Chapter 68: Mercenary Blood Battle

The comprehended DI Flame is essentially highly purified fire-attribute Dou Qi.

Compared to naturally born DI Flames, this type lacks the nourishment of countless years of heaven and earth energy.

Therefore, to bring out the full power of these DI Flames to match that of true DI Flames, it means that Xiao Yan needs vast resources to cultivate them.

Among the best items for this purpose are fire-attribute treasures such as Companion Amethyst Source and Three-Flower Fire Liquid.

If no auxiliary cultivation items are available, then Xiao Yan can only rely on his own fire-attribute Dou Qi to nurture them.

Simply put, Xiao Yan is no longer just cultivating for himself; he must also cultivate for the DI Flames he has comprehended.

As a result, the more DI Flames he gains insight into, the greater the pressure on his cultivation becomes.

However, the benefits of such cultivation are also obvious.

In the future, even a casual strike from Xiao Yan will carry the terrifying power of multiple DI Flames.

If he uses Dou Techniques with this level of Dou Qi, their power will reach unimaginable levels.

Xiao Yan scratched his head, "Sigh, where's the camel and carriage?"

"You don't know?" Xiao Yi Xian rolled her eyes at him. Seeing his confused expression, she explained, "When you had your breakthrough, the reins snapped, and the camel ran off. The driver rushed after it, but he hasn't returned yet..."

Yao Lao chuckled, "This little girl stood guard over you all night."

"The breakthrough came a bit suddenly." Xiao Yan gave Xiao Yi Xian an embarrassed smile and took out a pouch of fresh water from his storage ring. "Have some water first. Fortunately, we're not far from Stone Desert City now."

After moistening her slightly dry lips, Xiao Yi Xian finally asked, "What level is your strength at now?"

"One-star Dou Shi." Xiao Yan clenched his fist, and black-and-white Dou Qi instantly surged over his body.

As the Dou Qi emerged, it suddenly retracted again, forming a thin layer over his clothes, like a protective barrier.

Dou Qi Veil—this was a signature skill of Dou Shi-level experts and also one of the most practical techniques.

It could enhance defense, speed, and attack power while also improving the absorption of heaven and earth energy to replenish internal consumption.

"Dou Shi!" Xiao Yi Xian's beautiful eyes widened slightly. The strongest person in Qingshan Town, Mu She, was only at the Dou Shi level.

However, Mu She was more than twice Xiao Yan's age.

Seeing Xiao Yi Xian's surprised expression, Xiao Yan waved his hand dismissively. "It's nothing special. You'll understand in the future."

"Why has your Dou Qi turned black and white?" Yao Lao asked in confusion.

He could sense a trace of the Xuan Huang Flame within the Dou Qi, but it wasn't dominant. Instead, a stronger energy had taken the lead.

Xiao Yan withdrew his Dou Qi Veil, took out some dried meat and pancakes, and shared them with Xiao Yi Xian before explaining the changes in his body.

"It's because I've comprehended the Yin-Yang Twin Flames."

"Yin-Yang Twin Flames!" Yao Lao was utterly shocked.

The Yin-Yang Twin Flames ranked twenty-first on the DI Flame Ranking, far stronger than the Xuan Huang Flame.

Yao Lao immediately asked, "Then what about the rank of the Great Burning Technique?"

Xiao Yan regretfully shook his head. "Still at the low Xuan level, it hasn't advanced."

"As expected." Yao Lao sighed.

The ranking of DI Flames is directly based on their strength.

The DI Flames Xiao Yan comprehended lacked the accumulated power of true DI Flames. They were even weaker than high-tier Magical Beasts' Beast Flames—still too feeble.

However, Xiao Yan remained optimistic. "Once they're nurtured properly, the technique's rank will naturally evolve."

"That's the only way." Yao Lao nodded slightly. "Do the two DI Flames inside you have any abnormalities? Normally, having even one DI Flame is an extraordinary fortune for an alchemist. I've never seen anyone possessing two DI Flames before."

Xiao Yan pondered for a moment. "No abnormalities. But if I try to use both DI Flames at once, it consumes an immense amount of Dou Qi—far more than just using one alone."

The Great Burning Art

The Great Burning Art allows Dou Qi to evolve beyond the level of DI Flame, enabling the survival of the remaining twenty-two wild DI Flames, each displaying its power.

Therefore, in the early stages, there are certain drawbacks when trying to separate and mobilize multiple DI Flames.

"This isn't much of an issue. A fused DI Flame is far stronger than a single one," Yao Lao remarked indifferently.

After their meal, Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian walked toward Stone Desert City, shielding themselves from the sun with a parasol. The journey took nearly half an hour.

"There's a mercenary battle up ahead… and quite a few of them," Xiao Yan's keen soul perception instantly detected danger in the distance.

Yao Lao nodded slightly. "It's a battle between two mercenary groups. They were likely drawn here by the phenomenon caused by your breakthrough yesterday."

Xiao Yan took out a water pouch. "Xiao Yi Xian, rest here for a moment. I'll go check the situation ahead."

Taking the water pouch, Xiao Yi Xian wiped the sweat off her forehead with the back of her hand. Her slightly panting expression, paired with her delicate features, was enough to evoke a sense of tenderness in anyone who saw her.

Xiao Yan shot forward like lightning, arriving at a high dune where he stopped to overlook the battlefield below.

In the desert beneath him, nearly a hundred mercenaries were engaged in a chaotic skirmish.

Scanning the crowd, Xiao Yan quickly spotted a familiar figure. "Second Brother…"

Xiao Li was locked in an intense battle. Swinging his long spear, he let out a low shout: "Thunder Arc Three-Step Dance!"

In an instant, three snake-like arcs of electricity burst forth from the spear's shaft.

The arcs flickered and intertwined, crackling with a formidable energy that couldn't be underestimated.

Lightning-attribute Dou Qi was all about explosive power. With this advantage, Xiao Li gained the upper hand, forcing Mo Xing—who was already weaker than him—into a desperate retreat.

"Captain, save me!"

"Luo Bu is here too!" Xiao Li's brows furrowed as his killing intent intensified.

The Desert Iron Mercenary Group and the Sand Mercenary Group were evenly matched in overall strength, except for the fact that the Sand Mercenary Group's leader, Luo Bu, was a Da Dou Shi.

After today's events, the Desert Iron Mercenary Group and the Sand Mercenary Group had formed an unbreakable grudge. Xiao Li had already made up his mind—Mo Xing must die first.

Apart from Mo Xing, the Sand Mercenary Group had no other Dou Shi, whereas the Desert Iron Mercenary Group had four. If they worked together, they might not be helpless against Luo Bu.

Just as the spear tip was about to pierce Mo Xing, a middle-aged man wearing a bamboo hat suddenly stepped out from the crowd.

With a single step, he appeared in front of Mo Xing, his palm glowing with a golden radiance as he effortlessly blocked the thunder-imbued spear tip.

"Dou Qi Armor… How troublesome!"

Seeing the heavy yellow armor covering the man's body, Xiao Li immediately used the counterforce to retreat, his gaze filled with vigilance.

Luo Bu spoke calmly. "Vice Captain Xiao Li, you're still young. You have a bright future ahead—there's no need to throw your life away here."

"Who lives and who dies is still uncertain."

A voice rang out from afar as Xiao Yan charged straight into the chaotic battlefield of mercenaries.

(End of Chapter)

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