Chapter 70: Searching for the Heavenly Flame!
Shimocheng, also known as Stone City, was another border city near the desert. In terms of scale, Stone City was slightly smaller than Mocheng, but it also had a large flow of people.
As the first line of defense against the snake-people, Mocheng's defensive forces were directly under the royal family, managed by the city lord's office. Jiang Yun had sensed, besides Hai Bo Dong, another peak Dou Ling strong expert in Mocheng.
There was also an elite army. Compared to Mocheng, in Shimocheng, the most powerful forces were the mercenary groups.
Aside from the small mercenary groups, Shimocheng was now dominated by the Sand Mercenary Group. Its leader, Luo Bu, was a Da Dou Shi. He also had several Dou Shi strong experts under him. It could be considered a tyrant in Stone City.
Behind them, the Mo Tie Mercenary Group and the Storm Mercenary Group followed closely.
The Mo Tie Mercenary Group was founded by Xiao Yan's brothers. They had recently arrived in Shimocheng. Both were Dou Shi, placing them in the second tier of strong experts in Stone City.
There were clashes between the three mercenary groups, and competition was quite fierce. However, the Sand Mercenary Group always maintained the upper hand.
On this day, Jiang Yun brought Zi Yan from Mocheng to this Shimocheng, a place of no small opportunity.
Looking at the city gate of Shimocheng, which was somewhat smaller than Mocheng's, Jiang Yun did not hesitate. He led Zi Yan boldly into the city. Because the two had outstanding temperaments and wore luxurious clothing, the city guard soldiers did not dare to intercept or charge them fees. They directly let them skip the line and enter the city.
As for the others waiting in line, they seemed accustomed to this situation. They showed no reaction, no voices of opposition. On the contrary, they were very cooperative, directly making way for Jiang Yun to pass.
This was privilege.
As long as one had strength, no matter where one went, one would be respected and enjoy privileges.
Hua, hua...
After entering the city, the number of pedestrians on the road grew. The noisy sounds echoed in their ears. Coupled with the faint gazes directed at them from all sides, Zi Yan frowned in displeasure.
Skin as white as snow, shapely curves, delicate features, combined with the nobility revealed between 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 scanned the surrounding crowd. His brow furrowed slightly. A faint, imperceptible soul fluctuation quietly covered the two of them.
The surrounding people only felt a blur before their eyes. Looking again, they subconsciously ignored the two in the middle of the road.
Sensing the change around her, Zi Yan smiled sweetly, her eyes fixed unblinkingly on Jiang Yun.
"What is it?"
The fluctuation from his soul perception allowed Jiang Yun to accurately latch onto his target. His luck was good. She had already appeared in Shimocheng.
On the way there, noticing Zi Yan staring at him nonstop, Jiang Yun asked with some confusion.
"You are jealous." Zi Yan was still grinning, like a fool. After a long moment, she gave the reason.
Jiang Yun's steps paused slightly. He continued walking as usual. An unruffled voice came. "No."
Zi Yan was not angry at Jiang Yun's denial. Her gaze still teased the somewhat tsundere Jiang Yun.
Finally, the commotion ahead drew Zi Yan's attention.
In a somewhat chaotic corner ahead, a little girl with a pale face was being stared at by many onlookers.
At this moment, the girl hugged her knees with both hands, squatting at the base of a wall. Her small body trembled continuously. Her eyes were red. Tears could be seen falling from the girl's eyes. She fearfully lowered her head, bearing the crowd's disgusted, contemptuous gazes and letting the crowd curse her.
"She is not human. I saw it — she has snake scales on her hands. She is a half-breed born from a snake-person. Get out of our Shimocheng."
"Yes, I saw it too. She actually has the dirty bloodline of a snake-person. She is a disgrace to humanity."
"Ptooey! Disgusting mongrel."
"Get out of our city."
Hurtful words, like a tide, battered the girl shivering at the base of the wall. The disgusted, contemptuous gazes of the crowd, like icy arrows, silently pierced the girl's heart. Hot tears silently slid down her pale, pretty face.
At such a young age, to endure such treatment — her heart had long been scarred.
The venomous words ignited a fire of anger in Zi Yan's heart. She was not softhearted. She had seen far crueler scenes in the Black-Corner Region.
But for some reason, she had a natural liking for the young Qing Lin. More importantly, Qing Lin's experience reminded her of her own childhood. Back then, she had been bullied by stronger magical beasts. The difference was, she had the strength to fight back.
Jiang Yun had expected this. His own experiences had long taught him the essence of the world. True, humans and snake-people had a fateful racial enmity. Especially the families of those who had died in battle against the snake-people — they harbored unforgettably deep blood feuds against the snake-people.
Qing Lin had both human and snake-person blood. Was she wrong? She was probably the one suffering the most.
In this world, weakness was the original sin. If she had powerful strength, none of this would have happened. Those cursing the loudest today would be the first to come begging for mercy tomorrow.
Bang!
Zi Yan could no longer bear it. She stamped her foot. The ground collapsed. With an explosive sound from beneath her feet, she descended into the open space surrounded by the crowd, standing before Qing Lin.
She looked coldly at the unfamiliar, hateful faces below and around her. A powerful pressure suddenly pressed down on the crowd. The crowd wailed. Their faces filled with fear as they looked up at Zi Yan, as if facing a terrible beast. They trembled.
"Get lost, all of you." Looking at the kneeling, motionless crowd around her, Zi Yan's expression was cold. She scolded.
Zi Yan's voice was not loud, but it spread all around. Her indifferent tone was filled with endless coldness, and a soaring killing aura.
Feeling this cold killing intent, the surrounding people scattered. Some even panicked and fled the area.
After dispersing the crowd, Zi Yan turned to look toward Qing Lin. She nearly jumped with anger. Just when she had been dealing with the crowd, Jiang Yun had already come to Qing Lin's side.
"What is your name?"
Jiang Yun squatted down, his expression gentle, and asked Qing Lin softly.
Qing Lin was about eleven or twelve years old. She was delicate and pretty. Her personality was sensitive and timid. Her identity as a half-breed snake-person made her life in Shimocheng difficult. That she had survived to this age was due to her constitution and some luck.
"Qing... Qing Lin."
The little girl still hugged her knees with both hands, her head bowed. She looked weak and helpless. Looking at Jiang Yun, a strange light shone in her beautiful eyes.
Although she was still young, she had already experienced the hardships of the world. She had experienced too much exclusion, disgust, and discrimination. Thus, the girl's heart was filled with inferiority. She did not dare hope for kindness from others.
The person before her had helped chase away those who were tormenting her. She was even more afraid that Jiang Yun would see the scales on her hands and be disgusted. Thus, the girl nervously clutched her sleeves, not wanting to reveal what was hidden beneath. Her thin, small body trembled.
Seeing the timid Qing Lin, Jiang Yun quietly manipulated his soul power to calm her tense emotions. He spoke gently and softly.
"Qing Lin — a very beautiful name. Those scales are also beautiful. Do not worry, they will not scare me."
As he spoke, Jiang Yun reached out, ignoring her resistance, and pulled up her thin, frail arm. He looked at the green scales at her wrist. The green snake scales gleamed with brilliant luster in the sunlight.
Jiang Yun had seen plenty of half-breeds. In the Xie Ling Clan, strangely shaped creatures often appeared. By comparison, Qing Lin's condition was nothing.
Under the soothing of Jiang Yun's soul power, Qing Lin's fearful heart 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 she raised her head and looked at Jiang Yun. Seeing his expression, which showed no sign of pretense, and the gentle gaze she had never seen before — the warm, smiling face — the girl's heart stirred. Her bright eyes shimmered with tears of emotion. She was truly pitiful.
Jiang Yun's attitude toward her almost instantly lit up her scarred, weak heart.
She instinctively tilted her head. Her eyes, faintly shimmering with a strange allure, opened. Jiang Yun clearly saw three small green dots abruptly emerge in her emerald-like, translucent green pupils.
"Young master..."
"Do you have any other family?" Looking at the timid Qing Lin, Jiang Yun asked softly, afraid of startling the pitiful girl.
"No." When mentioning her family, a look of loneliness passed through Qing Lin's eyes.
"It is fine. From now on, you can stay with us. I will be your big sister."
Just then, Zi Yan's sudden voice came. Qing Lin felt her body lighten. With a cry of surprise, she found herself in a soft embrace.
Her eyes fell upon a delicate face. She recognized her — she was with the kind young master and had helped chase away those people.
Seeing Zi Yan's bold, unconstrained posture, Jiang Yun looked up somewhat helplessly, afraid Zi Yan's blunt personality would scare the girl. As he looked up, he saw Zi Yan glaring at him.
Zi Yan shot Jiang Yun a glare, silently filing this matter away in her heart. Damn it, he had abandoned her to coerce an innocent girl. She remembered this.
"Little sister Qing Lin, would you like to stay with us from now on?" Zi Yan gently cupped Qing Lin's face, looked into the girl's bright eyes, and spoke softly.
Looking at the doll-like girl before her, Zi Yan's heart was filled with boundless affection. The girl had a lovely, delicate oval face, exquisite and pretty. Her eyes were bright green, lively and full of life. Her nose was small and delicate. Her cherry lips were red and glossy.
Especially her timid, fearful manner — like a fearful little rabbit — it made one unable to help but feel some pity.
Even though she, Zi Yan, was only interested in Jiang Yun, at this moment, she still felt an urge to bite her.
Dazedly looking at the big sister before her, then turning to look at the gentle Jiang Yun, tears welled in Qing Lin's eyes. Her delicate, pretty face took on a strange, brilliant color. Her small nose twitched slightly. She nodded vigorously.
"Willing, I am willing." Murmuring softly, Qing Lin left Zi Yan's embrace. Her small hands actively clung to Jiang Yun's arm and would not let go, afraid he might leave her behind.
Seeing this, Zi Yan's expression stiffened slightly. She looked blankly at her empty embrace.
Wait. She had been the one to chase away the bad people. She had been the one to extend the invitation first. Why was the result not what she had imagined?
Jiang Yun was also slightly stunned. But seeing Qing Lin's happy smile, and Zi Yan's blank expression, his mood immediately improved. He rubbed Qing Lin's hair, took Zi Yan's hand, and said.
"Let us go. Let us buy some clean clothes for Qing Lin. After that, I need to break through to Dou Huang."
Sunlight poured down. In Shimocheng, Jiang Yun held the hands of the two figures, one tall and one small, their shadows gradually lengthening.
A vast desert. Yellow sand raging.
At this moment, it was just noon. The sun was blazing. Especially in this desert, it was even hotter.
Hoo, hoo...
The wind and sand howled. Three figures flew over the dry desert sky. Finally, they stopped over a flat stretch of desert.
"Is it here?"
Looking at the stretch of desert before her, Zi Yan gently set Qing Lin down on the sand. Then she turned to Jiang Yun and asked.
Feeling the dense fire-attributed energy underground, Jiang Yun confirmed. "It is here."
Hearing this, Zi Yan frowned slightly. She slowly stepped forward, stood on a small sand dune, looked around, and showed a contemplative expression. She looked at Jiang Yun with confusion.
"How do we get down?"
"We dig, of course." Looking at Zi Yan with some curiosity, Jiang Yun stated matter-of-factly. Arriving before Medusa, there was no existing tunnel. To reach their destination, they would have to dig.
Jiang Yun's words left Zi Yan momentarily speechless. She looked at the obedient, powerless Qing Lin, then at Jiang Yun. She pointed at herself with some hesitation. "I dig?"
"You are the strongest here. If you do not dig, who will?" Looking at Zi Yan with a curious expression, Jiang Yun stated matter-of-factly.
"Hmph, fine. I will dig." Glaring angrily at Jiang Yun, Zi Yan spoke with some indignation. She extended her fair hands, ready to start.
Fortunately, Jiang Yun was just joking. He timely stopped her. "Alright, I was just kidding. How could I actually make you do it?"
"Hmph —" Snorting coldly, Zi Yan walked to the side. She casually pulled Qing Lin into her arms as a pillow. Under the other's helpless gaze, she ruffled her hair.
Qing Lin looked helplessly at the big sister hugging her. After a few days of getting along, she had grown accustomed to Zi Yan's personality — this big sister who looked like a big sister on the outside but was actually a 'little sister' on the inside.
Over on this side, Jiang Yun scanned the surrounding desert. A powerful, invisible force surged from his body, spreading outward. He was using his soul power to sense the presence of the Green Lotus Core Flame underground.