Fragmented Map

The transaction went smoothly. Wang Xiao had no intention of cheating him. Perhaps the Yao Clan name was simply too formidable, enough to make every force in the Shennong Mountain Range wary.

Having obtained what he wanted, Yao Yan rose to leave. Seeing Wang Xiao about to escort him out, he smiled and said, "No need to see me off. If I need anything in the future, I'll come trouble you again."

"Then many thanks."

Wang Xiao froze for a moment before cupping his hands with a smile. He stopped walking and watched Yao Yan depart.

Yao Yan slowly headed toward the shop's exit while releasing his Soul Power to sense his surroundings. Only after finding nothing unusual did he relax a bit. I've been a little too cautious. Third Fourth Grade Pill may be valuable, but they aren't enough to make someone risk offending the Yao Clan by robbing me.

This place was not far from the Medicine World of the Yao Clan. Even when beating a dog, one had to consider its owner, let alone Yao Yan, who came from a branch of the Yao Clan. He possessed the Yao Clan's Dou Di Bloodline, so his status was not low either.

"Ying ying~"

Little Greenwood Fox began begging for snacks again. Its fluffy fox tail drooped behind Yao Yan's back as it swayed happily.

"Are you really a Greenwood Fox?"

Yao Yan could not help pinching Little Greenwood Fox by the neck. Looking into its agile emerald-green eyes, he said somewhat speechlessly, "You eat at least a dozen Essence Pills a day. Even if they aren't refined from high-grade herbs, the quantity is still enormous. How can a Greenwood Fox's bloodline digest them so quickly?"

This little fellow was truly strange. It only ate and never relieved itself. Over the past half month, it had consumed at least a hundred Flora Essence Pills, yet its body could actually withstand it.

That was simply absurd.

An ordinary Second Order magical beast would most likely have advanced after consuming so many herb essence pills.

"Ying ying~"

Little Greenwood Fox drooped its large fox ears pitifully and let out a miserable little whimper.

Yao Yan helplessly shook his head and put it back on his shoulder, then fed it another Flora Essence Pill. He had raised it for half a month already and invested quite a bit in it. He could not just release it now, or would that not make all his investment go to waste? Perhaps this was what they called Sunk Cost.

Besides, Yao Yan also wanted to see whether he could raise this vixen until it could take human form.

Just thinking about it was interesting.

"Awoo~"

Little Greenwood Fox naturally did not know Yao Yan's Little Thought. It happily swallowed the Flora Essence Pill, then rubbed against Yao Yan's cheek to show its dependence on him.

Yao Yan smiled and headed down a nearby street with Little Greenwood Fox. He planned to take a stroll around Shennong City.

Meanwhile, inside the shop.

Wang Xiao respectfully entered an Inner Chamber. A tall, Rough Man sat in the seat of honor. His skin was dark, his Facial Features savage, and one of his eyes was even blind, giving him an exceptionally vicious appearance. Two fiery-red stone balls spun in his hand.

"My lord, these are the pills traded by that person. They have already been appraised; all are top-grade, and all were refined recently. He should be from a branch of the Yao Clan, not an impostor."

Wang Xiao took out the pills from his Storage Ring and neatly placed them before the man as he spoke respectfully.

The blind eye on the Rough Man's face narrowed, his voice filled with envy and jealousy. "The Yao Clan... truly an enviable clan. Even a child can refine Fourth Grade Pills..."

Alchemists had always been the most honored profession on the Dou Qi Continent. Even within the Shennong Sect, a Fourth Grade alchemist would definitely be an honored guest. Yet in the Yao Clan, Fourth Grade alchemists were innumerable.

"Do you think anyone is protecting that child?"

The Rough Man swept his gaze toward Wang Xiao and asked unhurriedly, his tone carrying an added chill.

Cold sweat appeared on Wang Xiao's forehead as he nervously said, "I-I don't know."

He knew the other man held a grudge against the Yao Clan. That blind eye had been ruined by someone from the Yao Clan. Over the years, he had often targeted people who came out of the Yao Clan, though most of them were merely Herb Gatherers who had not even been granted the Yao Surname.

But this time was different.

A bloodthirsty Killing Intent appeared in the Rough Man's eyes, and the stone balls in his hand spun faster and faster.

Seeing this.

Wang Xiao hurriedly said, "T-there should be. During our earlier conversation, he seemed to have studied at the Yao Clan Academy. Anyone able to study at the Yao Clan Academy has an identity far beyond that of ordinary clan members."

To study at the Yao Clan Academy, one's parents first needed to possess fairly strong Dou Di Bloodlines. A Dou Di Bloodline had always meant strength and status.

"..."

The Rough Man's expression stiffened, and the Killing Intent in his eyes receded like the tide. Naturally, he knew what that meant.

"Damn it!"

He snorted coldly, rose to his feet, and left.

Only after he had gone far away did Wang Xiao let out a long breath. He had truly been afraid that the man would act on impulse and go trouble Yao Yan, possibly dragging him into it as well. Thinking of this, he could not help cursing inwardly, What a madman!

At that moment, Wang Xiao decided to report the matter to Elder. Shennong City absolutely could not remain under that man's management. Otherwise, the Shennong Sect would surely face a great calamity someday.

At the same time, he secretly looked forward to whether he might be able to replace him.

On the other side, Yao Yan was still browsing the streets, his target being the stalls set up by Mercenaries around him. These Mercenaries usually made their living in the Shennong Mountain Range. The range was vast and boundless, containing countless treasures. Aside from all kinds of Natural Treasures, people occasionally found caves left behind by powerful predecessors after their deaths.

There was no lack of Dou Zong experts among them, and even Dou Zun!

Yao Yan naturally had hopes of finding a bargain too. Unfortunately, stall goods were ultimately just stall goods. Most were low-grade herbs with little value, which he did not lack. As for the other fragments and Dou Techniques, he was even less interested. The Dou Techniques he currently possessed were sufficient to last him until Dou Zun.

He understood the principle that greedily trying to learn too much would only lead to mastering nothing. Dou Techniques were never better in greater number; what suited oneself was best.

Compared to Yao Yan's calmness, Little Greenwood Fox was quite excited. It even wanted to buy up all the low-grade herbs on display. He truly did not know why it was so obsessed with medicinal herbs. Even if it was a Wood Element magical beast, it should not be like this.

It was not until they reached a Mercenary's stall that Yao Yan clearly felt Little Greenwood Fox in his arms suddenly change. Its emerald-green eyes stared fixedly at a Fragmented Map. Even its cries changed from ying ying ying to wu wu wu, as though it had encountered a natural enemy.

"Hmm?"

Yao Yan naturally stopped walking and followed the gaze of the Little Greenwood Fox in his arms. On the stall lay an ancient-looking Fragmented Map.

"Is young master interested in this treasure map?"

The Mercenary running the stall naturally noticed Yao Yan and Little Greenwood Fox in his arms, and promptly spoke up.

With his experience, it was not difficult for him to see that Yao Yan was no ordinary person. Ordinary people could not wear such fine brocade robes, much less keep a Second Order Greenwood Fox as a pet.

"This little fellow is interested. Perhaps it wants to bring it home and use it as a blanket."

Yao Yan patted Little Greenwood Fox in his arms and chuckled. Then he walked over, crouched down, and picked up the ancient Fragmented Map, studying it with curious eyes.

"May I ask where this Fragmented Map came from?"

The Mercenary stall owner's gaze flickered as he boasted, "...It was obtained from the cave where a Dou Zong senior entered secluded death meditation. Quite a few brothers were sacrificed to get it. If young master wants it, just offer a reasonable price."

"If the price is too high, forget it. It's only a Fragmented Map. If it were complete, I might consider it."

Yao Yan's expression did not change as he spoke softly.

"Wu wu~"

As the Fragmented Map drew closer, Yao Yan could clearly feel the Greenwood Fox in his arms becoming increasingly alert. Its fur stood on end, as if it had sensed danger. This made him feel even stranger, while also becoming more interested in the Fragmented Map.

"One Three-Pattern Fourth Grade Azure Spirit Pill!"

"Boss, you truly dare to name a price. A Three-Pattern Fourth Grade Azure Spirit Pill is worth as much as some Peak Fifth Grade Pills."

Yao Yan was amused. He reached out to soothe Little Greenwood Fox in his arms and smiled as he spoke.

The Mercenary stall owner clearly knew his price was somewhat outrageous. He gave an embarrassed laugh and asked, "Is young master from the Yao Clan?"

"Being from the Yao Clan is not a reason to be taken for a fool."

Yao Yan looked at him and shook his head. "Not to mention that I don't have a Three-Pattern Fourth Grade Azure Spirit Pill, even if I did, I would not use it to trade for a Fragmented Map. If you truly wish to trade, I can offer at most one Fourth Grade Purple Heart Obstacle Breaking Pill."

"Deal!"

The Mercenary stall owner agreed without the slightest hesitation. His eyes burned as he stared at Yao Yan, practically drooling.

Yao Yan fell silent. He felt that he had become the fool after all. However, since he had agreed to the trade, he naturally would not go back on his word. He took out a bottle of pills from his Storage Ring and tossed it to the man, then put the Fragmented Map away in his Storage Ring. "Now that the deal is done, can you tell me where this Fragmented Map came from? I want the truth."

"...I don't know its exact origin either. I bought it from someone else."

The Mercenary stall owner wore an expression of helplessness.

Bought it, my ass. More likely robbed it... Yao Yan cursed inwardly. He did not think the man was a good person, but since he could not obtain any information, he gave up and prepared to leave. He intended to find an inn and properly study the Fragmented Map.

Just then, the stall owners around him all looked eagerly at Yao Yan and began taking out all kinds of treasure maps. Their gazes made it seem as if they were looking at the foolish son of some wealthy landlord.

"Young master, I have a Fragmented Map here too. I even have a Treasure Map recording the cave abode of a powerful senior. Do you want it? Just one Purple Heart Obstacle Breaking Pill!"

"Young master, I have one too! I only want one ordinary Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill!"

"Young master..."

The sight left Yao Yan with a face full of Black Lines. Did he really look that much like a fool?