Chapter 70: Searching for the Heavenly Flame!
Mo City, also known as Stone City, is likewise a border city near the desert. In terms of scale, Stone City is slightly smaller than Mo City, but it still has a large flow of people.
As the first line of defense against the Snake-People Tribe, the guard force in Mo City was directly under the imperial family, managed by the City Lord's Mansion. Jiang Yun once felt the presence of another peak Dou Ling (Battle Spirit) powerhouse there, besides Hai Bodong.
There was also an elite army. Compared to Mo City, the strongest force in Mo City was the mercenary groups.
Excluding the smaller mercenary groups, Mo City is currently dominated by the Sand Mercenary Group. Its leader, Luobu, is a Dou Grandmaster, and he also has several Dou Master powerhouses under him, making him a hegemon of Stone City.
Behind him, the Desert Iron Mercenary Group and the Storm Mercenary Group followed closely.
The Desert Iron Mercenary Group was founded by Xiao Yan's brothers. They had just arrived in Mo City recently. Both of them were Dou Master and could be considered second-tier experts in Mo City.
There was friction and fierce competition between the three mercenary groups, but the Sand Mercenary Group always held the upper hand.
On this day, Jiang Yun brought Zi Yan from Mo City to this Mo City, which held no small opportunities.
Looking at the city gate of Mo City, which was somewhat smaller compared to Mo City, Jiang Yun did not hesitate. He led Zi Yan and strode into Mo City. Because of their outstanding temperament and luxurious attire, the city guards did not dare to stop them or ask for fees, directly letting them through and allowing them to cut in line to enter the city.
The other people in line seemed accustomed to this situation, showing no reaction or opposition. On the contrary, they were very cooperative, directly making way for Jiang Yun to pass.
This is privilege!
As long as one has strength, no matter where one goes, one will be respected and enjoy privileges!
"Whoosh whoosh."
After entering the city, more and more pedestrians appeared on the road. On the street, a cacophony of sounds echoed in their ears, coupled with the subtle glances from their surroundings, causing Zi Yan to frown unhappily.
With skin as white as snow, a curvaceous figure, a delicate face, and the nobility exuding from her brows, Zi Yan was the center of attention wherever she went, let alone in this desert city.
Noticing Zi Yan's mood, Jiang Yun glanced at the surrounding crowd. His brows furrowed slightly, and a subtle soul fluctuation quietly enveloped both of them.
The people around only felt a blur in front of their eyes, and when they looked again, they subconsciously overlooked the two people in the middle of the road.
Noticing the changes around her, Zi Yan looked at Jiang Yun with a radiant smile, unblinking.
"What's wrong?"
The fluctuations from his soul perception allowed Jiang Yun to accurately pinpoint his target. His luck was good; she had already appeared in Mo City.
On the way there, noticing Zi Yan staring at him incessantly, Jiang Yun asked somewhat puzzled.
"You're jealous!" Zi Yan was still smiling, looking like an absolute fool, and after a long time, she finally revealed the reason.
Jiang Yun paused slightly, then continued forward with an unchanged expression, a calm voice coming, "No!"
Zi Yan was not angry at Jiang Yun's denial, still looking at the somewhat arrogant Jiang Yun with a teasing gaze.
Finally, the commotion ahead caught Zi Yan's attention.
In a chaotic corner ahead, a pale-faced girl was surrounded by many onlookers.
At this moment, the girl was hugging her calves, squatting in the corner, her tiny body trembling constantly, her eyes red, and one could faintly see tears falling from her eyes. She bowed her head in fear, enduring the disgusted and discriminatory gazes of the crowd, allowing the onlookers to curse at her.
"She's not human! I just saw it, she has Snake-People scales on her hands! She's a half-breed born to a Snake-Person! Get out of our Mo City!"
"Yes, I saw it too! To actually have the dirty bloodline of a Snake-Person in her body, it's truly a disgrace to humanity."
"Pah! Disgusting mongrel!"
"Get out of our city!"
Words of malice, piercing to the core, surged like a tide towards the trembling girl squatting in the corner. The disgusted and discriminatory gazes of the crowd were like cold arrows, silently piercing the girl's heart. Hot tears silently streamed down the girl's pale, pretty face.
At such a young age, she had to endure such treatment; her heart was already riddled with scars.
The vicious words ignited an unknown fire in Zi Yan's heart. She was not a soft-hearted person; she had seen far more brutal scenes in the Black-Corner Region.
But she didn't know why, she had an innate fondness for the young Qing Lin, and more importantly, Qing Lin's experience reminded her of her own childhood, when she was also bullied by powerful magical beasts. The difference was that she had the power to resist.
Jiang Yun had somewhat anticipated this. His early experiences had made him see through the essence of the world. It was true that humans and the Snake-People Tribe had a fated racial enmity, especially the families of those humans who died fighting the Snake-People Tribe, who bore an indelible blood feud against them.
Qing Lin had both human and Snake-People Tribe blood. Was she wrong? Perhaps she was the most pained person.
In this world, weakness is the original sin. If she possessed great strength, none of this would have happened. Those who cursed the loudest today would be the first to fawn later.
"Bang!"
Zi Yan beside him could no longer bear it. She stomped her foot abruptly, and the ground instantly caved in. An explosive sound erupted from under Zi Yan's foot, and she descended into the central open space, surrounded by the crowd, blocking Qing Lin's path.
She coldly stared at the unfamiliar and hateful faces below. A powerful pressure suddenly descended upon the crowd, who cried out in agony, their faces filled with fear as they looked up at Zi Yan, trembling as if facing a monstrous flood!
"All of you, scram!" Looking at the kneeling crowd who dared not move, Zi Yan's expression was cold as she reprimanded them.
Zi Yan's voice was not loud, but it spread everywhere. Her indifferent tone was filled with endless chill and a soaring killing intent!
Feeling this chilling killing intent, the surrounding people scattered, some even fleeing in panic, running out of the area.
After dispersing the crowd, Zi Yan turned to look at Qing Lin's direction and almost jumped in anger. She saw that while she was lecturing the people, Jiang Yun had already arrived beside Qing Lin.
"What's your name?"
Jiang Yun squatted down gently, his expression mild, and asked Qing Lin softly.
Qing Lin was probably only eleven or twelve years old now. She was delicate and lovely, with a sensitive and timid personality. Her mixed Snake-Person heritage made her life in Mo City difficult. Her ability to grow up to this age was entirely due to her physique and some luck.
"Qing... Qing Lin!"
The little girl still hugged her knees, head bowed, looking weak and helpless. She looked at Jiang Yun, her beautiful eyes gleaming with a strange light.
Although she was still young, she had already experienced the coldness and warmth of the world, and too much exclusion, disgust, and discrimination. Therefore, the girl's heart was inferior, and she dared not hope for kindness from others.
The person in front of her helped her drive away those who were making trouble for her. She was even more afraid that Jiang Yun would see the scales on her hand and despise her, so the girl clutched her sleeves even more nervously, not wanting to expose what was inside, her small body trembling.
Looking at the timid Qing Lin, Jiang Yun quietly manipulated his soul power to soothe her nervous emotions, and said gently in a low voice.
"Qing Lin, what a beautiful name. It's also very pretty. Don't worry, it won't scare me!"
As he spoke, Jiang Yun reached out, disregarding her struggles, and pulled up her somewhat slender arm, looking at the green scales on her wrist. The green snake scales shimmered brilliantly under the sunlight.
Jiang Yun had seen many mixed-bloods. When he was with the Demonic Spirit Clan, strange creatures often appeared. In comparison, Qing Lin's situation was hardly worth mentioning.
Under the soothing power of Jiang Yun's soul, Qing Lin's fear also stabilized. When Jiang Yun pulled up her arm, her small body trembled slightly. Hearing Jiang Yun's words,
Qing Lin was stunned again, then looked up at Jiang Yun. Seeing his genuine expression, the gentle eyes she had never seen before, and his warm smiling face, the girl's heart stirred, and her bright eyes filled with a touch of emotion, truly a sight to behold.
Jiang Yun's attitude towards her instantly ignited her almost ravaged, fragile heart.
She subconsciously turned her head, her eyes, faintly exuding a peculiar charm, wide open. Jiang Yun, facing her, clearly saw three small green dots suddenly emerge in her emerald green pupils, which were as clear and translucent as green jade.
"Young Master!"
"Is there anyone else in your family?" Jiang Yun asked softly, looking at the timid Qing Lin, afraid of startling this pitiful girl.
"No!" When her family was mentioned, a hint of loneliness appeared in Qing Lin's eyes.
"It's alright, you can follow us from now on. I'll be your older sister!"
Just then, Zi Yan's sudden voice came. Qing Lin felt her body lighten, and with a gasp, she felt herself fall into a soft embrace.
Before her eyes was a delicate face. She recognized the person; she was with that kind Young Master, and she had just helped her drive away those people.
Seeing Zi Yan's bold demeanor, Jiang Yun looked up helplessly, afraid that Zi Yan's carefree personality would scare the other party. As he looked up, he saw Zi Yan glare at him.
She shot Jiang Yun a sidelong glance, secretly making a mental note of the matter. How infuriating, to abandon her and go abduct an innocent young girl. She remembered this.
"Little Sister Qing Lin, how about you follow us from now on!" Zi Yan gently cupped Qing Lin's face, staring into the girl's bright eyes, and said softly.
Looking at the doll-like girl in front of her, Zi Yan's heart was instantly filled with endless affection. The girl had a cute oval face, delicate and pretty, with bright green eyes, lively and spirited, a small and exquisite nose, and plump, glossy cherry lips.
Especially her timid appearance, like a frightened little rabbit, made one feel a strong urge to pity her.
Even though Zi Yan was only interested in Jiang Yun, at this moment, she still felt an urge to bite her.
Staring blankly at the older sister in front of her, then turning to look at the gentle Jiang Yun beside her, Qing Lin's eyes were somewhat moist. A peculiar gleam appeared on her lovely, delicate face, and she sniffled softly, nodding vigorously.
"Yes, I will!" She murmured softly, then Qing Lin left Zi Yan's embrace and took Jiang Yun's arm with her small hands, holding on tightly, as if afraid he would abandon her.
At this, Zi Yan's expression stiffened slightly, and she stared blankly at her empty arms.
No, I was the one who drove away the bad guys, and I was the one who invited you first. Why isn't this result what I imagined?
Jiang Yun was also slightly stunned, but seeing Qing Lin's happy smile and Zi Yan's blank expression, his mood instantly improved. He ruffled Qing Lin's hair, then stepped forward and took Zi Yan's hand.
"Let's go, we need to get Qing Lin some clean clothes. After that, I should break through to Dou Huang (Battle Emperor)!"
As the light shone down, in Mo City, Jiang Yun led two figures, one large and one small, whose shadows gradually lengthened.
Vast desert, raging yellow sand.
At this moment, it was precisely noon, the sun was blazing, especially in this great desert, it was even hotter!
"Whoosh whoosh."
The sandstorm whistled past. Three streaks of light flew above the dry desert sky. Finally, they stopped in a flat expanse of desert.
"Is this it?"
Looking at the desert in front of them, Zi Yan gently placed Qing Lin, who was in her arms, on the sand, then turned and asked Jiang Yun beside her.
Feeling the rich fire-attribute energy underground, Jiang Yun affirmed, "This is it!"
Upon hearing this, Zi Yan frowned slightly, slowly took two steps forward, stood on a small sand dune, looked around, her face showing a pensive expression, and asked Jiang Yun doubtfully.
"How do we get down?"
"Of course, we dig!" Jiang Yun said, looking at Zi Yan somewhat strangely, as if it were the most natural thing. Medusa had arrived here first, and there was no pre-existing passage. To reach their destination, wouldn't they have to dig?
Jiang Yun's words left Zi Yan momentarily speechless. She glanced at the obedient and defenseless Qing Lin beside her, then looked at Jiang Yun, and pointed at herself hesitantly: "I dig?"
"You're the strongest here. If you don't dig, who will?" Jiang Yun said, looking at Zi Yan strangely, as if it were the most natural thing.
"Hmph, I'll dig then!" Receiving the reply, Zi Yan glared at Jiang Yun angrily and said somewhat huffily. She extended her fair hands, intending to start digging.
Fortunately, Jiang Yun was just joking and stopped her in time: "Alright, I was just kidding. How could I let you do it?"
"Hmph—" Zi Yan snorted coldly, walked to the side, and casually hugged Qing Lin like a pillow, messing up her hair under the latter's helpless gaze.
Qing Lin looked at the older sister holding her with some helplessness. After a few days of getting along, she had already gotten used to Zi Yan's personality, this older sister who looked like an older sister but was actually a 'younger sister' at heart.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yun scanned the surrounding desert. A powerful, invisible force surged from within Jiang Yun, spreading outwards. He was using his soul power to sense the aura of the Green Lotus Core Flame underground.