However, what was a nightmare for ordinary travelers posed little threat to Xiao Jian and Xiao Yan.
With an accurate map and Elder Yao's powerful soul perception assisting them, they were always able to avoid Snake-People tribes and patrols before danger arrived.
Of course, unexpected encounters still happened from time to time.
In such cases, the brothers showed no mercy, striking swiftly and decisively to eliminate their enemies before any alarm could be raised.
After all, being hunted by large numbers of Snake-People in the desert would be a massive headache.
Between cautious travel and continuous cultivation, their progress was slow. It had taken them a full month to finally approach the desert's depths.
Their current location lay near one of the Snake-People's Eight Great Tribes....each guarded by at least a Dou Ling, and often even a Dou Wang.
With Xiao Yan's abilities, slipping past unnoticed would be extremely difficult.
Xiao Jian was confident he could suppress his aura and remain hidden, but patrol teams were unavoidable.
Once combat began, concealment would be impossible.
Thus, they had no choice but to detour around the tribe. Encountering a Dou Wang here would spell serious trouble.
Even though Elder Yao was powerful, protecting two people at once was no simple task.
Being entangled by the Snake-People was something neither Xiao Jian nor Xiao Yan was foolish enough to underestimate.
That said, they needed to replenish their water supplies one last time. Beyond this point, nearly all oases were controlled by the Snake-People.
Xiao Jian's gaze moved across the map before stopping at the nearest oasis marker.
This one's pretty close to a Snake-People tribe," Xiao Yan muttered, frowning as he compared the oasis symbol with the crimson dot marking one of the Eight Great Tribes.
"There's no other option," Xiao Jian said calmly, shaking his head. "It's the only oasis within a hundred li.
The risk is high, but detouring farther just for water isn't worth it.
And locations that look close on the map are often much farther apart in reality. If something goes wrong, we can still retreat."
Xiao Yan thought for a moment, then nodded. "That's true."
The two continued forward, faces to the sand, backs to the sky.
Just as Xiao Jian expected, what seemed like a short distance took nearly three hours to cross.
By the time dusk fell and the temperature began to drop, a patch of lush green finally appeared on the horizon.
Upon entering the oasis, the stifling heat eased noticeably.
Xiao Jian and Xiao Yan released their soul perception, carefully scanning the area before slipping quietly into the dense foliage.
Life in the desert was brutal. Day after day of nothing but yellow sand could drive anyone mad.
Without cultivation to distract them, even a single month here would feel unbearable.
As expected, Xiao Jian had broken through to Seven-Star Dou Shi half a month ago, while Xiao Yan reached Three-Star Dou Shi just yesterday.
Elder Yao's tailored training plan for the two brothers was producing excellent results.
Xiao Yan was coated in Burning Blood.
Xiao Jian, meanwhile, used Burning Paste....a strengthened version that enhanced both fire- and earth-attribute Dou Qi.
Only Xiao Jian could make full use of it. Possessing multiple Dou Qi attributes was practically unheard of on the Dou Qi Continent....a one-of-a-kind anomaly.
Splash—
Just as the brothers searched through the grove for water, the sound of splashing echoed ahead.
Hearing it, Xiao Yan instantly felt his inner heat subside.
He was about to rush forward when Xiao Jian suddenly pressed him to the ground.
"Shh."
Xiao Jian raised a finger, then pointed toward a narrow path beyond the trees.
Xiao Yan followed his gaze and felt a chill run down his spine.
Several Snake-Women with graceful figures stood rigidly ahead, their expressions cold and alert.
Their hawk-like gazes swept the surrounding forest as they gripped their weapons, ready to kill any intruder on sight.
Though their skin was slightly dark, their looks and figures were undeniably attractive. Unfortunately, neither brother had the mood to appreciate that.
Among them were four Great Dou Shi, with the rest all at five-star Dou Shi or above.
The two exchanged helpless looks.
This lineup couldn't be silently wiped out.
Xiao Jian felt even worse.
If nothing went wrong, the water here was probably unusable anyway.
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