Shimo City

"Brother Yang, what's wrong?" Ye Xian'er asked when she saw Wei Yang frowning.

"This scroll is a little strange." Wei Yang chuckled softly.

He turned to Aini, the female mercenary standing nearby with a nervous, uneasy look, and said, "I'm interested in this Black Iron Scroll. What do you want for it?"

Aini's face immediately lit up when she heard this. She hurriedly said, "It's enough that you like it, sir. As for... you can decide what to give me..."

She was very cautious and did not dare make any demands just because he had shown interest. It was enough to let him decide.

After all, in her mind, as long as an expert like him was pleased, even a little something slipping through his fingers would be incomparably precious to her.

Wei Yang gave her a somewhat surprised look. "You're quite interesting."

Then again, someone who could survive in this kind of environment and become the leader of a group of mercenaries as a woman could not possibly be simple.

Putting away the Black Iron Scroll, Wei Yang thought for a moment before taking out the cultivation methods and Dou Techniques he had obtained from Mu She and handing them to her. "See if these are enough."

Aini's eyes lit up. She carefully and respectfully accepted them, then looked them over.

Profound Tier Low-Grade cultivation method: Wind Dance Art.

Profound Tier Low-Grade movement Dou Technique: Phoenix Soaring Steps.

Profound Tier Low-Grade Dou Technique: Wind Blade Dance.

Yellow Tier High-Grade Dou Technique: Gale Stab.

Her heart surged with excitement. Three Profound Tier Low-Grade cultivation methods and Dou Techniques—cultivation, movement, and combat, a complete set.

Though it was a pity that they were all wind-attributed and incompatible with her earth attribute, she could trade or sell them!

Together, these four cultivation methods and Dou Techniques were worth at least over a hundred thousand Gold Coins.

"Is it enough?" Wei Yang raised a brow and asked, seeing her struggling to contain her excitement.

The surrounding mercenaries also looked over excitedly, secretly pricking up their ears.

Aini hurriedly calmed herself when she heard that. Taking a deep breath, she said respectfully, "It's enough. Thank you, sir."

"As long as you're satisfied." Wei Yang nodded, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his lips.

He was satisfied as well.

This Black Iron Scroll was clearly a good item. Though he did not yet know exactly what it was or what it did,

it was definitely not simple.

Trading some ordinary, useless things in his eyes for it so easily was an enormous profit.

It was practically a free gain.

Aini, too, had received a reward that satisfied her.

Both sides had gotten what they wanted, and everyone was happy.

At dusk.

The outline of a city faintly appeared on the horizon ahead.

As the distance closed, thick, heavy city walls gradually entered everyone's view.

This city standing in the desert, positioned on the frontier bordering the Snake People Race, was naturally different from the cities within the empire.

It carried a few more traces of majesty and solidity, with an air of iron-blooded strength and fortitude.

"Sir, Shimo City is up ahead," Aini said respectfully.

"Mm."

Wei Yang nodded and led Ye Xian'er away from the mercenary group.

His pace seemed slow, but each step actually carried him more than ten meters.

Under the somewhat envious and regretful gazes of Aini and the mercenary team, Wei Yang and Ye Xian'er soon arrived before the city gates. After paying the entrance fee, they followed the crowd into the city.

Only after a long while, when Wei Yang and Ye Xian'er had completely disappeared from sight, did the mercenaries slowly withdraw their gazes.

Aini sighed softly, deeply envious of that beautiful young girl, ethereal as an immortal.

But it was only envy.

Because she knew very well that they belonged to two entirely different worlds.

Though that young girl appeared delicate and weak, seemingly without any threat, how could a girl who stayed by that young lord's side possibly be simple?

"Boss," the mercenaries said one after another, looking at her with barely concealed excitement in their eyes.

Looking at her companions, a smile appeared on Aini's pretty, delicate face. "Brothers, not only did we make it back alive this time, we also struck it rich!"

"Yeah!" The team members immediately cheered with joy.

Aini smiled, barely containing her excitement.

With these gains, once I fully absorb them, I'll definitely become a Dou Shi! Aini thought.

As a Nine-star Dou Zhe, she was nothing in Shimo City, essentially existing at the bottom.

But becoming a Dou Shi would be different. Within Shimo City, she would count as a powerhouse. From then on, she would no longer be a bottom-tier mercenary who had to watch everyone else's expression.

Thinking of this, she impatiently waved her hand. "Let's go. We'll talk when we get back!"

With that, she twisted her slender, supple waist and strode ahead, her straight long legs moving as she took the lead.

"Let's go."

"Back we go."

"Haha."

Behind her, her companions laughed and followed.

Wei Yang held Ye Xian'er's hand as they strolled through the streets of Shimo City, feeling the bold gazes the desert women kept casting their way.

Those gazes were naked, bold, passionate, uninhibited, and fiery.

Of course, they were occasionally mixed with resentful, jealous looks from some men, along with dissatisfied snorts.

Wei Yang paid them no heed. With a calm expression, he led the rather curious Ye Xian'er, who was looking around everywhere, down the street.

Still, he could not help sighing inwardly at how passionate, uninhibited, and bold the women of the desert were.

But it was normal enough.

Though Wei Yang was only seventeen, he was already nearly 180 centimeters tall. Dressed in black brocade robes embroidered with golden cloud patterns, his hair bound with a jade clasp, he was slender and upright, fair-skinned and handsome, carrying an indescribable air about him.

Among the generally rugged men of this desert city, he naturally stood out.

Like gold amid sand, he drew the eye.

Of course, it was not only Wei Yang who attracted countless gazes. Ye Xian'er beside him drew even more heated stares.

Dressed in a simple white gown, she was like a pure white lotus quietly blooming amid the endless yellow sands. How could she not draw attention?

This made Ye Xian'er frown slightly. Those burning stares made her uncomfortable.

Wei Yang had no solution to that either. He could only shake his head helplessly and lead her forward at a faster pace.

Soon, they found a decent-looking inn ahead and entered.

They rented a superior room and had hot water prepared. The two of them washed up properly, cleansing away the dust and weariness of travel.

That night, Wei Yang casually meditated to cultivate for a while before retiring early.

They had flown continuously for seven days after setting out from Wu Tan City, then spent half the day walking through the desert. He felt mentally exhausted as well.

Especially because of that Black Iron Scroll during the day, his Soul Power had also been greatly depleted.

Because of this, he faintly had a feeling that the mysterious Black Iron Scroll might be another great opportunity.

It was only because of his current strength that he had yet to uncover the secret hidden within it.

But in the future, it might very well bring him a great surprise.

It was an instinctive intuition that naturally arose within Wei Yang's heart.

Early the next morning.

Following the directions they had asked for, the two made their way to a map shop called "Ancient Map."

Standing before the shop, Wei Yang curiously studied the somewhat plain-looking establishment.

Unlike the other shops, it was not ostentatious. At first glance, it seemed utterly unremarkable.

Yet within that ordinariness, it faintly exuded an ancient air.

This was the secluded residence of the famous angel investor, the Ice Emperor Hai Bodong, an old-established Dou Emperor powerhouse.

He was much like the famous investor Zhuge Tao from Swallowed Star.

Unfortunately, Wei Yang was not an alchemist. It seemed he had no fate with this man.

Still, the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame Remnant Map in his possession made Wei Yang drool with desire.

He really wanted to put a sack over the man's head at night and rob him.

"Ancient Map? This shop's name is so strange," Ye Xian'er said from beside him.

"Let's go in and buy a detailed map of the desert." Wei Yang smiled.

"Mm."

The two stepped into the shop.