Fragmentary Map Obtained

Xiao Jie retrieved the map from the flames, confirmed it was indeed a remnant of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, and tucked it into his storage ring before speaking to Xiao Yi Xian.

"I have obtained the item. The solution to the Woeful Poison Body requires condensing a poison pill within your body to control the toxins. I will collect the materials for this Poison Pill Method for you; you should remain in Green Mountain Town for the time being. I will come to help you resolve this within five years. If your Woeful Poison Body becomes impossible to suppress before then, head to the Black-Corner Region to find me, and I will help you suppress it temporarily. It is not that I do not wish to help you now, but the materials for the Poison Pill Method require the monster core of a Tier 7 Heavenly Poison Scorpion Dragon Beast, a portion of Bodhi Body-Transforming Saliva, and three types of Heavenly Flames. Expecting you to collect these three things on your own is likely impossible in this lifetime."

Xiao Yi Xian had barely begun to feel happy upon hearing that Xiao Jie would reveal the Poison Pill Method when she heard that the required materials included a Tier 7 monster core. She knew that the overlord of the Magical Beast Mountain Range was merely a Tier 6 Amethyst Winged Lion King, a mountain she could never hope to look up to, and the Tier 7 monster core Xiao Jie mentioned filled her with despair. However, hearing Xiao Jie pivot to say he would help her collect the materials, she realized that aside from the Tier 7 monster core, she had never even heard of the other two items. Yet, she understood the rarity of such materials; the Tier 7 monster core alone was worth a sky-high price, and anything comparable to it was naturally priceless.

Xiao Yi Xian did not know that the Tier 7 Heavenly Poison Scorpion Dragon Beast core she feared was the easiest thing for Xiao Jie to obtain. He did not explain further, as helping her was merely out of pity, so he simply spoke.

"Of these three items, aside from the Heavenly Flames, I already have leads on the other two. The flame in my hand is a Heavenly Flame; I have already collected two, and I will soon obtain the third. As for the Tier 7 Heavenly Poison Scorpion Dragon Beast, there are traces of its existence within the Central Plains, and I will trade for the Bodhi Body-Transforming Saliva. Rest assured, I, Xiao Jie, keep my word."

"My lord, what are you saying? You have already fulfilled your promise by telling me of the Poison Pill Method. Now that you are even willing to collect the materials for me, how could I be so ungrateful?"

"Hmm. Since that is the case, see if there is anything here you need, take it, and then we shall return."

"Yes." Upon hearing Xiao Jie say this, Xiao Yi Xian turned to collect the medicinal herbs she needed into her storage ring, even taking a portion of the gold coins.

Xiao Jie turned his gaze back to the three boxes on the stone platform. Using a key to open one of them, he retrieved a pharmacopoeia titled the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture.

Before long, Xiao Yi Xian came to Xiao Jie's side. Xiao Jie handed her the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture and turned to walk out of the cave.

Xiao Yi Xian was somewhat excited as she looked at the pharmacopoeia in her hands, having been surprised when Xiao Jie suddenly gave her the scroll before walking out. Seeing Xiao Jie walking away, she stowed the item into her storage ring and hurried to catch up with him.

Outside the cave, Xiao Jie and Xiao Yi Xian stood side by side on the edge of a bottomless cliff. Xiao Jie unfurled his Dou Qi Wings, grabbed Xiao Yi Xian's arm, and soared into the sky, disappearing from sight.

Ten days later, near Shi-Mo City in the Tager Desert, a deep cyan beam of light approached rapidly from the distance. It was Xiao Jie, who had traveled alone to the Tager Desert after parting ways with Xiao Yi Xian. Looking at the boundless golden sea of sand and feeling the heat waves rushing toward him, he thought to himself.

Finally here. Next, I must find Qing Lin. Without her controlling the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake, it would be truly difficult to locate the Green Lotus Core Flame hidden within the magma at the earth's core.

Xiao Jie began to slow down, and the Dou Qi Wings on his back dissipated into specks of starlight. He landed firmly on the ground, lightly brushed the sand from his clothes, and looked toward the massive yellow city at the edge of his vision. Due to the dry desert climate and the scorching heat, the city in the distance appeared distorted and blurred under the sun.

Feeling the active fire-attribute Dou Qi within his body, Xiao Jie knew this was because fire and earth-attribute energies accounted for over eighty percent of the environment in the desert.

Xiao Jie gradually made his way toward the city. As he drew closer, the number of passersby increased. Most of the men were shirtless, their skin tanned a dark, rugged bronze, giving them a rather hearty appearance.

The women he occasionally passed, while also dark-skinned, leaned more toward a bronze-toned sexiness. Unlike the women of the empire, who were reserved and shy, most here wore tight leather outfits that barely covered their chests, leaving their slender waists boldly exposed. Their lower bodies were wrapped in ultra-short pants or skirts, and as they walked, their waists swayed like water snakes, giving them a unique charm and allure.

Along the way, Xiao Jie certainly feasted his eyes. Looking up at the city, which was now clearly visible in scale, he saw three large, bright red characters carved above the entrance, giving off a vivid and bloody impression.

"Shi-Mo City..."

Xiao Jie whispered the three characters and slowly followed the queue toward the city gate.

At the gate, over a dozen soldiers in armor, holding long spears, shouted and directed the flow of people to pay the entry fee in an orderly fashion.

Seeing that the city defense of Shi-Mo City seemed even stricter than that of Wutan City, Xiao Jie realized that it was understandable, given its proximity to the Snake-People Tribe and the presence of sand bandits in the desert.

Soon it was Xiao Jie's turn to pay and enter the city. No conflict arose during the process. Although Xiao Jie could have easily flown directly into Shi-Mo City with his strength—as a two-star Dou Emperor, no one would have dared to stop him—he had come out not only to search for Heavenly Flames and train, but also to travel the Dou Qi Continent and experience the local customs. If he were to expose his strength like that, everyone would treat him with excessive reverence, which would be rather dull.