Kissed a Seven-Star Dou King? That's too bold!

Xiao Li threw a punch, the wind whistling with the force of his strike. He didn't use his full strength, holding back to thirty percent; after all, the person opposite him was his cousin, and it wouldn't be easy to explain to the family if he accidentally caused an injury.

Xiao Chen watched the incoming fist and sidestepped to avoid it.

Xiao Li was stunned for a moment. His punch hadn't been slow, and at thirty percent power, it still carried enough weight that an average person wouldn't be able to dodge it, yet Xiao Chen had evaded it with apparent ease.

"Again," Xiao Li said, this time channeling fifty percent of his strength into a punch aimed at Xiao Chen's chest.

Xiao Chen reached out and blocked Xiao Li's fist.

Xiao Li's expression changed; his fist striking Xiao Chen's palm felt like hitting an iron plate—it didn't budge an inch.

"Use more force," Xiao Chen said.

Xiao Li gritted his teeth and increased his power to seventy percent, but it still didn't move. Even at full power, it remained completely unmoved.

Beads of sweat broke out on Xiao Li's forehead. He retracted his fist and stepped back twice, his eyes filled with shock as he looked at Xiao Chen.

"What exactly is your cultivation level?"

Xiao Chen did not speak.

The surrounding mercenaries watched the scene, completely dumbfounded.

"The Vice-Captain lost?"

"How is that possible? The Vice-Captain is a Dou Shi level expert."

"That youth barely moved and caught all of the Vice-Captain's attacks."

"Just how strong is this kid?"

The mercenaries whispered among themselves, their expressions shifting from contempt to shock.

Xiao Ding stood to the side, a flash of surprise in his eyes as he watched. He knew Xiao Li's strength well; at the Dou Shi level, he was considered top-tier in Shimo City, yet he couldn't even last a single exchange against Xiao Chen. This Xiao Chen was no simple character.

Qing Lin stood nearby, her eyes filled with adoration as she looked at Xiao Chen. Young Master is too strong. Those people didn't think much of him just a moment ago, and now they're all stunned.

Xiao Li regained his composure, walked over to Xiao Chen, and patted his shoulder. "You've been hiding your strength well, kid."

Xiao Chen smiled but remained silent.

Just as Xiao Ding was about to speak, a flurry of panicked footsteps echoed from outside. A mercenary stumbled in, his face deathly pale.

"Captain, something has happened."

Xiao Ding frowned. "What is it?"

"Outside... there are people outside," the mercenary panted. "Many of our brothers have been killed."

Xiao Ding's expression darkened. The Sand Mercenary Group? In Shimo City, the only ones who dared to move against the Desert Iron Mercenary Group were the Sand Mercenary Group. The two factions had been feuding for years, neither able to gain the upper hand.

"It's not them," the mercenary shook his head. "It's the Snake-People."

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock in the other's eyes. Snake-People? The Snake-Person Tribe rarely left the Tagor Desert, let alone came to Shimo City to stir up trouble. What was going on today?

"How many came?" Xiao Ding asked.

"Not many," the mercenary replied, "but they are all very strong. Our brothers couldn't stop them at all."

Xiao Ding was silent for a moment. "What did they say?"

"They said..." The mercenary glanced at Xiao Chen, hesitating.

"What did they say?" Xiao Li pressed.

"They said to throw Young Master Xiao Chen out; they want to kill him," the mercenary said, bracing himself.

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li looked at Xiao Chen simultaneously. The Snake-People were here for him?

"Xiao Chen, what exactly did you do?" Xiao Li asked.

Xiao Chen said indifferently, "Nothing much. Just killed a few Snake-People and kissed one."

Qing Lin lowered her head, her face turning red.

The mercenaries looked at each other, their faces filled with disbelief. Killed Snake-People? And kissed one? This youth had too much nerve.

"Who did you kiss?" Xiao Li asked.

"Yue Mei," Xiao Chen said.

"Who is Yue Mei?"

"A Seven-Star Dou King of the Snake-Person Tribe."

Everyone present froze. A Seven-Star Dou King—that was a powerhouse at the Dou King level. There were only a few in the entire Jia Ma Empire. He kissed a Dou King and was still alive?

"Xiao Chen, are you joking?" Xiao Li's voice trembled.

Xiao Chen looked at him. "Do I look like I'm joking?"

Xiao Li fell silent, and Xiao Ding followed suit.

The surrounding mercenaries began to grow restless.

"It's over, it's over. The Snake-People are here for him, and we're being dragged into this."

"Exactly, he's seeking his own death, why drag us down with him?"

"Commander, just hand him over, otherwise we're all going to die."

"That's right, Commander, it's not worth it for an outsider."

The voices of the mercenaries grew louder and increasingly unpleasant.

"Enough!" Xiao Ding shouted.

The mercenaries fell silent.

Xiao Ding swept his gaze across the group, a flash of coldness in his eyes. "Xiao Chen is a member of the Xiao Clan and my own cousin. Whoever wants to touch him must get past me first."

Xiao Li also stepped forward. "Big Brother is right. We are all of the Xiao Clan; we face whatever comes together."

The mercenaries looked at each other, not daring to speak further.

Xiao Chen watched Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, feeling a touch of warmth in his heart; these two cousins were truly righteous.

"Let's go, let's go out and see," Xiao Ding said.

Xiao Ding led the way outside, Xiao Li followed, and Xiao Chen walked at the very back, with Qing Lin trailing closely behind him.

Outside the base of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group stood over a dozen Snake-People.

Leading them was the Great Elder, followed by more than a dozen elite Snake-People, each one a powerhouse at the Dou Ling level or higher.

Yue Mei stood to the side; the flush on her face had faded, replaced by cold killing intent.

Seeing Xiao Chen emerge, a complex look flashed in Yue Mei's eyes.

The Great Elder stared at Xiao Chen, sizing him up from head to toe. "So, you are the one who killed members of our Snake-Person Tribe?"

Xiao Chen looked at the Great Elder. "It is me."

"And you wounded Yue Mei?"

"Yes."

"And you kissed Yue Mei?"

Xiao Chen glanced at Yue Mei, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly. "Yes."

The Great Elder's expression darkened.

Yue Mei's face turned red again, and she bit her lip, wishing she could find a hole to crawl into.

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li stood to the side, listening to these words. Killing a Snake-Person, wounding a seven-star Dou King, and even kissing her—this cousin of theirs was far too bold.

"Do you know what you have done?" the Great Elder said coldly.

"I do," Xiao Chen replied.

"Then you should know that you must die today."

The Great Elder waved his hand, and the elite Snake-People behind him immediately surrounded them.

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li's expressions changed as they stepped in front of Xiao Chen.

"Friends of the Snake-Person Tribe, can this matter be discussed?" Xiao Ding asked.

"Discussed?" The Great Elder sneered. "Are you even worthy?"

Xiao Ding's expression sank.

Xiao Li clenched his fists, a flash of anger in his eyes, but they knew they were no match for these Snake-People. Never mind the Great Elder, who was a Dou King, even any one of those elite Snake-People could easily wipe out the Desert Iron Mercenary Group.

"Step aside, cousins," Xiao Chen said.

"Xiao Chen..." Xiao Ding looked at him.

"This matter has nothing to do with you," Xiao Chen said. "I will handle it."

Xiao Ding wanted to say more, but seeing Xiao Chen's firm attitude, he swallowed his words.

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li retreated to the side, but they did not leave; if Xiao Chen were to be defeated, they would risk their lives to save him.

Xiao Chen looked at the Great Elder, his face devoid of expression. "Are you certain you want to do this?"

The Great Elder said coldly, "You killed my tribesmen and humiliated a seven-star Dou King of our Snake-Person Tribe. Do you really think you can leave here alive?"

"Then come," Xiao Chen said indifferently.

The Great Elder snorted, and the Dou Qi within his body began to surge.

The Great Elder released his Dou King aura without reservation; the surrounding air trembled, and the sand on the ground was whipped into a frenzy.

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were so suppressed by this aura that they could barely breathe.

The mercenaries were so terrified they retreated several steps, some even collapsing directly onto the ground.

This was the strength of a Dou King powerhouse—truly terrifying.

"Can Xiao Chen really block that?" Xiao Li's voice was trembling.

Xiao Ding did not speak, only staring intently at Xiao Chen in the center of the field.

The Great Elder struck out with his palm, blasting toward Xiao Chen's chest.