Brothers United, Seeking the Exotic Flame Together

Xue Lan walked back quickly.

"Commander! Look who's here!"

Xiao Li said with a smile, "What has you so happy?"

When Xiao Li saw Xiao Yan, he immediately embraced him with joy.

"Third Brother! What brings you here?"

Xiao Ding called out from inside, "Who is it?"

"Third Brother, it's Third Brother!" Xiao Li replied, pulling Xiao Yan toward the entrance.

Xiao Yan glanced at Hai Bodong, and only then did Xiao Li notice him.

Xiao Li stood respectfully to the side and bowed to Hai Bodong.

"Little Yan, is this the Dou Ling senior from before?"

Xiao Yan nodded, assuming his two brothers already knew about the situation at home.

"Senior, please, come in. Thank you for helping our Xiao Clan!" Xiao Li invited Hai Bodong inside and arranged for a premium room.

"Little Yan, come with me to see Big Brother."

Xiao Yan nodded and said, "Actually, I have something I need to discuss with both of you."

Xiao Li punched Xiao Yan lightly and said, "Your strength shouldn't be any worse than mine now. I don't know how you cultivate. It seems Nalan Yanran is destined to lose that Three-Year Agreement, though it will be too late for her to regret it by then."

Xiao Ding called from the room, "What are you two chatting about out there? Get in here."

Xiao Yan walked in. Seeing this eldest brother he didn't truly recognize, he felt a pang of sadness. After all, he had been in this world of Battle Through the Heavens for over half a year, and to be honest, he was a bit homesick.

"Big Brother, Little Yan is here."

The three brothers chatted for a long time.

Seeing that the conversation was winding down, Xiao Li said, "Little Yan, didn't you say you had something to tell us?"

Xiao Ding added, "What is it? We're all family, just say it."

Xiao Yan smiled and asked, "Have you two heard that the Snake-People Tribe is driving humans out of the Tagor Desert?"

Xiao Li and Xiao Ding exchanged a look. Xiao Ding said, "We have heard rumors of that, but the Snake-People have always felt their territory was insufficient, so such actions aren't exactly strange."

"True, I expect they'll be taught a lesson by human factions soon enough and slink back into hiding," Xiao Li added.

However, Xiao Yan shook his head.

"Big Brother, Second Brother, you're looking at this too simply. The Snake-People have done similar things before, but they have always wanted to move their territory out of the Tagor Desert. Since this place isn't suitable for them to live in, why would they bear the pressure to occupy it?"

After hearing Xiao Yan's words, the two pondered it and realized it made sense.

Xiao Ding asked, "If that's the case, they must have another motive. But what could they be after?"

A cluster of flames appeared in Xiao Yan's palm, causing Xiao Li and Xiao Ding to jump to their feet in shock.

"Third Brother, is that... Heavenly Flame?"

Xiao Li asked urgently.

Xiao Yan nodded and said, "The Snake-People are plotting to get a Heavenly Flame!"

With that, Xiao Yan extinguished the flame.

"So, what do you intend to do, Third Brother?" Xiao Ding asked.

"I want to get there first and subdue the Heavenly Flame before the Snake-People find it," Xiao Yan said earnestly.

Xiao Ding hesitated for only a few seconds before replying, "Good! Don't worry, the Desert Iron Mercenary Group will do everything in its power to help you find it."

Seeing Xiao Ding show no hesitation despite the terrifying power of the Snake-People, Xiao Yan finally understood why the original Xiao Yan had fought so hard to protect his clan.

Xiao Li said, "This matter must be kept quiet. Besides, the Tagor Desert is vast; finding the flame won't be easy."

Xiao Yan nodded. Medusa had mobilized so many of her people, yet in the original story, she had only managed to secure the flame half a year before him.

"Second Brother, I've already prepared. Hai Lao has lived here for a long time and has identified several locations where the flame might be. We just need to send people to search those spots to pinpoint the exact location," Xiao Yan said, patting Xiao Li on the shoulder.

Xiao Li punched him back.

"You're quite capable, kid. That makes things much easier. However, the Snake-People might come to harass us." Xiao Li still voiced his concern.

"And there is also the Sand Mercenary Group here in Stone Desert City; their leader, Sha Luo, is a Da Dou Shi expert," Xiao Ding added.

Xiao Yan smiled slightly and explained, "Don't worry, I will handle both of those problems. Big Brother and Second Brother just need to help me search for the flame's location."

Xiao Yan then took out the map Hai Lao had given him and handed it to Xiao Ding.

After examining it, Xiao Ding said, "It will take a few days. Leave this to me and your Second Brother. You've traveled a long way, so go get some rest. If there's any progress, I'll send someone to notify you."

Xiao Yan agreed; he was indeed exhausted.

Xiao Li led him to a clean, tidy room, and Xiao Yan fell asleep the moment his head hit the pillow.

When Xiao Yan woke up, it was because of a cool sensation on his arm.

As he sat up, he saw a flustered little figure. She said timidly, "I'm sorry, Young Master Xiao Yan, did I wake you?"

A flash of inspiration struck Xiao Yan; he had almost forgotten about Qing Lin.

"Your name is Qing Lin, right?" Xiao Yan asked in a low voice.

When Qing Lin looked up, Xiao Yan could clearly see the three petals within her eyes.

It really was the Green Snake Three-Flower Pupils!

"Young Master is correct, my name is Qing Lin."

Xiao Yan gave a hum of acknowledgment. Qing Lin had been by his side for the past few days, and he had spent them quite pleasantly.

He hadn't rested like this in a long time, but a few days later, Xiao Li found him.

"Little Yanzi, we've discovered a location that seems to contain a Heavenly Flame. And it was Qing Lin who noticed something was off."

"Is that so? Is Qing Lin that capable?" Xiao Yan smiled and patted Qing Lin's head.

Qing Lin smiled shyly and whispered, "As long as I can help Young Master Xiao Yan, I am already very happy."

Through their interactions over the past few days, Xiao Yan and Qing Lin had grown quite close, and Qing Lin had felt a level of care she had never experienced before.

After speaking with Qing Lin, Xiao Yan's expression turned serious again as he said to Xiao Li, "Second Brother, have our men go first. We must seize the initiative. As for the Sand Mercenary Group, you don't need to worry; I will handle them properly."

Xiao Li nodded and went to make the arrangements.

Xiao Yan then sent a telepathic message to Elder Yao: "Master, our opportunity has arrived."

After a period of recuperation, Elder Yao's soul strength had mostly recovered.

"Good lad, your luck is truly incredible. You keep stumbling upon Heavenly Flames one after another. However, you must not be careless; after all, we aren't the only ones who know about this."

Xiao Yan nodded and hurried toward the location of the Green Lotus Core Flame.