Chapter 69: The Second Fragment!
The faint voice echoed in his ears. Although as a Dou Zun he no longer felt heat or cold, he still felt that the Soul Realm was unusually cold.
Watching Yun Yi's retreating figure, the old man felt powerless for the first time. He did not dare to gamble — did not dare to gamble with the fate of his lineage.
In recent days, the Soul Realm had been far from peaceful. Yun Yi had completely battered to death a peak Dou Huang with seventh-grade bloodline in an absolute display of dominance. More importantly, he had done so as a Dou Wang.
This achievement left all those in the Hun clan who considered themselves geniuses speechless.
In the end, someone could not bear this loss and sought out Hun Feng, the possessor of the divine-grade bloodline of this generation.
Hun Feng declared that once Yun Yi reached the Dou Zun level, he would show him what an Emperor Clan's prodigy truly was.
This confident statement undoubtedly boosted everyone's confidence. It was as if the mountain pressing down on everyone's heads had disappeared.
Yun Yi ignored all the external rumors. After witnessing the Hun clan's geniuses, he lived a life of seclusion. He could not yet contend with the stronger ninth-grade and divine-grade bloodline possessors. They had already reached the Dou Zong or Dou Zun levels. Yun Yi would not seek trouble by challenging them.
"You want to go out?"
A puzzled voice sounded. Nihility Devouring Flame looked strangely at his nominal disciple, not understanding his reasoning.
Was there any place in the world that could compare to the Soul Realm? Here, with his backing, Yun Yi was practically the crown prince of the Soul Realm. He could choose any resource he wanted. Even a pig could be boosted to Dou Zun. He had not expected the other to want to go out.
Seeing the other nod, Nihility Devouring Flame asked curiously, "Why?"
"Back then, I said that I knew the location of Yao Chen. That was true. I am going for him this time." Yun Yi looked calmly into the distance, answering Nihility Devouring Flame's question.
"Yao Chen?"
"That abandoned son of the Yao clan?"
Nihility Devouring Flame's face showed disdain. A mere Nine-Turn Dou Zun could not catch his eye. If not for Hun Xuzi's praise of this man, he might never have known about this abandoned son of the Yao clan.
"Most of the heavenly flames in the top ten on the Heavenly Flame List have owners. Yao Chen possesses the Bone Chilling Flame, ranked eleventh. It should not be missed."
"Oh?" Hearing the mention of a heavenly flame, a flicker of interest passed through Nihility Devouring Flame's eyes. But upon learning it was the Bone Chilling Flame, he lost interest.
At his level, only Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame could pique his interest. Failing that, it would have to be Living Creature Flame or Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame. The remaining heavenly flames were insignificant in his eyes.
"Since you want to go, then go. Although your strength is passable, you cannot go outside without some protection. Take this. If necessary, you can summon me."
Nihility Devouring Flame, acting like a kindly master, amiably handed over a pitch-black scroll. The scroll emitted dense spatial fluctuations. A small black flame danced on it.
This was a characteristic of the Dou Qi Continent — the strongest technique: the summoning art.
Yun Yi took the scroll. This was probably not just a trump card for him, but more importantly, a means of surveillance.
Watching Yun Yi's retreating figure, Nihility Devouring Flame immediately wiped the smile from his face and said indifferently, "Hun Sha, send someone to protect Yun Yi."
"Yes."
A respectful voice came from the shadows. A figure flashed by — Hun Sha, one of the Hun clan's four demon sages, a Seven-Star Dou Sheng.
Mocheng was located in the Tagor Desert in the eastern province of the Jia Ma Empire. It was one of the empire's largest cities in the Tagor Desert, a strategic fortress for defense against the snake-people.
Compared to the Magical Beast Mountain Range, the climate here was quite dry and hot. The scorching sunlight poured down from the sky, baking the earth and constantly radiating hot air. At the same time, fire-attributed energy was unusually active. Fire-attributed cultivators would surely find twice the results with half the effort here.
The hot climate meant the residents here wore quite light clothing. Because Dou Qi protected them from the sun, many people simply went bare-chested.
Both men and women in the area wore extremely light clothing. Their skin was wheat-colored. As the women walked, their snake-like waists swayed, creating a unique charm and allure.
"Hmph, none of them are as good-looking as Zi Yan."
Two somewhat jarring figures appeared outside Mocheng — a handsome young man and a beautiful young woman. At this moment, the woman glared discontentedly at the surrounding scantily clad women, protectively pulling the man's arm into her embrace.
Jiang Yun noticed Zi Yan's little mood. He smiled to himself but said nothing. He believed Zi Yan was not truly jealous — just a little indignant.
"So this is Mocheng. Quite bustling."
Looking at the earth-yellow city in the distance and the crowds flowing in and out, Jiang Yun chuckled softly.
As the only major city in the Tagor Desert, all the mercenary groups heading into the desert to hunt for treasure would trade supplies here. Those needing rare treasures from the desert would come here to purchase them.
And because it bordered the snake-people territory, the most famous thing here was not medicinal herbs, but snake-people female slaves. The Dou Qi Continent was a world where the strong were revered. The weak had no human rights.
After paying the entry tax under the respectful gazes of the city gate guards, Jiang Yun led Zi Yan into the city. The unique desert-style city buildings appeared before them.
Following his senses, Jiang Yun led Zi Yan directly to their destination.
A shop called 'Ancient Map' came into view. Unable to comment on 'Brother Dong's' naming talent, Jiang Yun took Zi Yan's hand and slowly entered the shop.
His gaze swept around. Hai Bo Dong was indeed an interesting person. The shop even faintly exuded an ancient atmosphere — quite impressive.
Behind the counter, an old man was bowed low, carefully making a map. He was clearly quite old, his hair completely white. Yet the withered hand holding the mapping pen was still steady and strong.
Although the aura he emitted was that of a Dou Ling, Jiang Yun could feel the terrifying power hidden deep within the old man's body.
This was the Ice Emperor Hai Bo Dong — one of the ten strongest experts of the Jia Ma Empire, a Seven-Star Dou Huang who only played at the highest level.
"Xiao Yun, that old man is not weak." By now, Zi Yan had also noticed Hai Bo Dong's anomaly. She quietly leaned close to Jiang Yun and whispered in his ear.
Squeezing Zi Yan's hand, giving her a reassuring look, Jiang Yun slowly walked to an ancient wooden shelf in the corner of the shop.
This shelf was clearly quite old, covered in decayed holes. On it were randomly piled some yellowed maps.
The surfaces of these maps had many broken traces, as if they were failures from mapmaking.
Precisely taking the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame fragment, Jiang Yun turned to look at Hai Bo Dong. "One Poxie Pill. Hand over the remaining fragment. Ice Emperor Hai Bo Dong."
Boom —
As Jiang Yun's voice fell, after a moment of stagnation, a powerful aura suddenly erupted. An extremely strong ice force — ice Dou Qi — broke out from the other's body.
Inside the shop, icy cold energy rapidly spread. Faint mist swirled within. From the white mist, a white figure suddenly charged out, almost like a bolt of lightning, striking toward Jiang Yun.
"Hai Bo Dong, since I know who you are and still have the confidence to come find you, I must have full assurance. Attacking first and exposing your remaining Dou Ling strength is not a wise move."
Boom —
Before Hai Bo Dong could grab Jiang Yun, a purple figure moved even faster, arriving before Jiang Yun and punching out fiercely.
"Dou Huang —"
"Ice Spirit Armor."
Feeling the aura Zi Yan had just erupted, Hai Bo Dong cried out in surprise. He had no time to think. The terrifying fist wind approached. His expression grave, his dry hands slightly clenched. The surrounding cold mist rapidly condensed, finally solidifying on his palms into a thick layer of ice armor that gleamed with a cold luster.
Boom —
Crack —
Facing the other's change, Zi Yan responded with sameness. She still punched out forcefully. Her diamond-like fist heavily struck the other's armor.
The moment contact was made, the armor shattered. Ice chips flew. Hai Bo Dong's attempt at defense failed.
Although his strength was sealed to the level of Dou Qi equivalent to a Dou Ling, he had plenty of experience and Dou Qi trump cards. In a real fight, an ordinary Dou Wang might not necessarily be his match.
Unfortunately, he was facing Zi Yan. Even if he were not sealed, even at his peak, Zi Yan, who had awakened her Ancient Dragon inheritance, would have him defeated in a few moves.
"Ice Mirror!!!"
Seeing the falling fist, Hai Bo Dong made a last-ditch effort. He waved his hand, condensing an ice mirror before him. At the same time, he kicked his foot, trying to rapidly retreat.
"Where do you think you are going?"
Unfortunately, Zi Yan would not let him have his way. If not for him still being useful, he would not even have had the chance to resist.
Rumble —
Inside the ice-enshrouded shop, Hai Bo Dong collapsed heavily against the wall. The experience today made him doubt his existence.
For a dignified Ice Emperor like him to end up like this, 'humiliated' by a junior — it was truly shameful and maddening.
"Cough, cough..."
The obstruction in his chest made him suddenly spit out a mouthful of blood. He looked weakly at the two young figures before him. A desolate look passed through his eyes.
But he remained tough — both because of his personality and because he was certain Jiang Yun would not kill him. After all, only he knew the whereabouts of the remaining half of the fragment.
"Kid, who are you? Even the royal family of the Jia Ma Empire, or the Yunlan Sect, could not have produced a talent like you."
"But even if you capture me, do not think you will get the other half of the fragment."
"Since he is useless, kill him." Seeing how tough Hai Bo Dong was, Zi Yan's expression turned cold. Her tenderness appeared only before Jiang Yun. For enemies, she only had icy fists.
Feeling Zi Yan's suddenly erupted killing intent, like an ancient beast, Hai Bo Dong felt his chest tighten. Fear appeared in his eyes for the first time.
"You think I cannot find the fragment just because you will not speak?"
Rubbing the top of Zi Yan's head, calming her down, Jiang Yun walked over to Hai Bo Dong and squatted down. Under the other's terrified gaze, he pointed at the other's ring.
The protective barrier on it posed no obstacle. Jiang Yun easily retrieved the half fragment. He looked ambiguously at Hai Bo Dong, whose face was ashen.
Seeing his hope taken away, Hai Bo Dong smiled bitterly. He slowly closed his eyes and said with some bitterness, "Do it."
Jiang Yun shook his head. Taking Zi Yan's hand, he walked past the other toward the shop exit. With one hand behind his back, he flicked his hand. A small cluster of white flame slowly drifted toward Hai Bo Dong.
"Ah —"
As they left the shop, a heart-wrenching wail came from inside. The surrounding people looked at the place with fear. The screams were truly chilling.
Facing this somewhat cruel method, Zi Yan saw nothing wrong. In her eyes, Hai Bo Dong had just tried to attack Jiang Yun. That had earned him a death sentence. Whatever Jiang Yun did, she supported him.
"Xiao Yun, where are we going next?" Looking at Jiang Yun, Zi Yan asked with some confusion.
"To pick up a poor little sister. Zi Yan, do you want to be a big sister?" Jiang Yun chuckled lightly. His gaze looked into the distance, as if he could see the small figure curled up in the corner.
"A little sister?"
"Great! I have always wanted to be a big sister. No — I am older than Xiao Yun. I am already a big sister!"
"Oh? Who said that? I never admitted it."
"Unfair! Xiao Yun, you are cheating! Call me big sister!!!"
Their playful voices faded into the distance. Jiang Yun and Zi Yan's figures also disappeared from Mocheng. They had come quietly, and they left quietly.
"Ah —"
Soon after Jiang Yun and Zi Yan left, the bloodcurdling screams from inside the Ancient Map shop gradually weakened. After a long while...
Boom —
Inside the shop, Hai Bo Dong, who had been lying motionless on the ground, suddenly snapped his eyes open. A brilliant aura burst out, like solid light. A fierce momentum, like a waking lion, swept out from his body that had been suppressed for so many years.
"Haha, this damn seal is finally gone! This old man is a Dou Huang again!"
Hai Bo Dong stamped his foot on the ice platform. His body hovered in midair as if by lightning. A pair of ice-blue crystal wings appeared and unfolded behind him. His face filled with wild joy, he threw his head back and laughed wildly — a stark contrast to his previous miserable state.
The laughter carried intense sound waves. The surrounding cracked ice layers were shattered by the waves. Hai Bo Dong, suppressed for so long, had no intention of controlling himself at this moment.
After a long while, Hai Bo Dong finally contained the raging aura within his body. His body trembled slightly. He looked at the surrounding mess with lingering fear.
"Who are you?"
At this point, if he still did not understand that Jiang Yun had not intended to harm him, but had actually helped him, he would have lived in vain.
Thinking back to what Jiang Yun had said at the beginning — using a Poxie Pill in exchange — why had he needed to suffer such torment? Not only had he been beaten for no reason, but he had also endured the pain of being burned by fire.
This was truly...
Thinking of this, Hai Bo Dong wished he could go back in time and slap himself twice.
"Ah, well. Given their status, we probably will not meet again. It is also time to go back and see Tengshan."