What Are You Humans... Looking For?

Shen Wen's expression turned grave as his gaze swept over the slowly rotating, gradually forming embryonic pill within the Medicine Cauldron.

The Yin Yang Profound Dragon Pill had reached its most critical moment.

If he interrupted now,

not only would the Yin Yang Profound Dragon Pill be completely ruined, but it might even trigger a backlash from the pill flame.

Yet if he did not go to their aid, Brother Xiao Ding and the Desert Iron Mercenary Group would surely meet with disaster.

Shen Wen was not some indiscriminate do-gooder, but neither could he stand by and watch such a thing happen.

What was more, the Green Lotus Core Flame might also fall into Medusa's hands.

For a moment,

Shen Wen found himself in a dilemma, and even the Soul Power controlling the flames showed the slightest imperceptible fluctuation.

The flames within the cauldron swayed in response.

Cao Ying, who had been closely watching Shen Wen all along, immediately noticed the change in him.

Quick-witted as she was, combining Qing Lin's pale face from earlier with Shen Wen's current reaction, she instantly guessed most of the situation.

"Something happened over there?" she asked.

"Qing Lin sensed that it should be Medusa. But here, I..."

"Dan Chen and I will go first!" Cao Ying directly cut him off. "You focus on refining the pill. A Seventh-Grade Pill cannot afford any mistakes.

"I'm already a Five-Star Dou Huang, and I still have an Imperial Pill. If necessary, taking it can raise my cultivation by one star.

"On top of that, I've now gained an initial grasp of the Red Emperor Fire Sovereign Qi.

"My control over flames is no longer what it used to be, and my Soul Realm has reached the Spirit Realm. Even if Medusa is at the Dou Huang Peak..."

"Even if I can't defeat her, can't I hold out for a while?"

She paused before continuing, "Besides, Sister Dan Chen will be there to support me. Her Soul Power is special and may prove remarkably effective at a critical moment.

"We also have all kinds of pills on us for protection, enough to last until you finish refining and arrive."

"It's too dangerous..." Shen Wen said. "How about... I give up on this batch of pills? We can look for it again later."

"Don't worry!" Cao Ying's lips curved into a seductive yet confident smile. "I'm Cao Ying. I won't die that easily!

"I'm still waiting to obtain the Green Lotus Core Flame and surpass you in alchemy someday! How could I stumble here?

"Finish the pill as quickly as possible, then come at once!"

"When you need my help, how could I possibly refuse? I'm not some decorative vase!"

With that, she gave Shen Wen no chance to object and directly said to Dan Chen and Qing Lin, "Sister Dan Chen, Qing Lin, let's go! Let's meet this Medusa!"

Although Dan Chen was timid by nature, she knew the situation was urgent and nodded forcefully as she rose to her feet.

Qing Lin stepped to Cao Ying's side without the slightest hesitation.

Though she was afraid, her eyes were resolute. She had to lead the way. She had to save Captain Xiao Ding and the others.

Cao Ying gave Shen Wen one final deep look, her gaze seeming to say, Trust me.

Then, without further hesitation, she took Dan Chen and Qing Lin with her. The three transformed into streaks of light and instantly shot out of the room.

They sped toward the flames marked on the map in the Eastern Region of Stone Desert City.

The secret chamber returned to silence, leaving only the faint crackling of flames burning within the Medicine Cauldron.

Shen Wen suppressed the distracting thoughts in his heart and said, "If necessary, save them!"

"Yes! But the master instructed that unless an enemy who is also a Dou Zun makes a move,

if I intervene under any other circumstances, the Young Mistress's training will end here!"

A voice answered.

"Damn old man!"

Shen Wen grumbled, but he understood Old Monster Lin's reasoning.

If she needed her Guardian's help for everything while training outside, then there was no point in training at all.

He then focused all his Soul Power and concentration on the Medicine Cauldron before him.

The embryonic pill slowly rotated within the flames, emitting an increasingly rich medicinal fragrance and powerful energy fluctuations.

Following the map, the Desert Iron Mercenary Group launched a large-scale search through the Eastern Region of Stone Desert City.

Several hundred mercenaries split into teams and combed through the vast desert like a rake.

Such a major operation naturally could not escape the notice of Stone Desert City's other great faction.

Luo Bu, the captain of the Sand Mercenary Group, quickly received the news. As he listened to his subordinate report the Desert Iron Mercenary Group's unusual movements, a trace of greed flashed in his eyes.

"What are those two brats, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, sneaking around the eastern desert looking for?

"With such a huge commotion, it definitely isn't anything ordinary!"

Luo Bu stroked his chin. "Pass down the order. Gather the men and come with me to take a look! Whatever 'treasure' they find might just need a new owner!"

Not long afterward, Luo Bu led the Elite of the Sand Mercenary Group to the Desert Iron Mercenary Group's search area with an imposing air.

"Xiao Ding! Xiao Li! Get the hell out here!" Luo Bu circulated his Dou Qi, his voice exploding across the desert like rolling thunder.

Hearing him, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li's expressions darkened, and they led their men forward to meet him.

"Captain Luo Bu, what do you mean by this? This is the search area of our Desert Iron Mercenary Group," Xiao Ding said calmly.

"What do I mean?"

Luo Bu sneered, unleashing the aura of a Da Dou Shi without restraint and pressing it down upon the Desert Iron Mercenary Group.

"Did your family open the Tagor Desert? What treasure are you looking for here? Those who see it get a share, so tell us about it!"

Xiao Li was about to step forward, but Xiao Ding grabbed him.

"Big Brother, should we invoke Lord Shen Wen's name?" Xiao Li asked in a low voice.

Xiao Ding gently shook his head and transmitted his voice, "No!

"Lord Shen Wen gave us pills so that we could solve our own problems, not rely on his name in every matter.

"Didn't we both break through to the Da Dou Shi realm two days ago? This is our chance to absorb the Sand Mercenary Group and truly dominate Stone Desert City!"

"Luo Bu, what we are searching for is none of your concern. If you want to fight, then fight! Let's see whether the Sand Mercenary Group will still exist in Stone Desert City after today!"

Luo Bu flew into a rage. "Arrogant! Just the likes of you? Get them! Wipe out the Desert Iron Mercenary Group!"

"Kill!"

The two sides instantly descended into a melee.

The crashes of Dou Qi and the cries of battle shook the heavens.

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li exchanged a glance. Under Luo Bu's horrified gaze, their auras erupted and instantly reached the level of Da Dou Shi!

"How is that possible?!" Luo Bu could hardly believe it.

Xiao Ding's swordsmanship was exquisite, while Xiao Li's spear techniques were fierce and savage. The brothers coordinated flawlessly, firmly suppressing Luo Bu.

The longer Luo Bu fought, the more terrified he became. Several wounds had already appeared on his body, and his defeat was beginning to show.

The urge to retreat rose within him, but how could the Xiao brothers give him the chance? Their offensive grew ever sharper.

Just as Xiao Li thrust his spear toward Luo Bu's chest, at the crucial moment that would determine the battle's outcome,

a terrifying aura descended upon the battlefield like a sudden storm!

At some point, the sky had darkened.

Everyone felt a tremor rise from the depths of their souls. They involuntarily stopped what they were doing and looked in horror toward the source of that aura.

High in the sky, an incomparably graceful figure stood silently.

She wore a luxurious purple embroidered robe that perfectly wrapped around her voluptuous, mature body.

Beneath the robe, a section of purple snake tail was exposed, swaying languidly.

Looking upward, they saw a face so bewitchingly beautiful that it stole one's breath.

Her narrow pale-purple eyes rippled with seductive charm, as though they could hook away the soul of any man.

Yet beneath that allure lay an indifference that looked down upon all living things.

Simply standing there, she seemed to become the center of heaven and earth. Even the raging sandstorm fell still for her.

Medusa!

Her indifferent gaze swept over the crowd fighting below.

Her crimson lips parted slightly, and her voice rang in everyone's ears:

"Humans, what are you... looking for?"