Xiao Yan walked into the shop. It was cold and deserted, with no customers in sight.
Behind the counter, an old man had his head lowered as he worked on a map. Though his hair was entirely white, his withered hands remained steady and strong.
"Teacher, what are the odds of encountering a reclusive Dou Emperor making maps in the desolate Great Desert?" Xiao Yan asked deeply.
Yao Lao's chuckling voice sounded.
"Tsk tsk... In a little while, your mental strength will surpass even mine at my peak."
Xiao Yan gave the old man a long look but did not disturb him. His gaze swept over the large number of maps on the counter before he picked one up.
Just as he was about to pay, a glint flashed through Xiao Yan's eyes, and he walked over to an ancient wooden shelf in the corner.
"This is..."
Carefully picking up a fragment, Xiao Yan's heart began to pound violently.
"Teacher, it's a fragment of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame..."
It was already deep into the night.
Under the moonlight, the patterns on the fragment became quite clear.
"Tsk tsk, you lucky brat. To find a fragment in a place like this... it seems you truly have some affinity with that Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame."
Just as Xiao Yan was rejoicing, his expression sharpened, and he held the fragment up to the moonlight.
"Stop looking. I cut half of it away."
The old man's aged voice slowly sounded from behind him, filled with chilliness. "Have you seen this kind of fragment before?"
"Phew!"
Xiao Yan took a deep breath and smiled. "Senior, could you sell it to me? I'm willing to pay a high price."
"Not for sale."
The old man's calm tone carried an unmistakable finality.
Xiao Yan fell silent