Arrival at Stone Desert City

"Oh, right, I forgot to tell you. I'm also a seventh-tier alchemist. If you join the Flame Alliance and make outstanding contributions in the future, you can also ask me to refine pills for you..."

At this point, Xiao Yan paused, then listed the names of several high-tier pills:

"For example, there's the Purple Spirit Recovery Pill, which can restore your strength; the Emperor's Extreme Pill, which can raise a Dou Emperor's cultivation by one or two stars; and the Seventh-Tier Lightning Tribulation Pill, the Sect Breaking Pill..."

"That's all. You can think the rest over yourself!"

With that, the youth raised a hand and whistled, calling the ten Dou Wang magical beasts in the distance down to him.

At the same time, the sound of wings beating fiercely rang out.

Soon, ten shadows covered the sand-filled sky.

The shadows grew larger and larger, until the ten giant beasts finally crashed to the ground, kicking up sand and dust in a towering tsunami that buried the ruins in an instant.

This time, Xiao Yan didn't hesitate. He sprang up onto the Crimson Feather Bird's back again and soared away in a cloud of dust, vanishing at the far end of the sky.

Hai Bodong watched quietly, his gaze fixed on Xiao Yan in the distance.

The fierce wind blew his white hair aside, revealing a weathered face. Clutching the parchment, he felt a jumble of emotions:

Xiao Yan... I'll remember that name!

A moment later, the old man stayed no longer. He spread his deep-blue Dou Qi wings and became a streak of light, flying in the opposite direction. His destination... the Jia Ma Empire!

In the sky, Xiao Yan let out a long breath after ending Yao Lao's possession of his body. "Looks like using that power so often really puts quite a strain on my body!"

He clutched his chest, feeling his pulse racing. A sweet taste filled his mouth, and thin traces of blood seeped from his lips. His face was deathly pale.

But when he remembered Hai Bodong, his spirits lifted, and he thought to himself:

Elder Hai, no matter what, I'm still very grateful for the help you gave me in my previous life. This time, just wait and enjoy the good life until you die of boredom!

"Cough, cough..."

Feeling the weakness in his body, Xiao Yan coughed several more times. He forced down his discomfort and opened the Heavenly Flames map, quickly selecting Stone Desert City.

Settling his mind, Xiao Yan discussed it with Yao Lao:

"Master, let's go to Stone Desert City next. My eldest and second brothers are both training there. I miss them."

Xiao Yan truly meant those words.

After all, during the time he had been a good-for-nothing, his longing to see his older brothers had built up.

Those two brothers had always stood up for him.

Later, they had gone out to train in order to build a force that could protect him.

Thinking of what they had done, Xiao Yan was naturally deeply moved.

Yao Lao nodded. "As you should. I heard something about your two brothers back in the Xiao Clan. They really are good men."

But at this point, he changed the subject and turned his concern to Xiao Yan's body, asking:

"How is your body now?"

Xiao Yan grinned. "Not dead yet!"

Yao Lao glared at him and said irritably, "Nonsense. You've been using my power frequently all this time. Your body must be close to its limit, isn't it?"

The youth said nothing, instead pressing an index finger to his heart. "It just hurts a little here!"

Hearing this, the old man sighed. His tone softened considerably as he said gently:

"There are Bone-Growing Pills on the left side of the Storage Ring. Take one quickly. You don't want the people around you to worry, do you?"

Xiao Yan felt a warmth in his heart, but he said nothing. He simply moved his soul body and left this mysterious place of communication.

At that moment, Yao Lao wore a gratified expression. "This child's growth is astonishing."

Although Xiao Yan had been using his power all along, he had also been making constant progress.

Now, recalling Xiao Yan's earlier performance, Yao Lao seemed to see his younger self.

He had been just as unwilling to settle for mediocrity, just as constantly diligent, pursuing higher realms again and again.

At that moment, air currents surged high above. Xiao Yan sat cross-legged on the Crimson Feather Bird, clarity returning to his eyes.

He raised a hand, and a flash of light appeared. Xiao Yan took a longan-sized pill from his Storage Ring. It was a third-tier Bone-Growing Pill, capable of rapidly repairing damaged body tissue.

He tossed it gently into his mouth. The pill melted on contact, forming a rich current of warmth that flowed down his throat and spread through his limbs and bones.

"Whew~ it tastes pretty good."

He commented on the pill's flavor while forming a profound hand seal and circulating the Flame Mantra.

As the circulation within his body surged, a seven-colored fire dragon emerged, roaming freely through his meridians. Wherever it passed, it drew out every trace of the remaining medicinal power, which began slowly healing his internal injuries.

His internal organs, flesh, sinews and bones were all nourished and strengthened.

About half an hour later, Xiao Yan slowly breathed out a mouthful of turbid air. "Looks like it worked well. I can already move around freely."

As he spoke, he stood up and hopped and stamped a few times on the soft feathers. Protected by Dou Qi, he was not affected in the slightest by the surrounding air currents.

A moment later, he stopped and raised a hand to his forehead. Gazing at the scenery in the distance, he sank into thought:

Now that I've come early, eldest brother and second brother probably haven't reached the Dou Shi level yet, have they? Should I give them some gifts to help improve their strength?

After pondering for a while, he sent his consciousness into the ancient black ring and carefully searched through Yao Lao's collection. Soon, he found something.

Found them. These are the two.

Taking out two yellowed scrolls, Xiao Yan weighed them in his hands.

"Low Earth Tier wood-attribute Dou Technique and cultivation method, and a lightning-attribute cultivation method. They're right at the limit of what a Dou Zhe can use."

Xiao Yan clenched his hands around them, afraid they would suddenly fly away.

After all, Dou Techniques that reached Earth Class possessed considerable spirituality and knew how to avoid danger. A moment of carelessness, and they would escape.

"Everything's ready. All that's left is to reach Stone Desert City."

A smile touched Xiao Yan's lips as he recalled the backs of Xiao Ding and Xiao Li. He put the items away in jade boxes, deciding to give them to his brothers in person.

Meanwhile, a magnificent city appeared ahead of Xiao Yan.

Its walls stood a hundred zhang high, while dense streams of people moved through the streets, filling the city with the bustle of everyday life.

"Stone Desert City, here I come!"

Xiao Yan murmured to himself, hands in his pockets. He used his soul power to communicate with the ten giant beasts beside him, signaling them to circle down and land directly.

This time, he had no intention of hiding.

Earlier in Desert City, he had avoided disturbing the crowd partly because he was afraid Hai Bodong would flee, and partly because he didn't want to cause unnecessary panic.

But things were different now. He had brought these creatures here to protect Xiao Ding and Xiao Li in the first place. They would have to show themselves sooner or later, so they might as well appear openly before everyone.

"I'll give them five Dou Wang magical beasts. The rest can stay with the Xiao Clan..."

Xiao Yan's bangs fluttered over his forehead, his eyes clear and bright as he made the arrangements in a steady voice.

Whoosh!!!

As the beasts flew down, waves of air swept up, and a warm wind howled straight at the youth. He broke through it with his overpowering Dou Qi and landed steadily.

The ferocious beasts each settled atop one of ten buildings, spreading their Dou Qi Wings and revealing their savage forms as they roared without cease.

The next moment, the crowd surged.

Some people stopped to watch, some screamed and fled, while more, including mercenaries and the city's troops, drew their weapons and prepared for battle.

For a time, the scene was utter chaos.