In the heart of the Southern Fire Domain desert,
a conflict arose within the team.
The target soul beast Zhu Xiaofan needed was actually the Yellow Sand Dragon, something most of the team hadn't known beforehand.
They assumed it was just a common ten-thousand-year soul beast, or a high-level thousand-year soul beast. They
never expected Zhu Xiaofan to be so audacious as to target the Yellow Sand Dragon.
This mission was taken on solely by Captain Hadabatel, the true situation not being told to his teammates.
While the team members themselves were fine, the main concern was the clients like Ma Hongjun.
They had already obtained their soul rings and saw no need to risk their lives; they only wanted to leave this place as quickly as possible.
This was the downside of desert soul-hunting teams; most couldn't leave the group to act alone.
Without experience living in the desert, being alone meant certain death, a matter of sooner or later.
At this point, conflict arose within the team; most wanted to return and were unwilling to continue.
Hadabatel, of course, had anticipated this situation. As the captain of a long-established soul-hunting team, he knew exactly what to do.
"Brothers, don't worry. I took on this Yellow Salamander mission alone, so you don't need to risk yourselves with me.
In fact, we're just helping Miss Zhu guide the way, but the reward will still be given to you.
Hunting the Yellow Salamander doesn't require your participation; your task is simply to stay here and wait.
As long as you cooperate and wait here to meet us, we'll have completed Miss Zhu's mission, and each brother will receive an extra 100 gold soul coins."
Hadabatel's words calmed everyone down. Although they knew staying here was dangerous, and even one more day could mean death, the high reward still tempted them. The group calmed down, and no one became restless.
"Willowy, this is your responsibility!"
Hadabatel instructed his vice-captain, Willoughby, to lead the group and wait.
Food and water were all in the group, so no one could leave without them.
In other words, they had become a supply team.
At this moment, one of the employers suddenly spoke up.
"Captain Batel, we can wait here, of course, but I think we need a timeframe.
If you don't return in a month or longer, we can't keep waiting.
I certainly hope you can return safely soon, but we also need to consider the possible scenarios."
This was a very real problem. Entering the territory of the Yellow Sands was inherently dangerous. Even if Hadabatel was a Soul Emperor, or even a Soul Saint or Soul Douluo, they could still die.
Who knew if they would ever come out?
These people couldn't wait for them
indefinitely. Willoughby explained on behalf of the captain.
"Mr. Melbeth, please rest assured, we usually have an agreement in the desert. Generally speaking, if we don't see anyone within ten days, we will withdraw."
The desert inherently harbors many potential dangers. These Soul Hunting teams have survived in the desert for a long time due to their accumulated experience and established rules.
Ten days is a long-standing, unwritten rule.
This is the time most Soul Masters can endure in the desert.
After this period, even if they don't die at the hands of Soul Beasts, they will perish from lack of food and water.
Hadabatel then approached Ma Hongjun separately.
"Young man, this is the situation.
You only have two choices. First, follow me and Miss Zhu forward. The spirit beast races ahead are quite powerful, making it easier to find a suitable spirit ring for you.
However, the risks are equally high, and I can't guarantee your safety.
Second, you can wait here. After we return, we'll go back the way we came and help you obtain the spirit ring."
Hadabatel lived up to his reputation as a trustworthy captain; his actions were indeed convincing.
To be honest, even though Ma Hongjun had hired them, he hadn't hunted any of the many suitable thousand-year spirit beasts they encountered before, which actually increased the risk and difficulty for their hunting team.
"Captain Batel, then let me go with you. I think there will be the spirit beast I need ahead."
Ma Hongjun decisively chose the first option.
The direction he was heading was south, which was his goal.
Moreover, he did need to advance his spirit ring.
Hearing these people's expressions change drastically when they talked about the Yellow Dragon Shark was enough to show that the Yellow Dragon Shark was a powerful spirit beast.
This gave Ma Hongjun hope for his sixth spirit ring.
Spirit rings from dragon-type spirit beasts were almost always suitable for the Martial God Spear.
Ma Hongjun's decision made everyone in the team look at him differently. They even suspected that Ma Hongjun chose to go forward because of Zhu Xiaofan.
Otherwise, how could a level 40 Soul Master dare to step into the territory of the Sanghuang Salon?
Even though Captain Hadabatel said he would protect him, Batel estimated that he wouldn't even be able to protect himself if they actually encountered a ten-thousand-year-old level Sanghuang Salamander, let alone protect him.
"This kid is really risking his life for a marriage alliance."
"He's gambling with his life; if he wins, he'll live off his wife for life."
"If Miss Zhu takes a liking to me, I'm willing to take the gamble too."
...
Some people in the group had already started speculating about Ma Hongjun's thoughts.
There was no way around it; Zhu Xiaofan's charm in the Star Sand Kingdom was too great. She was the dream girl of many men, and even marrying into her family had so many people vying for her.
In fact, it wasn't surprising that they thought this way. They didn't know Ma Hongjun's true strength and purpose. In their eyes, he was just a level 40 youth. A level
40 youth daring to risk his life to enter the territory of the Sanghuang Salamander, they couldn't think of any other reason besides love.
They believed that Ma Hongjun couldn't resist Zhu Xiaofan's beauty.
The matter was settled, and after making some preparations, the five of them each mounted a camel and set off.
Hadabater walked at the front, followed closely by Ma Hongjun, with Zhu Xiaofan in the middle.
Two middle-aged Soul Masters following Zhu Xiaofan brought up the rear, positioned to the left and right.
"You're really bold!"
Zhu Xiaofan looked at Ma Hongjun with interest; they were currently the closest.
"Always been like this, and I'm not just bold, I'm bold in other ways too!"
Ma Hongjun looked at Zhu Xiaofan in the same way, even with a strong sense of aggression.
Honestly, after traveling with this group in the desert for a month, these rough men were anything but beautiful, despite their wild and casual interactions.
Looking at Zhu Xiaofan was much more pleasing to the eye.
Sometimes, you don't necessarily have to possess a beautiful woman; just looking at her can lift your spirits.
Of course, possessing her would be even better.
Zhu Xiaofan was truly beautiful; beneath her plain white Soul Master robe was a slender and shapely figure.
A clear dividing line ran along her neck. Her face was slightly red from the scorching desert sun, but the skin beneath her clothes was remarkably fair.
A few drops of sweat trickled down her cheeks, making her skin damp. The sweat continued to flow down her neck, the contrast between her flushed face and fair skin making one want to melt into that drop of sweat and disappear into her skin.
Most importantly, while most people who hadn't bathed in a long time would have a strong, sour smell, a faint fragrance emanated from her.
Zhu Xiaofan was startled. She hadn't expected Ma Hongjun to look at her so boldly, nor had she expected him to launch such an unabashed verbal offensive.
This gave her a strange feeling; she was experiencing this rare sensation of being flirted with for the first time.
Of course, all this goodwill was based on Ma Hongjun's decent looks; otherwise, such lewd behavior would have left him badly beaten.
Zhu Xiaofan was somewhat similar to the domineering female CEOs in Ma Hongjun's past life, so most of the people around her were timid and submissive. No one could flirt with her with such a forceful tone as Ma Hongjun.
"Little man, do you know what the 'Sanghuang Salon' is?"
"No, but I'll see soon enough.
Also, don't call me 'little man,' I'm really not little!"
"Hehehe, then you'd better protect yourself later."
Zhu Xiaofan ignored Ma Hongjun. In her opinion, Ma Hongjun was indeed attractive in terms of looks. If he were more honest, perhaps she could take him as a male concubine.
However, most young people are ignorant and fearless, acting only for pleasure and
frivolous!
Since Zhu Xiaofan didn't bother him, Ma Hongjun naturally wouldn't actively seek trouble. He was just hitchhiking for a while.
At most, he might fantasize about her because of her beauty, but he had no intention of actually going to her.
The journey was boring, and having a beautiful woman to look at wasn't bad either—that was Ma Hongjun's mindset.
Now, they were approaching the so-called "Sanghuang Salon" territory, and he needed to be careful.
They followed them because they wanted to see what kind of soul beast the Yellow Sand Dragon was and whether they could handle it alone.
(End of Chapter)