Cao Ying's Hehe

"Greetings, Lord Shen."

Hai Bodong no longer retained his earlier calmness, and his tone had become far more respectful.

Even at his peak, he would have had to show utmost respect upon meeting a Seventh-Grade Alchemist.

Much less now.

Shen Wen smiled. "I still prefer that unruly look you had just now."

Shen Wen put away the badge. Hai Bodong's lips were slightly dry, and after hesitating for a moment, he asked, "What are your instructions, sir?"

"It's not an instruction. Let's make a deal."

Shen Wen placed the fragment of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame on the table. "This, plus information about the Green Lotus Core Flame, in exchange for me refining a Po E Pill to break Medusa's seal on you."

Upon hearing Shen Wen's words, Hai Bodong looked puzzled. "First, how do you know I was sealed by Medusa?"

"And how do you know that I know where the Green Lotus Core Flame is?"

Even Cao Ying's beautiful eyes widened slightly.

She had actually assumed that Shen Wen's Old Ancestor had left behind information about the location of the Green Lotus Core Flame in his inheritance.

She had not expected—

Shen Wen to know that this man called Hai Bodong knew where the Green Lotus Core Flame was.

How did he know that?

Even if Shen Wen's Old Ancestor had been a Dou Di, he could not possibly have known that someone in the future would know the Green Lotus Core Flame's location.

She had originally thought she understood Shen Wen somewhat, but now she realized another layer of mist had shrouded him.

"Don't worry about it."

Shen Wen said flatly, "Are you taking this deal or not?"

"I... wait."

Hai Bodong looked at Shen Wen and suddenly asked, "Do you possess a Heavenly Flame?"

"No."

The excitement on Hai Bodong's face instantly froze. He sneered. "Since you know about this pill, then you must know it can only be refined with a Heavenly Flame!"

"Hehe! And you claim to be a real Seventh-Grade Alchemist?"

"I don't have one, but don't you have information about one? Otherwise, why would we have come looking for you?"

Shen Wen raised a brow and smiled. He had come here to get something for nothing—or rather, it was not getting something for nothing, but making a deal.

Trading information and his own skills for benefits was still a deal.

"You want to use my information to find a Heavenly Flame, then help me refine the pill?"

"I've only been sealed, not turned stupid!" Hai Bodong no longer cared about Shen Wen's identity. He was already in this state.

If the seal was not broken, he would not live much longer.

He was not even afraid of death, so why should he worry about whether Shen Wen really was a Seventh-Grade Alchemist?

"Exactly."

Shen Wen nodded and said matter-of-factly, "Even if you have the information, can you guarantee you'll find a Rank Six Alchemist capable of refining a Po E Pill who can completely refine a Heavenly Flame based on your information?"

"You're holding onto this information only because you want to find someone reliable to make a deal with."

"You planned to exchange it for the pill, but have you considered that this is inherently a paradox?

Under normal circumstances, an Alchemist can only possess one Heavenly Flame in their lifetime."

"Which Rank Six Alchemist who possesses a Heavenly Flame would refine a pill for you because of your information about another Heavenly Flame?"

Every word Shen Wen spoke struck Hai Bodong's heart like a hammer. Even Cao Ying was stunned.

Wasn't this far too mercenary?

He would use someone else's information to obtain a Heavenly Flame, then refine pills for that same person?

Cao Ying wanted to complain, but then remembered that Shen Wen intended to obtain the Green Lotus Core Flame for her.

She pursed her red lips and said nothing.

But she sent Shen Wen a voice transmission. "I don't know how to refine a Po E Pill!"

Since Shen Wen wanted her to refine the Green Lotus Core Flame, naturally he would have her refine the pill later.

"That pill is only special because it requires a Heavenly Flame. I know the method. When the time comes, I'll teach you step by step."

Shen Wen replied through voice transmission.

Actually, Shen Wen felt that the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame, now contained within the Flame Ancestral Talisman, should also be able to refine a Po E Pill.

But since the pill explicitly required a Heavenly Flame, he would rather not reveal that particularity.

While the two were exchanging meaningful glances, Hai Bodong pondered for a long time.

In the end, he sighed helplessly. "Fine."

Because Hai Bodong truly could not guarantee that he would encounter another Alchemist above Rank Six who also possessed a Heavenly Flame.

At last, he took out a map and spread it across the table.

His tone carried a trace of respect as he said, "These are the final places I've explored over the years where the Green Lotus Core Flame might be. There are only three."

"You may go east or north. As for the west... well, you might encounter Queen Medusa there."

"Queen Medusa?"

This time, Cao Ying spoke. Shen Wen had just said that Hai Bodong's seal had been placed by Medusa.

Hai Bodong glanced at Cao Ying and explained, "She is the queen of the Snake People Clan, at the Dou Huang Peak. Her beauty is peerless, and her strength unmatched!"

Cao Ying's Willow eyebrows furrowed slightly. She had heard it—'peerless beauty'?

She looked suspiciously at Shen Wen. Since Shen Wen also knew of Medusa, did that mean he knew Medusa was peerlessly beautiful too?

For some reason—

Cao Ying suddenly felt a little uncomfortable. Was this guy eating from his bowl while eyeing the pot?

But after falling silent for a moment, Cao Ying remembered that she and Shen Wen seemed to be in a marriage of convenience. In truth, it was not wrong for Shen Wen to like someone else.

But... but this guy had kissed her!

No!

She had to see whether this Medusa was actually prettier than her!

"Don't worry." Shen Wen glanced at the map. He knew more than Hai Bodong did. The Green Lotus Core Flame was clearly in that western location.

Because Hai Bodong did not know that Medusa was also searching for a Heavenly Flame to undergo her transformation. The places where she appeared—

Were instead the places where Heavenly Flames existed.

"Oh, right... uh, this Po E Pill requires something called..." Hai Bodong suddenly looked a little awkward.

"Sand Mandala. I know."

Shen Wen nodded.

Hai Bodong quickly said, "I won't have you do this for free. I understand the rules of Alchemists.

If you find it, the other part of the fragment you held earlier will also be given to you as payment!"

"Got it. Wait for my news."

Shen Wen held no ill will toward Hai Bodong, the greatest angel investor in Battle Through the Heavens. This man was indeed loyal and devoted.

Back then, he had risked life and death to help Xiao Yan, practically giving his life for Xiao Yan.

In any case, helping him was not a bad thing.

The three walked out of the shop, and the atmosphere became strangely stiff. Cao Ying in particular was still thinking about whether Medusa was pretty.

Whether she was prettier than her!

Shen Wen looked at a map he had casually taken out. It was a map of the desert cities nearby.

Although he knew that the Green Lotus Core Flame had to be at the Flame mark in the west, that area was still enormous.

He needed someone to help.

And the best choice was naturally Qing Lin, who possessed the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils. After studying the map, Shen Wen remembered that the Desert Iron Mercenary Group was in Stone Desert City.

Qing Lin was among them.

Dan Chen suddenly asked softly, "Brother Shen Wen, Hai Bodong said Medusa's beauty is peerless? Is she really that pretty?"

"Uh... I've never seen her, but if even Hai Bodong says she's pretty, then she probably is!"

"Is she prettier, or am I prettier?" Cao Ying blurted out before quickly realizing that Shen Wen had said he had never seen Medusa.

She wondered whether she was being unreasonable.

Just as she was about to explain—

"Of course you're prettier! No matter who shows up, you're the prettiest."

Shen Wen said decisively.

He was not an idiot. Sometimes he simply found it hard to guess what girls were thinking, but Cao Ying's question had been obvious enough.

"Hmph~"

Cao Ying gave a proud huff, but the corners of her lips beneath her hood curled upward slightly. At least this guy knew what was good for him.

There seemed to be plenty of Magic Cores at home. She could give this guy some later.

Consider it a reward for being sensible!

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