BTTH: I have a key to travel to Wu Dong Qian Kun.

Chapter 35: Rock Desert City

Leaving the Ancient Map Shop, Xiao Tian said to Yao Lao, "Master, lend me your strength!"

"Alright," Yao Lao responded, and a powerful force surged into Xiao Tian's body.

"Whoosh!" In the next moment, Xiao Tian wrapped his arms around Qing Tan and soared into the sky, heading towards their destination.

"Look, someone's flying!"

"Is that a Dou Wang expert?"

"He doesn't have wings. Could he be a Dou Zong?"

Seeing the figure disappearing into the sky, the surrounding crowd started murmuring among themselves.

High in the sky, Yao Lao's voice echoed in Xiao Tian's mind, "Kid, I noticed your Eight Extremes Collapse seems a bit off."

"Master, you found out," Xiao Tian replied with his soul power. "Now, the Eight Extremes Collapse can unleash twelve hidden forces, and its level has increased to Low Earth Class."

"What? A Dou Technique can level up?" Yao Lao was utterly shocked. Despite his cultivation nearing Half-Saint in his lifetime, he never managed to upgrade his Dou Techniques.

"How did you do it?" Yao Lao asked.

"Of course, I used the Stone Talisman," Xiao Tian answered. "Now, even the Flame Splitting Tsunami Ruler has been upgraded to Middle Earth Class."

"Have you tried upgrading the Flame Mantra?" Yao Lao suddenly inquired.

"Of course I tried, but I failed," Xiao Tian sighed. "It seems the Flame Mantra's level exceeds the Stone Talisman's upgrading capability."

This was understandable. The Flame Mantra originated from the Great Thousand World, and it could help a cultivator reach the Heavenly Sovereign level by harnessing the power of devouring. In contrast, the creator of the Stone Talisman, the Talisman Ancestor, had a cultivation close to Heavenly Sovereign but hadn't reached it.

"So, the Stone Talisman isn't omnipotent," Yao Lao lamented, shaking his head.

Xiao Tian flew on and finally landed near Rock Desert City on the eastern outskirts of the Tagor Desert. He then led Qing Tan into the city. After some inquiries, they found the Desert Iron Mercenary Group in the southern part of the city.

This place was a courtyard almost as large as the Xiao family estate, with a big flag at the gate bearing the words "Desert Iron Mercenary Group." At the entrance stood several burly men, armed and standing guard.

Xiao Tian came here to find the young girl Qing Lin. As the holder of the Three Flower Green Snake Eyes, she was worth Xiao Tian's special trip. Additionally, he planned to leave Qing Tan here for a few days since refining the Heavenly Flame was very dangerous.

Qing Tan had to stay far away to avoid being accidentally burned by the Heavenly Flame. Since he couldn't watch over her while refining the flame, it was better to leave her in the city.

Seeing Xiao Tian and Qing Tan approach, one of the men asked, "Halt, who are you?"

Xiao Tian replied, "Please inform them that Xiao Tian from the Xiao family is here."

"Oh? A relative of the leader?" The man nodded slightly and said, "Follow me."

He led Xiao Tian and Qing Tan into the courtyard and soon stopped in front of a spacious hall. He turned to Xiao Tian and said, "Wait here. I'll go report."

He knocked on the door and went in when a voice inside said, "Enter."

Shortly after, the door opened, and Xiao Ding and Xiao Li walked out. Seeing Xiao Tian, they smiled and said, "Cousin Xiao Tian, please come in!"

"Greetings, Cousin Xiao Ding, Cousin Xiao Li," Xiao Tian cupped his hands in greeting. Entering the hall, they all took their seats.

Xiao Ding curiously asked, "Cousin Xiao Tian, what brings you here?"

"I'm planning to train in the Great Desert," Xiao Tian replied.

Xiao Ding's face turned serious. "You intend to train in the Tagor Desert alone? That place is full of dangers."

To him, it seemed Xiao Tian was being reckless. Although he knew Xiao Tian was talented, second only to his brother, the desert's dangers were too great. Even as a Dou Shi, Xiao Ding hesitated to venture deep into it.

"Danger accelerates growth," Xiao Tian smiled. With Yao Lao around, he could easily subdue even Queen Medusa.

Seeing Xiao Tian's determination, Xiao Ding didn't continue to dissuade him. "Cousin Xiao Ding, I have a favor to ask," Xiao Tian said, pointing to Qing Tan. "This is my sister Qing Tan. While I train in the desert, please take care of her."

"Don't worry, leave it to us," Xiao Ding nodded.

After settling Qing Tan, Xiao Tian left. Though beauties were enticing, his priority was to quickly enhance his strength. Only with strength could he possess everything he desired.

Leaving Rock Desert City, Xiao Tian took out the map given by Hai Bodong and headed towards the marked area. Since Hai Bodong hadn't pinpointed the exact location of the Heavenly Flame, he had identified three potential areas. Xiao Tian had to search these thoroughly.

He remembered the passage in the original story being in a sunken sandy area, so he focused on these depressions. At each location, he had Yao Lao scan with his spiritual sense. Since the Heavenly Flame hadn't been taken by Queen Medusa yet, there was no open path leading underground.

After a long search, turning the area inside out, they finally sensed underground lava. "Let's go!" With Yao Lao's power, Xiao Tian began digging towards the underground.

As they went deeper, the cold receded, replaced by intense heat. "Boom!" Suddenly, the darkness vanished, and Xiao Tian broke through the rock layer, entering a fiery world.

In the enormous underground cavity, red-hot magma flowed slowly, with occasional large bubbles bursting, sending fiery lava shooting up like fireworks. The temperature was extremely high, making Xiao Tian, despite being fire-attributed, feel the heat intensely.

"Be careful, there are creatures below!" Yao Lao's voice warned, though not with urgency. He sensed the creature below was only a fourth-rank magical beast.

"Boom!" Lava splattered everywhere as a massive creature emerged from the underground magma. It was a serpentine beast, at least four to five meters long, with a body as red as fire jade. Its surface was covered in palm-sized red scales, and its two ferocious heads glared with bloodthirsty eyes.

(End of Chapter)