Chapter 67
Chapter 67: Desert Iron Mercenary Group
"Heavenly Flame?!"
When Xiao Yixian heard this, her eyes widened in surprise as she stared at Xiao Ning.
She didn't doubt him for a second.
There was no reason for Xiao Ning to lie, especially when he had helped her so much without asking for anything in return. Instead, this only deepened her curiosity about Xiao Ning's mysterious origins.
She realized she had yet to fully understand his abilities.
"Yes, surprised, aren't you?" Xiao Ning smiled, clearly enjoying her reaction.
There was a certain satisfaction in impressing someone, especially a beautiful girl like Xiao Yixian.
Only those who have experienced it know how good it feels.
Xiao Ning had developed feelings for her during the time they had spent together.
However, neither had taken the step to address the growing connection between them.
Xiao Yixian instinctively covered her mouth with her hand, trying to hide her surprise, but her wide eyes betrayed her astonishment.
She had just recently learned the method of creating poison pills, and now she was being introduced to a Heavenly Flame.
The suddenness of it all left her feeling a bit dizzy.
"Don't worry, we'll talk more about it on the way.
First, we need to buy some supplies." Xiao Ning grinned as he gently took her hand and led her towards the city.
The sun was beginning to set, and they had to hurry before nightfall.
As they walked, Xiao Ning explained, "The desert is harsh, and it's easy to get lost.
If you enter without proper preparation, even if you avoid getting lost in a sandstorm, you could run into serious trouble due to a lack of supplies."
He shared with her stories about desert travel from Blue Star, which left Xiao Yixian in awe.
Having grown up in Qingshan Town, everything about the outside world was new and exciting to her.
The tales Xiao Ning told captured her full attention.
"The Tagor Desert is unlike any other place," Xiao Ning continued.
"The Snake People who live there are much more dangerous than any other threat you'd find in a normal desert.
While they usually stay in the heart of the desert, there's always a chance of encountering them."
The two of them purchased various supplies in the city: food, water, tents, and snake repellent.
Xiao Yixian also took the opportunity to buy some local poisons, which delighted her.
Thanks to their previous discoveries in the cave, they were both well off financially and didn't hesitate to spend generously.
By the time they finished shopping, the sun had set, and the city was covered in darkness.
It was too late to set off, so they decided to stay for the night.
The city remained lively, with bright lights illuminating the streets.
Xiao Ning and Xiao Yixian enjoyed themselves, exploring the local customs before retiring to a hotel for the night.
The next morning, they quietly left the city.
A few kilometers out, Xiao Yixian played her flute, summoning her blue eagle.
Without hesitation, the two climbed onto the eagle and soared into the sky, heading toward their destination under the rising sun.
Xiao Ning had a clear plan.
His first stop was Shimo City. He knew from the original book that the strange fire was located in the underground magma space near the city.
Even though the exact location wasn't mentioned, he was confident he could find it thanks to the map coordinates from Hai Bodong.
Although he knew that Queen Medusa had already taken the Green Lotus Earth Core Flame, he still wanted to visit the location.
Moreover, the magma space was perfect for tempering his body, and Xiao Ning was eager to improve his strength.
The journey lasted three days.
Even though the distance from Qingshan Town to the desert city was shorter, the harsh desert environment made the trip grueling.
The blazing sun and the monotonous landscape wore down their spirits.
At night, the temperature dropped drastically, and blind sand scorpions would occasionally spring from the ground, causing no small amount of trouble.
Fortunately, both Xiao Ning and Xiao Yixian were used to rigorous training.
They focused on cultivating during the journey, patiently enduring the harsh conditions.
By noon on the third day, they finally spotted a city on the horizon. The sight of it lifted their spirits for the first time in days.
"We've finally made it!" Xiao Yixian exclaimed from atop the blue eagle, stretching in relief after the exhausting desert trek.
"Yes," Xiao Ning replied, taking a swig from his water pouch.
After a brief pause, he called out to her, "Xiao Yixian."
She glanced at him, her white dress fluttering in the wind, her sleeves rolled up to expose her pale arms due to the heat. "What is it, Xiao Ning?" she asked.
He gazed at the approaching city, squinting against the sunlight.
"There's something I should tell you,there are people from my clan here in Shimo City."
Scratching his head awkwardly, he added, "Do you remember Xiao Yan, the guy we met in the Magic Beast Forest?"
Xiao Yixian's eyes flashed with recognition.
She hadn't forgotten him after all, Xiao Yan had defeated her, even though she had already advanced to the level of a Dou Shi (Fighter).
She whispered, "Of course I remember,could it be…?"
Xiao Ning nodded and explained, "Yes, those two are Xiao Yan's brothers.
They're here for training as well, I'm planning to visit them, and I want you to come with me."
Xiao Yixian was taken aback.
The Xiao clan seemed even more mysterious now.
For a family that could produce a monster like Xiao Ning, how powerful could they really be? Even Xiao Yan, who appeared to be only fifteen or sixteen, had been strong enough to defeat her.
His talent, while slightly below Xiao Ning's, was still remarkable.
This family was clearly not one to be underestimated.