Before they even drew near, several arrogant, coarse shouts and curses rang out.
"All uninvolved people, get the hell out! The Sand Mercenary Group is handling business! If you don't want to die, then get the hell out!"
At the sight of the vicious-looking mercenaries, the shrewd shop owners along both sides of the street immediately shut their doors tight, while passersby quickly retreated far away. The reason was simple: the middle-aged man surrounded by dozens of aggressive mercenaries was none other than Rob, the renowned Da Dou Shi of Stone Desert City.
Rob drove the massive Mountain-Cleaving Blade resting on his shoulder into the ground. At once, a crack burst across the paving stones. The cold gleam of the blade illuminated several pale faces nearby, and those people quickly backed away in fear.
The Sand Mercenary Group could practically be considered the number one mercenary group in Stone Desert City. Its tremendous reputation was almost entirely supported by Rob alone. His murderous Mountain-Cleaving Blade shook the region, and few dared to meet its edge. That fearsome name had been forged with blood and lives; no one knew how many bloody heads it had severed.
"Heh, that brat killed Mo Xing, so he's probably at the Dou Master level. Too bad the captain is personally making a move. He won't last long before becoming another soul beneath the blade."
"Hmph, he brought this upon himself. How could the Sand Mercenary Group be so easily provoked? Once we slaughter him, we'll hang his head from the flag and spread the Sand Mercenary Group's mighty reputation."
"It's been a long time since the captain personally made a move. How long do you think that brat can last?"
"I bet ten exchanges. That brat's head will be rolling across the ground."
The many members of the Sand Mercenary Group quickly retreated far away to avoid being accidentally caught in the aftermath of the battle. That would truly be a disaster from out of nowhere, leaving them nowhere to cry about it.
Rob first looked at Qing Lin, who stood beside Mu Chen with a timid expression. A trace of delight flashed covertly through his eyes, but he controlled his expression well and immediately put on a ferocious look.
"Hmph, brat, Mo Xing was acting on my orders and even used my name. You actually dared to kill him. Do you have no respect for me at all?" With one hand gripping the hilt of his blade and the other pointing at Mu Chen, Rob spoke viciously. His aged eyes were filled with sharp light.
The Sand Mercenary Group was a mixed bag. Other than himself, a Four-Star Da Dou Shi, Mo Xing had been the only Dou Master and the second-in-command. Yet now, Mo Xing was dead.
If conflicts arose with other mercenary groups in the future, would he have to rely on a bunch of Dou Zhe subordinates? Wouldn't that leave him with no one capable to use? He couldn't possibly handle every matter personally as the captain.
More importantly, there was the opinion of outsiders. Mo Xing, his subordinate, had had his head chopped off. If he, the captain, did not publicly execute the murderer, how could he command respect? People might secretly mock Rob for being old and useless.
"How ridiculous. Why should I respect you?" Mu Chen glanced sideways at Rob. This man thought far too highly of himself. Mu Chen continued, "I hadn't even gone to your mercenary group to find you, yet you delivered yourself right to my door."
Mu Chen gently patted Qing Lin's little head and smiled. "Little Qing Lin, a fight's about to start. Move farther away first. You don't need to worry about me. Just watch me beat them flat."
Qing Lin obediently nodded, then retreated to crouch beside a stall. She watched Mu Chen worriedly with her watery eyes, then gathered her courage, raised her little fist high, and cheered, "Go, Young Master!"
Seeing Mu Chen's actions, Rob was initially stunned. Then a sinister expression crossed his face. His eye twitched as he said with amusement, "Brat, you've got guts. No wonder you dared to kill Mo Xing.
"But judging by you, don't tell me you plan to kill all of us?"
Mu Chen grinned, a dangerous curve forming at the corner of his lips. The smile on his face was icy. He first looked at Rob, who was revealing his aura, then at the dozens of mercenaries behind him. Licking his lips, he said in a dry voice thick with killing intent, "Congratulations. You guessed right."
"Arrogant brat! You're merely a tiny Dou Master, yet you dare act so wildly. No wonder you had the nerve to kill my subordinate, but you're far too full of yourself.
"You should know that standing before you is a Da Dou Shi!"
After speaking, Rob's Dou Qi surged to the surface of his body. Then, beneath countless envious gazes, it gathered into a suit of earth-yellow Dou Qi Armor.
Unlike that worthless Ha Lang, Rob's Dou Qi Armor was extremely solid, like genuine armor, gleaming with a metallic luster. Strands of Dou Qi swirled across its surface, giving off an imposing and domineering presence.
A grave look appeared in Mu Chen's eyes. Though he had belittled Rob verbally, Mu Chen understood deeply that Rob was absolutely a troublesome opponent.
His Dou Qi possessed the rare Earth-Rock Attribute. This type of Dou Qi was always known for powerful defense and unceasing endurance. In the original story, Rob had even survived a simplified version of the Furious Buddha Lotus.
Mu Chen inhaled a dry breath mixed with dust and sand. His eyes turned cold as both hands reached behind his back.
Clang! Clang!
As sharp blades left their sheaths, two black swords gleaming with chilling light appeared in Mu Chen's hands. He slightly raised his hands, and the pitch-black blades reflected all the sunlight cast down from the sky onto Rob's face, where his breathing had become hurried and surprise mixed with greed.
Looking at the Mountain-Cleaving Blade that had accompanied him through many battles, Rob suddenly found it utterly unappealing.
"Compared to the weapons in that brat's hands, this is nothing but scrap metal.
"Mo Xing's death was worthwhile after all. It just so happened that I encountered this brat. Once I obtain those two divine swords in his hands, my strength will rise another level."
Just as Mu Chen shifted his feet slightly, the system's voice sounded in his mind.
"Detected that the host is about to engage in a cross-realm battle. Mission triggered: kill Four-Star Da Dou Shi Rob.
Reward: Flame Luminary Transformation."
Mu Chen froze for a moment. This was already the second time the system had suddenly issued a mission. He muttered softly, "Eh, there's such a good thing? 'Flame Luminary Transformation'! From the name, it sounds like some kind of secret technique.
"But haven't I already fought a cross-realm battle once? Damn... Ha Lang must have been too useless. The system probably didn't even count him as a Da Dou Shi." Mu Chen grumbled inwardly.
"Hahaha, brat, you actually possess such divine weapons. Too bad they'll soon be mine."
Rob laughed loudly. Holding the Mountain-Cleaving Blade in a reverse grip, he stomped down. His seemingly clumsy body instantly shot forward, while the broad blade in his hand dragged across the ground, scattering a string of sparks as he moved.
"Not a bad idea, but sorry. I have to take your life today."
Mu Chen had originally intended to kill Rob and eliminate future trouble. The mission issued by the system only deepened his killing intent. At that moment, Rob looked like a freely running scroll containing a secret technique in Mu Chen's eyes.
Seeing Rob charge at him with murderous intent, Mu Chen thrust out his black swords and pulled a cold smile across his lips. Then, like an arrow released from the bowstring, he rushed toward Rob as well.
While still in mid-charge, a Dou Qi Veil of fire and wood attributes appeared over his body. The nearly solidified veil made the watching mercenaries all gasp sharply.
Even they could tell that Mu Chen's Dou Qi Veil would definitely become armor with just one more step forward. Those who had shouted that Mu Chen would not last ten exchanges also shut their mouths.
"You've got courage, but I'm a Da Dou Shi. You're destined to die by my hand."
Rob laughed loudly, a savage expression appearing on his face. The massive blade in his hand spun at high speed, and several streaks of Dou Qi blade light flashed forth. In the blink of an eye, they had already reached Mu Chen.
Dou Qi Projection! The exclusive method of a Da Dou Shi.
Mu Chen glanced sideways, yet neither dodged nor evaded. The Inkshadow Twin Swords in his hands, now dyed dark yellow from being infused with Fire Attribute Dou Qi, slashed out dozens of times in rapid succession.
The sharp blades collided head-on with the blade lights, erupting in a series of ringing clangs. Those streaks of blade light were forcefully shattered beneath Mu Chen's dense barrage of slashes.
"So what if you're a Da Dou Shi? It's not like I haven't killed one before!"
Before you continue