Chapter 99: Six-Star — Journey to the Depths of the Tagor Desert
"Hmph!"
As the three small green dots in Qinglian's pupils blossomed into three tiny emerald flowers, a cold snort escaped her rose-colored lips.
Along with the emergence of these bizarre floral patterns, a dazzling eerie green radiance erupted from her eyes, enveloping the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Snake in its glow.
Once bathed in this strange light, the beast's massive body stiffened abruptly. Its four eyes widened with visible fear as they locked onto the delicate little girl before it.
The glow slowly moved across its massive form before halting at the center of its two foreheads. Once the beam settled, it began to shrink inward. As the range of light contracted, its brilliance grew.
When it was finally the size of a palm, the glow flashed, and two tiny green flowers imprinted themselves on each of the snake's heads.
After that, the light faded. The green blossoms in Qinglian's eyes rapidly retracted, and in an instant, her pupils returned to normal.
A wave of dizziness washed over her. Her eyelids drooped, and her petite frame tilted backward—right into the warmth of a familiar embrace.
"Young Master… what happened?"
Blushing slightly, Qinglian blinked her bright emerald eyes as she rested in Xiao Yuan's arms.
"You just tamed that Two-Headed Flame Spirit Snake."
Raising a brow, Xiao Yuan gently wiped the blood from his mouth and chuckled, placing a healing pill between Qinglian's lips.
Though uninjured, she was thoroughly drained. After all, the Three-Flowered Pupils of the Green Snake could forcibly bind a snake-type beast to its wielder. But if the target's strength far exceeded its master's, the chances of success were slim—and failure could mean backlash.
"Eh? Me?"
Wide-eyed, Qinglian turned to the side.
There, the once-fierce serpent now sat dumbfounded. When its eyes met hers, all signs of savagery melted away—replaced by a submissive, docile stare.
"W-Wow, it's true!"
She gasped in surprise, realizing she could now sense the creature's thoughts.
"But what about you, Young Master?" she asked next, noticing Xiao Yuan's scorched robes and singed frame.
"Heh, how could mere fire hurt me? I'm fine."
He flashed a grin through the pain still searing across his back.
"Hmph."
Qinglian pouted at his bravado, then shot a sharp glare at the now-cowed beast.
Feeling her gaze, the serpent shrank back, whimpering like a scolded dog.
"Do you want to die?" she asked coldly.
The snake trembled. In its massive eyes was an unmistakable desperation to live.
"Forget it. He's fine. How do you feel?"
Xiao Yuan rubbed her head softly, voice gentle.
"I'm just tired. A nap and I'll be fine," she said sweetly, leaning into his chest.
Then she turned once more to the beast, her voice frosty: "Young Master is kind. But if you don't behave, I'll make you kill yourself."
The serpent froze, its eyes brimming with grievance and dread.
The next moment, a surge of green light flashed from the marks on its forehead. Its body rapidly shrank into a small beam of emerald light and zipped into Qinglian's sleeve.
"Stay obedient, or else," she muttered, patting her sleeve.
"...Hisss…"
The faint hiss that answered her sounded both sulky and afraid.
Xiao Yuan released her and pulled a white cloak from his storage ring to cover his burned clothes. Though his body had suffered some burns, they weren't serious.
Moments later, the surface of the magma lake rippled, and Xiao Yuan turned just in time to see Xiao Yan, shrouded in white flames, emerge from the molten depths.
"Well?" Xiao Yuan approached with a smile.
"As expected, the Green Lotus Core Flame was taken first—by Queen Medusa."
Xiao Yan let out a helpless sigh, gazing at the vast lake of fire.
Then, from his ring, he retrieved a shimmering, multicolored serpent scale and handed it over.
"A seven-colored snake scale... It's really her, then."
Xiao Yuan examined it, sighing.
Xiao Yan nodded, then said seriously, "Now that we've confirmed the trail, I'm heading to the heart of the Tagor Desert. If there's a chance… I'll take the Heavenly Flame back from her."
Xiao Yuan nodded as well. "Her evolution into a Dou Zong is dangerous. There's bound to be opportunities. I'll go with you—I still need to collect the Sand Mandala for Hai Lao. I'd wager it's also in the desert's depths."
"Then let's head up."
They returned to the surface where Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were clearly anxious.
Upon seeing them, the two elder brothers breathed in relief and hurried over.
"Did you find the flame?"
"Taken by Queen Medusa," Xiao Yan said with a wry shake of his head.
"So we're heading deeper into the desert. We may still have a chance to take it back."
Xiao Yuan added.
"To the desert depths? Steal a Heavenly Flame from Queen Medusa?" Xiao Ding and Xiao Li stared, dumbfounded.
"You two lunatics… do you not know what 'death' means?"
"Heh, don't worry," Xiao Yan reassured with a smile. "Even if I fail, I can escape."
"Yeah, and I might even have some unexpected help," Xiao Yuan said mysteriously.
The two elder brothers shared a long look before finally sighing.
That night, as torches flickered, Xiao Yuan returned to his room, reeking of wine.
He sat cross-legged, expelling the residual alcohol with a breath, then entered a meditative state.
Earlier, he and Xiao Yan had been thoroughly drowned in drinks by their elder brothers—though, unsurprisingly, both elders ended up under the table again.
Xiao Yan had managed to sneak away early, pleading travel fatigue.
After a moment's thought, Xiao Yuan retrieved three exquisitely carved jade bottles from his ring. Inside were three Earth Fire Lotus Seeds.
Xiao Yan had originally given him six—but he only kept half.
After all, they were more useful to Xiao Yan, who had an affinity for the Green Lotus Core Flame.
More importantly, what kind of brother competes with his sibling for cultivation resources?
"…Still, I'm close to a breakthrough. One seed should be enough."
He swallowed one.
Instantly, his bronzed skin flushed red like molten lava. A white mist rose from his head, steaming.
The Lotus Seed's fiery energy rushed down his throat with brutal force, searing through his meridians.
But Xiao Yuan was calm.
He summoned his Heavenly Flame to guard and refine the rampaging energy.
Under the flame's influence, the seed's power seeped into his organs and meridians, strengthening his body and expanding his Dou Qi channels.
This was the famed Earth Fire Lotus Seed—condensed once every hundred years, rich in both quantity and quality of energy.
The heat coursing through him was immense. Even Xiao Yuan couldn't control it at first and had to endure its rampage.
Fortunately, with his Heavenly Flame refining it, the process continued without danger.
Time passed.
The energy not only healed all of Xiao Yuan's internal injuries but also strengthened his physique to its current limit. And even then—there was still a third of the seed's power left.
Now able to direct it, Xiao Yuan followed the path of the Fire Origin Technique and absorbed the energy into his Qi Palaces.
Hours passed…
Until dawn.
Finally, he exhaled a long breath and opened his eyes.
"Six-Star Dou Shi."
He grinned.
The seed's power had exceeded expectations. He wasn't just a six-star now—he had extra to spare. In two weeks, he could reach seven stars.
"The sun's up. Time to go."
As he rose from bed—
Creak.
The door opened softly.
"Young Master… are you leaving?" Qinglian stood at the entrance, her emerald eyes dim.
"It's only temporary. The road ahead is dangerous—I can't protect you yet. But when we return with the flame, you'll come with me."
Xiao Yuan smiled and rubbed her head.
"…I'll wait for you," she murmured, head lowered.
"You've got the serpent, and my brothers will look after you. Besides, no one bullies my maid."
He tapped her shoulder with a grin.
"Thank you… I'll grow stronger too."
She nodded sweetly, the three green dots faintly glimmering in her pupils.
"Good. I believe in you."
Dressed and prepared with her help, Xiao Yuan stepped out into the courtyard.
"Tell my brothers goodbye for me, will you? They'll understand. Take care, Qinglian."
He turned back with a soft smile before heading out.
Soon, Xiao Yan joined him, the two walking side by side—one in black, one in white.
From the shadows, Qinglian stroked her arm, whispering, "You must come back, Young Master…"
Atop the highest tower of the compound, Xiao Li propped up his chin and smirked. "Those two… born together, still the same temper."
Xiao Ding leaned against a pillar and chuckled. "They've become so strong. We'll have to work hard ourselves—or we'll only hold them back."
"Yeah."
Xiao Li nodded solemnly.
The former members of the Sand Mercenary Corps had all been absorbed into Iron Desert now. This was their chance to expand.
Next time the boys returned—perhaps the Iron Desert Mercenary Group would be Stone Desert City's true number one.
(END CHAPTER)
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