When Hai Bodong saw Xiao Yan emerge from the secret chamber, he looked as eager to please as a son-in-law meeting his father-in-law. Seeing how impatient Hai Bodong was, Xiao Yan could not help shaking his head. With a flick of his hand, he tossed the jade bottle over and said, "Here. This is what you wanted."
Hai Bodong fumbled a little as he caught the jade bottle. Looking at the purple pill inside, his aged face lit up with delight and surprise. He had never expected this fellow to actually refine a Sixth-Grade Pill that even Pill King Gu He would struggle to produce.
"You really do hide your talents well, young brother!" Hai Bodong lavishly praised him with a thumbs-up.
"Just call me Xiao Yan." Seeing Hai Bodong fawn over him, Xiao Yan could not help finding it amusing. Who would have thought that Ice Emperor Hai Bodong, whose name commanded such awe throughout the Jia Ma Empire, had such a bootlicking side to him? "Now that the pill has been successfully refined, can you give me the other half of the map fragment?"
"Er, young brother Xiao Yan, we did agree that as long as you helped me refine the Pill of Breaking Affliction, I would give you the remaining half of the map fragment..." Hai Bodong chuckled awkwardly. "But... surely you should let me verify whether this pill is genuine?"
"Are you worried that I would try to deceive you, Elder Hai?"
Hai Bodong did not answer, but the embarrassment on his face made it clear that Xiao Yan had guessed correctly.
Looking at Hai Bodong's repeated, wry smiles, Xiao Yan waved a hand, adopting a generous air. "I can understand your concerns, Elder Hai. We'll do as you say, then. However..."
Just as Hai Bodong