Cao Ying Was Not Amused

Stone Desert City.

After entering the city, Shen Wen and the other two, who had come from Mo City, once again randomly grabbed a passerby and directly asked where the Desert Iron Mercenary Group was.

The passerby had been irritable and defiant, but upon seeing Shen Wen's clothes, he silently pointed out the way and hurried off.

Just as in Mo City.

"Are you planning to ask the mercenary group here for help?"

Cao Ying kept recalling Shen Wen's words, "No matter who comes, you're the prettiest," and her tone could not help softening considerably.

"Yes. Even if we have a general area, we'll still need people to help search."

Shen Wen nodded.

"But... forget it."

Cao Ying had actually wanted to ask why Shen Wen knew so much about this place.

Hadn't he said he was an orphan?

Or could it be that Shen Wen had contacted his former family, and that family had long been entrenched here?

Cao Ying wanted to get to the bottom of it, but then remembered that she and Shen Wen were only in a marriage of convenience. She had no standing to ask about something so private.

And Shen Wen had agreed to help her find the Green Lotus Core Flame only because of the Soul Contract!

Marriage of convenience, again with the marriage of convenience!

Damn marriage of convenience!!!

Cao Ying could not even relate to her former self from some time ago.

Before long, Shen Wen and the others arrived at the Desert Iron Mercenary Group in the south of the city. This mercenary group was fairly well-known, and its compound was quite large.

Several burly men stood outside the entrance, while above the compound, a flag swayed in the wind, bearing the large words "Desert Iron Mercenary Group."

"This place..."

The burly men at the entrance saw Shen Wen approaching.

They had just been about to stop him when a burst of pressure pinned them down. They could not even open their mouths, and their feet seemed rooted to the ground.

At that moment.

A woman around twenty walked out from the compound. Her pretty face was quite delicate, and her light brows gave her a heroic air.

She was also dressed rather boldly. Her short top covered only her breasts and the area beneath them.

Her sexy, bronzed little waist was exposed to the air, while a stretch of long, alluring thigh showed beneath her short leather skirt.

Cao Ying glanced at the woman.

Hmph!

She was dressed far too revealingly. Shen Wen definitely would not like her!!

When the woman saw Shen Wen's group, her pretty face first registered shock. "Who are you people?!"

How had outsiders come in? Why had no one outside reported it?!

"Tell your commander to come see me," Shen Wen said flatly. Xue Lan fell silent for a moment and wisely did not question who Shen Wen was.

Instead, she hurried back inside. Soon, two young men with similar appearances walked out, one dressed in white robes and the other in mercenary attire.

They could not make out the exact appearance of the badge hanging on Shen Wen's chest, but they knew it was an Alchemist's badge.

"Greetings, sir!"

When traveling outside.

A sharp pair of eyes was the most important thing. At first glance, Xiao Ding saw Shen Wen's bearing and knew he was either wealthy or noble, as well as the faint Medicinal Fragrance on him.

That was something left behind only by years of pill refinement.

Moreover, even the sentries outside had been unable to send any report. Putting everything together.

Xiao Ding knew this man could not be provoked!

"Let's talk inside."

Shen Wen glanced at Xiao Ding. He figured he could already estimate Xiao Yan's appearance from Xiao Ding, though he did not know how Xiao Yan was doing now.

He held no hostility toward Xiao Yan. After all, Lucky Brother was an outstanding young man who had received nine years of compulsory education.

At the very least, everyone who followed him, no matter how much hardship they endured along the way, received decent treatment in the end.

Old Yao, in particular, had even become a supreme existence in the Endless Fire Territory.

His character was far better than that of some little bastard.

The only thing Shen Wen complained about was how that guy flirted everywhere. It made his liver ache just watching.

Since you were devoted, then just be devoted to Xiao Xun'er.

As for the remaining flowers, he, the flower admirer, would properly cherish them.

"Uh, alright."

Xiao Ding nodded and led Shen Wen's group into the reception hall of the compound.

The three sat down.

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li did not dare sit, merely standing respectfully. Shen Wen removed his hood, and surprise flashed through Xiao Ding and Xiao Li's eyes when they saw his handsome face.

Even from a man's perspective, Shen Wen was handsome.

As an Alchemist, he possessed an elegant temperament, but after cultivating the Azure Heaven Dragon Transformation Art, it had blended with an overbearing, savage aura.

Even people of the same sex could find no fault with him.

"I need your help locating Heavenly Flames."

Upon hearing the words "Heavenly Flames," Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were both startled.

They exchanged a glance. As expected, he was an Alchemist.

Watching the brothers' changing expressions, Shen Wen said calmly, "I know the area where the Heavenly Flames may be located, but the range is still not small.

Searching with just the three of us would take too much time and effort. I need the manpower of your mercenary group."

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li exchanged another look.

Xiao Li was more decisive by nature. He knew full well that this was a rare opportunity for the Desert Iron Mercenary Group.

If they could forge ties with someone who was clearly a high-ranking Alchemist, the benefits to the entire mercenary group and to themselves would be immeasurable.

He immediately clasped his fist and said solemnly, "Rest assured, sir. My Desert Iron Mercenary Group will do everything in our power and will not fail your trust!"

He did not even take the initiative to mention compensation, showing his sincerity.

Xiao Ding was more meticulous. After pondering for a moment, he added, "Sir, Stone Desert City is not ruled solely by our Desert Iron Mercenary Group.

There is also the Sand Mercenary Group. Its commander, Luo Bu, is a Da Dou Shi, and he has always been at odds with us.

If we conduct large-scale operations in a particular area outside the city, it may draw their attention and interference..."

Hearing this, Shen Wen's lips curved slightly. He casually took out a Jade Bottle from his Storage Ring and tossed it to Xiao Ding.

"There are Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pills inside, enough to help you two break through to Da Dou Shi. Consider it advance payment."

His voice was calm, as if he had merely tossed out ordinary candy.

"Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pills?!"

Xiao Ding fumbled to catch the Jade Bottle, then carefully opened the stopper. A rich Medicinal Fragrance instantly spread through the room.

Five round pills lay at the bottom of the bottle, each with three clear patterns circling its surface.

"This is...?"

Xiao Ding asked carefully. They were not Alchemists and could not tell what it was, but he could sense that it was something precious.

Just by smelling the Medicinal Fragrance, he could feel his Dou Qi trembling.

"Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pills. They can help a Dou Master break through a bottleneck. With your cultivation, taking one should allow you to enter the Da Dou Shi realm."

"They are also useful to Da Dou Shi, but if a Da Dou Shi takes one, there is a certain chance of backlash."

"There are five pills inside. Consider them your compensation."

"One pill can let a Dou Master enter the Da Dou Shi realm?"

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li swallowed, shock flashing through their eyes. Pills that increased cultivation were the most precious of all.

There were five of them here?

Did that mean there were five Da Dou Shi in this bottle?

Then what did they have to fear from Luo Bu!

"Thank you for your generous reward, sir!" Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were so excited that their voices trembled as they bowed deeply.

At that moment, a young girl in light green clothes entered with her head lowered, carefully carrying a tea tray.

She looked quite young, thin and frail, and her movements carried a trace of timidity as she placed tea before Shen Wen, Cao Ying, and Dan Chen one by one.

Both Cao Ying and Dan Chen noticed the young girl.

After serving the tea, the young girl kept her head down and lightly stepped toward the exit.

"Wait."

Shen Wen's voice rang out, stopping the green-clad young girl who was about to leave.

Cao Ying was not amused!

Beneath her hood, Cao Ying gritted her silver teeth. This guy!

She would cut his Magic Cores in half afterward!!