"There's actually a hidden inner realm inside this cave mansion."
After confirming the information from the Journal multiple times, Xiao Ting was full of surprise.
His third brother Xiao Yan was the child of destiny. Logically, whenever he appeared at a place with opportunities, he would sweep everything away like a locust.
Tens of thousands of gold coins, spiritual herbs planted by the cave's former owner, a flying battle skill, a Xuan-rank cultivation method, the Rainbow Poison Book, and even a remnant map of the Pure Lotus Demon Flame.
And that was only the surface harvest?!
"But it seems explainable," Xiao Ting thought with anticipation.
Xiao Yan and the Little Fairy Doctor hadn't explored the cave very thoroughly.
Even the three boxes placed in plain sight had one stolen by the Wolf Head Mercenary Company. It was an interrupted opportunity.
From another perspective, the person who left the inheritance was capable of capturing a fifth-rank magical beast, the Purple Cloud Black Fire Eagle, and using its wings and soul to create a battle skill.
Anything involving the soul level was definitely not weak. So the opportunities that could be taken away by a mere Dou Practitioner naturally looked very superficial.
"Brother Yan probably thought he had explored everything after finding the deeply hidden remnant map of the Nihility Devouring Flame, so he didn't come back again."
Thinking of this, Xiao Ting began to look forward to what he could harvest inside the cave.
The night passed without incident.
…
Dawn broke.
Qingshan Town was a gathering place for mercenaries. It became lively early in the morning.
Xiao Ting, the Little Fairy Doctor, and Xun Er woke up early. After having breakfast together, they entered the Magical Beast Mountain Range on foot.
The combination of a handsome man and two beautiful women, all so young, immediately attracted countless gazes. People whispered and discussed among themselves.
"Is this some young master and young ladies from a big family out for a stroll?"
"So young. I wonder if they even have Dou Practitioner strength. Aren't they afraid of dying in the mountains?"
"Are you blind? Look at the badge that kid is wearing. He's a four-star Dou Practitioner."
"A four-star Dou Practitioner at such a young age? He's probably from a Dou Spirit family. No wonder beauties are accompanying him."
"Heh, his talent is decent, but with this level of strength, bringing two little beauties into the Magical Beast Mountain Range by himself… tsk…"
"Tsk my ass. There are probably Dou Master or even Dou Grandmaster guards hiding in the dark. I advise you not to court death."
...
Gazes filled with contempt, envy, greed, lust, probing, and wariness constantly appeared in the eyes of some mercenaries.
Xiao Ting casually recorded these scenes.
This was also his observation of the Battle Qi Continent—the various states of human life that a Dou Practitioner came into contact with.
After finishing his journal, Xiao Ting smiled at the Little Fairy Doctor. "Looks like your change is really big. No one recognized you."
After awakening the Woeful Poison Body, the Little Fairy Doctor's hair color, height, figure, skin condition, eyes, and temperament had all changed. Her facial features had also become more three-dimensional and exquisite, and her outfit was different.
Anyone who wasn't extremely familiar with her would never recognize her. Some mercenaries felt she looked a bit familiar, but none identified her.
"When I look in the mirror, even I feel like a stranger. It's normal that others don't recognize me," the Little Fairy Doctor said calmly.
"That's the right way to think," Xiao Ting nodded approvingly. "In Qingshan Town, how could anyone not recognize the Little Fairy Doctor?"
Hearing the teasing in Xiao Ting's words, the Little Fairy Doctor shot a glance at Xun Er.
"Yeah, just like how everyone in Wu Tan City recognizes Brother Xiao Ting," Xun Er spoke up for the Little Fairy Doctor.
"Geniuses are always eye-catching. I'm quite helpless about it too," Xiao Ting said with a helpless expression. "You get used to it."
"Brother Xiao Ting, stop joking," Xun Er's eyes flashed with amusement and fondness. "Since last night, someone has been secretly watching us. Haven't you noticed?"
"There isn't even a single Dou Master. Too weak," Xiao Ting said with disdain.
Xun Er knew he was aware, so she stopped talking.
After walking for a while, Xiao Ting looked up at the sky and said, "I'll go deal with the tails. After that, we'll need to speed up."
Xun Er and the Little Fairy Doctor understood and stood under a large tree nearby.
Xiao Ting pretended he was going to relieve himself and walked into the bushes.
Whoosh!
As soon as he reached an open area, three people jumped down from the trees, long swords in hand, their moves vicious and lethal.
Bang!
The three swords were blocked an inch away from Xiao Ting's body.
"Battle Qi Coat?!"
Shock appeared in the three men's eyes.
Weren't they told to kill a four-star Dou Practitioner?
This was already a top genius in Wu Tan City. How could he be a Dou Master?!
Puchi!
Xiao Ting had no interest in explaining to three people who were already dead. His figure flashed as he attacked swiftly.
A long sword appeared out of thin air in his hand. With lightning speed, he slashed across the three men's throats.
"Urk!"
Clutching their throats, the three fell unwillingly.
They were only three seven-star Dou Practitioner. He didn't even need to use battle skills. He simply crushed them with raw "stats."
This was the correct way for a Dou Master to kill Dou Practitioner. Under the Battle Qi Coat, he had absolute superiority in speed and strength.
Whoosh!
After killing the three with one sword, Xiao Ting felt no discomfort. He turned his head toward a large tree and shot forward.
"Retreat!" A panicked young man's voice rang out.
He was a direct descendant of the Jia Lie Family, a nine-star Dou Practitioner with hopes of breaking through to Dou Master before thirty.
But facing Xiao Ting, who had just instantly killed three high-rank Dou Practitioner with one sword, he had zero chance of winning.
Puchi!
If the young man had teamed up with the clansmen beside him, he might have lasted a little longer against Xiao Ting.
But by choosing to run, it became much easier for Xiao Ting.
Thud!
In less than the time it took to drink a cup of tea, many corpses lay around Xiao Ting.
One nine-star Dou Practitioner, three seven-star Dou Practitioner, and five five- or six-star Dou Practitioner—all from the Jia Lie Family.
One eight-star Dou Practitioner, two seven-star Dou Practitioner, and several mid-rank Dou Practitioner—all from the Ao Ba Family.
Clearly, Xiao Ting and Xiao Zhan's plan had worked, luring the Jia Lie and Ao Ba Families into sending people to ambush them.
"I hope next time they send a Dou Master."
Xiao Ting put away his long sword and returned to meet up with the Little Fairy Doctor and Xun Er.
"What's going on with this first-rank Blue Eagle?"
As soon as Xiao Ting walked out of the bushes, he saw a large blue bird squatting in front of the Little Fairy Doctor, affectionately rubbing against her.
"This is one I raised. Its name is Xiao Lan," the Little Fairy Doctor said with a smile. "I saved it once when it was injured."
"That's perfect. We won't have to walk anymore," Xiao Ting smiled and took out a pill from his storage ring and handed it over.
It was an ordinary first-rank pill used to replenish battle qi consumption.
For magical beasts, it was an alternative fasting pill and could slightly increase strength.
"Chirp~"
The Blue Eagle came forward to sniff it. After confirming it was safe, it happily swallowed the pill with its beak.
After this small interlude, the three jumped onto Xiao Lan's back and flew into the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
…
About half an hour later, they arrived at the cliff where the Little Fairy Doctor had discovered the cave.
"Go straight down," Xiao Ting nodded to the Little Fairy Doctor.
"Xiao Lan, head to that cave," the Little Fairy Doctor commanded gently.
Xiao Lan dove downward at extremely high speed, like a gust of wind.
Just as they approached the huge rock in front of the cave, a sharp breaking sound suddenly rang out from the cliff face.
A massive rock snake that almost blended perfectly with the mountain suddenly sprouted wings from its back and opened its mouth to bite Xiao Lan's neck.
"Scram!"
Xiao Ting had been prepared. Before the rock snake attacked, he had already begun forming seals and mobilizing his battle qi.
"Serpent Seal!"
Dense battle qi surged out of his body, condensing into a several-zhang-long silver lightning snake. It struck the rock snake's seven-inch vital point first.
Boom!
The rock snake didn't even have time to let out a painful cry before its body broke into several pieces and fell toward the bottom of the cliff like broken stones, quickly disappearing.
…