Damn, Big Bro, Second Bro! What Took You So Long? Come on, Drink!

Everyone looked at Xue Lan in bewilderment.

Although the two leaders had mentioned a few days ago that their two younger brothers, who were also the third and fourth leaders of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group, were going to come, meeting them at this time and place was quite unexpected for them.

Moreover, it is said that the third and fourth regimental commanders were unable to cultivate Dou Qi, and the third and fourth regimental commanders inexplicably experienced a decline in their cultivation levels, remaining at the Three-Stage Dou Qi.

But judging from the performance of the third regimental commander just now, his strength is probably no less than that of the two regimental commanders.

"Xue Lan, have you met, uh, the Third Regiment Commander?"

Seeing this, Dan Zai couldn't help but ask.

"Yes, two and a half years ago, didn't the regimental commander ask me to escort a batch of goods to Wutan City? The third regimental commander was in charge of the handover. Do you remember the Fire Starter Stone that the second regimental commander personally watched over and dried in the sun for three months? Those were for the third regimental commander."

Xue Lan said with a smile.

"Oh! I remember now!"

Dan Zai and the others all looked enlightened upon hearing this.

This was a strange thing at the time, but since the second regimental commander didn't say anything, they didn't feel comfortable asking.

"Alright, lead the way back to Shi Mo City."

Xiao Yuan smiled upon hearing this and said.

"Good!"

Xue Lan nodded, and then arranged for her mercenaries to prepare for departure.

Xiao Yuan also took out a white robe and put it on.

After all, I'm going to see my two older brothers, so I should at least dress neatly and present myself smartly.

Wearing this white robe, Xiao Yuan's elegant and refined demeanor was once again highlighted.

Now everyone understood why Xue Lan had shown that expression.

She's got both good looks and talent; what girl wouldn't like her?

Half an hour later, the outline of a huge city located on the eastern outskirts of the Tagor Desert also faintly appeared in everyone's sight.

Looking at the Shi Mo City not far away, not only Xue Lan and the others breathed a sigh of relief, but even Xiao Yuan's smile broadened. Ten days of arduous training and walking in the desert, and almost getting lost in the desert, had left him quite exhausted.

Having a place to rest now is naturally something to be happy about for him.

The city in the desert, compared to the cities inside the empire, has a more rustic and profound feel. Perhaps because it is close to the Tagor Desert, the defenses here are much stricter than those inside the empire. Fully armed soldiers can be seen patrolling everywhere in the city.

After entering the city, Xiao Yuan followed Xue Lan and her group towards the south of the city. After turning several streets, a courtyard that was almost comparable in size to the Xiao Clan in Wutan City came into view.

Above the courtyard, a flag fluttered in the wind, bearing the large characters of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group, subtly revealing an aura of iron-blooded toughness.

"In this Shi Mo City, our Desert Iron Mercenary Group ranks among the top three in strength. Only the Sand Mercenary Group can surpass us. Their leader is a Da Dou Shi, so the Sand Mercenary Group's position is unshakeable. Apart from the Sand Mercenary Group, in the entire Shi Mo City, only the Storm Mercenary Group can barely match us."

As they walked toward the courtyard, Xue Lan greeted Xiao Yuan with a beaming smile and began to introduce the place to him.

Xiao Yuan nodded in agreement.

His eldest brother, Xiao Ding, was always incredibly clever and resourceful, while his second brother, Xiao Li, was cautious, ruthless, shrewd, and cunning.

Both of them are quite talented. At around twenty years old, they have already reached the level of Dou Shi. Although they are not top-tier, they can be considered to have super S-level potential according to the admission standards of the Jia Nan Academy.

However, for the sake of their two younger brothers, Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan, whose cultivation abilities were somewhat unusual at the time, the two did not go to the Jia Nan Academy. Instead, they chose to travel and eventually came to this vast desert to make a living, hoping to build a place for their two younger brothers to settle down.

As the elder brother, Xiao Yuan was deeply moved by his actions. Sincerity begets sincerity, and the four brothers in the family have a very good relationship.

Following Xue Lan, they walked through several paths and encountered many members of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group. When they saw Xiao Yuan, a look of surprise appeared on their faces, and they began to whisper among themselves.

"Hehe, the two commanders often mention you and Young Master Xiao Yan. It seems that the guy I sent back to report earlier has already spread the word about you."

Looking at the expressions of the mercenaries around her, Xue Lan turned her head and smiled Nalan Yanran.

Xiao Yuan nodded calmly and gave a friendly smile to the mercenaries who were looking over.

Following Xue Lan through a narrow alley, a spacious hall appeared before them. Hearing the two familiar male voices coming from inside, Xiao Yuan's smile widened, and he called out, "Big brother, second brother! I've missed you so much!"

Xue Lan, who was standing to the side, had only ever seen Xiao Yuan calm and decisive in the past. Now, seeing the handsome young man's eyes filled with excitement and eagerness, and his outburst of shouting, she was quite surprised.

As Xiao Yuan shouted, the door was pulled open, and a tall figure walked out. He was dressed in mercenary clothing, and his dark eyes revealed a languid and sinister look. His face was full of smiles, but beneath that smile, there was a hint of ferocity like that of a wolf.

But when his gaze fell upon the handsome young man before him, the fierceness hidden in his smile vanished instantly, replaced by a warm and radiant smile.

"Second brother, did you miss me?"

Xiao Yuan asked with a smile, his eyes gleaming with barely concealed excitement.

"Haha, Xiao Yuan, I didn't expect you to get here so quickly!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Li stepped forward, hugged Xiao Yuan tightly, and patted his shoulder heavily, his voice also full of excitement and joy.

"Isn't this because I miss my older brothers? Haha!"

Xiao Yuan hugged Xiao Li tightly and said with a smile.

"I heard you've already done a Dou Shi battle? Hehe, all those three months of sunbathing really paid off!"

Xiao Li released Xiao Yuan, looked him up and down, and asked with a smile.

"Thanks to my second brother's help!"

Xiao Yuan nodded upon hearing this and expressed his sincere gratitude.

"Come on, let's go inside and see your older brother. He always talks about you."

As he spoke, Xiao Li grabbed Xiao Yuan and, without even saying goodbye to Xue Lan beside him, turned and rushed into the hall.

Upon entering the hall, Xiao Yuan's gaze immediately fell upon his elder brother, Xiao Ding, who sat at the head of the table. Dressed in a white robe, Xiao Ding smiled as he watched Xiao Yuan enter the room. His eyes, brighter than those of ordinary people, revealed a hint of wisdom and an imperceptible cunning.

"Xiao Yuan, it's only been a few years, but you've grown up so much!"

Xiao Ding slowly stood up, looked at Xiao Yuan who was even taller than Xiao Li, a hint of doting and gentleness flashing in his eyes, and smiled.

"Big brother."

Xiao Yuan stepped forward and gave Xiao Ding a hug, then jokingly said, "Big brother is getting more and more handsome and dashing. I wonder how many girls he will charm in the future."

Xiao Ding was speechless upon hearing this, shook his head, and then retorted, "You little rascal, you're teasing me now. How are things going with that girl Xiao Yu? She's liked you since she was little, you can't tell, can you?"

"Hehe, it's pretty good."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuan smiled shyly and scratched his head.

Upon seeing this, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li exchanged a smile, naturally understanding Xiao Yuan's meaning.

"By the way, didn't you come out on a training trip with Little Yanzi? Why didn't you come along?"

Xiao Li, who was standing to the side, suddenly asked.

"Xiao Yan has been favored by a high-level alchemist and has been taken as his last disciple. Don't worry, he'll be fine."

Xiao Yuan smiled and comforted him upon hearing this.

"Tsk, an alchemist!"

Xiao Li couldn't help but gasp in surprise upon hearing this.

Having experienced so many years of training, he naturally knew what an alchemist represented, and now he felt much more at ease with Xiao Yan.

"Xiao Yuan, when you and Little Yanzi went out, Father sent us a message saying that you had broken through to the Dou Shi. The mercenary who just came back to report also said that your strength is already at the Dou Shi level. What is your strength now?"

Xiao Ding looked at Xiao Yuan with a hint of curiosity and asked with a smile.

Five stars, I'd say.

Xiao Yuan smiled faintly.

"Hiss!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Li's eyes widened, he gasped, and stared at Xiao Yuan with astonishment.

In less than two years, this little guy actually went from having no Dou Qi qi to reaching five stars? He's even one star stronger than me? Xiao Ding looked at Xiao Yuan in shock and blinked.

This kid has actually caught up with me?

After a moment of astonishment, Xiao Ding came to his senses, shook his head, and said helplessly, "Your talent, if word got out, would probably scare people to death!"

"Indeed, you're on par with your older brother now!"

While sighing, Xiao Li couldn't help but glance at Xiao Yuan again.

"I have a little over a year left before I have to go to the Nalan Residence to break off the engagement. I can't do it without some strength. What if I can't beat Nalan Yanran? Wouldn't that bring shame to the family?"

Xiao Yuan smiled slightly upon hearing this and said calmly.

"Cancel the engagement?"

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were taken aback. After a moment, the smile on Xiao Li's face gradually faded, and his expression became much more sinister. He said, "Father did mention this matter briefly, but as the person involved, you should tell me and your elder brother the details, right? I heard that Nalan Yanran even brought people from the Misty Cloud Sect to our home?"

"Hehe, it's nothing really."

Xiao Yuan smiled and then recounted what had happened to his two elder brothers.

"Actually, it wouldn't be a problem if they just came to break off the engagement. The main problem is that they brought people from the Misty Cloud Sect here, intending to use force to threaten my father. That's really not very smart. However, in the Douqi Continent, the strong are respected. To place your hopes on past relationships and other people's conscience is an unrealistic and weak mentality."

Fortunately, my talent is passable for now. She wouldn't want to be with a good-for-nothing she doesn't know, and why would I want to spend the rest of my life with a stupid person who embarrasses my father? This Douqi Continent is so vast; there are many women more outstanding than her.

Xiao Yuan concluded with a faint smile.

"You're quite open-minded!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ding's eyes flickered slightly, and he smiled as he spoke.

"In the past, I didn't have a good impression of the Misty Cloud Sect, but recently I met another woman from the Misty Cloud Sect. She is far more outstanding than Nalan Yanran."

A knowing smile appeared on Xiao Yuan's face.

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li naturally understood their younger brother and immediately realized that he had taken a liking to the woman mentioned in the conversation, and they immediately started gossiping.

"Explain in detail?"

Xiao Li put his arm around Xiao Yuan's shoulder and said with a smile.

"Ahem, Second Brother, don't be in a hurry. Let me keep you in suspense for now. We can talk about it after we've established a relationship. Anyway, she's a hundred, a thousand, even ten thousand times better than that Nalan Yanran!"

Xiao Yuan paused for a moment, then said mysteriously.

"Hehe, I'm really looking forward to it. But don't let Xiao Yu down."

Xiao Ding smiled and nodded upon hearing this, then became serious and gave a warning.

"Don't worry, brother, don't you understand my personality?"

Xiao Yuan nodded seriously upon hearing this, thumped his chest, and looked full of confidence.

"Yes, I've always trusted you."

Xiao Ding nodded slightly and said with a smile.

"Alright, let's not talk about that anymore. I've been waiting for you for ages! Come on, let's have a good drink tonight!"

Xiao Li laughed heartily, put his arm around Xiao Yuan's shoulder, and said enthusiastically.

"Alright! Let's drink until we're completely drunk!"

Xiao Yuan also laughed loudly.