Return to Stone Desert City

"Mm!"

Qing Lin nodded her little head vigorously, then stretched out a small hand and pointed at the female Snake-Person.

"Big sister, what are you doing now? What is your goal?"

The female Snake-Person remained expressionless and answered loyally:

"We are carrying out Lady Yue Mei's mission. Our goal is to occupy the Jia Ma Empire and thereby obtain an endless oasis."

Xiao Yan frowned slightly, pondering to himself:

The Snake-People Empire lies deep in the desert, where supplies are extremely scarce. No wonder they call the Jia Ma Empire an endless oasis.

He then gave Qing Lin an affectionate pat on the shoulder and continued questioning the female Snake-Person:

"What exactly is your mission, how is it progressing, and when will you attack Stone Desert City?"

The female Snake-Person glanced at Xiao Yan and saw the intimate contact between them. She clenched her teeth.

Though she could barely contain her jealousy, she dared not show the slightest trace of it and continued her report:

"We capture the young of powerful snake-type Magical Beasts, so Lady Yue Mei can refine their souls and lead many snake-type Magical Beast groups to attack the Jia Ma Empire..."

"As for our current progress, it is nearly complete. We have already stirred seventy percent of the desert's snake-type Magical Beasts into a frenzy..."

"And next... the surprise attack will take place tonight, just before dawn!"

At those words, Qing Lin felt as though a thunderbolt had struck out of a clear sky. Even Xiao Yan's expression grew grave.

Although ten Dou Wang Magical Beasts currently guarded Stone Desert City, it might not emerge unscathed from an attack by seventy percent of the entire desert's snake-type Magical Beasts.

What was more, when they were weakened, the Snake-People Tribe's Dou Wang and Dou Huang experts would certainly launch a full-scale invasion. Things would truly become troublesome then.

Although Yao Lao could briefly grant him combat strength comparable to a Four-Star Dou Zong, Medusa was not the Snake-People Tribe's only Peak Dou Emperor expert.

As far as he knew from his previous life, at least four of the Snake-People Tribe's Medusas from past generations were still alive.

That meant the Snake-People Tribe currently had five Peak Dou Emperor experts.

If they joined forces and used the Snake-People Tribe's legendary combined Dou Technique, the Five-Snake Poison Sha Seal, to concentrate their power, even Yao Lao might not be able to protect him.

"Damn it!"

Xiao Yan scratched his head, his scalp tingling.

After calming down, he closed his eyes, pressed a hand to his forehead, and began to consider a countermeasure.

The Tagor Desert is too far from the Magical Beast Mountain Range. Even if I send a soul message now, the Flame Alliance probably won't make it in time to help.

In that case, I can only rely on myself to hold off the Snake-People Tribe. As for Qing Lin... she's a rare helper too.

Xiao Yan looked down at the girl beside him, a trace of determination flashing in his eyes. Then he crouched down until his gaze was level with hers and said solemnly:

"Qing Lin, your young master has run into a very troublesome situation and needs your help. Are you willing to help me?"

Qing Lin hardly hesitated. She nodded her little head vigorously and said in a clear voice, "Qing Lin is willing to help!"

Xiao Yan smiled faintly. "All right. I'll send you and this Snake-Person back to Stone Desert City in a moment. Have her repeat the plan she just told us."

Qing Lin patted her little chest and promised:

"No problem!"

Xiao Yan nodded in satisfaction, then gave her another instruction:

"There's one more thing. A lot of snake-type Magical Beasts will attack Stone Desert City. I need you to use your eyes to subdue all of them and strengthen our forces."

Qing Lin rushed over, hugged Xiao Yan, and said with a coquettish smile, "I promise I'll get it done!"

Despite her words, Xiao Yan could see her unease in her wavering gaze.

Although Qing Lin had received little education and had a limited understanding of things, she was not stupid. She knew that war was about to break out in Stone Desert City.

If she returned now, it would be no different from courting death.

Qing Lin clenched her little hands and silently made up her mind:

This is the first time Young Master has asked me for help. No matter how dangerous it is, I can't mess it up.

With that thought, the girl took a deep breath and gathered her courage once more.

"Young Master, Qing Lin wants to go back now."

A gentle light flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes. He lightly embraced her, then scooped her up in a princess carry, rested his forehead against her head, and said softly:

"All right, we'll go back now."

With that, Xiao Yan connected his consciousness to Yao Lao and transmitted a message:

"Teacher, lend me your soul power."

Yao Lao raised an eyebrow. "What are you planning? Your injuries only just healed. If you forcibly use your teacher's power again so soon, your body won't be able to bear it."

Xiao Yan smiled, looked up at the clear night sky, and said slowly:

"No matter what, I must protect the people I love, even if I have to battle through these heavens to do it!"

Yao Lao's expression darkened. "You could simply take Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, and the others away. Why insist on holding on to Stone Desert City?"

Xiao Yan smiled bitterly. "Teacher, I only brought Stone Desert City under my control today. If I abandon them now, what credibility will I have left?"

Holding the girl in his arms more tightly and feeling her heartbeat and breathing, the young man continued:

"When word gets out, what will the people of the Flame Alliance think of me? And who would... follow me as I roam the world again?"

Inside the Storage Ring, Yao Lao waved a hand helplessly and turned around. He then transformed into milky-white soul power and merged into the young man's body.

The aged voice rang out beside Xiao Yan's ear once more. "Since you've made your decision, I won't stop you. But remember, know your limits in everything you do..."

"If I sense that your life is in danger, I'll take you, Xiao Ding, and the others away immediately. Do you understand?"

Feeling the soul power spreading around his body, Xiao Yan's eyes turned a little whiter once more. He said in a low voice:

"Don't worry, your disciple knows his limits!"

With that, he leaped into the air. The multicolored fire dragon in his hand transformed into a thread, which wrapped around the female Snake-Person on the ground and dragged her over.

Having done all that, he quickly detonated the cyclone inside his body, blasting out a wave of Qi. Carrying the two women, he stepped through the air and disappeared into the night.

The yellow sea of sand gradually receded from view, and Xiao Yan's gaze soon fell upon the magnificent city wall not far away.

The young man tapped his toes lightly against the air, flipped over, and landed steadily atop the wall. Holding Qing Lin in both arms, with a thread of fire in his hand wrapped around the female Snake-Person, he soon caught the attention of a patrolling mercenary nearby.

Upon spotting Xiao Yan, the mercenary raised his spear and was about to charge over. But when he saw who it was, his face changed in alarm. He hurriedly put away his weapon and bowed respectfully.

"Who goes-Young Master Xiao Yan, you've returned! Your subordinate has been discourteous."

Xiao Yan waved a hand, indicating that he needn't stand on ceremony, then asked:

"Where are my eldest and second brothers... no, where are Xiao Ding and Xiao Li now? I have an important matter to discuss with them!"

"I need particularly precise directions and location details right now. Sorry for the trouble!"

The mercenary's expression also turned serious.

Whatever had made Xiao Yan so anxious was probably no small matter.

He dared not delay. He quickly pointed east with the tip of his spear and explained:

"It's the largest courtyard at the end of the east city gate. The ten Fifth-Order Magical Beasts you left behind are stationed there, so it should be very easy to recognize..."