Purification Lotus Demon Flame Fragment Map

This was a shop with no luxurious decor; instead, it carried an air of antiquity. A counter stood at the front, behind which was an elderly man with white hair and a slightly hunched back. He held a brush in his hand, and on the table lay a half-finished map.

"Is there anything you need, customer?" Though the old man looked aged, his voice was exceptionally loud and clear.

"May I look around first?" Xiao Yan did not immediately state what he wanted.

"Of course. If there is nothing here that you need, you may tell me what you are looking for." The white-haired old man nodded, then lowered his head and continued drawing the map in his hand.

Xiao Yan did not mind the old man's attitude. He slowly walked through the small shop, occasionally flipping through its maps. Finding them exquisitely drawn, he nodded in satisfaction.

The quality of the maps alone showed that this shop was quite capable. Every type of terrain depicted was clearly visible, and certain dangerous regions and forbidden areas had even been specially marked, making everything clear at a glance.

Slap!

As Xiao Yan flipped through another thick stack of maps, he discovered that a small fragment tucked between them had fallen out.

At first, he paid it no attention and continued browsing. When he found that none of those maps were what he wanted, he quietly set them back down. Then his gaze swept over the fragment on the floor, and he froze. His pupils contracted.

"This... this is?" Xiao Yan could barely contain his excitement. His palm rubbed over the map as he swallowed hard.

"That's right. It's it." Xiao Yan confirmed what the fragment was, and it felt as though a giant hand had clenched tightly around his heart, quickening his breath.

He had previously obtained a fragment of this mysterious map. Having studied it day and night, he had already memorized every route on it. Comparing it with the fragment before him, he immediately knew they had come from the same map.

This was a map related to the Purification Lotus Demon Flame, ranked third on the Different Flame Ranking List. Even Yao Lao, who held most things in contempt, had given extremely high praise to the Purification Lotus Demon Flame, ranked third among the different flames.

Who would have thought that, by such a coincidence, he would encounter another fragment of the map? Could this be fate?

"Good heavens, your luck is simply incredible. That map fragment we had no clues about before has actually led us to another fragment here. It seems you truly have an affinity with the Purification Lotus Demon Flame." Yao Lao cried out in disbelief, clearly envious of Xiao Yan's luck.

This was the Purification Lotus Demon Flame, ranked third on the Different Flame Ranking List. Legend said that this flame could burn away all dark energies between heaven and earth. It was the bane of all creatures of darkness, and only those who harbored light in their hearts were worthy of possessing it.

Although Xiao Yan could be ruthless at times and never spared his enemies, it could not be denied that his nature was quite good. He was one of the righteous sort, which was why Yao Lao felt that Xiao Yan obtaining the Purification Lotus Demon Flame was simply ordained by heaven.

Xiao Yan took a deep breath and did his utmost to calm his restless heart, yet he still could not suppress the excitement within him.

"You're here to buy a map of the Tagor Desert, aren't you?" The white-haired old man seemed to have just finished his work. He raised his head and looked at Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan nodded.

"The maps are on the counter. Pick one yourself." The old man's attitude could not be called warm. He wore the same cold, expressionless face toward everyone.

Xiao Yan found it difficult to understand. Someone like this was clearly unsuited to business. Logically speaking, this shop called Ancient Map should have gone out of business long ago, yet it was still doing perfectly well. He could only attribute it to the city's residents having grown accustomed to the old man's attitude.

However, since he needed something from the old man now, Xiao Yan naturally would not foolishly rebuke him. He casually selected a finely drawn map, then held out the fragment in his palm before the old man.

"Sir, do you happen to have any other fragments of this kind of map?" Xiao Yan asked softly.

Though he knew the chances were slim, he could not help asking, following the principle that it was better to ask than miss an opportunity. What if his luck was extraordinary and the old man really had one or two more map fragments? If he failed to ask, would he not be letting the Purification Lotus Demon Flame slip through his fingers?

Upon hearing Xiao Yan's words and seeing the map fragment in his hand, the old man's previously cloudy eyes suddenly sharpened, and a fierce aura rose from his body.

The old man raised his head. Xiao Yan saw a long scar on his face, adding a hint of ferocity to what had once been a kindly appearance.

"You've seen this kind of map fragment before?" The old man's gaze swept over the alchemist badge on Xiao Yan's chest as he asked with slight surprise.

Xiao Yan shook his head and firmly denied it. "I saw this kind of map fragment at an auction before, so I casually bid against someone for it. But the other party's price was too high, so I gave up. Today, I happened to see this fragment here and found it somewhat similar to the one I saw before, so I asked you about it."

The Purification Lotus Demon Flame was no ordinary thing. It was a powerful different flame ranked third on the Different Flame Ranking List, enough to stir the hearts of many renowned experts. Naturally, he could not foolishly reveal the truth.

"Oh." The old man calmly swept his gaze over Xiao Yan, seeming to believe him. He said indifferently, "No more. I obtained this thing in my early years. Based on my many years of experience drawing maps, it is part of some larger map."

"Then would it be convenient for you to tell me how you obtained it?" Xiao Yan pressed eagerly.

"I dug it up in the desert." The old man's voice remained flat.

Xiao Yan gave a bitter smile, speechless at this unreliable old man. Holding the Purification Lotus Demon Flame map fragment, he sincerely said, "Sir, could you sell this map fragment to me? I can offer a high price."

The old man once again raised his head and gave Xiao Yan an indifferent glance. In his distinctly cold voice, he replied, "Not for sale!"

Seeing that the other party was utterly unmoved and had rejected his request without hesitation, Xiao Yan instinctively narrowed his eyes.

He was determined to obtain the Purification Lotus Demon Flame map fragment. It concerned how far his strength could ultimately go; there could be no carelessness.

But this old man was so stubborn. Xiao Yan was willing to pay a high price, yet the man refused without even considering it. His voice was firm and forceful, clearly leaving no room for negotiation.

Since he could not obtain it through normal means, Xiao Yan would have to think of other methods. In any case, he had to get that map fragment.

"Be careful, kid. This old fellow is no ordinary person." Just as Xiao Yan was struggling over whether to seize it by force, Yao Lao's voice reached him.