Chapter 65
Chapter 65: The Incomplete Map is in Hand!**
"Youthful arrogance!" Hai Bodong's eyes turned cold as he saw Xiao Ning take the initiative.
Without hesitation, he stomped his foot.
The shop's doors and windows slammed shut with a loud bang, trapping them inside.
His sharp gaze focused on Xiao Ning as a chilling aura burst forth, conjuring a thick ice shield between them out of thin air.
**"Bang!"**
Xiao Ning's powerful punch collided with the ice shield, producing a resounding impact.
The shield, once smooth as a mirror, now cracked with a teeth-grinding sound.
Countless white fissures spread across its surface, a shocking testament to the force behind the blow.
"Hmph, not bad," Hai Bodong muttered, surprised by Xiao Ning's strength.
Although the boy's aura suggested he was merely at the level of a Dou Shi (Fighter), his physical power was extraordinary.
The punch, devoid of any Dou Qi, struck with the force of a fourth-level magical beast, catching Hai Bodong off guard.
Xiao Ning grinned, shaking the map fragment in his hand. "Old man, still not willing to sell it to me?"
Hai Bodong's face darkened.
"I told you, I won't sell this to anyone, If you intend to take it by force, don't blame me for bullying the weak!"
With that, Hai Bodong's icy Dou Qi erupted, shattering the ice shield into countless pieces.
The shockwave from the explosion toppled shelves and bookcases throughout the store.
Xiao Ning, caught off guard, was pushed back several steps.
Seizing the opportunity, Hai Bodong formed complex hand seals, causing a thick, cold mist to quickly envelop the store, blocking Xiao Ning's vision.
Hai Bodong vanished into the mist.
"Hmph, tricks won't save you!" Xiao Ning muttered, feeling the cold fog trying to slow his movements.
However, his powerful physique, with Qi and blood circulating strongly, dispelled much of the fog's effect.
Still, the cold was uncomfortable.
Xiao Ning's mind stirred, and a thin layer of Dou Qi gauze enveloped his body.
He extended his hands, and a massive thunderball crackled into existence between his palms.
As the lightning surged, it collided with the mist, dispelling it in an instant.
"Old man, seems like your ice doesn't work on me!" Xiao Ning taunted with a laugh.
"Hmph, young fool, too impatient!" Hai Bodong's voice echoed.
Suddenly, three or four ice spikes shot toward Xiao Ning from behind and the sides.
Prepared, Xiao Ning stomped the ground, twisting his body to narrowly dodge the spikes.
In that moment, Hai Bodong silently appeared behind him, a crescent-shaped ice blade forming in his hand, aiming for Xiao Ning's back.
"I've been waiting for you!" Xiao Ning's eyes lit up as he activated the Kunpeng Treasure Technique.
His speed multiplied, allowing him to evade Hai Bodong's strike.
Then, with a swift motion, he hurled the massive thunderball at Hai Bodong.
**"Boom!"**
Lightning clashed with ice, thunder roared, and arcs of electricity mixed with shattered ice filled the store.
The chaotic aftermath left the map shop in disarray.
When the smoke cleared, Hai Bodong stood behind a massive ice shield, his face tense.
The shield, originally three feet thick, now bore a two-foot-deep crater, blasted by Xiao Ning's thunderball.
Hai Bodong's eyes widened in shock.
He hadn't expected that Xiao Ning, who seemed to be only a Dou Shi, could unleash such a devastating attack.
Before he could react, Xiao Ning's strong figure burst through the floor, launching himself toward Hai Bodong. With a series of rapid punches, Xiao Ning attacked the ice shield.
**"Bang! Bang! Bang!"**
Cracks spread across the shield under Hai Bodong's panicked gaze.
Xiao Ning, smiling brightly, raised his right fist for a final, powerful blow.
**"Bang!"**
**"Crack!"**
The shield shattered into pieces, sending Hai Bodong sprawling across the floor.
He struggled to rise and prepare another attack, but Xiao Ning was already upon him, his fist stopping mere inches from Hai Bodong's nose.
Hai Bodong froze, a drop of cold sweat sliding down his forehead.
"Senior, there's no need for violence.
Can't we discuss this like civilized people?" Xiao Ning smiled as he retracted his fist.
Hai Bodong's face shifted through a range of emotions, surprise evident in his eyes.
'Are the youth of today really so powerful?'he thought bitterly.
The once-mighty Ice Emperor, now unable to defeat a junior, felt a sting of humiliation.
Seeing Hai Bodong's conflicted expression, Xiao Ning pressed on, emphasizing his words.
"Senior, how much would you sell this incomplete map for?"
Although Xiao Ning held one piece of the map, he knew it wasn't complete.
According to the original story, Hai Bodong had split the map into two parts to protect it.
The fragment in Xiao Ning's hand was just one piece—the rest was still with Hai Bodong.
If he pushed too hard, Hai Bodong might hide the other part, leaving Xiao Ning without a way to obtain it.
Hai Bodong remained silent for a moment before speaking slowly, "What do you have to offer? You should know that this map's value can't be measured in gold coins."
Xiao Ning grinned, a mysterious smile playing on his lips. He stared at Hai Bodong, making the old man increasingly uneasy, before finally speaking.
"What if I offer to lift the seal on you as the price?"
"Yes, Ice King, I have a way to remove the seal on you and restore you to the Dou Huang (Battle Emperor) realm!"
Hai Bodong's eyes widened in shock.
His aura surged, his old face displaying horror as he demanded, "How do you know who I am?!"
Xiao Ning spread his hands, his tone calm.
"There's no need to worry, Senior. I mean no harm,I came here just to buy the map.
The rest was just an unexpected bonus."
Hai Bodong couldn't help but scoff internally. 'No harm? You nearly knocked me out with that punch!'
But as he considered Xiao Ning's youth and the possibility that he could indeed lift the seal, a new thought crept into Hai Bodong's mind.
'Could this kid really have a way to free me from this curse?'
After a long pause, Hai Bodong looked up, his cloudy eyes locking onto Xiao Ning.
"Boy, let's discuss the price for this incomplete map."