24: Exploring underground magma!

Under the watchful eyes of Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, and a group of mercenaries, Jiang Luo slowly descended with Qing Lin.

"I am Xiao Ding, leader of the Mo Tie Mercenary Group. I apologize for not greeting you sooner, esteemed sir, and hope you will forgive us." Xiao Ding quickly led Xiao Li and the surrounding mercenaries in a respectful bow, their posture extremely deferential.

The presence of a Dou Zong could bring about utter destruction with even the slightest disrespect, so they dared not be negligent in the least.

Jiang Luo smiled faintly, his gaze sweeping over the Xiao Ding brothers, and said calmly, "No need for formalities."

"This Sect Master was passing through Stone Desert City and happened upon this girl, Qing Lin. Seeing her passable talent, I wished to take her as a Disciple. You wouldn't mind, would you?"

"Disciple?" A look of astonishment flashed across Xiao Ding's face. As he exchanged glances with Xiao Li, both saw a hint of disbelief in the other's eyes.

When did this girl Qing Lin catch the eye of a Dou Zong?

As for minding? That was out of the question.

In front of a Dou Zong, they had no right to say "no."

Qing Lin looked up, tears shimmering in her eyes, "Both leaders, I will never forget the care you've shown me over the years."

"Now that I've met Teacher Jiang Luo, he has shown me the meaning of living. Only by becoming stronger can I avoid being bullied, so I want to follow Teacher." She said, bowing deeply to Xiao Ding and Xiao Li.

If not for Teacher's timely intervention, she might have already become someone else's prisoner today.

Rather than being trampled underfoot for a lifetime, it's better to take a gamble and carve out a path to survival!

Seeing her resolve, the Xiao Ding brothers found it difficult to say anything more.

They were actually pleased that Qing Lin could make such a decision.

Following a Dou Zong was certainly better than suffering humiliation in Stone Desert City.

Xiao Ding laughed heartily, "Qing Lin, this is your Opportunity. Your leader is happy for you."

"In the future, follow Teacher and Cultivate well. If you miss us, you can always come back. The doors of the Mo Tie Mercenary Group will always be open for you."

Xiao Li also nodded from the side, "That's right, Qing Lin, Stone Desert City is still too small. Following Lord Jiang Luo, you'll definitely do better than us in the future."

The surrounding mercenaries also smiled.

Qing Lin's situation was known to everyone in Stone Desert City. Rather than staying here and being scorned, it was better to follow Lord Jiang Luo. She would definitely make a name for herself in the future.

"Thank you everyone, thank you both leaders. Qing Lin will never forget this." Qing Lin's eyes reddened further, her voice filled with reluctance.

"By the way, since you possess such cultivation, why have you come to this desert, esteemed sir?" Xiao Ding finally couldn't suppress his curiosity and looked at Jiang Luo.

For a Dou Zong to specifically come here, he must have a purpose.

Jiang Luo did not hide it, smiling faintly, "This Sect Master came here for an Otherworldly Flame."

"According to reliable information, the Otherworldly Flame is hidden in the desert near Stone Desert City."

"Otherworldly Flame?"

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li exchanged glances, both seeing confusion in the other's eyes.

"Sir, our brothers have lived in Stone Desert City for so many years and have never heard of an Otherworldly Flame. Are you perhaps..."

Xiao Ding wanted to say, 'Are you perhaps mistaken about the information?', but he was afraid of angering Jiang Luo's Dragon wrath. His Adam's apple bobbed twice, but he ultimately didn't dare to utter the latter half of the sentence.

Just then, Qing Lin suddenly thought of something, "Teacher, half a year ago, I sensed a slight anomaly in the area southeast of Stone Desert City."

"It was an extremely powerful aura, somewhat similar to the Bloodline within me, but compared to you, Teacher, it was much weaker."

Jiang Luo understood in his heart; that was most likely the aura of Queen Medusa.

He nodded and said, "Disciple, do you still remember the exact location? It might be a great help to your teacher."

"I remember! Teacher, I'll take you there now." Qing Lin nodded quickly, a hint of joy flashing in her eyes. Helping her teacher was what she most wanted to do at this moment.

Before leaving, Jiang Luo looked at the Xiao Ding brothers: "Leaders, why not come with us? You might be useful."

He paused briefly, then added, "Consider it me hiring you. How about a fifth-grade pill?"

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li's eyes immediately lit up, and they quickly cupped their hands: "It is an honor for our Mo Tie Mercenary Group to serve you, sir!"

"Sir, please!"

Thus, led by Qing Lin, Jiang Luo and his group set off majestically towards the east of Stone Desert City.

Along the way, the scorching sun hung high, and yellow sand raged.

Finally, everyone arrived at a seemingly ordinary, featureless flat desert.

"Disciple, are you sure it's here?"

Qing Lin looked around. Although a little timid, she still bravely said, "Teacher, according to my senses, the anomaly half a year ago indeed occurred here."

Listening to Qing Lin, Jiang Luo turned to Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, "Leaders, I'll trouble you. Please dig down from here and see if you can find anything."

Xiao Ding responded, "Don't worry, sir, leave it to us." With that, he immediately directed Xiao Li and the mercenaries to start digging.

The mercenaries took out their entrenching tools and vigorously dug into the sand.

About an hour later, a mercenary responsible for digging suddenly shouted, "We found something!"

Jiang Luo walked over at the sound, only to see a half-meter-wide hole in the ground, dark inside, with faint heat rising from it.

As expected, this was the passage to the underground magma, and the Lotus Platform was hidden within it.

"Leaders, you've worked hard. This is a fifth-grade pill, consider it your reward." Jiang Luo took out a jade bottle and handed it to Xiao Ding.

Then, he jumped down with Qing Lin and Xiao Yi Xian.

Xiao Ding looked at the jade bottle in his hand, his breathing suddenly becoming rapid.

Just digging a hole earned them a fifth-grade pill; where else in the world could one find such a good deal?

"Since the esteemed sir has gone down, everyone is responsible for guarding the entrance and not letting any scoundrels ruin his good fortune!" Xiao Ding ordered.

Since they had received benefits, they had to do the job well.

But what they feared came true. Soon after Jiang Luo entered, the Sand Mercenary Group arrived after hearing the news.

"Heh heh, Leader Xiao Ding, what's the meaning of gathering your brothers here?"

"Luo Bu!" Xiao Ding's face instantly darkened as he looked at the hostile Sand Mercenary Group.

The newcomers were Great Dou Masters, while they were merely Dou Masters. Compared to them, they would have no advantage... Entering the underground passage, the fire elemental power mixed in the air was visible to the naked eye.

Although weak, it at least proved the direction was correct.

After about a quarter of an hour of travel, the narrow passage suddenly opened up.

What greeted their eyes was a churning, fiery red magma.

Standing at the end of the passage, Qing Lin looked at the scene before her, her small face filled with shock.

The rolling magma flowed freely like boiling blood, and huge bubbles burst occasionally, spewing out scorching heat waves that almost roasted one's skin.

Jiang Luo could feel that a Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake was hidden within, which was why he brought Qing Lin down.