Chapter 66: Chapter 66
**Chapter 66: Deal Done!**
"Haha, it's so much better to talk things over from the start. Why resort to fighting and killing?"
Hearing this, Xiao Ning chuckled, then raised his head and flashed a bright smile.
"Since the senior wants to negotiate, the junior won't be impolite, I wonder what price the senior is asking for this partial map?"
As he spoke, Xiao Ning kept sizing up Hai Bodong in front of him, adopting an aura of someone waiting for an offer.
Seeing this, Hai Bodong calmed down slightly.
However, thinking that this might be one of the few opportunities left, Hai Bodong slowly said, "Since you've already revealed my identity, I won't hide it any longer.
I am indeed the Ice Emperor."
The Ice Emperor, Hai Bodong, was once one of the top ten strongest warriors in the previous generation of the Jiama Empire.
He was aloof and arrogant, and his exceptional ice-based Dou Qi made others fear him.
There was even a city he froze entirely, and he once single-handedly fought against a Dou Emperor and a Dou King.
If others saw this famous Ice Emperor, they would likely be terrified, but Xiao Ning was different.
Not only was he a traveler from Earth, but he had also inherited the power of the Desolate Emperor, making him unafraid of Hai Bodong.
Even when Hai Bodong admitted his identity, Xiao Ning didn't so much as frown.
Hai Bodong carefully watched Xiao Ning's reaction, and seeing it, he couldn't help but sigh to himself, "I really am old.
I can't even keep up with the times or scare the younger generation anymore."
But his mouth kept moving, continuing to speak slowly: "Why, as someone who once held the power of a Dou Huang, do I now only have the strength of a Dou Ling, running a map shop and living in anonymity?"
"That's because..."
Before he could continue, Xiao Ning immediately interrupted, "I know, it's because you're sealed.
I could tell as soon as I walked into the store."
Xiao Ning's interruption made Hai Bodong cough twice, and he said unhappily, "Young man, didn't your family teach you that it's rude to interrupt an old man when he's talking?"
Xiao Ning shrugged and replied, "I just want us to speed things up a bit.
There's no need to waste time on things we both already know."
Hai Bodong was a little frustrated but stiffly continued, "Since you know already, I'll make it short.
When I entered the Tagor Desert, I was pursued by Queen Medusa.
Although I barely escaped, I paid a heavy price."
"The seal on my body is the snake seal imposed by Queen Medusa herself!"
At this point, Hai Bodong's tone grew more somber, filled with emotion.
"I kept this piece of the map, continuing to study it, hoping to find something that could help me break the seal. But it's only part of a map.
No matter how skilled I am, I can't decipher it."
"But over the years, I haven't waited in vain.
I found a prescription that can break the seal.
If I can refine that elixir, I'll regain my original strength! But I'm still missing one crucial ingredient."
Hai Bodong narrowed his eyes slightly before continuing, "You're not an alchemist, so I won't ask you to refine the elixir.
What I need is for you to venture into the Tagor Desert and bring back the medicinal ingredient I lack.
And you must find a way to hire a sixth-tier alchemist!"
Hearing this, Xiao Ning first touched his nose, then looked at Hai Bodong with a mysterious smile and slowly said, "It's not easy, but since I need this partial map, I'll do it."
His origin was so mysterious, and his background must be quite significant.
Could he really not hire a sixth-tier alchemist?
Hai Bodong's eyes dimmed slightly.
The reason he didn't seek out Furukawa was due to some personal differences between them.
But the next moment, Xiao Ning's brisk words made Hai Bodong's head snap up in surprise!
"Old man, I accept your conditions!"
Xiao Ning spoke casually, but there was a serious look in his dark eyes that Hai Bodong couldn't ignore.
This kid really believes he can accomplish this.
Even so, Hai Bodong still had some doubts.
After the initial shock, he realized his request was quite demanding.
Whether it was finding the Sand Mandala or hiring a sixth-tier alchemist, neither task was easy.
The Sand Mandala only grows in the territory of the Snake Tribe.
If Xiao Ning were to go there, he might encounter the Snake Tribe and face a life-threatening situation.
And sixth-tier alchemists were even rarer.
In the Jiama Empire, only the Alchemist King Furukawa held that rank, even the president of the Alchemist Guild was only a fifth-tier alchemist.
"Boy, you agreed so easily.
Do you even know how difficult this is?!"
Hai Bodong narrowed his eyes and lowered his voice.
"I have my own methods, so there's no need for you to worry, old man.
However, this matter can't be settled so simply."
Xiao Ning spoke confidently, appearing relaxed and at ease.
It seemed as though neither condition was too difficult for him, further deepening the mystery around him in Hai Bodong's eyes.
However, even if he could do it, Xiao Ning didn't plan to work for the old man for free; he wanted to gain all the benefits!
"Finding the Sand Mandala and hiring a sixth-tier alchemist are two separate tasks, so just a partial map won't suffice. First, I need a clue about a strange fire," Xiao Ning raised a finger and waved it slightly in front of Hai Bodong. Ignoring the elder's changing expression, he calmly continued, "I know you have one, so hand it over."
Hai Bodong was shocked but then smiled wryly, hesitating for a long time before saying helplessly, "I really don't know how you found out."
Xiao Ning didn't pretend to be mysterious and explained casually, "Just some hearsay.
Since you've lived here for so long, and as a former Dou Huang warrior, it's unlikely you don't have any clues."
Hai Bodong's wrinkled face trembled slightly, and a sharp light flashed in his cloudy eyes.
"I've always been interested in mapmaking.
I once wandered around the Tagor Desert and was fortunate enough to obtain some information about Heavenly flames.
I investigated the locations and routes mentioned in these reports.
Although I can't pinpoint the exact location of a strange fire, I can estimate the places with a higher probability of containing one."
"But you're not an alchemist, so why are you so interested in Heavenly flames?"
For a moment, Hai Bodong's curiosity got the better of him.
"I won't trouble you with that, old man.
Please continue."
Xiao Ning didn't answer Hai Bodong's question, instead bringing the conversation back on track.
Although it wasn't apparent on the surface, it seemed like Xiao Ning was at a disadvantage.
But in reality, he had planned everything.
All of Hai Bodong's actions and conditions were solely for obtaining a Breaking Elixir.
As long as the seal on him was lifted, what did it matter if the other conditions weren't met?
When the time came, Xiao Ning could go to Xiao Yan and ask Yao Lao to help again.
As for the price, it would naturally be the Heavenly flame!
Xiao Ning knew very well that Xiao Yan sought the Heavenly flames not just for himself but for the Little Doctor Fairy as well.
However, Xiao Ning had his own plans.
Unlike Xiao Yan, Xiao Ning didn't have the Flame Mantra, so his need for the Heavenly flame wasn't as intense.
(Tl\n: honestly I'm disappointed)
The reason he sought the Heavenly flames was simply that these legendary heavenly and earthly treasures had an incredible effect on tempering the body.
After all, the original work describes several instances of body tempering through different fires.
How could Xiao Ning let that go?
However, once the body tempering was complete, the Heavenly flames would have little use for Xiao Ning.
Even for the Little Doctor Fairy, there was no need to hoard it all.
(Tl\n:😑)
After the tempering, Xiao Ning could trade the strange fire with Xiao Yan.
This would create a mutually beneficial exchange between the two parties.
As a middleman, Xiao Ning could facilitate a win-win situation for all three involved.
Wouldn't that be ideal?
(Tl\n: Hell nah cuz at that point ur basically his cash cow)
Hai Bodong hesitated before finally reaching into his robes, pulling out a thin piece of parchment.
A conspicuous flame symbol was engraved on it, giving it an unusual appearance.
When Xiao Ning saw the parchment, he knew it was the same one he had given to Xiao Yan in the original story.
"This information about the Heavenly flame..."
Hai Bodong hesitated, but Xiao Ning interrupted his hesitation.
"In exchange for the Heavenly flame information, I'll venture into the Tagor Desert and retrieve the Sand Mandala!"
Xiao Ning finalized the first part of the deal.
Hai Bodong twitched his lips at hearing this but still tossed the parchment to Xiao Ning.
"Alright."
With a gust of wind, the parchment flew straight towards Xiao Ning like a dart. Xiao Ning remained calm, catching it effortlessly between two fingers.
His eyes quickly scanned the parchment. Upon seeing three flame symbols marked on it, Xiao Ning was satisfied. He quickly stored it away, smiled, and said, "The old man is truly generous.
Now, what about the second condition?"
Hai Bodong waved his hand tiredly, saying, "The second condition concerns the other part of the map, right?"
Xiao Ning nodded, his eyes bright with expectation.
After a moment of silence, Hai Bodong sighed heavily and said, "I don't have the other part of the map.
The other piece is held by a group in the Gama Empire that isn't easy to deal with."
"The Misty Cloud Sect."
The name fell from Hai Bodong's lips like a heavy stone, causing the atmosphere to tense immediately.
The Misty Cloud Sect was a powerful faction in the Gama Empire, one that even a former Dou Huang like Hai Bodong had to be wary of.
They were a top sect, with numerous strong fighters and an influential leader, Yun Shan, who was himself a Dou Zong.
Xiao Ning's face didn't change much, though his eyes darkened slightly.
He already knew this from the original story, but hearing it now meant he had to start making plans.
"That map piece is not easy to obtain, but if you manage to get it, the full map will be in your hands. I can only help you so far," Hai Bodong continued.
Xiao Ning considered his words for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, I understand."
The Misty Cloud Sect wasn't something Xiao Ning could deal with immediately, but with time, he knew he could grow strong enough to challenge them.
"Old man, rest assured.
Once the seal is lifted, I'll find a way to get that map piece," Xiao Ning finally said, his tone confident.
Hai Bodong gave a small, reluctant smile.
"I'm glad to hear that, but be careful.
The Misty Cloud Sect is not to be trifled with."
With their discussion concluded, Hai Bodong passed the parchment to Xiao Ning.
"This is my only clue about the strange fire, I'll give it to you. Just remember your end of the bargain."
Xiao Ning smiled and took the parchment, storing it away carefully.
"No problem, old man.
I'm a man of my word, when the time comes, I'll take care of everything."
Seeing Xiao Ning so relaxed, Hai Bodong felt a strange mixture of relief and unease.
The young man in front of him was clearly more than met the eye, and Hai Bodong couldn't help but feel like he was playing into Xiao Ning's hands.
But there was no turning back now.
"I'll take my leave then," Xiao Ning said, nodding respectfully to Hai Bodong before turning to leave the shop.
As Xiao Ning walked out, Hai Bodong sat down heavily, feeling the weight of the years and the uncertainties ahead. He could only hope this gamble would pay off.
Outside, Xiao Ning looked up at the sky, his thoughts already racing ahead. He had acquired a clue to a strange fire and laid the groundwork for future deals. Now, it was time to plan his next steps carefully.
"The road to power is paved with risks," he murmured to himself, smiling faintly as he walked away.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
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