Two chairs formed from condensed ice radiated wisps of cold air as Mo Lin and Hai Bodong sat facing each other.
Hai Bodong let out a long breath. The lingering bitterness and fear on his face gradually faded, replaced by the relief of one who had weathered countless hardships.
He looked complicatedly at the calm young man before him. After a moment of silence, he spoke hoarsely, his voice carrying the exhaustion of lowered defenses:
"Kid... no, how should I address you, sir?"
"Mo Lin," the young man replied calmly.
"Mo Lin... good, young friend Mo Lin." Hai Bodong nodded slightly, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the armrest of the ice chair, as though he had finally made up his mind. "They say no friendship comes without a fight. I acknowledge your strength, young friend. So let us speak plainly—what do you seek?"
The corners of Mo Lin's lips lifted slightly. He knew the real matter had arrived. "I want the Exotic Flame Map, as well as the other half of the Map Fragment in your possession."
Hai Bodong was first stunned, then chuckled softly. "Young friend Mo Lin, you have sharp eyes to see that the Map Fragment held another mystery."
He raised two fingers. "Indeed. After obtaining that thing, I split it perfectly into two. One portion was smaller—the one you took from the shop just now."
Mo Lin did not deny it. He brushed his fingertips over his storage ring, and the ancient fragment appeared in his palm.
This fragment was far smaller than the one he had obtained by chance in a cave within the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
Clearly, Hai Bodong possessed the larger piece.
"Since we are to cooperate, we should be honest with each other. I am Hai Bodong." He spoke seriously, his sharp