"Don't be afraid, it'll be quick!" Xiao Bai raised an eyebrow at him, carefully sensing the strength of the Dou Qi in his meridians before asking, "What level is your cultivation technique?"
"Xuan Class... Low Tier!" Xiao Li gritted his teeth.
He could only feel a surge of energy entering his meridians through the fist—it was lightning-attribute Dou Qi of extremely high quality. His own Dou Qi was as fragile as paper in front of it, shattering upon impact.
His whole body felt somewhat numb, and he couldn't help but feel shocked in his heart. Just how strong is this guy?
Xiao Bai nodded and released his hand. He had previously read descriptions of Earth Class techniques, and now after sensing a Xuan Class Low Tier one, he had gained some understanding of the technique tiers on the Dou Qi Continent.
At this moment, he also developed some interest in Heavenly Class lightning techniques. He wondered if he could encounter one in the future, though he knew that such things were only possessed by the Lei Clan, and now wasn't the time.
"Not bad! Xiao the Second, looks like you've had some fortunate encounters on this trip out!" Watching Xiao Li jump back a few steps and shake out his limbs, Xiao Bai teased. He knew that the best lightning technique in the Xiao family was only a Huang Class High Tier one.
Xiao Li rolled his eyes, looking at this guy with his nasty personality, feeling a bit helpless. He couldn't beat him before, and damn it, he still couldn't beat him now. It seemed like the idea of giving him a thrashing would never come to fruition.
"What are you doing in Desert Rock City?" Xiao Li sat down at the table and asked Xiao Bai irritably.
"Just came to check on you guys!" Xiao Bai said with a smile.
Hearing this, Xiao Li found Xiao Bai a bit more tolerable. After being away for these few years, they did miss home quite a bit. Seeing Xiao Bai today had actually brought him a pleasant surprise.
"But seeing how well you're doing, I'm quite disappointed!" Xiao Bai continued, his tone carrying a hint of regret.
"Damn it!" Xiao Li's anger flared up again. He took back his earlier thought—what surprise? This guy was still such a bastard.
Xue Lan watched her second regiment leader's constantly shifting expressions and felt a bit of sympathy. The second regiment leader had always given them the impression of being cold and ruthless, but today, he was being toyed with emotionally by this white-haired youth. It was the first time she'd seen this.
But this clansman of the second regiment leader really knew how to piss people off! Even she, an outsider, felt the urge to hit him. But considering that even the second regiment leader had taken a loss, she, a mere Dou Zhe, had no chance.
Seeing the atmosphere growing awkward, Xue Lan remembered the purpose of her visit today and hurriedly said to Xiao Li, "Second Regiment Leader, this is the Qing Lin I mentioned. Take a look."
Xiao Li composed himself and turned to appraise Qing Lin, who was standing beside Xiao Bai. He casually said, "Sure, she can join the mercenary group as a maid."
He didn't care about Qing Lin's background. He wasn't a local from Desert Rock City and didn't place much importance on the feud between the two races. As for that so-called curse, he couldn't care less.
"Thank you, Sister Xue Lan, but Qing Lin is now the young master's maid and can't go to the mercenary group!" Qing Lin bowed to Xue Lan in thanks, her voice soft as she politely declined.
If she hadn't met the young master, she wouldn't have refused, but now she didn't want to go there. Although these two were kind and didn't look at her with disgust, the others in the mercenary group were unpredictable.
"You took her as your maid?" Xiao Li looked at the person Qing Lin referred to, a bit surprised.
"What? You have a problem with that?" Xiao Bai glanced at him indifferently.
Xiao Li shook his head. "Do as you like."
She was just a little girl, after all. He had come at Xue Lan's request to check her out, and since Xiao Bai had taken her in, it didn't matter.
"Though I don't know what you're really doing in Desert Rock City, since you're here, want to come check out our mercenary group?" Xiao Li, despite being annoyed by this infuriating guy, still extended the invitation.
Xiao Bai thought for a moment and nodded in agreement. From Xiao Li's attitude, it seemed he had let go of the past events. If he refused, it would make it seem like he was the one holding on, though he had never cared about it to begin with.
That night, at the Desert Iron Mercenary Group's base.
In a guest room, Xiao Bai was teaching Qing Lin the method to cultivate Dou Zhi Qi.
During the day, after coming here with Xiao Li, he had met Xiao Ding. This guy had become much more mature and steady now. Upon seeing Xiao Bai, he was very enthusiastic—not at all like that Xiao Li fellow, who had started fighting the moment they met.
As he watched the little girl cultivate, he communicated with Yao Lao in the ring.
"Senior, do you know much about the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils?"
"I'm not too familiar with it either. This constitution is too rare. I only know that they can enhance their strength by taming snake-type magical beasts. This is the first time I've seen a true Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils!"
Yao Lao said with a sigh of emotion. He hadn't expected Xiao Bai to have such good luck.
He had come out to search for Heavenly Flames, but without even a trace of the flames yet, the gains were already substantial. Look at this—he could even pick up a top-tier constitution from the Dou Qi Continent right off the roadside.
He had also noticed that unusual soul fluctuation during the day and was a bit shocked, but since Xiao Bai had already discovered it, he hadn't said anything.
He had planned to wait for the kid to ask him, but unexpectedly, he already knew about this constitution. It made Xiao Bai seem increasingly mysterious.
"However, there's a force in the northwest continent called the Heavenly Snake Mansion that should know a lot about this constitution. Legend has it that their founder, the first mansion lord, possessed the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils! And their cultivation once reached Half-Saint. If it weren't for the inability to tame Saint-level snake-type magical beasts, their cultivation might have been even higher!" Yao Lao pondered for a moment before continuing.
"Heavenly Snake Mansion, huh?" Xiao Bai responded noncommittally.
Of course he knew about the Heavenly Snake Mansion. In the original story, Qing Lin was taken there and became a Dou Zun in just over a decade. But he was still considering whether to let Qing Lin go to the Heavenly Snake Mansion later.
He didn't know much about the Heavenly Snake Mansion; the original work only mentioned it in passing. Qing Lin's background was too tragic—if she didn't fare well there, it would be better for her to stay by his side.
"How does it feel?" Seeing Qing Lin open her big eyes, Xiao Bai asked gently.
"Young master, Qing Lin didn't sense the qi you mentioned. Is it because Qing Lin's cultivation talent is too poor?" The little girl's clear eyes were filled with gloom, her tone somewhat dejected.
The little girl was quite sensitive and insecure right now. She felt like she was an idiot, good for nothing except washing clothes and cooking.
Xiao Bai was speechless!
Yao Lao was speechless!
This was the first time they'd seen someone with a top-tier constitution call their own talent poor. If this counted as poor talent, then what were the two of them—total trash?
Pushing down his thoughts, Xiao Bai ruffled the little girl's hair and comforted her, "Don't worry, the first time cultivating is always like this. Back then, it took me several days of practice to succeed!"
"Really?"
"Really!" Xiao Bai nodded with a smile. Though he was lying, he couldn't tell the truth right now, or the little girl would overthink it again.
Her current situation was likely related to the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils. As for what to do, Xiao Bai didn't know yet, but there was no rush. The Fire Spirit Snake in the magma depths was right there—if needed, he could try the method from the original story.
Hearing this, the little girl felt a bit relieved. When Xiao Bai said he'd teach her to cultivate tonight, she had been very happy. If she could cultivate, she could better help the young master.
Right now, her whole heart was filled with her young master. When he was happy, she was happy. But now, with her cultivation failure, she was a bit afraid of seeing disappointment in Xiao Bai's eyes.
Qing Lin will work hard at cultivating and definitely won't disappoint the young master! The little girl silently resolved in her heart.