A deafening explosion echoed across the training grounds, resounding like thunder. The blast was so loud that everyone involuntarily covered their ears. After a while, they exchanged glances with lingering fear and turned their eyes toward the dust-filled field.
Inside the field, Xiao Yan slowly calmed his rapid breathing. His face was slightly pale. The previous counterfeit Buddha’s Anger Lotus required a significant amount of Dou Qi and soul power, though not as terrifying as the last time, it was still considerable. “With this level of consumption, I can probably only use it three times before all my Dou Qi is completely exhausted,” he muttered to himself, feeling the sharp decline in his Dou Qi and soul power. He then lifted his head and looked at the swirling dust. With a wave of his sleeve, a gust of wind surged forth, blowing away the thick cloud of yellow dust.
As the dust dissipated, a massive and eye-catching deep pit appeared in everyone’s sight. The people outside the training ground couldn’t help but twitch their eyes. The pit was about four to five meters deep, with a sizable area. Cracks spread from the edges like a spider web, covering nearly half the square.
“Where’s the person?” Xiao Yan scanned the surroundings but didn’t see Luo Bu. Blinking, he said, surprised, “Where did he go?”
Just as Xiao Yan was puzzled, a violent cough came from the deep pit. A hand slowly reached out, pushing against the ground. A figure, completely blackened, struggled to climb out. It seemed to be Luo Bu. Not only was Luo Bu entirely charred, but the sturdy Dou Qi armor on his body was also riddled with thumb-sized cracks. His body trembled slightly, and with a faint crack, the already overtaxed Dou Qi armor slowly detached from his body, revealing a pale and fearful face beneath.
Looking at the figure that resembled a roll of charcoal, Xiao Yan asked tentatively, “Mr. Luo Bu? Are you alright?”
Hearing Xiao Yan’s question, Luo Bu slowly raised his head and gazed at the young man’s clear face. He shuddered involuntarily, forcing a grim smile onto his ashen face, “Leader Xiao Yan, if your attack had been any closer, I would have been obliterated on the spot.”
Xiao Yan could see that Luo Bu’s aura had dropped to its lowest point. Despite the Dou Qi armor, he hadn’t chosen to dodge. Standing there like a post, he allowed the fire lotus to explode in front of him, which was a rather foolish move. The force he had to endure was enormous. Even though Xiao Yan was only a six-star Dou Shi, Luo Bu, a four-star Dou Wang, had still suffered severe injuries that rendered him combat ineffective.
Xiao Yan glanced down and saw Luo Bu’s hands dripping with fresh blood. A slight softness appeared in his eyes. He walked over and patted Luo Bu’s shoulder, smiling, “Sorry, it was my first time modifying this. I couldn’t control the strength.”
Luo Bu chuckled, “No problem, I should be fine after a few days of rest.”
After being a mercenary leader for over a decade, Luo Bu was quite sensitive and noticed the added softness in Xiao Yan. He felt a mix of joy and excitement. He knew that since the Desert Iron Mercenary Corps nearly faced annihilation by the Sand Mercenary Corps, this seemingly kind youth harbored hostility, even a killing intent, toward him.
Luo Bu also knew that if Xiao Yan hadn’t wanted to rapidly expand the Desert Iron Mercenary Corps, the Sand Mercenary Corps would have faced certain annihilation. Seeing Xiao Yan turn a living person into an ice sculpture, Luo Bu didn’t doubt the youth’s ruthless heart. Though the Sand Mercenary Corps had been absorbed into the Desert Iron Mercenary Corps, Luo Bu could feel that Xiao Yan’s wariness and suspicion had not diminished. This made Luo Bu sigh. In the month he had spent with the Desert Iron Mercenary Corps, he had a clearer understanding of Xiao Yan’s capabilities. Under such overwhelming pressure, his rebellious thoughts had been thoroughly extinguished.
In his heart, Luo Bu now began to see himself as a member of the Desert Iron Mercenary Corps, not just the leader of the Sand Mercenary Corps. However, despite this, Xiao Yan still guarded against him, leaving Luo Bu with a sense of helplessness and bitterness. Yet, when he thought Xiao Yan’s prejudice would continue, Xiao Yan’s suddenly softer gaze made Luo Bu realize, with a mix of surprise and excitement, that his act of risking his life had inadvertently reduced Xiao Yan’s suspicions.
“This injury is worth it…” Luo Bu murmured, his pale face flushing with a hint of excitement.
Xiao Yan patted Luo Bu’s shoulder and took out a bottle of high-grade healing medicine from his storage ring, handing it to him. “First, take care of your injuries. Once you recover, you’ll be a true core member of the Desert Iron Mercenary Corps. With your strength, the responsibilities you’ll bear will be significant. The Desert Iron is in a development phase; you’ll need to work hard.”
These words from Xiao Yan were a sign of genuine trust. Hearing this, Luo Bu’s hand holding the medicine trembled. Trust from others might not matter much, but the trust of a strong person, especially a super-strong one like Xiao Yan and Hai Bo Dong, was both exciting and honorable.
“Leader, I promise to make the brothers from the Sand Mercenary Corps true members of the Desert Iron Mercenary Corps,” Luo Bu said, gripping the jade bottle and bowing slightly, moved.
“As long as you devote yourself to the Desert Iron Mercenary Corps, I assure you, the benefits you will receive in the future will be beyond your imagination,” Xiao Yan smiled, with a meaningful look.
Hearing Xiao Yan’s mysterious words, Luo Bu was taken aback but quickly responded respectfully.
“Quickly heal your injuries. Tomorrow, Hai Laowang and I will leave the Stone Desert City. You are the strongest here, so during our absence, you’ll need to look after the Desert Iron Mercenary Corps.”
“Leave?” Luo Bu asked, somewhat surprised.
“Going to the capital. There are some matters I need to handle there,” Xiao Yan smiled casually, patted Luo Bu’s shoulder again, and walked away.
Watching the calm figure of the black-shirted youth, Luo Bu coughed a few times, calming his emotions, and nodded heavily.
Amidst the reverent gazes at the edge of the square, Xiao Yan came to Xiao Ding and the others, who were still in awe. “Still not back to your senses?”
“Little guy, I thought you picked Luo Bu as a target at random, but I didn’t expect you to use this opportunity to address the biggest potential threat within the group,” Xiao Ding whispered, glancing at Luo Bu.
Xiao Yan smiled, not denying his intentions. He looked up at Hai Bo Dong, who was slowly descending from the sky, and said softly, “We have no choice. Hai Laowang and I are leaving the Stone Desert City tomorrow. We need to resolve these hidden dangers before we can leave with peace of mind.”
“Leaving tomorrow? So soon?” Xiao Ding and Xiao Lie were taken aback.
“Yes, I was planning to go to the capital a month ago, but the injury delayed us. Now, we can’t delay any longer,” Xiao Yan replied with a smile.
“Are you really planning to go to the Yunlan Sect next month?” Xiao Ding asked, his voice a bit low.
“Yes, I must go there,” Xiao Yan said firmly, nodding slightly.
“The Yunlan Sect is a formidable opponent… Besides, when Elder Mo Cheng of the Mo Family died by your hand, although you concealed your identity, if you show up at the Yunlan Sect again, they might recognize you. If that happens, even if you defeat Nalan Yanran, those old fossils of the Yunlan Sect won’t let you leave unscathed,” Xiao Ding worried.
“If they insist, then I’ll fight to the death,” Xiao Yan smiled lightly, looking at Hai Bo Dong, who had landed on a large rock, and shrugged. “Hai Laowang, don’t you agree?”
“Your older brother is right; the Yunlan Sect is no easy target,” Hai Bo Dong sighed, “Oh well, it’s your call. I’m stuck with you for a year as your bodyguard. It seems you planned this from the start.”
“Ha, a free Battle Emperor? I couldn’t let Hai Laowang leave without a fight,” Xiao Yan joked, seeing Hai Bo Dong’s helpless expression.
Hai Bo Dong could only shake his head with a wry smile.
Xiao Yan plucked a leaf from a nearby branch and chewed it, savoring the faint bitterness. He turned to look north, where the mighty Yunlan Sect lay within the Gamu Empire.
“Let’s see what happens. If they push too hard, I’ll unleash a genuine Buddha’s Anger Lotus on them, even if it means getting seriously injured again,” the youth’s calm mutter made Hai Bo Dong’s face flush with more helplessness. He shook his head and sighed, “You’re a madman… Even with the Yunlan Sect’s power, it’ll be tough going against you.”
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