Though outnumbered, the Desert Iron mercenaries were clearly stronger. Coupled with the shock of Xiao Jian's terrifying display, half of the Sand Mercenary Group fell almost immediately.
The remaining members panicked, throwing down their weapons and shouting surrender.
The surrounding onlookers booed loudly.
But no one laughed.
Further resistance meant certain death.
"Face?" Xiao Li scoffed, glancing at Mo Xing's corpse. "Life matters more than that."
He walked over to Xiao Jian and grinned.
"Your strength is a bit excessive, kid. But there's still a problem. Rob is a Grand Dou Master. After this, he'll definitely come knocking."
"What nonsense are you spouting?" Xiao Ding scolded. "Xiao Jian is only a Dou Shi. Sending him alone would be dangerous!"
"Ahem—just joking," Xiao Li laughed awkwardly.
Xiao Ding glared at him before turning to Xiao Jian.
"Don't worry. Even though Rob is a Grand Dou Master, his group's Dou Masters and Dou Practitioners are inferior to ours.
After today's losses, he has no Dou Masters left. We still have two.
If the four of us brothers join forces, even Rob won't be able to withstand us."
Xiao Jian shook his head and smiled.
"Big Brother, Second Brother, Xiao Yan is showing signs of a breakthrough.
You two stay here and guard the area. As for Rob.....leave him to me. Stone Desert City should belong to the Xiao family."
Xiao Ding's expression turned serious. He exchanged a glance with Xiao Li, who immediately understood and led his men back to protect Xiao Yan.
"You're certain?" Xiao Ding asked quietly.
"Don't worry," Xiao Jian replied with a smile. "I'll be back after I kill him."
With that, he mounted a nearby camel and rode toward Stone Desert City in a cloud of dust.
That night, Stone Desert City was quiet.
In the western district, a large courtyard was brightly lit.
Laughter echoed from within, and a flag bearing the words Sand Mercenary Group fluttered in the breeze.
Inside the central room, Rob sat impatiently.
"That Mo Xing is taking far too long."
Suddenly.....
Whoosh!
A chill ran down his spine. Rob instantly activated his earth-yellow Dou Qi armor.
The spear struck—but failed to break through.
"Heh," Xiao Jian said calmly, pulling the spear back. "As expected of a Grand Dou Master."
Rob staggered but remained unharmed.
"Who are you?!" he demanded.
"Desert Iron Mercenary Group, Third Captain—Xiao Jian."
Rob sneered.
"You're just a Dou Shi. You dare come here to die?"
Xiao Jian smiled and stepped forward.
His aura surged as multiple Qi Palaces resonated, pushing his strength to the peak of Dou Shi.
Rob's expression changed instantly.
The battle erupted.
The courtyard exploded as Xiao Jian's attack sent Rob flying.
Azure light followed, forming a roaring lion that smashed down upon him.
Rob coughed blood, shocked.
A high-tier Xuan-rank technique.
Still, he survived.
Xiao Jian frowned slightly.
Too weak.
Wind-attribute Dou Qi gathered at the spear tip, mixed with terrifying heat.
Rob felt death approaching.
The spear thrust.
A thin line of wind Qi pierced through.
Rob's Dou Qi collapsed.
Black-and-white flames devoured him from within.
His eyes went dull.
"Works well," Xiao Jian muttered. "I really do love Sister Yun."
He removed Rob's storage ring and turned to the stunned mercenaries.
"From today on, the Sand Mercenary Group is disbanded. Those who wish to join Desert Iron may report tomorrow. Those who don't—can die with him."
No one dared object.
The next day, under the blazing sun, the search continued.
"Brother," Xiao Li said, "Xiao Jian really killed Rob."
Xiao Ding smiled faintly.
"He just returned last night. Qinglian is waking him."
At that moment....
"Captain! The Third Squad found traces of a passage!"
Xiao Jian stood up at once.
"Take us there."
They arrived at a shallow depression where steam rose from a newly dug hole.
Xiao Yan's eyes lit up.
They had found it.
The cave entrance was originally buried under sand. If Qinglian hadn't sensed the strange residual aura here, we probably wouldn't have found it at all."
A mercenary replied with a grin.
Xiao Jian's gaze shifted to Qinglian. The little maid was dusted with sand, yet her delicate face carried a bright, satisfied smile.
It seemed that after helping him change earlier, she had immediately joined the search.
Noticing his gaze, Qinglian met his eyes. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she blinked at him playfully.
"Good work, Qinglian."
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