Life in the Sand Sea and a New Situation in the Oasis

Within the Death Sand Sea, wild winds whipped up sand and gravel like herds of enraged beasts. The sandstorm was a fury that blotted out the sky, staining the entire world a chaotic, murky yellow.

Gray-white poison mist, like a cauldron of boiling death, stubbornly carved out a unique domain amidst the violent sandstorm. The mist churned and surged as if countless vengeful spirits were wailing within, emitting an aura that chilled the soul. Xiao Yi Xian wove and danced through this toxic fog; her movements were light yet resolute, as if she were an elf commanding death, carrying both a tenacity for life and a fearlessness toward death. She was like a martyr dancing on the edge of a blade, wagering her own body in a heart-stopping gamble against fate.

Under Xiao Yi Xian's precise control, gray-white vipers condensed from the virulent mist acted like well-trained soldiers, hurling themselves at the surging Sand Poison Demon Scorpions without regard for their own lives. These vipers twisted and clawed, dripping with lethal venom. When they bit into the scorpions' hard carapaces, they emitted a "hissing" corrosive sound, like the prelude to death. The terrifying toxicity, rooted in the Woe Poison Body, surged like a tidal wave; even the Sand Poison Demon Scorpions, famous for their own potent toxins, found it difficult to fully resist.

The scorpions bitten by the vipers slowed instantly, as if bound by invisible shackles. Gray-white corrosive spots appeared on their carapaces, looking like ancient, weathered stone tablets—mottled and desolate. The scorpions let out pained hisses that echoed through the sandstorm, filled with despair and unwillingness. Yet, their numbers were overwhelming; they surged forward like a tide, fearless of death. Their massive pincers whistled through the air, snapping toward Xiao Yi Xian as if to tear her to shreds, while their deep-blue tail stingers struck like lightning, carrying lethal threats.

Xiao Yi Xian moved with agility, like a swallow flying through a storm, dodging fatal attacks by a hair's breadth under the cover of the poison mist. She flicked tiny poison needles from her fingertips; they streaked through the air like meteors, striking precisely at the weak points of the scorpions' compound eyes. Each time a needle hit, a scorpion would howl and tumble to the ground, its body rapidly graying and stiffening like a puppet drained of its life force.

However, manipulating such vast amounts of poison was undoubtedly a massive challenge for Xiao Yi Xian, who had only just begun to master the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture. The burden was too heavy. Her face grew paler and paler, like a sheet of white paper, devoid of any color. Bloodshot veins spread across her gray-white pupils like a red spiderweb, revealing the exhaustion and pain in her heart. Her body trembled slightly, and every dodge became more labored, as if her strength were being drained away bit by bit. The gentle vitality emitted by the Detoxification Spirit Bead was like a glimmer of light in the darkness, barely maintaining a sliver of clarity in her mind, but the violent backlash of the poison within her body gnawed at her like maggots on bone, crazily assaulting her meridians and consciousness, keeping her on the verge of collapse.

"Puchi!"

A sharp sound pierced the clamor of the Death Sand Sea. A scorpion's tail stinger grazed Xiao Yi Xian's arm like lightning, drawing a string of crimson blood beads. A sharp pain, a mix of numbness and burning, instantly radiated from the wound, as if countless tiny flames were ravaging her skin. Xiao Yi Xian could not help but let out a muffled groan, her movements stalling for a split second—a fatal opening in this moment of extreme peril.

"Hiss!" Several scorpions keenly seized the opportunity. Like trained assassins, their hideous pincers and stingers struck simultaneously, instantly sealing off every possible path of escape for Xiao Yi Xian. The pincers snapped, appearing ready to tear her to pieces, while the stingers shimmered with a ghostly light, carrying a lethal threat.

Desperation descended once more, merciless and cold!

A flash of despair crossed Xiao Yi Xian's eyes, fleeting as a meteor in the night sky. Yet, the stubbornness in her bones was like an inextinguishable flame, preventing her from taking a single step back. Instead, she channeled the remaining poison in her body toward her fingertips. The toxin surged like a tidal wave, gathering at her fingertips as she prepared to launch a final, mutual-destruction strike. Only one thought remained in her mind: even if she died, she would drag these beasts down with her! She had to buy that sliver of survival for Xiao Yan!

Just at this critical moment of life and death!

"Hum--!!!"

An indescribable, terrifying pressure, like a deity descending from the nine heavens, suddenly descended upon this Death Sand Sea with supreme majesty and power. The violent sandstorm seemed to be smoothed out and halted by an invisible hand; the entire world went silent, and time seemed to freeze for an instant.

Those ferocious Sand Poison Demon Scorpions, which had been lunging at Xiao Yi Xian, froze mid-motion as if an invisible giant hand had gripped their throats. Their compound eyes were filled with boundless, primal fear—a fear like an abyss in the darkness that swallowed them whole. Their massive bodies trembled violently, emitting desperate hisses that sounded like laments for their own deaths. Then, they fell from the air like dumplings, landing with heavy thuds on the scorching sand, shivering and not daring to even lift their heads, as if they would be crushed into powder by that terrifying pressure if they dared to look up.

The poison power Xiao Yi Xian had gathered was forcibly suppressed and dissipated by this vast, boundless pressure. The toxin receded like an ebbing tide, vanishing from her body. She looked up in astonishment, her eyes filled with shock and confusion.

In the sky where the sandstorm had dispersed, a figure in green robes hovered silently. His face was resolute, with features as sharp as if carved by a knife, exuding an inviolable majesty. His eyes were as deep as the starry sky, seemingly hiding endless mysteries and power. He stood there quietly, yet he seemed to have become the master of this world; the pressure that made all things submit originated from him!

What made Xiao Yi Xian's pupils shrink even further was that in the arms of the green-robed figure, a small snake only a foot long was nimbly poking out its tiny head. Its entire body was covered in dreamlike, brilliant seven-colored scales, shimmering with a mysterious and charming luster under the sunlight. Its pale purple snake eyes, filled with a mix of curiosity and scrutiny, were slowly looking at Xiao Yi Xian and the unconscious Xiao Yan behind her.

"Fa... Father?!" Behind Xiao Yi Xian, Xiao Yan, who had been lying unconscious on the sand, seemed to be gently awakened by a mysterious pressure connected by bloodline, miraculously regaining a sliver of consciousness. He struggled to open his eyes, his gaze peering through hazy vision at the familiar yet majestic figure in the sky, and let out an incredulous, extremely weak voice—a sound filled with surprise, yet laced with a tremor of disbelief.

Xiao Zhan's gaze was like a sharp bolt of lightning, instantly locking onto the blood-soaked, disheveled girl who was still stubbornly blocking the path in front of Xiao Yan, and then onto his unconscious son behind her. At that moment, an indescribable heartache surged into his heart like a tide, and his fury burned within his chest like a volcano about to erupt.

"Yan'er!" Xiao Zhan let out a low shout and took a light step forward. The space seemed to fold like it was being manipulated by an invisible pair of hands, and he instantly appeared beside Xiao Yan. He leaned down, his powerful soul force probing into Xiao Yan's body like a warm stream, while his Dou Qi acted like a precise scalpel, meticulously sensing his son's condition. In an instant, his brows knit together tightly, as if bound by invisible shackles.

Xiao Yan's injuries were severe! His meridians were ruptured in many places, like branches ravaged by a gale, chaotic and disordered. His internal organs were displaced, like chess pieces randomly tossed by an invisible hand. Furthermore, a cold, biting poison and a violent fire toxin were rampaging and clashing within him, like two hostile armies locked in fierce battle on a battlefield. If not for the gentle vitality emitted by the Detoxification Spirit Bead acting as a sturdy barrier to protect his heart meridians, and Xiao Yan's own iron-willed resolve, he would likely have perished in this life-and-death struggle long ago. Yao Lao's soul aura was so weak it was almost imperceptible, as if he had fallen into an endless abyss of darkness, trapped in the deepest of slumbers.

"Father... I..." Seeing the familiar and towering figure of his father, Xiao Yan's tightly wound spirit suddenly relaxed, like a small boat drifting in a storm finally finding a sheltered harbor, and he immediately slipped back into unconsciousness.

"It's alright, Father is here." Xiao Zhan's voice carried a hint of imperceptible hoarseness, like a rough texture worn by time and worry. He quickly retrieved a healing treasure he had obtained from Medusa's treasury—the "Green Spirit Recovery Pill"—from his system space. The pill radiated a gentle luster, with faint spiritual energy circulating within it, as if it contained endless vitality. He carefully placed the pill into Xiao Yan's mouth, then circulated his pure Dou Qi, injecting it into Xiao Yan's body like a babbling brook to help dissolve the medicinal power and stabilize his crumbling injuries.

Only after doing all this did Xiao Zhan slowly stand up, his gaze falling gently on Xiao Yi Xian like warm sunlight. At this moment, Xiao Yi Xian was like a startled fawn, her eyes filled with bewilderment. Her fair face was covered in dust and blood, like a canvas wantonly smeared by fate. The wound on her arm was still oozing blood, like a flower withering in the wind and rain. Her gray-white pupils still held lingering fear and shock, but more than that, they held a deep concern for Xiao Yan—a concern as bright and persistent as the stars in the night sky.

"You... are Xiao Yi Xian?" Xiao Zhan's voice was as gentle as possible, like a spring breeze brushing across Xiao Yi Xian's heart. He could clearly sense the terrifying poison power within the girl, barely suppressed by the Detoxification Spirit Bead; it was like a volcano about to erupt, containing endless destructive power. At the same time, he could read the pure and firm intent to protect in the way she looked at Xiao Yan.

"Y-yes. Uncle Xiao..." Xiao Yi Xian's voice was as thin as a mosquito's hum, as if coming from the distant horizon. She subconsciously hid her injured arm behind her back, like a child who had done something wrong, afraid that the poison on her body might contaminate him. She recognized the man before her as Xiao Yan's father, the Dou Zong powerhouse who held absolute sway in Wutan City and was renowned far and wide, and a surge of nervousness and inferiority welled up in her heart.

"There is no need to be afraid." Xiao Zhan saw her nervousness and inferiority, his eyes filled with kindness and concern. He flicked his finger, and a wisp of gentle Dou Qi, like a nimble elf, carried a fragrant healing pill to Xiao Yi Xian. "Take the medicine and treat your wound. You did very well; thank you for protecting Yan'er." His words were like the warm sun in winter, both comforting and firm.

Xiao Yi Xian stared blankly at the pill floating before her. It emitted a faint, fresh fragrance, as if it held the magic to heal all things. She slowly raised her head to look at Xiao Zhan. His gentle gaze carried an unquestionable concern, like the spring sun, dispelling the gloom that had long clouded her heart. In an instant, her nose soured, and tears welled up in her eyes, nearly spilling over. Along this journey, she had endured countless hardships; fear had been her constant shadow, despair had always loomed, and the loneliness of protecting Xiao Yan with her life had drowned her like a tide. But at this moment, it felt as if all of it had been acknowledged, and the heavy stone that had been pressing on her heart finally settled.

She silently took the pill and placed it in her mouth. The cool medicinal power instantly spread through her body like a babbling brook, slowly easing the numbness and burning pain in her arm, causing her to let out a long sigh of relief.

"This place is not safe to stay." Xiao Zhan's gaze swept across the surroundings like a hawk. Those Sand Poison Demon Scorpions, still prostrate on the ground and trembling in fear, were like witnesses to death. He looked vigilantly toward the distance, as if he could see the shadows of potential pursuers. "Come with me."

With that, he steadily picked up the unconscious Xiao Yan with one hand, his movements gentle yet firm, as if he were holding the most precious treasure in the world. He reached out his other hand toward Xiao Yi Xian, his voice gentle yet filled with power: "Hold on to me."

Xiao Yi Xian hesitated for a moment, her gaze shifting between Xiao Zhan's outstretched hand and the unconscious Xiao Yan. Finally, she summoned her courage and placed her cold, sand-covered little hand into his warm, powerful palm. At that moment, she felt as if she had grabbed a lifeline, and an inexplicable sense of security surged in her heart.

Hum!

Space power rippled outward, and the three figures vanished instantly from the spot, leaving behind only the group of Sand Poison Demon Scorpions still shivering in fear, and the traces of the battle that were gradually being buried again by the sand, as if nothing had ever happened.

Snake Abyss Oasis, Core Stone Palace.

Hidden within a massive natural cavern at the center of the oasis, this place had been simply renovated by the Snake-People Tribe to serve as a temporary command center. Light filtered through irregular cracks in the cavern ceiling, scattering like starlight and adding a mysterious atmosphere to the deep cave. The air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees—the unique fragrance of nature—mingled with a faint medicinal odor, as if recounting the pain and treatments experienced here.

Xiao Yan was carefully placed on a stone bed covered with soft animal hide. The hide radiated a faint warmth, as if offering him silent comfort. His face remained as pale as paper, but under the miraculous effect of the "Green Spirit Recovery Pill," his breathing had stabilized significantly, like the surface of the sea after a storm, gradually returning to tranquility.

The wound on Xiao Yi Xian's arm had also been carefully bandaged; the white gauze wrapped around her slender arm like a pure ribbon. She had changed into a clean set of Snake-People female attire, the patterns on which were exquisite and unique, as if telling the ancient stories of the Snake-People. She sat quietly in a corner by the bed, clutching the Detoxification Spirit Bead tightly in her hand. The bead emitted a soft light, as if guarding her hope. She kept a silent watch, her eyes filled with concern and firmness, as if she wanted to use her own strength to hold up a sky of safety for Xiao Yan.

Yue Mei and several Snake-People elders stood respectfully below, their eyes filled with curiosity, occasionally stealing glances at Xiao Yi Xian and the unconscious Xiao Yan on the stone bed. And when their gaze turned to Xiao Zhan, who stood with his hands behind his back in the center of the stone palace, awe surged in their eyes like a tide.

In Xiao Zhan's arms, the little seven-colored snake seemed particularly satisfied with this oasis. It lazily coiled around the edge of Xiao Zhan's inner pocket, revealing only half its head. Its pale purple snake eyes, like two mysterious gems, curiously examined everything around it. Occasionally, it would flick its tongue like a nimble thread, gently licking Xiao Zhan's finger as if interacting affectionately with its master.

"Elder Xiao, who are this young master and young lady...?" Yue Mei finally could not suppress the curiosity in her heart and asked softly.

"My son, Xiao Yan, and his friend, Xiao Yi Xian." Xiao Zhan's words were concise, his voice steady and powerful. "They were hunted by the Misty Cloud Sect and unfortunately stumbled into this vast desert. Fortunately, they managed to preserve their lives in the end."

"Misty Cloud Sect!" Upon hearing this name, a flash of anger crossed the eyes of Yue Mei and the elders, like a burning flame leaping in the depths of their eyes. The relationship between the Snake-People Tribe and the human empire was already like a taut string, and the Misty Cloud Sect held obvious hostility toward them.

"Although Yan'er's injuries have temporarily stabilized, the fire toxin and the residual foreign energy within his body are clashing, and his meridians are severely damaged. He must rest quietly and requires careful conditioning with special medicinal herbs." Xiao Zhan's gaze fell on Yue Mei with a hint of expectation. "Within this oasis, is there any 'Ice Spirit Cold Spring' or healing medicine with a mild nature?"

"Ice Spirit Cold Spring?" Yue Mei's expression turned troubled, as if shrouded in a haze. "This item is extremely precious. Our Holy City originally had some reserves, but unfortunately, they were long ago destroyed in the fires of war. Now, within the oasis... there is only a 'Cold Jade Marrow' mine. Its effect is slightly inferior, but its nature is mild; perhaps it can be of use. I will immediately send someone to retrieve it!"

"Hmm." Xiao Zhan nodded slightly, his gaze then turning gently toward Xiao Yi Xian, his voice filled with concern. "Xiao Yi Xian, you possess a special constitution, and the power within you is like a wild horse; it requires careful stabilization and control. This oasis environment is relatively safe, like a quiet harbor; you can rest assured and recuperate here. If you need anything, just speak up; do not be formal."

Xiao Yi Xian stood up hurriedly, her movements tinged with a bit of awkwardness and nervousness. She bowed respectfully, her voice as thin as a mosquito's hum: "Th-thank you, Uncle Xiao." Her words were filled with gratitude and respect for Xiao Zhan.

Xiao Zhan waved his hand, his expression suddenly becoming grave, as if bearing a heavy burden: "The most urgent task is to reorganize the Snake-People Tribe to deal with the potential retaliation from the Soul Hall, and... the threat from the Misty Cloud Sect." As he spoke, he briefly recounted how Xiao Yan had been intercepted by the Misty Cloud Sect in the Magical Beast Mountain Range and had successfully killed Elder Yun Sheng.

"The Misty Cloud Sect has lost a Dou King elder; they will never swallow this insult, nor will they let it rest! They will likely follow the trail of clues and track us here!" Yue Mei's face changed drastically, looking like a sky obscured by dark clouds, filled with anxiety.

"Therefore, the oasis's defenses must be strengthened immediately, without delay!" Xiao Zhan commanded decisively, his voice as resonant as a great bell. "Activate all remaining defensive arrays and let them guard the oasis like sturdy shields. Dispatch our most elite scouts to monitor all movements on the desert perimeter like keen hunters; report back the moment there is any sign of trouble!"

"At the same time, utilize the oasis's abundant resources to fully restore the tribesmen's strength. Refine medicinal pills to help them regain their vitality like withered wood meeting spring; repair our weapons so they may shine with sharp, renewed brilliance!"

"Understood! Elder Xiao!" Yue Mei and the other elders responded in unison, the flames of hope reigniting in their eyes. With this guest elder who could slay a Soul Hall Venerable Elder and possessed the strength of a Dou Zong sitting in command, the Snake-People Tribe felt as if they had a stabilizing pillar, putting their hearts much more at ease.

"Additionally," Xiao Zhan said, slowly taking the blueprints for the Spirit Gathering Pavilion from his robes (in reality, from the system space) and handing them to Yue Mei, "Build this pavilion according to these plans in the area of the oasis where the spiritual energy is most concentrated. It acts like a massive vortex of spiritual energy, gathering the essence of heaven and earth, allowing cultivators to feel as if they are fish in water and accelerating their cultivation progress."

Yue Mei took the blueprints, and after just one glance at the complex, mysterious array patterns and the detailed description of its effects, her emerald vertical pupils instantly erupted with a glow of incredible surprise, as if she had seen the hope for the Snake-People Tribe's rise: "A Spirit Gathering... Spirit Gathering Array?! Elder Xiao, this... this is too precious! Such a treasure is simply a godsend for the Snake-People Tribe!"

"If the Snake-People Tribe can grow strong, the day of vengeance for the Holy Temple will come, and the time for Her Majesty the Queen to awaken will be within reach." Xiao Zhan's tone was as calm as water, yet it seemed to contain the weight of a thousand jun. "Resources should be used on the most critical edge of the blade to exert their maximum effect."

Upon hearing these words, the emotions of Yue Mei and the elders surged like a tide, and the gazes they cast upon Xiao Zhan were filled with deep gratitude and sincere loyalty. It was as if they wanted to convey all their respect and trust to him.

"Very well, disperse and act." Xiao Zhan waved his hand gently, the movement carrying an unquestionable majesty.

The group took their orders and retreated slowly like a receding tide. The stone hall fell silent, leaving only Xiao Zhan, the unconscious Xiao Yan, the quietly seated Xiao Yi Xian, and the Seven-Colored Little Snake curiously peering around from within Xiao Zhan's robes. The little snake's lively appearance added a unique touch of vitality to the quiet stone hall.

Xiao Zhan walked with steady steps to the stone bed and once again extended his warm, powerful hand to gently check Xiao Yan's injuries. Only after confirming that his son's life was not in danger did his tightly wound heartstrings loosen slightly, as if a heavy boulder had been lifted. Subsequently, his gaze slowly fell upon Xiao Yi Xian.

"Xiao Yi Xian." Xiao Zhan called out softly.

"Uncle Xiao." Xiao Yi Xian responded quickly, her voice tinged with nervousness and awe.

"Your constitution is known as the Woe Poison Body." Xiao Zhan's voice remained calm, yet it struck Xiao Yi Xian's ears like a thunderclap. Her body trembled violently, her face turned as pale as paper, and she subconsciously clenched her fists, as if that could give her some strength.

"No... no need to be afraid." Xiao Zhan saw the fear in her heart at a glance, his eyes filled with warmth and reassurance. "Although this constitution is as dangerous as a ferocious beast, it also contains supreme potential, like a treasure buried deep underground waiting to be unearthed. The key lies in control, not fear. This spirit bead can help you suppress the poison's backlash, acting like shackles on a fierce beast. But true mastery requires you to study the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture yourself, to clear your mind and see your true nature, subduing its power so that it may be used by you."

He paused, his gaze becoming deep and firm as he continued: "This place is temporarily safe, like a tranquil harbor. I will have Yue Mei find a secluded place with toxic miasma to assist your cultivation. Remember, power is a double-edged sword; it is a blade that can both harm and protect. Your heart to protect Yan-er is the best 'sheath' for this blade, allowing you to not lose your way on the path of power."

Xiao Yi Xian stared blankly at Xiao Zhan, looking at the gaze in his eyes that saw through everything yet carried tolerance and guidance. That gaze was like a beacon in the darkness, illuminating the path ahead. The fear, inferiority, and despair that had long weighed on her heart seemed to be gently brushed away by a warm, powerful hand, revealing a field of hope deep within her. For the first time, she saw a path so clearly—a bright path of mastering power rather than being consumed by it!

"I... I understand! Thank you for your guidance, Uncle Xiao!" Xiao Yi Xian bowed deeply, the movement filled with piety and gratitude. In her clear eyes, the flames of hope and determination were reignited, flames that seemed capable of illuminating the entire dark world.

Xiao Zhan nodded slightly, his expression steady, and said nothing more. He walked with a composed gait to the window of the stone hall, his gaze looking far into the boundless sea of sand beyond the oasis. Under the sunlight, the sand sea rippled with golden waves, appearing like a golden ocean that hid endless dangers.

In his robes, the Seven-Colored Little Snake seemed bored in the quiet atmosphere; it rubbed its tiny head against Xiao Zhan's chest and let out a faint, lively hiss, as if complaining about its little grievances.

At this moment, although the storm had temporarily subsided, danger lurked on all sides, like a volcano about to erupt, ready to explode at any time. The shadow of the Soul Hall hung over them like a haze; the pursuers from the Misty Cloud Sect were like wolves and leopards, watching from the shadows; Queen Medusa remained in a deep sleep, like an unknown bomb; Xiao Yan's injuries had yet to heal, like a candle in the wind; and Xiao Yi Xian's poison body was a hidden danger that could be triggered at any moment... A thousand threads were tangled like a mess, causing one to worry.

"Snake Abyss Oasis..." Xiao Zhan whispered to himself, his voice soft yet seemingly containing endless power. A sharp light flickered in his eyes, like a shooting star streaking across the night sky, firm and bright. "Let this place be the foundation, and let us see how the winds and clouds of this desert will surge and churn once more!"

Meanwhile, at the edge of the Tagor Desert.

Several powerful auras, like scorching meteors, tore through the silent sky and descended upon a sand dune with fierce momentum. The leader was dressed in the robes of a Misty Cloud Sect elder, which snapped in the wind as if telling of his majesty. His expression was cold, like a frigid statue, and the aura around him had reached the level of a six-star Dou King! This person was none other than the Misty Cloud Sect's Law Enforcement Elder—Yun Du!

He stared intently at a shattered soul jade in his hand; it belonged to Yun Sheng, and now it was broken to pieces, as if silently recounting Yun Sheng's tragic fate. The last direction the soul jade had transmitted from was the depths of this very desert!

"Elder Yun Sheng... actually fell here!" Yun Du's voice was bone-chillingly cold, like a freezing wind from the Nine Nether Hell, carrying monstrous killing intent. "And Ge Ye's soul imprint has also vanished! Xiao Yan! You little beast! And that Woe Poison Body! No matter where you flee to the ends of the earth, I, Yun Du, will surely take your lives to sacrifice to the spirit of Elder Yun Sheng!"

"Pass the order! Seal all exits of the desert! Do not miss a single inch of sand; search thoroughly! I want to see the living if they are alive, and the dead if they are dead!" Yun Du's voice echoed through the desert like a cold command.

"Yes!" Several elite members of the Misty Cloud Sect with powerful auras behind him shouted in unison. The sound was like a surging tide, carrying thick killing intent, as if they intended to overturn the entire desert!

The desert storm was far from over; a much more intense storm was quietly brewing...