141: Conquer the sand bandits, a single spark can start a prairie fire.

The yellow sand stretched endlessly, and the scorching sun seared the heart.

The movements of the Sand Bandits were not secretive.

In just half a day, Xiao Huohuo and the two others had followed them to a huge oasis hidden within continuous sand dunes.

In the center of the oasis was a stone mountain that was not too high but quite treacherous.

On the top of the mountain, a black battle flag was planted, embroidered with a blood-red character for “Revenge” on it.

This was the Sand Bandits' lair.

The three, being highly skilled and audacious, directly concealed all their aura and stealthily infiltrated the fortress like three ghosts.

Inside the fortress, it was quite lively.

The Sand Bandits were gathered around a bonfire, eating meat in large bites and drinking wine in large bowls, celebrating their great victory of the day.

Just as the three were preparing to delve deeper to find the Sand Bandit leader.

“Who?!”

A furious roar suddenly exploded!

A figure, swift as a startled swan, shot out from the largest tent!

The person who came was none other than the leader of the Sand Bandits, the Scar-faced Middle-aged Man!

His eyes, which had been burning with the flames of revenge, were now filled with vigilance and solemnity, locking onto the hiding place of the three!

Martial Emperor Realm!

The cultivation of this Sand Bandit leader had actually reached the Martial Emperor Realm.

“We’ve been discovered.”

Xiao Huohuo pouted and no longer hid, walking out openly with Ling Ke'er and A'cao.

“Who are you three? Why do you trespass into my Black Wind Fortress?” the Scar-faced Middle-aged Man asked, holding a large ghost-head saber, his voice steady, neither humble nor arrogant.

He could sense that these three in front of him were not simple.

Especially the young man who looked only seventeen or eighteen, the faint terrifying aura emanating from him made even him feel a pang of fear!

Xiao Huohuo was too lazy to waste words with him.

He simply released his pressure, which belonged to the Ninth Level of the Purple Mansion, without any reservation.

Boom—!

The Scar-faced Middle-aged Man only felt an irresistible mighty force heavily pressing down on his body, pressing down on his Soul!

His Protective Aura, which he was so proud of, instantly shattered!

“Thump!”

With a muffled sound, he didn't even have a chance to resist, his legs went soft, and he directly knelt on the ground!

The ghost-head saber, weighing several hundred catties, also fell to the ground with a “clank.”

“You… you all…”

He looked at the young man in front of him in horror, his eyes filled with nothing but endless shock and… disbelief!

This… what kind of strength is this?!

Martial Venerable? Or… Martial Saint?!

“Now, can we have a good talk?”

A “kind” smile appeared on Xiao Huohuo’s face.

…

Half an hour later.

Black Wind Fortress, Assembly Hall.

The Scar-faced Middle-aged Man, oh no, he should now be called Sand Heaven Reaching, was bowing respectfully to Xiao Huohuo and the two others with a look of excitement and fanaticism.

“Three Seniors, it turns out… it turns out you also have a blood feud with that Buddhist Sect!”

“My apologies! My sincerest apologies!”

When Sand Heaven Reaching learned that Xiao Huohuo and the two others were the “Fiends” who had killed Happy Buddha and were wanted by the entire Western Region Buddhist Sect, his admiration for the three was like a surging river, continuous and unending.

“Senior! I, Sand Heaven Reaching, and all three thousand brothers of Black Wind Fortress, were persecuted by the Little Thunderclap Temple and had no choice but to become bandits!”

“Today, to meet three Seniors, is truly our great fortune!”

“I, Sand Heaven Reaching, am willing to serve the three of you as my superiors! I only ask… I only ask to be able to follow the three of you and together fight against that evil Buddhist Sect!”

He actually knelt down and bowed directly!

Xiao Huohuo and Ling Ke'er exchanged glances, both seeing a hint of movement in each other’s eyes.

They were currently isolated and needed a force of their own.

This Black Wind Fortress was a good choice.

“Good.”

Xiao Huohuo was not pretentious and immediately agreed.

Thus, under the fervent support of Sand Heaven Reaching and a group of Sand Bandits.

Xiao Huohuo became the new Great Chief of Black Wind Fortress.

Ling Ke'er became the Second Chief.

As for A'cao, she was respectfully referred to by everyone as “Third Young Miss.”

…

Over the next month.

Xiao Huohuo and Ling Ke'er demonstrated leadership and command abilities far beyond ordinary people.

They carried out a drastic reorganization of the originally undisciplined Sand Bandits.

They also used their extraordinary knowledge and methods to establish several new bases in this vast Western Region desert.

A single spark can start a prairie fire.

A mysterious organization named “Burning Heaven,” with the goal of fighting against the Little Thunderclap Temple, quietly took root and sprouted beneath the yellow sands of the Western Region!

…

The scene suddenly shifted.

Lichen Sword Sect.

The Sect Grand Competition, held once every ten years, had already begun.

On the training ground, voices boomed.

On the high platform, Li Tian, the Sect Master of Lichen Sword Sect, and the other eleven Peak Masters were all present.

Only one seat had a somewhat… unconventional style.

In the Star Sword Peak area, a young man dressed in True Disciple attire, with a handsome face but eyes revealing a hint of madness, was sitting with his legs crossed, cracking melon seeds, and pointing at the equally serious young man beside him.

It was Li Huowang and Chen Ping'an.

“Junior Brother, look at that swordsman below, his sword moves are flashy, but unfortunately, they are more flash than substance, good to look at but useless.”

“And that one using a saber, he has enough force, but too many flaws. If I were to go up, I would take his head within three moves!”

Li Huowang commented with an air of “lonely master,” his remarks sound and logical.

Chen Ping'an nodded repeatedly, his eyes filled with admiration for his Senior Brother.

Just then!

“Next match! Star Sword Peak True Disciple, Chen Ping'an! Versus! Outer Sect Disciple, Zhao Tiezhu!”

The referee’s voice echoed throughout the venue.

Finally, it was his turn!

Chen Ping'an took a deep breath, his eyes, which always carried a hint of determination, instantly became sharp!

He slowly stood up and, under the curious or disdainful gazes of the other True Disciples, walked step by step onto the arena symbolizing glory.

Opposite him, a burly young man holding a giant axe had been waiting for a long time.

He looked at Chen Ping'an, who was only at the Ninth Level of Qi Condensation but wore True Disciple attire, his eyes filled with undisguised jealousy and… defiance!

“I was wondering who it was, turns out it’s that good-for-nothing who got lucky and joined Star Sword Peak!”

Zhao Tiezhu, carrying his giant axe, spoke loudly, full of provocation.

“Kid! I don’t care what connections you used! Today, in front of the entire Sect, I will let you know what true strength is!”

“The position of a True Disciple is not something a good-for-nothing like you is qualified to hold!”