger.
Could she truly be a Dou King?
Lian Xue withdrew her finger and reappeared next to Li Xiao.
The remaining Sand Mercenary Group members also met their end due to the destructive impact of the explosion, dying instantly.
Xiao Ding swallowed nervously and asked with a trembling voice, "Senior, y-you... you're a—"
"Don't ask questions you shouldn't." Lian Xue's cold voice interrupted him midway.
Under the horrified gaze, Li Xiao threw the remaining payment to Xiao Ding, "Now that the entrance has been found, your job ends here."
His gaze lingered on Qing Lin, the timid and pitiful girl. Feeling a hint of compassion surging inside, Li Xiao took out a map and pointed to a location on it. "If you don't want to waste Qing Lin's talent, take her to this place in the desert. There will be someone there to protect her."
Xiao Ding and Xiao Li exchanged glances. Having witnessed the power of this extraordinary woman, who was at least at the Dou King realm, they knew better than to refuse.
However, this matter still required Qing Lin's consent. They couldn't forcefully send her away if she was unwilling.
Qing Lin's expression turned complicated. She felt a bit reluctant, but seeing the sincerity in Li Xiao's eyes, her heart wavered. The Leader and Vice Leader had always been kind to her, but they never gave her a sense of belonging, mostly just pity. But Li Xiao was different. Though they had only met once, she found herself inexplicably drawn to him, unable to resist the feeling that started budding in her heart.
"Brother Li Xiao, I am willing to... go with you..." Qing Lin spoke stammeringly, trying hard to contain her heart beating faster and faster.
Li Xiao, who had just started to leave, stopped in his tracks. Hearing her call him "brother" so sweetly filled him with joy. He turned to look at the tearful Qing Lin and said, "Girl, wait for me there. Your brother will come for you soon."
"Mm, be careful." Qing Lin said, her voice full of concern.
After the two disappeared from sight, the members of the Desert Metal Mercenary Group reluctantly left. Having promised Li Xiao, they arranged for someone to personally escort Qing Lin to the designated location.
Xiao Ding sighed, "Everyone, let's go. There's no need to guard this place anymore. Brother, arrange for someone to pack Qing Lin's belongings and send her to the place agreed upon by our employer."
With someone at least as strong as a Dou King on their side, the Desert Metal Mercenary Group no longer needed to guard the perimeter.
…
In the bottomless passageway, the walls exuded a suffocating heat. Anyone below the Dou Master level who touched it would be burned at the very least or turned to ash on the spot.
Lian Xue remained unaffected. As a Dou Venerate, she wasn't disturbed by the flames and used her Dou Qi to protect Li Xiao throughout the journey. Without her protection, the heat would have overwhelmed him, even with his Dou Grandmaster realm.
Li Xiao marveled at the naturally formed cave. The walls were adorned with red crystals, each worth tens to hundreds of gold coins. He hadn't expected to discover such precious treasures here.
Despite walking through the passage for so long, they still hadn't reached the end. As a devoted fan of the "Battle Through the Heavens" series, Li Xiao was certain that this was definitely the hiding place of the Green Lotus Core Flame!