As the faint laughter drifted in, everyone in the hall felt a slight tightening of their hearts. Looking up, they saw the black-shirted youth standing leisurely at the entrance, basking in the slanted sunlight that cast a warm, radiant glow on his smiling face. However, as the gaze shifted to his eyes, they found no trace of warmth—only a cold, indifferent expression.
Seeing Xiao Yan’s figure, the people in the hall hastily retreated several steps, clustering around Luo Bu. Even the few unfamiliar individuals also gathered by his side.
Xiao Yan scanned the hall with his eyes before slowly stepping in. Behind him, Xiao Ding and the others followed, eyeing the group with ill intent.
“Commander Luo Bu, your methods are quite ruthless, aren’t they?” Xiao Yan’s gaze first swept over the few individuals dressed differently from the Desert Mercenary Group, then he turned to Luo Bu, who was seated, with a smile. “It seems I made a mistake last time by sparing your life.”
Caught in Xiao Yan’s cold, piercing gaze, Luo Bu felt a chill run down his spine. He shifted uncomfortably, glancing at his subordinates behind him, and his hand trembled, causing the teacup to shatter into pieces.
“You’re Xiao Yan, right?” Tea mixed with powder dripped down his hand as Luo Bu tried to maintain a calm expression. “I don’t know where you come from, and I don’t care. But barging into my Desert Mercenary Group like this, shouldn’t you give me an explanation?”
Xiao Yan chuckled, “Sorry, I don’t have an explanation!” He grinned, “If I had to say one, it would be that I just want to dismantle your mercenary group.”
Luo Bu’s face twitched, Xiao Yan’s playful demeanor fueling his rage. Underneath the anger, there was a hint of uncertainty about Xiao Yan’s true capabilities. Gripping his teeth, Luo Bu slammed his palm on the table, which instantly shattered into pieces. “Fine, let’s see what you’ve got to challenge my Desert Mercenary Group!”
With a roar, Luo Bu summoned a thick layer of fighting spirit, which quickly condensed into a solid armor covering his body. “Since you’ve come to me, save me the trouble. Stay here today!”
The surging fighting spirit bolstered Luo Bu’s confidence. He waved his hand, and a mighty Dou Shi-level pressure filled the hall.
Sensing the powerful pressure, Xiao Ding and the others stepped back involuntarily.
Calmly observing Luo Bu, whose fighting spirit grew stronger, Xiao Yan surprisingly closed his eyes, completely withdrawing his aura. If not for a careful sense, he would appear as an ordinary person with no fighting spirit.
Xiao Ding and the others were taken aback by Xiao Yan’s peculiar behavior but remained silent, standing quietly behind him.
After Xiao Yan closed his eyes, Haidong, standing nearby, suddenly showed a look of surprise. Turning to observe Xiao Yan, he sensed a terrifyingly unfamiliar and chilling aura emanating from the young man. Frowning, he muttered, “That’s the same aura! So strong! Even now, I can’t match it. What is this guy? One moment he’s just a Dou Shi, the next, he’s this terrifying? A truly baffling anomaly!”
Although Haidong, far more powerful than anyone present, could sense the change, the others could only see Xiao Yan seemingly resting with his eyes closed.
Gritting his teeth, Luo Bu waved his hand and ordered, “Kill them!”
Upon hearing the order, the elite members of the Desert Mercenary Group exchanged glances, drew their weapons, and charged at Xiao Yan, with a few even summoning fighting spirit armor.
Xiao Ding’s face darkened. As he was about to step forward, Haidong spoke, “No need to interfere, just watch.”
Xiao Ding paused, exchanging a glance with Xiao Li, and nodded. Though they didn’t know Haidong well, anyone Xiao Yan called a strong one must be powerful. He saw further and deeper than they did.
Xiao Ding held back the others, his gaze fixed on the charging mercenaries, hands slightly sweaty.
As the mercenaries approached, Xiao Yan’s eyes snapped open, his youthful vigor replaced by a world-weary look. Gazing at the mercenaries, Xiao Yan raised his hand, and a ghostly white flame flickered at his fingertips.
At that moment, the mercenaries’ bodies froze. White ice spread from their feet, turning them into ice sculptures in mere seconds.
Haidong, watching, shuddered, deeply inhaling. While others might think it was cold energy, Haidong knew it wasn’t. In his perception, the mercenaries vanished into nothingness, leaving no trace.
“Guy, that move is too terrifying! Is this his true strength?” Haidong swallowed, feeling fortunate he hadn’t clashed with Xiao Yan earlier.
The sudden appearance of the ice sculptures left the hall in stunned silence.
Luo Bu, dumbfounded, watched Xiao Yan approach. Xiao Yan’s hand passed by the ice sculptures, causing them to shatter, revealing no trace of the men inside.
Stepping closer to Luo Bu, Xiao Yan looked down at him, “Why act so foolishly despite my previous warning?”
Gulping, Luo Bu felt cold sweat drip down his face. Looking at Xiao Yan’s smiling face, a bone-chilling fear seized him.
Feeling the touch of death, Luo Bu summoned his fighting spirit, making his armor thicker.
Xiao Yan smirked, raising his hand towards Luo Bu’s neck. Unable to move, Luo Bu felt his armor melting away under Xiao Yan’s touch. A cold hand rested on his throat, sending a shiver down his spine.
“L-Leave me alive!” Luo Bu begged, finally understanding Xiao Yan’s power.
“Do you know where Qing Lin is?” Xiao Yan asked softly.
Nodding desperately, Luo Bu, pale and sweating, answered, “Yes, I do!”
“Congratulations, your life is temporarily back in your hands,” Xiao Yan said, withdrawing his hand. His warm smile still sent chills down Luo Bu’s spine.
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