The scorching sun hung high in the sky.
Golden light poured down across endless waves of sand.
This was the infamous Tagore Desert.
A land feared by humans and ruled by the powerful Snake People tribe.
The temperature here was terrifying. Even seasoned mercenaries avoided traveling during midday.
But three figures were slowly walking across the burning sand.
Xiao Tian.
Xiao Yan.
And Gu Xuner.
Sweat rolled down Xiao Yan's forehead as he wiped it with his sleeve.
"This place is insane…"
"The heat is unbearable."
Beside him, Gu Xuner looked calm, protected by a faint layer of golden Dou Qi.
Meanwhile—
Xiao Tian walked at the front of the group without any visible discomfort.
The scorching heat around them almost seemed to avoid him.
Because deep inside his body…
The terrifying Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame quietly burned.
Heat meant nothing to a person who controlled one of the strongest flames in existence.
Xiao Yan noticed this and frowned slightly.
"You're not even sweating."
Xiao Tian shrugged.
"I'm used to hot environments."
Inside Xiao Yan's ring, the old voice of Yao Chen spoke quietly.
"Kid…"
"Watch him carefully."
Xiao Yan mentally responded.
"You think he really has a Heavenly Flame?"
Yao Chen remained silent for a moment.
Then he replied seriously.
"I'm not certain…"
"But something inside him feels extremely dangerous."
A Dangerous Territory
As they continued walking, the environment slowly began to change.
The sand dunes grew taller.
Strange bone remains appeared half-buried in the sand.
Broken weapons.
Skeletons.
The clear signs of battle.
Xiao Yan looked around cautiously.
"This place feels wrong."
Xiao Tian finally stopped walking.
"We've entered Snake People territory."
The air suddenly became quiet.
Even the desert wind seemed to slow down.
Xuner's golden eyes scanned the horizon.
"They're already watching us."
Just as she finished speaking—
SHHHHH!
Several figures suddenly burst out of the sand.
Half-human.
Half-snake.
Snake People warriors.
Their cold eyes glowed with hostility.
Each of them held sharp curved blades.
One of them hissed loudly.
"Humans…"
"You dare enter our territory?"
Xiao Yan instantly stepped forward, his Dou Qi rising.
But Xiao Tian raised a hand.
"I'll handle this."
First Clash
The Snake People warriors attacked without hesitation.
Their movements were incredibly fast as they slid across the sand.
One warrior slashed his blade toward Xiao Tian's neck.
But Xiao Tian didn't move.
At the last moment—
His hand suddenly grabbed the warrior's wrist.
CRACK.
The bone shattered instantly.
Before the warrior could scream—
Xiao Tian punched him in the chest.
BOOM
The Snake Person flew backward across the sand.
The other warriors hissed angrily and attacked together.
Xiao Yan watched with surprise.
Xiao Tian moved like a shadow.
Every strike was simple.
Efficient.
Deadly.
Within seconds—
Three warriors lay unconscious on the sand.
The remaining Snake Person looked shocked.
"You…"
"You're only a human youth…"
"How can you be this strong?!"
Xiao Tian calmly brushed the sand off his sleeve.
"Leave."
"Or the next attack won't be so gentle."
The Snake Person glared at him for a moment.
Then suddenly—
He let out a loud signal hiss.
Xiao Tian's eyes narrowed.
"That's not good."
Reinforcements Arrive
Moments later—
The sand dunes around them began shaking.
Dozens of Snake People warriors appeared.
And leading them…
Was a powerful female Snake Person.
Her aura was far stronger than the others.
A Dou Shi level expert.
Her cold eyes locked onto Xiao Tian.
"Humans…"
"You injured our warriors."
"You will die here."
Xiao Yan clenched his fists.
"This is bad."
Even he knew fighting so many enemies in their own territory was extremely dangerous.
But suddenly—
A calm voice spoke.
"Let me."
It was Gu Xuner.
She stepped forward slowly.
The female Snake Person laughed coldly.
"A human girl?"
"You want to fight me?"
Xuner smiled gently.
But her eyes suddenly turned extremely sharp.
Golden flames appeared around her body.
The temperature in the air instantly changed.
Even Xiao Tian raised his eyebrow.
Because that flame…
Was also a Heavenly Flame.
The terrifying Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame.
The leader of the Snake People froze in shock.
"Heavenly Flame?!"
Before she could react—
Xuner moved.
Her speed was like lightning.
Golden fire exploded across the battlefield.
BOOM
The sand around them melted instantly.
The Snake People warriors were thrown back in panic.
Within seconds—
The battlefield became silent.
The Snake People retreated rapidly.
Even their leader fled.
Xiao Yan stared with wide eyes.
"That was…"
"A Heavenly Flame?!"
Xuner calmly extinguished the golden fire.
Then she looked at Xiao Tian.
"You're not the only one with secrets."
Xiao Tian smiled.
"Fair enough."
A Queen's Instinct
Far away.
Deep inside the Snake People palace.
A beautiful woman sat on a throne made of white jade.
Her long purple hair flowed down her back.
Her golden eyes were cold and proud.
The legendary Snake Queen—
Medusa.
Suddenly—
Her eyes opened.
She slowly stood up.
Her gaze turned toward the distant desert.
A strange feeling filled her heart.
Something…
Was approaching.
Something powerful.
Something dangerous.
And strangely…
Something that made her bloodline react.
Medusa whispered quietly.
"A flame…"
"But not the one I prepared."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Who dares enter my territory?"