Snakefolk Tribe

Xiao Yan trudged through the desert with heavy steps, each one leaving a deep crater behind.

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 Master

Cultivation Method: Flame Mantra (Low Xuan Rank)

Dou Techniques: Stone Crushing Palm (Low Yellow Rank), Eight Extremities Collapse (High Xuan Rank), Mystic Divination Palm (Low Xuan Rank)

Summoned Powerhouses: Hai Bodong (Two-Star Dou Emperor)

Eight-Winged Black Emperor Snake (Peak Dou Emperor)

Summoning Slots: 2/3

Heavenly Flame: Myriad Beast Spirit Fire

Item: Mysterious Heavy Ruler

Summoning Talisman: None

Summoning Points: 0 (can be exchanged for various items in the System Mall)

Hai Bodong had been following behind Xiao Yan all along, while White Fang had found a shady spot to hide because it was inconvenient for him to travel openly.

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

"System, you finally spoke up. I was almost bored to death during this time. Why is the reward so little?"

"Ding! New mission issued. Main mission: obtain the Green Lotus Core Flame. Side mission: help the Desert Iron Mercenary Group establish itself in Stone Desert City!"

Xiao Yan smiled after hearing that. How could merely establishing themselves be enough? If they were going to do it, they had to become the sole dominant force!

"System, where's the reward?"

"Ding! This reward will be determined by the Host's mission progress, so please complete the mission properly!"

Xiao Yan kicked at the sand. Wasn't that just an empty promise?

Hai Bodong suddenly said, "Xiao Yan, there seem to be people nearby!"

Not far away, a mercenary team appeared to have run into trouble.

"You damned snakefolk! Once reinforcements from our mercenary group arrive, we'll kill every last one of you!"

Xue Lan spoke angrily, glaring fiercely at the snakefolk.

The snakefolk flicked their forked tongues, their eyes filled with lustful intent.

"Little girl, just give in to us. Maybe if I'm in a good mood, I'll let you go," one snakefolk said with a lewd grin.

Xue Lan hurriedly covered her snow-white legs, while the mercenaries beside her raised their weapons and stood in front of her.

But the snakefolk before them was a Dou Master. Even their second commander would have had trouble dealing with him.

"Danzai, go back and find reinforcements right now. We'll try to hold them off!" Xue Lan said, looking toward the burly man beside her.

The snakefolk laughed wildly, his voice chilling. "Give up. You're nothing but a bunch of Dou Zhes, yet you dare dream of stopping me? Be careful, or I'll make you suffer the agony of ten thousand snakes piercing your heart!"

Xiao Yan watched the scene ahead. According to the original story, hadn't the plot not reached this point yet?

Could it be that this girl often encountered such dangers?

Or had his arrival caused the plot to change somewhat?

"Ding! Side mission triggered: Save the Beauty! Reward: an increase of three minor realms in strength, plus 500 Summoning Points!"

Xiao Yan was so excited that tears filled his eyes.

Seeing Xiao Yan's expression, Hai Bodong said, "Do you want me to save them?"

The corner of Xiao Yan's mouth lifted slightly as he smiled. "There's no need to trouble Old Hai with these small fry."

The Dou Master snakefolk laughed. "From now on, no human may enter the Tagor Desert! This is the Queen's order!"

Xiao Yan's expression shifted slightly. It seemed he had learned something the original story had never mentioned.

Xue Lan spotted Xiao Yan and the others first. However, when she saw how young Xiao Yan was, disappointment rose in her heart. But when her gaze shifted to Hai Bodong, her eyes immediately lit up.

With Hai Bodong's bearing, he looked like an expert no matter how one looked at him.

"Senior, please save us! We're members of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group. We'll give you a reward!" Xue Lan hurriedly said.

By then, the snakefolk had also noticed Xiao Yan and Hai Bodong.

"No humans are allowed here. Kill those two humans as well," the Dou Master snakefolk said with a wave of his hand.

Xiao Yan did not waste words with them. He immediately summoned the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire. After more than two months of practice, he had already mastered the tricks of controlling a Heavenly Flame!

The snakefolk's expressions changed drastically, and they immediately turned to flee.

"Trying to run? You're too late."

In less than a minute, several charred snakefolk corpses lay on the ground. Only the Dou Master snakefolk remained, trembling as he sprawled on the ground.

"Hey, I have a few questions for you." Xiao Yan grabbed his head.

"Ask whatever you want, my lord! I'll tell you everything I know!"

After thinking for a moment, Xiao Yan said, "You said your Queen ordered all humans to be driven out of the Tagor Desert?"

The snakefolk nodded, then said, "Our tribal leader told us that. I serve under Lady Yue Mei."

"Oh? Then what is their purpose? What are they planning to do after driving everyone out?" Xiao Yan asked again. This time, the snakefolk did not know the answer.

"Th-this... I'm only a squad leader. I can't get involved in such matters. I'm just responsible for carrying out orders. I've never harmed anyone, my lord. Please spare me!" The snakefolk kept kowtowing.

Xiao Yan gave a faint hum. The snakefolk immediately tried to flee, but Xiao Yan glanced at Hai Bodong.

Hai Bodong instantly understood what Xiao Yan meant. The next second, an ice blade pierced through the snakefolk's chest.

"I may be able to spare you, but others can't. So you can't blame me," Xiao Yan said before stepping forward and helping the mercenaries on the ground to their feet.

Xue Lan clasped her hands and bowed to Xiao Yan.

"Brother, we'll remember this kindness forever. If there's ever anything you need from me, just say the word!"

Xiao Yan smiled. "No need to thank me. We're 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 as she said excitedly, "So you're Commander Xiao Yan. But you seem somewhat different from the rumors."

Xiao Yan smiled faintly. "The rumors are right. More than half a year ago, I really was a good-for-nothing. But that was in the past. Take me to Stone Desert City!"

"Alright!"

Xue Lan led Xiao Yan and the others back to Stone Desert City.

Along the way, Hai Bodong reminded Xiao Yan, "There's definitely something wrong with those snakefolk. Otherwise, they wouldn't be acting like this."

Of course Xiao Yan knew why Queen Medusa was doing this. She had to be searching for the Green Lotus Core Flame!

But she would need at least another year or so before she could find the Green Lotus Core Flame. Still, the entire Tagor Desert was now under her control.

If he wanted to seize the Heavenly Flame, a battle with the snakefolk tribe would be unavoidable. Xiao Yan sighed. One problem had barely passed when another arose.

"Ding! Congratulations, Host, mission completed. Rewards are now being distributed. Please check them."

Xiao Yan's body began greedily absorbing the fire-element energy from the surrounding world, and his aura surged without end. The mercenaries were dumbfounded by the sight, though Hai Bodong had long since grown accustomed to it.

Name: Xiao Yan

Age: 15 years and 7 months

Strength: Seven-Star Dou Master

Cultivation Method: Flame Mantra (Low Xuan Rank)

Dou Techniques: Stone Crushing Palm (Low Yellow Rank), Eight Extremities Collapse (High Xuan Rank), Mystic Divination Palm (Low Xuan Rank)

Summoned Powerhouses: Hai Bodong (Two-Star Dou Emperor)

Eight-Winged Black Emperor Snake (Peak Dou Emperor)

Summoning Slots: 2/3

Heavenly Flame: Myriad Beast Spirit Fire

Item: Mysterious Heavy Ruler

Summoning Talisman: One Low-level Summoning Talisman

Summoning Points: 1,500 (can be exchanged for various items in the System Mall)

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

And they were about to reach the Desert Iron Mercenary Group. The thought of seeing his family after being away from home made Xiao Yan's eyes redden.

"Finally, I'm going to see my family."