Fish and Bear Paw

Fish and Bear Paw

Inspecting the goods first, paying afterward—that was only right and proper.

Chen Xiao nodded without the slightest hesitation.

"Deal!"

As for whether the other party would honor the agreement afterward, no one could guarantee that.

The only thing Chen Xiao could guarantee was that if the other party went back on her word, he could make news of the Green Lotus Core Flame known to everyone.

In this northwest corner, there were plenty of people who wanted a Heavenly Flame too.

The future Xiao Yan and his master would want it, Pill King Gu He would want it, and after some time, once he went to Jia Nan Academy, that model of filial piety from the Black-Corner Region, Han Feng, would dream of having it even more.

Any one of these people could bring no small amount of trouble to the Snake-People Race.

Medusa Queen nodded in satisfaction, then glanced at Teng Shan outside the hall, whose expression was tense as he kept peering inside.

"Now you may tell me the whereabouts of the Heavenly Flame you spoke of."

"East of Stone Desert City, within the underground magma. That is all I know. For more specific details, Your Majesty will still need to send people to investigate. With an accurate direction, plus the Snake-People Race's familiarity with the desert, I imagine that within ten days, you will definitely be able to find the Green Lotus Core Flame!"

"Green Lotus Core Flame?"

"That's right. This flame forms a spirit in ten years, takes shape in a hundred, and becomes a lotus in a thousand. When it reaches maturity, its color leans toward green, and a cluster of green flame is born in the lotus heart. It is called the Green Lotus Core Flame. It ranks nineteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. For Your Majesty to use it for evolution, it will be more than enough."

Personally, Chen Xiao felt that the Ten Thousand Beast Spirit Flame should actually be the one most suited to this kind of evolution for the Snake-People Race.

However, he did not know where that flame was, so there was no need to mention it further.

"I will remember it. Leave an address. You may go. If it is truly as you say, I will naturally come to find you."

She could turn hostile and refuse to acknowledge the deal, but there was no need.

Even Medusa Queen, who did not know much about Heavenly Flames, knew how rare this thing was, and that countless alchemists and people of the Fire Attribute coveted it.

So going back on her word and driving Chen Xiao into angry humiliation would definitely be an extremely unwise move.

"Then Chen Xiao will wait quietly in Desert City for Your Majesty's good news."

Chen Xiao cupped his fists slightly. Seeing the soundproof Barrier withdrawn, he immediately stopped lingering and turned to leave.

Teng Shan came forward to meet him, eager to know the result, but the only response he received was a look telling him they would talk after they returned.

Watching the group disappear from sight, Medusa Queen returned to her throne and glanced at Hua She'er in the corner, who seemed to have no presence at all.

"How much truth do you think there is in his words?"

"This matter is of great importance. This subordinate does not dare make wild guesses."

Hearing Hua She'er's answer, Medusa Queen could not help rewarding her with a charming eye roll.

"Boring."

After a long silence, Medusa Queen finally gave her orders.

"Lead the snake guards to wait at the edge of the desert. Do not come into conflict with humans. While staying hidden, gather more information about Desert City. That little fellow is of the Ice Attribute, so it is understandable that he has no interest in the Heavenly Flame, but we must also guard against him using the Heavenly Flame to scheme against our race. As for that Green Lotus Core Flame... I will personally go search for it!"

Chen Xiao had no motive to target the Snake-People Race, but as the queen of a race, she had to take every possibility into consideration and think thrice before acting in all things.

Otherwise, if she truly acted however she pleased, the Snake-People Race might long since have been nibbled away and swallowed whole by the surrounding empires.

"Yes!"

Hua She'er bowed and accepted the order, then twisted her alluring figure as she withdrew from the divine hall.

Toward evening.

The party of six returned to Desert City and gathered in Hai Bo Dong's Map Store.

Although Hai Bo Dong was doing his utmost to restrain himself, that bright, fixed stare still made it clear that he very much wanted to know the result.

"Kid, how did it go?"

Once everyone had sat down, Hai Bo Dong finally could not hold back and asked.

That the six of them could return safely was within his expectations. After all, as long as Medusa Queen was not a fool, she would not act rashly.

But the outcome of the negotiations was something he could not determine.

After all, he did not know what Chen Xiao's bargaining chip was, or whether it could attract that woman.

"Rest easy, Ice Emperor. Medusa Queen was a bit more rational than I imagined. Today's transaction can be considered preliminarily settled. If nothing unexpected happens, Ice Emperor's seal should be lifted within ten days."

Chen Xiao chuckled and did not keep them in suspense any longer.

Hearing this, Yun Yun and the others looked deeply at Chen Xiao, then all smiled and offered their congratulations.

"Congratulations, Ice Emperor. The breaking of your seal is in sight!"

"Congratulations!"

"With Old Hai able to recover his strength, I can finally feel at ease."

Teng Shan's joy showed plainly on his face, so happy he seemed like a child of several decades old.

However, Hai Bo Dong shot him a sideways glare.

Being able to undo the Serpent Sealing Curse was certainly worth celebrating, but he had not forgotten his wager with Chen Xiao, either.

Two Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pills were hardly worth mentioning. What he truly regretted was that this rare disciple he had taken such a liking to was probably about to slip away.

Fish was what I desired.

Bear paw was also what I desired.

Unfortunately, it seemed the two truly could not be had at the same time.

With a long sigh, Hai Bo Dong temporarily suppressed his conflicted feelings and asked, "Did she raise any other conditions?"

"If the Snake-People Race faces trouble in the future, then within my ability, I will help once," Chen Xiao replied.

Hearing this, the others understood Medusa Queen's decision even more.

Leaving aside the bargaining chips Chen Xiao had offered, this one promise alone had immeasurable value.

With Chen Xiao's talent, he would definitely be able to rank among the empire's Ten Great Experts in just ten or twenty years. This was a helper who could not be underestimated.

If he could reach an even higher realm, then the Snake-People Race would profit enormously.

"That's roughly how things stand. Next, we can just wait for the result in peace. It's already late today, so I have to go back and check on Qing Lin. Seniors, Chen Xiao will take his leave first."

Chen Xiao gave a slight bow. After the others nodded, he rose and prepared to leave.

Just as he pushed open the door of the Map Store, Hai Bo Dong called out to stop him.

"Kid, are we still training tomorrow morning?"

"We are! Same place tomorrow morning. I'll be waiting for the Ice Emperor."

Raising one's realm was important, but accumulating practical combat experience was just as indispensable.

Although Chen Xiao preferred overwhelming his opponents, he could not guarantee that it would be like that every time.

Therefore, practical combat experience belonged to the category of things he might not need to use, but absolutely had to possess!

Watching Chen Xiao's departing back, Hai Bo Dong smiled.

Perhaps, even if they could not be master and disciple, they could still become friends despite the difference in age.

Looked at that way, it was barely acceptable.

"Since the proper business is done, Ice Emperor, Clan Leader Teng Shan, we'll be taking our leave as well. If there's ever another good thing like this where we don't need to put in any effort, call us anytime."

Feng Li and Yan Shi stood at the same time, and before leaving, they did not forget to crack a joke.

Seeing this, Yun Yun and Nalan Jie also rose one after another and took their leave.

"This time, I must thank you all for lending me your support. When Old Man returns to the Imperial Capital, I will invite everyone for a small gathering."

Hai Bo Dong gave them full face and stood up to see them off.

Four streaks of light flew into the distance. Before long, only Hai Bo Dong and Teng Shan remained in the Map Store.

"Old Hai, the way this Sect Master Yun looks at Chen Xiao doesn't seem quite right. I'm afraid she also has the intention of taking him into the Misty Cloud Sect. Do you think she might take a little detour and come back around?"

Hai Bo Dong glared at Teng Shan. "What does that have to do with you? Don't worry, that boy is sharp. Old Man and he get along so well, yet he still isn't willing to acknowledge me as his master. The Misty Cloud Sect is even more impossible. Unless Yun Yun personally enters the game—but with her personality, do you think that's possible?"

"Old Hai is right. Oh, right, on the way back, I already sent word to the clan and asked them to invite the Guild Leader from the Alchemist Guild to act and refine two Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pills. They should be delivered before long."

"Now that's something a decent person would do. Show a little more sincerity and a little less of a businessman's mindset. Befriending him won't bring any harm."

"..."

Teng Shan had nothing to say.

He was clearly already a little old man several decades in age, yet in Hai Bo Dong's eyes, it was as if he were still an immature youth.

Those who make friends through wealth see the friendship end when the wealth is gone; those who love for beauty see love change when the bloom fades.

How could he not understand such a simple principle?

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