Stone Desert City

Eastern Tagor Great Desert.

Stone Desert City.

Located in the desert, this city possessed a little more simplicity and solidity than the cities within the empire.

Perhaps because it was close to the snake people, its defenses were far stricter than those within the empire. Fully armed soldiers could be seen patrolling everywhere throughout the city.

"This is Stone Desert City."

"I wonder whether the little girl called Qing Lin has been taken in by the two Xiao brothers."

As Xie Tianxiao watched the soldiers coming and going through Stone Desert City, a strange glint flashed through his eyes as he murmured to himself.

After leaving Qingshan Town, Xie Tianxiao had headed straight here.

Only after asking a pair of mercenaries and confirming the city's direction had he arrived at Stone Desert City in the eastern Tagor Great Desert.

"Although there's still more than half a year before the story timeline, it shouldn't be too far off." Xie Tianxiao thought to himself.

The reason he had come to Stone Desert City was to find Qing Lin, the little girl who possessed the Blue-Snake Three-Flower Eyes.

The Blue-Snake Three-Flower Eyes were the greatest strange eyes in the world and would only appear in descendants of humans and snake people.

These eyes were the bane of all snake-type magical beasts. Aside from an extremely small number of snake-type magical beasts with pure ancient bloodlines, they could forcibly control them all.

Moreover, once the Blue-Snake Three-Flower Eyes matured, a space could form within them, allowing the controlled snake-type creatures to be stored in the space they created.

The magical beasts stored within that space would gradually have their strength absorbed by the user.

Although the absorption rate was slow and subject to limits of strength, it was still utterly terrifying!

Besides, Qing Lin was practically half a female lead. She was obedient and adorable—how could Xie Tianxiao not like such a little girl?

Since that was the case, why wouldn't Xie Tianxiao take Qing Lin away? Was he supposed to leave her here for Xiao Yan's benefit?

Wouldn't that be a joke? He was not an idiot; he would never do something so foolish.

"At this point, the mercenary corps founded by the brothers Xiao Ding and Xiao Li should have been established as well. I'll go take a look."

Xie Tianxiao pondered inwardly.

With that thought, Xie Tianxiao extended his soul power, instantly covering more than half of Stone Desert City.

Before long.

Based on the conversations and exchanges of the people in the city, Xie Tianxiao successfully found the location of the mercenary corps founded by the two brothers.

"Found it."

With a mutter, Xie Tianxiao's figure flickered.

When he appeared again, he had already arrived at the Desert Iron Mercenary Corps' headquarters.

"Hey, what business do you have with our mercenary corps?"

Xie Tianxiao's sudden appearance startled the guards at the entrance, but they hurriedly stopped him and asked.

"Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, I have come to visit. Come out and receive me."

Xie Tianxiao spoke indifferently. Though his voice had sounded only at the entrance, it clearly reached the ears of everyone in the Desert Iron Mercenary Corps.

Though his voice had sounded only at the entrance, it clearly reached the ears of everyone in the Desert Iron Mercenary Corps.

"What was that?"

"No idea. Sounds like someone's looking for the commanders."

"Pretty arrogant, aren't they?"

"Come on, brothers. Let's see who's causing trouble!"

After hearing those words, the Desert Iron Mercenary Corps members immediately stopped what they were doing and rushed outside.

They wanted to see who had the audacity to come and provoke them.

"Who are you? How dare you address the names of our two commanders directly!"

The guards at the entrance froze, then angrily rebuked him.

Not only had this person ignored their question, he had even directly called out the names of their two commanders. He was truly far too arrogant.

"Get out of my way."

Without even sparing them a glance, Xie Tianxiao casually waved his hand.

The two men immediately felt as though they had been struck by an immense shockwave. They were sent flying, crashing heavily to the ground as blood spurted from their mouths.

"So strong!"

Some of those who had rushed over and witnessed the scene could not help swallowing. Their gazes toward Xie Tianxiao were filled with fear.

"Who might Your Excellency be? Isn't it rather inappropriate to barge into the headquarters of my Desert Iron Mercenary Corps like this?"

As the voice rang out, a young man in white robes and another man dressed in mercenary attire appeared before Xie Tianxiao.

"Big Brother, who cares who he is? He dared to injure our guard brothers, so he must pay the price!"

The man in mercenary attire pointed at Xie Tianxiao and spoke resentfully.

"Second Brother, don't be rash." The white-robed man frowned slightly.

He could not discern Xie Tianxiao's strength. Moreover, since the other party had injured their people so brazenly, his background was likely far from simple.

"You are Xiao Ding, then."

Ignoring Xiao Li's clamor, Xie Tianxiao looked at Xiao Ding and spoke calmly.

"That is correct. May I ask what business Your Excellency has with my brother and me?" Xiao Ding cupped his fists politely as he asked.

"Have you taken in a little girl named Qing Lin?" Xie Tianxiao asked Xiao Ding calmly.

"Qing Lin?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li looked at each other, both seeing the surprise in the other's eyes.

Then Xiao Ding nodded. "There is indeed a girl named Qing Lin. I just don't know whether she is the person Your Excellency seeks."

"Does she have snake scales on her arm?"

A trace of delight appeared on Xie Tianxiao's face as he asked.

Xie Tianxiao had never seen Qing Lin's exact appearance, only some descriptions from the original work.

He did not want to waste time using soul power to inspect the people in the city one by one, which was why he had come here to ask Xiao Ding.

"Yes. Not long ago, she was wandering through the city. I pitied her, so I brought her back to the mercenary corps." Xiao Ding nodded.

"Very good. I am here for her. Go bring her out at once."

Hearing the confirmation, Xie Tianxiao was overjoyed and spoke to Xiao Ding.

"May I ask what Your Excellency wants with Qing Lin? Could you perhaps tell us?"

Xiao Ding hesitated for a moment before speaking to Xie Tianxiao.

Although Qing Lin was merely an orphan he had taken in, she was still a member of the mercenary corps. It was best to ask about it.

"That is none of your concern. In any case, I will not harm her," Xie Tianxiao said indifferently.

"Very well."

Though Xiao Ding found it strange that Xie Tianxiao was looking for Qing Lin, he still instructed a mercenary beside him, "Have someone bring Miss Qing Lin out."

"Yes, Commander." The mercenary answered, then turned and ran into the headquarters.

A short while later.

The mercenary led out a girl dressed in elegant light-green clothing. She was petite and delicate, with a slightly youthful, adorable oval face, like a beautiful porcelain doll.

"Qing Lin."

The moment Xie Tianxiao saw Qing Lin, his eyes lit up, and he immediately walked toward her.

Qing Lin was startled by the man before her. Only after seeing that he bore no ill intent did she relax a little.

"My lord, y-you were looking for me?"

Qing Lin lightly bit her red lips and looked timidly at Xie Tianxiao, her voice soft as she asked.

Her timid appearance, like that of a frightened little rabbit, could not help but stir pity in one's heart.

"Hehe... don't be nervous."

Xie Tianxiao smiled at the girl before him. "I came this time not only to see you, but also to take you away from here—to a place better suited for you."

"Oh, but, um..."

Qing Lin hesitated. She seemed unwilling to simply believe Xie Tianxiao's words, yet she was afraid of angering him, leaving her even more conflicted.