"Teacher, is this the right direction?"
In the desert, Xiao Huohuo took off his shirt again, leaving his upper body bare, and carried the heavy Heavy Xuan Ruler on his back as he continued to cultivate.
Xiao Yan, standing to the side, looked much more comfortable.
The Bone Spirit Cold Flame covered his body, insulating him from the desert heat and making him feel extremely cool.
"Laugh!"
A few more drops of Blazing Fire Flood Dragon Python blood essence were evenly applied to Xiao Huohuo's skin by Yao Lao using his Spiritual Soul Power. Yao Lao spoke calmly:
"Don't worry, we're heading deep into the Tagor Desert now, we won't get lost."
"Oh."
Xiao Huohuo nodded, then continued, still somewhat uneasy:
"Teacher, Medusa is Dou Emperor- level powerhouse, and there are countless Snake-People Tribe powerhouses as well. Are we really sure we'll be alright going like this?"
Xiao Huohuo's tone was full of worry.
After all, that was a seal containing a powerhouse of Hai Bodong's caliber.
He has probably reached the peak of the Dou Huang Realm.
"Smack!"
The Yao Lao manipulated his Spiritual Soul Power to lash Xiao Huohuo's back, and said irritably:
"What? Are you worried that this old body of mine is useless? I'm just a minor Dou Emperor. With me here, you can rest assured."
The Yao Lao's tone revealed a strong sense of confidence.
While putting Xiao Yan and Xiao Huohuo ease, they couldn't help but wonder what level of power Yao Lao was at his peak.
Even Dou Emperor- level powerhouse was referred to as "just a mere Dou Emperor " in his words.
This was already the seventh day since they left Stone Desert City. Xiao Yan watched Xiao Huohuo cultivate diligently, while he constantly analyzed the structure and medicinal properties of various medicinal herbs in his mind.
What is that?
Suddenly, Xiao Yan's gaze fell upon the edge of the desert, where a black line gradually appeared.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Huohuo and Yao Lao both looked in the direction Xiao Yan was pointing, and their expressions quickly changed.
"It's a sandstorm!"
The Yao Lao's Spiritual Soul Power far surpassed that of the two, so he immediately realized what was happening, his gaze falling on them as he spoke:
"Alright, let's find a sheltered spot. At your speed, you two probably won't make it out of this sandstorm's reach in time."
"But as long as Xiao Xin, there shouldn't be any major problems."
Xiao Yan and Xiao Huohuo, and their Dou Qi and Soul Power appeared beneath their feet. In an instant, they sped off in the direction away from the sandstorm.
In that brief moment, the surrounding sky had gradually darkened.
"This way."
Xiao Yan's gaze fell upon a weathered rocky area beneath a sand dune. He called to Xiao Huohuo, and the two ran in that direction.
Before even entering the rocky area, the surrounding gravel was already swirling and dancing in the sandstorm's vortex.
There was no time to find cover; as soon as they entered, all they could see was a chaotic, earthy yellow.
The outlines of the sand dunes we had just crossed were twisted and deformed in the gale, and finally melted away completely into the churning sand curtain.
Even after entering the rocky area where visibility was reduced to less than ten steps, the light was dim, like dusk.
"Whoosh!"
In the dim light, cold white flames suddenly ignited, then transformed into walls of ice. Xiao Yan and Xiao Huohuo relied on the rocks and ice walls to resist the sandstorm.
The outer wall of the ice wall crackled and popped as sand grains struck it, with frozen sand constantly falling down.
Xiao Yan frantically poured his Soul Power into it, maintaining the existence of the ice wall.
"This godforsaken place..."
Xiao Huohuo grabbed a handful of hair; the strands were full of dry sand.
The Yao Lao's aged voice rang in their ears, tinged with solemnity:
"That's just how the desert is. But this sandstorm comes and goes quickly. Keep your composure and take this opportunity to hone your control over your strength."
The Yao Lao said to Xiao Huohuo:
"Try using your flames to maintain a stable high-temperature zone within this ice wall, insulating you from the effects of the cold."
Xiao Huohuo listened to Yao Lao's words and did as he was told. A blue flame rose in his palm as Xiao Xin controlled the temperature, trying to create a temperature-stable space inside the ice wall that Xiao Yan had condensed.
The Yao Lao was secretly and vigilantly monitoring the energy of the two, as this required extremely precise control.
If not handled carefully, the clash between Xiao Yan and Xiao Huohuo's hot and cold energies could trigger an energy outburst, causing the protective ice wall to shatter completely and create a vulnerability.
Following Yao Lao's instructions, Xiao Huohuo Dou Qi gradually transformed into flames in his palm. However, there was still a considerable gap between his current state and Yao Lao's goal of creating a barrier within the ice wall that could isolate the icy aura.
"Take it one step at a time. Your fire control skills have already surpassed those of many alchemists."
The Yao Lao did not discourage Xiao Huohuo's enthusiasm.
After all, Xiao Huohuo is only a teenager, and his performance has already made Yao Lao proud.
The sandstorm lasted for a full two hours before gradually subsiding.
As the last gust of wind swept away the sandstorm, the re-emerging desert landscape was completely unrecognizable.
"Puff!"
Beneath the sand, a flame suddenly appeared, and then Xiao Yan and Xiao Huohuo emerged from the sand.
The tall rocks they had used to shelter from the sandstorm had vanished, replaced by a relatively flat expanse of sand.
That rock formation has been completely buried beneath the desert.
"That's terrifying."
Xiao Yan and Xiao Huohuo looked at the drastically changed landscape around them and spoke with lingering fear.
If they hadn't been lucky enough to encounter those rocks, they probably wouldn't have been able to withstand such a natural disaster.
"Hehe, this sandstorm is indeed powerful, but its most terrifying aspect isn't its destructive power. In the desert, the most terrifying thing is losing your sense of direction."
The Yao Lao's calm voice rang out as he continued speaking to the two:
"For example, right now, can you still clearly tell which direction you're heading?"
Upon hearing Yao Lao's reminder, Xiao Yan and Xiao Huohuo's expressions changed.
The two looked around.
The raging sandstorms have long since erased all traces of the desert.
All traces they left behind, the scenery along the way, and even the marks they left behind have been destroyed.
The surrounding area, ravaged by the sandstorm, was exactly the same, with endless sand dunes stretching as far as the eye could see.
It was only then that Xiao Yan and Xiao Huohuo truly witnessed the terror of the sandstorm.
If they cannot replenish their water and food supplies, they will likely be trapped and die in the desert.
"Alright, since things have come to this, let's just pick a direction and give it a try."
The Yao Lao reminded the two of something.
Xiao Yan and Xiao Huohuo did not hesitate. The food and water prepared in Xiao Huohuo Storage Ring were enough for him to use for a long time, so there was no need to worry about starving to death in the desert for the time being.