Partial Map Secured

"I'm somewhat interested in this thing," Lu Yunxiao said with a smile.

"Oh? Do you know what it records?" Hai Bodong grew interested. Back then, he had searched the Tagore Desert for this Partial Map, only to accidentally provoke Queen Medusa and be sealed by her. Even now, the seal had yet to be undone.

Now that he heard Lu Yunxiao's words, which seemed to indicate that he understood the Partial Map's secret, Hai Bodong could not help but grow curious.

"I know a little, but what it records is of no use to you."

Lu Yunxiao spread his hands, his tone calm.

"Then tell me. If it truly is useless to me, you may have it."

Hai Bodong waved his hand and spoke indifferently.

He did not particularly covet the Partial Map's secret now. He was more curious than anything else. After all, because of this thing, he could still only exert the strength of a Dou Ling. If he did not uncover the Partial Map's secret, he would never feel at ease.

"Fine." Hearing Hai Bodong's words, Lu Yunxiao nodded. He swept his gaze around, and only after confirming that the surroundings were quiet and deserted did he slowly say, "I once read an ancient text that recorded a Heavenly Flame of terrifying power, one capable of destroying heaven and earth. It was called the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, ranked third on the Heavenly Flame Ranking."

"Look at the black lotus on this Partial Map, as well as the flames burning atop it. This shape is exactly the same as the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame described in the ancient text. So I suspect that this small half of the Partial Map is a map recording the whereabouts of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame."

In truth, the most valuable thing about this map was not the whereabouts of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame. The Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame was sealed within the Demonic Flame Plains, and many people knew that. Once it emerged, countless people would sense its location, so its whereabouts were not important.

What mattered was the remnant soul of the Purifying Demonic Saint within the map. It was a contingency left behind by the Purifying Demonic Saint, as well as the crucial means of controlling the Heaven Refining Ancient Array and stripping away the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame's negative consciousness.

That was the Partial Map's true purpose.

However, Lu Yunxiao did not say any of this. After all, knowing too much would only make Hai Bodong suspicious. Knowing only part of it was more convincing. Besides, the Partial Map's origins were mysterious to begin with, and whether he said it or not made no difference. The Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame was utterly useless to Hai Bodong.

"You're saying this Partial Map records a Heavenly Flame called the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame?"

Hai Bodong's eyes widened. He had gone through so much trouble and even been sealed by Queen Medusa, forcing him to lie low for decades, all for a fragment of a map to the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame?

Was a Partial Map of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame not valuable?

Of course it was valuable—extremely valuable, even. After all, it recorded a supreme Heavenly Flame ranked third on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. But this thing was completely useless to him. He had the Ice Attribute!

At that moment, Hai Bodong only felt that he had been grievously wronged. He had spent so much effort, only to bring back such a thing.

As for whether Lu Yunxiao was deceiving him, he had no doubts. They had lived together for eight years, and Lu Yunxiao had never lied to him.

"Yes. By my estimation, it records the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame. This Partial Map is actually quite valuable. Old man, bringing it back was a rather wise move."

Lu Yunxiao spoke warmly.

"Forget it. If I'd known it recorded a Heavenly Flame, I wouldn't have bothered wasting all that effort. I've really suffered a huge loss this time."

Thinking of how he had been sealed for decades over half a fragment of a Heavenly Flame map, Hai Bodong felt like he had lost out terribly.

"Take it, take it. The sight of it makes me feel uncomfortable now."

Hai Bodong casually tossed out the small half of the Partial Map, and it landed before Lu Yunxiao.

With a stretch of his hand, Lu Yunxiao pieced it together with the other small half of the map in his hand, forming a somewhat larger Partial Map.

The Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame's map had originally been divided into four parts. After obtaining one of them, Hai Bodong had split it into two smaller pieces, placing one within a map while keeping the other on his person.

Now that the two small pieces in Hai Bodong's possession had been joined together, Lu Yunxiao had obtained one quarter of the entire map.

Lu Yunxiao examined it for a few moments before storing the Partial Map in his Storage Ring.

"By the way, Stinky Kid, I remember you seem to have the Metal Attribute. What do you want this Heavenly Flame Partial Map for?" As if recalling something, Hai Bodong looked at Lu Yunxiao and asked in confusion.

"I have the Metal Attribute now, but that doesn't mean I'll only ever have the Metal Attribute." Lu Yunxiao shrugged and said with a smile.

"What do you mean?" Hearing Lu Yunxiao's words, Hai Bodong could not help frowning.

"You'll naturally find out later." Lu Yunxiao said with a beaming smile.

The next morning!

Dressed in green, Lu Yunxiao walked down the long streets and arrived at Mo City's central square.

The area was vast and open, with a heavy flow of people. Jia Nan Academy's recruitment site had been set up here.

The entire square, along with the many buildings behind it, had been lent to Jia Nan Academy free of charge by Mo City for recruitment purposes. This showed just how influential Jia Nan Academy was. At the very least, within the Jia Ma Empire, it was immensely popular.

When Lu Yunxiao reached the central square, it was already packed with people. Crowds surged forward, eagerly signing up in hopes of successfully entering Jia Nan Academy.

However, Jia Nan Academy's admission requirements were harsh for ordinary people. To have a chance of entering Jia Nan Academy, one had to reach the eighth stage of Dou Qi before the age of twenty.

This standard might not have been particularly high in the Central Continent, but for a small nation like the Jia Ma Empire, it was already a lofty threshold.

At the very least, there would not be many people in Mo City who met this requirement.

Lu Yunxiao looked over the long line ahead, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly. He walked to a shop, bought a drink, and found a place to sit.

As he drank, he casually looked around. With such a long queue, there would be plenty of waiting. He might as well rest properly first. The recruitment line was right there; it was not going anywhere.

Time slowly passed, and in the blink of an eye, noon approached. The recruitment line had already shortened considerably, leaving only a few people.

Lu Yunxiao stretched lazily. Having already finished lunch, he strolled leisurely toward the recruitment station.

After the few people ahead had gone through, it was Lu Yunxiao's turn.

"Name!" A female teacher at the recruitment station asked indifferently without even raising her head, her voice carrying a trace of exhaustion.

The long hours of recruitment work had drained much of her energy.

"Lu Yunxiao!" Lu Yunxiao spoke softly, and his clear, faintly magnetic voice immediately rang out.

What a pleasant voice! The female teacher at the recruitment station could not help trembling slightly. Upon hearing Lu Yunxiao's voice, she felt much of her exhaustion dissipate.

Curious, she could not help raising her head. Immediately, Lu Yunxiao's figure entered her sight.

P.S.: The Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame's true form is pink, and its flames are milky white. The black color on the map is due to the ink, so don't get it wrong! (^▽^)