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**
Underground Magma World.
The usual peace of this place was slightly disrupted today.
On the stone platform...
There were large stone beds, stone tables and chairs, meditation cushions, small desks, and animal pelts spread out—everything needed for daily living was present and well-arranged.
At this moment, a young man stood there holding a fiery-red beast pelt in his hands, looking rather embarrassed. Opposite him stood two beautiful young girls.
One was dressed in white with white hair, while the other wore a pale cyan dress and had light green eyes.
They were none other than Xian'er and Qing Lin. Their faces clearly showed displeasure as their bright eyes glared angrily at the young man across from them.
After all, anyone who came home cheerful after a trip, only to find their house had been broken into, would understandably be in a foul mood.
The young man had a bitter smile on his face. He quickly put down the beast pelt in his hands, cupped his fists and said, "Seniors, I am Xiao Ding of the Desert Metal Mercenary Group from Rock Desert City. I... I apologize for disturbing you so rudely…"
Xiao Ding looked a bit awkward—after all, he had just been caught red-handed stealing by the owners themselves.
Ahem, he had simply seen these high-grade beast pelts lying around as if abandoned, and couldn't help but feel it was a pity to waste them. So he'd picked one up to examine out of curiosity.
Yes, these were all top-tier Rank 2 or Rank 3 fire-type magic beast hides, very high quality. Each one was worth a lot.
He had, in fact, planned to take a couple back with him as bedding when he left.
Unfortunately, he had been caught red-handed the moment the owners returned. It couldn't be more awkward.
At this point, even if he jumped into the Yellow River, he wouldn't be able to wash away the blame.
But really, who could've thought someone actually lived here?
Judging by the signs, the owner had seemingly been away for a long time. He had assumed this was some ancient cultivator's abandoned cave dwelling.
Xiao Ding was full of bitter regret but could only bow deeply and apologize with as much humility as possible.
Xian'er looked at Xiao Ding, frowning slightly, and said in a soft voice, "If it's just a misunderstanding, then you should leave now."
"This…" Xiao Ding choked for a second before shaking his head and replying helplessly, "Apologies, Senior… I can't leave just yet. My younger brother is still beneath the magma lake…"
"Could I ask for some leniency? Once my brother comes back up, I'll immediately take him and leave."
"Your brother is under the magma lake?" Xian'er asked in surprise.
She glanced at Xiao Ding. He was a Dou Shi, and not very old either.
So his brother probably wouldn't be much stronger… and yet he dared to dive beneath the magma lake?
Xiao Ding wiped the sweat from his forehead—some from the heat, some from pure fear. He said, "I wouldn't dare lie to Senior. My younger brother is indeed beneath the magma right now."
He had seen very clearly just now—this white-clothed, white-haired girl had flown down here with Dou Qi Wings.
At the very least, she was a Dou Wang!
How could he not be nervous?
If it were possible, of course he'd want to leave immediately and run as far as he could.
But alas, his dear younger brother was still down there beneath the magma.
Xian'er felt a bit helpless. She looked at Xiao Ding, unsure what to do—neither kicking him out nor letting him stay felt right.
She wanted Xiao Ding to leave immediately, since she was relatively kind. But once Wei Yang came down… who knew whether he would be angry? To keep this place a secret, he might very well kill the intruder on the spot.
Wei Yang was indifferent toward strangers. If someone offended him, he really would kill them.
She swept her gaze around and noticed that at some point, a new tunnel had been opened up in a nearby rock wall.
She couldn't help but want to hold her head in her hands.
And at that moment—
A black figure appeared at the tunnel entrance above.
Whoosh!
Black Dou Qi Wings unfurled, and the figure floated in mid-air before slowly descending.
"Young Master is back," Qing Lin said softly.
Xian'er felt a headache coming on. She glared helplessly at Xiao Ding.
She had just told him to leave—now it was probably too late.
"Let's try to at least keep the two brothers alive," Xian'er sighed inwardly.
This young man was still so young, yet clearly cared deeply about his little brother and refused to abandon him. That alone earned Xian'er's sympathy. She didn't have the heart to let them die here.
Xiao Ding, at this moment, was drenched in cold sweat. He wanted to turn and flee.
In this sweltering environment, he felt like he'd fallen into an ice cave.
Dear heavens!
Another Dou Wang!?
Xiao Ding's heart was trembling.
Were Dou Wangs not rare anymore?!
And… what did that light-green-eyed girl just call him? Young Master?!
Wei Yang slowly descended, retracting his Dou Qi wings. His gaze fell upon Xiao Ding, who was drenched in sweat and barely managing to stand upright.
"Brother Yang!"
"Young Master!"
Xian'er and Qing Lin hurried over to Wei Yang's side.
Wei Yang nodded faintly, his expression calm, eyes still fixed on Xiao Ding.
"Xiao Ding, pays respects to Senior!" Xiao Ding forced himself to bow respectfully, his voice trembling.
"Your name is Xiao Ding?" Wei Yang's tone remained flat.
"Yes." Sweat dripped from Xiao Ding's forehead as he nodded nervously.
"Those mercenaries up there—are they your men? From the Desert Metal Mercenary Group?" Wei Yang asked again.
"Yes..." Xiao Ding's expression instantly turned pale, a chill spreading through his heart.
He thought his brothers above had already fallen at the hands of this man.
"This is it for me today," he sighed inwardly, bitter and hopeless.
Thankfully, Xiao Li didn't come.
Of the three brothers, at least one could still live.
Wei Yang stepped toward the stone table, waved his sleeve, and a gust of wind swept away the dust. He sat cross-legged on the cushion.
Qing Lin obediently walked over, retrieved a tea set from her storage ring, and began making tea skillfully.
Meanwhile, Xian'er quietly shot Xiao Ding a meaningful look, signaling him to play along. Then she sat beside Wei Yang and began massaging his shoulders with a flattering smile.
Xiao Ding immediately understood, returning her a grateful look. He stood respectfully, not daring to move an inch.
Wei Yang gave Xian'er, who was currying favor, a slightly surprised glance. Then, looking at Xiao Ding again, he quickly figured it out.
So this girl's trying to keep me from killing him, huh?
He found it amusing but didn't say anything. Instead, he enjoyed Xian'er's gentle massage with satisfaction.
"Young Master," Qing Lin spoke up then, having finished brewing the tea. She poured a cup and placed it in front of Wei Yang, then poured one each for herself and Xian'er.
Wei Yang, however, picked up one of the cups and placed it across the table. Then he lifted his own, smiling as he looked at Xiao Ding. "Come, have some tea."
"Eh?" Xiao Ding was stunned. He pointed to himself in disbelief. "Senior, me?"
"Mhm." Wei Yang nodded with a smile. "Yes, you."
"This..." Xiao Ding opened his mouth but couldn't react for a moment.
What's going on?
Even Xian'er was a little surprised, but she quickly caught on and gave Xiao Ding another look, softly reminding him, "Young Master Xiao Ding, come have some tea."
"Oh, oh! Yes!" Xiao Ding finally snapped out of it and responded with pleasant surprise. He carefully walked over to the table, picked up the cup with both hands, took a respectful sip, and gently put it down.
"Sit." Wei Yang gestured casually.
"Thank you, Senior." Xiao Ding obediently sat down, not even bothering to wipe the dust from the cushion.
It all still felt a bit unreal to him. The change had come too fast—like he'd just gone from hell to heaven.
"What's wrong? Surprised?" Wei Yang asked with a chuckle, using the lid to gently swirl the tea leaves floating in his cup.
"Yes." Xiao Ding replied honestly.
"You're surnamed Xiao, and judging from your facial features and bone structure, I can more or less guess your identity," Wei Yang said with a smile.
"Senior... Could it be... you have some connection to my Xiao Clan?" Xiao Ding's eyes lit up as he asked tentatively.
"That's right. I do have some ties to your Xiao Clan," Wei Yang nodded.
Xian'er suddenly understood and shot Wei Yang a glance.
Wei Yang just smiled and winked mischievously at her.
Xian'er rolled her eyes at him with mock annoyance and withdrew her hands from his shoulders.
She looked at the stunned Xiao Ding and explained somewhat irritably, "We used to live in Wu Tan City. We had some interactions with your Xiao Clan back then."
"Senior, could it be... you are Mister Wei?" A thought seemed to strike Xiao Ding, and he quickly asked with great respect.
"My name is Wei Yang." He nodded.
"I see! So you really are Mister Wei!" Xiao Ding let out a long breath, his face lighting up with joy.
He stood up, straightened his clothes, and gave a formal bow. "Xiao Ding of the Xiao Clan, greets Mister Wei!"
"No need for formalities. Sit." Wei Yang waved his hand.
Xiao Ding smiled, nodded, and brushed the dust off the cushion before sitting down again.
So it was someone familiar after all.
Scared me half to death...
Looks like I just escaped from the jaws of death!
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