The Serpentfolk Tribe

Xiao Yan walked with heavy steps, leaving a deep pit in the sand with every stride.

After traveling for nearly two months, he had finally arrived at the Tagor Desert!

Name: Xiao Yan
Age: 15 years and 7 months
Strength: Four-star Dou Shi
Cultivation Method: Burning Decision (Xuan-tier Low-level)
Dou Techniques: Stone Crushing Palm (Huang-tier Primary), Eight Extremities Collapse (Xuan-tier High-level), Mystic Divination Palm (Xuan-tier Primary)
Summoned Experts: Hai Bodong (Two-star Dou Huang), Eight-Winged Black Emperor Snake (Peak Dou Huang)
Summoned Count: 2/3
Heavenly Flame: Myriad Beast Spirit Fire
Items: Mysterious Heavy Ruler
Summoning Talisman: None
Summoning Points: 0 (Can be used to exchange for various items in the System Mall)

Hai Bodong had been following behind Xiao Yan the entire time, while White Fang, finding it inconvenient to travel, had already found a cool, shaded spot to hide.

"Ding! Congratulations to the Host for obtaining the title 'Ascetic Monk'! Reward: one Low-level Summoning Talisman and 1,000 Summoning Points!"

"System, you finally decided to speak up. I've been bored to death these past few days, and this is all the reward I get?"

"Ding! New missions issued. Main Mission: Obtain the Green Lotus Core Flame. Side Mission: Help the Desert Iron Mercenary Group gain a firm foothold in Stone Desert City!"

Xiao Yan chuckled upon hearing this. A firm foothold? That wasn't enough! If he was going to do it, he would make them the sole power in the region!

"System, what about the rewards!"

"Ding! The rewards for this mission will be determined by the progress the Host makes, so I hope the Host completes the mission well!"

Xiao Yan kicked a pile of sand. Wasn't this just a blank check?

Hai Bodong suddenly spoke up, "Xiao Yan, there seems to be someone nearby!"

Not far away, a mercenary squad appeared to be in trouble.

"You wretched snake-people! Once the reinforcements from our mercenary group arrive, we'll slaughter every last one of you!"

Xue Lan said furiously, glaring daggers at the snake-people.

The snake-people flicked their tongues, their eyes filled with predatory intent.

"Little girl, why don't you just submit to us? Perhaps if I'm in a good mood, I'll let you go," one of the snake-people said with a lecherous laugh.

Xue Lan hurriedly covered her fair legs, while the mercenaries beside her raised their weapons to shield her.

However, the snake-person before them was a Dou Shi expert; even their Second Commander would have a hard time dealing with him.

"Danzai, go back and get reinforcements now! We'll try to hold them off!" Xue Lan looked at the burly man beside her.

The snake-person laughed brazenly, his tone sinister, "Give it up. Do you really think a bunch of Dou Zhe like you can stop me? Be careful, or I'll make you taste the agony of ten thousand snakes boring into your hearts!"

Xiao Yan watched the scene unfold. According to the original story, this plot point shouldn't have happened yet.

Could it be that this girl encounters such danger often? Or has my arrival changed the course of the plot?

"Ding! Triggered side mission: Save the damsel in distress! Reward: Strength increase of three minor realms, plus 500 Summoning Points!"

Xiao Yan was moved to tears of excitement.

Seeing Xiao Yan's expression, Hai Bodong asked, "Do you want me to step in and save them?"

Xiao Yan curled his lip slightly and smiled, "No need to trouble yourself, Elder Hai, for these small fries."

The Dou Shi-level snake-person laughed, "From this moment on, no human is allowed to enter the Tagor Desert! This is the Queen's command!"

Xiao Yan's expression shifted slightly; it seemed he knew something that hadn't been mentioned in the original story.

Xue Lan was the first to notice Xiao Yan and his companion, but when she saw how young Xiao Yan was, her heart sank with disappointment. However, when her gaze shifted to Hai Bodong, her eyes lit up.

With his aura, Hai Bodong looked like a master no matter how one viewed him.

"Senior, please save us! We are from the Desert Iron Mercenary Group, and we will provide you with a reward!" Xue Lan said hurriedly.

At this moment, the snake-people also noticed Xiao Yan and Hai Bodong.

"All humans are forbidden from entering here. Kill these two as well," the Dou Shi-level snake-person said with a wave of his hand.

Xiao Yan didn't stand on ceremony. He immediately unleashed the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire. After two months of practice, he had mastered the secrets of the Heavenly Flame!

The snake-people's expressions changed drastically, and they immediately turned to flee.

"Trying to run! But it's too late."

In less than a minute, several charred snake-people lay on the ground. Only the Dou Shi-level snake-person remained, trembling on the sand.

"Hey, I have a few questions for you." Xiao Yan grabbed him by the head.

"Ask away, My Lord! I, this lowly one, will tell you everything I know!"

After a moment of thought, Xiao Yan asked, "You said your Queen intends to clear all humans out of the Tagor Desert?"

The snake-person nodded and replied, "That is what our tribal leaders told us. I serve under Lady Yue Mei."

"Oh? And what is their goal? Or rather, what do they intend to do once the humans are cleared out?" Xiao Yan asked again, but this time, the snake-person had no answer.

"This... I am just a small squad leader. I have no access to such information; I am only responsible for carrying out orders. I have never harmed anyone, My Lord, please, just let me go!" The snake-person kowtowed repeatedly.

Xiao Yan gave a grunt of acknowledgment. The snake-person prepared to flee, but Xiao Yan cast a glance at Hai Bodong.

Hai Bodong immediately understood Xiao Yan's intent. The next second, an ice blade pierced straight through the snake-person's chest.

"I might be able to spare you, but others won't, so don't blame me for this." After saying this, Xiao Yan stepped forward to help the mercenaries on the ground to their feet.

Xue Lan cupped her hands and bowed to Xiao Yan.

"Brother, we will keep this kindness in our hearts. If there is ever anything you need from us in the future, just say the word!"

Xiao Yan smiled and said, "No need for thanks among family. You may not know me, but I know you. My eldest and second brothers are your commanders. My name is Xiao Yan!"

Xue Lan's eyes lit up, and she said excitedly, "So you are Commander Xiao Yan. Though, you seem a bit different from the rumors."

Xiao Yan smiled faintly and said, "The rumors aren't wrong. More than half a year ago, I was indeed a waste, but that is all in the past. Take me to Stone Desert City!"

"Understood!"

Xue Lan led Xiao Yan and his group back to Stone Desert City.

On the way, Hai Bodong reminded Xiao Yan, "Those snake-people definitely have ulterior motives; otherwise, they wouldn't be acting this way."

Xiao Yan, of course, knew what Queen Medusa's purpose was—she was undoubtedly searching for the Green Lotus Core Flame!

However, she would still need at least another year to find it. Even so, the entire Tagor Desert was now under her control.

To seize the Heavenly Flame, a battle with the snake-people tribes was unavoidable. Xiao Yan sighed; it was truly one wave after another.

"Ding. Congratulations to the host for the successful mission. The reward is now being issued; please check it."

Xiao Yan's body began to greedily absorb the fire elements from the surrounding heaven and earth, and the aura on his body surged continuously. This scene left the mercenaries completely stunned, though Hai Bodong had long since grown accustomed to it.

Name: Xiao Yan
Age: 15 years, 7 months
Strength: Seven-Star Dou Shi
Cultivation Method: Burning Decision (Xuan-tier Low-level)
Dou Techniques: Stone Crushing Palm (Huang-tier Primary), Eight Extremities Collapse (Xuan-tier High-level), Mystic Divination Palm (Xuan-tier Low-level)
Summoned Experts: Hai Bodong (Two-Star Dou Huang), Eight-Winged Black Emperor Snake (Peak Dou Huang)
Summoned Count: 2/3
Heavenly Flame: Myriad Beast Spirit Fire
Equipment: Mysterious Heavy Ruler
Summoning Talisman: One Low-level Summoning Talisman
Summoning Points: 1500 (Can be used to exchange for various items in the System Mall)

Xiao Yan clenched his fists, feeling his body brimming with energy.

Furthermore, they were about to arrive at the Desert Iron Mercenary Group, which suddenly brought tears to the eyes of Xiao Yan, who had been away from home for so long.

"Finally, I am going to see my family."