"Internally, it seems I no longer need to interfere too much. Extending my hand too far might have the opposite effect. The power of the group will always be much stronger than just me alone."

Andrew understood, "For the next step, I can focus on expanding the 'fire extinguishing business' externally."

He couldn't help but turn his head, his gaze crossing over the layers of tents in the temporary camp to look at the vast desert outside the camp.

On the surface, it appeared to be just an endless desert.

At this moment, however, Andrew seemed to be able to see the scattered towns of various sizes throughout the desert, and the various problems related to fire within each town.

"By the way, this Inner Sea Desert is a big problem in itself, isn't it?"

Andrew recalled some of the information he had read when he was studying in Humboldt's Magic Laboratory:

It is said that this desert, in ancient times, used to be a freshwater body of water called the "Lake of the Ocean." It was vast in size, like an inland sea.

Later, something unknown happened, the lake dried up, resulting in its current state.

The only thing left is the prefix "Inner Sea" in the name "Inner Sea Desert."

"Now, Wildfire Town can be considered my first stronghold and forward base in this Flame Realm. The next question is, what can I do for the residents of this 'Inner Sea Desert,' or even for the desert itself?" Andrew seriously considered.

In each town in the desert, there is a Fire Mage present.

Eliminate them to liberate all the towns?

The problem is, not all Fire Mages are as bad as Humboldt, right? Some towns' Fire Mages belong to the Warm Fire Commerce Association rather than the Magic Guild.

Just after a fleeting moment of thought, Andrew knew this idea wasn't feasible.

It's important to know that every town's heating system operates with the help of fire magic. That's why there is at least one Chief Mage in each town in this Inner Sea Desert.

"For Wildfire Town alone, I even have to wait for Barbara to wake up and ask her to continue operating Wildfire Town's heating system."

Andrew thought, "As for other towns, even if their Chief Mages are all bad, I can't eliminate them yet, because it would paralyze the towns' heating systems. Besides, this year's 'Desolate Beast Sand Tide' is fast approaching, making heating and water supplies equally important."

While contemplating other quick and feasible ideas, a voice suddenly came:

"Hey, Andrew—Mage…"

A camp resident with a few faint freckles on his face came running, his young, freckle-faced face smiling broadly, "Well, my dad and mom told me from today I should call you 'Mage Andrew,' but it feels a bit awkward for me..."

"I feel it awkward too, just calling me by name is fine," Andrew laughed.

"Then I'll call you Brother Andrew," the young man grinned.

He always felt that Andrew was different from the Fire Mages and Magic Apprentices he had seen before, with no airs at all.

Pointing backward to the gate of the camp, he said, "Sister An Ya from the Living People Cemetery is here, right at the camp gate, saying she wants to see you."

"Sister An Ya?" Andrew was taken aback.

The young man nodded, "But Sister An Ya didn't come alone; there's a pretty aunt about as good-looking as her."

Andrew was genuinely surprised.

An Ya coming to see him wasn't unexpected.

In fact, last night when he was treating the wounded, An Ya had been by his side as if she had something to discuss with him.

He intended to talk to An Ya after treating everyone.

But after dealing with all the injured, An Ya had already left.

Plus, he was too exhausted, so he went to sleep first.

In any case, An Ya coming to him today was entirely within his expectations. She must have something to say to him.

The question is…

A pretty aunt about as good-looking as Sister An Ya?

Is there such a person in Wildfire Town?

Andrew thought that since he crossed into this Flame Realm, the one person he had met who could surpass An Ya in terms of looks, figure, and demeanor was Barbara, who was still asleep. If only talking about demeanor, the ranking might need to be reversed!

The young man added, "That pretty aunt seems not from our town.

But from... outside."

The young man left quickly after saying that. He, too, had his tasks to do. The "Power of Enlightenment" had also affected him, bringing subtle yet essential changes to his spirit and energy, even though he hadn't awakened as a Professional.

Andrew quickly walked to the gate of the temporary camp.

Sure enough, he saw: An Ya accompanied by a beautiful woman, likely over forty but remarkably well-preserved for someone in this desert, were waiting for him at the camp gate.

At the sight of the beautiful woman, Andrew's eyes couldn't help but twinge.

It seemed that her very presence was imbued with an invisible but intense sharpness!

"How impressive!"

Andrew's heart tightened.

What he felt from her was a presence similar to Ivan.

Although not as robust as Ivan, it was much sharper!

He almost instantly confirmed: this beautiful woman, like Ivan, was also a Desert Hunter. And her strength was definitely not weak!

"Sister An Ya."

He first greeted An Ya.

Then looked at the beautiful woman, "May I ask who this is—"

As he was planning to expand the fire extinguishing business outside Wildfire Town, if this person was from outside the town, he could inquire about the external circumstances.

The other party courteously bowed and said, "I am the manager of the 'Living People Cemetery in Baal Town.' It's a pleasure to meet you for the first time.

An Ya visited Baal Town last night to find me, saying that Mage Andrew can treat lung injuries caused by burns. I apologize for the boldness of my visit today."

Although the beautiful woman possessed an extremely sharp inner intensity, she was very cultured and polite on the surface, speaking softly and gently, giving people a refreshing, spring-like feeling.

Andrew immediately caught the key point in her words—

The Living People Cemetery in Baal Town?

Baal Town also has a Living People Cemetery?!

Suddenly, he remembered having heard before: the Living People Cemetery wasn't exclusive to Wildfire Town but was a chain inn spread throughout the towns of the Inner Sea Desert!

Never expected it to be true!

"This might be... the opportunity for expanding the fire extinguishing business beyond Wildfire Town."

Andrew was excited.

He couldn't help glancing at An Ya.

Now he could guess what An Ya wanted to tell him last night.

What he didn't expect was that An Ya went directly to Baal Town overnight and invited the manager of Baal Town's Living People Cemetery over!

"I remember the Desolate Beasts are most active at night."

Andrew felt he should reassess An Ya, "The distance from Wildfire Town to Baal Town may not be that far, but it's definitely not near either, and yet An Ya..."

Seeming to have guessed Andrew's thoughts, An Ya, though looking slightly haggard and tired, smiled brightly and said, "Don't worry, I asked Uncle Ivan to let his dog, Xiao Ha, lead me to Baal Town. The round trip was very smooth, and I didn't have to worry about Desolate Beast attacks at all."

Andrew suddenly understood and then apologized, "Sorry, Sister An Ya, I should have listened to you last night. Next time, you don't have to be polite with me. If there's a problem or need, just tell me directly."

An Ya smiled, "Then I won't be polite."

Andrew nodded, then looked at the beautiful woman, stepping aside and saying, "Please come in! Let's sit down and talk."

At the same time thinking: "If every town in this Inner Sea Desert indeed has a Living People Cemetery, then my 'Water Spirit Technique' and 'Seed of the Water Spirit' might not be enough. After all, lung injury is just a general term; there are many different specific cases, and I'll likely encounter patients with particularly severe conditions...

It seems I need to unlock the 'Water Priestess Series.'

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.