Subordinates

The sky was a flawless blue as a streak of green light flashed across it, especially eye-catching.

As he looked at the faint outline of the enormous city appearing in the distance, Xiao Qing smiled.

Though the round trip had taken less than two days, after flying through the boundless desert for so long, he still felt as though an age had passed.

He landed not far from Stone Desert City and, like an ordinary person, walked toward the city gate.

After passing through the heavily guarded gates, there was no cliché confrontation or face-slapping scene. He returned to the inn without incident.

Xiao Qing felt somewhat disappointed. It seemed he truly did not have the fate of a protagonist.

With a face as eye-catching as his, no one had actually jumped out to cause trouble.

He truly did not know how Xiao Yan, with that utterly ordinary face, managed to stir up trouble everywhere he went.

When Xiao Qing strolled to the door of the room and raised his hand to knock, the door slowly opened before him with a soft creak.

Looking down, Xiao Qing saw Zi Yan curiously leaning closer while holding Qing Lin, who looked much smaller than her.

"Xiao Qing, you smell so good!"

Without any extra greeting, Zi Yan sniffed with her delicate little nose, then looked up at Xiao Qing with a grin.

"You..."

Xiao Qing chuckled and shook his head. He took Qing Lin from Zi Yan's arms, pinched her little cheek, and asked with feigned confusion,

"Qing Lin, how has Zi Yan treated you these past few days?"

Before Qing Lin could answer, Zi Yan became unhappy.

"Hey, hey, hey! What do you mean by that, Xiao Qing? You don't trust me that much?"

Zi Yan widened her eyes and asked with an indignant expression.

"Big Brother, Sister Zi Yan has treated me very well. You wronged her."

Breathing in the life aura naturally emanating from Xiao Qing, Qing Lin's pretty face flushed slightly as she answered earnestly.

"Is that so? Then Big Brother blamed her wrongly."

Xiao Qing laughed softly. Looking at the two girls before him, a faint ripple stirred in his heart.

He rubbed Zi Yan's head, then took out the jade bottle containing Earthfire Lotus Seeds from his Storage Ring. He poured out several seeds and handed them to Zi Yan.

"Here. This is the opportunity I sensed before. This portion is for you."

Feeling the pure energy contained within the Earthfire Lotus Seeds, Zi Yan's aggrieved expression immediately turned into a bright smile.

"For the sake of these treasures, I'll forgive you."

Zi Yan took the Earthfire Lotus Seeds and indicated that she did not care about such a trivial matter.

Seeing that the two of them were doing well, Xiao Qing finally said, "Pack your things. We're leaving this place."

Zi Yan had just put away the Earthfire Lotus Seeds when she heard that. She immediately asked curiously, "Are we going to Wutan City?"

Qing Lin also looked at Xiao Qing curiously.

Over the past few days, Zi Yan had told her about Xiao Qing. She was filled with curiosity about Wutan City.

Xiao Qing glanced at the second Storage Ring in his hand and shook his head. "No rush. My gains from this journey are far more than that. Let's go recruit a subordinate first."

"A subordinate?"

Zi Yan scratched her head, unable to make sense of it.

Mo City, Gu Tu's Shop.

Ever since Xiao Qing and Zi Yan had come here to buy a map, the shop had been flooded with visitors.

As a shop once visited by a Dou Wang, it drew residents and mercenaries alike once word spread, all coming to pay their respects.

Hai Bo Dong felt utterly stifled by this. Once he confirmed that Xiao Qing had left, he tried to drive the visitors away.

But when those who had come to pay their respects heard this, they immediately became dissatisfied.

"We came to pay our respects to Lord Dou Wang. What are you, just a map seller?"

"If Lord Dou Wang hadn't come here, we wouldn't even bother visiting your shop!"

Helpless, Hai Bo Dong had no choice but to reveal the terrifying pressure of a Dou Ling. Only then did the crowd quiet down and scatter.

Just when Hai Bo Dong thought he could finally live in peace, something unexpected happened...

Three figures walked leisurely along the streets of Mo City. The combination of one adult and two children was especially conspicuous.

Yet the pedestrians around them seemed not to notice them at all, each going about their own business. Those blocking their path would unconsciously step aside.

Xiao Qing's expression did not change as he watched this scene.

This was merely a subtle application of his soul power, nothing worth mentioning.

However, the sight looked entirely different to the two girls beside him.

Qing Lin looked amazed. As expected of Big Brother. This ability is terrifying.

Zi Yan's eyes gleamed, her face full of excitement.

If she had this ability, she would not get caught when taking medicinal ingredients in the future!

"Xiao Qing, how did you do that? Hurry and teach me."

Zi Yan grinned as she grabbed Xiao Qing's sleeve with both little hands and shook it.

Xiao Qing turned his head. Seeing Zi Yan like this, he guessed her intentions and shook his head.

"This ability only works on those weaker than you. Before true experts, it is practically useless."

"It's impossible for you to use it to steal medicinal ingredients."

"Ah, how could this happen?!"

Zi Yan clutched her head with both hands, suddenly feeling as though the sky had fallen.

Xiao Qing chuckled. "All right. Once you become strong enough, won't you have as many medicinal ingredients as you want?"

"Rather than thinking about that, you should work hard to improve yourself."

After a while, a familiar shop came into view.

"Xiao Qing, is the subordinate you want to recruit that old man from before?"

Zi Yan's eyes were full of confusion.

She had not been entirely sure before, but now it was obvious.

"Yes. That old man may only appear to be a Dou Ling, but he was originally a Dou Emperor."

"His cultivation was sealed by a special Dou Technique, which is why he ended up like this."

Looking at the ancient shop in the distance, Xiao Qing nodded and explained patiently.

"A Dou Emperor!"

Zi Yan could not help letting out a cry of surprise.

She had never expected that frail-looking old man from before to have once been a Dou Emperor.

Qing Lin also turned to look over, her small face filled with surprise.

She was no longer the cultivation novice she had once been, so she naturally understood what a Dou Emperor represented.

As they marveled, they arrived at the shop entrance.

Xiao Qing stepped forward and pushed the door open first, with the two girls following closely behind.

Hearing the door open, Hai Bo Dong, who was lowering his head and making maps, frowned slightly. He thought another fool had come to pay respects to the Dou Wang.

Just as he was about to look up and see who dared disturb his peace, a familiar voice came from the doorway.

"Heh, old man, we meet again."

Hai Bo Dong abruptly raised his head and saw Xiao Qing, who had defeated him before, standing at the door with a smile.

Behind him were two little girls, one older and one younger.

Hai Bo Dong's heart began pounding violently, but his expression remained calm.

"Has Lord Dou Wang come here because you have instructions for me?"

Xiao Qing smiled and shook his head, his tone calm.

"That's no fun, Ice Emperor Hai Bo Dong."