Xiao Bai was about to take Qing Lin to find an inn and buy her some new clothes.
Suddenly, he felt a tug on his sleeve and looked down.
"Young Master, can I go back and get something?"
Xiao Bai suddenly realized that he hadn't asked about Qing Lin's home situation yet, but there was no need to ask now—he would naturally find out by following her back.
He and Hai Bodong then followed Qing Lin's lead toward the outskirts of the city.
Along the way, people continuously cast looks of disgust at her. Qing Lin's petite body trembled slightly, and her originally delicate and pitiable face was filled with gloom. She clutched a corner of Xiao Bai's robe tightly.
"Hold your head up. Don't mind those looks. Remember, you don't owe them anything. You are not living for them—you are living for yourself!"
That calm voice made Qing Lin pause. Her small nose twitched, and a glimmer of light flickered in her eyes.
That's right! She didn't have to be so cautious anymore. She had Young Master now—someone who cared about her. If those people bullied her again, there would be someone to stand up for her.
"Live for myself…?"
"From now on, Qing Lin will not only live for herself but also for Young Master!"
Qing Lin looked at the corner of the black robe she was holding and murmured to herself.
Upon arriving at Qing Lin's home, Xiao Bai gained a deeper understanding of the little girl's living conditions.
A patched-up wooden house, a small courtyard, and a desolate surrounding area. There were only a few scattered households, all of whom kept their distance from Qing Lin's home.
Qing Lin went inside to retrieve her things while Xiao Bai and Hai Bodong sat at a wooden table in the courtyard. They didn't go inside—Xiao Bai was worried that there might be something inappropriate for them to see.
After a while, Qing Lin came out with slightly red eyes, carrying a small bundle in her hands.
"Young Master, Qing Lin is ready!" she said, her expression a little downcast.
Xiao Bai nodded and was just about to leave when he suddenly sensed something and sat back down, a hint of amusement appearing at the corners of his lips.
"Qing Lin, Qing Lin, are you there?"
A woman's voice sounded from outside the courtyard.
"It's Sister Xue Lan!"
A bold and fiery-looking female mercenary suddenly pushed open the door. Her short attire barely covered her chest and lower body, revealing a toned, bronze-colored waist. Her long, taut legs moved with an air of unrestrained energy.
"Huh? Who are you two?" The woman, called Xue Lan, looked surprised when she saw the two men sitting at the table—one old and one young, both with white hair.
In Rock Desert City, besides herself, was there really anyone else who would dare come to Qing Lin's place?
Xiao Bai ignored the woman and instead looked past her toward the young man behind her.
The young man was dressed in mercenary attire, standing tall and straight with a strong posture. His face carried a faint smile, but his deep black eyes revealed a hint of ruthlessness.
At that moment, the young man also frowned slightly as he looked at Xiao Bai. Why did this person seem somewhat familiar?
"You're… Xiao Bai?" The young man hesitated for a long time before finally speaking.
No wonder he didn't recognize him at first. The current Xiao Bai was vastly different from when he had left. The once warm and elegant "old coin" now had white hair and a cold, stern expression. For a moment, the young man almost couldn't believe it.
"Heh~ Xiao Lao'er, long time no see!" Xiao Bai greeted playfully.
Hearing that nickname, Xiao Li was certain—it was definitely this bastard.
In the Xiao Clan, everyone addressed him as the Second Young Master. Except for his father, no one ever called him "Lao'er" (Old Second).
"Xiao… Xiao Lao'er?" Xue Lan was dumbfounded. She first looked at the white-haired young man and then at her own leader, whose face had darkened slightly.
She knew that her Second Commander was ranked second in the family, but no one had ever dared to call him "Old Second."
The mercenary brothers in the group all knew that he particularly hated that nickname.
Even their Commander always called him "Second Brother" and never "Old Second."
Who was this young man? Was he not afraid of being torn to pieces by the Second Commander?
Wait… Earlier, the Second Commander had called him Xiao Bai, and this black-clothed young man had said, "long time no see." Could he be related to the Second Commander?
"Heh~ It really is you, you bastard!" Xiao Li said through gritted teeth, glaring at Xue Lan as he spoke.
He and Xiao Ding had received a letter from Xiao Yan before, saying that after his cultivation dropped, only Xiao Bai would still talk to him, while everyone else either kept their distance or mocked him.
This had made them furious, but at the same time, it lessened their resentment toward Xiao Bai.
After spending a few years training outside and experiencing many things, Xiao Li and Xiao Ding had matured considerably. Their so-called grudge against Xiao Bai now seemed insignificant, and they gradually let go of their past resentment.
However, seeing this bastard's teasing expression and how he showed them no respect in front of their subordinates, Xiao Li suddenly felt an urge to hit him again.
"A Three-Star Dou Master! It seems these years outside weren't a complete waste!" Xiao Bai sized up Xiao Li for a moment before nodding approvingly, as if genuinely pleased.
Xiao Li's fist clenched tightly. To hell with letting go of resentment—this bastard was just as infuriating as ever! If he didn't beat him up today, he wouldn't be able to sleep at night!
"Do you even realize what happens when a Ninth Stage Dou Zhi Qi practitioner provokes a Three-Star Dou Master?" Xiao Li gritted his teeth.
Xiao Yan's last letter had arrived six months ago, mentioning Xiao Bai briefly. He had said that the two of them were now "brothers in misfortune," which led Xiao Li to assume that this guy was still at the Ninth Stage of Dou Zhi Qi.
He didn't know how Xiao Bai, with such meager strength, had ended up here, but he didn't care. Right now, he just wanted to give him a beating first and ask questions later.
"Ninth Stage of Dou Zhi Qi?" Qing Lin blinked her big eyes at her Young Master.
Even though she hadn't started cultivating yet, she understood cultivation ranks.
Based on the power Xiao Bai had displayed when he saved her on the street, there was no way he was only at the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi.
She pouted angrily and glared at the dark-faced young man. However, her glare lacked any real threat and instead made her look rather adorable.
Hai Bodong looked at the black-faced mercenary with speechless amusement. Judging by how familiar the two seemed with each other, how could he mistake Xiao Bai for being at the Ninth Stage of Dou Zhi Qi? Did he really think the Ice Emperor would lose to someone at that level?
Xue Lan, on the other hand, didn't doubt her Second Commander. Instead, she glanced at the white-haired young man with pity. You're at the Ninth Stage of Dou Zhi Qi, yet you dare provoke a Three-Star Dou Master? Who gave you such courage?
"Tsk, tsk… I really don't know what happens when you provoke a Three-Star Dou Master. How about you show me, Xiao Lao'er?"
Seeing Xiao Li again reminded Xiao Bai of how this guy had once tried to threaten him. He couldn't resist teasing him.
"Die, you bastard!"
Xiao Li finally lost his patience. Lightning flickered across his body as he charged forward like a bolt of thunder.
He didn't draw his spear or use any Dou Techniques—he was afraid that doing so might actually kill Xiao Bai.
"You're too easy to provoke."
Xiao Bai smiled as he watched Xiao Li's rapid movements.
Just as Xiao Li reached him, Xiao Bai casually extended his hand and caught his lightning-infused fist. The electric energy surged up Xiao Bai's arm, but his Dou Qi instantly dissolved it.
"Hmm… This level of power could at most numb a Three or Four-Star Dou Practitioner," Xiao Bai noted to himself.
It seemed that Xiao Li truly hadn't intended to harm him.
Seeing Xiao Bai effortlessly grasp his fist, and realizing that his lightning-infused Dou Qi vanished without a trace upon entering Xiao Bai's body, Xiao Li immediately understood—this guy had already broken through long ago!
"Bastard!" Xiao Li cursed internally.
He was just about to retract his fist and have a proper one-on-one fight, but no matter how much strength he used, his hand wouldn't budge.
His heart tightened. Just how strong has this guy become?!
"Don't be in such a hurry! Let me take a look first!"
Xiao Bai had finally found someone with a lightning attribute. How could he let this opportunity slip away so easily?
This was, after all, one of the reasons he had provoked Xiao Li in the first place.
"What are you trying to do?!"
Xiao Li's voice trembled slightly.