"An Opportunity Falls from the Sky"

Whoosh!!

A sharp sound tore through the air. Following the auras of Yang Chen and the Medusa Queen all the way here, Hai Bodong, guided by the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King, had just landed inside the cave when he felt a surge of killing intent rushing toward him.

A chill ran down Hai Bodong's spine. Turning his head, he saw the Medusa Queen glaring at him with murderous fury in her beautiful eyes. His legs trembled in fright, and he nearly turned around and fled.

But in the next moment, Hai Bodong's eyes widened as he watched the icy expression on the Medusa Queen's face melt away like snow.

"How did it go?"

Yang Chen reached out, grabbed the Medusa Queen's arm, and pulled her directly behind him. The instant her arm was clasped in his large hand, the Medusa Queen returned to her usual cold and proud queenly demeanor. She was neither as chillingly murderous as before nor as tender and clingy as she had been earlier.

Looking at this beautiful snake woman who had been subdued in a single night, Hai Bodong admired his Second Master even more. He quickly and carefully took the little girl from his back and placed her in Yang Chen's hands, saying with a strange grin.

"Rest assured, Second Master. Before coming here, I even watched from the shadows for a while. When the two young masters learned that Qing Lin had gone missing, they flew into a rage. The Second Young Master even wanted to send people to intercept those 'Mo Family experts,' but the Eldest Young Master stopped him."

"Xiao Li is indeed a little impulsive, but with Xiao Ding keeping him in check, nothing will happen. By the way, Lei Na and Lin Sen should have made their move as well, right?"

Yang Chen spoke in a low voice. For hot-blooded youths like Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, and Xiao Yan, a little external stimulation and pressure could provide tremendous motivation.

"By now, they should be about done."

Rock Desert City.

Within the Desert Iron Mercenary Group, both Xiao Ding and Xiao Li sat at the head of the hall with dark expressions, their faces looking rather grim.

"Reporting to the commanders, we've searched everywhere, but Qing Lin still hasn't been found!"

A mercenary at the level of an eight-star Dou Zhe clasped his fists and spoke gravely. After hesitating for a moment, he still said softly.

"Two commanders, how about we just forget it? After all, she's only a..."

Bang!

Before the mercenary could finish, Xiao Ding slammed his palm onto the table. With authority and anger on his face, he said in a deep voice.

"I don't want to hear anyone speak ill of Qing Lin again. Even if she has Snake-People Tribe blood in her veins, she is still a member of our Desert Iron Mercenary Group. As long as she remains one of us, we will never abandon any of our own. Do you understand?!"

"Yes, Commander!"

Although the members of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group still held some prejudice toward Qing Lin, the looks they gave Xiao Ding were filled with fervor and respect as they shouted in unison.

Xiao Ding nodded with a grim expression. After remaining silent for a while, he waved his hand again and sighed.

"Mm, keep sending people to look for her... If, by some chance, you find any clues, do not act rashly. Return at once and inform me and the Second Commander!"

Clearly, Xiao Ding no longer held much hope of finding any trace of Qing Lin. Yet in his heart, he had already marked this debt against the Mo Family of Salt City.

Xiao Li, beside him, was somewhat unwilling to accept this. It was not that he cared all that much whether Qing Lin lived or died. To put it bluntly, people died every few days in Rock Desert City. Even members of their mercenary group were often killed.

Death had already become something they were used to.

What truly made Xiao Li feel unwilling, even humiliated and grief-stricken, was the helplessness he had felt when facing the arrogant Mo Family, who had dared to come to their Desert Iron Mercenary Group in broad daylight and seize someone. It filled his heart with bitter hatred.

"Big Brother, about this matter..."

Bang!

Xiao Li had only just opened his mouth when an exceedingly terrifying fluctuation of energy swept over them, instantly alarming the Xiao Ding brothers.

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li hurried out from the inner hall, raising their heads in shock to look at the two figures above them.

One of them had a robust build. A pair of blue-violet Dou Qi wings spread behind his back, and a mass of black clouds loomed behind him. Lightning flickered all around him, making him seem like the sovereign of thunder itself, imposing and majestic.

Opposite him stood a white-haired old man with the bearing of an immortal. His silver hair was bound by a dark wooden hairpin, and beneath his feet was a towering tree trunk hundreds of fathoms long. Though he lacked the chilling might of the thunder surrounding the other man, the grasses, trees, and flowers constantly growing from the giant wood beneath him carried a unique mystical charm.

"Hmph, old man, from last night until now, every time we've fought, this old man has been pressing you down. Why not simply admit defeat?"

A voice like rolling thunder echoed across the heavens, spreading throughout all of Rock Desert City.

Faced with the mockery of the thunder-wielding expert, the immortal-looking old man merely smiled and shook his head, speaking calmly.

"The inheritance you obtained is the Thunder God Formula, which is naturally suited for battle. The inheritance this old man obtained is the Wood God Formula, which specializes in trapping enemies. Though you can suppress me, you cannot injure me in the slightest. And if this old man wishes to leave, you cannot stop me. In fact, you must even be wary of my methods. How can that count as your victory?"

"Hmph, then let's keep fighting! We'll fight until a winner is decided!"

The burly man who ruled over thunder was clearly unconvinced and immediately wanted to continue fighting. However, upon hearing this, the old man raised a hand to refuse.

"Let us forgo another battle. Of course, this old man does not fear you. It is merely that you sensed that aura last night as well. If the Medusa Queen has not gone far, and the two of us make such a huge commotion, it will be troublesome if she comes looking for us."

Upon hearing the Medusa Queen's name, the burly man carrying countless bolts of lightning on his back visibly showed a measure of awe. His aura weakened somewhat as he snorted impatiently.

"Hmph, then what do you suggest? We've fought so many times. We have to settle who is stronger sooner or later, don't we?"

"Allow this old man to think."

The old man spoke softly, stroking his beard with his withered hand. His gaze seemed to casually sweep across the courtyard of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group. In the next moment, as though he had discovered something, his eyes lit up slightly, and he exclaimed in surprise.

"Oh? These two little fellows have fairly good talent, and one happens to have lightning affinity while the other has wood affinity. How about each of us takes one as a disciple? A year and a half from now, let the two compete. Whoever's disciple wins will count as the victor, while the loser must give the winner the medicinal ingredients for a sixth-tier Spirit-Fighting Pill. What do you say?"

"Mm, this brat's talent can barely catch my eye. Fine, we'll do as you say. When the time comes, don't you dare go back on your word if you lose!"

After casually glancing at Xiao Li, the burly man glared viciously at the old man. In the next moment, he descended at once, grabbed Xiao Li by the arm, and, without giving him a chance to refuse, said fiercely.

"Brat, if you dare slack off, this old man will twist your head right off!"

Xiao Li, suddenly struck by such an opportunity, immediately became solemn and bowed deeply to Lei Na.

"Rest assured, Senior. This junior will never disappoint you!"