He Was Actually a One-Star Dou Wang?!

Desert Rock City.

The streets teemed with people, bustling with activity.

Several people in Misty Cloud Sect robes walked down the street. At their head was an old man with a stern expression and keen eyes.

The Misty Cloud Sect's First Elder, Yun Leng.

Behind him followed several disciples at the Dou Ling level, each exuding an imposing presence.

"First Elder, what are we doing in Desert Rock City?" one disciple asked.

"Looking for someone," Yun Leng replied coldly.

"Who?"

"Xiao Yan."

The disciples exchanged glances, surprise flashing in their eyes. Xiao Yan's name had already spread throughout the Misty Cloud Sect.

He had killed Ge Ye, killed the Fourth Elder, and even repudiated Nalan Yanran on the spot. Everyone in the Misty Cloud Sect hated that name to the bone.

"First Elder, is Xiao Yan really in Desert Rock City?" one disciple asked.

"We've heard he's here," Yun Leng said. "You, spread out and ask around."

"Yes, sir."

The disciples took their orders and quickly scattered.

Yun Leng remained where he was, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Xiao Yan, you killed the Fourth Elder and thought you'd be safe just because you ran to Desert Rock City?

I came here myself. Let's see where you can run.

An hour passed.

Yun Leng stood by the roadside, his expression growing darker by the minute.

"Why haven't they found anything yet?"

He was just about to lose his temper when a disciple hurried over.

"First Elder, we found him."

Yun Leng looked at him. "Go on."

"Xiao Yan killed Mo Gang, the leader of the Sand Mercenary Group, in Desert Rock City some time ago," the disciple reported. "He has two older brothers here. They started a mercenary group called the Desert Iron Mercenary Group."

"The Desert Iron Mercenary Group?" Yun Leng furrowed his brow.

"Yes," the disciple said. "Xiao Yan's two older brothers are named Xiao Ding and Xiao Li. They're both leaders of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group."

Yun Leng nodded. "Lead the way."

"Yes, sir." The disciple turned and headed off.

Yun Leng followed him with several Dou Ling disciples.

The Desert Iron Mercenary Group.

At the entrance.

Two guards stood by the entrance, chatting about something. When they saw a group approaching in the distance, led by an old man, their expressions immediately changed.

"Who are you people?" one guard stepped forward and asked.

Yun Leng said nothing. He simply raised a hand and waved.

"Bang."

The guard flew backward and crashed to the ground, motionless.

The other guard's face paled. He turned and ran.

"Enemies—"

Before he could finish, a Dou Ling disciple chased after him and struck him in the back with a palm. The guard dropped on the spot.

Yun Leng didn't spare them a glance. He strode inside.

Several Dou Ling disciples followed close behind, murder in their eyes.

The main hall.

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were discussing the mercenary group's affairs.

"Big Brother, I've already sent people to sort out the Sand Mercenary Group's shops," Xiao Li said. "They should all be back up and running in two more days."

Xiao Ding nodded. "Have you arranged the staff?"

"I have," Xiao Li replied. "Those who were willing to stay were given positions. The rest received severance pay."

"Good," Xiao Ding said.

Just then, a commotion came from outside.

Xiao Ding frowned. "What's going on out there?"

Xiao Li had heard the noise too. He got to his feet. "I'll go take a look."

He hadn't even reached the door when it was kicked open.

Several people in Misty Cloud Sect robes walked in.

At their head was an old man with a stern expression and keen eyes.

Xiao Ding's expression changed.

People from the Misty Cloud Sect?

Xiao Li was also stunned. Then he came to his senses, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"Who are you people? How dare you barge into the Desert Iron Mercenary Group?" Xiao Li said coldly.

"I am Yun Leng, First Elder of the Misty Cloud Sect," the old man announced.

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li exchanged a glance, their hearts sinking at the same time.

The Misty Cloud Sect's First Elder.

A Dou Emperor expert.

Xiao Ding stepped forward and cupped his hands. "We didn't know the Misty Cloud Sect's First Elder would honor us with a visit. May I ask what brings you here?"

"To find someone," Yun Leng replied.

"Who?"

"Xiao Yan."

Xiao Ding's expression didn't change, but a storm raged in his heart.

He really had come.

Their third brother had killed an elder of the Misty Cloud Sect, and now they were here for revenge.

"Xiao Yan isn't here," Xiao Ding said.

Yun Leng furrowed his brow. "He isn't?"

"He isn't," Xiao Ding said. "First Elder, please leave."

Yun Leng stared at him, a trace of coldness flashing in his eyes.

"Boy, I came here myself, and you're telling me he isn't here?"

"He isn't here," Xiao Li cut in. "If you don't believe us, you can search the place yourself."

Yun Leng's expression darkened.

"What an arrogant brat."

"You think I've been too lenient with you?"

Xiao Li looked at him without the slightest fear.

"First Elder, this is Desert Rock City, not the Misty Cloud Sect," Xiao Li said. "It's hardly appropriate for you to throw your weight around here."

Yun Leng was taken aback.

He hadn't expected the leader of a small mercenary group to speak to him like that.

"Do you know who you're talking to?" Yun Leng asked coldly.

"I do," Xiao Li replied. "The Misty Cloud Sect's First Elder."

"And you still dare speak to me like that?"

"So what?"

Yun Leng's expression turned completely grim.

"Good, good, good." Yun Leng repeated the word three times. "A little Xiao Clan, a little mercenary group, and you dare act so insolently in front of me."

"Looks like you won't cry until you see the coffin."

He turned to the several Dou Ling disciples behind him.

"Attack."

The Dou Ling disciples immediately charged forward.

Xiao Ding's expression changed, and he was about to step in, but Xiao Li had already moved in front of him.

"Bang."

The first Dou Ling disciple to charge was sent flying by a palm from Xiao Li.

The remaining disciples' expressions changed, and they all rushed at Xiao Li at once.

Xiao Li pressed forward instead of retreating, striking each of them with a single palm.

"Bang, bang, bang."

After several muffled thuds, all the Dou Ling disciples lay on the ground. Not one of them could get back up.

Yun Leng's expression finally changed.

He had seen it clearly. The strength Xiao Li had unleashed with that palm was definitely not that of a Dou Ling.

Dou Wang.

This brat was a Dou Wang expert.

"Y-you're a Dou Wang?" Yun Leng's voice trembled.

Xiao Li looked at him and replied coolly, "So what if I am?"

A storm of shock swept through Yun Leng's heart.

How could someone from the Xiao Clan be a Dou Wang?

The Xiao Clan was just a small clan in Wutan City. Even its strongest member was only a Da Dou Shi.

Yet this man was clearly a member of the Xiao Clan—and a One-Star Dou Wang.

"How did you raise your strength so quickly?" Yun Leng demanded.

"Our third brother refined pills for us," Xiao Li said.

Yun Leng froze on the spot.

"What did you say?"

"Pills refined by our third brother," Xiao Li said. "Sixth-Grade Ascension Pills. Take one, and you'll break through to Dou Wang directly."

Yun Leng's expression changed completely.

A Sixth-Grade Pill.

An Ascension Pill.

A direct breakthrough to Dou Wang.

Was Xiao Yan a Sixth-Grade alchemist?

Impossible.

Absolutely impossible.

How could a fifteen-year-old boy possibly be a Sixth-Grade alchemist?

"You're lying," Yun Leng roared. "Xiao Yan's a good-for-nothing. How could he be a Sixth-Grade alchemist?"

"Whether he's useless or not, you already know, don't you?" Xiao Li said. "The Misty Cloud Sect's Fourth Elder died at his hands."

Yun Leng's expression was ugly beyond words.

Fear welled up inside him.

If Xiao Yan really was a Sixth-Grade alchemist, then the power behind him...

He didn't dare think any further.