Chapter 20: Fragmented Map

The transaction process went smoothly. Wang Xiao had no intention of cheating, perhaps because the reputation of the Yao Clan was so formidable that it commanded respect from all forces within the Shennong Mountain Range.

Having obtained what he wanted, Yaoyan stood up to leave. Watching Wang Xiao, who intended to see him out, Yaoyan smiled and said, "No need to escort me. If I need anything in the future, I'll come to trouble you again."

"Thank you very much."

Wang Xiao was momentarily stunned, then cupped his hands and smiled, stopping in his tracks as he watched Yaoyan leave.

Yaoyan walked slowly toward the shop's exit, simultaneously releasing his soul power to sense his surroundings. After confirming that there was no abnormality, he relaxed a bit, thinking to himself, "I might be a bit overly cautious. Although third and fourth-grade pills are valuable, they aren't enough to make someone take the risk of offending the Yao Clan to rob me."

This place was not far from the Yao Clan's territory. Even a dog has to look at its owner, let alone the fact that Yaoyan was from a branch of the Yao Clan, possessing the bloodline of a Dou God. His status was not low.

"Yingying~"

The little Greenwood Fox started begging for snacks again, its fluffy tail hanging down behind Yaoyan and wagging happily.

"Are you really a Greenwood Fox?"

Yaoyan couldn't help but pinch the little fox's neck, looking at its lively emerald-green eyes, and spoke helplessly. The fox demanded at least ten essence pills a day. Although these essence pills were not made from high-grade herbs, the quantity was substantial. How could a Greenwood Fox digest them so quickly?

This little creature was indeed amazing. It only ate but never excreted. In the past half month, it had consumed at least a hundred essence pills, yet its body seemed to handle it.

It was ridiculous.

If it were an ordinary second-tier magical beast, consuming so many herbal essence pills would most likely lead to advancement.

"Yingying~"

The little Greenwood Fox drooped its large ears pitifully, making a sorrowful sound.

Yaoyan shook his head helplessly, placed the fox back on his shoulder, and fed it another essence pill. He had been raising it for half a month, having invested quite a bit. He couldn't just let it go now, that would be a complete loss. This might be what they call sunk cost.

Additionally, Yaoyan was curious to see if he could raise this female fox to transform.

The thought was intriguing.

"Ahwu~"

The little Greenwood Fox, oblivious to Yaoyan's intentions, happily swallowed the essence pill and then rubbed against Yaoyan's cheek, showing its dependence.

Yaoyan smiled and then, with the little fox on his shoulder, walked toward a nearby street. He planned to stroll around Shennong City.

Meanwhile, inside the shop.

Wang Xiao respectfully entered an inner room, where a tall, rugged man was seated in the main seat. The man had dark skin, fierce features, and was blind in one eye, giving him an extremely vicious appearance. He was playing with two fiery red stones in his hand.

"My lord, these are the pills from the transaction. They've been appraised and are all top-grade, freshly made. The person should be from a branch of the Medicine Clan, not an imposter."

Wang Xiao took the pills out of his storage ring, neatly placing them in front of the man, and spoke respectfully.

The rugged man's single eye narrowed, filled with envy and jealousy as he said, "The Yao Clan... truly an enviable clan. Even a young kid can refine fourth-grade pills..."

Alchemists were always the most prestigious profession on the Dou Qi Continent. Even in the Shennong Sect, a fourth-grade alchemist would be a revered guest, but within the Yao Clan, fourth-grade alchemists were countless.

"Do you think that kid has anyone protecting him?"

The rugged man's gaze swept toward Wang Xiao, his tone turning cold.

Sweat appeared on Wang Xiao's forehead as he nervously replied, "I... I don't know."

He knew that the man harbored a grudge against the Yao Clan. His blind eye was the work of someone from the Yao Clan. In the past, the man had targeted several individuals who had left the

Yao Clan, but they were mostly herb gatherers who hadn't even been granted the surname Yao.

But this time was different.

The rugged man's eyes filled with bloodthirsty intent, and the stones in his hands spun faster.

Seeing this, Wang Xiao quickly said, "I think... he likely has someone. During our conversation, he mentioned having studied at the Yao Clan's academy. Those who can study there are never ordinary clan members."

To study at the Medicine Clan's academy, one's parents must possess a considerable Dou God bloodline, which invariably implies strength and status.

"..."

The rugged man's expression froze, the killing intent in his eyes receding like a tide. He knew what this meant.

"Bad luck!"

He snorted coldly and left abruptly.

After the man left, Wang Xiao let out a long sigh of relief. He had genuinely feared that the man might act impulsively and cause trouble, potentially dragging him down as well. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but curse inwardly, "What a madman!"

At this moment, Wang Xiao decided to report this matter to the elder. They couldn't let this person remain in charge of Shennong City; otherwise, the Shennong Sect would inevitably face a great disaster in the future.

At the same time, he secretly hoped that he might be able to take the man's place.

...

On the other side, Yaoyan was still strolling around, targeting the stalls set up by the mercenaries. These mercenaries usually made their living in the Shennong Mountain Range, which was vast and contained countless treasures. Besides various heavenly materials and earthly treasures, some people occasionally found the abodes of deceased masters.

Among them were not only Dou Ancestor experts but even Dou Venerate ones!

Yaoyan naturally had the heart to find a bargain, but unfortunately, most of the goods on the stalls were of little value. He didn't lack low-grade herbs, and as for the fragments and Dou techniques, he had no interest in them. The Dou techniques he currently possessed were sufficient for him to use until he reached the Dou Venerate level.

He understood the principle of not biting off more than he could chew. Dou techniques were not about quantity but suitability.

In contrast to Yaoyan's calm demeanor, the little Greenwood Fox was quite excited, seemingly wanting to buy all the low-grade herbs available. It was baffling why it was so obsessed with herbs, even though it was a wood-element magical beast.

It wasn't until they walked to a mercenary's stall that Yaoyan noticed a significant change in the little Greenwood Fox in his arms. Its emerald-green eyes were fixed on a fragmented map on the stall, and its cries changed from "ying ying ying" to "wu wu wu," as if it had encountered a mortal enemy.

"Huh?"

Naturally, Yaoyan stopped, and his gaze followed the little fox's eyes to an ancient fragmented map on the stall.

"Young master, are you interested in this treasure map?"

The mercenary running the stall also noticed Yaoyan and the little Greenwood Fox, immediately speaking up to greet them.

With his discerning eyes, he could tell that Yaoyan's status was not ordinary. After all, ordinary people couldn't afford to wear such fine robes, let alone keep a second-tier Greenwood Fox as a pet.

"This little guy seems interested; maybe it wants to take it home as a blanket."

Yaoyan patted the little fox in his arms and laughed lightly. He then walked over, squatted down, and picked up the ancient map, examining it curiously.

"Can you tell me where this map came from?"

The mercenary's eyes flashed as he began to brag, "It was obtained from the cave of a Dou Ancestor expert who had gone into seclusion to die. Many brothers were sacrificed to get it. If you want it, just offer a reasonable price."

"If the price is too high, forget it. It's just a fragment. If it were complete, I might consider it."

Yaoyan's expression remained unchanged as he spoke softly.

"Wu wu~"

As the map got closer, Yaoyan clearly felt the little fox in his arms becoming more alert, its fur standing on end as if sensing danger. This made him even more curious about the map.

"A three-patterned, fourth-grade Qingling Pill!"

"Boss, you must be joking. A three-patterned, fourth-grade Qingling Pill is worth as much as some peak fifth-grade pills."

Yaoyan was amused, soothing the little fox in his arms while smiling.

The mercenary boss, realizing his asking price was outrageous, chuckled dryly and said, "Young master, are you from the Yao Clan?"

"Being from the Yao Clan isn't a reason to be ripped off."

Yaoyan shook his head and continued, "Not to mention I don't have a three-patterned, fourth-grade Qingling Pill. Even if I did, I wouldn't trade it for a fragment. If you're sincere about the deal, the most I'll offer is a fourth-grade Zixin Barrier-Breaking Pill."

"Deal!"

The mercenary boss agreed without hesitation, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

Yaoyan felt like he was being taken advantage of, but having agreed to the trade, he wouldn't go back on his word. He took out a bottle of pills from his storage ring and tossed it to the mercenary while putting the fragment into his ring. "Now that the deal is done, can you tell me the real origin of this fragment?"

"...I'm not entirely sure. I bought it from someone else."

The mercenary boss looked helpless.

Bought? More like robbed... Yaoyan cursed inwardly, not believing the man was good. Since he couldn't get any more information, he decided to leave and find an inn to study the map.

Just then, the other stall owners around began eagerly displaying various treasure maps, their eyes shining as they looked at Yaoyan like a rich fool.

"Young master, I have fragments too, even maps of senior experts' abodes. Interested? Just one Zixin Barrier-Breaking Pill!"

"Young master, I have one too. I only need a regular three-patterned Qingling Pill!"

"Young master..."

This scene left Yaoyan exasperated. Did he really look that foolish?