Chapter 78: Tracked Down

Xiao Yu withdrew the Bone Spirit Cold Flame surrounding his body. With the strength of a five-star Dou Fighter, he now had the confidence to face off against a Dou Spirit. As for the raging Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake, Xiao Yu no longer felt any fear.

Holding the Moli Sword in his hand, he flapped his wings and launched himself toward the massive fire serpent submerged in the magma. Over the past few days, Xiao Yu had inflicted considerable damage on the serpent. Though he hadn't dealt any critical blows, the serpent was thoroughly exhausted.

Seeing Xiao Yu charging at it with the Moli Sword, the serpent's first reaction wasn't to fight back but to dive into the magma. It was tired of fighting him. When strength failed, Xiao Yu would simply use his Heavenly Flame to intimidate it. Now that Xiao Yu's power had increased further, the serpent was even less inclined to fight.

The serpent, being a fourth-tier magical beast, had enough intelligence to recognize the threat. However, Xiao Yu wasn't about to let it off the hook. Here, the serpent was invincible, with strength comparable to a Dou King. This made it the perfect opponent for Xiao Yu to spar against without fear of accidentally killing it.

Seeing the serpent flee into the magma, Xiao Yu summoned the Green Lotus Core Flame to shield his body. This was also a good opportunity to familiarize himself with his new flame. Without hesitation, he dove into the magma, pursuing the fire serpent.

Underneath the magma, Xiao Yu moved with ease, as though he were a fish in water. He quickly closed the gap with the serpent, and the two began a fierce battle in the fiery depths. The once-calm magma lake now bubbled and roiled violently.

---

While Xiao Yu was enjoying his sparring session beneath the magma, a group of men clad in Desert Iron Mercenary uniforms arrived at the desert's edge. At the forefront were Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, Xue Lan, Little Doctor Fairy, and Qing Lin. They were following Qing Lin's guidance, slowly approaching the subterranean cave.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Xiao Li muttered, "Qing Lin, you sure we're heading in the right direction? It's been ages, and we're still not there!"

Qing Lin pointed ahead and said softly, "No mistake. I can feel a strong connection to someone of my bloodline. The feeling is getting clearer the closer we get."

"Really?" Xiao Li's face lit up with joy upon hearing this.

"Alright," Xiao Ding said. "Since Qing Lin says we're close, let's press on. When we get back, I'll increase everyone's pay for the month!"

The promise of extra pay immediately boosted the spirits of the Desert Iron Mercenaries following behind.

Little Doctor Fairy, however, remained worried. Xiao Yu had been gone with Cai Die for almost half a month without sending any word. The desert had already been fraught with danger recently, and the heavenly tribulation they'd witnessed earlier only added to their concerns.

After deliberation, Xiao Ding and Little Doctor Fairy had decided to lead some members of the Desert Iron Mercenaries into the desert to search for Xiao Yu.

The group trudged through the desert, enduring the heat and sandstorms. Finally, Qing Lin spoke up, "Leader Xiao Ding, the source of the connection I'm sensing is right here!"

Xiao Ding looked around, confused. The spot was a flat, unremarkable stretch of desert. There were no visible signs of anything extraordinary. "Qing Lin, are you sure this is the place?"

The large pit that had once marked this location had long since been buried by windblown sand. It was hard to imagine that such a massive disturbance had occurred here.

Everyone, from Xiao Ding and Xiao Li to Little Doctor Fairy and the others, turned their eyes toward Qing Lin. Nervous under their scrutiny, Qing Lin mustered her courage. Concerned for Xiao Yu's safety, she insisted, "The disturbance originated here, and I can feel the connection even more strongly now. This is definitely the place!"

Xiao Ding stepped onto a nearby sand dune and scanned the surroundings. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "If Qing Lin says this is the place, then I trust her."

Turning to the Desert Iron Mercenaries, he instructed, "Men, if there's nothing above ground, then it must be underground. The sandstorms here can bury anything. Surround this area and ensure no one else approaches. There's bound to be a hidden passage leading below."

He then addressed Xue Lan, "Xue Lan, return to the Desert Iron Mercenaries' base and bring back our experts in terrain exploration. We need to locate that passage as soon as possible."

"Leave it to me!" Xue Lan swiftly mounted her camel and rode off toward Rock Desert City.

---

Meanwhile, in the Sand Mercenary Group's hall, the group's leader, Luo Bu, was having a heated discussion with his subordinate Mo Xing.

"Leader, the Desert Iron Mercenaries are up to something big. They've mobilized a significant force. Should we go and see what treasure they've found?" Mo Xing suggested.

Luo Bu's face darkened. "Are you trying to get yourself killed? Don't drag the entire Sand Mercenary Group down with you. The Desert Iron Mercenaries have a Dou King backing them. Do you want to die?"

Mo Xing's expression shifted. "Leader, are you certain about this? All we saw was a silhouette that day, and word is that the Dou King hasn't been seen since!"

"Fool!" Luo Bu roared. "Even if he hasn't shown up, he's just a call away for the Desert Iron Mercenaries. Get lost!"

Frustrated, Mo Xing stormed out of the hall, muttering under his breath, "Coward. Fine, I'll check it out myself!"

Using Luo Bu as an excuse, Mo Xing gathered a group of Sand Mercenaries and set off in pursuit of Xue Lan and her team.