The Second Fragment Map

Inside the room, Xiao Tian looked at the scenery below the window, the occasional mountain peaks drifting past, and muttered to himself, "This feels just like flying on a plane in my previous life."

Sensing a disturbance outside, Xiao Tian walked out. This level was almost entirely occupied by Alchemists, with hardly any ordinary passengers, so he was quite curious about what had happened.

Outside, he looked toward the source of the noise across from him and saw Xiao Yan arguing with a Third Grade Alchemist.

Xiao Tian walked over and asked, "What are you doing?" Xiao Yan was also surprised to see the man approaching. "Xiao Tian? Why are you here?" "I'm heading to the desert to train. What about you? Where are you going?"

Xiao Yan said, "Oh, I'm going to see my eldest and second brothers." "I see. Then what are you two doing?" The Third Grade Alchemist stared blankly at the Fourth Grade Alchemist badge on the young man's chest. Had he lived all these years for nothing? This incredibly young boy was actually a Fourth Grade Alchemist!

Moreover, he seemed to know this black-robed man! A wise man knew when to yield, so he decisively said to Xiao Yan, "Hehe, little brother, that was a misunderstanding. I have matters to attend to, so I won't disturb you any longer."

Xiao Yan did not bother with him further. Old Yao exclaimed from within Xiao Yan's ring, "That kid has already broken through to the Dou Ling realm. He's now a three-star Dou Ling!" Hearing Old Yao's words, Xiao Yan was stunned as well. They had not seen each other for more than a few days, yet he had become this powerful.

Xiao Tian said, "Since everything's fine, I'll head back. I heard the commotion and thought something had happened." "Alright! Goodbye."

Watching Xiao Tian leave, Xiao Yan felt deeply defeated. The gap between them was actually this vast! He asked the ring in his heart, "Teacher, when will I achieve something like that? Is my talent really inferior to his?"

Old Yao said, "I don't think he reached this level solely through cultivation. He must have obtained some opportunity, or taken medicinal pills, to break through to Dou Ling so quickly! Although this has raised his strength for now, reaching higher levels later will become much harder. Cultivate properly. The road must be walked one step at a time. Don't lose heart!"

After Old Yao's reassurance, Xiao Yan was revived with renewed vigor. That's right! No matter how he got there, I'll definitely surpass him. I won't lose to anyone.

If Xiao Tian had heard Old Yao's words, he would certainly have praised him, because he was completely right. That was indeed Xiao Tian's current situation! Even breaking through to Dou Huang would be difficult, let alone advancing further in the future.

After returning to his room, Xiao Tian thought that if Xiao Yan encountered Hai Bodong before him once they reached the desert, would his points not go down the drain? No, he had to get there first. He had received a mission: "Befriend Hai Bodong as a powerful early-stage helper!"

A few days later, when they were nearly there, Xiao Tian jumped directly off the magical beast, spread his wings, and flew toward the small house where Hai Bodong was staying. He could not arrive with Xiao Yan and Old Yao, or the fragment map might not end up being his!

After an entire morning, he reached his destination. Xiao Tian rested outside for an hour before walking in.

Just as in the original story, Hai Bodong was drawing maps inside and paid Xiao Tian no attention. Xiao Tian said, "Old Hai, I've come to make a deal with you!"

Hai Bodong froze, then raised his head and carefully examined the youth. He was especially shocked when he saw Xiao Tian's chest. A Fourth Grade Alchemist, and a three-star Dou Ling as well! Hiss... What faction had raised such a monster? And how did he know about me?

Hai Bodong was puzzled for a moment before saying blandly, "Who are you? How do you know me? And what deal do you wish to make?"

Xiao Tian smiled. "I know that you are the Ice Emperor, Hai Bodong, one of the Jia Ma Empire's ten strongest experts and the head of the Mite'er Family. A few years ago, after participating in the grand competition, you came to the Tagore Desert. Then Medusa, Queen of the Snake People, sealed you and drove you into hiding here. Am I right?"

Hai Bodong said, "How do you know all this? You don't look more than twenty." "You don't need to know how I know. I have my own methods. I can now give you a chance to recover. You have a Heavenly Flame fragment map in your possession. It is what I need. Hand it over to me."

"Now tell me your choice." Hai Bodong was shocked after hearing Xiao Tian's words. This person knew him so thoroughly! Who exactly was he? As Hai Bodong pondered, Xiao Tian said indifferently, "I don't like waiting too long. State your choice."

Hai Bodong knew that if he did not hand over what Xiao Tian wanted, he would likely perish today. If he gave it to him, he could still save himself. There was no need to think about it!

Hai Bodong took the other small half of the fragment map from his storage ring and the bookshelf beside him, then handed it to Xiao Tian. "Young friend, this is the fragment map you need." Xiao Tian took it and stored it in his storage ring.

"Ding! Congratulations, Host, for seizing the protagonist's opportunity: Nether Demon Lotus Fire Fragment Map. You have obtained 1500 points. The system has automatically deducted them!"

Xiao Tian took out a medicinal pill and tossed it to Hai Bodong. "Eat it, and you'll recover immediately." Hai Bodong was puzzled, but he still swallowed it. In less than a minute, he had recovered to the peak of a five-star Dou Huang.

Feeling the immense power within his body, Hai Bodong laughed loudly. "Hahaha! I, the Ice Emperor Hai Bodong, have returned! This damned seal has finally been lifted!" Feeling Hai Bodong's powerful, icy aura, Xiao Tian thought, So this is the strength of Dou Huang Hai Bodong! He really is strong.

Xiao Tian said, "Hehe, now that Old Hai has regained his strength, do you want to take back the fragment map I took from you?" Hai Bodong thought, You're such a freak. Since you dared come looking for me alone, you must have some backup plan. How could I stupidly seek my own death?

Hai Bodong smiled. "You jest, little brother. I have yet to thank you properly. Why would I attack you? May I know your name, young friend? If you ever need this old man in the future, you may come find me at any time!"

"Xiao Tian." "Then thank you, Old Hai. Since you have nothing else to do, I'll be leaving!" Hai Bodong said, "Wait, little brother Xiao Tian. To show my gratitude, I have a Heavenly Flame map here that I can give you. I discovered it when I came here years ago, but before I had time to search for it, that woman Medusa sealed me! Sigh..."

"Ding! Congratulations, Host, for completing the mission: Befriend Hai Bodong. You have obtained 300 points. They have been deducted by the system."

Xiao Tian said, "No need." As he spoke, green flames rose from his hand. "I have already obtained a Heavenly Flame." Hiss... So what I investigated was true! Is this a Heavenly Flame? Xiao Tian said, "This is the Green Lotus Core Flame. Alright, I'll be going to the imperial capital in a year. I'll come visit you then, Old Hai. But if I go there a year from now and Old Hai pretends not to know me, that would be rather unfortunate~"

Hai Bodong said, "Hehe, little brother Xiao Tian, you joke. When the time comes, this old man will certainly welcome you with open doors!"

Xiao Tian said, "Alright, then farewell!"

After flying out, Xiao Tian flew toward Shimo City. Two hours later, he arrived at Shimo City and entered it. His purpose in coming here was simple: to take Qing Lin away.

"Ding! Host, please accept the mission: Subdue the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake."

Isn't this just another way of telling me to find Qing Lin? With Qing Lin, subduing a little snake would be child's play!

After entering Shimo City, he wandered the streets, intending to visit the Iron Mercenary Group first and abduct little Qing Lin.

After asking around for the Iron Mercenary Group's exact location, he began walking there. Perhaps because Shimo City was located in the desert, its streets were not lively at all.

As Xiao Tian passed an alley, he heard a group of children shouting, "Beat this Snake Person to death! Hit her! Hit her!" Following the voices, he saw a girl dressed in light green sitting there with her arms wrapped around her legs, enduring one small stone after another striking her body. She kept whispering, "Sorry... sorry..."

When the children saw the girl crouching there and sobbing with her arms around her legs, they lost interest and left. Xiao Tian walked over and asked the little girl, "Why do you not fight back when they hit you?" He took Qing Lin's small hand and felt it tremble in his grasp. His heart softened.

The girl raised her head and sobbed, "I'm an unlucky person. Aren't you afraid of me, sir? I have snake scales on my hands!" Xiao Tian smiled. "They're beautiful. Why care about how others see you? You do not live for them. Remember, you live for yourself."

"Since they do not like you, are you willing to come with me? I'll take you away from this sad place." Qing Lin timidly raised her head. "Really? You don't hate Qing Lin?" "I don't."

Qing Lin looked at the first person in her life who had ever treated her with such kindness. Her heart felt warm. Then she said, "Qing Lin is willing!" Xiao Tian picked Qing Lin up from the ground and left Shimo City.

After some time, the two arrived at a nearby city. Xiao Tian brought Qing Lin to a residence, where they settled down.