A struggle flashed in Luo Bu's eyes, but he finally gritted his teeth, and the fiery battle Dou Qi in his heavy sword surged suddenly.
"Then let me see just how much you're worth!"
Before he finished speaking, he transformed into a crimson afterimage, his blade slashing straight at Xiao Huohuo's face.
The full power of Five-Star Da Dou Shi made the air in the council hall seem to ignite, and the tables and chairs cracked inch by inch under the aftershocks of the Dou Qi.
The surrounding Sand Mercenary Group members all retreated; the attack of Five-Star Da Dou Shi was simply beyond their ability to withstand.
Xiao Huohuo neither dodged nor avoided, holding the Heavy Xuan Ruler horizontally in his hand.
"Clang--!"
The loud clang of the cleaver and ruler clashing together made everyone in the hall's eardrums ache.
Luo Bu felt a terrifying force coming from the blade, his hand throbbed with pain, and he was forced back three steps!
Looking at Xiao Huohuo again, he remained motionless, the cold white flames on the Heavy Xuan Ruler in his hand flowing slowly. The flames seemed gentle, but they caused Luo Bu's Fire Attribute Dou Qi to feel an instinctive fear.
"This flame..." Luo Bu's expression changed drastically.
"Commander Luo, one more time."
Xiao Huohuo spoke calmly, pointing the Heavy Xuan Ruler diagonally at the ground. Cold Fire rose from the ruler. With the support of Yao Lao's power, Xiao Huohuo could easily deal with a mere Da Dou Shi.
Luo Bu roared, frantically channeling his battle Dou Qi into his blade.
The Crimson Flame Saber Technique he cultivated was Profound Tier Low Grade Dou Technique, and it was precisely because of this skill that he was able to gain a foothold in Stone Desert City.
At this moment, he unleashed his full power, the blade light transforming into nine crimson afterimages, slashing at Xiao Huohuo's vital points from different angles.
The eyes of Sha Tie and the others watching from inside the hall gleamed with hope. They had witnessed the power of Luo Bu's move before; it had once severely injured Six-Star Da Dou Shi. No matter how strong Xiao Huohuo Luo Bu, he couldn't possibly have it so easily, could he?
However, before they could finish their thought, the scene before them left everyone dumbfounded.
Xiao Huohuo was moved.
He simply took a step forward, and the Heavy Xuan Ruler swung upwards.
This seemingly simple gesture carried a mysterious trajectory, and wherever it passed, the nine sword shadows melted away instantly, like ice and snow meeting the sun!
"How is this possible?!" Luo Bu exclaimed in shock.
His strongest attack was so easily broken by his opponent?
Xiao Huohuo put down her ruler and stood still, calmly looking at him. "Want to continue?"
Cold sweat beaded on Luo Bu's forehead.
In that instant, he clearly felt that the opponent's attack level was far superior to his own; it was a kind of fundamental suppression.
Moreover, although this young man was only Nine-Star Dou Shi, the sheer depth of his Dou Qi and the exquisite control he possessed were simply unbelievable.
"I..." Luo Bu gritted his teeth, ultimately a veteran of the battlefield, able to bend and stretch, "I concede."
The hall was deathly silent.
Deputy Regiment Sha Tie's face turned deathly pale.
Xiao Huohuo nodded. "Then let's talk about the second option."
His gaze swept over everyone in the hall, finally settling on Luo Bu: "Shall we talk privately?"
Luo Bu took a deep breath and waved his hand, signaling, "Everyone out."
Sha Tie wanted to say something, but he was forced back by Luo Bu's cold and stern gaze.
The crowd filed out, leaving only Xiao Huohuo, Xiao Yan, and Luo Bu inside the council hall.
The moment the door closed, Xiao Huohuo took out two jade bottles from her Storage Ring.
One is cyan, and the other is black.
"The cyan bottle contains a ' Barrier-Breaking Pill,' a fourth-grade pill that can increase the chance of breaking through to the Dou Ling by 30%."
Xiao Huohuo continued calmly:
"The black bottle contains a ' Heart-Devouring Gu. ' After ingestion, an antidote must be taken every three months; otherwise, the Gu worm will devour the heart, causing a painful death."
Luo Bu's pupils contracted sharply as he stared intently at the two jade bottles.
Barrier-Breaking Pill!
He had naturally heard of this thing. For every Da Dou Shi, breaking through to Dou Ling was a dream come true. If one could break through to Dou Ling, not only would their strength increase dramatically, but their lifespan would also be extended by decades!
The choice is yours.
Xiao Huohuo placed the jade bottle on the table and said to Luo Bu:
"I won't stay in Stone Desert City for long, so I need to clear the obstacles for my two brothers. I'll take the Heart-Devouring Gu, and the Barrier-Breaking Pill is yours."
From now on, you will be at the command of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group. I will leave you a sufficient amount of antidote, and when I return to Stone Desert City next time, I will completely cure you.
"What if I don't agree?" Luo Bu's voice was hoarse.
"After tonight, the Sand Mercenary Group will cease to exist in Stone Desert City."
Xiao Yan spoke calmly, his voice as cold as ice, "You and the Sand Mercenary Group will disappear. The remaining members will be gradually absorbed by the Desert Iron Mercenary Group."
Luo Bu's hands were trembling.
He had no doubt that the two boys could do it.
The exchange just now proved that Xiao Huohuo's true combat strength is definitely no weaker than that of Da Dou Shi.
"Whoosh whoosh whoosh~"
During the conversation, several transparent chains suddenly appeared, piercing through the door and causing a commotion outside before falling completely silent.
Luo Bu watched as Xiao Yan made his move, his gaze shifting from Xiao Huohuo to the Barrier-Breaking Pill on the table.
"How can I believe this Barrier-Breaking Pill is real?" Luo Bu gritted his teeth, his voice trembling slightly.
Xiao Huohuo opened the cyan jade bottle, and a rich medicinal fragrance filled the air.
Luo Bu only took one sniff and felt that the bottleneck that had been stagnant for many years had actually loosened!
"It's just a fourth-grade pill. Besides, given the difference in our strength," Xiao Huohuo, putting the cap back on the bottle. "Do you think I would need to lie to you?"
Luo Bu closed his eyes, his mind in turmoil.
"I choose the first one."
After a long while, Luo Bu stood up, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.
He picked up the black jade bottle, poured out the Heart-Devouring Gu without hesitation, and swallowed it.
The moment the pill went down, a sharp pain shot through my heart, as if something had burrowed inside and become one with it.
Luo Bu's eye twitched slightly; he knew Xiao Huohuo wasn't lying to him.
"Very good."
Xiao Huohuo tossed the Barrier-Breaking Pill directly to Luo Bu, a smile appearing on his face, and said:
"Take this pill when you're ready to break through. Remember, take the antidote every three months. Don't forget."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Huohuo patted Luo Bu on the shoulder.
Luo Bu gripped the jade bottle tightly and nodded emphatically. "I understand."
"In addition..."
Xiao Huohuo added, "Within the Sand Mercenary Group, you'd better deal with those who might be unruly."
I don't want any troublemakers to remain when the Desert Iron Mercenary Group takes over.
A ruthless glint flashed in Luo Bu's eyes. He took a deep breath and said, "Don't worry, I'll definitely take care of it tomorrow."
Xiao Huohuo nodded in satisfaction, exchanged a glance with Xiao Yan, and then the two left the Sand Mercenary Group.
Luo Bu was a smart man; they didn't need to see what happened next.
After Xiao Yan and Xiao Huohuo left, Luo Bu stood there, motionless for Jiujiu.
He looked down at the Barrier-Breaking Pill in his hand, feeling a faint stinging pain in his heart, his expression complex.