Chapter 69: The Swift Blade Steps

A roar like a fierce tiger descending the mountain made Luo Bu frown. Could the Desert Iron Mercenary Group still have reinforcements?

However, upon seeing that the newcomer was just a young man in a black robe, Luo Bu grinned at Xiao Li. "Where did you find this reckless brat?"

"Xiao Yan…" Xiao Li's deep gaze locked onto the approaching figure, his eyes filled with both shock and joy.

At this moment, shouldn't he still be at home training?

"It seems this person is someone you know," Luo Bu quickly caught the shift in Xiao Li's expression.

"Mo Xing, this one's yours. If you can't even handle a mere boy…" Luo Bu's face darkened cruelly. "Then just kill yourself."

"Captain, don't worry. I'll tear this brat into eight pieces." Mo Xing let out a sinister laugh, licking the edge of his curved blade.

While the two spoke, Xiao Yan suddenly accelerated. Within a few swift steps, he had charged into the battlefield, appearing beside a strikingly elegant figure.

This woman had delicate features, but her slightly arched brows carried a rebellious edge, like a wild desert leopard.

From her aura, it was clear—this desert flower, while beautiful, was covered in thorns.

Her attire was bold and fiery, with only a short top wrapping around her chest and lower torso, leaving her toned, bronzed waist exposed for all to see.

Likewise, her short leather skirt revealed a pair of long, shapely legs—her slender waist and tight, powerful thighs possessing an allure lethal to men.

She was quite strong, currently overpowering a mercenary from the Sand Mercenary Group in their duel.

However, ending the fight would still take some time.

Xiao Yan moved like the wind, seizing the woman's wrist and pulling her slightly. Her short blade spun swiftly, knocking aside her opponent's weapon in an instant.

Before the enemy could react, a cold blade flashed—his life extinguished in a blink.

Watching Xiao Yan's lightning-fast kill, Xue Lan slightly parted her red lips, her delicate face filled with disbelief.

That was an elite from the Sand Mercenary Group, yet he died just like that!

Xiao Yan didn't stop. Guiding Xue Lan, he weaved through the battlefield like a nimble dragon.

Within ten steps, over ten Sand Mercenary Group members had fallen.

Seeing his terrifying efficiency, the Desert Iron Mercenary Group members—who had just lost their opponents—stared, mouths agape, their faces filled with shock.

They could hardly comprehend how such terrifying power could be hidden within this seemingly lean body.

And he was doing this while carrying a "burden"!

Even though Xiao Yan had relieved some of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group's pressure, the entire sequence had taken only a few breaths.

Gazing at the fresh corpses that had lost their heads in mere moments, beads of sweat formed on Mo Xing's forehead. His expression twisted in sheer disbelief, as if he had seen a ghost.

Was this the strength a normal young man should have?

Even as a Dou Shi, if he wanted to kill so many mercenaries, he would have to exhaust himself completely.

How could this boy move so effortlessly—especially while dragging along a woman?

"It's only been a short time, but this kid's strength has become absolutely monstrous!" Xiao Li stared at Xiao Yan in utter astonishment.

"Mo Xing, stall for time. I'll deal with Xiao Li first. Once Xiao Ding's reinforcements arrive, they won't be a threat," Luo Bu commanded in a low voice.

He hadn't expected that in an already deadlocked battle, such a terrifying force would suddenly appear!

By now, Mo Xing had completely lost his former confidence. His body tensed, his fingers gripping his curved blade tightly.

"Our Sand Mercenary Group is the number one mercenary group in Stone Desert City. Our leader, Luo Bu, is a powerful Da Dou Shi. If you're looking for an ally, you should choose the stronger side."

Mo Xing let out a sinister laugh. "If it's women you're after…" He licked his lips. "Not only do we have Xue Lan, the so-called flower of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group, but we also have exotic snake women. The Sand Mercenary Group can provide them as well."

Xiao Yan lifted Xue Lan's delicate chin with his fingers, examining her exquisite features with a faint smile. "So, you're the 'flower' of the group, huh?"

"You…!" Being stared at so intently by this handsome yet powerful young man, Xue Lan brushed aside a strand of sweat-dampened hair from her forehead. Her unconscious display of charm made Mo Xing, standing nearby, feel his body heat up.

A wild, untamed beauty like her—slim and toned, without an ounce of excess fat—if she were on a bed, she would definitely unleash incredible power.

Tossing her slightly wavy green hair, Xue Lan's cheeks flushed as she said, "Don't believe this bastard! If you help the Desert Iron Mercenary Group, you will be rewarded handsomely."

Seeing Xiao Yan's slight hesitation, Mo Xing knew he had the right approach and called out again,

"The snake women are different. Our Sand Mercenary Group treasures them. They perform exotic dances, their serpentine waists swaying seductively—truly the finest among snake women!"

Hearing this, Xue Lan's face turned bright red with embarrassment. How could men be so interested in those snake women with tails? How was that any different from the vile snake men who assaulted human women?

Xiao Yan playfully flicked Xue Lan's nose and took her blood-stained short blade from her hands. "Let me borrow this."

Xue Lan softly murmured in agreement, nodding with a blush, seemingly mistaking Xiao Yan's interest in the weapon for an interest in her.

"Hmm?" Mo Xing's expression darkened, his brows furrowing in anger. "You don't know what's good for you!"

Before his words even faded, Xiao Yan had already lunged forward like a hunting leopard. His speed was so fast that Mo Xing's pupils shrank in shock.

Seeing Xiao Yan appear right in front of him in an instant, Mo Xing panicked and stumbled backward.

Xiao Yan's short blade spun rapidly, slicing straight toward Mo Xing's head.

Ducking left and right, Mo Xing barely avoided the strikes, his head practically spinning like a top.

Sensing the imminent danger to his life, Mo Xing finally managed to put some distance between himself and Xiao Yan, swinging his curved blade in desperation.

However, to Xiao Yan—whose soul perception was extraordinarily sharp—the movements of both the Dou Zhe-level and Dou Shi-level mercenaries from the Sand Mercenary Group were nothing more than slow-motion gestures.

Grabbing Mo Xing's sword arm with one hand, Xiao Yan swiftly slashed his short blade across it.

In an instant, flesh was torn away, exposing stark white bone beneath the scorching desert sun.

The surrounding mercenaries exchanged stunned glances, their faces filled with disbelief.

"What a monster! Mo Xing, a Dou Shi, was heavily injured so easily?!"

Xiao Yan's dark eyes flashed coldly as he closed in once more. His short blade followed suit—one swift stroke, severing Mo Xing's head!

[You have fought using a short blade. You have experienced an epiphany. You have comprehended Swift Blade Steps.]

[Swift Blade Steps: When approaching an enemy, use unpredictable footwork to adjust your position, creating rapid rotational movements that allow you to strike from unexpected angles.]

[Technique: Stepping Kill - Shattered Dream!]

(End of Chapter)

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