Yellow sand swirled through the air, a relentless dance of grit and wind. A woman in green robes streaked past, her graceful figure cutting through the desert like a verdant meteor. Those unfortunate enough to be caught in the sandy expanse below would feel the surge of her overwhelming presence. Her flight, however, was peculiar—slightly unsteady, as if her mind wandered elsewhere.
The woman's thoughts were adrift, replaying the events of the previous night. A faint blush crept across her delicate face. Though she had been drugged by Xiao Heng, losing herself to him, there was little resentment in her heart. Perhaps it's his youth, she mused, or that his strength is only a step below mine. After years of solitary cultivation, my heart stirs with spring's warmth. In the Jia Ma Empire, few could match Xiao Heng's prowess, and none at his age had achieved such heights in the past century.
I don't even know his name or who he is! The realization struck her, and she halted midair, hovering in the vast sky. After a moment's hesitation, she decided against turning back to seek her fleeting lover from the night before. What am I thinking? That little troublemaker—did he have to be so forceful? Shaking her head, she pressed on toward the meeting point agreed upon with Gu He and the others. As she vanished into the horizon, a single crystalline droplet fell, landing on the head of a toothy lizard below.
___
In a cave nestled within a rocky hill, a young man in green robes sat enveloped in a soft blue glow. Xiao Heng was cultivating his Dou Qi, unwilling to waste the crisp morning hours. Reflecting on the fierce encounter from the previous night, a sly grin spread across his face. Different from Xiao Yi Xian's flavor—sweeter, like a ripe apple. One word: smooth.
Beside him, a small, seven-colored snake lapped at energy droplets in a jade dish. Refined by Xiao Heng's Blue Devouring Flame, the liquid carried the distinct aura of a Heavenly Flame. The fire-attuned Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python relished it, its delight rivaling the pull of Xiao Yan's Amethyst Essence. I'm raising this Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python like a pet. I wonder what the proud Queen Medusa will think when she awakens. Xiao Heng stroked the snake's head, and it affectionately licked his fingers, clearly pleased with his care.
"Time to check on our Xiao Huo Huo," Xiao Heng murmured, referring to Xiao Yan. I wonder how far he's progressed with devouring that Heavenly Flame. Pale blue Dou Qi gathered behind him, forming wings as he soared toward a faint signal—a wisp of Bone Chilling Flame left by Yao Lao for tracking.
Following the trace, Xiao Heng arrived to find Xiao Yan engulfed in cyan flames, his body wracked by their intensity. Yao Lao, barred by the blaze, hovered helplessly nearby. As a spectral elder skilled in wielding flames, he was ill-equipped to handle this backlash. Just then, a streak of blue light descended—Xiao Heng had arrived.
"Teacher, what's happening?" Xiao Heng asked.
"Xiao Yan's Dou Shi strength can't suppress the Green Lotus Core Flame's backlash," Yao Lao replied. "You're just in time. Absorb the excess flames."
Had Xiao Heng not appeared, Xiao Yan's fate might have been sealed—perhaps reduced to a soul trapped in a ring alongside Yao Lao. "Small problem," Xiao Heng said with a smirk. He pulled the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python from his robes and tossed it into the fire. "Go, little snake!"
The snake awoke in confusion, surrounded by cyan flames. Unfazed, it recognized the flames as a delicacy. With a tiny yawn, it opened its mouth wide, swallowing the blaze enveloping Xiao Yan in one gulp. Letting out a satisfied burp, the snake darted back into Xiao Heng's robes as a streak of rainbow light.
With the flames gone, Xiao Yan's condition stabilized. Yao Lao and Xiao Heng stood watch nearby. "You know the identity of that Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python, don't you?" Yao Lao asked, his tone probing.
"I do," Xiao Heng replied. "Two souls reside within—one is Queen Medusa, the other the newborn Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python."
"And you're not worried about Medusa's retaliation?" Yao Lao chuckled.
"No need to worry, Teacher," Xiao Heng said with a wicked grin. "I have enough Dou Zong allies by my side. If Medusa steps out of line, she'll learn just how cruel the world can be."
"Good," Yao Lao said, stroking his illusory beard.
___
As sunlight bathed the land, Xiao Yan successfully refined the Green Lotus Core Flame with his Burning Technique, elevating it from Mid Huang Class to Mid Xuan Class. He set off for Mo City to craft a pill for Hai Bodong in exchange for a map fragment.
Xiao Heng, meanwhile, returned alone to Stone Desert City, wondering if anyone would dare target Qing Lin this time. A streak of pale blue light flashed across the sky, and after a day and a half, he reached his destination.
Silver glimmers flickered as Xiao Heng materialized in a quiet alley within the city. Preferring discretion, he avoided flying directly into the center. After weaving through a few narrow lanes, he arrived at the gates of the Mo Tie Mercenary Corps.
"Young Master Xiao Heng, you're back just in time!" a squad captain named Fei Li exclaimed. "Qing Lin's been taken! A group from the Yan City Mo Clan stormed our base. They have a Da Dou Shi among them, and the two captains are struggling to hold them off."
"The Yan City Mo Clan," Xiao Heng said, his eyes narrowing. "I understand." He gestured for Fei Li to follow as they hurried toward the training grounds.
___
On the training field, the Mo Tie Mercenary Corps faced off against the Yan City Mo Clan. Xiao Li, cloaked in crackling lightning, clashed with a figure shrouded in earthy yellow Dou Qi. The yellow-clad opponent toyed with Xiao Li, effortlessly dodging his strikes. Condensing his Dou Qi into an arm gauntlet, the yellow figure landed a devastating punch, sending Xiao Li—midway through his Thunder Arc Triad Dance—crashing backward.
"Is that all? The so-called strongest lightning-attribute Dou Qi? Pathetic!" the yellow figure mocked, drawing jeers from the surrounding Dou Shi.
"Watch me end you with one punch!" the yellow figure roared, charging at the gravely injured Xiao Li.
"You seem to enjoy toying with others," a voice cut through the air. A young man in green robes appeared before the yellow figure, blocking his path. The man's fist froze inches from Xiao Heng, unable to advance.
Xiao Heng stepped forward, and the yellow figure was flung backward, crashing into a massive boulder on the training field. Dust and debris erupted from the impact.
"Third Brother, you're back," Xiao Ding said from the crowd, his voice heavy with guilt. "I failed to protect Qing Lin."
"They were too strong. You did what you could," Xiao Heng reassured him.
"Second Brother, catch!" Xiao Heng tossed a jade vial to Xiao Li, who had just struggled to his feet. Popping open the vial, Xiao Li swallowed the pill inside, feeling his injuries ease almost instantly.
"You came back just in time," Xiao Li said, managing a weak smile as Xue Lan rushed to support him.
"Time to end this," Xiao Heng declared. With a wave of his hand, a torrent of roaring flames surged forth, engulfing the Yan City Mo Clan members. Their screams echoed for half an hour before fading into silence.
"Which way is Yan City?" Xiao Heng asked.
Xue Lan pointed. "That direction."
"Thanks."
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