On the way back to Stone Desert City, Xue Lan discreetly questioned Xiao Yan several times to confirm his identity, but each time, Xiao Yan evaded her inquiries with vague responses. In response, she could only give him a few exasperated glances. Although Xiao Yan had not explicitly confirmed his identity, after carefully examining this young man’s appearance, Xue Lan finally became certain: the young Dou Shi in front of her was definitely the mysterious younger brother Xiao Ding and Xiao Li often mentioned, Xiao Yan! After confirming Xiao Yan’s identity, Xue Lan’s gaze towards him became less guarded and more warmly amused. As they chatted along the way, the vast outline of the city at the eastern edge of the Tagor Desert gradually came into view. Seeing Stone Desert City nearby, not only did Xue Lan and the others heave a sigh of relief, but even Xiao Yan’s face brightened. The long and arduous training and journey through the desert had left him quite exhausted. Now, having a place to rest, naturally made him quite excited. Amidst the cheers of the group, Xiao Yan and the others slowly approached the city gate and entered. Cities within the desert are more simple and rugged compared to those in the heart of the empire. Perhaps due to its proximity to the Tagor Desert, the defenses here were much stricter. Within the city, fully armed soldiers patrolling the streets were a common sight. After entering the city, Xiao Yan followed Xue Lan and the others, heading towards the southern part of the city. After turning a few corners, a compound nearly as large as the Xiao family’s residence in Wu Tan City appeared in their sight. Above the compound, a flag fluttered in the wind, bearing the words “Desert Iron Mercenary Corps,” exuding an aura of iron-blooded toughness. Outside the compound, several burly men, armed and standing straight, kept a sharp eye on the passersby, their bodies emanating a faint scent of blood, indicating that they were truly hardened veterans who had survived countless battles. They were no ordinary mercenaries who merely carried weapons and thought themselves brave. “In Stone Desert City, our Desert Iron Mercenary Corps is among the top three. Only the Sand Mercenary Corps surpasses us, and their leader is a Great Dou Shi, making their position unshakable. Apart from the Sand Mercenary Corps, the only other force in the entire Stone Desert City that can rival us is the Storm Mercenary Corps.” As they walked towards the compound, Xue Lan smiled at Xiao Yan with a hint of pride. Smiling, Xiao Yan nodded, secretly marveling at how, in just a few years, his elder brothers had managed to establish a formidable presence in an unfamiliar place. This achievement filled him with admiration. He knew that if he were in their shoes, he would never have achieved such success. “Big Brother has always been exceptionally clever, praised even by Father. Second Brother is cautious and shrewd, adept in dealing with situations with a ruthless hand. Together, with their excellent cultivation talents, they make a perfect team. No wonder they have achieved so much…” Recalling his father’s praises for his two elder brothers, Xiao Yan couldn’t help but smile inwardly. “Xue Lan, are you all right? I heard you were attacked by the Snake People earlier.” As they entered the compound, a burly man greeted them at the entrance, smiling at Xue Lan. “We’re fine.” Waving dismissively, Xue Lan asked, “Are the two leaders here?” “Yes, they are both here,” the man replied, nodding with a smile. His gaze swept over Xiao Yan before settling on his face, and he chuckled, “Since learning the name of this young brother, the two leaders have been so excited they can barely sit still… It’s rare to see our usually calm and composed leaders so elated.” Xiao Yan smiled, a warm current flowing through his heart. He nodded politely at the burly man and followed Xue Lan, who was stifling a laugh, into the compound. Following Xue Lan, they walked through several alleys, encountering many members of the Desert Iron Mercenary Corps. When they saw Xiao Yan, surprise flashed across their faces, and they began whispering among themselves. “Haha, the two leaders often mention you. It seems the one I sent back to report the news has already spread the word about you,” Xue Lan said, grinning as she observed the expressions of the surrounding mercenaries. Smiling wryly, Xiao Yan nodded, realizing she had guessed his relationship with his two elder brothers. Turning another corner, they arrived at a spacious hall. Standing outside, Xiao Yan listened to the familiar voices coming from inside, his nose tingling with emotion. Unlike Xiao Ning and the others in the Xiao family, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were his true blood brothers. No matter how calm Xiao Yan might be, he couldn’t help but feel moved and a bit out of control in the presence of his blood kin. Taking a deep breath, Xiao Yan smiled apologetically at Xue Lan and slowly approached the door. Just as he was about to push it open, the door creaked and opened. As the door opened, a young man with a face somewhat resembling Xiao Yan’s appeared. Dressed in mercenary attire, the young man stood tall and firm, his dark eyes revealing a mix of laziness and sharpness. His face was full of a friendly smile, but beneath it, a fierce, almost wolf-like viciousness lurked. Though he seemed amiable, he was clearly the type who, if wronged, would bite back fiercely even in death. Opening the door, the young man, momentarily stunned by the sudden appearance of the teenager, then stiffened. The fierce smile on his face vanished, replaced by a rarely seen warm and radiant smile. Looking at the young man’s warm smile, Xiao Yan’s nose reddened slightly, and his eyes welled up with tears. In the past, even after he had become a waste, the young man in front of him had always protected his remaining dignity, like a ferocious wolf, biting anyone who dared to mock him, leaving them battered and bruised. He would then, despite his own injuries, comfort a despondent and downcast Xiao Yan with a smile. “Second Brother…” Wiping his eyes, Xiao Yan trembled as he called out. “Haha, Little Flame, you really found us. Haha.” Gazing at the boy, the young man laughed, then quickly stepped forward, hugging Xiao Yan tightly and thumping his back, his voice filled with excitement and joy. The nickname “Little Flame” brought a smile to Xiao Yan’s face. He wiped away the moisture in his eyes and said, “Second Brother, you’re going to hurt me.” “You’ve done well, kid… You solved that strange problem with your body?” Xiao Li released Xiao Yan, patting his shoulder and looking him over with pleasant surprise. “Yes,” Xiao Yan smiled and nodded. “Come on, let’s go see Big Brother first. He’s been waiting for you for a while.” Grabbing Xiao Yan, Xiao Li didn’t even bother to greet Xue Lan and rushed into the hall. Entering the hall, Xiao Yan’s gaze fell on the young man seated at the head of the table. The young man, dressed in white robes, was smiling at Xiao Yan, his bright eyes revealing wisdom and subtle cunning.
“Little Flame, it’s been years, and you’ve really grown,” the young man in white robes stood, his eyes softening as he looked at the now-tall youth, his gaze filled with affection. “Big Brother,” Xiao Yan took a deep breath, suppressing the emotions in his heart. His expression gradually became as calm and peaceful as the young man in white robes. “Big Brother, you’ve become even more handsome and charming.”
Seeing how easily Xiao Yan had regained his composure, the young man in white robes’ face showed a flash of surprise, and he nodded in admiration, “Kid, it seems you’ve been through a lot since we left. Your composure and mental fortitude, even your second brother might not match it.”
“That kind of environment was tough, but without it, I wouldn’t have made it to where I am today,” Xiao Yan shrugged, smiling.
“Haha, it’s good you’ve come this far. Your second brother has always regretted not taking you with us when we left, but during our travels in the Jia Ma Empire, we almost lost our lives several times. If you had been with us, it might have been more dangerous. At least staying in the family, Father could take care of you…”
“Alright, alright, let’s not talk about the past. Thank goodness Little Flame is safe. If anything had happened to him, I’d make sure to teach those little brats a lesson!”
“Haha, alright, let’s not bring up the past,” Xiao Ding smiled, turning to Xiao Yan. “Kid, according to the reports from the mercenaries, your strength seems to be at the Dou Shi level?”
At this, Xiao Li also stared at Xiao Yan in astonishment. He remembered that when they left, Xiao Yan was still at the third or fourth level of Dou Qi. In just a few short years, he had almost caught up to them?
“Yes, I recently advanced to Dou Shi during my training.”
“Wow, that’s impressive. Even at your peak in childhood, you couldn’t match this kind of speed,” Xiao Ding and Xiao Li marveled.
“Haha, I had to work hard. After all, the three-year deadline is almost up…”
“The three-year deadline?” Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were puzzled. A moment later, Xiao Li’s smile faded, and he said in a cold, sinister tone, “I heard Nalan Yanran from the Nalan family really came to the family to force Father to annul the engagement?”
“They really do think too highly of themselves…” Xiao Ding said with a cold smile. Though the Desert Iron Mercenary Corps was not strong enough to challenge the Yun Lian Sect, he was a master of patience and forbearance. After years of honing, his patience had reached a level of perfection. In Stone Desert City, the names of the Cunning Fox Xiao Ding and the Ferocious Wolf Xiao Li had made their enemies uneasy.
“Haha, I’ll handle these matters. Big Brother and Second Brother, just focus on developing your forces. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll need your help if I offend someone powerful…”
Xiao Ding and Xiao Li exchanged glances, their faces softening with smiles. “No matter what happens in the future, remember, we are brothers. When we founded the Desert Iron Mercenary Corps, your second brother and I wanted to build a safe haven for you. But it looks like you don’t need our protection anymore.”
Xiao Yan laughed, his smile filled with gratitude.
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