BTTH - Chapter 42: Meet the Parents?

BTTH - Chapter 42: Meet the Parents?

The man and the scorpion fought for dozens of rounds. Several vines entwined the Sand Scorpion. The creature frantically used its pincers to cut the vines, but it was useless.

The Little Medical Fairy clenched her hands, and the vines tightened instantly, strangling the Sand Scorpion into several pieces.

After defeating the Sand Scorpion, the Little Medical Fairy stood there with her eyes closed, her aura gradually rising to the level of a seven-star Dou Shi.

When Xiao Yixian broke through, Hai Bodong sensed the poison in her body.

"There's something wrong with your girlfriend. She exudes a mysterious and terrifying aura," he observed.

"Xian'er has a special physique, so I need to train her to help her grow quickly and consolidate her foundation." Xiao Tian did not explicitly state Xiao Yixian's physique; the fewer people who know about these things, the better.

After her breakthrough, Xiao Yixian walked toward Xiao Tian, came to his side, and smiled sweetly.

"I have made a breakthrough and am now a seven-star Dou Shi."

"Good, my Xian'er is awesome," Xiao Tian praised her, gently touching her soft hair.

"You two should consider my feelings. I'm old now; you should respect me as an old man." Hai Bodong teased, feeling like a third wheel.

"Mr. Hai, you're getting old now. Isn't it time to consider finding a companion? Or you can look for someone younger," Xiao Tian joked as he embraced Xiao Yixian and summoned the Wings of Thunder Peng, flying alongside Hai Bodong.

"Get out of here! I have no such plan. There is no woman in my heart; I am just playing the role of the God of Ice," Hai Bodong replied, chuckling, shaken by Xiao Tian's playful tone.

"Hahaha…" Xiao Tian's laughter continued to echo in the air.

...

After another half-day of flying at full speed, they arrived in front of a huge city in the eastern part of the desert.

Landing not far from the city, Xiao Tian looked up at the grand city gate with "Shimo City" inscribed on it. He couldn't help but recall the pampering and care his two brothers had given him during his childhood.

As if sensing Xiao Tian's emotional shift, the Little Medical Fairy grabbed his hand.

Xiao Tian patted her hand, saying, "I just remembered something. Let's go into the city first."

He led Hai Lao and Xiao Yixian toward the city gate.

Upon entering the city, Xiao Tian felt the hustle and bustle around him. Mercenaries were coming and going, and guard troops patrolled to maintain order.

While they were absorbing the city's atmosphere, Xiao Tian accessed his ring system.

"System check-in."

—

[Ding, check-in to Shimo City successful. Obtain: Skill: Tengshe Huanling Jue.]

Tengshe Huanling Jue: Suitable for cultivators with snake blood.

—

"Let's find out where the Desert Iron Mercenary Group (Motie Mercenary Group) is. My eldest and second brothers are there; I haven't seen them for a long time."

"Oh, are we going to meet your parents?" Hai Bodong teased lightly.

"Meet my elder and second brothers? I, I, I..." Xiao Yixian exclaimed, thinking, Is she going to meet her family? Hot steam kept rising from her head like a steam engine, and her tone was crackling with nervousness.

"It's okay. My elder brother and second brother are very nice people. Don't worry." Seeing her flustered reaction, Xiao Tian touched her warm face, offering her reassurance.

With Xiao Tian's comfort, Xiao Yixian's emotions gradually stabilized, although there was still some evident tension on her face.

As they walked, Xiao Tian asked someone for the address of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group. Following the passerby's guidance, they arrived at a vast courtyard with a flag displaying the word "Desert Iron."

Several strong men stood at the entrance, exuding a faint aura of iron and blood—characteristics only possessed by men who had crawled out from piles of dead bodies.

Seeing the trio approach, one of the sturdy men raised his hand to stop them. He wanted to scold them, but when he saw the alchemist's robe on Xiao Tian, his tone shifted.

"Three of you, this is the Desert Iron Mercenary Group. How can I help you?"

"My name is Xiao Tian, and I am a relative of your leader. I want to meet your leader and second-in-command. Just mention my name, and they will understand," Xiao Tian responded calmly.

"Mr. Alchemist, please come in with me. I will take you to find our leader." 

Noting the third-grade alchemist robe on Xiao Tian, the sturdy man realized there might not be another like it in the entire Shimo City. Although Xiao Tian claimed to be the leader's relative, he had no way to confirm this.

After a moment's thought, the sturdy man nodded and signaled to another man. One of them dashed into the yard, intending to inform the leader.

"Mr. Alchemist, I'll send someone to notify the leader first, and then I'll take you in directly."

The sturdy man gestured for Xiao Tian to enter the courtyard.

Inside, the strong man who had run ahead approached a hall.

He knocked on the door before opening it: "Captain, I have something to report."

In the hall, six or seven people were gathered. At the head sat a young man in a white robe, his bright eyes flashing with wisdom and an imperceptible cunning.

The young man in the white robe was Xiao Tian and Xiao Yan's elder brother, Xiao Ding, the current leader of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group.

"What happened in such a hurry?" the man in the white robe asked gently, his tone still carrying a hint of authority.

"Captain, there is a third-grade alchemist named Xiao Tian outside who wants to see you. He claims to be your relative."

The sturdy man felt the scrutiny of the high-ranking officials and suddenly grew nervous. He took a deep breath before continuing.

"What's his name?"

An excited voice interrupted, belonging to a young man dressed in mercenary attire. He stood stiffly, but there was a glint of laziness and fierceness in his eyes.

The speaker was the second-in-command of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group, as well as Xiao Tian and Xiao Yan's second brother: Xiao Li.

Having been guided close to the hall, Xiao Tian recognized this voice he hadn't heard in a long time, yet it still felt familiar.

"Brother, you must have forgotten me. I'm really sad," Xiao Tian said as he approached the hall, amusement evident in his tone.

Seeing the familiar face appear at the door, Xiao Li's body stiffened slightly, then a genuine smile blossomed on his face.

"Little Emperor, you actually came here, hahaha! Second brother missed you so much," Xiao Li exclaimed.

He hurried to the door, looking at Xiao Tian, who had grown slightly taller than him. Xiao Li grinned, took a step forward, and hugged Xiao Tian tightly, patting him on the back to express his excitement.

The Little Medical Fairy looked on at Xiao Tian reuniting with his family and couldn't help but feel happy for him. Although she no longer had any relatives, she now had Xiao Tian.

"Second brother, if you keep hugging and patting me like this, you might make me lose my handsome looks!" Xiao Tian quipped, feeling warmth in his heart at the affectionate name.

(End of this chapter)