25: Chapter 25 Green Scales

The next day, a hungover Xiao Yan shook his dizzy head. He had drunk too much yesterday, continuing until he had finished the Sand Mercenary Group's entire stock, and he hadn't used his Dou Qi to expel the alcohol.

"Young Master Xiao Yan, are you awake?" a timid voice called out.

Standing before him was a petite girl dressed in light green clothes. Although she was just a girl, her figure was exceptionally alluring, especially her waist...

"Mhm, what's your name?" Xiao Yan asked, snapping out of his daze.

The girl was slightly taken aback and whispered, "I... my name is Qing Lin."

Looking at the hesitant girl, Xiao Yan smiled and said, "Ahem, go get me some breakfast. I'll wait for you here."

"Young Master Xiao Yan, I... should I help you wash up first?" Qing Lin didn't leave immediately, but instead spoke nervously.

"No need, I'm just a bit hungry. Oh, and bring plenty. I have a large appetite, so bring at least five portions, alright?" Xiao Yan instructed Qing Lin.

"I understand, Young Master Xiao Yan," Qing Lin replied before cautiously leaving the room.

Seeing Qing Lin's cautious manner, Xiao Yan couldn't help but sigh.

This was how the weak lived in this world.

Moreover, Qing Lin was the descendant of a snake-person and a human woman. In this place where snake-people and humans harbored mutual hatred, Qing Lin's situation was undoubtedly even more difficult.

That Qing Lin could live here peacefully was likely thanks to Xiao Li and the others taking her in...

After a short while, Xiao Yan had finished washing up and dressing, and Qing Lin returned carrying a large bundle.

Taking the breakfast, Xiao Yan asked casually, "Qing Lin, have you eaten yet? If not, come eat with me."

"I've already eaten, Young Master Xiao Yan," Qing Lin said, standing beside him.

"Mhm, sit down. Why are you standing? After I finish eating, take me for a walk around."

Hearing this, Qing Lin slowly sat on the chair beside Xiao Yan, only to witness his astonishing eating style—devouring buns and steamed bread in single bites...

Qing Lin's mouth hung open slightly. Did Young Master Xiao Yan always eat like this?

"*Burp!*" Letting out a satisfied belch, Xiao Yan looked at Qing Lin, who was huddled in the chair, and smiled. "What? Is it strange to eat like this?"

Looking into Xiao Yan's gentle gaze, Qing Lin couldn't help but look away. Such a gaze was unprecedented.

Even from those who meant well, their gaze was merely one of pity. A look that viewed her as an equal and with such warmth was something she hadn't encountered since birth.

"I... no, it's just the first time I've seen someone eat like that, so I was a bit curious..."

"Hahaha, I'm just born this way. I eat a lot, so I have to eat fast. If I cared too much about what others thought, with my appetite, I'd spend more than half the day just eating," Xiao Yan said with mock seriousness.

"Pfft." Qing Lin couldn't help but be amused by Xiao Yan's exaggerated tone and expression.

"Let's go. Breakfast is over. Take me for a tour to get familiar with the surroundings," Xiao Yan said casually.

"Yes, Young Master. During this time, I will be your personal maid. You can command me for anything."

Walking through the Sand Mercenary Group's base, he found it quite lively with people coming and going.

However, whenever someone encountered Xiao Yan, they would stop and greet him respectfully. But when their gaze fell upon Qing Lin, some would show a hint of disgust.

Most of the people in the Sand Mercenary Group had blood feuds with the snake-people. Whenever they thought of the snake-people Bloodline flowing within Qing Lin, they would uncontrollably reveal expressions of disgust.

Xiao Yan paused for a moment but didn't say anything. Offering mere words of comfort would be meaningless.

Following Qing Lin through a few turns, they arrived at the Sand Mercenary Group's meeting hall, where Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were present.

"Big Brother, Second Brother," Xiao Yan greeted them with a smile.

"Little Yan, why are you up so early?" Xiao Ding asked as the two stopped their conversation.

After some pleasantries, Xiao Yan brought up the main business.

"I actually came to the Tagor Desert this time for the Heavenly Flame." Saying this, Xiao Yan took out a map from his storage ring that marked the location of the Heavenly Flame.

Pointing to the nearby area, he said, "This is a map I obtained. The place marked with the flame is very likely to contain a Heavenly Flame. Since I'm not very familiar with Stone Desert City, I'll need to rely on you two."

"Heavenly Flame? That makes sense; after all, you are a Tier 3 Alchemist." Xiao Ding finished with a smile he couldn't hide. He hadn't expected the Xiao Family to produce an Alchemist.

Xiao Li took the map and handed it to Xiao Ding in surprise.

"This map is so detailed; it's the first time I've seen one like it. This flame symbol should be located to the southeast of Stone Desert City," Xiao Ding mused.

"There doesn't seem to be anything special there. I searched that area for a few days during a mission once and found nothing," Xiao Li added after some thought.

Seeing them shake their heads, Xiao Yan nodded.

At that moment, Qing Lin spoke up timidly from behind, "Um, Young Master Xiao Yan, there actually is something strange about the eastern region of Stone Desert City."

"Oh? Tell us about it," Xiao Yan turned around and said with a smile.

Beside him, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li looked at Qing Lin in surprise.

Under the gaze of the three, Qing Lin's small face looked panicked. However, seeing Xiao Yan's smiling eyes, she still said hesitantly, "About half a year ago, I sensed some unusual movement in the southeastern part of Stone Desert City... A powerful aura appeared outside the city. This aura felt somewhat similar to the Bloodline within me. Compared to that aura, even the leader of the Sand Mercenary Group is much, much weaker..."

"Oh?" Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were slightly moved by her words. The leader of the Sand Mercenary Group was a Great Dou Master; if he was much weaker than that mysterious person, then that person was at least a Dou Wang level expert!

"Similar to your Bloodline... could it be Queen Medusa?" After a moment of contemplation, Xiao Li suddenly said in shock.

"I don't know. I only felt her suddenly arrive at the eastern part of the city and seem to stay for a night. After that, the energy in the east became extremely violent. And I also know that after she left, she seemed to be injured..." Qing Lin said softly with her head lowered.

"Can you still find that location now?" Xiao Yan looked at Qing Lin and asked gently.

"I should be able to. Although half a year has passed, the aura she left behind is just too intense... Relying on the... Bloodline within me, I should be able to find that place." When mentioning her Bloodline, Qing Lin's expression noticeably dimmed.

"Hehe, good. If you can successfully find that location, consider it a huge favor I owe you. When the time comes, you can tell me any wish you have, and as long as it's within my power, I will definitely not refuse," Xiao Yan chuckled.

Having said that, Xiao Yan turned back to Xiao Ding and Xiao Li. "By the way, are there any factions in Stone Desert City that we have a bad relationship with? Let's clear them out before we go looking for the Heavenly Flame."

Cleaning out the factions in Stone Desert City now would also make it easier for the Wutan City Xiao Family to relocate and avoid drawing attention later.

"Hostile factions? Little Yan, I know you're a Tier 3 Alchemist, but wanting to deal with those factions so quickly isn't something that can be done in a short time. Especially the Sand Mercenary Group; their leader is a Great Dou Master," Xiao Ding cautioned.

"Hehe, Big Brother, don't underestimate your Little Yan."

A gust of wild wind swept through as purple Dou Qi, like tangible flames, covered Xiao Yan's entire body. Then, it even manifested into a Dou Qi Armor that covered his whole body!

"Dou Qi Armor... Little Yan, you're actually a Great Dou Master as well!"

Xiao Li's eyes nearly bulged out of his head as he cried out in shock.

Beside him, Xiao Ding and Qing Lin also stared with wide eyes, their brains essentially short-circuiting. A seventeen-year-old Great Dou Master... this..."