Cao Ying hehe

“Greetings, Lord Shen.”

Hai Bodong was no longer as composed as before, and his tone had become much more respectful.

Even at his peak, he would have treated a Seventh-Rank Alchemist with utmost reverence.

Let alone now.

Shen Wen smiled, “I still prefer your arrogant and unruly look from earlier.”

Shen Wen put away the badge. Hai Bodong’s lips were dry, and after a moment of hesitation, he asked, “May I ask, what instructions do you have?”

“It’s not an instruction, it’s a trade.”

Shen Wen placed the fragment of the Purification Lotus Demon Flame on the table. “This, plus the information regarding the Green Lotus Core Flame, in exchange for me helping you refine a poe pill to lift Medusa’s seal.”

Hearing Shen Wen’s words, Hai Bodong looked puzzled. “First, how do you know I was sealed by Medusa?”

“And how do you know I have information about the Green Lotus Core Flame?”

Even Cao Ying’s beautiful eyes widened slightly.

She had originally thought that the legacy left by Shen Wen’s ancestor had informed him of the location of the Green Lotus Core Flame.

But she hadn’t expected this.

Shen Wen actually knew that this person named Hai Bodong knew the location of the Green Lotus Core Flame.

How did he know this?

Even if Shen Wen’s ancestor was a Dou Di, it would be impossible to know that someone in the future would know the location of the Green Lotus Core Flame.

She had thought she understood Shen Wen somewhat, but now she found another layer of mystery shrouding him.

“Don’t worry about it.”

Shen Wen said lightly, “Will you take this deal?”

“I... wait a moment.”

Hai Bodong looked at Shen Wen and suddenly asked, “Do you possess a Heavenly Flame?”

“No.”

Hai Bodong’s excited expression instantly froze. He sneered, “Since you know about this pill, you must know that it requires a Heavenly Flame to refine!”

“Heh heh! And you still claim to be a genuine Seventh-Rank Alchemist?”

“I don't, but don't you have information on possessing a Heavenly Flame? Otherwise, why would we come looking for you?”

Shen Wen raised an eyebrow and chuckled. He was essentially trying to get something for nothing—or rather, not exactly getting something for nothing, but making a trade.

Exchanging information and his own skills for profit—that was also a trade.

“You want to use my information to find a Heavenly Flame, and then use it to refine the pill for me?”

“I was only sealed, not turned into an idiot!” Hai Bodong no longer cared about Shen Wen’s status; he was already in this condition.

If the seal wasn't broken, he wouldn't live much longer.

Since he wasn't afraid of death, why worry about whether Shen Wen was a genuine Seventh-Rank Alchemist?

“That’s right.”

Shen Wen nodded and said matter-of-factly, “Even if you have the information, can you guarantee that there is a Sixth-Rank Alchemist who can refine the poe pill and, based on your information, completely refine the Heavenly Flame?”

“You are holding onto this information simply because you want to find a reliable person to make a trade with.”

“You plan to exchange it for the pill, but have you considered that this is inherently a paradox?

Barring accidents, an Alchemist can only possess one type of Heavenly Flame in their lifetime.”

“Which Sixth-Rank Alchemist who already possesses a Heavenly Flame do you think would help you refine the pill just because of your Heavenly Flame information?”

Every word Shen Wen spoke struck Hai Bodong’s heart like a hammer. Even Cao Ying was stunned.

Isn't he too much of a shrewd merchant?

Using someone else's information to obtain a Heavenly Flame, and then using that Heavenly Flame to refine a pill for them?

Cao Ying wanted to complain, but then she remembered that Shen Wen intended to acquire the Green Lotus Core Flame for her.

She pursed her red lips and remained silent again.

But she transmitted a message to Shen Wen, “I don’t know how to refine the poe pill!”

Since Shen Wen was having her refine the Green Lotus Core Flame, he naturally intended for her to handle the refinement later.

“That pill is special because of the Heavenly Flame; I have mastered the technique. I will teach you step-by-step when the time comes.”

Shen Wen replied via voice transmission.

In fact, he felt that the Spiritual Flame of Ten Thousand Beasts, which had been incorporated into the Flame Ancestral Symbol, should also be able to refine the poe pill.

But since the pill explicitly requires a Heavenly Flame, he decided not to reveal this special exception.

While the two were exchanging ‘meaningful glances,’ Hai Bodong thought for a long time.

Finally, he let out a helpless sigh and said, “Fine.”

This was because Hai Bodong truly couldn't guarantee that he would encounter another Alchemist of the Sixth-Rank or higher who also possessed a Heavenly Flame.

Finally, he took out a map and spread it on the table.

His tone slightly respectful, he said, “These are the last three places I've investigated where the Green Lotus Core Flame might be located.”

“You can go to the East or North locations. As for the West... well, you might run into Queen Medusa.”

“Queen Medusa?”

It was Cao Ying who spoke now. Earlier, Shen Wen had mentioned that Medusa had placed Hai Bodong’s seal.

Hai Bodong glanced at Cao Ying and explained, “She is the Queen of the Snake-People Clan, a Peak Dou Huang. She is peerlessly beautiful and unmatched in strength!”

Cao Ying slightly furrowed her delicate brows. She had heard it: ‘peerlessly beautiful’?

She looked at Shen Wen suspiciously. Since Shen Wen also knew Medusa, did he also know that Medusa was peerlessly beautiful?

For some unknown reason.

Cao Ying suddenly felt a little uncomfortable. Was this guy eating what was in his bowl while eyeing what was in the pot?

But Cao Ying fell silent for a moment, realizing that her marriage to Shen Wen was merely one of convenience; fundamentally, it wouldn't be excessive for Shen Wen to like someone else.

But... but this guy had kissed her!

Absolutely not!

I must go and see if this Medusa is as beautiful as I am!

“Relax.” Shen Wen glanced at the map twice. He knew more than Hai Bodong; the Green Lotus Core Flame was clearly in that western location.

Because Hai Bodong didn't actually know that Medusa was also searching for a Heavenly Flame to undergo her transformation. The place she frequented...

...was precisely where a Heavenly Flame existed.

“Right... um, the poe pill requires something called...” Hai Bodong suddenly looked embarrassed.

“Sand Manjusaka, I know.”

Shen Wen nodded.

Hai Bodong quickly said, “I won't let you do it for free; I understand the rules of alchemy.

If you find it, the other half of the fragment you had earlier will also be part of your reward!”

“I know. Wait for good news from me.”

Shen Wen had no ill feelings towards Hai Bodong, the 'Greatest Angel Investor of Battle Through the Heavens'; this guy was indeed loyal and righteous.

Back then, he risked life and limb to help Xiao Yan, practically devoting his life to him.

Anyway, helping him wasn't a bad thing.

Hai Bodong watched the three people leave and sighed, hoping for good news... As the three walked out of the shop, the atmosphere was strangely tense, especially since Cao Ying was still wondering how beautiful Medusa was.

Was she as beautiful as her!

Shen Wen looked at a map, which he had casually taken out. It was a map of the nearby desert cities.

Although he knew the Green Lotus Core Flame must be at the flame marker in the west, that area was still quite large.

He needed someone to help.

The best person, naturally, was Qing Lin, who possessed the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils. After finishing the map, Shen Wen recalled that the Mo Tie Mercenary Group was in Stone Desert City.

Qing Lin was among them.

Dan Chen suddenly asked quietly, “Brother Shen Wen, Hai Bodong said Medusa is peerlessly beautiful? Is she very pretty?”

“Uh. I haven't seen her, but since even Hai Bodong says she’s beautiful, she probably is!”

“Is she prettier, or am I prettier!” Cao Ying couldn't help but blurt out, but she quickly realized that Shen Wen had just said he hadn't seen her.

She felt like she was being a little unreasonable.

Just as she was about to explain.

“It’s definitely you who's prettier! No matter who shows up, you are the prettiest.”

Shen Wen said without hesitation.

He wasn’t an idiot. Sometimes he struggled to grasp a girl’s thoughts, but Cao Ying had asked so clearly.

“Hmph~”

Cao Ying gave a proud huff, but the corner of her mouth under the hood curled up slightly. She decided he was sensible.

It seemed there were still many Magic Cores at home; she would give some to this guy later.

Consider it a gift for being sensible!

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