While in Battle Through the Heavens, one can pre-appoint oneself as an emperor.

It is only right to inspect the goods first and then pay.

Chen Xiao nodded in agreement without hesitation.

"make a deal!"

As for whether the other party will fulfill the agreement afterward, no one can guarantee it.

The only thing Chen Xiao could guarantee was that if the other party broke their promise, he could make the news of the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame known to everyone.

In this remote northwest region, there are quite a few people who desire different kinds of fire.

Xiao Yan and his disciples wanted it in the future, Dan Wang Gu He wanted it, and after a while, when they went to Canaan Academy, Han Feng, the model of filial piety in the Black Corner Region, dreamed of it even more.

Any one of these people could cause considerable trouble for the snake people.

Queen Medusa nodded in satisfaction and glanced at Tengshan, who was nervously peering into the hall.

"Now you can tell me the whereabouts of the strange fire you speak of."

"East of Stone Desert City, within the underground magma, that's all I know. For more specific details, Her Majesty the Queen will need to send people to investigate. With a precise location, and given the Snake People's familiarity with the desert, I believe we should be able to find the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame within ten days!"

"Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame?"

"Indeed, this fire takes ten years to form a spirit, a hundred years to take shape, and a thousand years to form a lotus. When it reaches its peak, its color is bluish, and a cluster of bluish flames grows in the heart of the lotus, which is called the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire. It ranks nineteenth on the list of strange fires. It is more than enough for Her Majesty the Queen to use for evolution."

Chen Xiao personally felt that the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire was actually the most suitable evolutionary method for the Snake-People race.

However, he did not know the whereabouts of the fire, so there was no need to mention it further.

"I have remembered this. Leave an address and you may leave. If it is as you say, I will come to find you."

You can turn your back on someone, but there's no need to.

Even Queen Medusa, who didn't know much about strange flames, knew how rare they were, and how many alchemists and fire-attribute individuals coveted them.

Therefore, breaking the promise and enraging Chen Xiao was definitely a very unwise move.

"Then Chen Xiao will wait in Mo City for Her Majesty the Queen's good news."

Chen Xiao clasped his hands slightly, and seeing that the soundproof barrier had been removed, he immediately turned and left without lingering.

Tengshan stepped forward, eager to know the result, but all he got in return was a look that said, "We'll talk about it when we get back."

Watching the group disappear from sight, Queen Medusa returned to her throne and glanced at the flower snake in the corner, who seemed to have no presence at all.

"How much of what he said do you think is true?"

"This matter is of great importance, and I dare not speculate."

Upon hearing Flower Snake's reply, Queen Medusa couldn't help but give her a charmingly disdainful eye roll.

"Boring."

After a long silence, Queen Medusa finally spoke and gave her orders.

"Lead the Serpent Guards to the edge of the desert and wait quietly. Do not provoke any conflict with humans. While remaining hidden, gather as much information as possible about Desert City. This little fellow is of the ice attribute, so it's understandable that he has no interest in the Strange Fire, but we must also guard against him using it to plot against our race. As for the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame... I will search for it myself!"

Chen Xiao had no motive to target the Snake-People race, but as the queen of the race, she had to consider all possibilities and think things through before acting.

Otherwise, if they could really do whatever they wanted, the Serpent People would probably have been devoured by the surrounding empires long ago.

"yes!"

Flower Snake bowed and accepted the order, then swayed her alluring figure as she left the temple.

...

It was evening.

The group of six returned to Mocheng and gathered at Haibodong's map shop.

Although Hai Bodong was trying his best to restrain himself, his piercing eyes still revealed that he desperately wanted to know the result.

"How's it going, kid?"

Once everyone was seated, Hai Bodong finally couldn't help but ask the question.

The fact that the six of them were able to return safely was within his expectations. After all, unless Queen Medusa was a fool, she wouldn't act rashly.

However, he could not predict the outcome of the negotiations.

After all, he didn't know what Chen Xiao's bargaining chip was, or whether it could attract that woman.

"Ice Emperor, rest assured. Queen Medusa is more rational than I thought. Today's transaction can be considered a preliminary success. If nothing unexpected happens, the Ice Emperor's seal will be lifted within ten days."

Chen Xiao chuckled softly, no longer keeping them in suspense.

Upon hearing this, Yun Yun and the others gave Chen Xiao a deep look, and then smiled and congratulated him.

"Congratulations, Ice Emperor! Breaking the seal is in sight!"

"Congratulations!"

"Now that Elder Hai has regained his strength, I can finally rest easy."

Tengshan's joy was palpable; he was as happy as a child in his late teens.

However, Hai Bodong gave him a sideways glance.

While he was certainly happy to be able to break the seal on the snake, he hadn't forgotten his bet with Chen Xiao.

Two Purple Heart Breakthrough Pills were insignificant; what he regretted was that this rare and beloved disciple was likely to fly away.

Fish, that is what I desire.

Bear's paw, too, is something I desire.

Unfortunately, it seems that it is truly impossible to have both.

With a long sigh, Hai Bodong suppressed his inner turmoil and asked, "Did she propose any other conditions?"

"If the Snake-People are ever in trouble in the future, I will help them as much as I can," Chen Xiao replied.

Hearing this, the group understood Queen Medusa's decision even more.

Putting aside the bargaining chips Chen Xiao offered, the value of this promise alone is immeasurable.

With Chen Xiao's talent, he will definitely be able to rank among the top ten strongest people in the empire in ten or twenty years. He is a helper that should not be underestimated.

If he can reach an even higher level, the snake-people will benefit immensely.

"That's the general situation. Now, let's just wait for the results. It's getting late, so I need to go back and check on Qinglin. Seniors, I'll take my leave now."

Chen Xiao bowed slightly, and after the others nodded, he stood up to leave.

Just as he pushed open the door of the map shop, Hai Bodong called out to stop him.

"Kid, are you practicing again tomorrow morning?"

"Practice! Same place tomorrow morning, waiting for the Ice Emperor."

Improving one's skill level is important, but accumulating practical experience is equally crucial.

Although Chen Xiao prefers to dominate, he can't guarantee that it will always be the case.

Therefore, practical experience is something that I may not use, but I absolutely need!

Watching Chen Xiao's departing figure, Hai Bodong smiled.

Perhaps, even if we can't be master and apprentice, we can still be close friends despite the age difference.

From this perspective, it's barely acceptable.

"Now that the important business is done, Ice Emperor, Clan Chief Tengshan, we will take our leave. If there are any more opportunities like this that don't require any effort, just call us anytime."

Feng Li and Yan Shi stood up at the same time, and before leaving, they couldn't help but make a joke.

Seeing this, Yun Yun and Nalan Jie also stood up and said their goodbyes.

"Thank you all for your support this time. I will invite you all to a small gathering again when I return to the capital."

Hai Bodong gave him ample face and got up to see him off.

The four streaks of light disappeared into the distance, and soon, only Hai Bodong and Tengshan remained in the map shop.

"Elder Hai, the way this Sect Master Yun is looking at Chen Xiao is rather strange. She probably intends to recruit him into the Yunlan Sect. Do you think she might take a detour and come back?"

Hai Bodong glared at Teng Shan. "What does this have to do with you? Don't worry, that kid is clever. Even though we're so compatible, I'm unwilling to become his disciple. The Yunlan Sect is even less likely to accept him, unless Yun Yun gets involved herself. But with her personality, do you think that's possible?"

"What Elder Hai said is true. By the way, on the way back, I sent a message to the family and asked them to ask the president of the Alchemist Guild to refine two Purple Heart Breakthrough Pills. They will be delivered soon."

"That's something a human being would do. Show more sincerity and less of a business mindset. It won't do any harm to befriend him."

"..."

Tengshan was speechless.

Even though he was already an old man in his fifties or sixties, in Hai Bodong's eyes, he still seemed like an immature young man.

Friendships based on money will end when the money is gone; friendships based on beauty will fade when the allure is gone.

How could he not understand such a simple truth?