Sand Mercenary Corps

"It wouldn't be appropriate. Although I'm much stronger than you, you're helping me search for the Heavenly Flame. It's only right that I pay you."

Xie Tianxiao shook his head slightly, then looked at the mercenaries beside Xiao Ding. "Besides, you may not care about the money, but some of the mercenaries under you need it badly."

How could Xie Tianxiao not know what Xiao Ding was thinking?

Xie Tianxiao was not short of gold coins now. With his strength, even if he paid them nothing, these people would not dare harbor any resentment.

But he was still a "person," after all. How could he make laborers work for a boss without pay, forcing them to work for nothing?

The mercenaries nearby were all astonished upon hearing Xie Tianxiao's words.

They had not expected such an important figure to care about lowly mercenaries like them. At once, they all chimed in, "Yes, yes, yes! My lord understands the hardships of us poor mercenaries. You truly are a great and kind man!"

"Rest assured, my lord. Even if we have to dig three feet into the ground, we'll fulfill your request!"

"That's right! We definitely won't let you down, my lord!"

Hearing them, Xiao Ding smiled somewhat awkwardly. "Hehe... I was being too narrow-minded. Senior, you are truly righteous!"

He had not expected Xie Tianxiao, after refusing his goodwill, to still consider the brothers under his command. This simply did not fit the usual behavior of a powerful expert.

"Brothers, keep your spirits up! Since Senior thinks so highly of us, let's do our best to find the Heavenly Flame for him as soon as possible!"

Xiao Ding shouted at his subordinates.

"Hahaha, Captain, you don't need to tell us. We understand!"

"We'll definitely find the Heavenly Flame as quickly as possible!"

The mercenaries shouted loudly, their eyes filled with passion and determination!

"Very good. Go on."

Xie Tianxiao nodded in satisfaction and waved to Xiao Ding.

"Yes, Senior!"

Xiao Ding cupped his fists and bowed, then called for the mercenaries to disperse in all directions.

Watching Xiao Ding and the others leave, Xie Tianxiao turned to Qing Lin at his side and calmly instructed, "Qing Lin, stay with me for the next few days. Once I'm done with matters here, I'll take you somewhere suitable."

"Mm, I'll listen to you in everything, my lord," Qing Lin replied obediently.

"Hehe... let's go."

Seeing this, Xie Tianxiao smiled softly. He gently rubbed Qing Lin's little head, then led her away from the mercenary compound.

He still needed to find a better place to stay while waiting for the days ahead.

Time flew by like a shuttle, years flowing like water. Three months passed in the blink of an eye.

That day, at a luxurious inn in Stone Desert City.

"My lord, we discovered something unusual in the eastern part of Stone Desert City."

A mercenary reported to Xie Tianxiao.

"Oh? Have you found it?"

Xie Tianxiao raised a brow and asked.

"We aren't certain. It's just that the temperature there is much higher than elsewhere. The captain couldn't make a decision, so he sent this subordinate to seek your instructions," the mercenary answered respectfully.

"Not certain..."

A thoughtful look flashed across Xie Tianxiao's face after hearing the mercenary's words.

If he was not mistaken, that place was most likely where the Green Lotus Core Flame was located.

"Yes. Aside from having me report this news, the captain also hopes that you can make an appearance and intimidate those causing trouble," the mercenary suddenly added.

"People causing trouble? Tell me about it." Xie Tianxiao asked.

The mercenary continued, "During our search these past few days, the Sand Mercenary Corps came to cause trouble several times. They only restrained themselves somewhat after the captain said this was your order."

"But it didn't last long. They became arrogant again, and today they specifically came to make trouble. They've probably already confronted the two captains."

The Sand Mercenary Corps was another mercenary corps in Stone Desert City besides the Desert Iron Mercenary Corps, and it was also the strongest one!

"Sand Mercenary Corps..."

Hearing the report, the corner of Xie Tianxiao's mouth curled up slightly.

He remembered that in the original story, the Sand Mercenary Corps had assumed Xiao Ding and the others were searching for some high-level cultivation method or Dou Technique and wanted to prey on them.

But Xiao Yan had learned of it and intimidated them by revealing the strength of a Dou King. Later, after Xiao Yan returned from subduing the Heavenly Flame, he killed them.

"Then go back and tell Xiao Ding that I... will be there shortly," Xie Tianxiao said blandly after thinking for a moment.

"Yes!"

The mercenary accepted the order, turned, and swiftly departed.

Elsewhere.

In the eastern part of Stone Desert City, the boundless desert was ravaged by yellow sands.

The two brothers, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, were confronting a middle-aged man whose body was covered in yellow Dou Qi and whose face was filled with viciousness.

"Three-Stage Lightning Arc Dance!"

Xiao Li suddenly let out a low shout. Layers upon layers of electric arcs strangely leaped along the spear in his hand before shooting wildly toward the middle-aged man.

"Haha! Is this all the strength the famous second captain of the Desert Iron Mercenary Corps has? What a waste of that lightning-attribute Dou Qi said to possess the strongest offensive power!"

Facing the lightning arcs rushing at him, the middle-aged man laughed disdainfully. His massive fist abruptly clenched, and yellow Dou Qi frantically gathered over it. Moments later, it condensed into an energy gauntlet.

With his fist clenched, he threw a fierce punch. A violent gust of wind mixed with savage force collided head-on with the lightning arcs.

When the two attacks collided, the middle-aged man's fist shattered all three lightning arcs as easily as crushing dry weeds and rotten wood. After destroying them, its momentum did not lessen in the slightest as it slammed heavily into Xiao Li's chest.

"Pfft."

Xiao Li spat out a mouthful of blood, his body flying backward.

Seeing this, Xiao Ding hurriedly moved to catch Xiao Li and asked worriedly, "Second Brother, are you all right?"

"Big Brother, I'm fine." Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, Xiao Li gritted his teeth and endured.

"Luo Bu, aren't you afraid of offending the lord who assigned us this task by acting like this?!"

Xiao Ding glared furiously at Luo Bu and said coldly.

"Haha, offending him?"

Luo Bu burst into laughter and mocked, "Xiao Ding, you're only a mere Dou Master from a small mercenary corps. What great figure would ever assign a task to you?"

"Besides, I've been watching you for months, and I've never seen any so-called great figure appear!"

"That's right! I think you found some high-level cultivation method left behind by a predecessor and are using this excuse to deceive us!"

Not far from Luo Bu, a sinister-looking man joined in.

The sinister man was named Mo Xing. He was the second-most important figure in the Sand Mercenary Corps and the strongest person there besides Luo Bu.

"Damn it, Mo Xing! You're courting death!" Xiao Ding immediately raged upon hearing this.

He had not expected Luo Bu to disbelieve him and even mock him as a mere Dou Master unworthy of being valued by a great figure. How could he endure that?

"Captain! Captain!"

At that moment, a mercenary ran out from the crowd and anxiously shouted to Xiao Ding.

Thanks to [Snake's Little White Mouse] for the 100 book coin reward, to [Ye. Above the Rising Sun Y] and [Little Tao Brother Votes] for the two monthly votes, and to everyone for the recommendation votes.