" Ice Emperor!"
Xiao Huohuo's eyes lit up immediately.
He had certainly heard of the Ice Emperor; he was one of the few Dou Emperor- level experts among the previous top ten powerhouses of the Jia Ma Empire.
"So it's Senior Ice Emperor."
"Heh, it seems some people still remember my name."
Ice Emperor Hai Bodong sighed, his gaze falling on the incomplete map, and said with a hint of helplessness:
"I obtained this fragment of the map from the Tagor Desert. In my attempt to seize it, I clashed with Queen Medusa. Although I managed to escape, I was Snake Seal she had placed within me."
Queen Medusa!
Hearing Hai Bodong's words, Xiao Huohuo looked at the Ice Emperor with a hint of surprise.
Queen Medusa was an absolute powerhouse among the Snake-People Tribe of the Jia Ma Empire, Peak Dou Emperor existence.
If the Snake-People Tribe hadn't only had this one Dou Emperor, they probably would have already declared war on the Jia Ma Empire.
Even so, the conflict between the Snake-People Tribe and the Jia Ma Empire has become increasingly severe.
"The Seal of Queen Medusa..."
Xiao Huohuo frowned. This was Queen Medusa's innate secret technique, and it wouldn't be so easy to deal with.
"Young man, I have found a way to break the seal over the years. Seeing that you are also an alchemist, I wonder if you have heard of the Pill of Breaking Adversity?"
Pill of Breaking Adversity! Sixth-Grade Pill, specially designed to break all kinds of strange seals!
Although Xiao Huohuo was unaware of it, Yao Lao had heard of it.
"Senior, you're giving me too much credit!"
Xiao Huohuo shook his head and said to Hai Bodong:
" The Pill of Breaking Adversity is Sixth-Grade Pill. Do you think a mere Second-Rank Alchemist like me can solve this problem for you? You should go find Pill King Gu He for this."
Pill King Gu He Jia Ma Empire!
"You knew all along!"
Upon hearing Xiao Huohuo's answer, Hai Bodong's eyes brightened even more before he continued:
"To refine the Tribulation -Pill of Breaking Adversity, you must possess Heavenly Flames. The flames you just released were that Heavenly Flames, weren't they?"
Hai Bodong's gaze swept over Xiao Yan, focusing on the flaming green lotus in his palm, before he continued speaking:
"If you can help me refine the Pill of Breaking Adversity, I will give you the incomplete map. In addition, I, Ice Emperor Hai Bodong, will owe you a favor!"
"A favor from a Dou Emperor) is worth this price, I think."
Listening to Hai Bodong's words, Xiao Huohuo began to communicate with Yao Lao in his mind.
Since it concerned the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame, he would absolutely not give up, so after only a slight hesitation, Xiao Huohuo nodded in agreement.
"Sure, but... senior, you should know the rules for inviting an alchemist, right?"
"Of course I know. I'll provide the prescription; you'll need to bring your own herbs."
Hai Bodong gave a wry smile and said:
"To be honest, you alchemists are really..."
However, Hai Bodong didn't give it to Xiao Huohuo immediately. A hint of embarrassment appeared on his face as he spoke:
"Well... I've prepared all the materials for the Pill of Breaking Adversity, but... I'm missing a Sand Mandala."
"This thing only exists deep within the Tagor Desert, and it's easier to find in warmer areas. However, I have a seal placed by Queen Medusa within me, so she will detect me the moment I step into the depths of the Tagor Desert, therefore..."
Hai Bodong felt somewhat embarrassed, which was why he had been living in seclusion in Desert City for so many years.
You don't want us to find it for you, do you?
Xiao Huohuo frowned. Deep in the Tagor Desert, that was the territory of the Snake-People Tribe, who were extremely hostile to humans.
If discovered, even a king wouldn't be able to escape from the depths of the desert.
Hai Bodong's embarrassment deepened. He glanced at Xiao Yan and Xiao Huohuo, then continued:
"In that case, I can give you some information that might interest you, news about the Heavenly Flames."
Hai Bodong had been observing Xiao Huohuo, and upon hearing the words "Heavenly Flames," he noticed that the other's eyes brightened considerably.
"Very good, it seems you know about this. There should be a Heavenly Flames in the Tagor Desert."
Hai Bodong was relieved to discover that Xiao Huohuo was interested in the Heavenly Flames, and said:
"I am very interested in drawing maps. I spent some time in the desert and was fortunate enough to get some information about the Heavenly Flames. Later, I explored it in detail."
While it's impossible to be certain, we do know which locations have a higher probability of possessing Heavenly Flames.
"If you help me obtain the Sand Mandala, I'll give you a map containing information about the Heavenly Flames, how about that?"
"Make a deal!"
Without the slightest hesitation, Xiao Huohuo nodded in agreement.
They were able to obtain a fragment of the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame map, a favor from a Dou Emperor, and information about Heavenly Flames in the Tagor Desert.
All three pieces of news were indispensable to Xiao Huohuo, so there was simply no reason for him to refuse.
Hai Bodong glanced at the incomplete map in Xiao Huohuo's hand before speaking:
"You can keep this incomplete map for now, but I will give you the pill formula and the map about the Heavenly Flames after you obtain the Sand Mandala."
Xiao Huohuo hesitated for a moment, then handed the map in his hand directly to Hai Bodong and said:
"Senior, may I first have that map containing information about the Heavenly Flames in the Tagor Desert? I will collect the incomplete map and the pill formula after I return."
"Since I'm going to the Tagor Desert, if it's on my way, I could take a look at that Heavenly Flames first, what do you say?"
Hai Bodong was slightly taken aback upon hearing this. After hesitating for a moment, he took the incomplete map back from Xiao Huohuo and nodded in agreement.
"This is a map containing information about the Heavenly Flames."
Hai Bodong didn't waste any time. He took out a specially made thin parchment and laid it on the counter. The parchment was clearly depicted, showing the path, water source, Magical Beast gathering place, and three very conspicuous flame symbols.
"Here you go." Hai Bodong rolled up the map and handed it to Xiao Huohuo, saying, "The marker is here--"
Pointing to the area marked by a huge flame pattern on the map, Hai Bodong Province:
"These three places are all possible locations for the Heavenly Flames in the Tagor Desert, but I suggest you go to the other two first, and then go to the northwest location last."
Hai Bodong spoke with lingering fear:
"Our location in the northwest is already close to the depths of the Tagor Desert. If we encounter Queen Medusa, I don't think you'll be able to escape."
Xiao Yan took the route map and said dejectedly, "I'll try my best..."
The allure of the Heavenly Flames to him was unimaginable to ordinary people, so no matter what, Xiao Huohuo would not give up even if there was only the slightest chance.
"I'm so sorry for making such a mess of this place, senior..."
Only then did Xiao Yan and the others look at the almost completely destroyed shop and speak to Hai Bodong.
"It doesn't matter, it's just a secluded place anyway, and I'm already tired of it..."
Looking at the chaotic state of the shop, Hai Bodong could only speak, then reminded the two of the situation again:
"Remember, in the desert, the most dangerous thing is not the Magical Beast, nor the Snake-People Tribe, but Queen Medusa."
Although she rarely leaves the temple, if your actions have alerted her... even if you didn't unleash your full power just now, no one can save you."
Thank you for informing me, senior.
"In that case, we'll take our leave."
The Ice Seal Dou Qi around them had melted, and Xiao Yan and Xiao Huohuo left the Ancient Map Shop one after the other.
"When do we set off?" Walking down the street, Xiao Yan turned to look at Xiao Huohuo and asked.
"Let's do it first thing tomorrow morning," the Yao Lao's voice rang in their ears.
"I'll rest here tonight and prepare the essentials for entering the desert—clean water, antidote, camouflage cloak, and... some things to deal with the Snake-People Tribe."