Holding the fragile photograph, which seemed to crumble into powder with just a touch, his hands trembling slightly, Xiao Yan's eyes brimmed with an uncontainable joy. He hadn't expected, under such a fortuitous circumstance, to obtain such a mysterious, fragmented image. Though he still couldn't fully grasp the intricacies of the enigmatic routes etched upon the yellowed photograph, the outlines felt strangely familiar—much like he had seen them before, in the cave where he and Xiao Yixian had explored for treasures in the Monster Mountain region. That particular map, which indicated the location of the legendary "Jinglian Fiery Spirit," ranked third on the "Ethereal Fire List," was highly esteemed even by the Elder of Medicine. When the Elder first mentioned the Jinglian Fiery Spirit, Xiao Yan had clearly sensed the undercurrent of awe in his voice. It could even make the old Dr. of Herbs, who had stood at the pinnacle of the Qi Continent, repeatedly marvel at it. Indeed, to describe the "Pure Lotus Demon Flame" as capable of consuming everything, seems quite fitting. "Hm, impressive luck—finding that fragmented map piece with no clear clues at all in such a place. It seems you truly share a special connection with the Pure Lotus Demon Flame," came the old Dr.'s voice, filled with wonder. Clearly, he hadn't expected that Xuanyin would manage to obtain two mysterious map fragments within just one year. At that moment, the white-haired elder in the shop finally finished his work, yet he still did not lift his head. His quiet, aged voice echoed gently throughout the room. "Are you looking to purchase a map of the Togor Great Desert?" Upon hearing the elder's question, Xiao Yan slowly turned around and walked over to the counter, offering a polite nod. "Mr. Elder, could I please have the most accurate and detailed map of the desert?" "The items are on the counter—please choose yourself," the elder said without rising to introduce them. His demeanor was remarkably unlike that of a typical merchant. Seeing the elderly man's unusual demeanor, Xiao Yan was somewhat startled. However, since he now needed help, he could only nod reluctantly and casually selected a map from the counter that appeared quite detailed. Then, with care, he spread out the ancient, weathered fragment of map in his palm and softly asked, "Sir, do you have any other fragments of this type of map here?" As Xiao Yan spoke, the elderly man, who had been intently drawing the map, felt his hand subtly tremble—just barely noticeable—and the carefully drawn routes slightly shifted. He furrowed his brows slightly, then slowly raised his gaze, his eyes scanning the worn map in Xiao Yan's hands. A faint, inexplicable expression passed through the misty depths of his gaze. Staring at the elderly face now raised, Xiao Yan was momentarily taken aback. Along the left cheek to the corner of the eye, there ran a striking scar. Though the elder's eyes were calm, the scar still imbued him with a subtle, palpable aura of sternness. "Have you, perhaps, seen this kind of map fragment before?" the elder asked, his voice slightly astonished as his gaze swept over Xiao Yan's long robe—clearly marking his status as a medicinal alchemist. "The 'Pure Lotus Demon Flame' isn't something ordinary. This rare flame ranked third on the List of Unusual Flares—enough to make even the most content, secluded hermits yearn for it. So, Xiao Yan wouldn't be foolish enough to simply state right away that he already possessed a fragment of the map. 'Ah,' the elder glanced at Xiao Yan, as if convinced by his words, and said softly, 'It's gone. I only happened to come across this fragment by chance. Based on my decades of experience in map-making, it seems to be merely a partial piece of a larger map.' 'Then, sir, could you kindly tell me where exactly you obtained it?' Xiao Yan furrowed his brows, pressing on. 'I found it in the desert,' the elder replied, his tone calm and unflinching. For such a remarkably uncommitted response, Xiao Yan chuckled, holding the fragment tightly in his hands. 'Sir, would you be willing to sell this piece to me? I'm prepared to offer a high price.' 'Not for sale.' The elder slowly lowered his head, once again focusing his mind on the map fragment still unfinished, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable conviction. Seeing that his request had been outright rejected, Xiao Yan blinked, his eyes gradually narrowing with a sense of quiet disbelief. Regardless of the matter, he was determined to secure this map fragment—no matter how frail the elder appeared, even if he were truly replaced by a formidable warrior, Xiao Yan would find every means to obtain it. After all, the appeal of "Jinglian Demon Flame" was simply too profound. It might well prove crucial in the future evolution of his "Burned Technique" into a celestial-tier cultivation scripture, especially since it ranked third on the List of Divine Flames. As Xiao Yan's thoughts churned, he suddenly recalled the elder's soft words: "Be careful—this man is no ordinary person." At this, Xiao Yan's heart stirred sharply, and he immediately thought to himself: "Master, this elder seems unusual." "Yes," the old pharmacist said with interest, "under my observation, this old man's true strength should be at the Battle Emperor level. However, he seems to be under the influence of some unusual force that's suppressing his inner power—currently, his strength only reaches the Battle Spirit level. Yet even at that level, he could easily defeat you." "Perhaps it's just good luck of yours," the medicine elder chuckled, somewhat pleased with his fate. "Young fellow, don't think of taking my map— I don't need money. Just take what you have and go. And don't even consider trying to force anything; it won't benefit you much." With a gentle wave of his hand, the elder spoke calmly, as if he didn't fear that Xiao Yan might simply run off with the fragments he held. Sighing deeply, Xiao Yan shook his head in resignation and said, "Indeed, before a warrior who may have once been a Duke-level cultivator, I simply can't think of forcing anything." "Crack!" The ink brush, slowly moving in his hand, suddenly snapped with a crisp sound. The elder fixed his gaze tightly on the broad smudge of ink covering the map, his eyes remaining fixed for a long while before finally lifting them to meet Xiao Yan's. A subtle chill began to gather in the cloudy depths of his gaze. "Who exactly are you?" The elder gently tapped the桌面 at a certain point with his palm, and the wide-open door suddenly slammed shut with a thunderous sound. His gaze, sharp and intense, fixed upon Xiao Yan, radiating a cold, powerful aura that spread outward from his body. As this cold pressure began to press upon Xiao Yan, the spiritual power of the elderly doctor enveloped him, shielding him from the intensity of the elder's presence. "Mr. Elder, please don't misunderstand," Xiao Yan said, spreading his hands and stepping back two paces with a smile. "I've never met you before. In fact, I have a rather unusual sense of perception—particularly sensitive to the energies around me. Just earlier, I detected the immense energy flowing within your body, which is why—well..." Observing the elder's visibly strong reaction, Xiao Yan continued, "I have no intention of causing any inconvenience. Truly, this map fragment is of great importance to me. I would be deeply grateful if you could make room for it. Of course, if you have any request for something in return, I am more than willing to provide it—whatever it may be, I will certainly fulfill it." "Young man, I didn't expect you to have some solid foundation," the white-haired elder remarked, somewhat astonished at how Xiao Yan remained unphased beneath his own aura. "Heh," Xiao Yan smiled, of course not foolish enough to mention the old medic right away. He gave a slight, hesitant nod and raised the fragment of map in his hands, asking, "What do you think, sir?" "I've already stated that I won't sell it to anyone. If you truly insist on taking it by force, then don't be surprised if I treat you with favoritism," the elder said calmly, his white hair rippling without a breeze, icy qi swirling around him. Rejected outright, Xiao Yan furrowed his brows. He hadn't anticipated such stubbornness from this old man. Clearly, he didn't realize that assembling these fragments would reveal the map to the Pure Lotus Spirit Flame—yet he remained unwilling to sell it. This only stirred irritation within Xiao Yan. "Senior, this item—I absolutely must have it today. Even if you refuse, that young man will have no choice but to take it forcibly!" The smile on Xiao Yan's face gradually faded, and he sighed helplessly. "You? Though I've retired for several decades due to various reasons, I've never been addressed by someone of your rank—a Second-Class Alchemist—like this!" Hearing Xiao Yan speak thus, the elder's weathered face broke into a look of scorn, and he coldly retorted. Occluded by the icy, misty haze surrounding him, Xiao Yan's facial expression slightly changed. He knew this time things were truly going to be troublesome.