"Come in first."
Han Feng turned and went back into the house, with Hai Bodong following behind.
"Seeing as your skills are not bad, are you living in seclusion in Desert City?"
"Yes," Hai Bodong's voice was hoarse.
"Speak, what do you need from me?"
Seeing that Hai Bodong still looked like he didn't want to chat much, Han Feng also cut straight to the chase.
"I would like to ask Grandmaster Han to take a look and see how to break the seal in my body."
"A seal?"
No wonder his Dou Qi felt a bit off, Han Feng thought to himself.
"Hold out your hand."
Hai Bodong was silent for a moment, then extended his old arm.
Han Feng condensed qi in his two fingers and placed them on Hai Bodong's pulse, checking the situation inside his body.
After a moment, Han Feng withdrew his hand.
"Where did you get this seal?"
"The Snake-People Tribe."
Han Feng nodded.
The seal in his body was very special; it should be an exclusive legacy of a certain tribe.
If Han Feng wanted to undo it, he would have to spend a lot of time studying it and then transfer qi into the other party's body to release the seal.
All in all, it would probably take at least two months.
Not to mention whether this extremely wary man would be willing to do so, Han Feng himself didn't have the time to bother.
"This seal is quite troublesome. I can't handle it in a short period of time either. Why don't you go back and wait, old sir, or find a cultivator who is proficient in sealing techniques to solve it."
Han Feng's words were rather tactful, but it was already a refusal.
But Hai Bodong was not willing to give up so easily. A sixth-grade alchemist, how many years would he have to wait to meet another one!
"Grandmaster Han, I do have a method here."
Hai Bodong took out a pill formula and said, "I spent a great price to get this formula. The pill is named Calamity-Breaking, it's a sixth-grade pill, and it has the effect of breaking most seals."
"Calamity-Breaking Pill? This pill can indeed solve your problem, old sir, but it should require a Heavenly Flame to be refined, right?"
Han Feng was a little surprised. Hai Bodong had actually managed to get such a rare sixth-grade pill formula.
"Grandmaster Han knows of this pill?"
Hai Bodong's face lit up with joy. He thought to himself, this Grandmaster Han is truly extraordinary. His hope of breaking the seal had increased by a few points.
"I happen to have some clues about a Heavenly Flame here," Hai Bodong said.
"If Grandmaster Han is willing to refine the pill for me, I am willing to offer the Heavenly Flame clue!"
"Oh?"
Han Feng was surprised. "Alright, as long as the clue you give me is real."
Hai Bodong took out a map and handed it to Han Feng.
"Grandmaster Han, this is a map I drew while traveling in the Tagor Desert. I have marked three places on it where a Heavenly Flame is most likely to appear."
Han Feng took the map and quickly compared it with the one he had recorded in his mind.
One of the locations he had already investigated and found no Heavenly Flame. As for the other two...
"Since you know about the Heavenly Flame, why didn't you go and get it yourself?"
"I originally had that intention. A wondrous object of heaven and earth like a Heavenly Flame, even if I can't use it myself, would surely sell for a sky-high price."
Hai Bodong told the truth.
"But Grandmaster Han, look at my current state. How could I possibly have the ability to subdue a Heavenly Flame?"
Han Feng asked curiously, "It seems old sir also has a glorious past. How should I address you?"
"Haha, my name is Hai Bodong. I was once one of the top ten experts in the Jia Ma Empire."
Hai Bodong stroked his beard, but seeing Han Feng's calm expression, he coughed awkwardly twice.
"I have another alias, the Ice Emperor."
You must have heard of the Ice Emperor, right? That was a title that had appeared in the sect wars on the Northwest Continent.
Han Feng nodded cooperatively and smiled. "So it is the Ice Emperor."
Never heard of him...
"By the way, Old Sir Hai, you still have to provide the ingredients for this pill yourself."
Hai Bodong's originally faint smile changed slightly.
"Haha, Grandmaster Han, I have one more thing to ask."
Han Feng's expression was strange.
"Old Sir Hai, you're not going to ask me to collect the ingredients for you, are you?"
"No, no, I still understand the rules of alchemists."
Hai Bodong quickly waved his hands, his voice troubled. "It's just that, one of the missing ingredients only grows in the depths of the Tagor Desert."
"Old Sir Hai, I have no intention of provoking the Snake-People Tribe. I've heard that their empress, Medusa, is extraordinary in combat and truly not to be underestimated."
Han Feng shook his head and said, "Your injury should also be her doing, right?"
Hai Bodong nodded, his face turning a little grim as if he had recalled some dark memory.
"Wait, I have one more thing!" Hai Bodong suddenly shouted.
He took out a tattered ancient map from his storage ring.
"The reason I was injured by Medusa back then was because of this fragmented map. Since it was valued by Medusa, it must not be an ordinary item."
After presenting the fragmented map, Hai Bodong bowed deeply to Han Feng.
"Grandmaster Han, I am now destitute. If I cannot remove this seal, I'm afraid I will die of old age in this desert. You are the only person in these decades who has any hope of saving me. I, Hai Bodong, never lightly owe favors. If you can lend a helping hand, I will surely remember this kindness for the rest of my life!"
For Hai Bodong to make such a solemn request was definitely a first in his life.
However, at this moment, Han Feng was staring blankly at the fragmented map Hai Bodong had given him. He was frozen on the spot, not having heard anything else.
Isn't this... a fragment of the map to the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame?
Why would it appear here!
"Grandmaster Han, Grandmaster Han?"
Hai Bodong's voice brought Han Feng back to his senses.
"Does Grandmaster Han know of this fragmented map?"
Han Feng nodded lightly.
"You are quite lucky. The value of this fragmented map is far beyond your imagination."
Hai Bodong's heart skipped a beat. Could there be a clue on this fragmented map that he hadn't seen?
He had studied it back and forth for so many years and hadn't found anything.
"Since this map is useful to Grandmaster Han, then please take it!"
Although he felt a bit regretful, Hai Bodong still said so.
"Alright. I'll consider this a favor from you. No matter what, I will help you solve your seal. You can also make one request. As long as it's not excessive, I can fulfill it."
Han Feng's attitude towards Hai Bodong had changed dramatically.
One must know that just this small fragmented map, if put up for auction at the most top-tier auction house in the Central Plains, could be sold for the sky-high price of an eighth-grade, nine-colored Pill Lightning pill.
Compared to that, what Hai Bodong was offering now, just to break a seal, was truly not worth mentioning.
"Many thanks, Grandmaster Han!"
Hearing Han Feng make such a solemn promise to him, the regret in Hai Bodong's heart immediately dissipated, replaced by a trace of pleasant surprise.
In his hands, that fragmented map was destined to gather dust for a lifetime. To be able to exchange it for the promise and favor of a sixth-grade alchemist was definitely not a loss.
"By the way, take this token."
Han Feng took out a Sea Heart Token from his storage ring and handed it to Hai Bodong.
"You can use this to contact me in the future. My promise to you is valid for life."
Hai Bodong put away the token and clasped his fist in a salute to Han Feng. "Then I wish Grandmaster Han success in obtaining the Heavenly Flame!"
"Mm, I'll take your good wishes."
The two of them smiled at each other, said their goodbyes, and left.
In the main hall, Han Feng looked at the two maps in his hands. One marked the possible location of the Green Lotus Core Flame, solving his immediate problem. The other was a priceless fragmented map worth an eighth-grade, nine-colored Pill Lightning pill.
And it was related to the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame!
In his previous life, when the nine stars aligned and the heavenly tide came, the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame had descended upon the world, but in the end, no one had been able to subdue it.
Now this fragmented map clearly revealed some kind of secret. If all the fragments were collected, would it mean that one could obtain the opportunity to subdue the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame?
Han Feng stored the fragmented map with great care.
Although this thing was precious, it didn't seem to have any use at the moment. He could only wait until he had collected all of them in the future.
However, the Dou Qi Continent was so large. Even the Tagor Desert in the Northwest Continent had a fragment of the map to the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame. The hope of collecting them all was very slim.
Shaking his head, he decided not to think so much. The immediate priority was still the Green Lotus Core Flame.
Han Feng took the map Hai Bodong had given him back to his room, carefully compared it with his own again, and began to plan the next day's route.
The next morning, after breakfast, Han Feng said goodbye to Qingyun and the others.
He headed west, left Desert City, and, following the location marked on the map, directly spread his wings and flew off.
Ten days later, Han Feng ruled out the second location and headed for the last one.
"There are more and more Snake-People patrolling the desert."
Han Feng frowned. He didn't know the reason. If it was just the Ice Spirit Cold Spring incident from last time, there should be no need for such a big fuss.
Not knowing what the Snake-People Tribe was up to, Han Feng had no choice but to speed up.
Three days later, Han Feng finally found the marked location.
Hovering in mid-air, feeling the rich fire element power below, Han Feng's eyes lit up.
He directly condensed his Dou Qi and slapped a palm on the sand dune.
The solidified yellow sand cracked inch by inch, and terrifying waves of qi billowed out.
In just two or three seconds, the terrain was destroyed by Han Feng.
"There really is a secret!"
Han Feng looked at the caves revealed below the sand dune, a smile on his lips.
This was, by far, the most likely place he had found to contain the Green Lotus Core Flame.
Scanning the surrounding yellow earth, the Sea Heart Flame ignited in Han Feng's hand. He drew the water vapor from the heavens and the earth and set up a light-distorting scene nearby.
In this way, the scene of great destruction would be transferred to other parts of the Tagor Desert, forming a mirage, while only a flat desert remained here.
After setting up the disguise, Han Feng walked into the underground cave and began to explore downwards.
The cave was very long, and the further down he went, the more branches there were.
If an ordinary person walked down, they would definitely be indecisive, explore cautiously, and then be made dizzy by the pervasive heat, unable to even find their way back, eventually suffocating to death in the cave.
Han Feng, however, was very certain. The Sea Heart Flame in his hand led the way, and he moved quickly downwards.
At this point, the connection between the Heavenly Flames was already quite obvious.
Passing through the long and winding cave, Han Feng appeared in an underground magma sea.
The terrifying heatwaves had burned the rock and earth above red. Just standing here, the temperature was already extremely high.
Han Feng's Sea Heart Flame protected his body, dispelling the heat.
"Is it below?"
Han Feng looked at the magma, feeling that something was about to shoot out.
Boom!
A Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake shot out of the sea of fire. Its smooth scales were bathed in the magma without a single scratch. Its sharp gaze stared straight at Han Feng, and it opened its hot, stinking mouth to swallow this tiny human.
Han Feng just raised his palm and pressed down. Dou Qi turned into a net, directly imprisoning the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake.
Bang!
The Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake let out a mournful hiss, twisting its body to try to break free. Han Feng's eyes focused, and his soul power turned into two crystal-clear needles that shot towards the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake's heads.
In an instant, the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake stopped hissing, its eyes staring blankly at the sky.
This move was called the "Soul-Controlling Needle."
It could temporarily tame living beings with soul power lower than his own.
Han Feng controlled the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake and jumped into the sea of fire with it.
This magical beast had grown up in this place, and its body was actually stained with some of the aura of the Green Lotus Core Flame.
Riding the fire spirit snake, Han Feng swam continuously downwards.
Until he saw a faint green light, Han Feng jumped off the snake's back and accelerated towards it.
"The Green Lotus Core Flame!"
Han Feng looked at the huge green lotus before him. Its slender leaves were the color of jade, surrounding a ball of crystal-clear green flame in the center. Its thick spiritual roots were anchored at the bottom of the magma, continuously drawing energy from the earth's core.
Just a glance was enough to shake Han Feng's body and mind. What a creation! The miraculous workmanship of nature had given birth to such a wondrous spiritual object of heaven and earth.
All the hidden dangers and undercurrents around seemed to become insignificant. The extreme beauty made Han Feng feel a little intoxicated.
He took out a jade ruler, took a deep breath, and stepped forward to cut off a few thick spiritual roots.
Buzz!
Sensing that it was being destroyed, the Green Lotus Core Flame finally woke up. It erupted with a powerful circle of energy, and the surrounding green color spread rapidly, swallowing the fiery red magma.
Seeing the surroundings turn into a sea of green, Han Feng's expression became serious.
It was about to begin.
The Sea Heart Flame on his body suddenly ignited, and the azure blue supported a domain that began to contend with the green fire world.
"Divine Domain of the Heavenly Sea."
Han Feng clashed his palms together. The Sea Heart Flame behind him expanded again, and a large amount of tangible seawater gushed forth, continuously washing over the green rock walls.
"Sea and Sky as One."
Swoosh!
Endless waves rippled out, forming a tide of white foam centered on Han Feng.
Before the Green Lotus Core Flame could react, it was swept up by the tide.
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
A large amount of the earth's core power gathered. Han Feng looked at the dazzlingly white green lotus fire core and keenly sensed that a tyrannical energy comparable to a Dou Ancestor was forming.
He immediately stopped entangling with it and directly used the source flame skill of the Sea Heart Flame.
"Boundless Ocean."
A drop of water was held in Han Feng's palm. An endless stream of Sea Heart energy began to compress and fuse, finally forming an ultimate shade of blue.
Han Feng opened his eyes and let the drop of water slide from his palm.
Swoosh!
The endless azure instantly expanded, and the green fire world was covered in the blink of an eye.
In this world, the sound was like the coming and going of the tide. In just a daze, the scene before him returned to its original state.
The Green Lotus Core Flame had now shrunk into a small ball, gathered at the base of the green lotus.
"The overwhelming energy that had erupted earlier now seemed like nothing more than a dream."
Han Feng stepped forward and came to the side of the Green Lotus Core Flame, closely examining the Heavenly Flame before him.
"Finally got it done."
He put away the green lotus platform together and held it in his hand. Then, with a light step, he shot straight up towards the surface of the sea of fire.
After rushing out of the magma, Han Feng looked at the world that had given birth to the Green Lotus Core Flame and bowed slightly.
"Han takes his leave."