Flying Magical Beast are very fast, and most importantly, you don't need to travel on your own. So, you can not only rest on the back of a flying Magical Beast, but also enjoy the view outside through the cabin window, which is very relaxing.
With the help of Yao Lao and Xiao Huohuo, Xiao Yan refined three batches of pills. Except for the second batch, where the final heat control was not very good, resulting in poor quality pills, the other two batches were quite good.
The other two batches of pills were quite good.
Xiao Yan's talent was quite surprising to Yao Lao, as he successfully refined three batches of pills on his first attempt.
Although the flying Magical Beast was fast, it couldn't reach its destination in one go. After five days on the Magical Beast's back, Xiao Yan keenly noticed that the surrounding scenery had gradually turned into a desert.
The air seemed to be filled with a scorching, violent atmosphere.
"Such a strong combination of fire and earth elemental powers."
Feeling the atmosphere in the air, Xiao Huohuo couldn't help but speak up.
Finally, through the window of the cubicle, a massive city slowly came into view for Xiao Yan and the others.
Looking through the window of the cubicle at the massive city that appeared in the desert ahead, Xiao Yan couldn't help but compare it to the Heaven Dou City and Spirit City of the Douluo Continent.
From a distance, this city doesn't seem as prosperous as Heaven Dou City, nor does it have the magnificent and imposing Pope's Palace of Spirit City.
But with just one glance, a rugged and untamed aura immediately struck you.
"Whoosh~"
The flying Magical Beast slowly landed at the post station outside the city. Xiao Yan and Xiao Huohuo followed the others out and slowly approached the city gate.
Even before they got close, there were more than ten soldiers in armor maintaining order at the city gate.
All Soul Master who want to enter the city must obediently queue up and pay money before they can enter.
Xiao Huohuo's gaze fell upon the long queue. With a quick glance, she took out a magnificent robe from her Storage Ring and put it on in front of Xiao Yan.
"This is..."
Xiao Yan looked at Xiao Huohuo in surprise. The black robe looked extremely gorgeous, with golden patterns embroidered on it, making it look Soul Division.
"This is an alchemist's robe."
Xiao Huohuo smiled, revealing the pattern on his chest, and explained to Xiao Yan:
"Once you pass the alchemist exam at the Alchemist Guild, you can obtain this robe. Moreover, as the most prestigious profession on the continent, alchemists receive various privileges from the major empires."
Without waiting in line, Xiao Huohuo led Xiao Yan directly toward the massive city gate.
" Desert City..."
Xiao Yan followed behind Xiao Huohuo, looking up at the two huge scarlet characters above the city gate, his eyes narrowed slightly.
"Grown ups!"
From afar, before Xiao Yan and Xiao Huohuo even got close, the soldiers guarding the city gate, who had previously been mocking the people queuing up, were suddenly struck by Xiao Huohuo's magnificent attire.
Their attitude immediately took a 180-degree turn.
He bowed respectfully to Xiao Huohuo, his face beaming with a fawning smile, a stark contrast to his earlier rudeness towards others.
This way, please.
Without stopping, Xiao Huohuo led Xiao Yan directly through the city gate and into the Desert City.
Watching Xiao Yan and Xiao Huohuo away, the soldier turned to see the crowd watching the spectacle, a disdainful look returning to his face, and he spoke sarcastically:
"What are you looking at? You don't want to go in, do you? Open your eyes wide, anyone who doesn't take good pictures, get out of here..."
Hearing the insults coming from behind him once again, Xiao Yan couldn't help but think of the Soul Master in the Douluo Continent.
In the Douluo Continent, Soul Master are like Alchemists in the Dou Qi Continent— "nobles" whom ordinary people can only look up to.
Upon entering the Desert City, Xiao Yan and Xiao Huohuo clearly sensed something unusual about it.
The houses and buildings, unlike anything seen elsewhere, piqued their curiosity.
Xiao Huohuo scanned the street for a while before speaking:
" The Tagor Desert... We've already entered the Tagor Desert area, right? Are we going to go straight into the desert?"
"Are you stupid?"
Xiao Yan rolled his eyes at Xiao Huohuo and said:
What is the most frightening thing in the desert?
Xiao Huohuo thought for a moment, then immediately understood, scratched his head and said:
"We're lost! And there's a water problem."
"So our most important task right now should be figuring out the terrain around here."
As the two were talking, the Yao Lao's voice also rang in their ears.
"That's right. Now, let's find a place to buy the most accurate map of the Tagor Desert. There should be a shop in Zi'a City that specializes in selling maps."
The Yao Lao paused slightly, then continued:
"In addition, we need to prepare sufficient food and water, as well as some medicinal herbs. In the desert, it's always good to have more on hand..."
After asking around on the street, the two found out where the best map-drawing shop in the city was.
Following the location described by the other party, a shop called " Ancient Map " soon came into view.
Xiao Yan and Xiao Huohuo stepped into the hall together. As the darkness fell, Xiao Yan quickly glanced around at the scenery inside the hall.
Several counters were neatly arranged inside the hall, with maps arranged in a row. On the surrounding walls, several unfolded maps were also posted, which looked extremely detailed, even depicting some of the public supply routes in the desert.
Behind a counter, an elderly man with gray hair was engrossed in drawing a map, looking extremely serious. Even when Xiao Yan and his companions entered, he didn't bother to look up and greet them.
Xiao Yan and Xiao Huohuo examined the maps in the counter. Xiao Yan opened the map, and it was clear that the mapmaker had put a lot of effort into each one. The map, supply locations, and places where Magical Beast frequently appeared were all clearly marked.
However, while Xiao Yan was still looking at the map, Xiao Huohuo on the other side suddenly narrowed his eyes when his gaze fell on a fragment of the map mixed in with another map.
It was at this moment that the old man, who had been engrossed in drawing the map, suddenly looked up and spoke:
"You're here to buy a map of the Tagor Desert, right?"
"Um."
Xiao Yan nodded slightly, then turned to look at Xiao Huohuo on the other side. He suddenly sensed that Xiao Huohuo's emotions had become unusually excited.
The shop owner's emotions also fluctuated drastically.
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over the fragment in Xiao Huohuo's hand, as if he understood something, before his eyes swept around the surroundings.
There were no other customers in the store. He casually took two steps and stopped in front of the counter closest to Xiao Huohuo.
"Sir, could you please provide us with a very detailed map of the Tagor Desert?"
Xiao Huohuo slowly walked to the counter where the old man was standing before speaking.
"The items are on the counter, please choose one."
The old man didn't seem to be making any introductions. He simply pointed to the counter and spoke to Xiao Huohuo in a cold tone, unlike a typical businessman.
Seeing the old man's indifferent expression, Xiao Huohuo was slightly taken aback, but didn't pay it any mind. She casually picked up a map that looked very detailed from the counter and said:
"This one is fine."
After speaking, Xiao Huohuo placed the fragment of the map in her hand on top of it and asked:
"Grandpa, do you have any more fragments of this map here?"
Xiao Yan's pupils contracted sharply not far away. He clearly sensed that when Xiao Huohuo asked this question, the old man's mood suddenly changed drastically.
"What, you've seen a map like this before?"
The old man finally raised his head completely. A scar on his face made him look somewhat fierce. His eyes narrowed slightly, and when his gaze swept over Xiao Huohuo's alchemist robe, a look of surprise appeared on his face.
"I once saw a similar map fragment at an auction. The bid was quite high, and I casually participated in the bidding, but the price became too high, so I had to give up."
I suddenly saw this map fragment today, and it looked familiar, so I thought I'd ask about it.
Xiao Huohuo concealed the real reason, after all, the pattern on the fragment seemed to involve the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame, which ranked third on the Heavenly Flame Ranking.
Xiao Huohuo would naturally not be foolish enough to reveal such information.
"That's it. I obtained it by chance. Based on my many years of drawing experience, it should just be a fragment."
The old man gave Xiao Huohuo a deep look and spoke calmly.
"Could the old gentleman tell me where he got it from?"
"Found it in the desert." The old man's tone was already tinged with impatience.
"Sir, could you sell me this map? I can offer a high price."
Undeterred, Xiao Huohuo continued speaking, for the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame was far too important to him, who was cultivating the Flame Mantra and seeking to devour Heavenly Flames.
He was unwilling to let go of any news about any kind of Heavenly Flames.
Even the slightest chance.
"Not for sale."
The old man spoke coldly, then lowered his head again to draw on the map, his attitude leaving no room for doubt.
" Xiao Xin careful, this person is not simple."
Just then, the Yao Lao's voice rang in their ears. Before Xiao Huohuo, he spoke:
"Based on my detection, this old guy's strength should be at the Dou Emperor level, but it seems to be suppressed in some way. The strength he can currently unleash should only be at the Dou Ling level."
"But even so, neither of you are a match for him. Killing you would be as easy as turning his hand."
" Dou Emperor!?"
Hearing Yao Lao's words, Xiao Yan and Xiao Huohuo were shocked.
The Jia Ma Empire was already considered a relatively powerful empire in the Northwest Continent.
However, even Dou Huang expert represents the pinnacle of combat power for the entire empire.
Moreover, the two had heard of the Ten Great Experts of the Jia Ma Empire, of whom only three were Dou Huang expert. How could they possibly be drawing maps on the edge of the empire's desert?
"So, this is some reclusive old fellow who never leaves the world?"
Xiao Huohuo felt a little helpless.
"Little guy, stop trying to steal my map. I don't care about money. Take your things and let's go."
The old man waved his hand and said to Xiao Huohuo:
"Furthermore, I advise you not to even consider any robbery; it won't do you any good."
The old man remained calm, seemingly unafraid that Xiao Huohuo and his group would run away.
Xiao Yan knew that what the other party said was not an exaggeration. After all, a former Dou Emperor, even if he had fallen to the Dou Ling realm, was not someone that ordinary people could provoke.
However, Xiao Huohuo was unwilling to give up on this map fragment. He took a deep breath, exchanged a glance with Xiao Yan, and said:
"Indeed, young man, you really can't just take it by force from someone who might have once been Dou Emperor."
"Click!"
The ink brush in the old man's hand suddenly broke, leaving a stain on the map.
The old man stared blankly at the stains on the map for a moment, then suddenly raised his head, a faint chill beginning to linger in his previously cloudy eyes.
Who exactly are you?
As the old man spoke, he tapped the table, and the door of the Ancient Map Shop suddenly closed.
A powerful aura erupted from the old man's body, his sharp gaze fixed on Xiao Huohuo, and the temperature in the room suddenly dropped.