Arriving at Qingshan Town, Meeting Xiao Yi Xian for the First Time

Half a month later!

Xiao Heng looked at the stone stele ahead marking Qingshan Town and walked in. Nothing else had happened during these fifteen days. He had passed through one or two small towns along the way, but he had only gone in for a quick look. If he encountered medicinal herbs he needed, he gathered some; otherwise, he bought a few daily necessities and left!

"Qingshan Town isn't bad. Although it's not as big as Wutan City, it's still pretty decent!"

A town that relied mainly on mercenaries to exist was certainly inferior to Wutan City in terms of foundation. But in terms of liveliness, it might even surpass it. There were also far more goods constantly flowing through the town!

Next, he would probably have to stay here for a while. In any case, he likely wouldn't be leaving before finding that cave! However, only Xiao Yi Xian knew the cave's exact location. He didn't even know whether she had discovered it yet. If she hadn't, things would be troublesome!

Xiao Heng rented a room in the area where the mercenaries gathered. Although this kind of place was somewhat noisy, it was useful for observing the situation. Every time Xiao Yi Xian went out to gather herbs, she had to recruit people here! He could blend in and follow her to take a look!

He had no intention of looking for Xiao Yi Xian for the time being. First of all, there was no point in seeking her out—she would never believe him! Even if she did, he still didn't know whether the cave had been discovered. So all he needed to do was wait quietly!

Xiao Heng had already been in Qingshan Town for five days. During that time, he had bought quite a few medicinal herbs. He had also gathered almost all the ingredients for the Pulse Protecting Pill and Ice Spirit Pill! He had collected every ingredient for the Pulse Protecting Pill, but the Ice Spirit Pill was still missing a Second-tier Ice Attribute Magic Core! The Jia Ma Empire consisted mostly of deserts and forests, so Ice Attribute Magical Beasts were pitifully rare! Earth Attribute and Wood Attribute ones, on the other hand, were quite common! Unfortunately, he didn't need them for the time being!

It seemed he could only go to the Magical Beast forest and try his luck! If that didn't work, he would have to delay refining the Heavenly Flame for a while! However, these two pills should probably be enough to refine a beast flame. Refining a Heavenly Flame, though, would likely require quite a bit more! Xiao Yan probably hadn't expected Xiao Heng to refine a Heavenly Flame. Besides, even if he did refine one, given his current strength, he couldn't produce a pill of that grade yet.

But there was nothing he could do for now. He didn't even have a Spirit Gathering Ring yet! He planned to take a look at the Alchemist Association. If they didn't have one, he could only delay refining the Heavenly Flame.

"Ugh! What a headache! Why hasn't Xiao Yi Xian gone treasure hunting yet?"

Over the past few days, Xiao Heng had also considered searching for it himself. But she needed different things each time and went to different places, so he didn't dare ask too deeply. After all, the forces in Qingshan Town knew that such a treasure vault existed in the original story. Although he wasn't afraid of any one faction by itself, it would be troublesome if they joined forces! He absolutely refused to admit that he was simply lazy!

(What's wrong with me? I can wait and eventually find it anyway, so why search for it myself? There are so many cliffs, and I might not even find it! Without evidence, what gives you the right to say I'm lazy? Hmph ╯^╰!)

At that moment, an already rather old mercenary shouted, "The Myriad Medicine Pavilion is entering the Monster Mountain Range to gather herbs! We need fifty people to accompany us, and Xiao Yi Xian will be going too! Only Dou Zhe above two-star may apply!"

Xiao Heng's eyes lit up.

"The opportunity has come!"

After finally reaching his turn in the line, the burly man took one look at Xiao Heng's youthful face and unhappily said, "Kid, get lost! Don't waste my time here!"

Xiao Heng suddenly clenched his fist and punched the ground behind him. Fine cracks immediately spread across the stone tiles!

Xiao Heng raised his fist.

"Is this enough?"

The burly man was startled when he saw the cracked ground. This strength was at least that of a five-star Dou Zhe, right? He hurriedly said, "Enough, enough! Go register over there!"

He entered the group smoothly. Before long, all fifty positions were filled! Of course, nearly half of them belonged to the Wolf Head Mercenary Group!

Looks like that Young Master whose name he couldn't quite remember really hadn't given up! But Xiao Yi Xian's popularity was genuinely pretty good. The pay wasn't even that high, yet so many people had signed up!

Only after everyone had gathered did Xiao Yi Xian appear, accompanied by her maidservant! Of course, rather than calling her a maidservant, it would be more accurate to say that she had been sent by the Myriad Medicine Pavilion to monitor Xiao Yi Xian!

And so, the group entered the Monster Mountain Range in grand fashion. Because of his age, Xiao Heng attracted quite a bit of attention. After all, only he and that Young Master in the group were relatively young. He was also much younger than that fellow and considerably more handsome. Even Xiao Yi Xian glanced at him once. However, that single glance caused quite a few jealous looks to turn his way, and one particular Young Master's eyes practically turned green!

Seeing that fellow's gaze, Xiao Heng sighed. "Ugh! He really brought this upon himself. A beauty is a calamity!"

He had already seen the killing intent in that fellow's eyes. Once someone developed killing intent, given his personality, he definitely wouldn't hold back. And once he attacked, he would surely die, followed by his entire family!

Xiao Heng also carefully looked at Xiao Yi Xian. In his previous life, he had liked Xiao Yi Xian immensely, and the real Xiao Yi Xian was indeed very beautiful! She had the face of a first love. Although her figure couldn't compare to Ya Fei's, it was still quite good. The girl-next-door aura about her made people want to protect her intensely! She certainly wasn't the most beautiful in appearance, nor did she have the best figure, but she was absolutely the one who made people want to fall in love the most!

(Hmm! Overall rating: 8.5 points! But she can still improve. After all, she's still young!)

The journey was peaceful. Even when some Magical Beasts that didn't know their place appeared, they were quickly dealt with by that Young Master, who was eager to show off. Xiao Heng didn't get a chance to act at all. But that was fine too—it saved him the trouble!

"Everyone, the place where we'll be gathering medicinal herbs is right here. We'll need to spend the night here, so please have all the group leaders arrange the guards. The remaining payment will also be settled in full when we return! Thank you for your trouble!"

Xiao Yi Xian's soft, sweet voice rang out. She wore a smile as she spoke. Though she was still somewhat inexperienced, she already possessed a captivating charm!

"Xiao Yi Xian, don't worry. The Wolf Head Mercenary Group will handle tonight's security. There absolutely won't be any problems!"

The moment Xiao Yi Xian finished speaking, a certain Young Master couldn't resist stepping forward to make his presence known! The others also wanted to speak with Xiao Yi Xian more, but seeing Mu Li of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group speaking, they said little and echoed him one after another!

"That's right, Xiao Yi Xian. Leave tonight to us!"

"Don't worry!"

"No problem!"

It had to be said, the sight of a group of burly men patting their chests and making promises was rather amusing!

Xiao Yi Xian smiled faintly. "Then I'll thank you all!"

"No need to thank us, no need to be polite! Rest assured!" A chorus of voices rang out!

Xiao Heng couldn't help laughing. He thought to himself, What a bunch of bootlickers!

Although Xiao Heng had remained at the back of the group, his age and appearance still attracted quite a bit of attention, especially from a certain Young Master who was paying particular attention to him!

Mu Li had disliked this kid for a long time. Along the way, he had constantly been thinking of how to deal with him, but he had never found the opportunity! Now that the chance had finally arrived, how could he let it slip away? He turned around and spoke to Xiao Heng:

"Hey, you! What are you laughing at? Are you looking down on us? I knew from the start that you didn't look like a good person! Did you join us with some ulterior motive? Speak!"

This routine almost made Xiao Heng want to applaud. He sighed inwardly. A beauty is a calamity!

Mu Li's outburst drew everyone's attention to Xiao Heng. Still, he intended to reason with this fellow.

"I just remembered something happy and laughed a little. I absolutely didn't mean to look down on any of you! As for my purpose, of course I have one, but it has nothing to do with you!" Xiao Heng folded his arms and spoke indifferently.

"You...!"

Mu Li suddenly didn't know what to say. This wasn't how the script was supposed to go! Shouldn't this kid have immediately admitted defeat and then submitted at his feet? And if it had nothing to do with him, didn't that mean Xiao Heng had come for Xiao Yi Xian?

As soon as Xiao Heng said this, quite a few people looked toward Xiao Yi Xian. Some of the younger men glared angrily, while several older ones revealed ambiguous smiles. Even Xiao Yi Xian's face flushed red!

Seeing Xiao Yi Xian like this, Xiao Heng was speechless. Damn! I hadn't even thought of that angle! Well, it's not like I never considered it!

When Mu Li saw that Xiao Heng actually dared to resist him, his expression turned cold.

"Kid, do you know what happens when you offend me?"

"I don't know what happens when you offend me, but I do know that your fate won't be very good after offending me!" Xiao Heng replied carelessly.

No one stepped forward to speak for Xiao Heng. He was merely an unfamiliar mercenary, and he wasn't worth offending the Wolf Head Mercenary Group over!

Yet Xiao Heng's calm words only made Mu Li even angrier. He was just a small-time mercenary—what gave him the courage to speak to Mu Li like that?

"Fine! Kid, you're not bad. I'll give you one more chance. Kneel down right now and apologize to me. Then I can give you a quick death!"

"Oh? Even if I apologize, you still won't spare me? I'm so scared!" Although his words sounded frightened, the mocking expression on his face betrayed him!

"Kid, you're courting death!"

Enraged, Mu Li circulated his Dou Qi and prepared to attack. The two were only about ten steps apart. At Mu Li's speed, he reached Xiao Heng in two breaths! No one had expected Mu Li to suddenly attack, but even if they had, it wouldn't have mattered! Except for Xiao Yi Xian!

Boom!

The sound of colliding Dou Qi rang out. Mu Li's fist was only an inch from Xiao Heng's chest, yet it could advance no farther!

Xiao Heng's eyes narrowed. His right hand caught Mu Li's fist, while his left slammed into Mu Li's chest, sending him flying ten zhang away!

Just as he was about to attack again, a delicate shout rang out: "You two, stop!"

It was Xiao Yi Xian!

Xiao Heng reined in his Dou Qi and exhaled. He said nothing more and walked to the side. As for Mu Li, even if he wanted to attack, he was unable to do so. Xiao Heng's punch had been heavy enough to keep him down.

Mu Li knelt halfway on the ground. When the people from the Wolf Head Mercenary Group saw this, they hurried over to support him.

"Young Master, how are you?" Before they could finish asking, Mu Li spat out another mouthful of blood and fainted!

Seeing Mu Li in this state, Xiao Yi Xian didn't say anything else. Her eyes shifted, as if she had thought of something!

Even though the people from the Wolf Head Mercenary Group wanted to attack, they no longer dared. Their Young Master couldn't withstand even one move from this person. If they went up, they would probably only be throwing their lives away! The Young Master's pride was his concern, but their lives belonged to them. There was no need!

The others also moved away from the scene and began setting up camp. They didn't dare get involved recklessly! For a time, the camp became much quieter, with hardly any voices carrying through the air!

Xiao Yi Xian and her group also began gathering medicinal herbs without saying anything more. Just like that, night quietly descended!