The Desert, Xiao Yan Again

Su Yun carefully examined the Fragmented Map in his hand, his finger suddenly brushing across a torn corner.

"This Fragmented Map seems to have fresh cut marks. Did you do that?"

Hai Bodong's heart tightened, and he hurriedly explained, "Yes, but the other half of the Fragmented Map is no longer in my possession."

"...You're quite the talent too. The material of this map is anything but ordinary; it wouldn't have been easy to cut apart."

Su Yun chuckled. He truly wanted to make a sarcastic remark.

Hai Bodong had been sealed of his cultivation, yet he had still managed to split the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame's Fragmented Map. Who knew how he had done it.

"This subordinate has some knowledge of maps."

Hai Bodong was utterly confused.

"Where is the other half of the Fragmented Map?"

"It is in the hands of a young man carrying a Great Ruler on his back. Some time ago, that young man barged into the Map Shop where I lived in seclusion. He shamelessly ambushed this old man and snatched away half the Fragmented Map."

Su Yun knew Xiao Yan was responsible, but he still asked, "Do you know where he is?"

"This subordinate made a deal with him. As long as he found the Sand Mandala and refined a Poison Breaking Pill for me, I would give him the other half of the Fragmented Map.

"However, that deal is now void.

"As for his whereabouts, before we parted, he seemed to say that he was heading to Desert City to search for a Heavenly Flame."

If Hai Bodong had to choose between Su Yun and Xiao Yan, he would certainly choose Su Yun.

That brat might have been somewhat strange, but he was far too young. No matter how one looked at it, he did not seem like a Sixth-grade Alchemist.

Su Yun teased, "So you had prepared two options."

Hai Bodong broke out in a cold sweat. "I wouldn't dare! At the time, this subordinate did not know of your existence, which was why I resorted to such a measure."

"Those who do not know are not guilty."

Su Yun casually let the matter pass and said, "You may leave..."

"Yes."

Hai Bodong had wanted to ask when Su Yun intended to head for the Tagor Desert, but he felt that it might seem like he was urging him, so he gave up on the thought.

Su Yun had successfully broken through, and Mittel Tengshan lifted the lockdown around the area. Ya Fei and the many maids also returned to the residence.

Su Yun instructed Ya Fei, "Go call Xian'er."

"Yes."

A moment later, Xiao Yi Xian arrived and obediently said, "Teacher."

"Mhm, your cultivation has progressed well."

Su Yun smiled.

After Xiao Yi Xian awakened her Woeful Poison Body, her cultivation advanced rapidly, and she had already become a Dou Master.

When Su Yun had first met Xiao Yi Xian, she had only been a one-star Dou Zhe. This showed just how powerful the Woeful Poison Body was.

"Today, your teacher will pass the Nether Poison Canon on to you."

Xiao Yi Xian was overjoyed. "Thank you, Teacher."

Su Yun then taught Xiao Yi Xian the cultivation method of the Nether Poison Canon.

"The Nether Poison Canon is obscure and difficult to understand. If there is anything you do not understand, you may come ask me."

Su Yun spoke with concern.

Xiao Yi Xian had great potential. Once she grew stronger, she would also become a source of support for him.

As for the issue of her poison body erupting, that was easy to handle. Giving Xiao Yi Xian a sub-flame of the Nether Poison Flame would solve it.

"Xian'er will remember."

Xiao Yi Xian gently gathered her beautiful hair. As she looked at her teacher's handsome face, which seemed no older than her own, she found it difficult to look away.

"Mhm."

Su Yun nodded. He had no idea what this rebellious disciple was thinking. After merely giving her a few cultivation instructions, he sent her back.

"First, I'll retrieve the other half of the Fragmented Map, along with the Green Lotus Core Flame..."

The Green Lotus Core Flame was in Medusa's hands. He did not cultivate the Flame Mantra, but Heavenly Flames were precious, and condensing a Poison Pill also required a Heavenly Flame. Su Yun had no intention of giving it to anyone else.

Su Yun rose to his feet. With a flash, he appeared above the Imperial Capital. His feet stepped upon the empty air, stirring faint ripples in space.

He activated the poison flame he had left within the Amethyst Winged Lion King's body.

"Roar—!"

Sensing the summon, the Amethyst Winged Lion King let out a long roar. It burst from the forest outside the Imperial Capital and soared into the sky, arriving before Su Yun several breaths later.

"Master... you have broken through!"

The Amethyst Winged Lion King's beastly eyes, as large as bronze bells, widened.

Compared to before, Su Yun's aura had become even more unfathomable. More importantly, he could stand in the air without Dou Qi Wings. This was the mark of a Dou Zong powerhouse!

"Mhm. Some of my strength has returned. Not much, but enough."

Su Yun spoke calmly, lightly stepping forward onto the Amethyst Winged Lion King's head.

"To the Tagor Desert."

"Yes!"

The Amethyst Winged Lion King flapped its wings, purple light flowing across the scales around its body as it turned into an afterimage and vanished beyond the horizon.

This scene caught the attention of countless people, and the Imperial Capital immediately erupted into an uproar.

"A Dou Zong powerhouse! Our Jia Ma Empire actually has a Dou Zong!"

"Lord Su truly deserves to be called a powerhouse who has survived since ancient times!"

"..."

Jia Xing Tian's voice was hoarse. "He broke through too quickly."

"Yes."

Yao Ye was deeply worried. This sudden news had nearly left the eldest princess stunned.

The Imperial Family had not even decided what attitude to take toward Su Yun, yet he had already ascended to the Dou Zong realm.

"Win him over at any cost. At the very least, we cannot allow our relationship to continue deteriorating..."

Jia Xing Tian slowly closed his eyes.

Two days later, Tagor Desert, Desert City.

The Desert Iron Mercenary Group had tightly surrounded a stretch of land outside Desert City.

"Xiao Yan has been down in the magma for so long. Could something have happened?"

Xiao Li said worriedly.

Xiao Ding shouted, "Nonsense! Third Brother will be fine!"

Xiao Yan had arrived in Desert City some time ago, reunited with them, and asked them to help search for a Heavenly Flame.

After investigating, they had finally determined the exact location and excavated a passage leading down to the underground magma.

Now, Xiao Yan had entered the magma in search of the Heavenly Flame, and whether he lived or died was unknown.

"Sigh, we never should have let him go. If anything happens to him, how will we explain it to Father?"

Xiao Li said regretfully.

"Bang, bang, bang!"

At that moment, several muffled sounds came from the underground passage beneath their feet.

"Could it be?!"

The two were overjoyed and hurriedly looked down, only to see a hand covered in dust reach out.

"Give me a hand!"

The two of them pulled Xiao Yan out with all their strength.

Finally back on the surface, Xiao Yan panted heavily without any regard for his appearance, his forehead covered in sweat.

"How did it go? Did you find the Heavenly Flame?"

"No."

Xiao Yan shook his head regretfully.

Xiao Ding comforted him, "It's all right. As long as you're safe, the Heavenly Flame can be found again."

Xiao Yan's expression darkened. "At the place where the Heavenly Flame was located, I found a Seven-Colored Scale. A Snake-People Race powerhouse must have gotten there first..."

Xiao Yan then asked inwardly, "Teacher, what should I do now?"

"What else can you do? Go deep into the Tagor Desert and snatch the Heavenly Flame back."

Old Yao was helpless.

"All right, that's the only option."

After resting for a while, Xiao Yan bid farewell to his two older brothers.

"Big Brother, Second Brother, I'm going to the Snake-People Tribe to search for the Heavenly Flame. You don't need to see me off."

Xiao Yan's expression was resolute. The two knew they could not stop him, so they said, "Be careful in everything!"

"Mhm! I'll come back and drink with you two later..."

Before Xiao Yan could finish speaking, the sky suddenly darkened.

"What's going on?"

Xiao Yan abruptly looked up. What he saw was the Amethyst Winged Lion King's enormous body blotting out the sky, while a clear laugh rang out from above.

"Little friend, we meet again."