Chapter 95: Conjugate Brothers
As the breeze brushed across the high platform, Xiao Yuan arrived with Qinglian in tow.
His light-footed, cloudlike movement technique was so graceful that it didn't attract any attention from the excited mercenaries below.
However, Xiao Yan and Xiao Li both looked up, seemingly sensing his arrival.
The burst of speed Xiao Yuan had just displayed—even the two of them had to admit they were no match for it.
Their eyes met, and they exchanged silent, helpless glances. Their younger brother had grown absurdly strong.
But the match ahead pulled them back to focus. On the field, Xiao Li flipped his palm, summoning a tungsten steel spear. At the same time, silver Dou Qi surged around him, quickly condensing into a glistening silver battle aura robe across his body.
On the opposite end, purple flames danced over Xiao Yan's battle robe. His Dou Qi armor was alight with a faint violet sheen, causing Xiao Yuan's brows to rise slightly.
"Xiao Yuan, who do you think will win—Xiao Yan or Second Brother?" Xiao Ding asked, having also just recovered from being stunned by Xiao Yuan's speed.
Xiao Yuan squinted at the battlefield and smiled faintly. "Xiao Yan will win. Second Brother may be a Four-Star Dou Shi, but Xiao Yan's probably at Two-Star now. The gap between them isn't huge. Plus, look at that black ruler Xiao Yan carries on his back. It's not ordinary, but Second Brother hasn't caught on."
Xiao Ding nodded thoughtfully. He had confidence in Xiao Yan too, but he hadn't seen through things as clearly as Xiao Yuan.
At that moment, both Xiao Li and Xiao Yan launched themselves into motion. Their feet pushed off the ground, propelling them like arrows toward each other.
"Four Commander reached Dou Shi level too?!"
Snowlan, standing to the side, blinked in awe as she watched Xiao Yan's Dou Qi armor burn with violet flames.
"Xiao Yan has always been the genius of our family," Xiao Yuan replied, watching intently as Xiao Li performed the signature three-stage Lightning Arc Dance. "He just went through a rough patch. Now that he's pulled through, it's no surprise he's progressing quickly."
Xiao Yuan tilted his head. "Second Brother's going to lose."
The surrounding officers from the Mo Iron Mercenary Group looked confused. From their perspective, it was obvious that Xiao Yan was losing—his weapon had even been knocked away.
Xiao Ding, however, simply watched with interest. After glancing briefly at the heavy ruler lying in the dirt, his gaze followed Xiao Yan instead.
As expected, with the burden gone, Xiao Yan's speed soared. He launched a smooth combo that left Xiao Li no choice but to activate his emergency defense skill, Silver Electric Shield.
But as Xiao Li breathed a sigh of relief, the hidden force of the Eight Extremities Collapse technique exploded from within him.
Caught off guard, Xiao Li was overwhelmed—and defeated.
"Third Commander really does have an eye for things," Snowlan praised as she watched Xiao Li on the ground with Xiao Yan's black ruler pointed at his chest.
"That ruler's more like a limiter than a weapon," Xiao Yuan replied.
Down on the battlefield, Xiao Li was anything but discouraged. In fact, he was pleased. Xiao Yan's talent had always been extraordinary. Seeing his younger brother's strength increase made him feel more at ease.
As Xiao Yan bent down to retrieve the heavy ruler, Xiao Li stepped forward with a grin. "Let me try that thing. It seems... strange."
Xiao Yan nodded and handed it over.
Moments later, Xiao Li had both hands on the weapon and was straining just to lift it. The Dou Qi within him, normally as fast and wild as lightning, slowed to a crawl. His eyes widened in disbelief.
"You used this thing against me?!"
Then he turned toward the high platform and shouted, "Xiao Yuan, get down here and try this!"
Xiao Yuan chuckled helplessly, hopped down from the platform, and accepted the ruler.
As soon as he did, his expression shifted slightly.
"This thing's like a sandbag for Dou Qi cultivation…"
He casually waved it around a few times. His wrist began to ache slightly from the sheer weight.
A moment later, he handed it back to Xiao Yan—only to find both Xiao Li and Xiao Yan staring at him like they'd seen a ghost.
"You didn't feel anything?" Xiao Li asked.
Xiao Yuan blinked. "You mean the Dou Qi suppression? It's definitely a bit annoying."
"You looked completely relaxed just now!"
Xiao Li rolled his eyes. Xiao Yan nodded solemnly in agreement.
Back when he'd first used the ruler, even walking had been a challenge. Meanwhile, Xiao Yuan had just waved it around like a toy—twirling it in a perfect arc.
Ridiculous.
"Oh, it's not that. It doesn't suppress my Dou Qi that much. I'm just... strong."
Xiao Yuan said with a straight face.
"..."
Both Xiao Li and Xiao Yan were speechless.
So you're saying... you weren't even using Dou Qi just now?
Is this guy even human?!
"Ugh, comparing yourself to others is a path to despair. Let's go back up," Xiao Li muttered.
He launched himself back to the platform in a flash. Xiao Yuan shrugged and followed with Xiao Yan.
"Big Brother!"
Xiao Yan approached Xiao Ding, face glowing with emotion.
"Not bad," Xiao Ding grinned. "I was worried you'd struggle without Third Brother watching your back, but clearly, you've carved your own path."
"If Third Brother had come with me, my training would've felt like a vacation!" Xiao Yan laughed.
"Not necessarily," Xiao Yuan chimed in. "Maybe I'd be the one enjoying the vacation while you did the hard work."
"Haha, knowing the two of you, you'd probably fight over who gets to charge in first," Xiao Li chuckled.
Around them, the officers of the Mo Iron Mercenary Group looked on warmly.
With these four brothers united, both the Xiao Clan and the Mercenary Group had a bright future ahead.
After a bit of banter, Xiao Yan grew serious.
"I actually came to Stone Desert City because I need your help with something."
"Let's talk elsewhere," Xiao Ding said, his tone shifting to match the mood.
…
Vast stretches of golden sand rolled endlessly beneath a blazing sun.
"Qinglian, are you sure it's here?" Xiao Yan asked, bewildered, as he gazed at the plain terrain before them. There was nothing out of the ordinary. Just sand—nothing to indicate the presence of something as extraordinary as a Heavenly Flame.
Behind him stood Xiao Ding and Xiao Li. Dozens of elite mercenaries had followed them here, intrigued by the claim from Qinglian, Xiao Yuan's mysterious maid.
But all they could see was ordinary desert, a location some of them had passed dozens of times without noticing anything strange.
Nervous under their scrutiny, Qinglian clung shyly to Xiao Yuan's sleeve.
"Xiao Yan-shao ye… I really did sense it here—half a year ago, something powerful stirred from this exact spot."
"True, it looks barren," Xiao Yuan said with a smile, "but if Qinglian sensed it, I'm guessing it's underground."
Xiao Ding nodded. "There's no mirage here—conditions around Stone Desert City can't create that illusion. If we can't see it and there's no cover... it must be buried beneath the surface."
Xiao Yan tapped the ground lightly. "Even if that's true, what are we supposed to do—dig randomly?"
"No need," Xiao Ding replied calmly. "We've got a few specialists in terrain scouting. They'll help us find the entrance."
As Xiao Ding and Xiao Li gave orders, Xiao Yan pulled Xiao Yuan aside.
"Third Brother... about Ice Emperor Hai Bodong—"
"Don't worry," Xiao Yuan cut in. "With Yao Lao at your side, even if Hai Lao recovers his strength, he won't dare pull anything. You're a rare six-star alchemist, and both our talents speak for themselves. Hai Lao's smart—he won't risk making enemies out of us."
Then he pulled something from his storage ring and stuffed it into Xiao Yan's hands.
Two map fragments.
"What are these?"
"Fragments related to the Purifying Lotus Demonic Flame. You need a Heavenly Flame, right? One of these came from when I found my own flame. The other I got from Hai Lao. He's still holding a third, which he'll give up once I get that Sand Mandala Herb for him. After that, they're all yours."
"Purifying Lotus... Demonic Flame?" Xiao Yan echoed.
"Yes. Third-ranked on the Heavenly Flame Ranking."
Yao Lao's voice suddenly filled the air. He appeared in spirit form, unfolding the map in Xiao Yan's hands.
A lotus design sat in the corner—inky black, rimmed with dark flame. Just a glance gave off an eerie sensation.
"There's no mistake," Yao Lao said gravely. "This is the Purifying Lotus Demonic Flame. It can reduce anything it touches to nothingness. I only recognized it because I saw some records long ago."
Xiao Yan was stunned.
A Heavenly Flame ranked third?
He was excited, but also felt unworthy—this was far beyond what he expected.
Xiao Yuan waved a hand. "Don't get sentimental. It's just a fragment. If you manage to collect all of them, you deserve it."
Then, as if it were no big deal, he pulled out another item—an amethyst bottle.
"Companion Amethyst Essence," he said with a grin. "Use it to strengthen your Purple Flame."
"Wait… you're the one who robbed the Amethyst Winged Lion King?!"
"I wouldn't say 'robbed'... I just borrowed a little."
Yao Lao burst out laughing. "Your luck really is something else."
"Teacher, how are you here?" Xiao Yan asked.
"Relax," Yao Lao replied. "If I don't want to be seen, no one will see me."
Then he turned to Xiao Yuan, increasingly pleased.
"Such character... rare indeed."
"Still," Yao Lao added, "we can't let Xiao Yan be the only one receiving gifts. Xiao Yuan, you've got wind-affinity Dou Qi, don't you? I've got a low-grade Earth-rank wind technique—an inheritance from a close friend. It's yours."
Xiao Yan blinked. "Wind-affinity?"
"No need, Senior," Xiao Yuan smiled. "Could I trouble you instead for earth or metal affinity techniques?"
He lifted his hand.
Five colors of Dou Qi danced in his palm—green, red, yellow, silver, and blue.
Xiao Yan's eyes bulged.
"Five attributes?"
Even Yao Lao was speechless for a moment.
Xiao Yuan nodded. "Wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Wind and ice are just derivatives."
Xiao Yan sighed. "Turns out you're the real genius of our family…"
Yao Lao descended, placing a hand on Xiao Yuan's wrist to examine him.
"No Qi whirlpool… your body is strong… organs full of vitality…"
He muttered to himself.
"A cultivation method from ancient times… long lost… and yet here it is before me."
After some thought, he smiled again. "I only have a high-level Profound-rank metal technique, but this Earth-rank earth technique—this I can give you."
He pressed a finger to Xiao Yuan's forehead.
A flood of knowledge surged into his mind. Xiao Yuan blinked through the overload before clasping his hands and bowing deeply.
"Many thanks, Senior Yao."
"You're still weak," Yao Lao said gently. "Don't try it yet. Later, try combining your Dou Qi—blend some wood into your fire, maybe. If it works… you might become an alchemist too."
Xiao Yan's eyes sparkled. "Does that make me… Senior Brother?"
Before Xiao Yuan could answer, Xiao Yan asked slyly, "Say it. Just once?"
Xiao Yuan's lips curled into an evil grin.
"You little brat... you're asking for it."
With a flash, he appeared behind Xiao Yan and tackled him, pinning him to the ground and rubbing his head into the sand.
"Mercy! I yield!"
From above, Yao Lao watched the two brothers wrestle like children, smiling as memories flickered in his eyes.
Not far off, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li exchanged knowing glances and chuckled.
(END CHAPTER)
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