Chapter 24: Stone Desert City

"Brother Yang, what's wrong?" Ye Xian'er asked as she saw Wei Yang frowning.

"This scroll is a bit odd," Wei Yang chuckled.

He turned to look at the somewhat nervous female mercenary, Annie, standing beside him, and said, "I'm interested in this black iron scroll. What do you want for it?"

Annie's face immediately lit up with joy when she heard this, and she quickly replied, "As long as you like it, sir. As for the price... you can decide..."

She was cautious, not daring to make any demands, and simply left it to him to decide. After all, she thought, to a strong person like him, even what leaked from his fingers would be incredibly valuable to someone like her.

Wei Yang looked at her with some curiosity, "You're quite interesting."

Indeed, to survive in such an environment, and for a woman to be the leader of a group of mercenaries, she couldn't be simple.

After putting away the black iron scroll, Wei Yang thought for a moment, took out some skills and techniques he had obtained from Mu She, and handed them to her, "Are these enough?"

Annie's eyes brightened as she carefully and respectfully took them and glanced at them.

Xuan-level low-grade technique: Wind Dance.

Xuan-level low-grade movement skill: Phoenix Step.

Xuan-level low-grade battle skill: Wind Blade Dance.

Huang-level high-grade battle skill: Gale Thrust.

She was excited, three Xuan-level low-grade techniques and skills, techniques, movement skills, battle skills, all complete.

Although it was a bit of a pity that they were all wind-based and didn't match her earth attribute, she could trade or sell them!

These four techniques and skills combined were worth at least over ten thousand gold coins.

"Is it enough?" Seeing her trying hard to stay calm, Wei Yang raised an eyebrow and asked.

The surrounding mercenaries also glanced over with some excitement, secretly eavesdropping.

Annie quickly composed herself, took a deep breath, and respectfully said, "It's enough, thank you, sir."

"As long as you're satisfied," Wei Yang nodded, a small smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

He was also quite satisfied.

The black iron scroll looked like something good, although he didn't know exactly what it was or its purpose yet.

But it surely wasn't simple.

Trading something, in his eyes, as ordinary and useless for such a scroll was a great deal.

Almost like getting it for free.

And Annie also gained something satisfying.

Both sides got what they wanted and were happy.

...

By dusk, a city silhouette appeared faintly on the horizon ahead.

As they drew closer, the thick city walls slowly came into view.

This city, standing in the desert and located at the frontier bordering the snake-people, naturally differed from the cities within the empire.

It had more majesty and solidity, conveying a sense of iron and blood.

"Sir, ahead is Stone Desert City," Annie said respectfully.

"Mm."

Wei Yang nodded, took Ye Xian'er along, and separated from the mercenary team.

With what appeared to be slow steps, they actually covered ten meters with each stride.

Under the envious and regretful gazes of Annie and the mercenary team members, Wei Yang and Ye Xian'er quickly arrived at the city gate, paid the entry fee, and joined the flow of people into the city.

For a long time, until their figures completely disappeared, the mercenaries slowly withdrew their gazes.

Annie sighed softly, quite envious of the beautiful, ethereal girl.

But it was just envy.

She clearly understood that they were people from two completely different worlds.

Although the girl looked frail and seemingly harmless, how could someone following such a young gentleman be ordinary?

"Boss," the mercenaries looked at her, eyes faintly filled with excitement.

Annie, looking at her teammates' eyes, smiled on her pretty face, "Brothers, we not only returned safely this time, but also made a great harvest!"

"Yay~" The team members cheered happily.

Annie's smile widened, heart pounding with excitement.

"With this harvest, once I fully digest it, I can surely become a Dou Practitioner!" Annie thought.

Once a Dou Practitioner, things would be different. In Stone Desert City, she could be considered a strong force, no longer a low-level mercenary having to look at others' faces to act.

Thinking of this, she waved eagerly, "Let's go, talk later!"

With a twist of her slender waist and a stride of her long legs, she led the way energetically.

"Let's go."

"Head back."

"Haha."

The teammates laughed and followed.

...

Holding Ye Xian'er's hand, Wei Yang strolled leisurely on the streets of Stone Desert City, occasionally drawing bold glances from desert women around.

Those looks were barefaced, bold, passionate, exuberant, and fiery.

Of course, they were sometimes mixed with envious and jealous glances from men, or discontented snorts.

Wei Yang remained indifferent to these, his expression unchanging, leading the curious Ye Xian'er who was looking around, slowly walking along.

However, he did feel somewhat awe-struck by the passion and boldness of desert women.

But it made sense.

At seventeen, though still young, Wei Yang stood nearly 180 cm tall, clad in a black robe embroidered with golden cloud patterns, his hair bound with a jade clasp, presenting a tall, elegant figure with fair skin and handsome features, exuding an inexplicable charm.

In this desert city, amidst generally rugged men, he naturally stood out.

Like gold among gravel, drawing attention.

Of course, it wasn't only Wei Yang drawing many stares; beside him, Ye Xian'er attracted numerous heated glances too.

In her simple white dress, she resembled a pure white lotus quietly blooming amidst the endless sand, capturing attention effortlessly.

This made Ye Xian'er frown slightly, unsettled by the fervent gazes.

Wei Yang could only helplessly shake his head, guiding her to quicken their pace.

Soon, they found a seemingly decent inn ahead and went inside.

Booking an upper room and having hot water prepared, they thoroughly washed off the dusty travel grime.

That night, Wei Yang meditated briefly, then retired early.

Traveling continuously for seven days from Wutan City, flying, and then walking half a day in the desert, he felt mentally exhausted.

Especially since during the day, due to the black iron scroll, his soul power was heavily exerted.

He harbored a faint premonition that the mysterious black iron scroll could be a significant opportunity.

Yet, currently, due to his strength, he hadn't unfolded its hidden secrets.

But someday, it might bring a huge surprise.

This feeling emerged radiantly in Wei Yang's mind.

...

The following morning, the two followed directions they gathered and arrived at a shop called "Ancient Maps".

Standing before it, Wei Yang curiously surveyed the seemingly simple shop.

It wasn't as flamboyant as other shops, appearing unremarkable at first glance.

Yet amidst the plainness, there lingered a subtle aura of antiquity.

This was the renowned retreat of the famous angel investor: Ice Emperor Hai Bodong, an old-school Dou Emperor.

Comparable to the famous investor in "Swallowing", Zhuge Tao.

Regrettably, Wei Yang wasn't a pharmacist, thus lacking predestined ties with him.

However, the incomplete map of the Purifying Lotus Demon Fire in his possession was something Wei Yang coveted deeply.

Tempted to capture him in a sack at night.

"Ancient Maps? What an odd name for a shop," Ye Xian'er remarked.

"Let's go in and buy a detailed map of the desert," Wei Yang smiled.

"Okay."

The two walked inside.