Chapter 72: Serpentfolk Sacred City

At the same time, the events that had taken place in Rock Desert City were spreading like wildfire across every corner of the Jia Ma Empire. In just a few days, the entire empire was shaken to its core.

Rock Desert City might have been a small, inconspicuous settlement on the edge of the Tager Desert, but the terrifying battle that had taken place there—one that had clearly surpassed the Dou Huang level—struck the empire like a magnitude ten earthquake.

Countless experts were shaken. Curiosity surged—what kind of figures would choose such a remote place to engage in such a cataclysmic battle?

Yet few dared to investigate personally, afraid of offending the powerful figures involved. Instead, they dispatched their subordinates to quietly gather information from Rock Desert City.

In a matter of days, the tiny city turned into a chaotic hotspot teeming with all kinds of factions.

And yet, the instigator of all this—Lin Ran—had long since departed. His group was already journeying deeper into the Tager Desert.

'Young Master, that Desert Iron Mercenary Group is technically one of our subordinate forces now. Are you really just going to leave them behind like that?'

Seated on the broad back of Bai Ya's beast form, Xiao Yixian gently massaged Lin Ran's shoulders while speaking with a soft murmur.

'That guy Xiao Li clearly isn't a good person. If he learns that you just fought his little brother, he's bound to stir up trouble.'

'Don't worry about it.'

Lin Ran leaned back with his eyes closed, enjoying Xiao Yixian's attentive care.

Qing Lin had already pledged loyalty. With the failed ambush on Yao Chen, there was no reason to linger in Rock Desert City any longer. Staying there would only waste precious time.

As for the Desert Iron Mercenary Group and Xiao Li? Their strength meant little to Lin Ran. Still, he had left Xiao Li with a Saint Sect Iron Token and even had Bai Ya clear out any obstacles within the city. What happened next was up to Xiao Li himself.

It was, in a way, an admission ticket—an opportunity to join Lin Ran's forces. If he rose to the occasion, Lin Ran wouldn't mind appointing him as an outer-sect steward. But if he failed? The Desert Iron Mercenary Group wasn't even worth considering.

As for any backchannel dealings with Xiao Yan, Lin Ran wasn't concerned. He had already planted a mark inside Xiao Li's body and still held Xiao Ding's soul. That little rascal wouldn't escape the palm of Lin Ran's hand.

In fact, Lin Ran hoped Xiao Li would stay in contact with Xiao Yan. That would make tracking the boy far easier.

"That brat's cultivating the Flame Mantra. If he wants to grow stronger, Heavenly Flames are a hurdle he can't avoid. Without the Green Lotus Core Flame, he'll surely seek out others here in the northwest."

'There's the Falling Heart Flame in Jia Nan Academy, and the Sea Heart Flame in the hands of that so-called disciple of Yao Chen... He's bound to go to the Black-Corner Region. And then there's that three-year promise with the Misty Cloud Sect...'

As these thoughts unfolded, Lin Ran's lips curled into a confident smirk.

"I know what's coming. You think you can escape my grasp?"

But he couldn't deny the terrifying fortune that clung to this so-called Child of Destiny. Though his strength currently surpassed Xiao Yan's by a wide margin, killing him was proving to be far too difficult.

This time Xiao Yan had escaped, but next time? He might have even stronger allies by his side. That girl Xun'er's background was ridiculously powerful. If a Dou Venerate had come this time, next time it might be a peak Dou Venerate... or even a Dou Saint!

"What a headache…"

He had to gather the ingredients for the Heavenly Dragon Blood Pill as soon as possible. His blood vitality was dangerously low, and his cultivation was stagnating. The pressure was suffocating.

'Boss, we're approaching the Serpentfolk Sacred City. But there seems to be some kind of fight going on between humans and Serpentfolk. Should we check it out?'

Bai Ya's deep, muffled voice came from ahead, piquing everyone's interest—especially Qing Lin.

As someone born and raised on the fringes of the Tager Desert, and a hybrid of human and serpentfolk, Qing Lin was very familiar with the terrain. She naturally knew about the Serpentfolk Sacred City.

That place was practically forbidden territory for humans. How could there be humans fighting with serpentfolk there?

'Just a few Dou Wangs sparring. Nothing to worry about.'

'Understood, Boss!'

Lin Ran spoke calmly. His soul had already locked onto the skirmish Bai Ya referred to. He was fully aware of what was happening.

Right now, Gu He and Yun Yun's group had entered the Serpentfolk Sacred City in search of the Green Lotus Core Flame. By the timeline, their arrival was slightly early.

It seemed his presence had triggered a few butterfly effects.

The massive Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor soared through the clouds, rapidly approaching the battle zone below. Though Lin Ran had said not to get too close, the area in question lay directly in their path. As they neared, the group was able to see the conflict more clearly.

Beneath the churning yellow sands, three figures clashed in fierce combat. Each collision sent waves of sand exploding in all directions.

'Two human Dou Wangs ganging up on a Serpentfolk Dou Wang?' Lü Yi blinked in surprise. 'That's rare, especially this close to the Sacred City.'

'Oh, it's that little temptress Yue Mei.'

Bai Ya let out a chuckle. His snake tail swayed lazily as his golden eyes scanned the skirmish below. But when he caught sight of two black-robed figures among the crowd, his pupils constricted slightly.

'A Dou Huang? And one with soul strength that intense... an Alchemist?'

'One Dou Huang, three Dou Wangs, four Dou Spirits… and one high-tier Alchemist? That's a lineup that could crush a small kingdom. These people clearly have big ambitions.'

'Ignore them. You all go make camp in the Serpentfolk Sacred City first.'

Lin Ran's tone was indifferent. His gaze lingered momentarily on one of the black-robed figures, the corners of his mouth curling upward.

Well, if it wasn't his dear little Yun Yun.

But now wasn't the time to greet her. It had already been half a month since his last yin-yang balance cycle, but he had more pressing matters.

Due to the earlier use of Sacred Origin—Blood Ignition, his blood vitality had been severely drained. While this loss could be recovered with time and hadn't damaged his foundation, it still left him physically weak.

And with his blood so diminished, the original imbalance of yin and yang energies in his body had worsened to a chaotic degree. He was in dire need of replenishment.

He needed something hot. Something rich. Something powerful enough to stabilize and restore his body.

The Green Lotus Core Flame!

A surge of immense soul power radiated outward from Lin Ran, blanketing most of the Serpentfolk Sacred City in an instant. Down below, the middle-aged man clashing with the serpentfolk—Gu He—seemed to sense something. He abruptly looked up toward the sky, a hint of confusion in his eyes.

'What was that? Am I imagining things?'

'Even if you're a Tier Six Alchemist, without a soul in the Spiritual Realm, you'll never touch me.'

Lin Ran gave a faint smirk.

Though he and Gu He were both Tier Six Alchemists, his soul power was undeniably superior.

Locking onto his target, Lin Ran stepped forward. The space around him rippled like waves.

In the blink of an eye, he vanished.

(End of Chapter)