Chapter 96 Discovering the Traces of Strange Fire

The investigation work is not easy.

Moreover, as a major force in Shimo City, naturally there were countless eyes watching the every move of the Motie Mercenary Group. So, not long after Xue Lan brought a large number of people out, some roving stragglers began to appear in the area where Xiao Yan and the others were, looking at the Motie mercenaries who were slowly exploring the terrain with confusion on their faces.

Fortunately, Xiao Ding had already mobilized people to seal off this area tightly, so the mercenaries and other personnel who came to watch were ruthlessly blocked outside.

As the exploration progressed, more and more people gathered around. Although Xiao Ding said that the Motie Mercenary Group was mobilized in such a large scale because they wanted to hunt down a third-level magical beast, the number of people around was still gradually increasing.

And seeing that he seemed unable to help in any way, Xiao Yuan began to study the low-level earth-attributed technique, the Dikun Sutra, given to him by Yao Lao.

Qinglian was hiding in the tent that Xiao Yuan had specially set up nearby. She blinked her eyes and stared blankly at Xiao Yuan who was practicing.

Seeing that his brother was so diligent, Xiao Yan felt embarrassed to just sit there doing nothing, so he also started practicing.

Looking at their two younger brothers who practiced whenever they got the chance, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were quite moved. To be able to possess such strength at such an age, it was obvious that both of them had put in a lot of effort.

Time passed quickly, and when the scorching sun in the sky gradually set, the crowd watching from the outside suddenly became a commotion. A team of at least forty mercenaries slowly separated the crowd and walked towards the isolation zone.

"They are from the Sand Mercenaries. This time we are going to have a good show..."

"Hehe, Rob finally lost his patience."

Seeing the mercenary team separating the crowd, whispers suddenly broke out among the surrounding onlookers.

"It seems that I overestimated that guy's patience..."

Looking at the approaching team, Xiao Ding shook his head and said sarcastically.

"Let's go and take a look. Without fully investigating the situation, Rob won't show up yet. The one leading the team now seems to be the second-best person after Rob in the Sand Mercenary Group, Mo Xing, right? Hehe, a defeated general has the nerve to pick a fight with us."

After taking a look, Xiao Li sneered.

"Ah."

Xiao Ding nodded slightly and waved his hand. More than twenty members of the Motie Group were immediately dispatched from the surrounding area. The weapons in their hands were shining with a cold light. They walked out of the isolation zone with unfriendly faces and looked coldly at the approaching mercenary team.

When the two teams met, the atmosphere between them was tense. As the two major forces in Shimo City, they had had many conflicts in the past.

"Stop, the Desert Iron Mercenary Group is carrying out a mission, please do not interfere."

He raised his eyes and heard Xiao Ding's voice, as calm as if it were just a routine matter.

"Hey, Captain Xiao Ding, I've never heard of the Mercenary Union issuing such a mission! And the area within dozens of miles around Shimo City is a public area. There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with me bringing people here, right?"

The head of the Sand Mercenary Group was a man with a gloomy face. He glanced at the explorers in the quarantine zone and chuckled.

"Mo Xing, if Rob hadn't intervened last time, you would have become a cripple by now, right?"

Xiao Li glanced at this extremely annoying man and smiled maliciously.

Hearing this, Mo Xing's face twitched slightly, he suppressed the fear in his eyes, and sneered: "Let's be frank, our leader is also very interested in this place, so..."

Before he could finish his words, a black iron spear pierced his heart.

"So you can go die..."

A calm voice came slowly from the mouth of Xiao Yuan, who suddenly appeared in front of Mo Xing and stabbed him in the heart.

Looking at the spear on his chest, Mo Xing opened his mouth slightly and wanted to say something, but Xiao Yuan pulled his arm and the spear was pulled back from his chest, taking away his last ray of life along with it.

When everyone present saw this scene, they suddenly felt a chill from the soles of their feet to the top of their heads.

No one noticed how Xiao Yuan appeared. They even felt that Xiao Yuan's appearance there was natural and there was no sense of incongruity.

This also means that Xiao Yuan’s strength far exceeds theirs!
You know, even Rob, who is a great fighter, doesn't have such speed!

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li did not expect that Xiao Yuan would actually take direct action and kill Mo Xing with one shot, but they quickly reacted, shouting and rushing forward with their men.

Although it was more than 20 people against more than 40 people, the members of the Desert Iron Mercenary Corps were generally stronger than those of the Sand Mercenary Corps.

Coupled with the deterrent effect brought by Xiao Yuan's terrifying strength, half of the members of the Sand Mercenary Group fell down in an instant.

The remaining half, seeing that the situation was not good, immediately threw away their weapons and shouted in surrender.

Seeing the members of the Sand Mercenary Corps surrendering on the spot in an instant, the people watching around couldn't help but boo in unison.

But they feel no shame at all.

If you continue to resist, you will die.

What the hell is face? Life is above everything else!
"Tsk, that's it?"

Xiao Li sneered, looked at the dead Mo Xing on the ground, shook his head, and then came to Xiao Yuan's side and said with a smile:
"You are too strong, kid! But there is another problem that you have to solve. The leader of the Sand Mercenary Group, Rob, is a great fighter. We have completely fallen out with him this time. I guess he will have to bring people here after the news gets back."

"What are you talking about? Xiao Yuan is just a fighting master. It's too dangerous to go to the Sand Mercenary Group alone!"

Xiao Ding walked over upon hearing this and scolded with a frown.

"Hey, brother, this is just a joke with Xiao Yuan!"

Xiao Li shrank his neck when he heard that and smiled awkwardly.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ding glared at Xiao Li again, then looked at Xiao Yuan and said softly, "Don't worry, although Rob is a great fighter, the fighters and fighters in their group are not as good as ours in terms of quantity or quality.

After the loss just now, it's even worse. There's not a single fighter left, only a few fighters. We still have two fighters in our group. When the time comes, the four of us brothers will attack together. Even if he is a great fighter, he may not be able to deal with us! The remaining people are enough to easily kill those shrimp soldiers and crab generals under him!"

Xiao Yuan shook his head and said with a smile, "Big Brother, Xiao Yan seems to have signs of a breakthrough, so you just stay here. As for Rob, leave it to me. Shimo City should be named Xiao now."

Hearing this, Xiao Ding's expression became serious and he looked at Xiao Li.

Xiao Li immediately understood and turned around to lead his men back to protect Xiao Yan.

"Can you...really do this? Don't force yourself!"

Xiao Ding frowned slightly and said with some worry.

"Don't worry, big brother. I'll leave after I kill Rob!"

Nodding with a smile, Xiao Yuan waved to Xiao Ding, pulled up a camel horse next to him, jumped on it, kicked his heels lightly, and a wisp of yellow dust was raised as he galloped towards Shimo City.

Looking at the figure gradually moving away, Xiao Ding let out a sigh of relief and chose to believe Xiao Yuan.

The moon is like a silver disk and the stars are hidden.

The Stone Desert City was quite quiet in the dark night. In the western part of the city, there was a huge courtyard with bright lights. There were constant sounds of laughter and playfulness coming from it. In the middle of the courtyard, a flag was hung on a wooden pole with five large characters "Sand Mercenary Group" painted on it.

A light breeze blew by, twisting the flag's direction.

In a room in the center of the compound, a dim light completely drove away the darkness in the room. Inside the room sat a middle-aged man with an impatient look on his face. He was the leader of the Sand Mercenaries, Rob.

"This Mo Xing is really slow!"

Rob frowned slightly and muttered to himself.

"laugh!"

At this moment, there was a sound of breaking wind outside the window, and Rob felt a chill on the back. He immediately condensed the khaki fighting armor without hesitation.

Dou Qi Armor is a weapon that only great Dou Masters can use. Its defensive power is even stronger than that of Dou Qi Gauze Dress.

Moreover, the attribute of Rob's fighting spirit is earth, and he is extremely good at defense. At this moment, the fighting spirit armor appeared and immediately blocked the spear behind him.

"Haha, it seems that even a great fighter like Captain Rob is hard to be defeated by this kind of sneak attack!"

Xiao Yuan pulled out his spear, and the terrifying force made Rob stagger, but did not hurt him.

After all, Xiao Yuan is only a five-star fighter now, while Rob is already a four-star great fighter.

"who are you!"

Looking at Xiao Yuan, who had a young face but a very strong aura, Rob asked with a gloomy face.

"The third leader of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group is Xiao Yuan. As for Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, they are my two elder brothers."

Xiao Yuan said with a faint smile. "Heh, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li are really confused. You are just a fighting master, but you dare to come to my Sand Mercenary Group to die!"

Rob originally thought that since Xiao Yuan had reached the level of Fighting Master at such a young age, he might be from some big family or powerful force. When he heard that he was the younger brother of Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, he heaved a sigh of relief and said with a sneer.

"No, that's not right. Tonight, the one who will die will definitely be you!"

Xiao Yuan smiled slightly, and took a dragon step. The fighting spirit in the Platinum Qi Palace and the Red Fire Qi Palace was poured into the Black Water Qi Palace. Xiao Yuan's aura suddenly soared to the peak of a fighting master.

Feeling the surging aura from Xiao Yuan, Rob suddenly felt that his idea was wrong. This secret method of improving strength is not something that ordinary people can possess!

Immediately afterwards, Xiao Yuan shouted in a deep voice and rushed towards Rob.

Seeing this, Rob quickly took out two swords from his ring and met Xiao Yuan's attack.

However, the next moment, a huge force came and directly knocked him backwards, breaking the door and falling into the yard.

In the yard, there were some fighter mercenaries laughing and giggling. Suddenly, they saw their boss flying out backwards, and they immediately surrounded him.

Then, a green light flashed by, and a silently roaring lion rushed out and slammed into Rob who had just sat up. The aftermath directly blew those fighter mercenaries flying backwards. Whether they lived or died depended on fate.

Blood oozed from the corner of Rob's mouth, and he looked at Xiao Yuan with a gloomy face.

The attack just now was definitely some kind of mysterious level fighting skill, and the level was not low.

Fortunately, his skills were earth-attributed and his defense was strong, so he only suffered some minor injuries.

"Oh, so thick-skinned?"

Xiao Yuan was also a little surprised. The Wild Lion's Roar was, after all, a high-level Xuan-level fighting skill, but it didn't seriously injure Rob. It turned out that his strength was still too weak.

But it's also true that I didn't unleash all my fighting spirit just now, so it's normal that the damage caused is not high enough.

"Damn it, kid. I want to see today whether your secret technique will end first or my fighting spirit will be exhausted first!"

As Rob spoke, he activated his fighting spirit once again, and the fighting spirit armor on his body became even stronger and brighter.

Xiao Yuan was speechless when he saw Rob as if he was about to shrink into his turtle shell.

I have to say, this is indeed a good choice.

The method of infusing the Five Elements Qi Palace was quite a burden for him.

However, a four-star great fighting master was not even qualified to use all his strength to infuse the fighting qi of four Qi Palaces into one Qi Palace!
Seeing this, Xiao Yuan held the spear, and the wind-attributed fighting spirit began to gather and condense on the tip of the spear.

The green light on the spear gradually became thicker, and the yin and yang flames were also mixed in it. The terrifying high temperature caused the stone slabs under the spear to become dry and cracked.

Rob's pupils shrank when he saw this. He smelled the scent of death from the horrifying green light.

brake!
The next moment, Xiao Yuan's figure floated out like flying catkins, and in the blink of an eye, he appeared in front of Rob. The black spear pierced out with the power of the Azure Dragon's Claw, carrying a strong breath of death.

"Ding!"

The tip of the spear pierced the Dou Qi armor, and a clear sound was heard.

Looking at the Dou Qi armor that was completely undamaged, Rob was stunned.

That's it?

However, as soon as the thought came to his mind, the wind-attributed fighting spirit that had been condensed into dark green turned into a thin line and shot out.

call out!
Rob felt a pain in his chest, and then his strength dissipated like the tide. Black and white flames raged inside his body, and soon, his eyes lost their luster.

"Tsk, it's really useful. I love Sister Yun so much."

Xiao Yuan pulled back the spear, looked at Rob who was lying on the ground, and chuckled.

Then, he took off Rob's ring with ease.

All around, many members of the Sand Mercenary Group who had come to inquire about the situation looked at Rob, who had died under Xiao Yuan's gun, with dazed expressions on their faces.

The leader is dead?

"From today on, the Sand Mercenary Group will be disbanded. Those of you who are willing to join our Desert Iron Mercenary Group can report directly to the Desert Iron Mercenary Group tomorrow. Those who are not willing can keep Rob company. I think no one would be unwilling, right?"

Seeing this, Xiao Yuan said with a smile.

Hey!
Hearing this, the mercenaries around him cursed in their hearts.

Since you fucking said so, who would dare to disagree?

"Very good, you made the right choice."

Xiao Yuan smiled, then carried his spear and swaggered out of the Sand Mercenary Group’s base.

Everyone looked at each other, and after a moment, helpless sighs were heard one after another.

The next day.

Outside Shimo City, the sun was scorching, but the members of the Motie Mercenary Group were still searching carefully and intensively.

"Brother, Xiao Yuan really killed Rob."

Standing on a sand dune, Xiao Li glanced around, then turned his head and said to Xiao Ding beside him.

A hint of smile flashed across Xiao Ding's eyes, and he said with a smile: "He only came back late last night and is still sleeping in the tent. I have asked Qinglian to call him."

"I see Xiao Yuan treats Qing Lian well, do you think this kid will be good?"

Xiao Li rolled his eyes when he heard that and smiled meaningfully.

"Brother, as soon as I got up, I heard you saying bad things about me!"

Xiao Yuan's helpless voice sounded behind Xiao Ding and Xiao Li.

"Haha, are you awake?"

Xiao Ding smiled softly and asked.

"Well, it's still tiring to deal with a big fighting master."

Xiao Yuan nodded when he heard that, and then he glanced around and immediately found that not far away, Xiao Yan was sitting cross-legged on the hot sand under the scorching sun, slowly absorbing the rich fire energy between the surrounding heaven and earth, letting the sweat roll down from his forehead like water, wetting his clothes.

"Tsk, is Xiao Yan practicing again? I'll go practice for a while too. I'll trouble my eldest and second brothers to keep an eye on this place!"

Seeing this, Xiao Yuan hurried over. As soon as he sat down and prepared to practice, he heard a burst of excited shouts:
"Captain! The third team seems to have found some traces of the passage!"

Xiao Yuan turned his head and saw a figure in the distance running quickly towards Xiao Ding and Xiao Li.

"Found?"

Hearing the voice, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were both stunned, and then ecstasy surged on their faces. They looked at each other, and then turned their gaze to the sand dunes, only to see Xiao Yan also opened his eyes at this time, with astonishment and surprise on his face.

"Let's go over and have a look!"

Xiao Yuan stood up, pulled Xiao Yan over, and asked the figure running over:
"Have you found the passage?"

"Hehe, it seems that we have found some traces. Based on our experience, there is a high possibility that it is a passage leading to the underground."

The mercenary who ran over grinned foolishly.

"it is good!"

Xiao Yan clapped his hands together and urged impatiently:
"Come on, take me to see it!"

"okay."

After jogging for a few minutes in the north direction following the mercenary, I saw a large group of people gathered in a slightly sunken sand area, whispering to each other.

"Get out of the way, get out of the way!"

The mercenary leading the way shouted loudly to clear a path. Xiao Yuan and his three companions followed them in. They took a quick glance and were surprised to find that the sunken ground here had been dug out by the mercenaries with a hole of about half a meter in diameter, and a faint hot air rose from it.

(End of this chapter)