Was He Already as Powerful as a Dou Zong?

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

Xiao Chen walked out of his room, the morning sunlight falling across his face.

After stretching his neck, he was about to head to the mercenary group's hall when Qing Lin came running out of the room next door.

"Young Master."

Qing Lin ran up to him, her face alight with excitement.

He looked her over and nodded.

Seventh Stage Dou Qi.

She had gone from Three-Stage Dou Qi to the Seventh Stage in just two days. She had progressed even faster than he'd expected.

"Young Master, I've reached the Seventh Stage of Dou Qi."

Qing Lin's eyes brimmed with gratitude. "It's all thanks to you. Otherwise, I'd still be a good-for-nothing who knew nothing at all."

Qing Lin lowered her head, her eyes growing a little red.

Everyone had looked down on her ever since she was little. No one had ever thought much of her.

Only the Young Master had treated her like a person. He had stood up for her, helped her cultivate, and even refined spiritual liquid especially for her.

She had long since etched this kindness into her heart.

Just as he was about to speak, a system notification popped up before Xiao Chen's eyes.

[Quest triggered: Go to the shop in Shimo City and copy Ice Emperor Hai Bodong's high-level Xuan-tier Dou Technique, Mystic Ice Dragon Soar.]

[Upon completing the quest, the host will gain complete mastery of the Dou Technique.]

Looking at the system panel, Xiao Chen's heart stirred.

Ice Emperor Hai Bodong, one of the Ten Great Experts of the Jia Ma Empire, was a user of ice-type Dou Qi and had once been a Dou Emperor.

Although Queen Medusa had sealed his power, leaving him with only Dou Ling strength, his Dou Techniques were still quite valuable.

Mystic Ice Dragon Soar was a high-level Xuan-tier Dou Technique with considerable power.

Putting the thought aside, Xiao Chen closed the system panel.

"Young Master, what are you thinking about?"

Seeing him lost in thought, Qing Lin asked.

"Nothing."

Qing Lin nodded and didn't ask further.

The two of them headed toward the mercenary group's hall.

After walking a few steps, Qing Lin suddenly stopped, concern showing on her face.

"Young Master, there's something I'd like to ask you."

"Go ahead."

"You killed the Snake-Person Tribe's Great Elder. What if Queen Medusa comes to take revenge?"

Looking at her, Xiao Chen said, "Then I'll fight her."

Qing Lin froze.

Fight her?

That was Queen Medusa, a Peak Dou Emperor with no rival in the entire Jia Ma Empire.

How could the Young Master say it so casually?

"Young Master, aren't you worried?"

"What should I be worried about?"

"Queen Medusa is a Peak Dou Emperor," Qing Lin said. "If she comes..."

"Then let her come."

He cut her off, his tone utterly calm.

Qing Lin's mouth opened and closed, but no words came out.

She stared at Xiao Chen, shock filling her eyes.

The Young Master treated Queen Medusa like an ordinary person, as if he didn't take her seriously at all.

Could the Young Master already be as powerful as a Dou Zong?

Qing Lin wondered to herself.

No way. There are only a handful of Dou Zong experts across the entire Dou Qi Continent. How could the Young Master be one at just fifteen or sixteen?

But if he isn't a Dou Zong, why isn't he afraid of Queen Medusa?

Unable to figure it out and not daring to ask, Qing Lin could only fall silent.

The two continued on and soon reached the area outside the mercenary group's hall.

Quite a few mercenaries had gathered outside, chatting in small groups.

"Have you heard? Xiao Chen killed the Snake-Person Tribe's Great Elder."

"I heard. He was a five-star Dou Wang. Xiao Chen just killed him like that."

"Sure, it was satisfying to kill him, but what about the consequences?"

"What consequences?"

"Queen Medusa, of course! She's a Peak Dou Emperor. Do you think she'll let it go after he killed their Great Elder?"

"Exactly. Xiao Chen can just dust off his hands and leave, but what about our Desert Iron Mercenary Group?"

"Right. He's landed us in this huge mess, yet he doesn't seem worried in the least."

The mercenaries' voices grew louder and harsher.

Hearing them, Qing Lin turned pale.

She glanced at Xiao Chen and saw no change in his expression.

Inside the hall.

Xiao Ding sat in the main seat, his expression grim.

Xiao Li stood nearby, brows furrowed.

Several mercenaries stood in front of them, talking.

"Leader, I think we should kick Xiao Chen out."

"What did you say?"

A flicker of anger passed through Xiao Li's eyes.

"Deputy Leader, don't be angry," the mercenary said. "I'm only thinking of what's best for the group. Xiao Chen killed the Snake-Person Tribe's Great Elder, so Queen Medusa will definitely come for revenge. What are we supposed to do then?"

"Exactly," another mercenary chimed in. "Our Desert Iron Mercenary Group has struggled for years in Shimo City and finally made it to where we are today. We can't let an outsider ruin everything."

"Xiao Chen isn't an outsider," Xiao Ding said. "He's one of the Xiao Clan. He's my cousin."

"Leader, we understand how you feel," the first mercenary said. "But you have to think of the brothers, too. We can't sacrifice the lives of hundreds of people for the sake of one person."

After a moment of silence, Xiao Ding didn't respond.

"Leader, please take our advice," the mercenary said. "While Queen Medusa hasn't arrived, kick Xiao Chen out and sever our ties with him. Then, if she comes, we'll have an explanation."

"An explanation?" Xiao Li sneered. "To whom? Queen Medusa?"

"Deputy Leader..."

"Enough." Xiao Li cut him off. "Xiao Chen is one of the Xiao Clan. No one is kicking him out."

The mercenaries looked at one another, their faces troubled.

"Leader..." The mercenary still wanted to say something.

"I said enough," Xiao Ding said. "There's no need to discuss this any further."

Seeing that there was no changing their minds, the mercenaries fell silent.

Just then, Xiao Chen walked in from outside.

Qing Lin followed behind him, her head lowered as she dared not look at the mercenaries.

The atmosphere in the hall instantly grew tense.

The mercenaries stared at Xiao Chen with resentment and hostility in their eyes, but no one dared speak.

Xiao Chen glanced at them and said nothing.

Xiao Ding stood up and walked over to him.

"Xiao Chen, you came at just the right time," Xiao Ding said. "There's something I want to tell you."

"What is it?"

After a moment of silence, Xiao Ding seemed to gather his thoughts.

"Don't take what those mercenaries said to heart," Xiao Ding said. "They're a rough bunch and don't think before they speak."

"I know."

"Rest assured. No matter what happens, the Desert Iron Mercenary Group will stand by your side."

Xiao Li came over, too, and patted Xiao Chen on the shoulder.

"Your big brother is right. We're all Xiao Clan. Whatever happens, we'll face it together."

Looking at them, Xiao Chen nodded.

The mercenaries standing to the side listened, displeasure written across their faces.

But the two leaders had already made their decision, and there was no use opposing it.

"You can leave now."

Looking at the mercenaries, Xiao Ding spoke.

The mercenaries exchanged glances, then turned and left the hall.