This Is How We Do Things on Mysterious Yin Island!

Xiao Cha sighed softly as he watched the little girl's tears continue to fall.

"Everyone has their own way of living. You shouldn't deny your own worth because of how others see you. Everyone has unfortunate moments, but fortunate ones too. Good luck."

With that, Xiao Cha continued walking out of the alley.

Watching Xiao Cha bathed in the midday sunlight, the little girl felt a seed called light appear for the first time in her tear-filled eyes.

"Live for myself..."

After leaving the alley, Xiao Cha couldn't be bothered to go back and buy anything else. Instead, he decided to wander the streets and see whether he might stumble across some useful information. After all, though Stone Desert City was only a small border city, it was still remarkably large in reality.

The mercenaries here ventured into the desert from time to time, so they might have some useful information.

After wandering for quite a while, he hadn't picked up much useful information, but he had seen plenty of weapons shops. Stone Desert City lay in the Tagor Desert and fought the Snake-People Tribe year-round, so there were plenty of weapons shops here.

"It's almost afternoon. Might as well find an inn and head to Desert City tomorrow."

Looking up at the sun, Xiao Cha decided to find an inn to settle into first. Xiao Yan couldn't possibly catch up so quickly, so there was no need to rush.

"Ah, still no news about the heavenly flames. I wonder whether Queen Medusa has taken it yet. If she has, it'll be easier for me to take that Lotus Seat. That's good stuff."

Just as Xiao Cha was thinking, several mocking voices came from a short distance ahead, along with the faint sound of a girl crying.

Xiao Cha hadn't wanted to interfere. In a small border city like this, order was chaotic, and fights and brawls were commonplace. Even deaths were nothing unusual. He might save one person, but could he possibly save everyone?

Yet just as he turned to leave, a sentence stopped him in his tracks.

"No! Don't step on my buns! Big brother gave those to me!"

"A jinx like you thinks you deserve to eat?"

"Exactly! Maybe this little slut traded her body for those buns."

"Hahahaha!"

The commotion quickly drew a crowd, but most people merely stood there whispering, with no intention of helping. Only a few watched with pity in their eyes, shaking their heads slightly.

The little girl's head had already been split open by their blows. Crimson blood streamed down, and the pain throughout her body gradually dulled her responses. She gazed at the flattened buns nearby and tried to reach for them, but she couldn't lift her arm at all.

"Stop! How could you do this?"

Just as the little girl was about to give out, a stern shout suddenly came from behind the crowd. Then a wide gap was pushed open, and a dozen travel-worn mercenaries walked through. The young man leading them looked at the richly dressed attackers and swept the sword in his hand.

"Did you hear me?"

"It's the Desert Iron Mercenary Group..."

Hearing that voice, the little girl laboriously lifted her eyelids and looked at the approaching figures, gratitude showing in her eyes. Yet for some reason, deep down, she suddenly began silently hoping for another figure to appear.

"What do we do? It's the Desert Iron Mercenary Group."

"Let's go!"

Seeing the mercenaries arrive, especially the Desert Iron Mercenary Group, one of Stone Desert City's major mercenary groups, the attackers all lost their nerve and prepared to leave.

Whoosh!

Bang!

Boom!

Just as they were about to leave, a shrill sound suddenly tore through the air. Then everyone saw a dark blue flame land beside the young man leading them and begin blazing fiercely.

The dark blue flames surged with the wind, scorching even the surrounding air until it visibly warped. The blast sent the young man flying.

At the sight, the surrounding people backed away, all drawing sharp breaths. Even Xiao Ding, who had just stood up for the little girl, abruptly retreated two steps, his eyes full of fear.

He hadn't even been able to react to that attack, which showed just how powerful the attacker was.

The little girl was also somewhat curious when she saw the flames, not understanding why a fire had suddenly appeared.

Everyone present was bewildered for a moment. Some even thought the little girl on the ground had done it, and fear appeared in their eyes.

As everyone speculated, laughter came from behind them, carrying a trace of madness.

"Heh... hahahahaha! You think you can leave after beating someone... where would you find such a sweet deal?"

Everyone turned toward the voice and saw Xiao Cha standing there laughing, one hand covering his head. Beside him, the Tiandu Corpse Fire hovered quietly.

"It's... it's that flame! He's the one who attacked!"

Only upon seeing the Tiandu Corpse Fire did everyone realize that Xiao Cha had blasted the young man away.

"Big brother..."

When the little girl on the ground saw Xiao Cha, a look of delighted surprise immediately appeared on her previously listless face. But then she remembered the terrifying sight of his attack and became a little frightened.

Seeing Xiao Cha approach, Xiao Ding hurriedly picked up the little girl and passed her to one of his brothers behind him. Then he turned toward Xiao Cha and cupped his hands.

"I'm Xiao Ding, leader of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group. May I ask your name, brother?"

Xiao Cha glanced at him, then at the little girl sheltered among the members of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group behind him. After briefly checking the timing, he finally realized who she was.

So it was her. I was wondering why she felt so familiar.

Then he looked at Xiao Ding and spoke coldly.

"Xuan Gu of Mysterious Yin Island!"

"A pleasure to meet you."

The moment Xiao Ding heard that name, he knew this was surely no decent fellow. But he couldn't say that to his face, so he could only smile before preparing to leave.

"Let's go."

Meanwhile, the young man who had been blasted away was helped up by his friends, his eyes filled with hatred as he stared at Xiao Cha.

"What gives you the right to blast me? Do you know who my father is?"

Xiao Cha wasn't in the mood to argue with the young man. He simply fired another burst of Tiandu Corpse Fire at their feet, blasting them all to the ground. Then he waved his hand, and countless Gold-Devouring Insects flew from his sleeve, surrounding Xiao Ding and his party.

The ordinary people present immediately fled in terror at the sky-filling swarm of Gold-Devouring Insects. Xiao Ding and the others also drew their weapons, watching the insects warily.

"What do you mean by this, brother? This is Stone Desert City. Are you planning to fight inside the city? You should know the city guards are nearby."

Hearing Xiao Ding's veiled warning, Xiao Cha's lips curled slightly. He suddenly realized how satisfying this felt. No wonder Han Li liked playing with insects so much.

"This is how we do things on Mysterious Yin Island! You think mere city guards can frighten me? Even the top powers of the Northwest Continent-what could they do? Leave that girl behind, and I'll let you go."

Everyone turned to Xiao Ding upon hearing this.

"Commander..."

Xiao Ding was torn as well, but looking at the brothers behind him who had braved life and death at his side, he finally gritted his teeth and nodded, ordering his men to bring the little girl forward.

"I'm sorry."

As the little girl passed beside Xiao Ding, he spoke softly to her, his eyes filled with apology.

Hearing him, the little girl used the last of her strength to shake her head, the corners of her lips lifting slightly.

"I know big brother. He won't hurt me."