Xiao Jian smiled and got up. Under Qinglian's gentle hands, he put on his white robe.
"Young Master is very diligent."
"I don't dare not be."
"You're already very strong."
"Not enough. In the Jia Ma Empire, only Dou Huang are truly strong.
Dou Shi is nothing. In the entire continent, even Dou Huang isn't top-tier.
Sometimes I wonder....what level counts as strong? Dou Zong? Dou Zun? Dou Sheng? As long as someone can threaten my life, I'm not strong enough.
So I must cultivate until I'm invincible."
Qinglian stared at him with admiration.
"Young Master is amazing."
"Let's go out. I feel something good will happen today."
"Yes, Young Master."
Today was the Desert Iron Mercenary Group's quarterly strength test.
Those who performed well could form their own squad and become captains.
This system, proposed by Xiao Ding and improved with Xiao Jian, greatly strengthened the group.
Along the way, many members greeted Xiao Jian respectfully as Third Captain.
Because of his strength, even their attitude toward Qinglian had softened.
This made Qinglian truly understand the importance of strength.
Xiao Jian didn't participate in the test. That would be bullying. He chatted with Qinglian as they walked.
Suddenly, his expression changed. He grabbed Qinglian and pulled her into his arms, green light flashing as they moved.
In a blink, they appeared at the gate.
"You stay here."
Xiao Jian smiled, rubbed her head, and walked out.
At the gate, Xiao Yan arrived and saw him.
"Brother?!"
Xiao Jian hugged him.
"You came fast! I thought I'd wait two more months!"
"It's a long story…"
Nearby, Dan Zai spoke.
"Third Captain? Fourth Captain?"
"Yes. He's a Dou Shi too. The title fits."
Xiao Jian led Xiao Yan inside.
"This is…?"
"My maid, Qinglian. Talented. I'll explain later."
In the training ground, noise erupted.
Xiao Ding and Xiao Li sat above.
Seeing them, Xiao Yan's eyes reddened.
Xiao Li pointed down.
"He wants to spar with you."
"Why not you?"
"Because he already lost to me."
Drinking, not fighting...but Xiao Yan didn't know.
Xiao Yan jumped down.
"Drinking counts as sparring."
Qinglian covered her face helplessly.
Xiao Li laughed loudly.
"Let's see how much you've grown!"
Cheers erupted.
"I can't see," Qinglian said softly.
"Then we'll go higher."
Xiao Jian lifted her.
She quietly leaned closer.
The wind swept past as Xiao Jian brought Qinglian onto the high platform.
His movement was light and unhurried, as if drifting with the breeze itself. The excited mercenaries below were completely unaware.
Yet Xiao Yan and Xiao Li both sensed it and instinctively looked up.
The speed Xiao Jian had displayed just now was something even the two of them could not match.
They exchanged glances, each seeing the same helpless realization in the other's eyes. Their third brother had become frighteningly strong.
The moment passed, and their attention returned to the duel.
Xiao Li flipped his palm, and a tungsten steel long spear appeared in his grip.
At the same time, silver Dou Qi surged violently, wrapping around his body and forming a shimmering Dou Qi armor.
Opposite him, purple flames rose from Xiao Yan's body, forming his own Dou Qi armor. Xiao Jian's gaze paused slightly at the sight.
"Xiao Jian, who do you think will win.....Xiao Yan or Second Brother?"
After recovering from his brief shock at Xiao Jian's speed, Xiao Ding glanced down at the two fighters and asked calmly.
Xiao Yan," Xiao Jian replied without hesitation. "Second Brother is a four-star Dou Shi, but Xiao Yan has already broken through to two stars.
The gap isn't large. More importantly, that black ruler on Xiao Yan's back is unusual. Second Brother hasn't realized it yet."
Xiao Ding nodded lightly. He had confidence in Xiao Yan, but he had not perceived things as clearly as Xiao Jian.
In the arena, Xiao Li and Xiao Yan moved at almost the same moment.
Their feet struck the ground as their bodies shot forward, colliding head-on.
"I didn't expect the Fourth Captain to reach the Dou Shi realm at such a young age."
Watching Xiao Yan's Dou Qi armor, Xue Lan couldn't help but speak with envy.
"Xiao Yan was always the family's genius," Xiao Jian said calmly. "He suffered setbacks before, but now that he's past the hardest stage, his progress has accelerated. Reaching Dou Shi is only natural."
120+ Advance Chapters:
patreon.com/HeavenlyYinYang
Full story? Get it in the Shop