Annihilation

On the outskirts of the Tagor Desert, in a remote mountain range.

Xiao Yan recovered his Dou Qi and looked at the azure Heavenly Flames within the Qing Lian Platform before him with a solemn expression.

This was his first time absorbing Heavenly Flames. Although he had the help of the Yao Lao and his preparations were quite complete, he still felt a sense of trepidation.

The power of this Heavenly Flames is truly terrifying! It's about to begin, bro, please bless me to succeed!

Xiao Yan silently recited the command in his heart, a resolute glint in his eyes. Then, his soul power surged forth, releasing the Green Lotus Core Flame from the Qing Lian Platform.

On a cool night, gazing at the familiar city skyline, a look of relief finally appeared on Xiao Yuan's face.

After advancing to the Da Dou Shi level, thanks to his Earth-rank earth-attribute cultivation technique, his cultivation speed became even faster than before.

Along the way, in order to master his rapidly increasing strength, he deliberately took a route with a lot of magical beasts. However, most of those magical beasts were Tier 2 Magical Beast, but some of them were extremely numerous, enough to exhaust Xiao Yuan to death. Unfortunately, they could not fly, and in the end, they became Xiao Yuan's tools for practice.

Along the way, he also encountered a third-tier Yellow Sand Giant Scorpion, which successfully gave Xiao Yuan a Sand Attribute Magic Core. Using this as a medium, Xiao Yuan also successfully converted his earth-attribute Dou Qi into Sand Attribute, making his travel in the desert much easier.

The monsters along the way were really unlucky; those that could be defeated were all killed by Xiao Yuan, and a lot of Medicinal Herbs were also lost.

If he couldn't beat them, Xiao Yuan would usually challenge them, or he would steal the Medicinal Herbs and fly away, basically taking advantage of the fact that these magical beasts couldn't fly.

This journey took him nearly half a month.

As the city's outline gradually grew larger before him, Xiao Yuan flapped his wings and flew over at a faster speed.

Inside the Shi Mo City, atop a towering building, Xiao Yuan folded his wings and landed, looking down at this city with its desert charm.

With a surge of Dou Qi, he swept away the yellow dust on his body, unleashing his full spiritual perception, which directly encompassed most of the Shi Mo City beneath his feet.

Immediately afterwards, Xiao Yuan's expression darkened; he could not sense Qing Lian's aura.

However, within the Desert Iron Mercenary Group, there suddenly appeared some unfamiliar auras that had never been seen before! In just over a month, Qing Lian had actually been taken away?

With a gloomy face, Xiao Yuan flew towards the base of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group.

In the backyard of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group, on the spacious training ground, a sea of black heads crowded on both sides, their gazes filled with undisguised killing intent.

In that battle, two figures were engaged in a fierce fight. Both of their attacks were extremely sharp, and any slight lapse in concentration would result in a fatal blow.

In the arena, a figure was enveloped in lightning, with wisps of silver snakes crawling around him. As he swung his spear, the rolling thunder echoed continuously.

However, although his attacks were extremely fierce, it did not seem to cause much trouble for his opponent. Every time the attack was about to hit him, he was able to easily dodge the sweeping thrusts of the silver spear.

Judging from how easily the person dodged, the two were clearly not on the same level. However, the yellow figure did not choose to end the battle quickly. It was obviously deliberately making a show of force to demonstrate its strength as a "strongman".

Such a person will not go very far on the path of cultivation.

On one side of the square, a large group of members of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group watched the battle with burning eyes. They knew exactly what kind of mockery and ridicule the yellow figure's behavior represented.

At the head of these people, Xiao Ding stood expressionless, but his eyes were filled with a frenzied rage.

"Commander, the back gate is also surrounded. We have nowhere to go."

A mercenary squeezed in from behind, looking somewhat disheveled, and said in a low voice.

"As expected... they really went all out!" Clenching his fists, Xiao Ding took a deep breath of the slightly scorching night air, trying to keep his reason from being consumed by anger, and said calmly, "Since we can't escape, then let's fight to the death. If they want to wipe out my Desert Iron Mercenary Group, how can we do it without paying a bloody price?"

"Thunder Arc Three-Section Dance!"

At this moment, the silver figure in the arena suddenly let out a low shout, and the long spear in his hand was strangely crackling with arcs of electricity before he thrust it violently at the yellow figure.

"Haha, trash is trash. What a load of bull! In the face of absolute power, no matter if you claim to have the most powerful Lightning Attribute Dou Qi, you're all doomed!"

Facing the incoming arc of electricity, the yellow figure laughed disdainfully, clenching his massive fist tightly. Yellow Dou Qi frantically condensed on it, instantly transforming into an energy gauntlet.

Clenching his fist, he suddenly unleashed a powerful blast, the violent wind carrying a fierce force that collided directly with the arc of electricity.

The two collided, and the yellow figure's fist destroyed the three arcs of electricity with overwhelming force. Even after the destruction, its momentum did not diminish, and it slammed heavily into Xiao Li's chest.

"Pfft."

Struck by the heavy blow, Xiao Li's face turned pale, and he spat out a mouthful of blood. His feet sank into the ground, carving a trench more than ten meters long, before crashing heavily into a boulder at the edge of the training field.

"Haha, with such pathetic strength, you dare to be arrogant with me?"

The middle-aged man, whose entire body was enveloped in yellow Dou Qi, sneered. He stomped his foot on the ground and charged towards the incapacitated Xiao Li like a rampaging tank. Fierce and incomparable energy rapidly condensed in his fists once again. Judging from his posture, he clearly had no intention of leaving Xiao Li alive.

"Haha, die!"

Looking at Xiao Li, who was so close, a cruel look appeared on the middle-aged man's face, and he slammed his fist down hard.

His fist landed so fast that Xiao Li had no time to dodge.

However, someone was even faster than him! Suddenly, a small black dot appeared in the sky, and the next moment, the black dot appeared above the two of them, plummeting downwards.

Before the middle-aged man's fist could land on Xiao Li, a long leg wreathed in black and white flames and surging with cyan Wind Attribute Dou Qi kicked him in the chest.

Yellow Rank High Level Dou Technique, Wind Eagle Leg!

The next moment, the wind swirled and flames surged, and in an instant, the middle-aged man was dismembered and incinerated in one fell swoop, disappearing from everyone's sight.

The figure landed, and Xiao Yuan, dressed in an exquisite white robe with a cold and stern expression, took his place, appearing in everyone's sight.

"Damn it, you dare to hurt my second brother! If you leave even a single fragment of his body behind today, I, Xiao Yuan, will take the surname of all you scum!"

As soon as the voice fell, Xiao Yuan's two Qi Mansion began to pour Dou Qi into the Azure Wood Qi Gathering Palaces, instantly raising Xiao Yuan's original strength of One-Star Great Dou Master to four stars.

Xiao Yuan, his face dark, looked at the Five-Star Dou Grandmaster leading the group not far away, making no attempt to hide his killing intent, and shouted.

"Xiao Yuan?"

Looking at the white-robed youth who suddenly appeared, Xiao Ding was slightly taken aback on the other side of the square. Then, a surge of wild joy instantly appeared on his face, which had been somewhat sinister. He clapped his hands together heavily and exclaimed, "This kid is back really fast!"

"Hehe, it seems our Desert Iron Mercenary Group is not yet extinct."

Xiao Ding slowly unfurled his clenched fist, took a deep breath, and suppressed his overwhelming joy. He turned his head and smiled at the team members behind him.

Previously, Xiao Yuan was able to defeat Luo Bu when he was only at the Dou Shi level. Now, judging from his aura, he seems to have advanced to the Da Dou Shi level. Although we don't know how this kid did it, it is undoubtedly a good thing.

Looking at Xiao Ding's smiling face and the white-robed figure in the arena, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. In the past few days, when the Sand Mercenary Group merged into the Desert Iron Mercenary Group, they had told the mercenaries of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group about Xiao Yuan killing Luo Bu.

They were shocked at the time, but the power of that kick from a Da Dou Shi was truly astonishing.

The group exchanged glances, their eyes then revealing a smile of relief and anticipation, bracing themselves for Xiao Yuan's eye-roll.

Who are you?

The leading Five-Star Dou Grandmaster felt the terrifying pressure emanating from Xiao Yuan, narrowed his eyes, and asked in a deep voice.

"Who I am is not important. What's important is that you should be a member of the Mo Clan, right? Don't worry, the head of the Mo Clan family will be down to join you soon!"

Xiao Yuan shook his head, and then his figure flashed and appeared in front of the Five-Star Dou Grandmaster. Ignoring the Mo Clan family members whose expressions were uncertain because his identity had been exposed, he directly punched the nameless nobody in front of him.

Azure Wind Whirlwind Fist!

Although it was only Profound Tier Low Grade Dou Technique, the power of the wind vortex mixed with Heavenly Flames was no less than that of some mid-level Xuan-rank Dou Technique. The terrifying high temperature instantly made the originally cool night even hotter.

After throwing a punch, Xiao Yuan didn't even look at the result. With a thought, he took out a long spear he had picked up on the way back from his Storage Ring, and then thrust it out like a shadow.

Xiao Yuan had already mastered the Six Harmonies Spear technique. Now, with his preemptive strike, his opponent had no time to make any effective dodge! The continuous spear force enveloped the man, and the short three seconds felt like an eternity, leaving him drenched in sweat.

"Drink!"

The next moment, Xiao Yuan let out a low roar, and a silent, charging lion rapidly materialized on the tip of his spear, charging out as Xiao Yuan thrust out his spear.

The Furious Lion's Roar! With Xiao Yuan's strength, unleashing three Mysterious Rank Dou Techniques in a row was simply invincible.

The Five-Star Dou Grandmaster was immediately blasted away, coughing up blood and flying backward.

Seeing this, the others who were traveling with the Five-Star Dou Grandmaster finally realized what was happening and rushed over to help him retreat.

"Trying to leave?"

Seeing this, Xiao Yuan threw the spear, which had cracked from the infusion of his Dou Qi, to the ground, and then quickly formed hand seals.

Four Direction Wind Wall!

This is a mid-level Xuan-rank Dou Technique that can be used to trap enemies. Before parting, Yun Yun was still worried about Xiao Yuan Xiao Yuan, so she gave him all the Dou Technique she had that could help him.

This was a huge success.

The advanced Dou Technique of the Misty Cloud Sect have basically all fallen into Xiao Yuan's hands.

Even if Xiao Yuan doesn't admit it now, he can be considered a member of the Misty Cloud Sect to some extent.

After all, he learned all of their Dou Technique, yet he pretended not to know them. He really got the benefit but acted innocent.

Sigh, but if this happens, it will be harder to deal with Yun Shan in the future.

Given his relationship with Yun Yun, and his past relationship with Nalan Yanran, his actions against Yun Shan were somewhat akin to betraying his master and ancestors.

That's going too far with filial piety.

As for the people in front of him, Xiao Yuan wouldn't say they had met their deaths in a righteous way, but it was the truth.

"Call!"

Looking at the Mo Clan members trapped inside the wind wall, Xiao Yuan opened his mouth and spat out Yin Yang Dual Flames. He then pushed his hand in front of him, and the black and white flames flew out and stuck to the wind wall.

Immediately afterwards, Xiao Yuan changed the hand seals, and the black and white flames suddenly surged, with terrifying high temperatures sweeping out and forcing the onlookers to retreat continuously.

"Scorching Fire Incineration!" Another Mysterious Rank Dou Techniques was unleashed, the Heavenly Flames filling every corner of the wind barrier, intertwining with the Wind Attribute Dou Qi within. Those trapped by the wind barrier, witnessing this, finally realized just how much of a monstrous figure they had provoked! But regret was useless now! Wind Barrier, merge!

Xiao Yuan changed his hand seals and silently shouted in his heart.

The next moment, the Four Direction Wind Wall gradually converged towards the center, and the Heavenly Flames carrying terrifyingly high temperatures slowly approached the Mo Clan's minions.

"We'll leave now, please spare our lives, young master!"

Someone shouted from inside.

Xiao Yuan ignored him.

She turned to Xiao Li, her smile softening, and asked, "Second Brother, how are you? Are you alright?"

"It's nothing, cough cough, you came pretty fast. My brother and I estimated that you wouldn't be back for two or three months after taking Little Yanzi to find the Heavenly Flames! We didn't expect you to make it in time, that's great!"

Xiao Li was covered in glaring crimson blood, but he still smiled when he saw Xiao Yuan.

However, the smile appeared rather ferocious against the backdrop of those blood-stained white teeth.

Seeing this, Xiao Yuan quickly took out Healing Pill from his Storage Ring and stuffed it directly into Xiao Li's mouth.

"Boy, we are members of the Mo Clan. If our Great Elder finds out that you are so arrogant, he will tear you to pieces!"

From behind, another threatening voice, though blustering, came from behind.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Li frowned.

Xiao Yuan, however, showed no sign of anger and casually snapped his fingers.

The next moment, screams of agony rose one after another.

"What utter nonsense about the Mo Clan!"

Xiao Yuan sneered, and the temperature of the flames rose even higher. At a certain moment, the screams stopped abruptly, leaving only the crackling sound of bones being burned and bursting.

"Your methods are even more ruthless than your second brother's!"

Xiao Ding walked over and said with a smile.

"Qing Lian has been kidnapped?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuan shook his head, then said seriously.

"Yes, it happened a couple of days ago. She went out and never came back. I took some people to check, and she was indeed taken away. These people only arrived today."

The Mo Clan is one of the four major families in the northeastern province of the Jia Ma Empire. Although their power cannot compare to behemoths like the Nalan Family, it is not to be underestimated. They have been entrenched in the northeast for many years, and are practically local tyrants. Very few people dare to provoke them. Xiao Yuan, it seems you knew all along that the Mo Clan was the one who made the move?

Xiao Ding was incredibly intelligent; he had already discerned the clues from the details Xiao Yuan had revealed.

"Yes, I've heard some rumors about the Mo Clan. Qing Lian's physique is somewhat special, so she's likely to be targeted by them. I originally thought that such a thing wouldn't happen in just one month, but I didn't expect that they would still succeed."

Xiao Yuan's expression turned cold, and a look of helplessness appeared on his face.

He couldn't possibly take Qing Lian to the territory of the Snake-People Tribe.

Fortunately, Mo Cheng shouldn't be in too much of a hurry to gouge out Qing Lian's eyes for transplantation.

Therefore, Xiao Yuan will have enough time to find someone to destroy the Mo Clan.

"Well, since you anticipated this, you must already have some plans, right?"

Xiao Ding said thoughtfully upon hearing this.

"Hehehe, you understand me best, brother!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuan gave a thumbs up. After his two elder brothers settled the mercenary group's affairs, the three brothers sat down together and started chatting.

"How was the journey with Little Yanzi in search of the Heavenly Flames?"

Xiao Li was a straightforward person. Although he was currently wearing bandages, he still casually put his arm around Xiao Yuan and asked.

"It was alright, a close call, and I even got a pretty good opportunity. I should be able to advance to the Dou Wang level within two years."

Xiao Yuan smiled and nodded upon hearing this.

"Hey, you're right! You were only Six-Star Dou Shi when you left, and you've already become Da Dou Shi when you come back. In just one month, your cultivation speed has been nothing short of phenomenal!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Li patted Xiao Yuan on the shoulder and said with a smile.

"So, that means... Heavenly Flames?"

Xiao Ding, who was standing to the side, understood Xiao Yuan's implied meaning and confirmed it with a smile.

"Xiao Yan should already be absorbing the Heavenly Flames. Of course, it's also possible that it has already finished absorbing it and will probably be back tomorrow."

Xiao Yuan smiled and said.

"Haha, you actually succeeded?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Li's face showed admiration.

Keep in mind, this is stealing from Medusa, a hellish task that few in the entire Jia Ma Empire would dare to even consider.

"Well, we're lucky. Medusa is too busy to bother with us."

Xiao Yuan didn't go into details, because if his two older brothers knew that he was carrying Medusa with him, they would probably be shocked.

"It's good that I've got it."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ding nodded and didn't repeat any more words to warn Xiao Yuan to be careful. After all, he knew his two younger brothers quite well, and once they set their minds on something, no matter how difficult it was, they would definitely find a way to accomplish it.

Meanwhile, in the Desert City, a powerful aura subtly emerged. I can't understand it; Qidian's intelligent recommendation system is too abstract. When I update 4,000 words, the number of favorites increases by 100+ per day, but when I update 5,000 or 10,000 words, it's less than 50 favorites. Does writing more mean I'm wrong? T_T