This Journey Was for an Exotic Flame

"What did you say, you little bastard?"

Xiao Yu sprang to her feet and shot Xiao Yan a fierce glare. One hand pressed against the hilt of her sword as she stared at me like a tiger eyeing its prey, her silver teeth clenched as she shouted:

"Nalan Ye, you only won by a sneak attack just now. If you've got the guts, let's fight again!"

With that, she lightly pulled on the sword hilt. With a clang, the longsword slid three inches from its sheath, its cold gleam flickering.

Seeing this, I merely circulated my Dou Qi slowly. At once, a Dou Qi Gauze Robe emerged and wrapped around my body. Looking at Xiao Yu, I gently shook my head and said:

"Big Sister Xiao Yu, your temper... really won't do. Really, you need to change it."

Xiao Yu's eyes widened as she stared fixedly at the Dou Qi Gauze Robe around me. Somewhat incredulously, she said, "A Dou Shi? You're actually a Dou Shi?!"

I found that a little strange. I had mentioned this to Xiao Meier earlier, yet Xiao Yu seemed not to know? Could it be that she had not actually been eavesdropping outside?

At that thought, I looked at the swollen red bump on Xiao Yu's forehead and felt a little guilty. But I could not back down now. I could only let the mistake stand, chuckle lightly, and cup my hands as I said:

"A One-Star Dou Shi. Thank you for yielding."

Xiao Yu withdrew her gaze and snorted. Without another word, she pushed the sword, which had been drawn three inches, back into its sheath. "I can't beat you right now. When I cultivate to the Dou Shi level too, I'll fight you again."

I shrugged without saying anything. The five of us sat cross-legged in a circle.

Xiao Meier looked smugly at Xiao Yu, her eyes carrying a trace of provocation. She was younger than Xiao Yu and weaker in cultivation, and Xiao Yu had always bullied her in the past.

Now that Xiao Yu had been taught a lesson by me, she naturally could not help feeling pleased and arrogant.

Xiao Yu wrinkled her nose and harrumphed. "Some people really are different after getting a fiancé. Even their complexion has become much rosier."

Xiao Meier's expression stiffened, but Xiao Yu ignored her. Turning to look at the lovey-dovey Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er, she reached out to touch her own cheek and gave a theatrical, self-pitying sigh.

"Even little Xun Er has a man now. Could it be time for big sister here to find herself a man too?"

The tent fell silent, and an awkward atmosphere spread through the air. Xiao Yan looked from side to side, unable to keep a straight face. Xiao Xun'er and Xiao Meier both lowered their heads, alluring blushes blooming across their faces.

Fortunately, I had thick skin. I gave a dry cough and changed the subject.

"Third Brother, did you come looking for me because something happened?"

"Oh, right."

Xiao Yan hurriedly nodded. "Um, Nalan Ye, I wanted to ask... Yun Yun and Hai Bodong are going to Stone Desert City too, right?"

I paused slightly but did not answer. Instead, I asked, "Third Brother, why are you asking this?"

Xiao Yan fell silent for a moment before saying, "You saw what happened with the Sand Mercenary Group just now. We've been in Stone Desert City for several days, so I know a little about the situation in the city. A lot of people have gathered there, and the tension is at breaking point."

"Now, two Dou Emperor experts have arrived as well, and my First Brother and Second Brother are both in Stone Desert City, so..."

Xiao Yan raised his head and stared at me. His dark eyes seemed somewhat profound as he said in a low voice, "I don't want to know what your purpose is. I just want to ask—will this matter implicate my First Brother and Second Brother?"

I looked deeply at Xiao Yan and thought that Xiao Yan was indeed still Xiao Yan. He still valued loyalty, friendship, family, and love so deeply.

Truly a hot-blooded youth, enough to make anyone's blood boil. Unfortunately, unfortunately, my blood found it difficult to boil for such things...

Because I wasn't the protagonist!

After a moment of silence, I suddenly smiled. "Third Brother, with me here, I guarantee that First Brother, Second Brother, and the others won't be in the slightest danger."

"They... well, as long as they follow me, I can even guarantee they'll reap quite a handsome profit. They'll get fame if they want fame, profit if they want profit. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they'll gain both fame and fortune!"

I spread my hands and smiled brightly at Xiao Yan. Yet there was no smile on his face. He continued looking at me solemnly and said in a deep voice:

"This should be related to your purpose, right? You've gathered several thousand Dou Zhe in Stone Desert City, and two Dou Emperors have arrived as well—what exactly is your purpose?"

I opened my mouth, momentarily speechless. Just now, you said you did not care what our purpose was, but the next moment, you asked what it was?

Well, as expected of you, Xiao Yan. That really was... so Xiao Yan!

I shook my head, glanced around at the four of them, and beckoned for them to sit closer. Only then did I lower my voice and say with a mysterious expression:

"This matter... is classified! But we're all family, so I can tell you. You must not tell anyone else."

The four members of the Xiao Family each had their own thoughts and plans. Mainly those two, Xiao Yan and Xun Er. Xiao Meier and Xiao Yu were merely curious.

After seeing all four nod, I said, "Actually, the presence of the two senior Dou Emperors is itself a major secret. You absolutely must not leak it."

The tent fell silent. A moment later, Xiao Yu rolled her eyes at me and said irritably, "Little Yezi, get to the point!"

I chuckled, my gaze seemingly falling on Xiao Yan, and said, "The Exotic Flame. We came on this journey for the Exotic Flame."

Xiao Yan's pupils contracted, and his breathing suddenly became uneven. His lips moved, but he forcibly shifted his gaze away and looked around the tent at random, saying nothing.

"An Exotic Flame?!"

Xiao Yu cried out as well. "I heard my teachers at Canaan Academy mention this. It's a rare treasure formed from the essence of heaven and earth, and it has extraordinary effects on alchemy."

"Every Alchemist dreams of possessing an Exotic Flame, but such rare treasures are extremely scarce. Many Alchemists cannot even glimpse one in their entire lives!"

Xiao Meier blinked, her beautiful eyes filled with disbelief. She had never heard of an Exotic Flame before... She turned to look at Xiao Yu, who was speaking so confidently, hesitated, then swallowed the question on the tip of her tongue. Clutching her skirt tightly, she remained silent.

I laughed heartily and looked at Xiao Yu with a smug expression. "Exotic Flames are indeed rare, but we'll be seeing one very soon."

Xiao Yu frowned and said hesitantly, "The Exotic Flame is deep within the Tagor Desert? No wonder you had to gather so many people..."

After saying that, she turned to Xiao Yan. Perhaps she still had not gotten over being mocked by him earlier, for she said with a half-smile:

"Little Yanzi, you seem to be an Alchemist too, right? Tsk, tsk. An Exotic Flame that countless Alchemists can never see in their whole lives, and now you have the chance to see one."

"You should thank Little Yezi. The next time you meet other Alchemists, you'll be able to brag that you're an Alchemist... who has seen an Exotic Flame!"

After saying that, Xiao Yu burst into laughter. Xiao Yan's face immediately turned ashen. He gave Xiao Yu a fierce look, rubbed his nose, and said blandly:

"What the hell does it have to do with you?"

Xiao Yu's expression froze. Even the elegant and composed Xiao Xun'er had her little mouth slightly open, her face full of surprise.

She reached out and tugged at Xiao Yan, looking at him with utmost seriousness as she said, "Xiao Yan Gege, it's bad to curse at people."

Xiao Yan gave Xiao Xun'er an awkward laugh but said nothing. Xun Er pouted helplessly and said softly:

"Xiao Yan Gege, I heard there are thirty-two types of Exotic Flames in the world, and each type does not consist of just one flame—Xiao Yan Gege is so amazing, so you'll definitely obtain another Exotic Flame in the future!"

The awkward smile on Xiao Yan's face instantly turned into loud laughter. He reached out and rubbed Xiao Xun'er's head, nodding heavily as he said, "Mm, I'll definitely obtain an Exotic Flame!"

Sitting cross-legged, I gave Xun Er a seemingly casual glance and said, "Exotic Flames sound precious, but everything in this world has a price. Maybe someday, somewhere, you'll be able to buy an Exotic Flame directly..."

Xun Er's body stiffened, and her eyes shifted. While speaking with Xiao Yan, she glanced over at me from the corner of her eye. I gave her an honest smile but said nothing more.

At that moment, the Flying Magical Beast gave a violent sway as it descended. Stone Desert City had probably arrived.