If You Can't Resist, Then Submit

"Sigh... I don't know if my decision back then was right or wrong."

In the Ancient Map Shop in Desert City, Hai Bo Dong was leaning back in his chair, staring blankly at the ceiling, lost in thought.

He knew, of course, that it was unlikely that the young man would advance to the Sixth-Grade Alchemist in just over a year, but he couldn't help but think about it.

In the past, Hai Bo Dong felt that the most terrifying thing was not seeing any hope of regaining his strength.

But now, he feels there's no hope, and it doesn't seem so terrible anymore.

Because hope, once you have it, is more tormenting than anything else!

"Oh well, it's just a Map Fragment whose origin and purpose are unknown anyway."

Hai Bo Dong was trying to comfort himself when suddenly, he raised an eyebrow, sensing that someone had come to the door.

Moreover, one of them felt very familiar to him.

"Is this the old man's map shop? It's so old..."

Hearing this unfamiliar voice, Hai Bo Dong frowned. Whose child is this, so adorable?

Although Hai Bo Dong looks like a retired old man now, he still has a very young mindset!

Hai Bo Dong looked up and saw three figures—one large, one medium, and one small—enter the shop one after another.

The one who immediately called him "Grandpa" was a little girl in a purple dress walking at the very front.

"You... me? It's you?"

Just as he was about to say something, the tall figure at the very back also walked into the store.

"Senior Hai Bo Dong, it's been a long time."

After Qin Yu entered, he greeted Hai Bo Dong, which surprised Hai Bo Dong.

Could it be that my constant talking about it lately has triggered some kind of unseen connection in Qin Yu, causing him to return?

"Sister Xian'er, why isn't this old man saying anything?"

Hai Bo Dong stood there like a statue for a long time, stunned. Zi Yan tugged at Xiao Yi Xian's sleeve and whispered.

"Well..."

"Senior Hai Bo Dong, I've come to fulfill our previous promise."

Xiao Yi Xian was momentarily at a loss for words to answer Ziyan's question, Qin Yu spoke up directly, bringing Hai Bo Dong back from his daze.

"Now? Fulfill the agreement? You can refine Sixth-Rank Pill now?"

Hai Bo Dong's hands, hanging at his sides, unconsciously clenched tighter, his eyes carrying a hint of probing.

"Of course, as long as you have all the necessary medicinal herbs, I can begin the refining process at any time."

Their eyes met, and after a moment's hesitation, Hai Bo Dong slowly spoke:

"I have indeed prepared most of the medicinal herbs, but didn't you only start making medicine a little over a year ago?"

As Sixth-Rank Pill, Hai Bo Dong had to put in a lot of effort to collect the ingredients for the Poe Dan Pill.

He naturally hoped that Qin Yu could successfully refine it, as it was related to the recovery of his strength.

But given the current situation...

"The medicinal herbs are almost ready, but not all of them are prepared yet?"

Qin Yu Qin Yu n't answer Hai Bo Dong's question at all, but instead asked about the medicinal herbs, leaving Hai Bo Dong speechless.

Which medicinal herb is missing?

"Sand... Sand Mandala".

Hai Bo Dong felt a little embarrassed after saying it.

The rarity of this Sand Mandala in the Jia Ma Empire is something any Alchemist with a modicum of skill would know.

Whether Qin Yu can refine Sixth-Rank Pill or not is another matter. Just the fact that Qin Yu kept their verbal agreement and returned to Desert City is enough for Hai Bo Dong to know that he hadn't misjudged him.

"I have some Sand Mandala."

While Hai Bo Dong was still lamenting his lack of prepared medicinal herbs, Qin Yu's words instantly brightened his mood.

"However, hiring someone to concoct medicine requires the Alchemist to provide the medicinal herbs themselves..."

"Alright, alright, I understand. Consider this another time I owe you. Make any requests you have, as long as you can actually refine the Poe Dan."

Qin Yu was overjoyed; this was exactly what Hai Bo Dong had been waiting for.

Now Qing Lin's safety is much more guaranteed.

"Alright, give me the herbs, I'll refine them for you right now."

"You... can really refine the Poe Dan?"

"How about I return the incomplete map to you, and we void our agreement?"

"Then forget it."

Hai Bo Dong was still somewhat hesitant, but ultimately decided to take out the medicinal herbs.

They've waited over a year; to say they don't believe Qin Yu now would be contradicting themselves, a classic case of internal conflict.

"There's a secret Secret Room in the back; I'll take you there."

Hai Bo Dong and Qin Yu turned and left, while Xiao Yi Xian and Zi Yan, after entering, took the initiative to find a place to sit down and quietly watch the drama unfold.

"Sister Xian'er, do you think this old man has some kind of leverage over Qin Yu?"

Why do you say that?

"We've come all this way back, do you really think Qin Yu is just after a verbal agreement?"

"Hmm... well... how should I put it..."

Faced with Zi Yan's curious gaze, Xiao Yi Xian forcibly suppressed herself, preventing the corners of her mouth from turning up.

Zi Yan, Zi Yan, is this how you perceive Qin Yu?

"You'll understand once you get to know him better."

This ambiguous answer caused Zi Yan's brain to freeze again.

The child wasn't particularly bright to begin with, and he was constantly by Qin Yu and Xiao Yi Xian's side; this was a common occurrence for him.

"How deep must we go to get in touch?"

While Zi Yan's brain was still malfunctioning, Qin Yu and Hai Bo Dong had already arrived at the pre-prepared Secret Room.

I need to remind you beforehand.

Before entering the Secret Room, Qin Yu stopped Hai Bo Dong and gave him a few words of advice:

"The formation of Sixth-Rank Pill is quite a commotion. You'd better wait at the entrance to avoid the whole city seeing it."

"Rest assured."

Hai Bo Dong nodded decisively, and Qin Yu turned and entered the room.

"This kid... tsk, why do I feel uneasy whether he succeeds or not?"

Before long, Hai Bo Dong was standing outside bored, couldn't help but start to have wild thoughts.

If Qin Yu fails to refine the Poe Dan, all the materials he painstakingly collected will be wasted, and his strength will be temporarily unable to recover.

But if Qin Yu succeeds in refining it...

It feels even scarier than failing to refine it at all!

Judging from the fluctuations of Dou Qi emanating from Qin Yu, his current strength is definitely greater than that of his sealed self.

With this Alchemy, even if he regains his strength, he'll have to think twice before trying to pull any tricks.

Damn, did this kid specifically anticipate this, which is why he brought back the Sand Mandala?

"Hiss..."

This feeling of being manipulated made Hai Bo Dong very uncomfortable, but he had no way to resist, or rather, he couldn't find a reason to resist.

After all, someone made a special trip back to help him based on a verbal promise; if he were to act recklessly, wouldn't he become a laughingstock?

"Fine, if this kid really manages to master it, it's normal for him to have him under his control."

After a long silence, unable to come up with a solution, Hai Bo Dong let out a long sigh.

Since there's no way to resist, then just submit.