Chapter 70: The Second Fragment of the Map!

Watching Yun Yi's departing back, the elder felt a sense of powerlessness for the first time. He didn't dare to take a gamble, especially not with the fate of their lineage.

These recent days, the Soul Realm has been anything but peaceful. Yun Yi had crushed a peak Dou Emperor with a seventh-grade bloodline with absolute dominance, and what was most impressive was that he did it with the body of a Dou King.

This feat left the entire Soul Clan, who prided themselves on their genius, speechless.

Eventually, someone couldn't stand the disappointment and sought out Hun Feng, the possessor of the divine bloodline of this generation's Soul Clan.

Hun Feng declared that once Yun Yi reached the Dou Zun realm, he would show him what a true genius of the imperial clan was.

These confident words undoubtedly bolstered everyone's spirits, making it seem as if the mountain pressing on everyone had vanished.

Regarding the outside rumors, Yun Yi ignored them completely. After seeing the talent of the Soul Clan, he led a simple and focused life. There were stronger ninth-grade and divine bloodlines he couldn't touch for now, as they had long reached the Dou Zong and Dou Zun realms. Yun Yi had no desire to make a fool of himself by challenging them.

"Are you going out?"

A puzzled voice rang out as Void Swallowing Flame looked strangely at his disciple, not understanding what Yun Yi was thinking.

Could there be a place better than the Soul Realm? Here, with him as a background support, Yun Yi was practically the crown prince of the Soul Realm, with all sorts of resources at his discretion. Even a pig could be nurtured to the Dou Zun level here, yet Yun Yi wanted to leave.

Seeing Yun Yi nod, Void Swallowing Flame asked curiously, "Why?"

"I once said I know the whereabouts of Yao Chen, and it's true. This time I'm going for Yao Chen." Yun Yi gazed calmly at the distant sky, answering Void Swallowing Flame's question.

"Yao Chen? That discarded member of the Yao Clan?"

Void Swallowing Flame showed disdain. A mere nine-turn Dou Zun was insignificant to him. If Hun XuZi hadn't praised Yao Chen, he might never have known about this Yao Clan outcast.

"The top ten ranked Heavenly Flames mostly have owners, but Yao Chen has the eleventh-ranked Bone Chilling Flame, which is not to be missed."

"Oh?" Interest flashed in Void Swallowing Flame's eyes at the mention of the Heavenly Flame. But learning it was the Bone Chilling Flame, his interest waned quickly.

At his level, only the Purifying Lotus Demonic Flame could pique his interest. At the very least, it should be Life Spirit Flame or Golden Emperor Burning Flame. The remaining Heavenly Flames were not worth mentioning to him.

"Since you want to go, then go. Although your strength is decent, you should still have some safeguard when you go out. Take this, and you can summon me if necessary."

Adopting a benevolent teacher's demeanor, Void Swallowing Flame handed over a pitch-black scroll, radiating intense spatial fluctuations, with a small black flame flickering atop it.

This was a characteristic of the Dou Qi continent: the strongest Dou Skill, the Call of the Great Law!

Yun Yi took the scroll, realizing it might not just serve as a trump card but also a means of surveillance!

Watching Yun Yi's departing back, Void Swallowing Flame's smile disappeared abruptly, and he said coldly, "Hun Sha, send someone to protect Yun Yi."

"Yes!"

A respectful voice came from the dark, and a figure flashed by. It was Hun Sha, one of the four Holy Demons of the Soul Clan, a seven-star Dou Saint.

Mo City, located in the Tagore Desert of the Jia Ma Empire's eastern province, was one of the empire's largest cities within the desert and a strategic fortress against the Snake People.

Compared to the Magic Beast Forest, the weather here was dry and hot, with the scorching sun baking the ground, causing it to emit searing heat. The fire attribute energy was exceptionally active here, making it an ideal place for fire attribute cultivators to train and achieve more with less effort!

Due to the hot climate, the residents' attire was quite revealing; many people were bare-chested as they were not afraid of sunburn thanks to their Dou Qi.

Both men and women dressed scantily here, with tanned skin and the alluring charm of snake-like waists twisting as they walked.

"Hmph, none of them are as beautiful as Zi Yan!"

Two somewhat conspicuous figures appeared not far outside Mo City. The man was handsome, and the woman was pretty. At this moment, the woman looked around grudgingly at the scantily clad women, holding the man's arm protectively.

Jiang Yun noticed Zi Yan's minor displeasure and smiled inwardly but said nothing. He believed she wasn't truly jealous, just feeling indignant.

"So this is Mo City, quite bustling."

Gazing at the earthy-yellow city ahead, watching the bustling crowd, Jiang Yun chuckled softly.

As the only major city in the Tagore Desert, every mercenary group seeking treasures in the desert would trade supplies here. Those in need of desert-produced rare treasures would also come to Mo City to purchase them.

Moreover, due to its proximity to the Snake People's territory, Mo City was most famous not for medicinal herbs but for snake-woman slaves. The Dou Qi continent was a world where the strong were respected, and the weak had no rights.

After paying the entrance tax under the respectful gazes of the soldiers at the gate, Jiang Yun led Zi Yan into the city, where the desert-style architecture came into view.

Following his senses, Jiang Yun led Zi Yan directly to their destination—a shop named 'Ancient Map.' Unable to hold back his complaints about 'Dong Ge's' naming talent, Jiang Yun walked into the store hand-in-hand with Zi Yan.

Looking around, Haibo Dong seemed to be a clever man. The shop had an ancient atmosphere, quite deceptive in its authenticity.

Behind the counter, an elderly man was meticulously crafting a map. This elder was evidently advanced in age, his hair completely white. Yet the withered hands holding the mapping pen were steady and strong.

Though the elder gave off the aura of a Dou Ling, Jiang Yun could sense the terrifying power hidden within him.

This was one of the top ten powers of the Jia Ma Empire, the seven-star Dou Huang, Ice Emperor Haibo Dong.

"Xiao Yun, that old man is no weakling!" Zi Yan whispered to Jiang Yun upon noticing Haibo Dong's anomaly, moving close to his ear.

Jiang Yun squeezed Zi Yan's hand, giving her a reassuring look, then slowly walked towards an ancient wooden shelf in the corner of the shop.

This shelf was evidently very old, full of decayed wood holes, and casually piled with some yellowing maps.

These maps' surfaces bore traces of damage, appearing as if they were failed drafts.

Accurately picking out the fragment of the Purifying Lotus Demonic Flame map, Jiang Yun turned to Haibo Dong and said, "A Po Yan Pill for the remaining fragments of the map, Ice Emperor Haibo Dong!"

"Boom—"

Instantly after Jiang Yun's words, a powerful aura erupted, and from Haibo Dong's body, a strong force of cold surged out.

The inside of the shop quickly filled with icy air, faint mist swirling about. In the white mist, a white figure suddenly shot out, attacking Jiang Yun like a flash of lightning.

"Haibo Dong, since I know about you and dared to come seek you, I must have absolute confidence. Revealing that you only have Dou Ling strength to defend yourself is unwise!"

"Boom—"

Before Haibo Dong could reach Jiang Yun, a purple figure swiftly stood in front of him, throwing a punch.

"Ice Soul Armor!"

Sensing the burst of energy from Zi Yan, Haibo Dong shouted in surprise. Unable to think further, he quickly formed a thick, shining ice armor between his palms to block the terrifying punch coming at him.

"Boom—"

"Crack—"

Ignoring Haibo Dong's efforts to change his defense, Zi Yan's dominant punch landed heavily on the armor.

Upon contact, the armor shattered immediately, ice shards scattered. Haibo Dong's attempt at defense crumbled.

Though his strength was sealed to Dou Ling levels, his old experience and many tricks made him more formidable than a typical Dou Wang. But against Zi Yan, even at full strength, Haibo Dong wouldn't last long.

"Ice Mirror!"

Seeing the descending punch, Haibo Dong made one last desperate move, forming an ice mirror before him and attempting to retreat.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Zi Yan wouldn't let him escape. If Haibo Dong wasn't somewhat useful, he wouldn't even have had a chance to defend.

"Boom—"

Inside the ice-shrouded shop, Haibo Dong collapsed heavily in a corner, doubting his life's choices after what had happened.

To think that once the grand Ice Emperor would be so humiliated by a junior left him furious and ashamed.

"Cough, cough."

The congestion in his chest made him spit blood, his eyes full of bitterness as he looked at the overly young figures, a touch of desolation in his gaze.

Still, his stubborn nature didn't break, partly because he was confident Jiang Yun wouldn't kill him, as only he knew the next part of the map.

"Boy, who are you? Neither the royal family nor the Yun Lan Sect of the Jia Ma Empire could cultivate talent like you."

"But even if you captured me, you won't get the other half of the map."

"If he's of no use, then kill him," Zi Yan said coldly, showing no sympathy for Haibo Dong. Her tenderness was reserved only for Jiang Yun; for enemies, only cold fists remained.

Feeling Zi Yan's intense killing intent, like an ancient beast, fear finally flashed in Haibo Dong's eyes.

"You think I don't know where the map fragment is if you don't speak?"

Patting Zi Yan's head to soothe her, Jiang Yun knelt in front of Haibo Dong, who looked terrified. One finger touched Haibo Dong's storage ring.

Removing the protections with ease, Jiang Yun retrieved the map fragment and looked at Haibo Dong, whose face turned ashen.

Seeing his last hope taken, Haibo Dong smiled bitterly, closing his eyes and saying weakly, "Do it then."

Jiang Yun shook his head, leading Zi Yan out of the shop, and waved one hand. A small white flame floated towards Haibo Dong.

"Ah—"

Walking out of the shop, agonizing screams trailed behind them, filling those nearby with fear. The screams were too chilling.

Zi Yan found nothing wrong with the seemingly cruel act. Since Haibo Dong had attacked Jiang Yun, she had sentenced him to death. She fully supported whatever Jiang Yun did.

"Xiao Yun, where are we heading next?" Zi Yan asked curiously, looking at Jiang Yun.

"To fetch a pitiable sister. Zi Yan, do you want to be a big sister?" Jiang Yun laughed, looking far as if seeing the small figure huddled in a corner.

"A sister?"

"Great! I've always wanted to be a big sister. Wait, I'm older than Xiao Yun, so I'm already a big sister!"

"Oh, who said that? I haven't admitted it!"

"You're cheating, Xiao Yun! Call me big sister!"

Their playful bickering faded as Jian Yun and Zi Yan's figures disappeared from Mo City, coming and going quietly.

"Ah——"

Shortly after their departure, the chilling screams from the Ancient Map shop began to wane. After a long time,

"Boom—"

On the ground inside the shop, Haibo Dong, who lay motionless, suddenly opened his eyes wide, emitting a sharp light. A ferocious aura, like a waking lion, burst from his long-suppressed body.

"Ha ha! That damned seal is finally gone. I'm a Dou Huang again!"

Stepping on the ice floor, Haibo Dong's body flashed up, and icy-blue crystal wings appeared and spread behind him. His face filled with joy, he roared with laughter, contrasting sharply with his earlier misery.

His laughter, accompanied by intense soundwaves, shattered the cracked ice around, leaving a chaotic mess. Haibo Dong didn't bother controlling himself, reveling in his regained power.

After a long while, he reined in his raging aura, his body shaking slightly, still shaken as he looked around the wreckage.

"Who are you two?"

If he hadn't realized Jiang Yun wasn't planning to harm him, he'd be foolish. Nevertheless, recalling what Jiang Yun had said about exchanging the Breaking Pill, he felt the pain from undergoing such unnecessary suffering.

What a fool I was.

Thinking this, Haibo Dong wished he could travel back in time and slap himself.

"Forget it, it's time to visit Tengshan."

(Chapter End)