Chapter 72: Poor Talent?

"Don't be afraid, it'll be quick." Xiao Bai raised an eyebrow at him before carefully sensing the intensity of Dou Qi in his meridians. Then he asked, "What grade is your cultivation technique?"

"Xuan Class… Low Grade!" Xiao Li gritted his teeth.

He could feel an energy entering his meridians through his fist—it was lightning-attribute Dou Qi, and its quality was exceptionally high. Compared to this, his own Dou Qi felt as fragile as paper, breaking apart upon contact.

His whole body felt slightly numb, and he couldn't help but feel shocked. Just how strong is this guy?

Xiao Bai nodded and released his hand. He had read descriptions of Earth Rank techniques before, and after sensing the strength of a Low-Grade Xuan Class technique firsthand, he now had a better understanding of the rankings of cultivation techniques in the Dou Qi Continent.

This also piqued his interest in Tian Class lightning techniques. He wondered if he'd ever get the chance to witness one. However, as far as he knew, only the Lei Clan possessed such techniques, and now was not the time to think about that.

"Not bad, huh? Looks like you had some lucky encounters during your time outside, Xiao Lao'er!" Xiao Bai teased as he watched Xiao Li jump back a few steps and shake out his limbs. He knew that the best lightning technique the Xiao Clan possessed was only a High-Grade Huang Class technique.

Xiao Li rolled his eyes, feeling helpless in front of this insufferable guy. I couldn't beat him before, and now I still can't beat him. It looks like my dream of thrashing him will never come true.

"What are you doing in Stone Desert City?" Xiao Li sat down at the table and asked in an annoyed tone.

"I came to check on you guys!" Xiao Bai replied with a smile.

Hearing this, Xiao Li suddenly found Xiao Bai much more agreeable. Over the years, they had all missed home, and seeing Xiao Bai today was a pleasant surprise.

"But seeing that you're all doing well, I must say… I'm quite disappointed." Xiao Bai added, his tone carrying a hint of regret.

"F*** off!" Xiao Li's temper flared again. He immediately took back his previous thought—what surprise? This guy was still the same damn bastard as always!

Xue Lan watched her Second Commander's shifting expressions with a hint of sympathy. He had always seemed cold and ruthless to them, yet today, this white-haired young man had managed to throw his emotions into complete disarray. It was the first time she had seen him like this.

However, she had to admit—this clan member of his was really infuriating. Even as an outsider, she felt an urge to hit him. But considering that even her Second Commander had been completely overpowered, what could a mere Dou Practitioner like her do?

Sensing the awkward tension, Xue Lan suddenly remembered the purpose of her visit. She quickly turned to Xiao Li and said, "Second Commander, this is Qing Lin, the one I mentioned. What do you think?"

Xiao Li calmed himself down, turned to look at Qing Lin, who stood beside Xiao Bai, and casually said, "She can join the mercenary group as a servant."

He didn't care about Qing Lin's background. He wasn't a native of Rock Desert City, so the longstanding grudge between the two clans meant little to him. As for the so-called curse, he didn't give a damn.

"Thank you, Sister Xue Lan, but Qing Lin is now Young Master's servant, so I cannot join the mercenary group," Qing Lin replied softly, bowing in gratitude while gently declining the offer.

If she hadn't met Young Master, she wouldn't have refused. But now, she didn't want to go there. Although these two seemed nice and didn't look at her with disgust, she couldn't say the same for the rest of the mercenaries.

"You took her in as a servant?" Xiao Li turned to look at Xiao Bai with a hint of surprise.

"What? You have a problem with that?" Xiao Bai gave him a flat glance.

Xiao Li shook his head. "Do whatever you want."

She was just a little girl, after all. He had only come at Xue Lan's request to check on her, and since she was now following Xiao Bai, it didn't matter anymore.

"I don't know what you're doing in Rock Desert City, but since you're here, why don't you visit our mercenary group?"

Although Xiao Li was still annoyed by this infuriating guy, he extended an invitation nonetheless.

Xiao Bai thought about it and eventually nodded. Xiao Li's attitude suggested he had let go of the past. If he refused, it would seem like he was the one holding onto old grudges—even though, in truth, he had never cared about them in the first place.

---

Nightfall, inside the Desert Iron Mercenary Group's base.

In a guest room, Xiao Bai was teaching Qing Lin the cultivation method for Dou Qi.

Earlier in the day, after arriving with Xiao Li, he had met Xiao Ding.

That guy had become much more mature and composed. Unlike Xiao Li, who had attacked him on sight, Xiao Ding had been very welcoming and enthusiastic upon seeing Xiao Bai.

As he watched the little girl cultivate, Xiao Bai conversed with Yao Lao inside the ring.

"Senior, do you know anything about the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils?"

"I don't know much about it either. This kind of physique is extremely rare. All I know is that they can enhance their strength by taming serpent-type Magical Beasts. But this is actually the first time I've seen a real Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils!"

Yao Lao sighed in amazement. He hadn't expected Xiao Bai to have such incredible luck.

He had set out to find a Heavenly Flame, yet there was still no sign of one. Instead, he had already gained quite a bit—wasn't this something? He had just casually picked up one of the Dou Qi Continent's top-tier physiques off the roadside.

He had also sensed that strange fluctuation in the soul earlier during the day. At the time, he had been a little shocked, but since Xiao Bai had already noticed it, he didn't say anything.

He had been waiting for this kid to ask him about it. However, what surprised him even more was that Xiao Bai already knew about this physique. This boy was becoming more and more mysterious.

"But there is a faction in the Northwest Continent called the Sky Serpent Mansion that should know a lot about this physique. Legend has it that their founder, the first Mansion Master, possessed the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils! His cultivation even reached the Half-Saint level at one point. If he had been able to subdue a Dou Saint-level serpent-type Magical Beast, his strength might have been even higher!" Yao Lao continued after a moment of thought.

"Sky Serpent Mansion, huh?" Xiao Bai remained noncommittal.

Of course, he knew about the Sky Serpent Mansion. In the original story, Qing Lin had been taken there and had become a Dou Zun within just over a decade. However, he was still considering whether he should let Qing Lin go there in the future.

He didn't know much about the Sky Serpent Mansion. In the original work, this faction had only been briefly mentioned. Qing Lin's life had already been full of hardships. If she didn't have a good life there, she might as well stay by his side.

"How do you feel?" Xiao Bai asked gently as he saw Qing Lin open her bright, wide eyes.

"Young Master, I didn't feel the energy you mentioned. Is it because my cultivation talent is too poor?" The little girl's clear eyes dimmed slightly, and her voice carried a hint of disappointment.

Right now, she was quite sensitive and self-conscious. She thought of herself as a fool—useless at everything except doing laundry and cooking.

Xiao Bai was speechless.

Yao Lao was speechless.

This was the first time they had ever heard someone with a top-tier physique call themselves talentless. If this was considered bad talent, then what did that make the two of them? Trash?

Suppressing his thoughts, Xiao Bai reached out and ruffled the little girl's hair, comforting her. "Don't worry. It's always like this the first time. When I first started cultivating, it took me several days to succeed too!"

"Really?"

"Really!" Xiao Bai nodded with a smile. Although he was lying, he couldn't tell her the truth right now. Otherwise, this little girl would start overthinking again.

Her current situation was most likely related to her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils. As for how to resolve it, Xiao Bai wasn't sure yet. But there was no rush. The Fire Spirit Snake in the magma depths was still there. If nothing else, he could just follow the original story's method when the time came.

Hearing his words, Qing Lin felt slightly relieved. She had been overjoyed when Xiao Bai told her he would teach her cultivation tonight. If she could cultivate, she would be able to help Young Master better.

Right now, her heart was filled entirely with thoughts of her Young Master. If he was happy, she was happy. But after failing in cultivation, she was afraid of seeing disappointment in Xiao Bai's eyes.

"I will work hard in cultivation. I definitely won't let Young Master down!" the little girl silently vowed to herself.