Xue Lan hurried back.
"Captain! Look who's here!"
Xiao Li smiled. "What's got you so excited?"
When Xiao Li saw Xiao Yan, he happily rushed over and hugged him.
"Third Brother! Why are you here?"
Xiao Ding called out from inside, "Who's here?"
"Third Brother, it's Third Brother!" Xiao Li replied, about to pull Xiao Yan inside.
But Xiao Yan glanced at Hai Bodong, and only then did Xiao Li notice him.
Xiao Li immediately stepped respectfully aside and bowed to Hai Bodong.
"Little Yan, this is the Dou Ling senior from back then, right?"
Xiao Yan nodded. It seemed his two brothers had already learned about what had happened at home.
"Please come in, Senior. Thank you as well for helping our Xiao Clan!" Xiao Li invited Hai Bodong inside and arranged an excellent room for him.
"Little Yan, come with your Second Brother to see Eldest Brother."
Xiao Yan nodded. "Perfect. I have something I need to discuss with you two as well."
Xiao Li punched Xiao Yan lightly, then said, "Your strength should be no weaker than mine now, kid. I have no idea how you trained. Looks like Nalan Yanran is bound to lose the Three-Year Agreement. Even if she regrets it, it'll be too late."
Xiao Ding called from the room, "What are you two chatting about out there? Get in here already."
Xiao Yan walked in. Seeing this eldest brother whom he barely recognized made his heart ache a little. After all, he had been transported to the world of Battle Through the Heavens for more than half a year. To be honest, he still missed home.
"Eldest Brother, Little Yan is here."
The three Xiao brothers chatted for a long while.
Once Xiao Li felt they had talked enough, he said, "Little Yan, didn't you say you had something to tell us?"
Xiao Ding also asked, "What is it? We're brothers. Just say it."
Xiao Yan smiled. "Have Eldest Brother and Second Brother heard that the Snake-People Tribe is driving away humans entering the Tagor Desert?"
Xiao Li and Xiao Ding exchanged a glance. Xiao Ding said, "We have heard something about that. But the Snake-People Tribe has always believed their territory is too small, so it isn't strange for them to make such moves."
"Yeah. Once the human factions teach them a lesson, they'll probably tuck their tails and retreat," Xiao Li added.
But Xiao Yan shook his head.
"Eldest Brother, Second Brother, you're thinking too simply. The Snake-People Tribe has indeed done similar things before, but they have always wanted to move their territory out of the Tagor Desert. This place isn't suitable for them to live in, so why would they endure such pressure to seize desert land?"
After hearing Xiao Yan's words, the two of them considered them carefully and found some truth in them.
Xiao Ding asked, "So according to you, they have another motive. But what could they possibly want?"
A ball of flame appeared in Xiao Yan's hand, startling Xiao Li and Xiao Ding so badly that they abruptly rose to their feet.
"Third Brother, is that a Heavenly Flame?"
Xiao Li hurriedly asked.
Xiao Yan nodded. "The Snake-People Tribe is plotting for a Heavenly Flame this time as well!"
After saying that, Xiao Yan put the Heavenly Flame away.
"Then what do you mean, Third Brother?" Xiao Ding asked.
"I want to get there first and subdue the Heavenly Flame before the Snake-People Tribe finds it," Xiao Yan said seriously.
Xiao Ding was silent for only a few seconds before answering, "Alright! Don't worry. The Desert Iron Mercenary Group will do everything in our power to help you search for the Heavenly Flame."
Seeing that Xiao Ding had not hesitated in the face of the terrifyingly powerful Snake-People Tribe, Xiao Yan suddenly understood why the original Xiao Yan had risked his life to protect the Xiao Clan.
Xiao Li said, "We can't publicize this matter. And the Tagor Desert is vast; finding a Heavenly Flame there will probably be no easy task."
Xiao Yan nodded. Medusa had mobilized so many members of the Snake-People Tribe, yet in the original story, she had only taken the Heavenly Flame half a year before Xiao Yan did.
"Second Brother, I came prepared. Old Hai has lived here for a long time and has roughly identified several places where a Heavenly Flame might be found. We only need to send people to search those locations to determine the exact site." Xiao Yan patted Xiao Li on the shoulder as he spoke.
Xiao Li punched Xiao Yan lightly as well.
"You've really got it together, kid. That makes things much easier. But the Snake-People Tribe may come looking for trouble." Xiao Li still voiced his concern.
"And there's also a Sand Mercenary Group in Stone Desert City. Their captain, Sha Luo, is a Da Dou Shi powerhouse," Xiao Ding added.
Xiao Yan smiled faintly and explained, "Don't worry. I'll handle both problems. Eldest Brother and Second Brother only need to help me search for the Heavenly Flame's location."
With that, Xiao Yan took out the map Old Hai had given him and handed it to Xiao Ding.
After looking it over, Xiao Ding said, "It will probably take a few days. Leave these matters to your Second Brother and me. You've traveled a long way, so get some rest first. If there's any progress, I'll send someone to inform you."
Xiao Yan gave a soft acknowledgment. He truly was rather tired.
Xiao Li then led Xiao Yan to a very clean and tidy room. The moment Xiao Yan's head touched the pillow, he fell asleep.
When Xiao Yan woke up, the coolness on his arm had startled him awake.
The moment he sat up, he saw a small, flustered figure. She timidly said, "I'm sorry, Young Master Xiao Yan. Did I wake you?"
A thought flashed through Xiao Yan's mind. He had nearly forgotten about Qing Lin.
"Your name is Qing Lin, right?" Xiao Yan asked softly.
When Qing Lin raised her head, Xiao Yan could clearly see the three petal-like markings in her eyes.
It really was the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils!
"Yes, Young Master. My name is Qing Lin."
Xiao Yan nodded. Over the next few days, Qing Lin stayed by his side, and Xiao Yan thoroughly enjoyed those days.
He had not rested this well in a long time. However, several days later, Xiao Li came to find him.
"Little Yan, we found a place that seems to contain a Heavenly Flame. Qing Lin was the one who noticed something unusual."
"Really? Qing Lin is that capable?" Xiao Yan smiled and rubbed Qing Lin's head.
Qing Lin smiled shyly and murmured, "As long as I can help Young Master Xiao Yan, Qing Lin is already very happy."
After spending these past few days together, Xiao Yan and Qing Lin had become quite close, and Qing Lin had experienced an unprecedented level of care.
After speaking with Qing Lin, Xiao Yan's expression turned serious again. He said to Xiao Li, "Second Brother, have our people go first. We must seize the initiative. As for the Sand Mercenary Group, you don't need to worry. I'll handle them properly."
Xiao Li nodded and went to make the arrangements.
Xiao Yan also sent a voice transmission to Elder Yao. "Master, our chance has come."
After this period of nourishment, Elder Yao's Soul Power had recovered almost completely.
"Good kid, your luck really is extraordinary. You've encountered Heavenly Flames one after another. But don't let your guard down. We're not the only ones who know about this."
Xiao Yan nodded and hurried toward the location where the Green Lotus Core Flame was found.
Before you continue