Chapter 71: Bestowing a Cultivation Technique

Xiao Yan tapped his finger against his storage ring, and a small jade bottle appeared in his hand.

"This isn't exactly a deadly poison, but once it activates, even a Da Dou Shi won't be able to resist it."

"It seems… I have no choice but to take it." Luo Bu's face stiffened slightly.

Xiao Yan chuckled. "This is just a precaution. I'll leave the antidote with my elder brother in batches. As long as you don't try anything funny, you'll be fine."

Luo Bu hesitated only briefly before accepting the jade bottle and swallowing the black pill inside.

A young Tier-2 Alchemist with this level of skill… In the future, he might even become someone as renowned as Pill King Gu He.

That was far more promising than being the leader of the Sand Mercenary Group.

Just then, a group of riders rushed over from the distance.

The white-robed young man at the front looked at the halted battlefield with surprise.

Xiao Li laughed and called out, "Big Brother, your backup came too late! Xiao Yan already took care of the Sand Mercenary Group."

"Xiao Yan!"

Xiao Ding, momentarily stunned, quickly broke into a delighted grin.

He dismounted swiftly, taking a few steps toward Xiao Yan. As he looked at the younger boy—now nearly as tall as himself—his eyes gleamed with warmth and affection. "You've grown taller again."

Xiao Yan smiled. "And big brother is getting more handsome by the day."

Xiao Ding's gaze swept over the fallen bodies on the ground. "The thick scent of blood here will soon attract magical beasts and the serpent people of the desert. We should return to Rock Desert City first."

"Big Brother, I have a friend waiting for me. You guys go ahead, I'll catch up soon."

With that, Xiao Yan leapt onto Xiao Ding's camel, pressed his legs together, and galloped toward Little Doctor Fairy.

Just as he was leaving, he remembered that he still had Xue Lan's short blade. With a casual flick, he tossed it into the air.

With a sharp whoosh, the blade spun through the sky before landing perfectly into the sheath tied to Xue Lan's slender leg.

"This blade has dulled. Get a better one when you return."

Xue Lan looked down at the short blade on her long legs, amazed at his precision.

Xiao Ding, however, was completely stunned by what he just witnessed.

"Xiao Yan's strength… has grown this much?!"

Xiao Li nudged Xiao Ding and gestured toward Luo Bu. "See that guy? Xiao Yan took him down."

Xiao Ding's heart pounded as he noticed the deep, savage wound across Luo Bu's chest.

A Da Dou Shi-level powerhouse… defeated?!

Watching Xiao Yan's retreating figure disappear into the distance, Xiao Ding muttered to himself, "Xiao Yan's strength… is becoming terrifying."

After picking up Little Doctor Fairy, Xiao Yan raced toward Rock Desert City at full speed.

The cities in the desert had a rougher and sturdier appearance compared to those inside the empire.

Due to their proximity to the Tagor Desert, their defenses were far stricter than those of inland cities. Armed patrol soldiers could be seen everywhere.

Upon entering the Desert Iron Mercenary Group's base and ensuring that Little Doctor Fairy was settled in, Xiao Yan finally sat down with his two elder brothers to discuss his purpose for coming here.

"So, you're worried that the Little Doctor Fairy will have no one to care for her while she cultivates?"

Xiao Li recalled her appearance and chuckled, "She's quite the beauty. She might even rival cousin Xun'er in the future."

Xiao Yan simply smiled.

Bringing Little Doctor Fairy here—that was his main goal.

Little Doctor Fairy was, after all, a young girl just over ten years old. Tedious cultivation was not ideal for her growth.

Secondly, Xiao Yan also came to give his two brothers cultivation techniques and Dou Techniques, and while at it, check if Qing Lin had appeared.

"I met Little Doctor Fairy during my training. She is highly skilled in medicine and can help treat injured mercenaries when she's not cultivating."

Xiao Li smiled. "With your help, the Desert Iron Mercenary Group will soon unify the mercenaries of Rock Desert City. Taking care of a little girl is nothing."

His third brother was excellent in every way—except for his weakness for women. He grew up surrounded by girls, and now that he was older, it seemed that habit had not changed.

"Training?" Xiao Ding looked at the Tier-2 Alchemist badge on Xiao Yan's chest, his eyes filled with surprise. "Xiao Yan, when did you become an alchemist? And a Tier-2 one at that?"

Xiao Yan shrugged. "I took on an unscrupulous teacher. It's a long story."

Then, with a slight smile, he touched his storage ring and took out two ancient-looking scrolls, placing them gently on the wooden table.

"These are two High Xuan-rank cultivation techniques. One is wood-attribute, and the other is lightning-attribute—perfectly suited for both of you. They each come with a matching High Xuan-rank Dou Technique, making them incredibly powerful when used together."

Hearing this, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, who were slightly tipsy from drinking, instantly sobered up, their eyes lighting up.

Even a single High Xuan-rank technique was a priceless treasure in the Jia Ma Empire, let alone one that came with a matching Dou Technique.

This made these techniques even more valuable than most others of the same rank.

"It seems Xiao Yan truly has an extraordinary teacher."

Understanding Xiao Yan's personality, Xiao Ding did not reject the gift and reached for his scroll.

Xiao Li, already examining his scroll with excitement, laughed, "Not only did we take over the Sand Mercenary Group today, but we also got High Xuan-rank techniques and Dou Techniques! This calls for a celebration—drink up!"

—

The next morning, when Xiao Yan groggily opened his eyes from a hangover, the sun was already high in the sky.

Just as he woke up, the door creaked open, and a graceful figure stepped in.

Qing Lin?

Xiao Yan turned his head, only to see that it was not the person he expected. Instead, it was the mercenary Xue Lan, whom he had met the previous day.

She was tall and wore a tight black leather outfit, which accentuated her impressive curves.

The short leather top barely reached her navel, exposing her smooth, toned waist—a sight that was undeniably enticing.

Her lower half was clad in a short, tight black leather skirt, and a long, slender short-blade was strapped to her thigh.

She looked like a wild panther from the jungle, exuding power and untamed ferocity.

Xue Lan brushed her wavy hair back and pursed her lips.

"Young Master Xiao Yan, for the time being, I will be your personal attendant. If you need anything, just order me."

Xiao Yan sighed inwardly and reached out his hand toward her.

After waiting for a moment, he realized she was still standing there motionless.

A half-baked attendant…

With no other choice, Xiao Yan put on his black robe himself and washed his face with clean water.

"Where are my two brothers?"

"The two commanders left early this morning," Xue Lan replied with a smile.

Yao Lao's voice echoed in Xiao Yan's mind.

"Did you forget? You were the one who sent them to collect materials."

(End of Chapter)

────────────────────────────────────

"If you're interested, please support me in my other novel [One Piece: General Blue]."

"If you're interested, please support me in my other novel [Naruto: Starting with Tsunade-san]."

"If you want an early access join my patreon:- patreon.com/BaDwYGaMeR"