As Xiao Li unleashed Thunder Arc Triple Dance, Xiao Jian raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Second Brother is going to lose."
The surrounding leaders of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group looked puzzled. From the current situation, Xiao Yan clearly seemed to be at a disadvantage.
His weapon had even been knocked away.
Xiao Ding watched closely. After glancing at the heavy ruler that had been sent flying, his gaze returned to Xiao Yan.
The moment Xiao Yan lost his weapon, his speed suddenly surged. His movements flowed seamlessly as he launched a short chain of attacks that forced Xiao Li to activate his defensive skill—Lightning Silver Shield.
Just as Xiao Li thought he had blocked the attack, the hidden force of Eight Extremes Collapse exploded inside his body.
The outcome was decided.
"The Third Captain's judgment is sharp indeed."
Seeing Xiao Li frozen with his own spear pressed against his chest, Xue Lan praised sincerely.
"That ruler isn't Xiao Yan's weapon," Xiao Jian said lightly. "It's more like a restraint."
Below, Xiao Li showed no frustration at all. Xiao Yan's talent had always surpassed his own, and seeing his younger brother grow stronger only reassured him. It meant Xiao Yan would be safer on the road ahead.
Seeing Xiao Yan reach down to pull the heavy ruler from the ground, Xiao Li stepped forward with a grin.
"Let me try it. This thing seems strange."
Xiao Yan stepped aside without objection.
Xiao Li gathered his strength and barely managed to lift the ruler. At once, his normally fierce lightning Dou Qi slowed to a crawl. His expression changed instantly.
"You fought me while carrying something like this?"
He turned and shouted toward the platform.
"Xiao Jian! Come down and try it!"
Xiao Jian paused, then smiled helplessly and leapt down, taking the ruler from Xiao Li.
The moment he grasped it, he felt his Dou Qi become sluggish. His brow lifted slightly.
So this was the effect.
"This thing is basically a training sandbag for Dou Qi."
"Not bad."
He swung it a few times. Soon, a dull soreness spread through his wrist. He handed the ruler back to Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan and Xiao Li stared at him as if they had seen a ghost.
"You didn't feel anything?" Xiao Li asked.
"It suppresses Dou Qi," Xiao Jian replied seriously. "It's uncomfortable."
"You looked completely at ease," Xiao Li said, speechless.
Xiao Yan nodded vigorously in agreement.
When he had first used the heavy ruler, even walking had been exhausting. Yet Xiao Jian had swung it casually—and even used sword techniques to flourish it.
It was absurd.
"It has nothing to do with suppressing Dou Qi," Xiao Jian said, shaking his head. "I'm just physically strong."
Xiao Li and Xiao Yan both widened their eyes.
So he hadn't even relied on Dou Qi?
"That's enough. Comparing like this only hurts the heart," Xiao Li sighed. "Let's go back up."
With a single step, he leapt onto the platform.
Xiao Jian and Xiao Yan followed.
"Big Brother!"
Xiao Yan walked up to Xiao Ding, unable to hide the excitement in his voice.
Not bad," Xiao Ding said with a smile, patting his shoulder. "I worried you might suffer without your Third Brother nearby. Seems I was overthinking it. You can already hold up the sky on your own."
"If Third Brother were with me, training would feel like a vacation," Xiao Yan joked.
"Or maybe I'd be the one vacationing while you did the work," Xiao Jian replied with a grin.
"Knowing you two, you'd probably fight over who gets to go first," Xiao Li laughed.
The surrounding leaders watched the four brothers with emotion. With these four together, whether it was the Xiao family or the Desert Iron Mercenary Group, the future was bright.
"By the way," Xiao Yan said after a short pause, his expression turning serious, "I came to Stone Desert City because I need your help with something important."
"Let's change locations," Xiao Ding said, his tone becoming solemn.
The vast desert stretched endlessly, yellow sand rolling beneath the wind.
"Miss Qinglian… are you certain it's here?"
Xiao Yan stared at the flat expanse of sand before him, disbelief written all over his face. The terrain was utterly ordinary, indistinguishable from countless other places in the desert.
Behind him stood Xiao Ding and Xiao Li. After learning that Xiao Yan was searching for a Heavenly Flame, Qinglian.....who followed Xiao Jian—had provided this clue.
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