Chapter 52: Arrival
The scorching sunlight poured down from the sky, baking the desert below and releasing waves of stifling heat. As the heat rose, everything in sight began to blur and distort.
Ding~
Accompanied by the crisp sound of camel bells, a thick-skinned magical beast slowly dragged a heavy water cart forward.
Yao Yan sat atop the cart, raising a hand to shield his eyes as he looked up at the cloudless sky and blinding sun. He couldn't help but comment, "The temperature difference between day and night in the Tagore Desert is really something."
Even though he knew deserts had extreme temperature changes, only by experiencing the noon sun firsthand could he truly understand how terrifying it was. Without a detailed map, wandering blindly through the Tagore Desert alone would almost certainly end in being roasted alive, no matter how strong his physique.
After complaining, his gaze shifted to the stern-faced Hai Bodong beside him. He smiled and said, "No wonder you hang around here. Ice-type Dou Qi really does have its advantages."
Water vapor condensing into liquid upon encountering cold—this was something even elementary schoolers understood. In the Tagore Desert, water was undoubtedly more precious than anything else. One could probably make a fortune just by selling water.
Hai Bodong kept a cold expression, like an emotionless killer, and replied indifferently, "I don't see it that way. Ice-type Dou Qi can indeed condense water in the desert, but it's also restrained by the surrounding climate. Even with Dou Huang-level strength, it gets partially suppressed."
Dou Qi properties had counters. At equal levels, the side at a disadvantage would be overwhelmed, and it wasn't uncommon to see the weak defeating the strong.
"That's why you chose to travel by water cart?"
Yao Yan looked at the burdened Rank 2 magical beast "Iron Blockhead" pulling the cart ahead and asked. With Dou Huang strength, flying would have gotten them out of the Tagore Desert in half a day.
"The Tagore Desert is serpent-men territory. Flying too high-profile would easily draw their attention. If the serpent-men really wanted to take someone down, even a Dou Huang expert couldn't guarantee they'd escape unscathed. Staying low-key is safer…"
Clearly a seasoned veteran, Hai Bodong glanced at Yao Yan as he shared his worldly wisdom.
Lesson learned!
Yao Yan's eyes lit up. He nodded seriously and listened quietly. This was an area where he truly lacked experience. Having grown up in the relatively "peaceful" world of the Medicine Realm, he never had to worry about such things. Even during his training in the Shennong Mountains, there were always powerful guards like the medicine farmers to back him up. It was hard to experience real danger.
As for the fantasy novels he'd read in his past life… Knowing something and doing it were two different things.
Moreover, Yao Yan had to admit, after spending so much time with someone like Hun Xuzi—a Dou Sheng-level expert—he had indeed developed a kind of "superior detachment." Especially after realizing they were now in the Jia Ma Empire, he'd even started to feel a little cocky. That was undoubtedly dangerous.
He reflected on himself and adjusted his attitude. He had no intention of becoming the classic villain who gets killed by the protagonist.
Once Hai Bodong finished speaking—
Yao Yan continued asking, "Are relations between the serpent-men and humans really that bad?"
"Extremely hostile. Any human who enters the Tagore Desert becomes prey to the serpent-men."
Hai Bodong answered calmly.
After a brief pause, he added, "Even so, countless mercenaries continue to flood in, because each serpent-man slave can be sold at a high price in human cities. To them, serpent-men are as valuable as heavenly treasures—they're drawn to them like moths to a flame."
Just then, two heads—one big, one small—popped out of the giant water barrel behind them. It was none other than Cai Die and Ling'er, with Ling'er lazily sprawled atop Cai Die's head, tail swaying.
Cai Die looked at Hai Bodong curiously and asked a rather odd question: "Uncle, am I valuable?"
Back when she was caught by those mercenaries, their leader had indeed said she was worth a fortune, possibly enough to sell for a sky-high price.
Hai Bodong fell silent at the question. He didn't think it was a matter of "value." If the people of the Jia Ma Empire knew Cai Die's true identity, the entire empire would be shaken. He glanced at Yao Yan and warned, "You'd better keep her identity a secret."
Cai Die was Queen Medusa's sister. If that got out, it would attract a swarm of idiots. And the world never lacked idiots.
True experts might hesitate because of Yao Yan's background and Queen Medusa's status. But others would be blinded by the promise of enormous profits—not everyone could remain calm in the face of temptation.
True identity?
Cai Die's bright sky-blue eyes flashed with confusion. With Ling'er as a headpiece and her twin ponytails swaying, she looked at Yao Yan with a dazed and innocent expression. Did she really have some special identity?
"Don't worry. I'll take good care of her."
Yao Yan nodded in reply. Once they reached a human city, he planned to help unseal Cai Die's strength. As long as she regained her power, many problems would solve themselves.
Cai Die pouted, a little upset. She felt Hai Bodong and Yao Yan were ignoring her. Thinking so, she turned away from them and, with Ling'er, ducked back into the water barrel. As for her real identity, she planned to ask Yao Yan about it in private.
Hai Bodong glanced at the barrel and continued, "Her personality is a bit too innocent. She's really not suited for life in the Tagore Desert."
People could lose their memories, but their temperament remained—memory was one thing, habits another.
Compared to Queen Medusa, Cai Die was pure and kind, almost like a blank sheet of paper. Hai Bodong even doubted she had ever killed anyone before—which was rather absurd.
"She was overprotected."
Yao Yan fully agreed with Hai Bodong's remark.
Queen Medusa had indeed doted on her little sister. It was this excessive care that had shaped Cai Die's current personality—a personality clearly unsuited for the ruthless Dou Qi Continent, let alone for becoming Queen of the serpent-men.
After a moment of silence, Hai Bodong slowly said, "True protection means making her strong. She has the talent for it."
"You seem to care about her a lot."
Yao Yan looked at Hai Bodong, a bit surprised. Without the original story's background, he hadn't expected Hai Bodong to be so invested in Cai Die. The man never seemed like the type to meddle.
Hai Bodong's expression turned complicated, as if recalling old memories. His voice grew heavy: "Her personality is very similar to my junior sister's. Back then, I failed to protect her. I don't want you to make the same mistake."
"I won't."
Yao Yan was stunned, then quickly understood what he meant. His tone turned solemn as he responded seriously.
Hai Bodong closed his eyes and let out a long breath. In that moment, he finally released a burden from his past. His expression relaxed considerably, and even his long-stagnant bottleneck showed signs of loosening. He had a feeling—once he returned to the capital, he would break through to six-star Dou Huang.
Sensing this, a faint smile appeared at the corners of his mouth as he said, "Ahead lies Yan City—one of the three cities the Jia Ma Empire has established in the Tagore Desert. It has a special aerial transport company. Young Master, you can use it to travel to other cities in the Jia Ma Empire!"
Yao Yan looked ahead and saw the silhouette of a human city slowly taking shape on the distant horizon…
(END CHAPTER)
Friends, if you enjoyed the novel, you can subscribe to my Patreon channel.
Until November 30st, get 40% off both your subscription and the purchase of your novel. Thank you for your support.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Kira1997