Half a month later.
Xiao Jian looked at the stone monument marking Qingshan Town and walked in.
He hadn’t encountered anything else unusual during these fifteen days.
He had passed through one or two small towns along the way, but he only went in for a quick look.
If he found the necessary medicinal ingredients, he collected some; otherwise, he just bought some daily necessities and left.
“Qingshan Town is not bad.
Although it’s not as large as Wutan City, it’s decent enough.”
A town that primarily relies on mercenaries for its existence definitely lacks the depth of Wutan City, but when it comes to liveliness, it might even surpass it, and the flow of goods is much greater.
Next, he would probably have to stay here for a while.
Before finding that cave, it was unlikely he would leave.
However, only Little Fairy Doctor knew the specific location of that cave.
He didn’t know if she had discovered it yet; if she hadn’t, it would be troublesome.
Xiao Jian rented a room in the area where mercenaries gathered.
Although such a place was a bit noisy, it was beneficial for him to observe the situation.
Every time Little Fairy Doctor went out to collect herbs, she gathered people here.
He could blend in and follow along.
He decided not to look for Little Fairy Doctor yet.
First, there was no point, as she wouldn’t believe him.
Even if she did, he didn’t know if the cave had been discovered yet.
So, he just needed to wait quietly.
Xiao Jian had been in Qingshan Town for five days.
During these five days, he had bought quite a few medicinal ingredients.
He had almost gathered all the ingredients for the Pulse Guarding Pill and the Ice Spirit Pill.
He had completely gathered the ingredients for the Pulse Guarding Pill, but the Ice Spirit Pill still lacked a Tier 2 Ice Attribute Magical Core.
The Jia Ma Empire mostly consisted of deserts and forests, so Ice Attribute Magical Beasts were extremely rare.
Earth and Wood Attribute ones were plentiful, but he didn’t need them for now.
It seemed he could only try his luck in the Magical Beast Forest.
If that failed, he would have to postpone refining the Heavenly Flame.
However, these two pills should be enough to refine a Beast Fire, but likely far from enough for refining a Heavenly Flame.
Xiao Yan probably never expected Xiao Jian to want to refine a Heavenly Flame, and even if he did, with his current strength, he couldn’t refine pills of that rank yet.
But there was nothing he could do for now, and he didn’t even have a spirit storage item yet.
His idea was to check the Alchemist Association.
If they didn’t have one, he would have to postpone refining the Heavenly Flame.
“Ugh!
How annoying!
Why isn’t Little Fairy Doctor going treasure hunting yet?”
In the past few days, Xiao Jian had considered looking for it himself, but the herbs she needed and the places she went were different each time, and he didn’t dare ask too deeply.
After all, in the original novel, the powers in Qingshan Town knew about the existence of this treasure vault.
Although he wasn’t afraid of any single faction, if they teamed up, it would still be troublesome.
He definitely wouldn’t admit the reason was his laziness.
*What’s wrong with me?
I can wait for it anyway, so why look for it myself?
There are so many cliffs, and I might not even find it.
No evidence, so why call me lazy!
Hmph!*
Just then, a mercenary who was no longer young shouted, “Wan Yao Pharmacy is entering the Magical Beast Mountain Range to collect herbs!
They need fifty escorts, and Little Fairy Doctor will be accompanying them!
Requirements: Dou Zhe Two-Star or above!”
Xiao Jian’s eyes lit up.
“The chance has arrived!”
After finally queuing up until it was his turn, the uncle saw Xiao Jian’s youthful face and immediately spoke with displeasure, “Get lost, kid!
Don’t waste my time here!”
Xiao Jian clenched his fist abruptly and punched the ground in a circular motion.
Cracks immediately appeared on the stone slab floor.
Xiao Jian raised his fist.
“Is that enough?”
The uncle was startled when he saw the cracked ground.
This strength must be at least Dou Zhe Five-Star.
He quickly said, “Enough, enough!
Register over there!”
He smoothly joined the team.
It wasn’t long before the fifty spots were filled.
Of course, nearly half of them were from the Wolf Head Mercenary Group.
It seemed that Young Leader What’s-his-name was truly persistent.
However, Little Fairy Doctor’s popularity was indeed good; the price wasn’t high, and so many people signed up.
Little Fairy Doctor only appeared after everyone had gathered.
She brought her maid.
Of course, rather than a maid, she was more like someone sent by Wan Yao Pharmacy to supervise her.
Just like that, the group marched grandly into the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
Xiao Jian was noticed by many people because of his age.
After all, he and that Young Leader were the only ones relatively young in the team, and he was quite a bit younger and much more handsome than that guy.
Even Little Fairy Doctor glanced at him, and that single glance caused many people to shoot him jealous looks, especially a certain Young Leader whose eyes turned green with envy.
Seeing that guy’s gaze, Xiao Jian sighed.
“Alas!
Truly, those who court death cannot live.
A devastating beauty indeed!”
He had already spotted the killing intent in that guy’s eyes.
Given that guy’s personality, since he harbored killing intent, he would definitely make a move.
And once he made a move, he would surely die, followed by his entire family.
Xiao Jian also took a careful look at Little Fairy Doctor.
In his previous life, he had been extremely fond of Little Fairy Doctor.
The real Little Fairy Doctor was also very beautiful.
She had a ‘first love’ face, and although her figure wasn’t like Ya Fei’s, it was still good.
The girl-next-door aura she possessed made people want to fiercely protect her.
She might not have the prettiest face or the best figure, but she was definitely the one people most wanted to date.
*Hmm!
Overall rating: 8.5 points.
But there is still room for improvement.
After all, she is still young.*
The journey remained peaceful.
Even if there were some ignorant Demonic Beasts, they were quickly dealt with by a certain Young Leader who was eager to show off, giving Xiao Jian no chance to intervene.
But this was fine; it saved him the trouble.
“Everyone, the location for picking the medicinal herbs is here.
We need to spend the night here.
Please, leaders, ensure the protective work is done well.
The final payment will be settled one by one upon our return.
Thank you for your trouble!”
Little Fairy Doctor’s soft, sweet voice rang out.
She spoke with a smile, and though still youthful, she possessed a charming allure.
“Little Fairy Doctor, please rest assured.
Tonight’s guarding duty will be handled by our Wolf Head Mercenary Group.
There will absolutely be no problems!”
As soon as Little Fairy Doctor finished speaking, a certain Young Leader couldn’t resist running out to make his presence known.
Although the others also wanted to talk more with Little Fairy Doctor, seeing Mu Li of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group speaking, they didn’t say much and simply chimed in with agreement.
“That’s right, Little Fairy Doctor, don’t worry.
Tonight is in our hands!”
“Yes, rest assured!”
“No problem!”
It must be said that the sight of a group of burly men pounding their chests in promise was quite comical.
Little Fairy Doctor smiled faintly.
“Then thank you, everyone!”
“No need to thank us, don’t mention it!
Please rest assured!” Voices rose and fell in succession.
This made Xiao Jian unable to resist chuckling.
He couldn’t help but think, *What a bunch of sycophants.*
Although Xiao Jian had been at the back of the group, many people still noticed him due to his age and appearance, especially a certain Young Leader who was paying special attention to Xiao Jian.
Mu Li had been annoyed by this kid for a long time, and he had been thinking about how to deal with him throughout the journey.
He just hadn’t had the chance.
Now that he finally had the opportunity, how could he let him go?
He turned his head and spoke to Xiao Jian:
“Hey kid, what are you laughing at?
Are you looking down on us?
I’ve thought you looked suspicious for a long time!
Do you have some malicious intentions following us?
Speak!”
This routine made Xiao Jian almost want to applaud.
He sighed internally, *A devastating beauty indeed.*
Mu Li’s outburst caused all eyes to turn toward Xiao Jian.
However, Xiao Jian still intended to reason with this guy.
“I just thought of something happy and chuckled.
I absolutely did not mean to look down on any of you.
As for my purpose, of course I have one, but it has nothing to do with you.” Xiao Jian said indifferently, crossing his arms.
“You!…”
Mu Li was suddenly speechless.
This wasn’t the script he had planned.
Shouldn’t this kid immediately back down and submit at his feet?
Also, ‘it has nothing to do with me’?
Didn’t that mean he was here for Little Fairy Doctor?
As soon as Xiao Jian said this, many people looked toward Little Fairy Doctor.
Many of the younger ones glared angrily, while many of the older ones wore ambiguous smiles.
Even Little Fairy Doctor blushed.
Seeing Little Fairy Doctor’s reaction, Xiao Jian was speechless.
*Holy crap!
I hadn’t even considered that interpretation.
Although, it wasn’t like I hadn’t thought about it at all.*
Mu Li’s expression turned cold when he saw Xiao Jian daring to defy him.
“Kid, do you know what happens when you offend me?”
“I don’t know what happens when I offend you, but the outcome for you offending me definitely won’t be good.” Xiao Jian said carelessly.
No one came forward to speak up for Xiao Jian.
He was just an unknown mercenary, and it wasn’t worth offending the Wolf Head Mercenary Group for him.
Yet, these calm words infuriated Mu Li even more.
Who was this insignificant mercenary to have the courage to speak to him like this?
“Fine!
Kid, you’re quite something.
I’ll give you one more chance.
Kneel down now, apologize to me, and I can give you a swift end.”
“Oh!
Apologizing won’t spare my life?
I’m so scared!” Although he spoke of fear, the mockery on his face betrayed him.
“Kid, you’re courting death!”
In his fury, Mu Li circulated his Dou Qi and prepared to strike.
They were only about ten steps apart, and at Mu Li’s speed, he reached Xiao Jian in two breaths.
No one expected Mu Li to suddenly attack, but even if they had known, it wouldn’t have mattered.
Except for Little Fairy Doctor.
Boom!
The sound of Dou Qi colliding rang out.
Mu Li’s fist was only an inch away from Xiao Jian’s chest, but it couldn’t advance any further.
Xiao Jian’s eyes narrowed.
His right hand caught Mu Li’s fist, and his left hand slammed toward Mu Li’s chest, hitting him with a punch.
Mu Li was sent flying thirty meters away.
Just as he was about to continue the attack, a delicate shout rang out: “Stop, both of you!” It was Little Fairy Doctor.
Retracting his Dou Qi, Xiao Jian let out a breath and said nothing more.
He then walked to the side.
As for Mu Li, even if he wanted to fight, he couldn’t.
Xiao Jian’s previous punch was not light; it was enough to put him out of commission.
Mu Li was half-kneeling on the ground.
When the people from the Wolf Head Mercenary Group saw this, they rushed over to help him up.
“Young Leader, are you alright?” Before the question was finished, Mu Li spat out another mouthful of blood and fainted.
Seeing Mu Li in this state, Little Fairy Doctor said nothing more.
Her eyes shifted, as if she had realized something.
As for the people of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group, even if they wanted to attack, they didn’t dare.
Even the Young Leader couldn’t withstand a single move from this person; they would likely just be serving themselves up as targets.
The Young Leader’s face was his own, but their lives were theirs, so there was no need.
The others also backed away and began setting up camp.
They didn’t dare to get involved casually.
For a time, the camp became much quieter.
Even the sound of talking was rarely heard.
Little Fairy Doctor and her group also started collecting herbs without further delay.
Just like that, night quietly descended.