Qingshan Town

Qingshan Town was the closest town to the Demonic Beast Mountain Range. It was filled with mercenaries who lived by the blade, though most of them were only at the Dou Zhe level. Even a single Dou Shi would be qualified to establish a renowned Mercenary Group here.

Beneath the blazing sun, the carriage traveled along a road paved with bluestone. Xiao Shuang sat cross-legged inside, absorbing the surrounding natural energy into his body.

The medicinal power stored within him was continuously refined, transforming into Dou Qi that flowed throughout his body.

Over this period, he had consumed quite a few Ice Attribute medicinal herbs and stored all their medicinal power within his body.

After a while, Xiao Lei knocked on the carriage door a few times and said, "Young Master, we've arrived at Qingshan Town."

Third Elder said nothing. Xiao Shuang was the leader of this demonic beast hunt, while he merely served as insurance. Xiao Shuang would decide everything.

Hearing Xiao Lei's report, Xiao Shuang opened his eyes and ended his cultivation state. However, the medicinal power was still being refined. He liked this feeling of growing stronger every moment.

"I understand. We'll rest for a day first, then enter the Demonic Beast Mountain Range tomorrow."

"Yes!" Xiao Lei answered loudly before going off to make arrangements. To him, Young Master was the leader and only needed to give orders. He, Xiao Lei, would handle all the remaining trivial matters.

After stepping down from the carriage, Xiao Shuang saw quite a few shops along the street, all bustling with business.

The passing mercenaries secretly observed the carriages. When they saw a young boy step out, they were somewhat startled.

He was clearly a Young Master from some great family who had come to gain experience. Naturally, they would not be so blind as to provoke him.

The mercenaries around the youth looked well-trained, and every one of them carried a fierce killing intent.

Xiao Shuang looked around and spotted a large medicinal herb shop. Smiling, he said, "Uncle Xiao Lei, come with me and take a look at the herbs here."

Xiao Lei, who stood beside Xiao Shuang, immediately agreed. Being called Uncle Xiao Lei made him feel rather close to the boy, and he promptly patted his chest. "Don't worry, Young Master. I know the prices of these herbs well. We definitely won't be cheated!"

Some herbs could be considered inferior substitutes for Healing Medicine. Although their effects were much worse, they were cheaper.

Healing Medicine was something every mercenary had to prepare. It could effectively protect their lives, and Xiao Lei was very familiar with the prices in this regard.

"If it's a town near the Demonic Beast Mountain Range, Healing Medicine will be much more expensive than usual. We also brought some fairly high-quality medicine from the Xiao Family Marketplace," Xiao Lei explained as they walked. Then he added, "But these medicines are quite precious, so we won't use them unless necessary."

There was no helping it. Healing Medicine was rather expensive to begin with. These mercenaries had come here to hunt demonic beasts and earn money, so they naturally could not bear to use the Healing Medicine brought from the family.

Therefore, under normal circumstances, Xiao Lei would purchase some hemostatic herbs. If they were accidentally injured, they could simply treat it with these cheap herbs.

Upon entering the herb shop, they found it quite spacious. Moonlight stones hung on the walls, and a faint medicinal fragrance lingered in the air.

The fragrance made people feel somewhat relaxed. It was likely intentional.

"The Healing Medicine here really is expensive." Xiao Shuang glanced at the small jade bottles inside the transparent display case. The prices marked on them were not low.

As they looked around, Xiao Lei introduced the various medicinal herbs to Xiao Shuang. He had once seen Xiao Shuang reading books about medicinal herbs on the road, so he had remembered it.

With Xiao Lei's introduction, Xiao Shuang gained a certain understanding of these herbs. Pointing at the herbs in the transparent case, he said to the clerk, "How much Blood Coagulating Grass do you have? I want to buy it in bulk."

Blood Coagulating Grass had a powerful hemostatic effect and could also accelerate wound healing. Among low-grade herbs, it was considered one of the most cost-effective.

"Please wait a moment."

Before long, the clerk carried out a large wooden crate filled with Blood Coagulating Grass.

"Uncle Xiao Lei, go pick some. I'm not very familiar with this."

Having received Xiao Shuang's order, Xiao Lei quickly stepped forward and selected more than ten stalks of Blood Coagulating Grass with well-preserved medicinal power from the wooden crate.

"Young Master, these will be enough."

Xiao Shuang nodded and said to the clerk, "These will do. Ring them up."

"Sir, the total is one thousand six hundred Gold Coins." The clerk took one look and immediately quoted the price.

He then kindly reminded him, "Sir, you can go to the Ten Thousand Medicine Pavilion. There is a physician there named Xiao Yi Xian. As long as the price is right, she can refine this Blood Coagulating Grass into Healing Medicine."

With only a brief bit of processing, the effects of the Blood Coagulating Grass could increase severalfold. Compared to directly buying Healing Medicine, this method could save quite a few Gold Coins.

It was only because Xiao Shuang gave off the impression of being a Young Master from a great family, and because that cold temperament of his clearly could not be faked, that the clerk had spoken up to remind him.

"Thank you, I know."

Xiao Shuang took out a black card. It was an ordinary deposit card, and using it in Qingshan Town was nothing unusual.

After leaving the herb shop, Xiao Lei thought for a moment before asking, "Young Master, are you going to see that physician?"

"No."

Unexpectedly, Xiao Shuang shook his head without interest. Having a physician process medicinal herbs also cost a considerable sum, and he did not have that many Gold Coins.

He knew very clearly what his task was: hunt demonic beasts, and if he was lucky, obtain some demon cores. Most importantly, make money.

He had come to earn Gold Coins, not spend them.

The next day, after a night of rest, the Xiao Family mercenaries had all adjusted themselves to their best condition.

"Move out!"

Xiao Shuang took the lead, while the mercenaries gripped their weapons tightly and followed closely behind him.

Third Elder sat inside the carriage. As long as they did not encounter a Third-Tier Demonic Beast, there was no need for him to act.

The forest was very quiet. Occasionally, the roars of demonic beasts echoed through it. Every mercenary remained on high alert, for no one wanted to suffer an unexpected setback here.

After a while, Xiao Shuang frowned and waved for them to stop.

Though Xiao Lei was somewhat puzzled, he carried out the order without hesitation, his vigilant gaze sweeping over the surroundings.

"Over there. Two First-Tier Demonic Beasts. Take them out quickly," Xiao Shuang said in a low voice, pointing in a direction.

His perception was exceptionally sharp. The Extreme Cold Physique did not merely strengthen his body; even his soul power was constantly being nourished and enhanced.

If he reached the Dou Wang level, it might not be impossible for him to fight with soul power.

"Yes." Xiao Lei gave the other two mercenaries a look. They immediately understood, gripping their weapons as they slowly approached the bushes.

Sure enough, two First-Tier Demonic Beasts were lying there asleep.

The two exchanged a glance, and their weapons stabbed down viciously...