With one final, hoarse scream,
Bang!
Under everyone's gaze, Shi Ba's entire body exploded into dust.
"Hiss..."
A string of sharp breaths rang out. The mercenaries around them looked at the White-robed Youth with newfound awe.
The Wolf Head Mercenary Group's mercenaries, meanwhile, stared in terror. They had even forgotten to run, frozen in place with fright.
"Now, it's your turn."
Xiao Ling looked expressionlessly at the scum, but a flicker of delight crossed his mind. That scoundrel had just contributed three years and one month of lifespan to him.
As far as he knew, a human Nine-Star Dou Shi could contribute four years of lifespan... Magical beasts gave a little more... As for Dou Zhe, they could contribute anywhere from two to three years...
With that thought, Xiao Ling didn't hesitate. He stepped forward, his figure flashing repeatedly. Amid a series of hoarse screams, he returned to where he'd started—but this time, his expression was far from pleasant.
He'd only managed to plunder a single month of lifespan in total. There was no way he could look pleased.
He'd already asked the system, and it had told him these bastards were nothing but hastily made products. Their potential and vitality had already been drained...
"Damn it! Those bastards deserve to die!"
That Masked Black-clothed Person was practically out to spite him... He just didn't know why the other party had done it.
Various thoughts flickered through Xiao Ling's mind, and his expression gradually returned to normal. But a closer look still revealed a trace of gloom on his face.
Xiao Yi Xian, standing nearby, watched the White-robed Youth's expression. Worry clouded her gentle features. She reached out a slender hand and lightly tugged at his sleeve, speaking softly.
"Brother Ling Xiao, I... I'm sorry. Xian'er held you back... I... I'll work hard to catch up with you once I get back."
She knew he wouldn't have stepped in if not for her. She also understood that the Masked Black-clothed Person was no ordinary opponent, which was precisely why she worried. What if her Brother Ling Xiao got hurt fighting him?
Only now did she realize how weak she really was—not even able to lend him a hand.
Even the poison she'd prepared was of little use. And she didn't dare use it in front of the other party, either. She was afraid...
At her words, Xiao Ling came back to himself and looked at the gentle little angel before him. He smiled faintly, then pretended to be annoyed.
"You silly girl, don't be ridiculous. How did you hold me back? You just haven't found the right path for your cultivation yet. Once you do, you'll progress even faster than I do. Just don't complain that I'm the one holding you back then."
"Hehe, then Xian'er will protect Brother Ling Xiao."
Xiao Yi Xian smiled warmly and teased him.
"Deal!"
Xiao Ling smiled and nodded.
As if. Xiao Yi Xian had the E'nan Poison Body.
Once she got her hands on the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture he had, her cultivation speed wouldn't be much slower than his.
"Come on, let's head back first."
Xiao Ling waved a hand and started toward Qingshan Town.
Yao Wan'er, who had finally found a chance to speak, hurried after him and asked softly, "Young Master, what should we do about the Wolf Head Mercenary Group?"
She had a selfish motive for asking. Wanyao Pavilion had already offended them, and of course she didn't want to let that group of scum off so easily.
Otherwise, if they left after their training was over, wouldn't Wanyao Pavilion be in trouble?!
At her question, Xiao Ling glanced at her. He knew exactly what the pure-yet-seductive young woman had in mind, so he answered bluntly.
"Don't worry. I'll make the arrangements before I leave. I still have a use for the Wolf Head Mercenary Group."
That's right—he intended to use them as bait.
"Hehe, then I'll leave it to you, Young Master. If you need anything from Wanyao Pavilion, just ask."
Yao Wan'er let out a quiet sigh of relief. She lifted her pretty, alluring face toward the White-robed Youth and spoke with a mix of determination and playfulness.
"Mm."
Xiao Ling nodded casually. He understood what the young woman wanted: to make Wanyao Pavilion firmly take his side. Naturally, he had no reason to refuse.
As everyone returned to Qingshan Town, news spread through the tiny town in an instant, causing another huge commotion.
"Hey, have you heard? The Wolf Head Mercenary Group has lost another Third Commander."
"Please. I heard Shi Ba brought it on himself. A mere Dou Shi dared to provoke Young Master Ling..."
"He really did have it coming. I wonder if the Wolf Head Mercenary Group will swallow this one, too?"
"..."
Meanwhile, in the Wolf Head Mercenary Group's hall, Mu She, one of the people being discussed, sat with a dark expression and looked at the group of core members below him. His voice was gloomy.
"Can any of you tell me what the hell happened? Two Third Commanders dead in one week..."
No one present dared respond to Mu She's fury.
They didn't know whether their boss had someone backing him, but there was certainly a major power behind Young Master Ling. They were just hired hands—who would dare get involved in something like this?
Their silence made Mu She so angry he wanted to slap them all dead. In the end, he could only wave them away.
"Get out of here. Go do whatever you're supposed to do, and pretend you know nothing about this."
"Yes, Commander."
At his words, the so-called core members filed out one after another, murmuring among themselves.
Back at Wanyao Pavilion, Xiao Yi Xian looked at the Jade Bottle and the handwritten copy of the Poison Scripture before her. Warmth filled her beautiful eyes as she said sweetly,
"Thank you, Brother Ling Xiao."
A gentle look appeared in Xiao Ling's eyes. He smiled softly.
"Xian'er, I'm not giving these to you for free. When I come back next time, you'll have to make me a batch of poison. Got it?"
"No problem. Xian'er will save the best for you, Brother Ling Xiao," Xiao Yi Xian replied.
"You silly girl. I'll head back now. Xiao Zi will stay here with you for the time being. I wouldn't feel at ease otherwise."
After saying that, Xiao Ling gave Xiao Zi a few more instructions, then left Wanyao Pavilion with Xiao Ba in his arms and headed for his lodgings.
He'd originally planned to give Xiao Yi Xian the complete Seven-Colored Poison Scripture.
After thinking it over, though, he changed his mind. He'd only copied out all the sections on making and refining poison, keeping the most crucial parts to himself.
He still hadn't figured out how to resolve the E'nan Poison Body. With his current alchemy skills, he definitely couldn't follow the method from the original story... Xiao Yi Xian wouldn't be able to endure it, either...
Back in his room, Xiao Ling sat cross-legged on the bed and began sorting through what he'd gained on this trip.
The main haul included half a genuine Earth Core Life Pulse Marrow, eight hundred and fifty-six drops of fake marrow, some medicinal herbs, eight hundred thousand gold coins, the High-grade Profound Tier Dou Technique: Mad Lion Roar, the High-grade Profound Tier Flying Dou Technique: Eagle Wings, and more.
As he looked at Eagle Wings, a glint flashed through Xiao Ling's eyes. He opened the Dou Technique section and typed five characters into the search bar above.
"Heavenly Prison Thunder Wing"
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