Xiao Yan withdrew his Armament form, and the armor on his body slowly vanished.
His aura gradually stabilized at Eight-star Dou Spirit.
The four wings behind his back trembled, streaking through the air like flowing light as he landed gently atop a rocky cliff.
Before Hai Bodong could ask anything, Xiao Yan directly raised a hand and tossed a scale into his palm.
"Someone beat us to it."
"And it was an old acquaintance of yours."
The Seven-Colored Snake Scale glimmered with an eerie purple light in Hai Bodong's palm.
Under the crimson glow, the patterns along the scale's edges wriggled like living creatures.
Kirin Devouring Heaven Flame ignited in Xiao Yan's palm as he spoke casually.
"Her Majesty the Queen of the Snake People Clan might be preparing to devour a Heavenly Flame and evolve right now."
"Why don't we head over and give her a surprise?"
"Are you insane!?"
Frost burst from Hai Bodong's Ice Wings, and spiderweb cracks of ice spread across the rock platform beneath his feet.
"Do you think the Snake People Clan is your backyard?"
"I admit your cultivation is impressive, but even when I entered with the strength of a Dou Emperor back then, I barely escaped with my life!"
"Each of the Eight Tribe Leaders possesses high-level, or even peak, Dou Wang strength!"
"Not to mention the Snap People Elders hidden in the shadows, whose strength is unfathomable!"
"What's the difference between this and courting death!?"
"So?"
Xiao Yan put away the Heavenly Flame in his palm, revealing a teasing smile.
"Is the mighty Ice Emperor going to break his promise?"
Hai Bodong's expression froze.
He had always kept his promises and seen things through to the end!
He could not betray his own principles.
Seeing that Hai Bodong was still hesitating.
Xiao Yan raised a hand and took out a pill formula, speaking softly.
"Don't worry. I never said we'd force our way in."
"A Rank 4 Transformation Pill, using Snake People blood essence as its catalyst."
"It can perfectly imitate the aura of the Snake People Clan and transform us into their forms."
"The pill lasts for twelve hours. That's more than enough for us."
"Deal!"
Hai Bodong suddenly spoke in a stern voice.
"I will do my utmost!"
"But if anything changes, I will prioritize my own survival!"
Xiao Yan smiled faintly.
"Deal."
"Xiao Yan, should I wait for you in Desert City?"
"With my current Seven-star Dou Master cultivation, I'm afraid I'd only hold you back..."
"Hey, what are you doing!?"
"Don't..."
Before Xiao Yi Xian could finish speaking, Xiao Yan stepped forward and pulled her into his arms.
Her soft, fragrant body pressed against him as he lowered his head and lightly touched her earlobe.
The faint fragrance in the girl's hair drifted into his nose.
"What? You already said you'd be mine."
"Can you really bear to leave me behind alone?"
The boy's hot breath brushed against her ear, and she felt the damp warmth there.
Xiao Yi Xian's face instantly flushed pink. She leaned into his embrace and stopped struggling.
Her voice was low.
"But what if I hold you back..."
"You won't. I'm here."
Hai Bodong: ...
Seeing Hai Bodong's speechless gaze, Xiao Yan gently released Xiao Yi Xian as well.
The group returned to the ground and spread their wings, flying toward the deepest reaches of the desert!
Two days later:
When moonlight edged the Snake People Holy City in silver, three figures emerged from the shadows of the dunes beyond the city.
By then, all three had taken the Rank 4 Transformation Pill.
Below Xiao Yi Xian's slender waist, a purple snake tail gleamed with a pearly luster.
Poison mist like starlight flowed through the gaps between its scales.
A light veil covered her small face, while her star-like purple eyes shimmered beneath the moonlight.
Seeing Xiao Yi Xian in this form, Xiao Yan felt an inexplicable trace of allure.
Was this what they called exotic charm?
"Ah, Xiao Yan!"
"You're doing it again!"
Little Doctor's suppressed cry rang out.
Xiao Yan's fingertips brushed over the scales around her waist, which felt as cool as the finest silk.
His hand slowly moved lower, beneath her waist.
"So this is what a snake tail is like."
Xiao Yi Xian's whole body went limp as she leaned lightly against Xiao Yan.
She reached out and gripped his clothes, pursing her lips.
She had already agreed to give herself to this bad fellow.
Now that he was acting this way, she could hardly say anything.
Feeling the warm touch gliding across her body, a faint blush unconsciously crept up her neck.
B-but this is too...
She raised her head and glared at Xiao Yan, trying her best to put on a fierce expression.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Yan became even more excited.
"Mm, just as I thought."
"Xiao Yan, you're still that shameless rogue!"
Xiao Yan's hand gave a light squeeze.
"Mm, don't touch!"
The girl's snake tail suddenly stiffened, its tip frantically slapping against the sand.
Crimson spread from the tips of her ears to her collarbone, and poison patterns emerged over her snake scales in embarrassed indignation.
"Touch me again, and I'll poison you to death!"
"Really?"
Xiao Yan lowered his head and gazed at her purple eyes with an amused half-smile.
"Can you really bring yourself to do it?"
His tone was full of teasing, and his hand did not move away.
Yet on Xiao Yi Xian's snake tail, which was covered in poison mist.
All the poison mist deliberately avoided that hand.
It did not truly coil around it.
Xiao Yi Xian glared at Xiao Yan with her purple eyes, her face turning bright red.
In an embarrassed and annoyed tone, she finally forced out two lines.
"Xiao Yan, you bad... bad...!"
"Y-you're bullying me!"
"Hahaha."
Seeing Xiao Yi Xian's bashful look, as if she wanted to burrow into the ground.
Xiao Yan finally let go of her hand, wrapped an arm around her waist, and gently pulled her into his embrace.
He softly stroked her back.
"Alright, alright. I won't bully you anymore."
"Call me husband."
Xiao Yi Xian curled up in his arms, raised a hand, and weakly pounded his chest.
Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz.
"Husband..."
"Enough!!!"
A sharp rebuke rang out as Hai Bodong, who truly could not listen any longer.
Appeared from the other side of the dune with a dark expression.
His grayish-brown snake tail was covered in sand grains.
"We agreed to scout out the enemy. I was over there observing the Holy City."
"And the two of you are flirting here. You certainly have plenty of free time."
"Stop, we're going into the city, alright!"
Xiao Yan hurriedly cut Hai Bodong off, releasing Xiao Yi Xian as though nothing had happened.
He did not even dare meet Hai Bodong's resentful gaze now.
If Hai Bodong continued, he would probably scold him for hours!
"Let's enter the city."
Xiao Yan's pupils turned into vertical slits.
"Remember, my name is Flame Snake. You are my servants."
After discussing their plan, the three emerged from behind the dune.
They headed straight toward the gates in the walls of the Snake People Holy City.
But they had barely gone any distance when a shout infused with Dou Qi resounded through the air.
"I am Gu He. I request an audience with the Queen of the Snake People Clan!"
The moment the voice rang out, within the Snake People Clan.
Eight figures with Fighting Wings on their backs shot into the sky in an instant!
Xiao Yan and the other two turned to look.
They saw Gu He floating high outside the Snake People Holy City with his Fighting Wings spread wide.
Beside and behind him floated a total of ten black-robed figures!
Xiao Yan frowned. Logically speaking, Gu He should not have arrived this early.
High in the sky.
Gu He looked toward the city, his eyes filled with desire.
Some time ago, he had received word from Ge Ye, an elder of the Misty Cloud Sect.
Ge Ye claimed that Xiao Yan, the Young Master of Xiao Family, seemed to possess flames suspected to be a Heavenly Flame.
Gu He had originally intended to investigate.
But Xiao Yan had already left to train, and there had been no news of him.
Yet this only intensified Gu He's yearning for Heavenly Flames, driving him to gather information even more frantically.
That was how he learned of the Snake People Clan's situation ahead of time.
And that was why Gu He had appeared here early!
Opposite him, the Eight Tribe Leaders of the Snake People Clan spread their Fighting Wings and confronted him.
Yue Mei looked warily at the ten black-robed figures behind Gu He.
She spoke with a fierce front masking inner weakness.
"Human! You are being far too presumptuous on Snake People Clan territory, aren't you!?"
"Are you trying to start a war with the Snake People Clan!?"
Gu He's expression hardened as he was about to speak.
Boom!
The Altar at the center of the Holy City suddenly erupted with seven-colored rainbow light.
A blurry figure slowly appeared within the pillar of light!
Before you continue