Hai Bodong fell silent at those words. As he looked at Qing Lin standing there with her hands clasped together, a flicker of distant memory passed through his eyes.
Only after a while did Hai Bodong chuckle and shake his head. Flipping through the map in his hands, he said coolly,
"Heh, the Heavenly Snake Mansion isn't easy to deal with. If you want me to snatch someone from their grasp, I'll need a Poison-Breaking Pill."
Although Hai Bodong hadn't said it outright, everyone present smiled. Qing Lin even let out a cheer.
"Yay! Thank you, Grandpa!"
Looking at the delighted Qing Lin, Hai Bodong's perpetually sour face broke into a rare smile, though he still stubbornly insisted,
"It's nothing more than a fair trade. You give me a Poison-Breaking Pill, and I'll help you once."
"Then this junior thanks you, Elder Hai."
Seeing Hai Bodong acting so prickly despite his soft heart, Han Chen couldn't help being amused. How had this old man ended up with such a personality?
Beside him, Xiao Yan stood there grinning foolishly too.
Teacher, this old man isn't as annoying as I imagined.
What are you so happy about? What does this have to do with you? Hurry up and find a way to get information about the Heavenly Flame, and that Fragment Map in Han Chen's hands.
Oh, right, right.
Remembering that he had come here to obtain a Heavenly Flame, Xiao Yan rubbed his hands together and approached Han Chen.
"Hehehe, Brother Han, there's a little matter I'd like to discuss with you. Do you have a moment?"
At the sight of Xiao Yan's punchable expression, Han Chen knew his earlier efforts hadn't been wasted. The corners of his lips curved upward.
"Oh? A little matter? Just how little? If it's too big, that won't do."
At the same time, Han Chen burst into hearty laughter inwardly.
Hehehe, hahaha! Oh, Flame Boy, Flame Boy, that Heavenly Flame has you drooling, doesn't it? Want to get it without bleeding a little? Dream on.
The reason Han Chen had gone to such lengths to hand Xiao Yan the Heavenly Flame Fragment Map earlier was precisely for this moment.
He certainly wouldn't be able to keep the Pure Flame Demonic Lotus a secret, so once Xiao Yan and the others learned about such a powerful Heavenly Flame, they would spare no effort to collect the pieces.
That was exactly what Han Chen wanted. He had no shortage of pills, thanks to the Little Green Bottle, but apart from the system's check-ins at major events, he had no way to obtain anything else.
So if he wanted Dou Techniques, secret arts, and heavenly treasures, he would still have to take matters into his own hands.
Wouldn't a hired fighter who could explore secret realms, stay out of trouble, and always reap a rich harvest come in handy then?
Take these Earth Fire Lotus Seeds, for instance. If he went himself, he might run into Queen Medusa and die on the spot. But as long as he brought Xiao Yan along... hehehe, wouldn't he only need to run faster than him?
Then Han Chen remembered that his identity had been exposed and silently sighed at his own carelessness. Even a hundred precautions had left one gap, and Xiao Yan had actually discovered him.
I got careless. If I'd known, I wouldn't have worn this Storage Ring.
Since there were several Demonic Flame Remnant Maps, Han Chen had originally planned to reveal his true appearance only for the final trade with Xiao Yan. By then, Xiao Yan would be much stronger, and what he could offer would be worth much more.
But now that he had been exposed ahead of time, he would have to be cautious with that plan. Having one Fragment Map in his possession was easy enough to explain, but if he held two or three and traded every single one to Xiao Yan,
he wasn't an idiot, and neither were Yao Lao and Xiao Yan. His intentions would be so obvious that they could figure them out with their backsides.
That was why Han Chen had always met Xiao Yan in disguise.
"Ahem, Brother Han, this Fragment Map really is important to me. What do you want? As long as it's something I can manage."
At that, Han Chen looked him up and down, then shook his head.
"Ah, I don't lack anything right now. But there's a rare treasure I want to find, and getting it won't be easy. What should I do?"
"I'll help you!"
Hearing Han Chen make a request, Xiao Yan thumped his chest and agreed without a second thought. In his eyes, with his teacher around, nothing would be a problem.
"Hehe, I know there's a Heavenly Flame in the Tagor Desert. Tell me, a Fragment Map plus information about a Heavenly Flame-just how great an opportunity is that?"
"You know there's a Heavenly Flame in the Tagor Desert too?"
Hai Bodong was rather surprised when Han Chen mentioned the Heavenly Flame in the desert.
"You brat, you're remarkably well informed. I've spent all these years gathering information, and I've only managed to form a few suspicions."
As he spoke, Hai Bodong took several maps out of his Storage Ring.
"These mark the places where I suspect a Heavenly Flame might be. Take a look."
Xiao Yan accepted the maps. If he ranked himself second among those present in his desire for a Heavenly Flame, even Hai Bodong couldn't claim first.
As he examined the detailed markings, a keen light flashed in his eyes.
Wonderful! There really is a Heavenly Flame. Once I get it, the Flame Mantra can evolve.
Don't get excited yet. There are several locations here. Try coaxing a little more out of that Han brat first. He should have more information than Hai Bodong.
Compared with the excited Xiao Yan, Yao Lao was clearly considering much more.
At those words, Xiao Yan turned toward Han Chen again.
"Brother Han, what information do you have about the Heavenly Flame in the Tagor Desert?"
Han Chen stopped keeping him in suspense. His most urgent task now was to get the Earth Fire Lotus Seeds as quickly as possible, then return to the Imperial Capital.
Qing Lin's Jade Spirit Three-Flower Eyes had already awakened. Before long, White Fang and Lu Man would find her. Even with Hai Bodong here, they could only keep Qing Lin safe.
But Han Chen wanted far more than merely protecting Qing Lin. Failing to gain anything was the greatest loss of all.
Once they returned to the Imperial Capital and had Yun Shan's protection, not only would his and Qing Lin's safety be assured, but they could also strike and keep their enemies there!
Wouldn't that give him both Dou Techniques and a snake pet?
"The Heavenly Flame in the Tagor Desert is the Green Lotus Core Flame, nineteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. It takes a thousand years to take shape and possesses tremendous power-a rare treasure of this world.
"At its roots, nourished by the energy of heaven and earth, there is a Heavenly Flame Lotus Seat. The Earth Fire Lotus Seeds growing on it are my target.
"But I really don't know its exact location. And judging by the information I've obtained so far, at least two other groups besides us have their eyes on this Heavenly Flame."
Hearing this, Xiao Yan grew anxious too. So I haven't even caught a glimpse of it yet, and people are already trying to snatch it?
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's hurry!"
With that, Xiao Yan headed outside. Han Chen waved a hand.
"You go ahead. I need to talk to Qing Lin."
Xiao Yan waited outside the door for a while before Han Chen finally sauntered out.
"How are you not anxious at all?"
Seeing Han Chen's nonchalant manner, Xiao Yan couldn't help getting worked up.
"What do I have to be anxious about? Even if I don't get the Earthfire Lotus Seat, I still have the Fragment Map. I won't lose out either way. You, though, Flame Boy-if you want the Fragment Map, you'd better satisfy me. Hehehe, hahaha!"
As he spoke, Han Chen swept his sleeve. A green light flashed over his body, and he transformed back into Xiao Cha. He raised an eyebrow at Xiao Yan, then strode forward, laughing.
Watching Xiao Cha walk away, Xiao Yan scratched his head and followed.
Should I get myself a fake identity too?
*Forget it. He must be using some special secret art. Unless someone has exceptionally strong spiritual power, they won't see through it.
That third-rate disguise technique of yours isn't fit to be shown in public. Someone would see through it at first glance.
Oh. Looks like I'll have to get something like that someday.
Scratching his head, Xiao Yan ran up beside Xiao Cha. As he looked at the wicked smile curling at the corners of Xiao Cha's lips, he grew more and more envious. He wanted to go out and do bad things wearing someone else's face too.
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