Hai Bodong instinctively looked up at Xiao Feng. Upon seeing the torn map in his hand, his expression changed slightly as he asked, "Why did you buy that torn map?"
"Because I once obtained a similar torn map, but the one I got was about twice the size of yours."
As soon as Xiao Feng finished speaking, he took out his fragment of the Nether Lotus Demon Flame map, comparing the two pieces.
Upon seeing this, Hai Bodong's pupils contracted sharply, and he couldn't help but ask, "Where did you find that map fragment?"
"I found it during a training mission in the Magic Beast Mountain Range, in the lair of a Dou King expert."
Xiao Feng shook his head with feigned regret as he continued, "If I'm not mistaken, the treasure marked on this map should be a clue to some kind of Heavenly flame.
But unfortunately, piecing together the entire map is no easy task. Who knows where the remaining fragments are?"
[An Heavenly flame map fragment? Back then, I almost lost my life to that crazy woman, and it was just for a Heavenly Flame map fragment. You've got to be kidding me!]
Hearing Hai Bodong's roaring voice echoing in his mind, Xiao Feng almost burst out laughing.
No wonder Hai Bodong was so exasperated. Although Heavenly Flames are precious, they hold no natural allure for someone like him, who practices ice-based Dou Qi.
Besides, Hai Bodong only had a fragment. Who knows when he'd be able to collect the complete Heavenly Flame map? It could take forever!
If Hai Bodong had known back then that this torn map was part of a Heavenly Flame map, he would have given it to Queen Medusa long ago and avoided his current predicament.
Finally managing to calm himself down, Hai Bodong asked begrudgingly, "Kid, can I take a closer look at your map fragment?"
"Of course."
Xiao Feng smiled, placing both map fragments on the counter in front of Hai Bodong.
After staring at the two fragments for a while, Hai Bodong retrieved another fragment from his storage ring.
When Hai Bodong combined his two fragments, they formed a piece the same size as Xiao Feng's.
But even with three pieces together, the map was still incomplete.
Judging by the outline of the three fragments, at least two more pieces were needed to complete the entire map.
"Old man, these fragments are useless to you anyway. Why not sell them to me? Maybe I'll be able to collect the entire map someday!"
"Not for sale!" Hai Bodong replied coldly. "I paid a great price to obtain these two fragments back in the day. I'd rather let them rot in my hands than sell them!"
Seeing Hai Bodong's determined expression, Xiao Feng smirked playfully and said, "What if I told you I could lift the seal on you?"
!!!
Hai Bodong's face changed dramatically, and he asked gravely, "Who exactly are you?"
"I am Xiao Feng, at your service, Ice Emperor."
Xiao Feng bowed to Hai Bodong and then said solemnly, "No need to be nervous, senior. I mean, you no harm. When I came to buy the map a few months ago, I noticed that you were under a seal.
Recently, through a fortunate encounter, I met Queen Medusa of the Snake people. She mentioned that decades ago, she sealed the power of the Ice Emperor, Hai Bodong, of the Jia Ma Empire.
Connecting the dots, I dared to guess that you are that very Ice Emperor who has been missing for decades."
[Damn! It scared me to death! I thought it was an enemy coming after me!
But for this kid to be acquainted with that crazy woman, he must have some impressive skills, right?]
Hai Bodong's mind was racing with doubts, but he remained outwardly calm and said, "You guessed correctly. I am indeed the Ice Emperor Hai Bodong.
However, since Queen Medusa personally placed the seal on me, you should also know how difficult it is to remove."
"I don't have the power to break the seal placed by Queen Medusa, but what if Her Majesty helped?"
[No way! No way! Could that crazy woman be here?]
Hai Bodong's face twitched as he nervously asked, "What do you mean by that?"
Back in the day, Hai Bodong had been a free-spirited man until disaster struck, leaving him in a situation where just hearing her name made him panic.
Seeing Hai Bodong's anxious look, Xiao Feng suppressed a laugh and said, "I obtained a special scale from Queen Medusa, one that can remove the seal within your body."
"Really?"
"Do you think I would joke about something like this?"
Xiao Feng raised his hand, and a shimmering, multicoloured serpent scale appeared from his storage ring.
Feeling the strong and familiar aura emanating from the scale, Hai Bodong believed Xiao Feng's words by about seventy per cent.
"Alright, alright. As long as you can remove the seal, these two map fragments are yours."
The thought of finally restoring his strength made Hai Bodong visibly excited. He hurriedly pushed the Heavenly Flame map fragments on the counter toward Xiao Feng.
"Heh."
Xiao Feng scoffed and said, "Are you joking, senior? If you could give me a complete Heavenly Flame map, then asking me to break the seal would make sense.
But now, you're trying to use two incomplete fragments of questionable authenticity to pay me off? Do you think I'm a three-year-old?"
[Damn! Could this brat actually know that I have a complete Heavenly Flame map?]
Hai Bodong's expression shifted slightly, and he tentatively asked, "So, what do you want?"
Xiao Feng ignored Hai Bodong's inner thoughts and held up three fingers, saying, "In addition to these two fragments, I need you to do three things for me."
"What three things?"
"I haven't decided yet," Xiao Feng replied, shaking his head. "But I can promise you that whatever I ask will be within your ability and won't go against your principles.
If it does, you're free to refuse."
[What is this kid planning?
Whatever, I'll agree for now and sort it out once I've regained my strength.
If he really asks for something outrageous, I can always revoke it later.]
After contemplating for a moment, Hai Bodong nodded slightly and said, "Fine, I accept your terms."
"Glad to hear it, senior! Let's get started with removing the seal."
Xiao Feng smiled, placing the multicoloured scale on Hai Bodong's forehead. Then, following the method taught by Queen Medusa, he quickly performed several complex hand signs.
(End of Chapter)
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