With anticipation in his heart, Zhang Nian smashed the skeleton's left arm bone and got the fragment map of the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame, just as he'd hoped. He then smashed the right arm bone as well. It was a little unethical, but there really was something hidden inside!
It was a fragment of a map. It did look a little like the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame Fragment Map, but the two were worlds apart. With Zhang Nian's current strength, if this map really had anything special about it, he would have noticed right away.
The scenery depicted on the map didn't look like the Jia Ma Empire. The mountains and ridges were one thing, but the lake right in the center of the picture caught Zhang Nian's attention. He didn't know if the artist had done it on purpose, but why was the lake divided into black and white halves? It looked a little like Taiji Lake.
Looking at the surroundings, four towering mountains stood like pillars supporting the heavens.
Hmm, the Two Modes gave birth to the Four Images?
There was something to this map...
As he marveled at it, he couldn't help thinking of a possibility. Zhang Nian didn't know where the place depicted in the picture was, but its contents matched a certain theory: the Yin-Yang Dual Flames, ranked twenty-first on the Heavenly Flames list. According to legend:
Born in the void of the universe, two flames—one black, one white—twined together and swam about like Yin-Yang Twin Fish.
Yin and yang were the laws of nature, the source from which all things in the world were born. The Yin-Yang Dual Flames, born from this source, were one form it took—a flame filled with the dual forces of life and death. The Yang Fire saved lives, sustaining them without end; the Yin Fire killed, leaving not even bones behind.
"If that's really the case... it feels like Xiao Yan missed out on a fortune in the original story. Hahaha..."
Though this flame wasn't the most powerful of the Heavenly Flames, its wondrous properties were remarkable. What was more, no one on the continent had ever been known to possess it. That alone was enough to stir anticipation in anyone. Best of all, Zhang Nian could double the flame by granting it to a disciple.
He put the map away, then took the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame Fragment Map hidden in the skeleton's arm before leaving the place.
While flying through the air, Zhang Nian suddenly stopped. All this time, he'd overlooked something of the utmost importance: the Xiao Clan of Wutan City possessed one of the most precious treasures on the Dou Qi Continent. It had even brought them a deadly calamity. Since he was passing by, he might as well take it for himself.
He flew south. At his current speed, it took only half an hour to reach the Wutan City he remembered. The feeling was a little like a level-one-hundred veteran arriving in a beginner's village. At Zhang Nian's current level, he completely disregarded the so-called no-fly order. After all, people made the rules, and people could break them.
Zhang Nian still vividly remembered Wutan City's three great clans: the Xiao Clan, the Jia Lie Clan, and the Ao Ba Clan. Of course, the Ao Ba Clan was practically invisible. The dark figure in the sky caught the attention of the people below.
"My heavens, someone's flying in the sky!"
"No wings! He's standing in midair! Keep your voice down—that's a Dou Zong Expert!" Some of the more knowledgeable people sensibly found a secluded place to hide.
"How could such a great figure come to Wutan City?"
"Run!"
Looking at the sea of people below, Zhang Nian smiled faintly. Perhaps this was the difference between them. But only a few weeks ago, he'd been just like these people...
He crossed the market district and found the Xiao Clan's compound. Looking at the plaque above the entrance, which read "Xiao Residence," Zhang Nian circulated his Dou Qi and called out, "Saint Qinglian of the Jia Ma Empire requests an audience with the Xiao Clan's patriarch."
His voice, wrapped in Dou Qi, rang throughout Wutan City. At that moment, some rejoiced while others fretted. The people of the Jia Lie Clan were all delighted to hear those words. Their patriarch, Jia Lie Nu, was especially pleased; he lifted his teacup and took a leisurely sip. "Heh. A Dou Sheng Expert has come knocking. The Xiao Clan must have offended someone."
It wasn't an unreasonable assumption. The three great clans of Wutan City knew each other inside and out. Each knew exactly what the others possessed. If there were some treasure valuable enough to draw a Dou Sheng Expert in person, the clan would have long since prospered, and Wutan City wouldn't have stayed the same for decades. Since he wasn't here seeking treasure, he must have come for revenge. Could the Xiao Clan really have connections to a Dou Sheng Expert?
Eager to watch the show, Jia Lie Nu sent his men to take a squad to the outskirts of the Xiao Clan and observe the situation.
Meanwhile, the Xiao Clan was thrown into turmoil when they heard those astonishing words. Xiao Zhan, their patriarch, stepped forward at once. If disaster was destined to strike, there was no use trying to escape it. The best course of action was to welcome this formidable figure with a sincere attitude. Before heading out, Xiao Zhan also instructed his men to take some of the Xiao Clan's younger members to hide in the back mountains. If anything went wrong, at least the clan would have a bloodline left.
"Creak..."
As the gate opened, a middle-aged man came into view, with three slightly elderly men following behind him. When the four saw Zhang Nian, they were all startled, then a glimmer of understanding appeared in their eyes. After all, at higher levels, one's body grew younger as one's strength increased. There were stories of powerful cultivators who, after reaching a certain level, looked like young men. It seemed those stories hadn't come from nowhere.
With a slight smile, Xiao Zhan bowed alongside the three elders behind him. "The Xiao Clan's patriarch and clan elders welcome the Saint's arrival..."
His tone was respectful and his manner courteous. Zhang Nian gave a slight nod, then waved a hand to stop them as they were still bent over. "I came here only to make a deal. You don't need to be so nervous."
With that, Zhang Nian walked straight through the gate and made a casual gesture toward those behind him. The gate closed.
Xiao Zhan gave the three clan elders beside him a wry look. He had no idea what the vast Xiao Clan could possibly possess that would catch this man's eye. And the Dou Sheng Expert had said he wanted to make a deal, rather than simply stating that he wanted something...
The three of them were equally at a loss, but out of courtesy, they followed him.
In the main hall, they took their seats. Zhang Nian didn't touch the teacup before him. He glanced at the four men, who were still tense, and smiled faintly. "May I take a look at the jade pendant passed down through generations of Xiao Clan patriarchs?"
He didn't beat around the bush; he went straight to the point.
The four men were stunned. Was this what even a Dou Sheng Expert had set his sights on? But it was just a useless trinket!
Xiao Zhan didn't dare delay. A faint gleam flashed from the Storage Ring on his finger, and a jade pendant appeared in his palm. He was just about to stand when the pendant suddenly rose into the air of its own accord. Zhang Nian curled a finger, and it flew straight into his palm.
"Hiss..." That single move left everyone present stunned. As expected of a Dou Sheng Expert! Was this the spatial power of legend?
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