BTTH: Demon Emperor Xiao Yan

After leaving Hai Bodong's shop, Xiao Yan didn't set out to search for the Heavenly Flame immediately. Instead, he spent a few days exploring Muo City with Qing Lin. At her age, everything new was full of curiosity, and once they entered the Tager Desert, there would be no time for leisure. So Xiao Yan figured it was best to let her relax now before diving into the hardships of cultivation.

Of course, what Qing Lin didn't know was that during their time together, Xiao Yan had been observing her Jade Snake Three Flower Pupils, quietly recalling everything he remembered about them from his past life. Eventually, he came to a conclusion.

The eyes could be transplanted, and he had the means to do so—but their nature conflicted with his own flame-based attributes. Even if he succeeded, the fusion rate would be extremely low, and if something went wrong, he could suffer permanent consequences. After weighing the risks, he reluctantly gave up on the idea.

After those few days of leisure, Xiao Yan restocked all the necessary provisions and water before setting out on the path to find the Heavenly Flame, taking Qing Lin with him. He had originally planned to send her back to Wu Tan City, but it was too far away. Moreover, he suspected that her unique eyes might come in handy during this desert trip.

The climate in the Tager Desert was even more brutal than in Muo City. As soon as they entered the desert, they saw no fellow travelers, not even a single Magic Beast. The entire landscape was an endless sea of golden sand. Without a precise map, one could easily get lost in the wind and sand, no matter how well-stocked with supplies. Xiao Yan saw more than a few dried corpses along the way—victims who had perished from just such misfortune.

Aside from the scorching heat, the constant sandstorms were another hazard. The wind didn't just obscure vision; the fine sand stung like needles against bare skin. If exposed for long periods, one could become disfigured from the constant abrasion alone.

Xiao Yan was fine, of course. His body had been refined to withstand harsh environments. As someone who had trained physically and endured all kinds of hardship, he barely noticed. But Qing Lin, a delicate girl who had only recently recovered from a serious illness, couldn't be expected to handle such torment. So Xiao Yan used his Dou Qi to form a protective barrier around her, shielding her from the worst of it.

Although she never said so, Qing Lin cared a lot about her appearance. Years of mistreatment had never managed to crush that part of her feminine heart. Being protected in this way moved her deeply. To Xiao Yan, it wasn't about vanity—it was about preserving the Jade Snake Three Flower Pupils. If that rare gift were damaged, it would be a serious loss.

But the wind and heat weren't the only threats. Beneath the sands lurked dangerous Magic Beasts, ready to ambush the unwary. For ordinary travelers, these attacks were often fatal. But Xiao Yan's soul strength had long surpassed what a typical alchemist possessed—already at the latter stages of the Mortal Realm. He didn't even need to move. A surge of soul power alone was enough to shatter the minds of any hidden threat lurking beneath the sand.

His rising strength had also brought a corresponding leap in spiritual might. It was this same soul force that allowed him to so easily crush Hai Bodong's defenses earlier. Few people knew, but this soul strength was one of Xiao Yan's most reliable hidden trump cards.

That night, however, he realized he'd made a mistake. The desert's temperature swing between day and night was extreme—blisteringly hot during the day, freezing cold at night. Xiao Yan had made no special preparations, thinking his Heavenly Flame and cultivation base would keep him warm—and they did. But Qing Lin was different.

Though he had prepared for two people's needs, he hadn't accounted for this specific problem. By nightfall, she was shivering despite the extra clothes he gave her. With no other option, Xiao Yan had her curl up in his arms so he could warm her with his body heat. Only then was she able to fall asleep peacefully.

Holding that small figure in his arms, Xiao Yan smiled bitterly. 'If this were Earth, I'd probably be reported as a pervert by now…'

But as someone who had once been a Dou Saint, he had long since attained a calm and disciplined heart. Even with her in his arms, he could still enter a meditative state and continue cultivating. Still, every time he opened his eyes, he would notice how Qing Lin had somehow shifted from merely leaning on him to hugging him in a rather suggestive way...

Xiao Yan could only sigh helplessly. 'Good thing we're in the Tager Desert. If anyone else saw this, I'd be branded a lolicon for sure…'

Oddly enough, he was starting to feel a strange sense of familiarity with their interactions—like déjà vu. It reminded him of a visual novel he had played in his past life, with a heroine named Sylvie. If the pattern continued, then next would be... Qing Lin falling sick? Xiao Yan shook the thought from his mind.

'Focus on cultivation.'

At his current strength—a two-star Dou Wang—he was already considered a powerful figure in the Jia Ma Empire. But Xiao Yan knew well that in Central Plains, this was far from enough. If he wanted to stand tall in that land of monsters, he'd need to at least reach the Dou Zong level.

Just then, his soul sense picked up a disturbance. Snapping out of his cultivation state, he opened his eyes. Qing Lin, nestled in his arms, stirred and opened her eyes too.

Xiao Yan wasn't surprised. His soul had detected a group of Snake-People rapidly approaching from the distance. And since Qing Lin possessed Snake-Person blood and the Jade Snake Three Flower Pupils, it made sense she'd sense them too.

'Too many... and the leader is at the Dou Wang level. Not ideal for a direct fight.'

Though he could likely wipe them out, protecting Qing Lin during the battle would make things complicated. A head-on clash wasn't worth it. Instead, Xiao Yan chose to avoid the fight entirely.

He reached into his storage ring and pulled out a golden blanket, wrapping it around himself and Qing Lin. As the desert winds picked up, they carried swirls of sand that quickly buried them completely.

Moments later, a muscular male Snake-Person led a small patrol to the area where Xiao Yan and Qing Lin were hidden.

(End of Chapter)

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