Inside a spacious room, four people sat together, with Qing Lin nestled close to Xiao Heng's side.
"Little Yan-zi, if something's on your mind, just say it. With everyone here, we can brainstorm," Xiao Ding said, sipping his tea.
"I came to the Tagore Desert to search for a Strange Flame," Xiao Yan said bluntly, spreading out the map he'd obtained from Hai Bodong on the table.
"A Strange Flame? So, you're an alchemist?" Xiao Ding asked.
"Yep, and so is Heng-ge," Xiao Yan added.
"Impressive! Our Xiao Clan has two alchemists!" Xiao Li exclaimed.
"This map is detailed, but despite our time here, we haven't noticed anything unusual," Xiao Ding said, shaking his head.
"Qing Lin, take a look. Do you sense anything odd about the marked locations on this map?" Xiao Heng asked.
"Mm!" Qing Lin studied the marked spots.
"Half a year ago, in the eastern part of Stone Desert City, I felt a powerful presence. It resonated with my bloodline and was even stronger than Young Master Xiao Heng," Qing Lin said.
"Time to spill, don't you think?" The three turned to Xiao Heng.
"One-Star Dou Huang," Xiao Heng said casually.
"Holy—!" Xiao Li could only muster those two words. He'd considered the possibility of pills, but even Pill King Gu He, a sixth-grade alchemist, was only a Dou Wang. Clearly, pills alone couldn't explain such rapid progress.
"Don't dwell on it. I'm researching Strange Flames," Xiao Heng said.
"Right, but Qing Lin, how did you sense it?" Xiao Ding, quick to react, asked.
"Let me explain," Xiao Heng said. "Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils!"
After Xiao Heng's explanation, Xiao Li gasped, "Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils!"
"So, based on Qing Lin's words, that presence must belong to Queen Medusa," Xiao Li concluded.
"That's a Peak Dou Huang!" Xiao Ding added.
"She was gravely injured when she left," Qing Lin clarified.
"Qing Lin, can you pinpoint the exact location?" Xiao Yan asked.
"Yes!" Qing Lin replied confidently.
"We'll check it out tomorrow," Xiao Heng decided.
___
The desert stretched endlessly, yellow sand swirling in the air. The four, accompanied by the elite of the Miteer Mercenary Corps, searched for hours. "Qing Lin's senses are spot-on. If there's nothing above ground, it must be underground," Xiao Ding said.
"How long will it take to dig up such a huge area?" Xiao Yan wondered.
"You all dig as you please. If anyone causes trouble, I'll deal with them," Xiao Heng said with a grin.
"Xue Lan, go back and summon the members skilled in terrain scouting," Xiao Ding ordered.
The Miteer Mercenary Corps moved swiftly. Within half an hour, they began surveying the area, which was sealed off under the pretense of hunting a third-tier magical beast.
Xiao Heng sat atop a slightly elevated dune, watching the wandering mercenaries. He half-hoped the Sand Mercenary Corps wouldn't show up—it'd save him the trouble of hunting them down.
As dusk fell, a group of about forty mercenaries pushed through the onlookers toward the restricted area. "Young Master Xiao Heng, the Sand Mercenary Corps is here," Xue Lan reported.
"Take some men and drive the other onlookers farther away," Xiao Heng instructed.
"Understood!" Xue Lan led a group to disperse the crowd, with Xiao Li joining to help. Xiao Heng's intent was clear: no one else was to glean any information.
"Third Brother, the area's secured!" Xiao Li reported.
"Are you from the Sand Mercenary Corps?" Xiao Heng approached the group of over forty, with Xiao Li, Xue Lan, and others trailing behind.
"Who the hell are you?" The leader, Mo Xing, was the Sand Mercenary Corps' second-in-command.
"Sha Luo's not here," Xiao Li noted.
"It doesn't matter who I am. What matters is you're about to die," Xiao Heng said.
With a snap of his fingers, four curtains of fire surged from all directions, trapping the forty-plus mercenaries. The flames tightened, shrinking their space. Blue fire consumed them, burning them alive.
Xiao Heng deliberately lowered the flames' temperature, letting their screams ring out more vividly.
"I'm heading back to the city. Keep scouting," Xiao Heng said, mounting a horse to leave. He avoided flying to conceal his strength.
"It won't be long before the Sand Mercenary Corps ceases to exist," Xiao Li said. Xue Lan and the others, not fully grasping his meaning, nodded and followed.
As night cloaked the scorching desert, Xiao Heng returned. The Sand Mercenary Corps had been reduced to two small vials of energy droplets in his hands.
The droplets condensed by Da Dou Shi were useless to Xiao Heng—his own Dou Zhi Qi recovered faster.
"All taken care of?" Inside the tent, the four gathered, Qing Lin leaning against Xiao Heng.
"Not one left," Xiao Heng confirmed.
"These should help Big Brother and Second Brother boost their strength by a few stars," Xiao Heng said, handing the two vials of energy droplets to Xiao Ding and Xiao Li.
"Wow, such pure energy!" Xiao Li marveled.
"I've finished switching to this technique. Here's the scroll back," Xiao Ding said, returning the cyan scroll to Xiao Heng.
"Alright. Second Brother, keep yours," Xiao Heng said.
"Got it!"
"These techniques are sufficient for now. I'll find suitable fighting techniques for you later," Xiao Heng added.
"The stronger you get, the stronger your enemies will be. Focus on your own cultivation. The higher your Dou Zhi Qi, the brighter our Xiao Clan's future," Xiao Ding advised.
"I will," Xiao Heng replied.
"With this energy's purity, it should be enough for Big Brother and me to gain a few stars," Xiao Li said with a grin.
___
The next day, the entrance to an underground passage was finally uncovered—a pitch-black opening. Nearby, Qing Lin, covered in sand, beamed with excitement.
"There are over a dozen tunnels inside. It's quite complex," a mercenary reported.
"Qing Lin should be able to find the right path. I'll lead. You all follow," Xiao Heng said.
"Agreed!" Xiao Yan, Xiao Ding, and the others nodded.
"Qing Lin, come here!" Xiao Heng called.
"Okay!" Qing Lin scampered to his side. Xiao Heng scooped her into his arms and leaped into the cave.
Xiao Yan and Xiao Ding followed closely. Xiao Heng left small flames to mark their path, illuminating the tunnels. Guided by Qing Lin, he pressed forward.
With Xiao Heng scouting ahead, Xiao Ding and the others had an easier time. Qing Lin clung tightly to Xiao Heng, reluctant to let go.
Soon, a massive cavern opened before them. The fire attribute energy here was overwhelmingly intense. Only Xiao Heng, Qing Lin in his arms, Xiao Ding, and Xiao Yan reached this point.
Before them lay a chilling sight—a vast lake of magma. Crimson molten rock churned and surged, spitting fiery sparks as if the earth itself roared in fury.
Scorching waves of heat blasted their faces, searing their skin and making each breath burn. The magma's sulfurous stench stung their noses, suffocating them.
Dark red light bathed the cavern, casting an infernal glow. Shadows danced on the stone walls, twisting into grotesque shapes. The roiling magma lake seemed like the gaping maw of a colossal beast, ready to swallow them whole.
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