The world of mage hunters is constantly buzzing with new information every day. While most of the intel exchange happens at the Hunter's Hall, there are also special places where valuable intelligence can be found—just like how a tavern or inn in the martial world often becomes a hub for important rumors. Mage hunters also have their own gathering spots.
Zhao Manyan, being familiar with such things, quickly managed to find all the available information regarding Flame Empress for Mo Fan, though it cost nearly 10 million yuan—basically all of Mo Fan's current fortune. Mo Fan didn't care too much about the money, knowing the trials of the scorching plains ahead were worth the expense. The area was known to be filled with valuable fire treasures. If he could harvest more fire spirit seeds to devour, it would greatly benefit him.
After obtaining the info, Mo Fan remarked, "There's no harm in checking it out. Let's go."
"You're heading out with just this little bit of intel?" Zhao Manyan asked, surprised.
"There's no harm in taking a trip. Think of it as a training exercise." Mo Fan replied casually.
"Don't talk to me about training!" Zhao Manyan said with an annoyed expression.
"As a mage, how can you live without a heart that seeks adventure?" Mo Fan said with a straight face.
Zhao Manyan was speechless. After a moment, he said, "Are you really sure about this?"
"Of course. It's not like my money grows on trees." Mo Fan said.
"Can I opt out?" Zhao Manyan asked, thinking it over.
"If you don't want me to blow you to pieces, sure." Mo Fan said with a grin.
"Alright, I'm in." Zhao Manyan conceded.
Even though Zhao Manyan didn't want to take unnecessary risks, he couldn't say no to Mo Fan. After all, Mo Fan was already a high-level mage. A little adventure in the scorched plains wouldn't be a big deal.
Plus, despite Zhao Manyan's cowardly exterior, deep down, he did have a bit of an adventurous spirit—a trait often found in wealthy families' spoiled kids.
"But just the two of us won't be enough. We need to find more people, people we can trust," Zhao Manyan said seriously.
Mo Fan thought to himself: I invited you so you could bring a key person along! But without showing any reaction, he nodded and said, "Let's bring Lingling, Xinxia—our psychic mage—and maybe Mu NU Jiao too, for some training. Oh, and Zhang Xiaohou seems free."
In truth, Mo Fan wasn't looking for assistance; he wanted to train them. He wasn't expecting them to be of much help. They were mostly along for the experience, but Mo Fan trusted them to have his back when things got serious.
"Wait, you want to bring that little girl too?" Zhao Manyan was puzzled, having not spent much time with Lingling and even during the scaly skin demon incident, Mo Fan had taken care of things swiftly. He didn't understand why Mo Fan would want to bring such a small girl on such a dangerous trip.
"What does she even do? Is she going to charm the monsters with her cuteness?"
"You don't get it. Lingling may not know magic, but her mind is extremely sharp. She'll be a huge asset." Mo Fan explained.
Zhao Manyan shrugged. Since Mo Fan wasn't worried about having a child in tow, he had no objections.
After informing everyone about the mission, they all agreed to join. Mu Nu Jiao was initially hesitant due to past trauma from field training, but with Mo Fan's presence and his newfound high-level magic, she felt reassured. Plus, she didn't want to fall too far behind. Lingling took a few days to gather more detailed information about the scorching plains, and soon after, the group met at the Clear Sky Hunter Agency.
Unsurprisingly, Zhao Manyan brought his cousin, Chen Ying, along. With their team of seven assembled, they set off for Dunhuang.
Upon arriving in Dunhuang, the vast yellow expanse of land opened up before them, instilling a sense of freedom and awe. The rolling yellow sands stretched to the distant horizon, and the brown earth mounds rose and fell in layers, creating a rugged landscape unlike the smoother terrains of southern and eastern China. The land seemed divided into various tiers, and in the midst of the desert, the sun suddenly disappeared, casting a shadow over their path. As they raised their heads, they were met with the sight of a massive earthen cliff, towering like a wall and extending endlessly in both directions.
While six out of the seven were mages, only Lingling wasn't. But not all of them had mobility skills, so they rode on domesticated wind camels, making their way toward the famous scorching plains.
The distance wasn't too far, but beyond a certain point, the density of monsters increased sharply. Locals referred to the cliff edge as the "Boundary Line". On one side lay the safety of Dunhuang City's territory, protected by a protective barrier, but beyond the Boundary Line, danger awaited.
The desert's rich earth and fire elements gave rise to numerous elemental creatures. Alongside them were the Sand Tiger Demons, the dominant monsters of the region. Any hunter squad that crossed the Boundary Line needed to be on high alert.
Once they reached the Boundary Line, their wind camels became useless. These creatures, while sturdy, couldn't handle the scent of monsters. At the faintest whiff of danger, their legs would turn to jelly, and they refused to cross.
After releasing the camels, Mo Fan summoned his Flame Wolf to carry Lingling and Xin Xia, and the group resumed their journey on foot. However, they didn't get far before encountering a charging Sand Tiger Demon, one of the desert's most fearsome beasts.
The Sand Tiger Demon was a powerful warrior-level monster, but with Mo Fan's high-level power, even without his help, the group was more than capable of handling it.
Zhang Xiaohou took the lead, dashing forward with his wind element magic and teasing the creature by zipping around it. After finding the right moment, he used his earth element powers to trap the beast in a pit.
Mu Nu Jiao watched in surprise. She had always thought her wind magic skills were advanced for her age, but Zhang Xiaohou, even without a wind spirit seed, was showing more control and finesse than she expected. His skills as a combat mage were impressive, and his mastery of the wind element made her reflect on her own training.
While Mu Nu Jiao was still absorbing this, Zhao Manyan and Chen Ying launched their attacks. The Sand Tiger Demon, trapped and bombarded from all sides, quickly fell to their combined efforts.
Flame Wolf, watching disdainfully, lifted its head with pride. If it hadn't been busy carrying Lingling and Xin Xia, it could have easily taken care of the tiger itself. After all, since defeating the Winged Wolf, it feared no other creatures, not even tigers.
As the team examined the dead tiger, Mo Fan remarked, "This dumb tiger must've been injured. It looks like it was being chased."
Normally, a Sand Tiger Demon wouldn't be so easily killed. Even though the Flame Wolf was of a higher level, its aura should have kept the tiger at bay. But this one had charged straight at them, growling all the while.
(End of Chapter)