"Look at that—this young master has quite the temper, offending the Wolf-Head Mercenary Group, one of the top three groups in Qingshan Town, right from the start."
"Either he's incredibly naive or he's been sheltered his whole life."
"It's one thing to be beaten once, but twice? That's too much!"
"Haha, absolutely!"
The mercenaries in the vicinity watched with amusement. They might not dare cross paths with these privileged young masters and ladies from wealthy families, but seeing them disgraced was a different matter.
Clang!
A sharp, resonant clang echoed through the air as Nalan Yanran drew a cyan longsword with a decisive motion. Her aura, powerful and confident, announced her as a three-star fighter.
Without hesitation, she positioned herself protectively in front of Gu Changqing, challenging the members of the Wolf-Head Mercenary Group who had been advancing threateningly.
"Dou Zhe?!"
The Wolf-Head Mercenary Group members looked on in astonishment, their expressions turning serious. Fighters were formidable, but a young fighter like Nalan Yanran suggested she came from an exceptionally influential family.
In such families, there could be powerful fighting spirits or even fighting kings. They clearly weren't a group they could afford to provoke.
"Hmph, it's clear you're from a powerful family, and you're impressive, but our Wolf-Head Mercenary Group has no intention of clashing with you. Farewell."
The mercenaries, recognizing they were outmatched, chose to retreat, aware that angering such individuals could bring consequences they were unwilling to face.
"Did the Wolf-Head Mercenary Group actually back down?"
"It seems they're indeed from a big family; even the Wolf-Head Mercenary Group can't afford to cross them."
"A fourteen or fifteen-year-old Dou Zhe? There must be a Dou Ling or even a Dou Wang in their family. Who would dare provoke them?"
"I wonder why they're here in a remote town like ours?"
The surrounding mercenaries were taken aback. They understood that such forces were not to be trifled with.
With the Wolf-Head Mercenary Group retreating, other mercenaries who had initially been interested in approaching for tasks or offers also held back, recognizing the situation.
"Nalan Yanran, why are we here in this monster town? Do you intend to enter the Monster Beast Mountain Range?"
Nalan Yanran scanned the area carefully to ensure no one else would disturb them before sheathed her sword and turned to Gu Changqing.
"Yes, that is indeed the plan."
"What? Afraid?" Gu Changqing teased lightly.
"Humph, as if I'd be scared!" Nalan Yanran huffed, though her inner apprehension was evident.
In truth, the prospect of a fighter entering the Monster Beast Mountain Range felt akin to a death sentence. Mercenaries who ventured there did so out of necessity and typically in groups, unlike the two of them.
"Are you going to hire mercenaries to escort us into the mountains?"
Nalan Yanran inquired, a hint of concern in her voice.
"Why hire mercenaries? I can handle it alone!"
Gu Changqing replied with confidence.
"Hmph, we'll see. Don't cry later," Nalan Yanran said, her worry masked by bravado.
"Let's go to the clinic and have a look."
Gu Changqing led the way, his tone decisive.
"Clinic? Are you buying medicine? But aren't you a doctor yourself?" Nalan Yanran asked, puzzled.
"Yes, but it's wise to prepare some deworming herbs before we head into the mountains."
Gu Changqing responded casually. He then asked for directions and headed towards the clinic with Nalan Yanran.
When they arrived at the clinic, they found the entrance surrounded by mercenaries. These mercenaries were visibly battered and bloodied, having apparently just emerged from the Monster Beast Mountain Range.
From within the crowd, cries of distress could be heard.
"Little Fairy Doctor, please save Uncle Wang! He was stung by a second-order Sunflower Wood Beast, and the toxin is spreading through his body!"
A young girl, no more than eleven or twelve years old, clung to a middle-aged man on a stretcher, pleading desperately with a young woman in a pale white dress.
The young woman, Xiao Yi Xian, was not extraordinarily stunning compared to other beauties like Xiao Xun'er or Nalan Yanran, but she possessed a quiet, ethereal grace that greatly enhanced her charm.
Her slender waist, accentuated by a green ribbon, was delicate to the point of appearing fragile, which only heightened the allure of her figure.
At that moment, Xiao Yi Xian knelt beside the middle-aged man, carefully examining his injuries. Her face darkened as she uncovered patches of brownish-green on his skin.
The crowd gasped collectively, murmuring in concern.
"His skin is lignified! I'm afraid he can't be saved!"
"He was stung by a second-order Sunflower Wood Beast, and the toxin has spread to his internal organs. His skin is already turning brownish-green. How can we save him now?"
"It's a shame—Senior Wang is the deputy head of the Bloody War Mercenary Regiment and a fighting master. It seems his fate is sealed."
The Sunflower Wood Beast, a second-order wood attribute magical beast, was known for its toxin, which caused lignification. If not treated promptly with a special potion, the toxin would spread, turning the victim's body into a tree-like structure, ultimately leading to death.
Seeing the middle-aged man, his body almost entirely covered in toxin patches, Xiao Yi Xian's expression grew increasingly troubled.