Just as the atmosphere in the room reached its freezing point, Xiao Yan suddenly stepped forward and stood in front of Xiao Huohuo.
Xiao Yan's move surprised the old man, Yao Lao, and Xiao Huohuo at the same time.
However, Xiao Yan didn't feel anything was wrong. After all, facing a powerful opponent, Xiao Huohuo, who was only a minor Dou Shi at the time, was clearly no match for him.
He is merely a Martial Soul clone here; even if there is any real danger, it will not cause any fatal damage to his main body.
Seeing Xiao Yan standing in front of her, Xiao Huohuo felt a warmth in her heart, reached out and placed her hand on Xiao Yan's shoulder, and explained:
"Sir, please don't misunderstand. I don't know you. It's just that I have an unusually strong sense of perception, allowing me to detect energies that others cannot."
"I didn't mean anything by it, it's just that this thing is very important to me, so I'd appreciate your understanding. Of course, you can tell me what you need, and as long as I can provide it, I certainly won't refuse."
However, at this moment, the old man's gaze was already drawn to Xiao Yan.
Looking at Xiao Yan, who showed no sign of faltering under his imposing aura, he spoke with some surprise:
"Kid, you've got some skills..."
"But I told you, I'm not selling this. If you insist on taking it, don't blame me for bullying you today!"
He spoke softly, his white hair moving without wind, and a chilling Dou Qi swirling around him.
Sensing the old man's aura intensifying, Xiao Yan's Heavenly Flames Martial Soul suddenly appeared, dispelling the chill around him and resisting the old man's imposing aura.
Xiao Huohuo frowned upon hearing the old man's reply.
This map fragment is useless if it can't be pieced together, but the other party would rather let it rot in their hands than ask for it in exchange.
For Xiao Huohuo, the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame was something he could never give up, which also annoyed him.
"Sir, this young man is determined to have this map. Even if you don't agree, he'll probably have no choice but to take it by force."
"Hehe."
The old man's smile now held a hint of anger.
"Even if I've lived in seclusion here for decades, it's not up to you, a mere Second-Rank Alchemist, to speak to me like that!!"
"Boom!"
As the old man finished speaking, Ice Dou Qi suddenly roared out and poured towards Xiao Huohuo's direction.
" Cold Fire Soul Armor!"
The moment the old man made his move, Purple Soul Ring suddenly shone brightly on Xiao Yan's body, and transparent armor instantly covered his body.
"Boom!"
A bluish-white flame rose from Xiao Yan's body, and a violent, scorching aura emanated from him, dispelling some of the chill in the entire shop.
"Huh?"
Sensing the transparent armor encasing Xiao Yan and the eerie aura emanating from him, the old man spoke with some surprise:
" Dou Qi Armor, Da Dou Shi? Wait a minute..."
"You two are indeed a bit strange, but no matter what, there's absolutely no way you'll take this from me."
Xiao Huohuo sensed the rising energy fluctuations within the hall, circulated his internal energy technique, and the same flames transformed into a faint veil around his body. He then spoke:
"Sir, I mean no harm and have no intention of disturbing your seclusion. It's just that this thing is too important to me. Whatever your request, I will do my best to fulfill it in exchange."
"Heh, enough nonsense!"
"I went through so much trouble to get my hands on this thing. Although I've studied it for over a decade and still don't know its use, the secrets it holds are far more valuable than anything that could be obtained at such a low price."
As soon as the old man finished speaking, his body shot out like lightning, charging towards Xiao Yan in front of him.
" Cold Fire - Netherworld Lock!"
"Splash~"
Sensing the old man's movement, Xiao Yan waved his hand, and two transparent chains suddenly flew out from beneath his feet, swirling and enveloping him, completely separating him from the old man.
The chains also gradually reduced the elderly person's range of movement.
Looking at the transparent chains, Yao Lao frowned slightly within his Storage Ring, as if recalling some unpleasant memory.
"Bite!"
A crisp clanging sound came from the chains. Then, the old man's voice faltered, and he looked up in surprise at Xiao Yan.
Upon first touching the chains, he felt his thoughts being instantly suppressed.
"What a strange thing!"
The old man narrowed his eyes, his gaze towards Xiao Yan filled with scrutiny. He had never heard of such a bizarre method before.
" Cold Fire: The Everfrost Mausoleum!"
Dark energy slowly covered the previous purple color.
A cold white halo suddenly spread outwards from Xiao Yan's center, quickly enveloping the entire Ancient Map Shop.
"Click click click~"
The next moment, to the astonishment of the group, illusory figures suddenly appeared, moving about within the area like ghosts.
"Ahhh~"
Waves of sound emanated from the phantom's mouth, pressing down on the old man's location.
At the same time, within the range of the Cold Fire, Xiao Huohuo keenly sensed that she seemed to have become lighter and her movements were much faster.
Conversely, the old man's speed was suppressed. In the chill, the circulation of his internal Dou Qi slowed down, and the mournful howls of the illusory figures of the Everfrost Mourning Spirit Demon also affected his thoughts.
"This is Soul Skill!"
Xiao Huohuo was surprised by the effect of the Soul Skill.
"Playing tricks!"
The old man was astonished by Xiao Yan's series of bizarre methods. Sensing his slowing speed, anger welled in his eyes, and he spoke:
"Since you two are so stubborn, then don't blame this old man."
As the old man spoke, he clenched his withered hands in mid-air, and the Ice Dou Qi on his body quickly gathered, condensing into a snow-white ice spear in his palms.
Even after his Dou Qi transformed into ice spears, the old man did not stop.
After all, Xiao Yan's strange methods were something he had never encountered before.
" Ice Spirit Armor!"
With a swift movement of one hand, a thick suit of ice armor appeared on the old man's body.
" Cold Fire - Condensed Soul Stab!"
When Xiao Yan sensed the fluctuations emanating from the old man, a look of vigilance appeared in his eyes. His Yellow Soul Ring flashed, and an ice crystal spear appeared in his hand as well.
Xiao Huohuo stood at a distance, looking at the two people who were now also holding ice spears and encased in armor. He was slightly taken aback. If an uninformed person saw them, they would think they were master and disciple.
The old man was taken aback by Xiao Yan's methods, but instead let out a soft chuckle:
"Haha, kid, you're pretty brave."
Dou Qi condenses into weapons and armor.
This is a technique possessed only by Dou Ling. After all, ordinary Dou Shi can only release their Dou Qi and summon Dou Qi Armor when they reach the level of Da Dou Shi.
This is also the mark of Da Dou Shi.
At the same time, they can imbue their weapons with Dou Qi, greatly increasing their attack power.
However, when a cultivator reaches the Dou Ling realm or above, they can use Dou Qi to condense into weapons and armor. The power and defense of such weapons are naturally incomparable to ordinary metal.
The old man could also sense that Xiao Yan's aura was clearly not at the Dou Ling, but his methods were beyond the grasp of Da Dou Shi.
"Whoosh!"
Holding a snow-white spear, the old man stepped forward and, with a loud shout, appeared in front of Xiao Yan.
"Bite!"
Two snow-white spears collided in the air, producing a piercing sound. The next moment, a dense barrage of collisions rang out.
Standing at a distance, protected by Yao Lao's soul, Xiao Huohuo could clearly see the movements of Xiao Yan and the old man exchanging blows.
Seeing Xiao Yan unleashing his full power, Xiao Huohuo was speechless.