115: Xiao Ding Xiao Li

Under the respectful and enthusiastic escort of several mercenaries, Mo Yuhan and Ruo Lin traversed the thick and somewhat dilapidated streets of Stone Desert City.

The city's interior was even more rugged than its exterior, with most buildings constructed from thick, low, and sturdy stone blocks, featuring narrow windows designed to ward off sandstorms and intense heat.

The streets of Stone Desert City were wide and rough, with compacted yellow earth serving as the ground. Buildings on both sides were mostly constructed from thick, massive stones, low and sturdy, with narrow window openings, embodying a practical, desert-centric style.

Patrolling soldier squads were visible everywhere, their armor reflecting dazzling light under the scorching sun, their sharp gazes sweeping over every passerby.

Pedestrians were sparse on the streets, and shops were few. The air consistently carried a faint scent of dust and a rusty, metallic hint of blood.

Turning a few quiet streets, a vast and imposing compound appeared before their eyes.

The tall stone walls were almost as high as the city walls, covered in marks of sword slashes, axe hacks, and fire burns, silently narrating the countless trials it had endured.

Two heavy ironwood gates stood open. Inside the courtyard beyond the lintel, a flag fluttered in the wind, emblazoned with four powerful, calligraphic characters: Desert Iron Mercenary Group.

Stepping through the gate felt like entering another World.

The front yard was extremely spacious, like a small training ground, paved with hard black stone.

Dozens of bare-chested, muscular mercenaries were training vigorously under the scorching sun, their shouts and the clang of weapons echoing incessantly, exuding a fierce aura.

The air was a mix of sweat, leather, and the metallic tang of clashing weapons, forming a unique masculine scent.

Upon seeing Leile and the others enter with two strangers, especially noticing the bloodstains and disheveled state of Leile and his companions, the training mercenaries cast glances of concern, wariness, or curiosity.

“In Stone Desert City, our Desert Iron Mercenary Group ranks among the top three in strength. Only the Desert Mercenary Group surpasses us, and that’s merely because their leader is a Great Dou Shi. Besides them, only the Storm Mercenary Group can barely rival us in this entire Stone Desert City.”

Leile enthusiastically explained the power dynamics within Stone Desert City to Mo Yuhan and Ruo Lin, his tone clearly tinged with pride.

“Leile, what happened?”

A steady yet authoritative voice rang out.

A white-robed young man, dressed in a green martial outfit, with a face five or six parts similar to Xiao Yan’s but with a more composed and capable demeanor, quickly emerged from the main hall.

He was none other than the leader of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group, Xiao Ding.

Behind him followed another tall young man with a slightly rugged face, a hint of wildness and ruthlessness in his brows—this was the second leader, Xiao Li.

“Great Leader, Second Leader!”

Leile exclaimed excitedly upon seeing the two, then pointed to Mo Yuhan and Ruo Lin, “It’s Great Master Mo, Great Master Mo Yuhan from Wutan City, and Instructor Ruo Lin from Canaan Academy. They saved our squad! Just now outside the west gate, we were ambushed by Snake-People. If it weren’t for Great Master Mo and Instructor Ruo Lin, our brothers would have all been lost!”

“Great Master Mo Yuhan?!”

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li’s gazes instantly focused on Mo Yuhan.

When they saw that face, which, though stained with blood, still couldn't hide its youthfulness, the composure and ruthlessness on the brothers' faces were instantly replaced by immense astonishment, and their pupils simultaneously contracted sharply.

This was the person their father Xiao Zhan had solemnly mentioned in his letter: Great Master Mo Yuhan, who at only nine years old was already a Second-Rank Alchemist and a Dou Shi expert, and with whom their Xiao Family had an important collaboration.

Even though they knew his age, when Mo Yuhan personally appeared before them, looking at this slender young man who seemed to be only ten years old, the Xiao Family brothers felt a sense of unreality, as if this couldn't possibly be the person from their father's letter.

This… this was too young!

“Greetings, two Leaders.”

Mo Yuhan stepped forward, cupping his fists in a salute to the two. His voice was clear and clean, with the unique quality of youth, yet it carried a natural air of composure, “I am Mo Yuhan. I have come to Stone Desert City on personal business and apologize for the intrusion.”

Xiao Ding was the first to react, suppressing the turbulent waves in his heart. A sincere and enthusiastic smile appeared on his face as he strode forward and firmly grasped Mo Yuhan’s hand.

His voice was filled with excitement and gratitude: “Oh, Great Master Mo, it truly is you! We received Father’s letter long ago and have been eagerly awaiting your arrival! We just never imagined that you… you would be so young and accomplished!”

“Your life-saving kindness, Xiao Ding and the Desert Iron Mercenary Group will never forget! Quick! Please, come inside! Instructor Ruo Lin, please come in as well!”

Xiao Li also reined in the wildness on his face, solemnly cupping his fists in a salute to Mo Yuhan and Ruo Lin, his eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of barely perceptible awe: “Great Master Mo, Instructor Ruo Lin, thank you for your assistance! Please!”

Everyone entered the spacious and simply furnished main hall, which had a strong mercenary style, and took their seats. Mercenaries immediately served sea buckthorn juice—in the desert, this was already considered the most precious hospitality—along with some long-lasting dried fruits.

Xiao Ding inquired in detail about Mo Yuhan's ambush. When he heard that Mo Yuhan, at the age of ten, was already a five-star Dou Shi, and that his swordsmanship was exquisite, allowing him to instantly slay several enemies while being surrounded by multiple Snake-People, the shock in his eyes deepened.

And when they heard that Instructor Ruo Lin had eliminated the Snake-People leader with a wave of her hand, demonstrating the powerful strength of a Dou Ling, the brothers were even more awestruck.

An Instructor from Canaan Academy was indeed unfathomable!

“Great Master Mo, Instructor Ruo Lin, you two have traveled a long way to Stone Desert City. May I ask…”

After some pleasantries, Xiao Ding tentatively asked.

He truly couldn't understand why two such individuals would come to this perilous frontier city in the desert.

Mo Yuhan put down his cup, his expression becoming serious. He spoke directly: “Great Leader, Second Leader, you don’t need to call me Great Master Mo. If you don’t mind, you may call me Yu Han.”

“To be frank, my Instructor and I are here to venture deep into the Tagor Desert in search of a rare medicinal herb called ‘Reincarnation Grass.’ This herb is said to grow only in the depths of the Tagor Desert, in the Oasis on the outskirts of the Snake-People Tribe’s activity area. We heard that your group operates on the desert’s edge year-round and is highly experienced, so we hope to gain some intelligence support regarding the desert’s depths and the movements of the Snake-People Tribe.”

“This medicinal herb is crucial to me. If your group has it, I am willing to purchase it with a hefty sum.”

“Reincarnation Grass?!”

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li simultaneously gasped, their expressions instantly becoming extremely solemn.

Xiao Ding mused, “This medicinal herb is indeed rare. Our mercenary group has heard that occasional herb collectors have ventured deep into the desert and seen it. However, in the past six months, for some unknown reason, the Snake-People Tribe has become exceptionally violent and xenophobic. Their control over their territory has reached an unprecedented level! Any human approaching their core area will be ruthlessly slaughtered.”

“Several elite squads we dispatched were attacked even before reaching the traditional territory of the Snake-People Tribe, suffering heavy losses. It’s difficult to even penetrate the outer perimeter. I’m afraid your desire to obtain Reincarnation Grass… will be as difficult as ascending to the heavens!”

Xiao Li also said in a deep voice, “Furthermore, according to the brothers who escaped from the outer perimeter, there seem to be unusual energy fluctuations deep in the desert, and sandstorms have become more frequent and violent. Yu Han, Instructor Ruo Lin, entering the desert at this time would be extremely dangerous!”

Instructor Ruo Lin’s delicate brows furrowed as she looked at Mo Yuhan: “Little Yuhan, the situation is worse than expected.”

Mo Yuhan’s expression remained unchanged, his gaze as resolute as ever: “No matter how difficult, I must go.”