Xuanjia Mercenary Group

"That makes sense."

Xia Shi nodded in agreement.

"By the way, Mom and Dad, how have you been these past few years?"

Xia Yang asked his parents with concern.

"We're still the same as always."

Xia Shi said with a smile, "Your mother and I are both at the Soul Emperor level now."

"She served as the Vice Bishop of the Precious Sword City branch, while I formed a Mercenary Group nearby."

"Mercenary Group?"

Xia Yang immediately became interested and quickly asked, "What's its name? How big is it? How strong is it?"

"The Mercenary Group is called the Xuanjia Mercenary Group, and it has just been established for two years."

Xia Shi explained in detail, "However, the scale is not large because we are targeting an elite group."

"I usually take on commissions to assist in Soul Hunting, and occasionally I organize Soul Hunting beasts myself for sale."

"Dad, can I go with you to see the Mercenary Group tomorrow?"

Xia Yang asked expectantly, "I've never seen a real Mercenary Group before."

"What's so interesting about a Mercenary Group?"

Xia Shi said this, but his eyes were filled with a smile.

"But you really should go out and broaden your horizons more."

"Since you want to go, let's go together."

"Very good!"

Xia Yang's joy was evident on his face.

Huo Yang suddenly remembered something and asked, "Yang'er, did you graduate from the Martial Soul Academy this time?"

Not yet.

Xia Yang sighed and explained, "I came back this time because I encountered a bottleneck in my cultivation. I wanted to go home to relax and see if I could find an opportunity to break through."

"Bottleneck? What level are you now?"

"Father Xia Shi asked with concern."

"Level 29, I've been stuck here for almost half a year."

Xia Yang's tone carried a hint of disappointment.

"To reach level 29 with Innate Half-Level Soul Power at the age of 19 is already quite impressive."

Xia Shi patted his son on the shoulder, his tone comforting.

"The path of cultivation is inherently long; there's no need to rush."

"Why!"

The father and son both sighed.

"Alright, alright, today is a good day for Yang'er to come home, he should be happy."

Huo Yang interrupted the father and son's conversation at the right moment.

"Come on, let's drink!"

"Yes, we should be happy!"

Xia Shi raised his glass, a smile returning to his face.

The three raised their glasses in celebration, and warm laughter filled the room once again.

The flickering candlelight illuminated the family's joyful figures, adding a touch of warmth to this ordinary night.

Soon, it was the morning of the next day.

The morning sunlight streamed into the house. After washing up, Xia Yang had a simple breakfast with his parents and then went out with his father, Xia Shi.

The two walked through the bustling streets of Precious Sword City and headed straight for the Jianshan Mountain Range Outside the city.

Xia Yang's purpose in this trip was to see firsthand the Xuanjia Mercenary Group, which his father had personally established.

After leaving the city, the father and son rode at full speed and soon arrived at the entrance to the Jianshan Mountain Range.

Outside the entrance is a wide plaza made of natural rocks.

By this time, quite a few people had already gathered here.

Among them were Soul Master who came specifically to Soul Hunting, members of other Mercenary Group, and many independent Soul Master who made a living by relying on the mountains.

The square was bustling with noise and activity.

Looking from the square into the depths of the mountains, one can see steep peaks rising abruptly from the ground, shaped like sharp swords piercing the sky.

This unique landform is the reason why the "Jianshan Mountain Range" got its name.

As Xia Yang looked around, he asked, "Is this where the Mercenary Group usually gathers to accept missions?"

"That's right."

Xia Shi nodded and said, "We usually meet here to see if there are any suitable missions available."

"Isn't there a fixed location like the ' Mercenary Guild '?"

Xia Yang asked with some curiosity.

There's no such thing.

Xia Shi smiled and explained, "You should know that the Jianshan Mountain Range is right next to Precious Sword City, and Precious Sword City is an important branch of the Spirit Hall."

"Most of the Soul Master in the vicinity who wanted a peaceful life would have already joined the Spirit Hall."

"Most of those who choose to stay here as mercenaries are restless at heart."

"What about the remaining small portion?"

Xia Yang pressed for an answer.

"The remaining small portion?"

Xia Shi glanced at his son and said half-jokingly, "Those are more solitary and unruly 'lone wolf' Soul Master."

Xia Yang nodded thoughtfully, then asked, "Dad, where is your Mercenary Group?"

"Come with me."

As Xia Shi spoke, he led Xia Yang toward a corner of the square.

There stood three men and one woman. Although they appeared relaxed, their eyes revealed a sharp and capable demeanor.

Xia Yang immediately recognized them as members of his father's Xuanjia Mercenary Group.

Sure enough, Xia Shi led him straight to the four people, smiling as he said, "You guys are here early."

"Perfect, let my son meet him—this is Xia Yang, I've mentioned him to you often."

Xia Shi then turned to Xia Yang and introduced them, "Yang'er, these four are the core members of our Xuanjia Mercenary Group."

Xia Yang stepped forward and politely said, "Hello, my name is Xia Yang, my Martial Soul is skeleton, and I am a level 29 Soul Grandmaster."

"I came here with my father mainly to experience life in Mercenary Group. I hope you will all give me your guidance."

The only woman among the four laughed first, cheerfully introducing herself. "Haha, so you're Xia Yang!"

"We've heard the commander mention you countless times, and today we finally get to meet you in person!"

The female Soul Master had a neat short haircut and wore a black bodysuit, making her look heroic and capable.

Xia Shi added from the side, "Yang'er, this is Tong Qian. Her Martial Soul is the Paradise Bird, and she's a level 36 Soul Elder. In the group, she mainly provides support and crowd control, and also handles some reconnaissance work."

Hello, Sister Qian.

Xia Yang greeted him obediently.

"Good lad, you're so sensible!"

Tong Qian smiled even more broadly.

She then nudged her teammates with her elbow and urged, "Why don't you all introduce yourselves? What are you waiting for?"

A tall, thin man spoke first, "My Zhang Cang, my Martial Soul is the Azure Sky White Sun Bow, and I am a level 38 Soul Elder."

Another Soul Master beside him, whose face was slightly pale and whose demeanor was calm, continued, "Zhang Dong, Martial Soul: Flame Thorns, Level 43 Soul Ancestor."

Xia Shi explained to his son, "Zhang Cang and Zhang Dong are brothers; Zhang Cang is the older brother, and Zhang Dong is the younger brother."

Xia Yang nodded to indicate that he understood, then turned his gaze to the last person.

He was an extremely burly man, his solid muscles bulging out of his blue coarse cloth shirt, and his full beard gave him a rather fierce look.

However, his first words were a hearty laugh, and he said in a very friendly tone, "It's me left! My name is Wei Long, my Martial Soul is the Arctic Ice Bear, and I'm a level 55 Battle Soul Master."

Xia Yang greeted them in turn, "Hello, Uncle Zhang Uncle Wei."

Upon hearing this, Wei Long deliberately put on a stern face and joked, "Hey? You call her ' Sister Qian,' but here she's 'Uncle'?"

"Is it because Tong Qian is pretty?"