No Room for Negotiation

"Dou Emperor?!"

As they stared at the spreading cracks, Xiao Li and Xiao Ding's eyes widened in utter horror.

They had never imagined that this beautiful young woman before them, this uninvited guest who had appeared in their residence, would actually be a Dou Emperor!

For people at Xiao Ding and Xiao Li's level, a Dou Emperor was practically a god—someone they could never hope to encounter.

The only reason they had recognized this aura from Green Man's presence was because, long ago, the two brothers had sensed Queen Medusa's terrifying aura from eight hundred li away!

The majestic pressure was impossible to resist. Under Green Man's terrifying might, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li trembled uncontrollably, their minds filled with nothing but disbelief. If you were a Dou Emperor, you should've said so earlier! Why pretend to be some mysterious woman? If you wanted Qing Lin, just take her! Why waste your breath talking to insignificant trash like me?

What exactly did my second brother do to provoke a Dou Emperor into coming to our door?!

"My lady, there must be some misunderstanding between us, some misunderstanding!" Xiao Ding hurriedly said. Angering a Dou Emperor was something they did not even dare imagine.

"A misunderstanding?"

Green Man sneered. "That fellow attacked me without warning earlier. I didn't see any misunderstanding there. Since you're so overbearing and rude, so fond of using force, then I'll use force against you too."

"My lady, I..."

"Pfft!"

With a wave of Green Man's hand, a massive wooden stake suddenly burst from the ground and pierced straight through Xiao Ding's body.

Countless wooden spikes tore through his flesh. Xiao Ding, who had been alive just moments ago, instantly became a "spiked man." Blood sprayed everywhere, splattering across the floor, tables, chairs—

—and Xiao Li's face.

"Thud..."

The wooden stake fell to the ground before Xiao Li's trembling eyes, striking the floor with a dull crash. On the stake, which had nearly been completely riddled with wooden spikes and rendered unrecognizable, only a pair of wide-open eyes remained, vacant and dim.

Staring at the stake that had lost all signs of life, Xiao Li's entire body shook. His face went deathly pale as his knees slammed against the ground, and he crawled toward Xiao Ding.

"B-Big Brother, Big Brother!"

"Don't worry. I won't let your big brother be lonely."

The indifferent voice sounded like the whisper of death itself. Xiao Li shuddered violently and instinctively raised his head to look at Green Man.

His eyes were filled with terror, but even more so with venom and hatred.

The three brothers of the Xiao Family had always been deeply devoted to one another. Xiao Ding and Xiao Li had left the Xiao Family at an early age to make their way through the Tagor Desert, forging the Desert Iron Mercenary Group amid trials of blood and fire.

Now, his own elder brother had been killed right before his eyes. That feeling, that agony, was simply unimaginable!

"AAAH! I'LL FIGHT YOU TO THE DEATH!!"

"Lightning Arc Three Stage Dance!"

Xiao Li let out a shrill roar. A long spear appeared in his palm, crackling with lightning as it shot forward.

Three serpent-shaped lightning arcs abruptly emerged along the spear shaft. Their curves flashed and crossed, producing sharp sizzling sounds as they carried a powerful energy that could not be underestimated.

"Hmph."

The indifferent voice was full of contempt. In the next moment, Xiao Li's charging body was sent flying back at even greater speed. The tables and chairs along his path shattered the instant they touched him, blasted apart by the concealed force within his body.

Xiao Li himself was embedded in the wall once more, covered in blood and vomiting black blood.

"A mayfly trying to shake a tree. You overestimate yourself."

Green Man sneered. She had never been in the habit of showing mercy.

The Desert Iron Mercenary Group already knew of Qing Lin's existence. If they were not eliminated, they would inevitably become a potential threat in the future.

Since that was the case, she might as well pull out the roots completely!

Green Man stomped her foot. With a sharp crack, several pointed wooden spears shot violently from the ground beneath her feet, whistling toward Xiao Li, who was embedded in the wall.

Xiao Li coughed up blood. He had no strength left to resist and could only wait in despair for death to arrive.

He could not even understand how he had suddenly provoked such a formidable enemy...

"Boom!!"

The expected sight of the wooden spears piercing Xiao Li never came. The flying wooden spears suddenly exploded, and amid a shower of splinters, a figure appeared in the hall.

Green Man, holding the unconscious Qing Lin, furrowed her delicate brows. Xiao Li, severely wounded and already awaiting death, stared in shock and disbelief at the figure who had suddenly appeared before him.

He did not know why this person had intervened, but now was not the time to think about that.

"Brother, leave quickly! She's a Dou Emperor—you're no match for her!"

"A Dou Emperor?"

There was little emotion in the calm voice, as though the speaker was not at all surprised by a Dou Emperor.

"Who are you, sir? Why are you interfering with me?"

Green Man stared at the black-robed man before her. Her gaze settled on his face, and she was momentarily stunned by the youth's handsome features before letting out a soft laugh. "You really are young, little brother. The Jia Ma Empire truly is a place where hidden talents abound. Such an outstanding young man is rare even across the entire Northwest Continent."

"However, if you intend to make an enemy of me, that would not be a wise choice."

"Looks like Green Yi didn't tell you who I am."

Lin Ran spoke calmly.

"Green Yi?"

Green Man froze slightly. Looking at Lin Ran's young and handsome face, she suddenly recalled what Green Yi had said.

He was a very young Sixth-Rank Alchemist...

Green Man's pupils contracted as she blurted out, "You're the Sixth-Rank Alchemist who refined the Demon Transformation Pill?!"

"A Sixth-Rank Alchemist?!"

Taking advantage of the moment, Xiao Li, who was still vomiting blood, pulled himself free from the wall. But upon hearing Green Man's words, his eyes instantly widened as he stared in disbelief at Lin Ran's handsome profile, a face even younger than his own.

At that age, he was actually a Sixth-Rank Alchemist?!

How was that possible? He should only be a little older than Little Yanzi, this...

Lin Ran did not respond to Green Man's question.

His gaze lingered briefly on Green Man before falling upon Qing Lin, who lay unconscious in Green Man's arms.

Sensing Lin Ran's gaze, Green Man's expression darkened abruptly. At this point, how could she not understand why this young Sixth-Rank Alchemist had appeared here? Still, she clung to a trace of hope and spoke in a low voice.

"Could you please withdraw, sir? I do not wish to become your enemy."

"Hand the girl in your arms over to me, and I can spare your life."

Lin Ran's indifferent words froze the smile on Green Man's face. "It seems there's no room for negotiation."

Under normal circumstances, making an enemy of a Sixth-Rank Alchemist would naturally be unwise. The immense influence wielded by alchemists was something not even she—and not even the Heavenly Snake Mansion—wished to provoke.

But the value of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils was simply too great. She had to take Qing Lin back with her!

In the next moment, amid Xiao Li's stunned gaze, a terrifying aura erupted within the spacious hall!