Arriving at Desert City

The night passed uneventfully, and the sun rose the next morning.

Xiao Tian and Xiao Yi Xian woke early and packed their belongings. To prevent any trouble, Xiao Tian directly put on his Alchemist robe before heading toward Black Rock City.

Under the awe-filled gazes of the city guards, they entered the city through the exclusive passage without paying a fee and headed toward the Flying Star Transport Company in the city center.

The journey to Tagor Desert was quite long. Traveling there on Xiao Lan would not be very comfortable, since Xiao Lan was not the kind of flying magical beast skilled at long-distance travel. She had to rest after flying for a while.

Taking a Thick-Winged Beast specially used for transporting passengers was more suitable for traveling to Tagor Desert. There were even rooms to stay in, so they would not have to sleep in the open.

After crossing several streets, Xiao Tian and Xiao Yi Xian arrived at the Flying Star Transport Company. More than a dozen enormous flying birds were stationed on the ground.

These flying birds were called Thick-Winged Birds. After eating their fill, they could carry items five times their own weight and fly for four or five days. They were extremely suitable birds for making money through air transportation.

When they entered the plaza, they found it packed with people. Noisy voices came from everywhere. Some people were queuing to buy tickets, while others were lining up to board the flying birds.

Looking at the long line at the ticket counter, Xiao Tian shook his head. However, he did not choose to queue there. Instead, he brought Xiao Yi Xian to a special passage beside the line.

When they reached the Guard stationed at the passage, the Guard saw the Third Order Alchemist robe on Xiao Tian and his young appearance, causing his pupils to shrink.

"Sir, please come in." The Guard Captain respectfully stepped aside.

After Xiao Tian entered the passage, a uniformed woman hurried over.

"Sir, are you taking a flight? May I ask where you're headed?" the uniformed woman asked sweetly as she came to Xiao Tian's side.

"The Imperial Eastern Border, Desert City in the Tagor Desert," Xiao Tian said flatly.

"Of course, sir. Please follow me." The uniformed woman's cheeks lifted into a sweet smile.

Xiao Tian nodded and motioned for her to lead the way.

Along the way, the uniformed woman kept twisting her waist, deliberately displaying her figure in an attempt to attract Xiao Tian's attention. Xiao Tian had no interest in such things and merely cast her a casual glance.

"Is she pretty?" Xiao Yi Xian asked with a smile, though her eyes carried scrutiny.

"She's not as pretty as you. You're much prettier. Compared to her, I'm more interested in you." Xiao Tian caught Xiao Yi Xian's hand around his waist and whispered hotly into her ear.

Xiao Yi Xian's face immediately flushed crimson, and she did not dare meet Xiao Tian's eyes.

After following the uniformed woman down a corridor, Xiao Tian and Xiao Yi Xian arrived before a Thick-Winged Bird. It was about the same size as the others, but the room on its back was made of more special and luxurious materials.

"Sir, this is a flying mount specially prepared for Alchemists. Alchemists can also enjoy our air transportation services free of charge." The uniformed woman deliberately emphasized the words "services free of charge."

Xiao Tian naturally understood what she meant. He pretended not to understand and ignored her.

Xiao Tian held Xiao Yi Xian's hand and lightly stepped forward. Under the uniformed woman's resentful gaze, they boarded the Thick-Winged Bird and entered one of the vacant rooms.

The room's facilities were all very complete, with everything one could need. It was clearly meant to provide the experience of a wealthy and high-status lifestyle. Xiao Lan, who had transformed into a little bird, flew around the room for a while before landing on the back of a chair.

Just as Xiao Tian and Xiao Yi Xian entered the room, the Thick-Winged Bird slowly rose into the air under the Beast Tamer's instructions, then quickly flew toward the eastern part of the empire.

Xiao Yi Xian suddenly kissed Xiao Tian on the cheek. "That's your reward for behaving well earlier." She then walked to the window. Xiao Tian followed and embraced her from behind as they gazed at the beautiful mountains and rivers rushing past outside, their hearts filled with warmth.

After two and a half days of flight, a stretch of golden land gradually appeared on the horizon. The Thick-Winged Bird slowly descended into the landing plaza of the Desert City Flying Star Transport Company.

During those two and a half days, Xiao Yi Xian's strength had also reached the level of a Six-Star Dou Shi.

Sensing that they had arrived at their destination, Xiao Tian brought Xiao Yi Xian out of the room. She had just finished drinking her Nutrient Solution and was wearing a veil. The moment they stepped outside, a wave of scorching heat rushed toward them. Almost everything within sight was yellow.

After Xiao Tian left the room, the doors to the other rooms gradually opened as well. One Alchemist after another emerged, with several of them even carrying uniformed women in their arms. These Alchemists were basically all Second Grade Alchemists.

When they saw Xiao Tian's young appearance and his Third Grade Alchemist robe, a trace of surprise flashed through their eyes. They then smiled and nodded at Xiao Tian in greeting.

Xiao Tian also nodded indifferently.

Xiao Tian put an arm around Xiao Yi Xian and flew down from the Thick-Winged Bird. He then released her and held her hand as they walked out of the plaza.

"It's so hot and dry here. The air is filled mostly with Fire Elemental Energy and Earth Elemental Energy. The way people dress here is also very different," Xiao Yi Xian said after feeling the local climate.

The men walking along the road were mostly bare-chested or simply wore sleeveless outer garments, exposing their dark, muscular bodies. Most of the women were slender and graceful. Their skin was not as dark as the men's, but rather a bronze color. They generally wore tight leather bandeaus on their upper bodies, revealing their slim waists, while their lower bodies were covered by short skirts or shorts. They gave off a wild air.

"Perhaps it's because the weather here is hot, so the customs are more open as well. Dressing like this makes it more convenient to survive and move around here," Xiao Tian said simply.

Xiao Tian stopped a passing man. The man was just about to angrily demand an explanation after being suddenly grabbed, but when he saw Xiao Tian's clothes, he immediately said, "Sir, may I ask why you've stopped me?"

"Is there a map shop in this city called Gu Tu?" Xiao Tian asked directly.

"Sir, follow this street straight ahead, then..." The man thought for a moment before immediately giving directions. He even eagerly explained the approximate price of the maps.

Xiao Tian released the man, took out a bag of Gold Coins, and tossed it into his hands. Then he pulled Xiao Yi Xian in the direction the man had indicated.

After turning through several streets and walking for a while, Xiao Tian arrived before a somewhat old-fashioned shop. A sign hung above it: Gu Tu.

Xiao Tian silently thought, System Check-in.

[Ding, check-in at Desert City Ice Emperor Secluded Map Shop successful. Rewards: Realm +1, Dou Zong Summoning Card ×1, Sixth Grade Pill—Curse Breaking Pill ×1]

Dou Zong Summoning Card: After use, summons a Dou Zong of any attribute. Strength randomly ranges from one to nine stars.

Curse Breaking Pill: A Sixth Grade Pill that can break seals.

His Dou Qi had already accumulated to the Nine-Star Dou Grandmaster Peak. Now, Xiao Tian's Aura instantly reached the Nine-Star Dou Grandmaster Peak, only one step away from breaking through to Dou Ling.

After casually looking over the rewards, Xiao Tian and Xiao Yi Xian entered the shop. Xiao Tian walked to an antique-looking shelf with a sense of age and casually rummaged through it, eventually pulling out a palm-sized Fragmented Map marked with a somewhat familiar route.