Chapter 65: The Easily Obtained Fragmented Map

No wonder Hai Bodong was so shocked. Though the Dou Qi Continent had no shortage of secret arts that could rapidly enhance one's strength, those techniques were at least Earth Tier or higher.

To possess such a technique, one had to belong to an exceptionally powerful faction or be an elite, hidden expert.

Compared to these supreme forces, the Jia Ma Empire was nothing more than a firefly competing against the radiance of the full moon.

"I refuse to believe this! I've been in seclusion for over twenty years, and now a mere brat like you has me completely cornered?!"

After being relentlessly suppressed by Xiao Yan's powerful Dou Techniques, the once-mighty Hai Bodong—whose Dou Qi had been sealed for years—had had enough.

With a stomp on the ground, his hands moved rapidly, forming a hand seal, and he let out a deep roar:

"Mystic Ice Spiral Slash!"

Instantly, crescent-shaped ice blades materialized, spinning around him. Within moments, they converged into a whirling ice storm, slashing forward at terrifying speed, aiming to tear Xiao Yan apart.

As the attack surged forward, the entire shop floor was left in ruins, covered in deep gouges and cracks.

Xiao Yan stood still. Around him, flaming red skeletal ribs coiled like an impenetrable armor. Suddenly, an enormous, bone-like arm extended outward, directly colliding with the raging Ice Blade Storm.

"What?!"

Hai Bodong's shocked voice echoed from within the storm.

This was a High-Tier Xuan Class Dou Technique, executed by a Dou Ling-level expert!

How could some insignificant Dou Zhe have the confidence to withstand such an attack?

Yao Lao, who had a deeper understanding of Xiao Yan, had already sensed that this technique was far from ordinary.

The massive skeletal structure, infused with Xuan Huang Flame and Peach Blossom Flame, vastly surpassed the defensive power of a Dou Shi's Qi Armor or the weapon condensation of a Dou Ling.

As Xiao Yan's teacher, Yao Lao prided himself on knowing all of his disciple's abilities—but this?

This was something completely new.

The way these bones had suddenly extended, carrying such terrifying power, was just as bizarre as their creation.

This wasn't merely Dou Qi—it was a force beyond common understanding, carrying an absolute destructive might.

In an instant, the gigantic skeletal arm ripped apart Hai Bodong's Ice Blade Storm and grasped him firmly at its core.

Looking at the cracks forming along the skeletal structure, Hai Bodong felt both regret and overwhelming shock.

"What… the hell is this thing?!"

This wasn't just a few ordinary ice blades—this was a High-Tier Xuan Class Dou Technique!

Even a Dou Wang with strong physical defenses would have been shredded to pieces upon impact.

Yet this skeletal construct had only suffered a few cracks?

Xiao Yan slowly lowered Hai Bodong to the ground as the flaming bones gradually faded away.

"Old sir, you've lost."

Hai Bodong let out a bitter laugh. "Kid… I really underestimated you. But at the very least, I'd like to understand how I lost."

Xiao Yan shrugged with a smirk. "Something forged from Heavenly Flames naturally isn't something that ordinary ice can destroy."

As he spoke, he casually retrieved the puppet bird from Little Doctor Fairy's hand and placed it on his shoulder once again.

"Heavenly Flame…! No wonder..."

Hai Bodong's gaze shifted toward Little Doctor Fairy, and suddenly, his expression changed.

During their entire battle, the shop had been completely destroyed—yet this young girl was completely unharmed?

And that puppet bird—what was it?!

Powerful Dou Techniques, mysterious secret arts, Heavenly Flames, a highly unusual puppet beast…

Hai Bodong suddenly chuckled darkly, his tone carrying a hint of amusement:

"Don't bother pretending. I can tell that last move of yours already drained you completely."

Little Doctor Fairy anxiously glanced at Xiao Yan. Fighting against a Dou Ling-level expert and still holding the upper hand—any normal Dou Zhe should have already been exhausted by now.

Xiao Yan simply waved his hand. "I already told you—there is no deal in this world that cannot be completed. Trading an old man's life for a mere fragmented map… that's a pretty good deal, don't you think?"

Hai Bodong cast a wary glance at the puppet bird. He didn't know why, but an inexplicable chill crept up his spine. It was as if the moment he made a move against Xiao Yan, he would die instantly.

"Sigh… Who would have thought that after hiding away for so many years, I would end up in such a miserable state because of a mere brat?" Hai Bodong sighed deeply.

Then, his tone suddenly shifted, "This fragmented map… is it really that important to you?"

"I went through great lengths to obtain it back then. Though I've studied it for over a decade without uncovering its true purpose, I at least know that the secret it holds is far from ordinary."

Xiao Yan retrieved the fragmented map from his storage, and with a flick of his wrist, a wisp of flame emerged in his palm.

Despite appearing fragile—as if it could crumble at any moment—the ancient map remained completely unaffected by the burning flames.

Hai Bodong, seeing this for the first time, clicked his tongue in amazement.

But Yao Lao, fully aware that this was Xuan Huang Flame, knew better. Even though Xiao Yan's Dou Qi was nearly depleted, the flame's power still far exceeded ordinary fire.

For the map to withstand the burning of Heavenly Flame, it was definitely extraordinary!

After a brief demonstration, Xiao Yan quickly extinguished the flame. He couldn't afford to keep it burning for long.

Hai Bodong chuckled. "Kid, I quite like what you said earlier—'There is no deal in this world that cannot be completed.'

"When I first obtained this map, I used my years of cartography expertise to split it into two perfect halves."

With a snap of his fingers, Hai Bodong retrieved a faded, ancient-looking parchment from his storage ring and tossed it to Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan ran his fingers over both pieces, feeling their texture. To confirm its authenticity, he briefly exposed it to his Heavenly Flame.

Only then did he finally believe that Hai Bodong had given him the real thing.

"...You're handing it over this easily?" Xiao Yan was a little surprised—almost too surprised to believe it.

Hai Bodong let out another sigh. "This map was nothing but trouble for me."

"The moment I obtained it, I became the target of the Snake-Person Tribe's Queen Medusa. Though I barely managed to escape, she still placed a Serpent Seal on me—causing my body to age rapidly and my strength to plummet to the Dou Ling level."

After so many years, he had never managed to uncover the map's secret. If given the choice, Hai Bodong would rather have never obtained it at all.

Little Doctor Fairy hadn't expected this old man to still be a Dou Ling-level fighter despite having his strength sealed. Out of curiosity, she asked, "Old sir, what was your strength before the seal?"

Hai Bodong's lips curled into a proud smirk.

"You've heard of the Ice Emperor, haven't you?"

"The Ice Emperor?!"

Even Little Doctor Fairy, who rarely paid attention to such things, wasn't unfamiliar with that name.

The Ice Emperor—one of the Top Ten Powerhouses of the Jia Ma Empire.

A reclusive and arrogant man, exceptionally skilled in Ice-Type Dou Qi.

It was said that, in a fit of rage, he had completely frozen an entire city.

Who would have thought that a once-revered powerhouse would now be…

…reduced to selling maps in a run-down shop?

(End of Chapter)

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