Useless to Xiao Heng, he placed the scroll beside Xiao Yi Xian. The fourth purple orb held a Low Di Class poison-attribute Dou Technique, also set aside for her. The fifth contained an exquisite purple longsword, likely the original owner's weapon—perfect for Xiao Yi Xian. Three orbs remained. Hope this owner has more to offer, Xiao Heng thought.
He drew the sixth orb, revealing a silver scroll: "High Di Class movement technique, Void Phantom Step. Usable at Dou Huang level, it reaches perfection with Dou Zong's spatial mastery."
"A spatial movement technique—priceless!" Xiao Heng tucked it into his robe.
The seventh orb held a red scroll: "High Di Class fire-attribute Dou Technique: Heaven's Burning Handprint!"
Storing it in his storage ring, Xiao Heng grabbed the final orb, a Low Di Class wood-element cultivation method.
"How's the haul?" Xiao Yi Xian asked, collecting the three scrolls and the purple longsword beside her, handing Xiao Heng the soul cultivation scroll.
"Solid. Memorize this movement technique too," Xiao Heng said, taking the yellow scroll and passing her the silver one.
"Got it!" Recording a technique was quick, and Xiao Yi Xian soon returned the silver scroll.
"You stay here and train for six months. I'll head to Jia Ma Empire. Meet me in the capital," Xiao Heng said.
"Mm!" Xiao Yi Xian nodded.
As Xiao Heng turned to leave, Xiao Yi Xian playfully tackled him. After three days and nights of her "torment," he flew from the Nether Poison Swamp, nursing his sore back. Four days later, he reached Jia Ma's border.
His route led straight to Stone Desert City. Xiao Yan's path mirrored the original story: earning a second-grade alchemist badge in Black Rock City, then taking a flying beast to the Tagore Desert. There, he clashed with Hai Bo Dong, one of Jia Ma's top ten experts, over a Pure Lotus Demon Flame map fragment. Sealed to Dou Ling, Hai Bo Dong agreed to trade the fragment for a Break-Barrier Pill, tossing in a desert map marking the Green Lotus Core Flame's location as an angel investor. Xiao Yan, now en route to Stone Desert City to meet his eldest brothers, crossed paths with Xiao Heng.
___
"You guys okay?" Xiao Yan asked, having just dispatched snake-beast warriors surrounding a Desert Iron squad.
"We're fine!" The squad leader, a striking woman named Xue Lan, replied.
"Yo, little Yan, playing hero for the damsel?" A familiar voice teased.
"Gege, what're you doing here?" Xiao Yan turned, spotting a youth in green on a dune.
"Playing with snakes!" Xiao Heng grinned.
"Snakes?" Xiao Yan was puzzled. After a brief chat with Xue Lan, who guessed their identities, she sent a runner to report back and led them to the city.
Xue Lan probed their identities along the way. "No need to guess. It's what you think," Xiao Heng said, easing her guard.
Entering Stone Desert City, they headed to the Desert Iron Mercenary Corps' southern compound, where a flag bearing "Mo Iron Mercenary Corps" fluttered above a sizable courtyard. Black-faced guards stood at the gate. Xue Lan briefed them on the city's three major mercenary groups, guiding them through paths to a spacious hall.
The four brothers—Xiao Heng, Xiao Yan, Xiao Ding, and Xiao Li—reunited after years. Learning Xiao Yan's strange physique was resolved, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were elated. They talked late, drinking until they passed out.
___
Next morning, Xiao Heng sat on a stone bench in the courtyard, absorbing Dou Zhi Qi. For a One-Star Dou Huang, it barely helped, but morning cultivation was habit. Last night's wine was like water to him. A petite girl, about thirteen or fourteen, carried a water basin toward Xiao Yan's room, dressed in pale green.
"Come here!" Xiao Heng called, opening his eyes.
"Master Xiao Heng, what's up? I need to help Master Xiao Yan wash," the girl said nervously.
"No need." Xiao Heng waved, opening Xiao Yan's door. The basin floated to a rack inside.
"Forget him. Sit," Xiao Heng said, noting her hesitation.
"Oh!" Qing Lin murmured, scurrying to stand beside him.
"What's your name?" Xiao Heng asked gently.
"Qing Lin," she stammered.
"Qing Lin, I don't eat little girls. No need to fear. Sit when I say sit," Xiao Heng said softly. Qing Lin's fragility tugged at him. Born of a human woman and snake-beast, her life was a tragedy. How does that even work? Snake-beasts need Dou Zong to shapeshift. Shouldn't there be reproductive barriers below that? he wondered.
Qing Lin perched cautiously on the bench, eyeing Xiao Heng. A glimpse of azure snake scales on her wrist peeked out. She moved to cover it, but Xiao Heng gently grabbed her hand.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to… scare you!" Qing Lin's eyes welled up.
"Don't be afraid. Just some snake scales. How's that scary?" Xiao Heng pulled her into his lap. Her delicate face flushed crimson.
"You're not scared, young master?" Qing Lin whispered, head bowed.
"They're beautiful. Your birth wasn't your choice. Ignore others' stares. Strength silences disdain," Xiao Heng said, setting her back on the bench.
"Thank you, Master Xiao Heng!" Qing Lin gazed at him, as if seeing a beacon of hope.
"Follow me from now on. I'll teach you to cultivate, to become a powerhouse others fear and admire," Xiao Heng said seriously.
"You don't despise me?" Qing Lin stared, incredulous.
"No more of that talk. It's early. I'll teach you Dou Zhi Qi cultivation—drawing qi into the body," Xiao Heng said.
"Do as I say. First step…" Xiao Heng guided Qing Lin through Dou Zhi Qi cultivation. Starting at thirteen or fourteen was late, but her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils could enslave snake-beasts and absorb their Dou Zhi Qi, making her cultivation speed rival a Dou Di bloodline's.