Xiao Ding and Xiao Li

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li

(Solemn declaration: This book is fanfiction based on the original work. Everything serves the plot and characters. All original settings and adaptations are unrelated to the original work. Please do not scrutinize it too closely or project yourself into it. Don't get too hung up on the timeline, locations, names, original power levels, and so on (っ╥╯﹏╰╥c)... Having fun is what matters most... orz)

Stone Desert City, one of the few large cities on the edge of the Tagor Great Desert, was completely different in style from any city in the heartland of the Jia Ma Empire.

Its towering walls were rammed from bluestone mixed with sand and earth. Their surfaces had been weathered beyond recognition by wind and sand, covered in the traces of time and war.

Mercenaries carrying massive swords and radiating fierce auras could be seen everywhere on the streets. They gathered in groups of three or five, laughing and talking loudly, while the air was thick with the smell of sweat, cheap liquor, and blood.

This was a paradise for adventurers and a hell for the weak.

The arrival of Xiao Yan's group was like a clear stream, instantly drawing countless gazes from the street.

The black-clad youth walking in front still had a youthful face, but his composed bearing, along with the savage oversized ruler on his back that seemed utterly out of place with his frame, made no one dare underestimate him.

The three young women behind him each possessed their own distinct charm.

Tian Xin wore a plain white dress, her temperament cold and distant; Xiao Xun'er's purple dress fluttered around her, making her seem lively and lovely; Qing Lin stayed close beside Tian Xin, her emerald eyes curiously taking in their surroundings.

Such an eye-catching group naturally attracted plenty of ill-intentioned scrutiny. Yet the moment those gazes encountered Tian Xin's unfathomable aura, they withdrew as if they had seen a ghost, snapping back like they had been shocked, no longer daring to act presumptuously.

"Excuse me, may I ask where the Desert Iron Mercenary Group is located?"

Xiao Yan stopped a passerby and asked politely.

The passerby pointed toward the west side of the city. "The Desert Iron Mercenary Group? Head west. When you see the largest stone fortress, that's it. But little brother, you look unfamiliar. You're from out of town, aren't you? The Desert Iron Mercenary Group is fair in its dealings, but their leaders are known for being ruthless. You'd best not provoke them."

Xiao Yan merely smiled at that, thanked him, and led the group toward the west side of the city.

Ruthless?

He knew his two elder brothers all too well. Their ruthlessness had always been reserved for outsiders and enemies.

Before long, a three-story stone fortress built from bluestone appeared before them.

Two guards holding long spears stood vigilantly at the entrance. A massive iron plaque hung above the gates, with the words "Desert Iron" inscribed upon it in sweeping strokes. A vicious wolf-head saber was embedded in the plaque, radiating a fierce killing intent.

This was the headquarters of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group.

Xiao Yan stood at the entrance, staring at that familiar iron plaque, his heart filled with mixed emotions. Two years had passed since they last met. He wondered whether his eldest and second brothers were doing well now.

Just as he was about to step forward, the fortress gates creaked open from within.

A tall, resolute young man in coarse mercenary clothing strode out. He carried the ferocity and sharpness of a lone wolf on the grasslands, his eyes as keen as blades, making even the guards at the entrance lower their heads involuntarily.

It was none other than Xiao Li, the vice leader of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group!

Xiao Li seemed to be heading out on a mission, with a trace of impatience on his face. But when his gaze swept across the entrance and landed on the black-clad youth carrying the Profound Heavy Ruler, his entire body froze as though he had been struck by lightning.

That familiar face, though now stripped of much of its childishness...

"Th-Third Brother?!"

Even Xiao Li's voice trembled.

The wolf-like ferocity and sharpness on his face vanished in an instant, replaced by heartfelt warmth and wild joy.

"Second Brother!"

Xiao Yan's eyes reddened at once as well.

"You brat! You... why are you here?!"

Xiao Li rushed forward in a single stride. Completely disregarding his status as vice leader, he spread his arms and pulled Xiao Yan into a solid bear hug.

He pounded Xiao Yan's back so hard that his bones made dull thudding sounds, as if he wanted to pass all the longing and worry of the past two years through that embrace.

"Good lad! You've grown taller! And stronger too!" He released Xiao Yan and looked him over from head to toe, the joy in his eyes nearly overflowing.

The mercenary group's hall was filled with a warm and lively atmosphere.

A young man in white robes sat in the seat of honor. His features somewhat resembled Xiao Li's, but his temperament was entirely different, refined and wise. Looking at the younger brother he had not seen in two years, his eyes were full of affection and approval.

He was Xiao Ding, the leader of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group.

"Third Brother, you're now... a Dou Master?"

Xiao Ding set down his teacup, unable to hide the astonishment in his voice.

When the three brothers had chatted and caught up earlier, Xiao Ding had learned of Xiao Yan's current cultivation. Even with his steady temperament, he could not help being moved.

Two years ago, Xiao Yan had left as a youth at the ninth stage of Dou Qi. Two years later, he had undergone a complete transformation and become a Dou Master.

"That cultivation speed is simply horrifying!" Xiao Li clicked his tongue in amazement, heavily patting Xiao Yan's shoulder as he laughed heartily. "I knew it! The Xiao Family's gifted son was never meant to remain trapped in a small pond!"

Xiao Yan rubbed his nose and smiled modestly before introducing the companions beside him to his two brothers.

"Eldest Brother, Second Brother, this is Tian Xin, and this is Qing Lin."

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li looked toward the two young women, both briefly struck by their beauty. They nodded to them kindly in greeting.

Then Xiao Li turned his gaze toward Xiao Xun'er again and teased her with a mischievous grin. "Little Sister Xun'er, you've become even more lovely after two years apart. What, are you still following our Third Brother around everywhere?"

Xiao Xun'er's pretty face flushed. Rarely showing the bashfulness of a young girl, she gave a soft huff and ignored him.

After the pleasantries, the atmosphere gradually quieted.

As the eldest brother, Xiao Ding took the initiative to ask about the serious matter. "Third Brother, you didn't travel all the way to the Tagor Great Desert just to visit the two of us, did you?"

Xiao Yan's expression turned serious as well. He nodded and frankly explained the purpose of his journey.

"Eldest Brother, Second Brother, to be honest, I need a Heavenly Flame to cultivate my technique. I came deep into the Tagor Great Desert this time to search for the legendary Green Lotus Core Flame."

Heavenly Flame!

The moment they heard those words, the smiles on Xiao Ding and Xiao Li's faces froze.

They exchanged a glance, each seeing shock in the other's eyes.

"Third Brother, you... aren't joking, are you?" Xiao Li's throat was dry. "That's a Heavenly Flame! Something said to be capable of burning mountains and boiling seas! Forget finding it—even an ordinary person touching the slightest bit of it would probably be burned to ashes!"

"I know it's dangerous." Xiao Yan took out the map Hai Bodong had left behind from his storage ring and slowly spread it across the table. "But I have to obtain it."

Seeing the determination in his expression, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li knew they could not persuade him otherwise. They said no more and turned their attention to the ancient map.

As mercenary leaders who had spent years struggling through the desert, they knew this region far better than most.

"This map... is remarkably detailed." Xiao Ding swept his gaze over it and quickly found Stone Desert City, as well as the unusual area east of the city marked with special symbols.

"Southeast of Stone Desert City... this place..." Xiao Ding's brows drew tightly together, his eyes filled with confusion.

"What is it, Eldest Brother?" Xiao Yan hurriedly asked.

"We brothers know this place far too well." Xiao Li took over, equally puzzled. "But there doesn't seem to be anything special east of Stone Desert City. Our Desert Iron Mercenary Group has been taking missions in that area for years."

"But..." Xiao Li scratched his head and said uncertainly, "we've never discovered anything unusual there, much less any trace of a Heavenly Flame."

Xiao Ding nodded as well, saying in a low voice, "Second Brother is right. We know that place like the backs of our hands. If something like a Heavenly Flame were truly there, it would be impossible for there to have been no sign at all."

After hearing his two brothers' analysis, Xiao Yan fell into thought as well.

"Never mind."

After a moment, Xiao Yan raised his head, fighting spirit rekindling in his eyes.

"On the way here, we followed the markings on the map to several places, only to come up empty-handed each time. One more won't make a difference."

He looked at his two brothers and grinned. "We're already here, after all. I have to see it for myself before I can be satisfied."

Seeing that he had made up his mind, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li exchanged another glance and stopped trying to dissuade him.

"Alright!" Xiao Ding nodded heavily. "In that case, your eldest brother will go with you!"

"And me!" Xiao Li thumped his chest.

"You should all rest properly in the group first and recover your strength. I'll arrange for people to prepare your accommodations for the next few days."