In the ancient map shop that Hai Bodong had set up in Desert City after being sealed by the Queen of Medusa, an elderly man with a head full of white hair was absorbed in drawing at the counter. Aside from a few customers browsing maps, there were no other staff present.
When Gu Changqing entered the shop, he saw the elderly man engrossed in his work. Ignoring him, Gu Changqing let his divine sense scan the shop before heading to a remote counter. He picked up a stack of torn atlases and flipped through them until a small, tattered map fell out.
Without surprise, Gu Changqing picked up the damaged map and, after a casual inspection, walked over to the elderly man.
Thud! Thud!
Gu Changqing lightly tapped on the counter twice.
The elderly man looked up. His gaze first fell on the torn map in Gu Changqing's hand. After a brief pause, he said, "This map isn't for sale. If you're looking for the map of the Tagore Desert, you should go that way." He gestured towards a corner of the shop.
"Hai Bodong, let's make a deal," Gu Changqing said, directly using the ice emperor real name.
Swish!
Hai Bodong's eyes shot up, his cloudy eyes suddenly blazing with intense light as they locked onto Gu Changqing. At the same time, a chilling aura rapidly spread through the map shop.
Crackling!
Everything near Hai Bodong began to freeze.
"Brr, it's so cold. What's going on?"
"Boss, uh—"
The few customers in the shop shivered from the cold and started to look up, only to be met with Hai Bodong's piercing, icy gaze.
"Sorry, the shop is closed for today!" Hai Bodong's cold eyes swept over the customers.
Swish————
Before Hai Bodong could finish, the customers hurriedly fled, stumbling as they rushed out.
Squeak!
The shop's door slammed shut. Haibodong's eyes, now filled with murderous intent, fixed on Gu Changqing.
"Who are you? How do you know my identity?" Haibodong's voice was icy.
"From Wutan City, Xiao Family, Gu Changqing," Gu Changqing replied calmly.
"Wutan City, Xiao Family, Gu Changqing?! What's your relation to Xiao Lin?" Hai Bodong's brows furrowed as he asked.
"No relation. I just grew up with the Xiao Family, so I'm somewhat connected to them," Gu Changqing said casually.
"Is that so? The Xiao Family has managed to cultivate someone like you? If you know my identity, aren't you afraid that I'll kill you to keep it secret?" Hai Bodong's killing intent surged, and the temperature in the shop dropped drastically.
Boom!
Without wasting words, Gu Changqing raised his hand and struck Haibodong. As Haibodong's pupils contracted in shock, Gu Changqing's strike sent him crashing into a nearby osmanthus rack, shattering it into pieces.
Bang!
Hai Bodong's frail body slammed against the wall, cracking it, and causing the ground to tremble.
"Pfft, you—"
Hai Bodong coughed up blood, staring at Gu Changqing in disbelief.
"Now, do you still want to kill me to keep your secret?" Gu Changqing asked, his demeanor relaxed, as if fending off a former Ice Emperor was nothing to him.
"Cough, cough. Alright! The Xiao Family has indeed produced a formidable descendant. I admit defeat, but if you want my life, I won't make it easy for you!"
Boom————
A powerful aura erupted from Haibodong's body. Although it did not reach the level of a Dou Wang, it was comparable to some top Dou Ling experts.
"Who said I want your life?" Gu Changqing glanced at him indifferently.
"You came for this map, didn't you?" Hai Bodong's eyes fell on the torn map in Gu Changqing's hand. If it was indeed for this map, wouldn't he have to kill him to obtain it?
"This map is just a side note. If I'm not mistaken, you have the other half of the map, right?"
"Hand over the other half of the map and the possible locations of the Heavenly Flame in the Tagor Desert. I'll consider helping you break the seal and restore your freedom," Gu Changqing said, lifting the half-torn map and looking straight at Hai Bodong.
"What? You can break the seal on me?! Do you know who placed it?" Hai Bodong stepped forward, a mix of excitement and skepticism in his eyes.
"It's just a Serpent's Seal Spell. Nothing significant," Gu Changqing replied dismissively. "So, have you decided? Hand over the other half of the map and the Heavenly Flame clues, or do you want me to kill you and take them?"
Gu Changqing's hand clenched, drawing all the energy from the surroundings, including the freezing cold Hai Bodong had unleashed, into his palm, forming a brilliant light. He looked at Hai Bodong coldly, asking casually.
"Can you really break the seal on me?" Haibodong's eyes widened at the dazzling light in Gu Changqing's palm, his pupils contracting in fear.
"You can choose not to believe me. I'll give you three seconds to decide."
"One!"
Gu Changqing began counting. Haibodong's strength was inconsequential to him. If Haibodong didn't cooperate, Gu Changqing had no qualms about ending his life.
As for Yafei, her distant relation to Haibodong didn't affect their relationship.
"Two!"
The light in Gu Changqing's hand grew even more intense.
"Alright! I agree to the deal! As long as you help me break the seal, I'll give you the other half of the map and all the clues about the Heavenly Flame!"
Hai Bodong conceded quickly, fearing that Gu Changqing might indeed kill him. This young man was beyond his comprehension and made him uneasy.
"Congratulations, you've spared your life! Hand over the items," Gu Changqing said with a light smile, spreading his hand. All the energy dissipated into the surroundings.
Sensing the sudden surge of Dou Qi, Hai Bodong's face changed again, but he still asked, "Aren't you going to break the seal first?"
"Oh, removing the seal by hand is troublesome. I don't want to waste the effort. I'll just make you a Breakthrough Pill. Give me the recipe and ingredients for the Breakthrough Pill, and after I return from the Tagor Desert with the Heavenly Flame, I'll help you refine it," Gu Changqing said casually.
"You even know about the Breakthrough Pill recipe I've collected?!" Haibodong was truly shocked. This young man seemed to know everything about him.