The scrolls on the second floor were significantly fewer, less than twenty, and most of them were Mysterious Low-Rank Dou Techniques.
Among them were three Mysterious High-Rank Dou Techniques, categorized as gold, fire, and ice. Xiao Jietian directly gave the ice-attribute Dou Technique to Hai Bodong.
He instructed Shui Ye to collect all the others.
Continuing to the third floor, the staircase was blocked by a transparent barrier, which Xiao Jietian casually broke.
The third floor contained cultivation techniques, mostly Yellow-Rank, with only a few Profound-Rank techniques. The highest was a fire-attribute Profound High-Rank technique.
Since they were useless to everyone, they were all given to Shui Ye.
After confirming that the treasure hunt was complete and there was nothing else.
"Hall Master, two Dou Huang (Battle Emperor) auras are approaching this way."
"Then let's withdraw for now; we've gathered most of what we needed."
Three streaks of light rapidly flew towards the city's outskirts, eventually disappearing from the sight of the city's inhabitants.
Less than a minute after Xiao Jietian and his group departed, two streaks of light arrived above the Mo family.
The streaks of light dissipated, revealing the figures of one man and one woman.
The man was an elder, dressed in a yellow robe, with the appearance of a youthful face and white hair, and an air of authority between his brows, clearly a person of high status.
The woman wore a tight-fitting, moon-white brocade robe inlaid with gold, her hair styled with phoenix ornaments, and an undeniable aura of grace and nobility emanated from her.
"Hehe, Sect Master Yun Yun's strength has become increasingly profound; it seems she has broken through another realm recently," the yellow-robed elder said with a chuckle.
"Just a small breakthrough. However, Old Jia's Mountain-Shattering Dou Qi (Battle Energy) has become increasingly overbearing; I could feel the powerful pressure from afar," Yun Yun humbly replied.
"I'm old, can't compare to you young people. In the future, it will still be the era of you young ones."
The elder, referred to as Old Jia, smiled and waved his hand. This elder was none other than Jia Xingtian, the guardian of the Jia Ma Empire's imperial family.
Staring at the massive crater below, his expression gradually turned solemn.
"Three auras appeared here. One of them should be at the Dou Zong (Battle Ancestor) level, and the other two Dou Huang (Battle Emperor) auras are not from Jia Ma Empire powerhouses. The battle fluctuations sensed earlier should have been two Dou Huang (Battle Emperor) working together to face a Dou Zong (Battle Ancestor)."
Old Jia was momentarily caught in a dilemma, as a Dou Zong (Battle Ancestor) powerhouse lurking within the empire, whether friend or foe, was not a good thing for his imperial family.
"Why would a Dou Zong (Battle Ancestor) appear here? Why were they fighting above the Mo family, and judging by this crater, it seems they were targeting the Mo family from the start?"
Yun Yun asked, her delicate brows furrowed.
Old Jia did not answer Yun Yun's question but instead lowered his head, contemplating with a worried expression. The appearance of an unknown Dou Zong (Battle Ancestor) and two Dou Huang (Battle Emperor) within the empire was not a good sign for the empire.
Yun Yun landed on the ruins, carefully sensed the aura, and her expression suddenly changed: "This..."
"Sect Master Yun Yun, have you discovered something?"
Old Jia asked, puzzled by Yun Yun's change in expression.
"No, I was just marveling at the power of a Dou Zong (Battle Ancestor) powerhouse..."
Yun Yun quickly composed herself and smiled indifferently.
Although Old Jia was a little puzzled by Yun Yun's change in expression, considering her nature, he did not ask further.
The two left the Mo family, each with their own thoughts.
"Isn't this the aura of that little rascal's guardian? Why would he be here, and even fighting with others?"
Yun Yun's face showed a hint of worry as she left.
"He has a Dou Zong (Battle Ancestor) guard, and his own strength is not weak, so he should be fine."
Little did she know, the person she was worrying about was currently flying comfortably with two beautiful women in his arms.
...
"Yunsong, bring me all the information on the Mo family."
Upon returning to the Cloud Mist Sect, Yun Yun summoned the managing elder and instructed him.
"Yes, Sect Master."
Seeing Yun Yun's troubled expression, the managing elder quickly brought a thick stack of documents to the Sect Master's hall and handed them to Yun Yun.
"You may leave."
"Yes, Sect Master."
Yun Yun flipped through the documents in her hand, her expression growing darker with each page.
"Bang."
The documents in her hand were directly shattered by Yun Yun's Dou Qi (Battle Energy), her voice cold.
"The Cloud Mist Sect also needs to be rectified."
...
Four days passed in a flash.
"Hehe, Little Fairy Doctor sister, you can't catch me."
At the Mo Tie Mercenary Group, in a courtyard, two graceful figures chased each other back and forth, their figures appearing and disappearing.
Under a nearby pavilion, a handsome young man watched the two playing and frolicking with a smile.
The three formed a beautiful picture.
"Giggle... Little Fairy Doctor sister, I was wrong."
Qing Lin appeared in front of Xiao Jietian from ten meters away, and Little Fairy Doctor also instantly appeared, reaching out to tickle Qing Lin's waist.
"Not bad, you two have gotten the hang of it in three days. For the rest, practice and comprehend more in your daily lives. Once the Dou Technique is perfected, you can go wherever you want."
Xiao Jietian looked at the two lively girls and praised them.
The two were using Void Piercer Art, which Xiao Jietian had taught them.
"Big Brother and Second Brother are also ready to depart; let's go see them off."
With that, he stood up and headed towards the Mo Tie training ground.
The training ground was a hive of activity, with mercenaries constantly moving things back and forth.
In the center, about ten thick-winged birds were parked. These were hired by Xiao Jietian, using his Alchemist identity and a hefty sum of money, to transport Xiao Ding and others to the Black-Corner Region.
"Big Brother, Second Brother, you've worked hard."
Xiao Jietian approached Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, who were directing the operations.
At this time, Xiao Ding's aura had reached the Eight-Star Dou Shi realm, and Xiao Li had reached the Seven-Star Dou Shi realm.
Both had switched to the Earth-Rank cultivation technique given by Xiao Jietian, and after consuming the Mysterious Spirit Pill, both had broken through two realms. With the remaining medicinal power of the Purple Heart Earth Lotus Liquid, they were estimated to break through to the Da Dou Shi realm.
"No need to be so polite, my brothers. I'm full of energy now, and I don't have to worry about funds or resources. With the things you gave me and Elder Wen escorting us, I guarantee I'll build a strong force for you."
Xiao Ding recalled the night three days ago when Xiao Jietian came to him with Shui Ye and thoroughly explained the resources for development. Seeing the pile of storage rings filled with medicinal herbs, money, and Dou Techniques, he was so excited he almost fainted, taking several hours to recover.
Half a day later, Xiao Ding and the others had packed everything.
"Little Tianzi, we're setting off now."
"Big Brother, Second Brother, take care."
The three brothers shared a simple embrace.
Three folds, no matter how you fold it, there's a good side. My apologies, I've gotten off track.
The members of the Mo Tie Mercenary Group watched Stone Desert City gradually shrink below them, a hint of reluctance in their eyes, wanting to engrave this place deeply in their minds. This was where they had lived for decades, even longer.
Looking at the departing thick-winged birds and the empty Mo Tie Mercenary Group, Xiao Jietian composed himself and said to the three people beside him.
"It's time for us to begin our journey as well."
"Before we depart, I'll take you to a place. Relax your minds and don't resist."
Xiao Jietian waved his hand.