An Unexpected Encounter

In the desert.

Hai Bodong stared into thought as he looked at the ten-meter-long, somewhat ethereal black ice dragon circling around Xiao Yuan.

Is the Mystic Ice Dragon Flight so easy to cultivate?

"Hai Lao, try this trick of mine!"

As Xiao Yuan spoke, he pushed his hand, and the black ice dragon roared out.

Upon seeing this, a look of helplessness appeared on Hai Bodong's aged face.

He then skillfully conjured an ice dragon as well.

The next moment, the two ice dragons collided, ice shards flew everywhere, fell to the ground, and were quickly melted into water under the sunlight, and then evaporated into water vapor.

Looking at this grand scene, Xiao Yuan was quite satisfied.

Currently, Wind's End, Meteor Kill remains his strongest single-target Dou Technique. The Mystic Ice Dragon Flight Soaring technique is indeed quite difficult to cultivate, and it will be difficult to unleash its full power before advancing to the Da Dou Shi level.

In addition, this thing consumes far too much Dou Qi.

It is likely that only when one reaches the level of Dou Wang or Dou Emperor, and can draw upon the energy of heaven and earth, can the full power of the Mystic Ice Dragon Flight be unleashed.

After witnessing Xiao Yuan's extraordinary talent firsthand, Hai Lao was left only with shock.

He had never seen such a genius in his entire life.

In his youth, he was a man of extraordinary talent.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have dared to challenge Yun Shan with the strength of Five Star Dou Huang, and even snatch things from Medusa.

Although I was careless and got sealed away, my eyesight is still intact.

A sixteen-year-old four- Dou Shi, such terrifying talent, is even more formidable than he was back then.

Coupled with his terrifying talent for cultivating Dou Technique, it's clear that Xiao Yuan will definitely grow into a Dou Huang expert with extremely terrifying combat strength in the future, and it's only a matter of time before he breaks through to Dou Zong! Such a genius is worth any price to win over!

Moreover, if Xiao Yuan could really find someone to help him recover to the strength of Dou Emperor, that would undoubtedly be a huge favor to him.

He had long been tired of living in seclusion for so many years!

The reason he didn't contact the Mittel Family was that he knew that if the news of his power being sealed got out, it wouldn't be good news for the Mittel Family.

Conversely, if he doesn't show up and no one can be sure of his fate, they naturally won't dare to easily take action against the Mittel Family.

This is the power of a Dou Huang expert in the Jia Ma Empire!

The Mittel Family is doing well now, Teng Shan is doing a good job as the Great Elder. If he can recover his strength, he wouldn't mind going back to the family for a visit.

Perhaps in the future, we will witness the birth of a super strong person!

Boom! The two ice dragons, one black and one blue, shattered and vanished at the same time. Hai Bodong temporarily suppressed his chaotic thoughts and looked up at Xiao Yuan.

"Indeed, your talent is terrifying. I originally wanted you to go find the Sand Mandala as soon as possible, but now I've changed my mind. Stay a few more days, and I'll tell you everything I can to guide you. After all, I've been cultivating for many more years than you, and when it comes to playing with ice, no one in the Jia Ma Empire is more experienced than me."

Nodding to Xiao Yuan, Hai Bodong continued.

"Then thank you in advance, Hai Lao!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuan cupped his hands in greeting and said with a smile.

Two weeks later.

Xiao Yuan was kicked out of Hai Lao's Map Shop.

At this moment, his aura was more pronounced, even stronger than before.

He's Five Star Dou Shi.

"That old man!"

Xiao Yuan looked at the Storage Ring on his finger, which was filled with survival supplies he could use in the desert, and shook his head helplessly.

Within two weeks, Hai Bodong realized that he had nothing left to teach Xiao Yuan.

Upon hearing that Xiao Yuan had broken through another star level in less than a month, he immediately lost his composure and kicked him out.

Looking at the vast desert before him, Xiao Yuan shook his head helplessly. He then found a secluded spot, took off his white robe and Heart of the Sea Armor, put them into his Storage Ring, and, with his upper body bare and wearing only shorts, headed into the depths of the desert after getting his bearings.

The rows of footprints left along the way were soon covered by the wind and sand, erasing all traces.

Xiao Yuan is feeling a little unwell right now.

Because he did not cultivate fire-attribute or earth-attribute techniques.

Although it is still possible to absorb the rich natural energy here by using the refining power of the Heavenly Flames.

However, its efficiency is definitely lower compared to Ice Attribute Wind Attribute, which both possess Mystic High-Rank Skill.

In addition, there isn't much Ice Attribute Wind Attribute energy in the desert, so the absorption efficiency isn't very high.

The breakthrough he was able to achieve in these three weeks was entirely due to the fact that Xiao Yuan had stored up enough Medicinal Herbs to absorb.

But we'll probably have to stay in the desert for several months.

No matter how many Medicinal Herbs you have, you shouldn't waste them like this.

So, as Xiao Yuan walked, he began searching through his Storage Ring.

He needs to look for a suitable cultivation method to try out first; he seems to remember there being one.

The environment in the Tagor Desert was harsher than Xiao Yuan had expected. The yellow sand under his feet, under the scorching sun, was almost like scalding hot iron particles, making him twitch his lips every time he stepped on it.

As he walked, the oncoming gale, mixed with fine sand, lashed his face, causing a sharp pain. This forced Xiao Yuan to constantly circulate his Dou Qi, forming a faint Dou Qi film on his face to preserve his handsome features.

A moment later, Xiao Yuan took out a red scroll from his Storage Ring.

Mystic High-Rank Skill: Fire Essence Art.

It was still the legacy left to Xiao Yuan by that kind Heavenly Flames from the Monster Mountain Range.

Unfortunately, he did not find any earth-attribute Cultivation Methods and Combat Skills.

Even those with fire attributes only possess one Fire Essence Art and one matching mid-level Xuan-rank Dou Technique, Scorching Fire Incineration.

However, something is better than nothing.

So Xiao Yuan began to study Cultivation Methods and Combat Skills as he walked.

Under the scorching sun, Xiao Yuan, dressed in white shorts, moved forward step by step, occasionally taking out his spear and plunging it into the ground to kill one monster after another hidden beneath the yellow sand.

These low-level magical beasts were no match for Xiao Yuan's soul perception.

Desert City.

A dark shadow fell from the sky.

A moment later, Xiao Yan, dressed in Second-Rank Alchemist's robe, had a somewhat helpless expression on his face.

He was originally cultivating well in the Monster Mountain Range.

Under the guidance of the Yao Lao, he made rapid progress and broke through to the Dou Shi! Unexpectedly, when he went out to collect herbs, he encountered a third-tier magical beast.

Desiring to see where his own strength was at its limit, he immediately unleashed a Flame Splitting Tsunami Ruler.

To be honest, although it drained all the Dou Qi in my body, the effect was still quite significant.

They directly crippled that third-tier magical beast.

Then he regretted it.

Because that third-tier magical beast was none other than the Little Amethyst Winged Lion King! Sensing that its own cub was on the verge of death, the Amethyst Winged Lion King was enraged.

Two despicable humans had just left when another wicked human appeared and injured his own son.

Who could tolerate this?!

He immediately lost his temper.

Fortunately, the Yao Lao who was refining medicine noticed something was wrong and arrived in time. He immediately stepped in and used the terrifying power of the Heavenly Flames to temporarily force back the Amethyst Winged Lion King.

Xiao Yan later even got a lucky break. On a whim, he used the Flame Mantra to devour the Purple Flame that the Lion King had used to burn him, and his Dou Qi also contained some of the Purple Flame.

However, the price was that Xiao Yan could no longer cultivate in the Monster Mountain Range.

Because the Amethyst Winged Lion King went berserk, he ordered his monsters to search the mountains and attack anyone they saw.

Even the Ten Thousand Medicines Pavilion suffered a great misfortune.

The Blood Battle Mercenary Group was lucky; Fei Lei had just gone to the Xiao Clan and, before leaving, instructed his men not to go on missions and to wait for orders, thus escaping a disaster.

So after learning from Fei Lei that his Third Brother had gone to Black Rock City, Xiao Yan also went to Black Rock City.

Then, I took a test and became Second-Rank Alchemist.

Then, riding in a flying magical beast provided by the air transport team, we arrived in Desert City.

He had to begin his ascetic practice in the Tagor Desert ahead of schedule.

Therefore, buying a map is naturally essential.

If you're going to buy something, buy the good stuff.

To Xiao Yuan's surprise, Xiao Yan approached Hai Bodong ahead of time.

Although Xiao Yan did not know Hai Bodong.

However, Hai Bodong still noticed something from the fact that Xiao Yan and Xiao Yuan had some similarities in appearance and age.

Then, Hai Bodong, who was trying to test the waters, was frozen into an icicle by Yao Lao's Bone Spirit Cold Flame.

"You two brothers are both monsters!"

Inside the store, Hai Bodong, with a dark face, said with a sense of existential doubt.

A sixteen-year-old who has mastered Heavenly Flames, Five Star Dou Shi, and can unleash terrifying attacks that threaten even Dou Ling.

A sixteen-year-old one- Dou Shi and Second-Rank Alchemist was able to suddenly have his strength surge to the Dou Emperor level.

That's outrageous!

"Ahem, I'm sorry, Hai Lao. If I had known you were my brother's friend, I certainly wouldn't have been so rude!"

Xiao Yan touched his nose sheepishly and said.

"So, the person Xiao Yuan mentioned who can refine Sixth Grade Pill is you, right? I know the rules, I won't let you White Gang. I have some information about Heavenly Flames here, I suppose you should be interested?"

Hai Bodong waved his hand and said helplessly.

Upon hearing this, a glint of light flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes, but he quickly added, "Hai Lao, I am merely a Second-Rank Alchemist."

"Stop, stop, stop! That soul power you just used... You said you're Second-Rank Alchemist? Do you think I'd believe that? That kid Xiao Yuan wouldn't try to fool me with something like this. Just tell me, are you alchemist or not!"

Hai Bodong raised his hand to interrupt Xiao Yan, took out a map containing information about the Heavenly Flames, and asked indifferently.

"Sure, since Hai Lao Third Brother's friend, I can help with this."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan pondered for a moment, discussed it with Yao Lao, and under Hai Bodong's expectant gaze, agreed.

Training in the desert is tedious and harsh. Before, when I trained in the Monster Mountain Range, I was accompanied by beautiful women, which was quite pleasant.

In this vast desert, as far as the eye can see, apart from the raging sandstorms, there is not a single human figure, let alone the shadow of a magical beast. This desolate and lonely feeling is really hard to bear.

Fortunately, after practicing the Fire Essence Art, his cultivation speed increased significantly, finally allowing him to experience some joy in cultivation.

Under the scorching sun, Xiao Yuan walked step by step, wondering if he could find a magical beast of similar strength to wreak havoc on. Suddenly, he raised an eyebrow, turned his head, and looked at the sand dunes not far away.

A figure was seen fleeing in a very disheveled state. Then, it lost its balance and tumbled down the sand dune, rolling all the way to its feet.

"Um?"

Seeing this, Xiao Yuan was amused.

Finally, I saw a living person!

So he took out a bag of water from his Storage Ring and poured it on the man's face.

Stimulated by the water, the unconscious man gradually opened his eyes. He was startled when he saw Xiao Yuan standing in front of him, but he breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Xiao Yuan was smiling.

Xiao Yuan also took a closer look at the man, and then he noticed a badge on the man's chest.

This is!

The emblem of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group!

"Are you from the Desert Iron Mercenary Group?"

Xiao Yuan asked with a smile.

"Yes, who are you?"

The man asked, puzzled.

"So you're considered the third regimental commander, right?"

Xiao Yuan stroked his chin and said with great interest.

"Ahem, young brother, stop joking. Our mercenary team has been attacked by Snake-People and is now in a life-or-death situation. We beg you to go to Shi Mo City and help us get reinforcements!"

The man's face turned somewhat grim upon hearing this, and he pleaded with a wry smile.

"I'm not joking with you. I'm asking you, what are the names of your two commanders?"

Xiao Yuan's expression became more solemn.

"Xiao Ding... Xiao Li..."

The man replied cautiously upon hearing this.

"My name is Xiao Yuan. Do you believe me now?"

Xiao Yuan asked with a smile.

"Xiao Yuan."

Upon hearing the name, the man recognized it and immediately felt much more at ease.

"This is healing medicine. Apply some yourself, and it should be fine. After you're done, take me to your mercenary team."

Xiao Yuan took out a small bottle of Blood Coagulation Powder from his Storage Ring, tossed it to the man, then stood up, clapped his hands, and laughed.

"Huh? You're going alone?"

Upon hearing this, the man was startled and hurriedly said, "Young brother, that won't do! There are eight Snake-People attacking our team, and three of them are Nine-Star Dou Zhe!"

"Young man, you'd better hurry to Shi Mo City and inform the mercenary group. The leader and the others will be here immediately; it's not far from here!" The man pleaded earnestly, fearing that Xiao Yuan might not only fail to save anyone but also lose his own young life.

"Stop talking nonsense, hurry up and apply the medicine, then lead the way. Do you think I, a dignified Dou Shi, am afraid of a few Dou Zhe? By the time your eldest and second brothers arrive, all your men will be dead. Are you going to bring people to collect their corpses then?"

Xiao Yuan rolled his eyes and gave the man a light kick to the thigh, urging him on without any politeness.

Hearing Xiao Yuan's words, the man looked at the former again with some skepticism. The bare-backed boy, wearing shorts, looked only sixteen or seventeen years old.

Could this be Dou Shi? With a wry smile, the man applied the healing medicine to his thigh, then stood up with a slight tremor. He pointed behind the sand dune and said, "It's not far over there."