Stone Desert City

In the air, atop Zi Ying's back, Xiao Yi Xian asked Lin Yu, "Lin Yu, where are we going now?"

Lin Yu explained, "To the Tagor Desert! To find my two older brothers!"

"You have older brothers?" Xiao Yi Xian looked pleasantly surprised.

"Not biological ones. I just lived with their family when I was little. I'm brothers with their younger brother, so it's only right that I call them big brothers!" Lin Yu spread his hands, looking completely unconcerned.

"I'm really curious—what realm are you actually at now?"

Ever since Xiao Yi Xian had met Lin Yu, she had never known his true realm. She only knew that the strength he displayed was incredibly formidable. Those below the Dou Wang realm probably could not possess such strength.

She had guessed before that, given Lin Yu's ability to stand in midair, he was likely a Dou Zong.

But she simply could not believe it. How could someone so young be a Dou Zong? Even the Misty Cloud Sect's leader was only a Dou Emperor. How could someone as unreliable as him possibly be a Dou Zong?!

Yet Lin Yu's next answer completely shattered Xiao Yi Xian's speculation.

"Ah~ I'm a Dou Zun!" Lin Yu replied without a care.

"A... a Dou Zun?" Xiao Yi Xian turned around, her large purple eyes staring fixedly at Lin Yu as she looked him up and down.

"No matter how I look at you, you don't seem like one!" Xiao Yi Xian looked at Lin Yu with utter disdain.

The corner of Lin Yu's mouth twitched. I helped you out of kindness, and this is how you see me?

"Hey! Xian'er, you actually see me that way? I'm truly heartbroken!" Lin Yu clutched his chest with one hand, putting on a deeply pained expression.

Xiao Yi Xian rolled her eyes at Lin Yu. Though she was unwilling to admit it aloud, she already believed him.

Tagor Desert

The fiery red sun scorched the earth, while golden sand formed the dominant hue of the endless desert.

Wave after wave of heat battered the group—or rather, two people and two beasts—giving them the feeling of being in an outdoor sauna.

Lin Yu and Zi Ying were doing relatively well. Lin Yu had the Bone Spirit Cold Flame with him to fend off the heat, so he felt no discomfort.

Zi Ying was at the Dou Emperor realm, so this amount of heat could do nothing to her.

But Xiao Yi Xian and the Little Purple Crystal Winged Lion King were not so fortunate.

Xiao Yi Xian was already drenched in fragrant sweat, constantly wiping her face.

The Little Purple Crystal Winged Lion King, meanwhile, lay in Xiao Yi Xian's arms with its tongue hanging out.

Only then did Lin Yu notice them. He had forgotten that they could not effectively ward off the heat.

So, he spread the Bone Spirit Cold Flame around them. Of course, he would not roast them alive—it merely served as insulation.

As Xiao Yi Xian wiped away her sweat, she suddenly felt the surrounding temperature drop by several degrees, and her hand paused.

She turned to look at Lin Yu in confusion. Lin Yu merely gave her a faint smile in reply.

Xiao Yi Xian knew it had to be Lin Yu's doing, and her heart could not help but warm.

Stone Desert City

After traveling for three days, they finally arrived at Stone Desert City. Rather than continuing to ride Zi Ying, they chose to walk into the city.

Though they were already being quite "low-key," they still drew plenty of attention.

Lin Yu: I really want to keep a low profile, but the author arranged for Zi Ying to be by my side. Even if I want to keep a low profile, I can't!

Author: No! You don't want to keep a low profile!

After asking around and learning the location of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group's compound, they headed straight for their destination.

Standing before the gates of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group's compound, Lin Yu could not help but sigh.

The brothers Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were quite remarkable. The two of them had come here alone, unfamiliar with the place, yet managed to establish such a force. It was truly admirable.

When the two guards beside the main gate saw the group stop to look around, they stepped forward and asked, "Young master, young lady, do you have a mission for our Desert Iron Mercenary Group?"

"Oh, I'm here to see your two commanders. Please notify them that Lin Yu of the Xiao Family in Wutan City has come to visit." Lin Yu answered politely and evenly.

The two guards exchanged a glance. "Please wait a moment."

Before long, a young man whose appearance bore a strong resemblance to Xiao Yan emerged.

The young man wore a mercenary outfit. His broad, imposing body was like a small mountain, and his face carried a faint fierceness. His black pupils were bright and clear, with traces of brutality hidden within them.

The moment the young man saw Lin Yu, the fierceness on his face vanished completely. He strode forward, pulled Lin Yu into an embrace, and patted him on the back.

"Hehe, Little Yu, how did you find your way here?" Then he looked at Xiao Yi Xian beside him, frowned, and burst out laughing. "Is this your little sister-in-law? Lin Yu, you're one lucky guy!"

Then he whispered into Lin Yu's ear, "You brat, what are you going to do about Xun'er, huh!? Don't worry, your big brother will cover for you first. You can figure out the rest yourself later!"

"Uh... no, she's just a friend... Her name is Xiao Yi Xian!" Lin Yu broke into a cold sweat. Sure enough, men did not need to be told before they knew to help each other with this kind of thing!

"Oh, so she's a friend. Hehe." Xiao Li scratched his head, then turned to Xiao Yi Xian. "My name is Xiao Li. Just call me Big Brother Xiao Li!"

"Then I'll call you Big Brother Xiao Li. You can just call me Xiao Yi Xian!" Xiao Yi Xian replied with a smile.

"Alright, let's go see Big Brother!" Xiao Li draped an arm around Lin Yu's shoulder and led him into the compound, with Zi Ying and Xiao Yi Xian, who was holding the Little Purple Crystal Winged Lion King, following closely behind.

Xiao Li led Lin Yu to the main hall. Upon pushing open the door, they saw a young man in white robes who bore some resemblance to Xiao Yan as well. Unlike Xiao Li's wheat-colored complexion, his skin was fairer. His delicate features carried a hint of gentleness, making it impossible to tell that he had already spent many years traveling the world.

"Big Brother Xiao Ding!" Lin Yu called out when he saw the young man in white.

"So it's Little Yu!" Xiao Ding then circled Lin Yu once, sizing him up from head to toe. "Little Yu has grown up! You're getting prettier and prettier!"

"Uh... isn't 'pretty' used to describe girls?" Lin Yu was speechless. I may be handsome, but calling me pretty is just wrong! I really have to question your... preferences...

"Hehe, don't fuss over such details!" Xiao Ding chuckled, then looked at Xiao Yi Xian. "And this young lady is?"

"My name is Xiao Yi Xian. I'm Lin Yu's friend," Xiao Yi Xian answered.

Xiao Ding stroked his chin as he examined Xiao Yi Xian. "Haha, Miss Xiao Yi Xian, right? Little Yu is truly lucky to have met you!"

Xiao Yi Xian hurriedly waved her hands. "No, no, we're just friends. You've misunderstood..."

"Oh, I see. Then sit down, sit down and let's talk." Since Xiao Yi Xian had said so, Xiao Ding did not ask further. Still, he secretly made up his mind to create opportunities for Little Yu! Yes, that was the plan!

Xiao Ding asked, "Little Yu, how is Little Yan doing these days?" The reason Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were so warm toward Lin Yu was because, when Xiao Yan had endured endless ridicule, only Lin Yu and Xiao Xun'er had still been willing to be his friends.

"Don't worry. He's amazing now—he's already a one-star Dou Zhe! News will reach the family in a few days!" Lin Yu knew what they were worried about: whether Xiao Yan was still suffering cold stares and mockery.

They had considered bringing Xiao Yan here several times, but each time they remembered how they themselves had nearly died on multiple occasions. If they brought Xiao Yan here too, wouldn't they only be harming him?

"That's wonderful!" Now that he knew Xiao Yan had regained his former talent, Xiao Ding felt deeply relieved and was sincerely happy for him.

"By the way, the family sent a letter last year saying that you had already broken through to the Dou Zong realm?" Although they were not in close contact with the family, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were still the clan leader's sons, so they were informed of important matters.

Xiao Yi Xian was now certain that Lin Yu had not lied to her. His family had said he was already a Dou Zong a year ago, so it was also true that he was now a Dou Zun.

"Yes. And now, I'm already a Dou Zun!" Lin Yu said unhurriedly as he drank his tea.

The two brothers, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, exchanged glances, their faces full of disbelief.

It seemed their father's friend had truly sent the Xiao Family a treasure!

"Little Yu, you really are a genius! No, even 'genius' doesn't suit you anymore! You should be called a monster!"

"By the way, what brings you here this time?"

"I came to search for Heavenly Flames. The cultivation technique I practice requires Heavenly Flames, and I heard that the Tagor Desert happens to have information about them."

Xiao Ding fell into thought. During his years in Desert Iron City, he had also heard some things about Heavenly Flames.

Thus, he said to Lin Yu, "I'll ask someone to help look into it. Since you're here, stay for a few days! It's rare for us to be together, so let's have a good reunion!"

Lin Yu had come here intending to find somewhere to stay anyway, so he decided to remain for a few days.

Night

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Xiao Ding arranged accommodations for Lin Yu and the others.

"Ahem, our mercenary group is still expanding, so we're a little short on rooms. There's only one vacant room at the moment. It wouldn't be convenient for you to stay with me or your Brother Xiao Li, so you two will have to squeeze in together... hehe." As he spoke, he kept shooting meaningful looks at Lin Yu. Little Yu, this big brother can only help you this much! Then he hurriedly left.

Lin Yu's mouth twitched. You really are considerate of me!

Xiao Yi Xian thought, What a good brother indeed!

Now, only Lin Yu and Xiao Yi Xian remained standing there.

Lin Yu said to Xiao Yi Xian, "In that case, you go inside. I'll just find an inn outside."

But Xiao Yi Xian's answer caught him by surprise.

"No need to go through the trouble. We can squeeze in!" With that, she walked into the room.

Lin Yu considered it for a moment. Forget it, forget it. I can't let lust cloud my judgment! I'm out, I'm out!

Lin Yu's decision not to go in and sleep this time made Xiao Yi Xian think a little more highly of him.