While in Battle Through the Heavens, one can pre-appoint oneself as an emperor.

Stone Desert City.

It's not far from Mocheng.

While recalling the areas where he lacked in the sparring session, Chen Xiao used the Purple Cloud Wings to travel, arriving at his destination in less than two hours.

Compared to Mo City, Shimo City is smaller in area and is more like a small town built on a desert oasis. It can be seen at a glance from the air.

Seeing this, Chen Xiao couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

The city of Mo was not large, which undoubtedly made his search easier.

Otherwise, finding that girl in a vast sea of ​​people with only limited information wouldn't be so easy.

After landing in a deserted area outside the city, Chen Xiao straightened his clothes and hair, which had been ruffled by the hot wind, before quickening his pace to enter Stone Desert City.

Upon entering the city, Chen Xiao immediately noticed that the atmosphere of Stone Desert City was somewhat similar to that of Green Mountain Town. It was estimated that eight or nine out of ten of the people active there were mercenaries. The names of the mercenary groups, large and small, outside the courtyards were dazzling.

"Young man, have you ever considered joining a mercenary group? My Storm Mercenary Group is currently recruiting members, and the benefits are absolutely top-tier in Stone Desert City."

Just as Chen Xiao was looking around at both sides of the street, a shifty-eyed mercenary saw the lone stranger and immediately approached to ask him something.

Chen Xiao glanced at the other person's clothes. It was a very common mercenary outfit, but the robes were almost worn and patina-covered, so it didn't look like the person was well-treated.

Chen Xiao neither questioned nor gave a direct answer.

He then asked, "How long has the Storm Mercenary Group been established in Stone Desert City?"

"Hehe, you've come to the right place. Although our mercenary group is a bit small, it's just that we've been out of luck. In terms of founding time, there aren't many in the entire Stone Desert City that are older than us. If you think about it carefully now, it's been more than ten years."

Thinking it was Chen Xiao's intention, the mercenary answered very readily.

This isn't a secret, and it's the only thing the Storm Mercenary Group can boast about.

Chen Xiao nodded slightly and finally revealed his purpose.

"I'm looking for a girl named Qinglin, around ten years old. She's timid and insecure, and lives all alone with no family. Do you know her?"

As a newcomer, Chen Xiao's understanding of Stone Desert City was certainly inferior to that of the mercenaries who had been there for many years.

Therefore, this person coming to his doorstep actually saved Chen Xiao a lot of trouble.

Given the size of Stone Desert City, and considering that the other party has been operating here for many years, the probability that they know about Azure Scale is quite high.

"Tch, so you're here to find someone."

Once he understood that Chen Xiao didn't want to join the mercenary group, the other party immediately lost interest and his attitude changed; he even stopped calling him "little brother."

He said something, waved, and prepared to leave, showing no desire to answer any more questions.

Chen Xiao didn't take it to heart and smiled as he took out a small bag containing one hundred gold coins from his storage ring.

He had also taken on mercenary missions in Qingshan Town, earning 100 gold coins, which was equivalent to a high-level mercenary's daily income.

Stone Desert City, it seems, isn't that much different.

"Help me find her, and these are yours."

"Oh, so it's a bounty mission! Young man, you should have said so earlier! I'll take you to see Qinglin right away!"

Cigarettes build bridges, wine paves roads, lust brings pleasure, wealth averts disaster, and generous gifts open back doors!

The truths that apply to Earth are still applicable to the Dou Qi Continent.

Upon seeing the bag of gold coins in Chen Xiao's hand, the mercenary's expression immediately changed, and he smiled ingratiatingly.

At the same time, he reached out and led the way.

Finding someone who can replace a whole day of hard work is such a good thing that it's impossible to refuse.

"Are you close to Qinglin?" Chen Xiao asked, following behind the mercenary.

"Not really, young man. You may not know this, but about ten years ago, a team from Stone Desert City was attacked by snake people. More than half of them were killed or wounded. It was a very tragic day, and we all remember it vividly. Qinglin was born because of that attack. She is of human and snake-human blood. After she was born, everyone thought that she would hardly live past the age of two. But fate was kind to her, and she survived. This broke the norm, and because of this, many mercenaries who have lived in Stone Desert City for a long time know about Qinglin."

Chen Xiao nodded silently.

He knew all about Qinglin's experiences; this girl, whom he had never met, had a childhood that was countless times more difficult than his.

As someone of both human and snake-human blood, Qinglin had to endure the strange looks from others since childhood, which was the root cause of her gentle nature.

"Excuse me for asking, young man, what brings you here to see Qinglin?"

"I'm her distant cousin. I only recently learned of her existence, so I've come to try and take her away."

The mercenary didn't doubt the little lie too much. If there wasn't a real connection, how could he not recognize Qinglin but know the name?

Nodding in realization, the mercenary chuckled, "It seems Qinglin has finally made it through. Over the years, she's endured a lot of hardship making a living in the city on her own. She's young and weak, and can't do heavy work, so she can only run errands for various mercenary groups, serving tea and water. Even so, she's often looked down upon by some people. The meager income she earns is barely enough to fill her stomach every day. Although we pity her in our hearts, we don't even know if we'll live to see tomorrow, so we can't help her much."

The mercenary kept nagging and wandering around for several minutes before finally stopping in front of a dilapidated hut.

Through the slightly ajar wooden door, one could see a short girl in a large gray robe washing clothes inside the small house. She was young, but her movements were very efficient.

On the wooden table behind her, there was a small bowl containing two steamed buns that were clearly hardened.

"Life's hardships forced her to do these things, and she's even more skilled than adults."

The mercenary sighed softly, unable to tell whether he was genuinely pitiful or putting on an act for Chen Xiao.

Chen Xiao handed the bag of gold coins in his hand to the mercenary.

The other party immediately took it, beaming with joy, and returned the way they came without the slightest hesitation.

Chen Xiao didn't pay attention and stood in front of the door for a while before gently knocking on the door.

"Please wait a moment~"

The girl inside responded softly, quickly got up to dry her hands, and then came to fully open the door.

Upon seeing Chen Xiao standing at the door, a hint of surprise flashed in the girl's eyes. This unfamiliar young man was much younger and much more handsome than the mercenaries who usually hired her.

However, being timid by nature, she dared not look too closely and was used to others speaking first, so she lowered her eyes slightly and waited for Chen Xiao to speak.

Chen Xiao organized his thoughts and said, "I came to the edge of the desert for training, and I need someone to help me with chores. I just saw you doing laundry outside, and you were very focused and serious, so I had this idea. However, I will be stationed in Desert City from now on. Would you be willing to come with me?"

Chen Xiao was prepared to answer the girl's questions and was also mentally prepared to frequently travel between Mo City and Shimo City if she refused.

However, to his utter surprise, the girl's question was so simple.

She cautiously raised her head and timidly asked, "If I go to Mo City to work with you, young master, will Qinglin be able to get enough to eat?"

Chen Xiao paused for a moment, then smiled gently and nodded affirmatively.

"Yes, absolutely!"

Not only that, as you grow up, you will not lose to the wind, you will not lose to the rain, you will not lose to the winter snow, you will not lose to the scorching summer. You will become a top powerhouse admired by 99% of the people in this world!

Chen Xiao silently added in his mind.

The girl, unaware of her own thoughts, nodded her head repeatedly after receiving the answer she had been waiting for.

"Then Qinglin is willing to follow you, young master."