"What are you? Daring to speak to me like this?" Hearing this, Mo Xing was first stunned, then, upon seeing Xiao Yan's youthful face, grew furious. Xiao Li and Xiao Yan were both captains of the Mo Tie Guild, and it was not unusual for them to speak to him with formality. But this young-looking lad—so seemingly just a youth—had the audacity to openly scold him in such a direct and disrespectful manner. How could Mo Xing remain composed? As soon as Mo Xing launched his outburst, Xiao Li's expression instantly grew cold. A spark leapt from the tungsten steel spear he was gripping, and with a single step forward, the spear surged forward with a sharp force, aimed directly at Mo Xing's throat. The sudden and decisive action from Xiao Li caused Mo Xing's face to pale. He had not expected such boldness from his opponent. Though Xiao Li was stronger than him, Mo Xing had to retreat in a hasty and awkward manner. As he retreated, his foot suddenly twisted, and he ended up sitting down abruptly on the ground right in front of everyone. "Xiao Li, dare you kill me? Our team leader won't forgive you!" With the silver spear tip rapidly expanding in his eyes, Mo Xin's face flushed with fear as he shouted. "Ssshh." The spear suddenly halted halfway to Mo Xin's throat, its sharp force penetrating the air and slicing a small wound across his throat—blood gushed forth immediately. "What are you? Dare to speak to my brothers like this?" Looking at Mo Xin, who remained motionless despite the steady flow of blood, his body pressed tightly against the spear, Xiao Li scoffed with disdain. Swallowing hard, Mo Xin's forehead beaded with cold sweat. He carefully used his palms to push himself back a few steps on the sand, then stumbled into the ranks, his voice full of resentment. "Xiao Li, you've got guts! I'll immediately report this to our team leader. You, the Mo Tie Mercenary Corps—watch out, for great trouble is coming!" "Having said that, Mo Xing was terrified that the long spear—like a ghostly phantom—would strike again, so he roared and hurried to turn around, rushing away with his companions. Watching the Sand Company retreat, looking as disheveled as a dog fleeing from its home, the onlookers couldn't help but emit a unified wave of murmurs and gasps. "A sluggish one...," scoffed Xiao Li, turning his head disdainfully toward Mo Xing's retreating figures. He then turned back to Xiao Yan, spreading his hands. "Now, with so many people watching, I've managed to send that man packing. I believe our rivalry with the Sand Company is officially settled. When Mo Xing returns, he'll embellish the tale and report it thoroughly to Sha Luo. By tomorrow, the Sand Company will surely consolidate their forces and come to seize this land." Xiao Yan nodded with a smile, glanced around, and spoke softly, "Brothers, just keep this ground secure. As for the Sand Company, I'll handle them." "You... really believe you can manage that?" "If things really come to that..." Xiao Ding furrowed his brows, speaking with a touch of concern. "Heh, just a Grand Combatant, after all..." With a cheerful nod, Xiao Yin waved to the two of them, pulled over a camel-like horse beside them, mounted it, and smiled. "Believe me, I'll make that Sand Company stay as sluggish as a turtle throughout the entire time, confined within the Stone Desert City." With a light kick of his foot, the camel surged forward, carrying a trail of yellow dust, racing swiftly toward the Stone Desert City. As they watched Xiao Yin grow ever more distant, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li exchanged glances, both shaking their heads with a mixture of resignation and a faint smile. After a while, they sighed and said, "Well, let's hope this young one has some hidden strength we haven't yet discovered. If not, then with our own strength as the Murai Company, the Sand Company won't dare to be overly aggressive. After all, if they actually engage in battle, they'd surely lose half their forces—something Sand's leader simply can't afford." By the side, Xiao Li spread his hands and smiled, saying, "I'm curious to know whether Xiao Yan can truly make Luo Bo stay put in Shidemo City." "Let's see," Xiao Ding said lightly, "I believe he can." In a room situated at the central location of the compound, soft lighting completely dispelled the darkness within. Two figures were present. One of them was none other than Moxing, who had recently clashed with Xiao Yin and his companions in the afternoon. Sitting at the head of the room was the middle-aged man, naturally the commander of the Sand Corps, Luo Bu. Hearing this, the middle-aged officer furrowed his brow and gave a light sigh, clearly dissatisfied with Mo Xing's organizational abilities. Listening to the sigh, Mo Xing's forehead beaded with a few drops of sweat as he quickly said, "Sir, although we don't yet know their exact intentions, something that could make even the cunning Xiao Ding commit the entire regiment to search for it must surely be no ordinary matter. Moreover, their location is just a short distance outside the Stone Desert City, giving us ample opportunities to justify our entry into that area." Luo Bu gave a slight nod, yet his face still carried a touch of hesitation. Without knowing exactly what was at stake, he didn't want to clash with the Mo Tie Mercenary Corps. Though he himself was a Grand Combatant, the stronger members of the corps—aside from Mo Xing, who was also a Grand Combatant—were all below that level. In contrast, the Mo Tie Corps boasted not only Grand Combatants such as Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, but also two two-star Grand Combatants. This overall strength far surpassed that of the Sha Mercenary Corps, which naturally made Luo Bu somewhat cautious. "Well...," under Moxing's persistent urging, Luo Bu had also begun to waver. After another moment of thoughtful contemplation, he finally couldn't hold back and nodded firmly, "We'll consolidate our personnel tomorrow and seize the land currently held by the Mo Tie Mercenary Regiment!" "General, he's the brother of Xiao Ding and Xiao Li!" Staring at Xiao Yan's appearance, Mo Xing stepped back suddenly and exclaimed. Upon hearing this, Luo Bu's eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed firmly on Xiao Yan as he said in a steady tone, "Sir, you've come to our Sand Guild Team at night—what brings you here?" Having personally witnessed Xiao Yan's ghostly movements, Luo Bu certainly wouldn't be foolish enough to treat him as an ignorant young boy with nothing to offer. "Ah, nothing much... I simply wish to request that General Luo keep the members of the Sand Guild under control for the next few days, so they won't interrupt my elder and second brothers' affairs." Xiao Yan gently tapped his fingers on the table, smiling calmly. "Boy, you're quite bold! What exactly are you—?" Luo Bu exclaimed, his voice rising in anger. "Quiet." Raised his eyes, Xiao Yan glanced at Mo Xing, who was hidden behind Luo Bu. A cold glint passed through the dark depths of his gaze. He slightly lifted his body, then—suddenly, became a streak of black shadow, slicing through the numerous obstacles within the room with lightning speed. Instantly, his palm gently rested against Mo Xing's back, and he leaned slightly forward, speaking softly, "You, this dog-headed strategist, have indeed come up with quite a cruel plan..." As soon as he finished speaking, a crisp, pale flame surged from his palm and swiftly surged into Mo Xing's body. With a barely perceptible dull thud, Mo Xing—once a solid human form—vanished in an instant, reduced to a pile of dark ashes. Seeing the smile on the young man's face, Luo Bu's throat subtly rolled, his heart chilled by the ghostly speed the youth had just displayed. To achieve such astonishing speed and strength—wasn't that at least the level of a Battle King? "Battle King..." Luo Bu gazed at the refined features of the young man, silently sighing within himself. A Battle King under twenty? "Hmm... regarding the matter I mentioned earlier," Xiao Yan played with the pale, emerald flame in his palm, smiling gently. "Gurgle." Swallowing hard, Luo Bu wiped the fine cold sweat from his forehead, his face falling into a rather unimpressive smile. He promptly cleared his throat and said, "All as the noble suggests. The Sand Company will absolutely not enter that region another step!"