25: Hai Bodong was shocked and got the map

Chapter 25: Hai Bodong's Shock, Map Acquired

The white mist in the shop dissipated, revealing its original appearance.

Amidst the shattered wooden pieces on the floor lay an old man with white hair, his withered face marked by conspicuously dark eye sockets that drew particular attention.

Soul Cang stood before the old man, looking down and saying, "Ice Emperor, are we not fighting anymore?"

Fighting? How could he fight? Hai Bodong glanced at him, not wanting to speak. His only reliance couldn't even restrain him, so what chance of victory did he have?

Feeling uncomfortable under the constant gaze, Hai Bodong snapped, "What are you still looking at? You've won. Do what you will with me."

The more he didn't want to be looked at, the more I would look... Soul Cang simply squatted in front of the old man, his gaze repeatedly moving over the eye sockets. He even gestured, sighing, "The second punch wasn't landed well; it was a bit off, not quite symmetrical."

Hai Bodong climbed up from the ground, annoyed, "What exactly do you want, you brat?"

"I came to find you," Soul Cang replied.

Hai Bodong looked at him, "Yes, I am the Ice Emperor. You've found me. You can make your move now."

"Make what move?" Soul Cang was stunned.

"Kill me!" Hai Bodong was driven to madness. Where did this hothead come from?

Soul Cang asked, puzzled, "Why would I kill you?"

Hai Bodong glared, "If you're not going to kill me, why are you looking for me?"

Soul Cang spread his hands, "Who said finding you necessarily means killing you?"

"Otherwise, you think I've been living in seclusion for over twenty years is... Huh? Wait a minute, you're not sent by that group of people, are you?" Hai Bodong was about to lose his temper, but halfway through, he suddenly froze.

He stared at Soul Cang for a moment and asked, "What's your name?"

"Soul Cang."

He really isn't... Hai Bodong was startled, then quickly realized, "Then why didn't you explain when you saw me attack just now?"

Soul Cang was astonished, "Why should I explain?"

You're an old geezer whose strength is sealed; you can't hurt me at all.

On the contrary, it's a good opportunity for me to practice.

How great.

Why should I... Hai Bodong turned his back, covering his face with his hands, feeling a bit like crying. If only you had said one word, this old man wouldn't have taken those two punches for nothing.

It hurt so much...

After calming his emotions, Hai Bodong pushed the shattered items aside, reopened the shop door, and returned behind the counter.

Looking at Soul Cang, he asked, "Speak, what do you want with me?"

Getting to business, Soul Cang put away his smile and said seriously, "I heard that the Ice Emperor knows some information about the Heavenly Flame in the Tagor Desert."

"Who told you that?" Hai Bodong's expression tightened slightly.

Soul Cang smiled, "Sorry, that's a secret."

Hai Bodong chuckled softly, "You said you 'heard' it, so someone must have spread rumors. How could an old man like me possibly venture deep into the desert? The snake people there are not to be trifled with."

Soul Cang said earnestly, "What I 'hear' is always based on facts. You don't need to try to lie to me; it's useless."

He seems to have some confidence... Observing Soul Cang's expression, Hai Bodong felt a little uneasy. He did indeed collect some information about the Heavenly Flame.

However, that information was something he was saving for the future, a trump card to trade with someone if the right opportunity arose.

Moreover, this information also concerned whether his strength could return to its peak.

Therefore, Hai Bodong lowered his gaze and said in a deep voice, "Please leave. I don't know anything about the Heavenly Flame you speak of."

Soul Cang's eyes narrowed slightly, "Aren't you afraid I'll kill you and then search for it myself?"

Hai Bodong laughed at that, "Don't threaten me with death. I've lived most of my life; what kind of storms haven't I seen?"

"Are you sure?" Soul Cang, who had been leaning on the counter, slowly straightened up, appearing somewhat helpless, and walked away, saying as he went,

"I originally thought you were quite pitiful, being so old and having your strength reduced to less than a tenth by the Snake Sealing Curse. I was thinking that if I got the Heavenly Flame, I would help you solve this problem, but it seems you're not destined for it."

He actually knew?! And he's an Alchemist? Hai Bodong's heart skipped a beat. He watched Soul Cang, who had reached the door, pondered for a moment, then raised his hand and said, "Wait!"

Soul Cang turned around and watched Hai Bodong walk out from behind the counter, chuckling, "Did you remember?"

"Are you an Alchemist?" Hai Bodong asked.

Soul Cang nodded.

Hai Bodong asked again, "What rank of medicinal pills can you refine?"

Ever since his strength was sealed, he had been searching for a way to break it, and he finally found a prescription.

As long as he could refine the pill on it, taking it would break the seal left on him by Queen Medusa.

However, that pill was a Rank 6 medicinal pill.

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"Rank 7," Soul Cang said.

Rank 7? So young? Hai Bodong's eyes widened, filled with suspicion as he scrutinized him up and down. He took a few steps back and sighed, "Forget it, you should leave."

Huh? Soul Cang was momentarily stunned. What was going on? Why did Hai Bodong change his mind after he spoke?

He asked, "Don't you want to break the seal anymore?"

Hai Bodong looked at him and said, "Of course I do. But, young man, you underestimate this old man too much. I've lived a long life; I'm not so easily deceived. You look barely twenty, and you're a Rank 7 Alchemist? That's too ridiculous."

Then you simply don't understand what it means to have a cheat code in life... Mumbling inwardly, Soul Cang released his aura.

Vast Dou Qi surged and pulsed within him, pressing down on Hai Bodong.

Hai Bodong's withered face suddenly changed, and he retreated repeatedly, his face filled with an expression of disbelief.

"You, you... you're a Dou Emperor?" Hai Bodong's voice trembled.

Soul Cang retracted his aura, his chin slightly raised, and smiled, "Have you ever seen such a young Dou Emperor?"

Hai Bodong's face still held a look of shock. He shook his head, his expression somewhat wavering, but he still asked with a touch of unease, "But how do you prove your Alchemist strength?"

"How about you get me the ingredients for a Rank 7 medicinal pill, and I'll refine it for you personally?" Soul Cang felt a bit numb. This old guy had so many demands.

Hai Bodong gave a wry smile. Ingredients for a Rank 7 medicinal pill? Do you think they're like cabbages on the street that you can just buy?

After a long period of thought, Hai Bodong decided to take a gamble: "Alright, this old man will trust you once."

Soul Cang smiled, "That's more like it. You're a former top ten Dou Emperor; you shouldn't lack courage."

The two returned to the counter, and Hai Bodong took out a map from his Storage Ring.

"These are the three places I've explored that are most likely to contain a Heavenly Flame. You'll need to find the exact location yourself," Hai Bodong said.

Glancing at the markings on it, Soul Cang reached out to take it, but after two tugs, he found Hai Bodong was gripping it tightly. He sighed, "Can you just say everything you need to say at once?"

Hai Bodong chuckled sheepishly, "Actually, I also wanted to ask for a small favor. I've collected most of the ingredients for the pill, but I'm only missing the last one: the Sand Mandarosa."

"Alright, that's a small matter." Soul Cang wasn't surprised at all and readily agreed, only then taking the map.

After a quick look, he put it into his Storage Ring and turned to leave.

At the door, he paused slightly, "Don't run around these days. If I can't find you then, don't blame me for you missing out."

"I won't, I won't..." Hai Bodong quickly agreed, watching Soul Cang leave.