"Since you know my identity, you must have guessed that something is wrong with me. Several decades ago, I offended the notorious Queen Medusa of the Snake-People Race because of this incomplete map."
"Among the surrounding empires, there are nearly two handfuls of Dou Huang experts, but Medusa's strength is truly top-tier. I'm afraid that even that old fellow Jia Xingtian would find it difficult to defeat her now."
"Although I also gained a great reputation in the Strongest Conference, I was, as expected, defeated by Queen Medusa. It was during that battle that I was struck by her Serpent Sealing Curse, which caused my appearance to age rapidly and my strength to be sealed at the Dou Ling level."
"For so many years, I have been hiding my identity, studying this map and looking for a way to break the seal."
"Finally, I found a pill recipe that gave me hope. The problem is that it's a sixth-grade pill that requires special means to refine. Even the Pill-King Gu He, who has become increasingly famous in recent years, cannot refine it."
"My original plan was to use this incomplete map to try my luck and find a qualified sixth-grade alchemist to help me. But you, obviously, cannot do it."
"For the sake of that old fellow Jia Xingtian, I can give you the map, but you must make a promise: you will help me break the seal when you are able in the future. You also have to do one more thing for me. Don't worry, I won't force you if you are unable."
Hai Bodong slowly recounted the story of his sealing. When he mentioned Queen Medusa, his expression shifted slightly, revealing just how deep the fear of her ran.
The conditions he proposed sounded generous, a favor extended out of respect for Jia Xingtian, but they were all part of a small, shrewd calculation.
Based on my understanding, it wouldn't be difficult for this young man to break through to the Dou Zong realm in the future. Maybe it will take ten years, maybe twenty, but that's still more promising than me trying my luck here.
Once he becomes a Dou Zong, perhaps he can help me break free with his absolute strength. Then, he can help me get my revenge!
Hai Bodong was self-aware. On his own, getting back at Queen Medusa was an impossible dream.
But he could bring allies.
If he didn't get rid of this 'inner demon,' he would fear Queen Medusa for the rest of his life, which was not a glorious thing.
"Give me the prescription and the herbs, and I will find someone to help you refine the pill," Chen Guan said simply.
He was not stupid, and he wasn't interested in playing word games. He much preferred a transaction with a clear price tag over a vague promise to help with some uncertain task in the future.
"Do you know an alchemist who possesses a Heavenly Flame?" Hai Bodong looked over in surprise. He had been quite satisfied with his original plan, but now, for some reason, he hoped in his heart that the boy would choose the second option.
Chen Guan shook his head. "I don't know one now, but I will soon. You don't have to worry. Since I have agreed, I will not break my promise. I will give you the result within three years at most."
Hai Bodong's expression grew stranger and stranger. He didn't understand where the boy's confidence came from. Is it so easy to find an alchemist with a Heavenly Flame now?
He was very confused, but seeing that Chen Guan had no intention of saying more, he tactfully dropped it. He reluctantly took out the medicinal herbs, the prescription, and the remaining half of the map from his storage ring.
Chen Guan gave him a strange look.
Just now you were so confident that no one could find this half of the map, I thought it was incredibly well-hidden. And this is the result? You haven't even received the pill, yet you're giving me the map. This old guy is really something else.
"Don't look at me like that," Hai Bodong said. "Although this is the first time we've met, I trust my judgment of people. I also trust that old fellow Jia Xingtian. Giving you the reward in advance is my sincerity."
The words were so skillfully delivered that they turned a cold business transaction into something that felt warm and personal. He is worthy of being the grand elder of the Miteer Clan. A clan leader like Tengshan still has a long way to go to reach this level.
"Don't worry, I won't let you down." Chen Guan was not polite and put everything into his ring.
"There is something I need to tell you," Hai Bodong said, a little embarrassed. "I have prepared several other medicinal materials for this Evil-Breaking Pill, but I couldn't get the Sand Mandrake. I only know that it can be found within the Snake-People's territory. Because of Medusa, I don't want to go in. I'll need your help with this. Of course, I will also ask the Miteer Clan to help purchase it."
I don't want to go in. Chen Guan almost laughed. In the minds of some people, "want" and "dare" are interchangeable.
He nodded, not taking it too seriously, as he had known about this for a long time. Although the Sand Mandrake was precious to the Snake-People, with his current connections, there were many ways to obtain it.
The deal was done. Chen Guan didn't ask Hai Bodong to owe him a favor or to be his bodyguard. With his current strength, it really wasn't necessary. And if he truly needed help, as long as it wasn't a life-or-death situation, he believed Hai Bodong would be more proactive than anyone else. After knowing Jia Xingtian for so many years, he had some understanding of these old foxes.
"Old Hai, I'll say goodbye for now. After the Evil-Breaking Pill is refined, I will go to the Miteer Clan to find you." Chen Guan stood up, preparing to leave.
"Well, I've been sealed for many years, and I've gotten used to this state," Hai Bodong said, standing up as well. "You don't have to worry too much about it. If it doesn't work, the worst that can happen is you just wait until you surpass Queen Medusa in the future."
Chen Guan felt that the old man was secretly hoping he wouldn't be able to refine the pill, which was truly outrageous.
He agreed with a smile, bowed briefly, and headed toward Stone Desert City.
Hai Bodong's intentions were obvious, but unfortunately, he was destined to be disappointed. The Evil-Breaking Pill was a sixth-grade pill that could only be refined by an alchemist with a Heavenly Flame. The conditions were harsh, but Chen Guan had four options.
First, after obtaining the Green Lotus Core Flame, he could use it to assist Fa Ma in refining the pill.
Second, he could become a sixth-grade alchemist himself. To go from nothing to a sixth-grade alchemist in three years was almost impossible for others, but with his advantage in soul strength, it wasn't hopeless. He just didn't want to focus all his energy on alchemy.
Third, let Yao Chen help.
The last one was Yao Chen's treacherous disciple, Han Feng.
This was also the plan that Chen Guan was most optimistic about. In the inheritance he had received from a certain master, he had discovered a type of tool puppet that seemed tailor-made for a certain someone.
***
(End of Chapter)
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