Third Brother, Fierce as a Tiger

Although Xiao Feng had already given Xiao Ding and the others some forewarning, he had only mentioned that he could transform into a stone giant comparable to a third-tier magical beast. He hadn't said anything about being able to kill a Dou-Matser effortlessly, even without transforming!

"How dare you!!!"

Luo Bu, who was the first to recover from his shock, couldn't help but shout angrily, "You dare commit murder right in front of me, the leader of this group? Today..."

"Enough of your noise!"

Xiao Feng, full of impatience, interrupted Luo Bu and immediately unleashed a move called "Dragon Subduing Palm" and struck him.

"You..."

Seeing how Xiao Feng showed him no respect, Luo Bu was so enraged that he wanted to curse, but he had no choice but to throw a punch in response.

"Boom!!!"

As their fists clashed, a sharp explosion rang out. The powerful aftermath of the battle turned into a visible shockwave, forcing everyone around to squint their eyes.

Feeling the immense force coming from Xiao Feng's fist, Luo Bu's expression drastically changed, his eyes filled with disbelief.

To be honest, the battle energy covering Xiao Feng's hand wasn't powerful—only about the level of a seven-star Dou-Practitioner, nowhere near enough to harm Luo Bu.

But Xiao Feng's physical strength was terrifying. His palm strike carried tens of thousands of pounds of force. Even though Luo Bu was protected by his battle energy armour, his fist was still numb from the impact.

To Luo Bu, Xiao Feng felt more like a third-tier magical beast disguised as a human and one that was adept at battle techniques.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Without paying any attention to Luo Bu's reaction, Xiao Feng unleashed a barrage of strikes with both palms, forcing Luo Bu to retreat step by step.

The essence of the "Nine Dragon Subduing Palms" lies in the principle of "holding back just enough." Every palm strike should leave some strength in reserve, allowing for seamless changes in technique while continuously stacking power.

In theory, as long as the practitioner's body is strong enough to withstand the backlash from this cumulative power, they can stack it infinitely.

This is why, when Xiao Feng used the Nine Dragon Subduing Palms in battle, he became more powerful the longer he fought, especially after drinking wine. The alcohol numbed his sense of pain, allowing him to unleash even greater strength.

"Damn it! Why is this guy's palm strikes getting heavier and heavier?"

As the accumulated force of Xiao Feng's strikes increased, Luo Bu could no longer bear it. His face flushed red, and his battle energy armour began to crack with fine lines.

At this moment, Luo Bu wanted to surrender, but facing Xiao Feng's overwhelming assault, he didn't even have the chance to speak.

If Luo Bu dared open his mouth now, releasing the breath he was holding, Xiao Feng would undoubtedly seize the opportunity and kill him instantly.

"Gulp!"

Watching Luo Bu being overwhelmed by Xiao Feng, Xiao Li couldn't help but swallow nervously. "B-Big brother, am I dreaming? Little Madman is way too fierce!"

"A Dou Practitioner is beating a Dou-Grandmaster—it's insane! Truly insane! No, IT IS UNBELIEVABLE!"

Xiao Ding, too excited to speak coherently, added, "If Nalan Yanran finds out how fierce our third brother is, she'd probably regret it so much she'd cough up blood!"

"Our young master is incredible!"

Qing Lin, who had rushed over, immediately became Xiao Feng's little fangirl. Her big, greenish eyes sparkled with small flower patterns.

Little Doctor Fairy (Xiao Yixian) also showed a proud smile, though she quickly shook her head in slight disappointment. "Too bad there's no chance to test the new medicine."

"Boom!!!

When the force of Xiao Feng's palm strikes reached a critical point, Luo Bu's battle energy armour could no longer withstand it and was shattered by the terrifying power.

The moment his armour broke, Luo Bu, sensing the approach of death, hurriedly shouted, "I sure..."

"Bang!!!"

Before Luo Bu could finish his sentence, a massive golden dragon phantom shot out from Xiao Feng's palm, blasting him into a cloud of blood mist.

With the eerie blood mist framing the scene, Xiao Feng appeared like a demonic god, too fearsome to look at directly.

"Luo Bu is dead. The Sand Mercenary Group is, at this moment, disbanded!"

Xiao Feng turned to the core members of the Sand Mercenary Group and said in an unquestionable tone, "Those who wish to join the Metal Mercenary Group can stay. Those who don't, I can send you to join Luo Bu!"

"..."

Faced with Xiao Feng's gaze filled with killing intent, the remaining members of the Sand Mercenary Group exchanged glances. Then they spoke in unison, "We are willing to join the Metal Mercenary Group."

Mercenaries who live by the sword have always followed the law of the strong.

Besides, with Luo Bu and Mo Xing both dead, the Sand Mercenary Group couldn't be sustained any longer. Eventually, they would have had to join other groups with Dou-Masters anyway.

"Big brother, second brother, I'll leave the rest to you."

Xiao Feng waved to Xiao Ding and the others, then, under the awed gazes of the crowd, left with Little Doctor Fairy and Qing Lin.

Although Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were curious about how Xiao Feng had suddenly become so fierce, they decided first to merge the Sand Mercenary Group's assets and then find a chance to ask him later.

Since the mercenaries had already witnessed Xiao Feng's terrifying strength, they were very cooperative.

With their cooperation, Xiao Ding and the others took just half a day to absorb the Sand Mercenary Group's power and assets.

With the merging of the two mercenary groups, the Metal Mercenary Group became the most powerful in Stone Desert City.

After handling the Sand Mercenary Group, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li eagerly sought out Xiao Feng to ask why he had suddenly become so powerful.

Having already prepared an excuse, Xiao Feng attributed it to his extraordinary physique.

According to Xiao Feng, his awakened extraordinary physique could continue to develop and grow, and from time to time, it would awaken new abilities.

Although Xiao Ding and Xiao Li found this explanation a bit far-fetched, they couldn't argue with the facts in front of them.

Xiao Feng had stayed in the Metal Mercenary Group all this time without consuming any unique heavenly treasures, so the only explanation for his "Dou-Practitioner versus Dou-Matser" miracle had to be his extraordinary physique!

It couldn't be that Xiao Feng had somehow "cheated," right?

After successfully fooling Xiao Ding and the others, Xiao Feng handed them a list of materials needed to refine the Corpse-Control Worms and asked for their help gathering them.

Knowing that these materials would aid Xiao Feng in his cultivation, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li immediately promised to gather them as quickly as possible.

In the following days, Xiao Ding and the others, riding the momentum of the Sand Mercenary Group's absorption, swiftly took over the other mercenary groups in Stone Desert City, large and small, ultimately unifying the city.

After merging all the mercenary groups in Stone Desert City, the Metal Mercenary Group's members swelled to over 2,000, becoming somewhat bloated.

(End of chapter)

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