After entering the city without incident, Xiao Yan stood on the street and looked around. Following the route in his memories, he headed toward the end of the street. After a while, he stopped before an ancient-looking map shop at the street's end.
After pushing open the door, Xiao Yan once again saw Hai Bodong bent over his work.
"What are you pretending for, old man? A customer's here, and you're not even welcoming him?"
With an annoyed snort, Xiao Yan casually grabbed a map from a nearby shelf and tossed it at Hai Bodong. Just as the map was about to reach him, a sudden surge of cold air froze it into a block of ice, which then dropped limply beside Hai Bodong.
"Hehe, little brother, you've finally returned. You certainly kept me waiting."
Gently setting down the ink brush in his hand, Hai Bodong swept his gaze over Xiao Yan. A strange glint flashed through his eyes. It had only been a few months, yet the youth before him had become much stronger. And judging by the look of it, had he already found the medicinal ingredient he needed?
"It couldn't be helped. Since you had something I needed, old sir, I naturally had to return as soon as possible. Besides, if not for your map helping me on this journey, even if I wandered the desert for a year, I'm afraid I still wouldn't have achieved my goal." Xiao Yan said with a smile.
"Y-you went to the Snake People Holy City?!"
"Is there anywhere besides the Snake People Holy City that has Sand Mandala?"
"Incredible, incredible. At such a young age, you actually dared to venture into the Snake People Holy City and seem to have returned without a scratch. Heroes truly arise from the young