Chapter 69: The Second Fragmented Map!
Faint voices echoed in his ears. Although he was a Dou Zun and no longer feared heat or cold, he still felt the Hun Realm was exceptionally cold.
Watching Yun Yi's receding figure, the old man felt powerless for the first time. He dared not gamble, dared not stake the fate of his lineage on it.
In recent days, the Hun Realm had been anything but peaceful. Yun Yi, with an absolutely crushing display, had utterly defeated a peak Dou Huang of seventh-grade bloodline. More importantly, he had accomplished this as a Dou Wang.
Such a battle record left all those who prided themselves as geniuses in the Hun Clan somewhat speechless.
Eventually, someone, unable to bear this disappointment, sought out Hun Feng, the possessor of the divine-grade bloodline in this generation of the Hun Clan.
Hun Feng declared that once Yun Yi entered the Dou Zun realm, he would let him know what a true genius of an Emperor Clan was.
These confident words undoubtedly boosted everyone's morale, as if the great mountain that had been pressing down on them all had vanished.
Yun Yi ignored all the rumors from the outside world. After encountering the geniuses of the Hun Clan, he adopted a reclusive lifestyle. He couldn't yet contend with stronger Ninth-Grade or divine-grade bloodlines; they had long since reached the Dou Zong and Dou Zun realms, and Yun Yi wouldn't foolishly challenge them.
"You're going out?"
A questioning voice sounded. Nihility Devouring Flame looked at his nominal disciple with a strange expression, somewhat puzzled by his intentions.
Was there any place under heaven that could compare to the Hun Realm? Here, with him as a backer, Yun Yi was practically the crown prince of the Hun Realm, with all sorts of resources at his disposal. Even a pig could be nurtured into a Dou Zun. He hadn't expected the other party to want to go out.
Seeing the other party nod, Nihility Devouring Flame asked strangely, "Why?"
"What I said about knowing Yao Chen's location was true. I'm going for Yao Chen this time," Yun Yi replied to Nihility Devouring Flame, his expression calm as he gazed at the distant sky.
"Yao Chen?!"
"That abandoned child of the Yao Clan?"
Nihility Devouring Flame showed disdain. A mere Nine Revolutions Dou Zun was beneath his notice. If Hun Huzi hadn't highly praised this person, he might never have even known about this abandoned child of the Yao Clan.
"Most of the strange flames in the top ten of the Heavenly Flame Ranking list are already owned. However, Yao Chen possesses the Bone Spirit Cold Fire, ranked eleventh on the Heavenly Flame Ranking list. It's an opportunity not to be missed."
"Oh?" Hearing the mention of a heavenly flame, an interesting glint flashed in Nihility Devouring Flame's eyes, but upon learning it was the Bone Spirit Cold Fire, he lost some interest.
At his level, only the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame could pique his interest. At the very least, it would have to be the Life Spirit Flame or the Golden Emperor's Burning Heaven Flame. The remaining strange flames were not worth mentioning in his eyes.
"Since you want to go, then go. Although your strength is decent, when you're out and about, you can't be without some protection. Take this. In case of necessity, you can summon me."
Nihility Devouring Flame, looking like a benevolent teacher, gently handed over a dark scroll. The scroll emanated strong spatial fluctuations, and a small black flame flickered on it.
This was a unique feature of the Dou Qi Continent: the strongest Dou Technique, the Great Human Art!
Yun Yi took the scroll. This was probably not just a trump card for him, but more importantly, a form of surveillance!
Watching Yun Yi's departing figure, Nihility Devouring Flame immediately dropped the smile from his face and said indifferently, "Soul Fiend, send people to protect Yun Yi!"
"Yes!"
A respectful voice came from the shadows. A figure flashed there; it was Soul Fiend, one of the The Four Demon Saints of the Hun Clan, a Seven-Star Dou Sheng.
Mo City is located in the Tagor Desert, in the eastern province of the Jia Ma Empire. It is one of the empire's largest cities within the Tagor Desert and a strategic fortress for defending against the Snake-People Tribe.
Compared to the Magical Beast Forest, the weather here is quite dry and hot. The scorching sun pours down from the sky, baking the ground beneath until it constantly emits hot air. At the same time, the fire attribute energy here is exceptionally active. Fire attribute cultivators will undoubtedly achieve twice the results with half the effort when cultivating here!
The hot climate leads to the residents and pedestrians here wearing cooler clothing. Because Dou Qi makes them immune to sun exposure, many people simply go shirtless.
The people around, both men and women, were dressed very lightly. Their skin was wheat-colored, and as the women walked, their snake-like waists swayed, exuding a unique charm and allure.
"Hmph, none of them are as pretty as Zi Yan!"
Two somewhat abrupt figures appeared not far outside Mo City. The man was handsome, the woman pretty. At this moment, the woman glared unhappily at the scantily clad women around them, protectively hooking the man's arm into her embrace.
Jiang Yun noticed Zi Yan's little mood and chuckled inwardly, not saying anything. He believed Zi Yan wasn't truly jealous, just feeling indignant.
"This is Mo City. It's quite prosperous."
Looking at the yellowish-brown city ahead and the crowds coming and going, Jiang Yun chuckled.
As the only large city in the Tagor Desert, all mercenary groups heading into the Tagor Desert to hunt for treasures would trade supplies here. Those needing natural treasures produced in the desert would come here to purchase them.
Moreover, because it bordered the Snake-People Tribe territory, the most famous commodity here was not medicinal herbs, but rather Snake-People female slaves. The Dou Qi Continent is a world where the strong are revered, and the weak have no human rights whatsoever.
After paying the entrance tax under the respectful gaze of the city gate guards, Jiang Yun led Zi Yan into the city. A cluster of city buildings with distinct desert characteristics appeared before them.
Following his senses, Jiang Yun led Zi Yan directly to their destination!
A shop named 'Ancient Map' came into view. Powerlessly complaining about 'Brother Dong's' naming talent, Jiang Yun slowly walked into the shop, holding Zi Yan's hand.
His gaze swept around. Hai Bodong was indeed an interesting person; the shop, upon inspection, even faintly exuded a somewhat ancient aura, which was quite impressive.
Behind the counter, an old man was meticulously crafting a map, head bowed. This old man was clearly quite old, with a head full of white hair, yet his withered hands, gripping the black drawing pen, remained steady and strong.
Although the aura the other party emitted was that of a Dou Ling, Jiang Yun could feel the terrifying power hidden deep within his body.
This was Hai Bodong, the Ice Emperor, one of the Ten Great Experts of the Jia Ma Empire who only fought in peak matches, a Seven-Star Dou Huang.
"Little Yun, that old man's strength isn't weak!" At this moment, Zi Yan also noticed Hai Bodong's abnormality. 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 wooden shelf was clearly quite old, covered in holes from decay. On it, some yellowed maps were casually piled.
The surfaces of these maps often showed some damaged traces, as if they were failed attempts at map-making.
Precisely taking the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame fragment from among them, Jiang Yun turned to Hai Bodong, "One Breaking Barrier Pill, hand over the remaining fragment, Ice Emperor Hai Bodong!"
"Boom—"
As Jiang Yun's words fell, after a moment of stagnation, a powerful aura suddenly erupted. An extremely strong ice power, ice Dou Qi, burst forth from his body.
Within the shop, a chilling aura rapidly permeated, with faint mist swirling within. From the white mist, a white figure suddenly shot out, striking towards Jiang Yun almost like a flash of lightning.
"Hai Bodong, since I know you and have the confidence to come find you, I must have full assurance. Acting first and exposing your remaining Dou Ling strength is not a wise move!"
"Boom—"
Before Hai Bodong could grab Jiang Yun, a purple figure arrived even faster in front of Jiang Yun and violently punched out.
"Dou Huang—"
"Ice Spirit Armor!"
Feeling the aura Zi Yan was currently erupting with, Hai Bodong let out a cry of alarm. Without time to think, the terrifying punch approached. Hai Bodong's face was solemn. He slightly clenched his withered hands, and the surrounding icy mist rapidly condensed, finally solidifying between his palms into a thick layer of ice armor, shimmering with a cold luster.
"Boom—"
"Crack—"
Facing the opponent's transformation, Zi Yan responded to all changes with constancy, still unleashing a brutal punch. Her diamond-like fist heavily struck the opponent's armor.
Upon initial contact, the armor shattered with a crash, and ice shards flew everywhere, destroying Hai Bodong's attempt at defense.
Although his strength was sealed and his cultivation only equivalent to a Dou Ling's Dou Qi level, he was experienced and had many Dou Qi trump cards. If they truly fought, an ordinary Dou Wang might not necessarily be his opponent.
Unfortunately, he was facing Zi Yan. Let alone being sealed, even at his peak, with her awakened Ancient Dragon inheritance, Hai Bodong wouldn't last more than a few moves against her.
"Ice Shard Mirror!!!"
Looking at the descending fist, Hai Bodong made a final struggle, conjuring an ice mirror in front of him with a wave of his hand. At the same time, he pushed off with his toes, trying to retreat rapidly.
"Where do you think you're going!"
Unfortunately, Zi Yan wouldn't let him have his way. If the other party wasn't still somewhat useful, he wouldn't even have had a chance to resist.
"Rumble—"
Inside the misty ice house, Hai Bodong slumped heavily against the wall. Today's experience truly made him question life.
To think that he, the dignified Ice Emperor, had fallen to such a state, being 'humiliated' by a junior like this, truly made him feel ashamed and furious.
"Cough cough."
The congestion in his chest made him suddenly spit out a mouthful of blood. He looked weakly at the two excessively young figures, a hint of desolation flashing in his eyes.
However, he remained unyielding, not only due to his personality but also because he was certain Jiang Yun wouldn't take his life. After all, only he knew the whereabouts of the remaining half of the fragmented map.
"Kid, who exactly are you? Even the Imperial Family or the Cloud Mist Sect of the Jia Ma Empire couldn't cultivate someone like you."
"But even if you capture me, you won't get the other half of the fragmented map."
"If he's useless, then kill him!" Seeing Hai Bodong's stubbornness, Zi Yan said with a cold expression. Her tenderness only appeared when facing Jiang Yun; for enemies, she only had a pair of cold fists.
Feeling the sudden burst of killing intent from Zi Yan, like an ancient fierce beast, Hai Bodong felt his chest tighten, and fear appeared in his eyes for the first time.
"Do you think if you don't speak, I won't know where the fragmented map is?"
Rubbing Zi Yan's head to comfort her, Jiang Yun walked up to Hai Bodong and squatted down. In the other party's horrified gaze, he pointed a finger at the other party's storage ring.
The protection on it offered no hindrance. Jiang Yun easily retrieved the half-fragmented map, looking at the ashen-faced Hai Bodong with a half-smile.
Watching his hope being taken away, Hai Bodong gave a bitter smile and slowly closed his eyes, saying somewhat bitterly, "Do it!"
Jiang Yun shook his head, holding Zi Yan's hand, and walked past him towards the shop's exit. With a wave of the hand that was turned away from Hai Bodong, a small cluster of white flames slowly drifted towards Hai Bodong.
"Ah—"
After they walked out of the small shop, a heart-wrenching wail immediately came from inside, making the surrounding figures look at the place with fear. The scream was simply too chilling.
Facing this somewhat cruel act, Zi Yan didn't feel the slightest bit of impropriety. In her opinion, Hai Bodong had just dared to attack Jiang Yun, and she had already condemned him to death. Whatever Jiang Yun did, she would support it.
"Little Yun, where are we going next?" Zi Yan asked Jiang Yun, somewhat puzzled.
"To pick up a poor little sister. Zi Yan, do you want to be an older sister?" Jiang Yun chuckled, looking into the distance, as if he could see that small figure huddled in a corner.
"A little sister?"
"That's great! I've wanted to be an older sister for a long time! No, I'm older than Little Yun, so I'm already an older sister!"
"Oh, who said so? I haven't admitted it yet!"
"Damn it, Little Yun, you're cheating! Call me older sister!!!"
The playful sounds gradually faded, and the figures of Zi Yan and Jiang Yun also disappeared from Mo City, arriving quietly and leaving quietly.
"Ah—"
Not long after Jiang Yun and Zi Yan left, the chilling wails inside the Ancient Map shop gradually weakened. After a long while—
"Boom—"
Inside the shop, Hai Bodong, who had been lying motionless on the ground, suddenly opened his tightly closed eyes. A sharp gleam shot out as if it were substantial, and a fierce aura, like a waking lion, swept out from his body, which had been suppressed for many years.
"Haha, this damn seal is finally gone! This old man is a Dou Huang again!"
Hai Bodong's foot landed on the ice platform, and his body swiftly levitated into mid-air. A pair of ice-blue crystal wings unfurled behind him, and his face was filled with ecstasy as he threw his head back and laughed wildly, a stark contrast to his previous miserable state.
His loud laughter, accompanied by intense sound waves, shattered the surrounding cracked ice into fragments. Hai Bodong, having been suppressed for so long, had no intention of controlling himself at this moment.
After a long while, Hai Bodong finally reined in the rampant aura within his body. His body trembled slightly, and he looked at the surrounding mess with lingering fear.
"Who exactly are you?"
By this point, if he still didn't understand that Jiang Yun had no intention of harming him, but rather had helped him, then he had lived in vain.
Thinking about what Jiang Yun had said at the very beginning, offering a Breaking Barrier Pill in exchange, he realized he wouldn't have had to suffer such torment. Not only had he been beaten for no reason, but he had also endured the pain of being burned by intense flames.
Truly...
Thinking of this, Hai Bodong wished he could go back in time and slap himself twice.
"Alas, alas. Given their identities, I probably won't see them again in the future. It's also time to go back and see Teng Shan!"