Several scrolls of maps, just as they were about to reach the body of the Eastern Sea's master, suddenly froze into icy blocks due to a surge of intense cold, then gently fell beside the elder. Gazing at the maps now transformed into ice, the red-robed woman's eyes sparkled with admiration—another instance of the elder displaying his formidable strength. "This impertinent one, daring to show such disrespect to the Ice Master! Truly, a short-sighted fool." She watched Xiang Yan with a tone laced with amusement, clearly believing that the elder would not easily forgive this bold, impetuous young man. Of course, all this was merely her own hope. While the elder indeed shifted his focus from the maps as she expected, the dry, frosty expression on his face softened into a rare, warm smile when he turned to the black-robed youth—a smile the red-robed woman, who had long served with decorum and respect, had never before witnessed. "Hehe, young sir, you've finally returned—how I've been looking forward to it!" Setting down the ink brush in his hand, Hai Bo Dong glanced over at Xiao Yan, his eyes swiftly flashing with a sense of something unusual. It had only been a few months since he last saw him, yet the youth had grown remarkably stronger. Even more strikingly, Hai Bo Dong sensed a presence on Xiao Yan's body that stirred a subtle sense of apprehension within him. "Could it be the Unique Flame? Heaven's sake, has he truly found the Unique Flame?" A thought flashed through his mind, and a look of astonishment settled upon his face. His gaze now rested on Xiao Yan, filled with an emotion that was hard to describe. "There's no choice—Master holds the very things I need, so I had to return promptly. Moreover, without Master's map, even if I spent a full year wandering through the desert, I doubt I could have reached my destination." Xiao Yan smiled gently. "After all, it's simply a matter of what each of us needs." Smiling and waving his hand, Hai Dongbo's nose twitched slightly, then his otherwise pale face changed subtly, and he stared at Xiao Yan in surprise, voice filled with astonishment, "You... you've actually spoken with Queen Medusa?" Inside the shop, upon seeing Hai Dongbo—not only failing to attack Xiao Yan, but actually engaging in warm conversation with him—the red-dressed woman was instantly taken aback. After a moment, her brows furrowed slightly, and she glanced covertly at the black-robed youth, who seemed younger than herself. A quiet sense of envy stirred within her. She had been assisting Hai Dongbo for so long, yet he had never treated her with such kindness before. "Really now," she thought, feeling increasingly frustrated. As she prepared to return and investigate Xiao Yan's background, the very words that suddenly came from Hai Dongbo's mouth caused her to freeze in place, as if struck by lightning. Of course, not only she—within the shop, the three young men and several sturdy men—had gone completely rigid the moment the Queen of Medusa, as described by Haibo, was uttered. In the desert regions, the Queen of Medusa’s reputation was so formidable that it instilled fear in any human listener. During the great battle, this noble queen had single-handedly laid waste to several entire cities, her renown so powerful that it could even cause infants to stop crying. “Wait… this person has actually interacted with the Queen of Medusa? And not only that—he’s still alive?” A series of astonished and incredulous glances were now fixed upon the young man carrying the massive black ruler. His mind seemed momentarily stunned. While there were indeed a few survivors in desert cities who had encountered and lived through the Queen of Medusa, each of them was a renowned powerhouse, a regional legend. Yet here stood this young man, barely twenty—could this be possible? "Heh, it was quite unfortunate to have gotten to know her, but fortunately, I managed to survive—otherwise, I'd never have had the chance to see the old man again." Xiao Yan shrugged, adding it as a casual remark. "Hmph, truly impressive—surviving that woman's ordeal, and seemingly unharmed. Indeed, heroes are born in the younger generation. I believe the pinnacle of the next generation in the Jamara Empire must surely be your younger brother." Hearing this, Hai Bo Dong immediately nodded, marveling. Xiao Yan smiled gently, remaining neutral and unconvinced about the claim of being the peak figure. "Oh, heh, by the way—your matter, young sir? I've been meaning to ask." Wiping his dry palms, Hai Bo Dong suddenly beamed and asked with a warm smile. "Here, this is the Sand Mandala you requested. It's quite rare—indeed, I only managed to find it after a lucky chance during my stay in the sacred city of the Serpent People." "With a gentle flick of his fingers, a pale yellow plant materialized in Xiao Yan's palm. The plant was quite unusual, winding and coiling like a yellow serpent curled up in a spiral. At the top, the serpent's head rose proudly, and slightly protruding from it was a lump the size of a clenched fist—this lump contained the most concentrated essence of the entire plant." "Ah, truly a bother for you, young sir," said Ha Dong Bo, beaming with delight as he took the plant. "It's nothing," Xiao Yan replied, spreading his hands and adopting Ha Dong Bo's tone. Inside the shop, observing Xiao Yan and Hai Dongbo conversing as if they were completely at ease, the red-dressed woman gradually softened her previously impetuous demeanor. Though she was assertive, she wasn't foolish—by watching the mysterious elder's treatment of Xiao Yan and the nature of their conversation, she clearly sensed that the seemingly younger boy before her possessed a strength far beyond what one would expect for his age. "Good heavens, where did this oddity come from? I've never heard of a strong contender of his age emerging within the Gamma Empire!" she murmured, a wry smile playing on her lips. "Ice Master..." hesitating slightly, the red-dressed woman spoke timidly, feeling a bit overlooked. The conversation was interrupted, and Hai Bo Dong slightly furrowed his brows, glanced at the woman in red, and said gently, "Go back now. You needn't come again. Tell your father—I'm truly fed up with his antics." Hearing Hai Bo Dong's straightforward dismissal, the woman in red was momentarily taken aback, then her eyes suddenly filled with tears. She bit her lower lip tightly, her teeth pressing into the red flesh. Her original intention had been to become Hai Bo Dong's student, but upon hearing his words, it was clear that her hopes had been completely dashed. She felt deeply hurt, and a gentle mist began to seep through her long lashes, dampening them. Now, she no longer carried the same stubbornness she had shown toward Xiao Yan. Seeing the sea waves' calm and indifferent demeanor, Xiao Yan couldn't help but shake his head. This old man truly had a firm heart—though the woman's earlier stubbornness had initially left a negative impression on him, she had been acting on behalf of Sea Waves. She had indeed made sincere efforts to win his favor, yet the stubborn, detached old man still showed no warmth or sentiment toward her. It seemed his nature was rather thin and unyielding. Working with him in the future would surely require greater caution. Hearing this, Haibo Dong was momentarily stunned, gazing at Xiao Yan's bright smile. After a while, he nodded with a smile, lightly brushing his fingers over a yellow storage ring on his fingertip. A scroll then materialized, and with a gentle flick of his fingers, he launched it toward the red-dressed woman. With a touch of resignation, he said, "This is a basic, mid-tier combat technique. I've been so grateful for all your help, I thought you'd want me to take you as a student. But honestly, I haven't the heart to do so. So, I'm treating this as my small token of appreciation." Receiving the scroll with a look of surprise, the red-dressed woman pressed her lips tightly together. After a moment, she bowed slightly in gratitude to Xiao Yan, then gently withdrew, her face dimming with quiet resignation. As she stepped out, the others in the shop followed suit, leaving the space once again empty and quiet. "Heh, I've always been someone who values freedom and doesn't particularly enjoy teaching students. With her following me, I don't see much of a future for her." "Patting Xiang Yin's shoulder, Haibo Dong smiled and explained. With a slight smile, Xiang Yin extended his palm toward Haibo Dong, smiling warmly and said, "Master, I've brought you the items I promised. Shouldn't I now receive that final fragment of the map as well?" "Hmm..." Haibo Dong dryly smiled, rubbing his palms, and blushed slightly, saying, "Young sir, we agreed back then—once you help me prepare the elixir to lift the seal, I'll hand you the last fragment, and from that point on, I'll consider you personally indebted to me." "Very well..." After gazing at Haibo Dong for a moment until he seemed slightly uneasy, Xiang Yin nodded indifferently, withdrew his hand, and smiled gently. "I hope Master won't come up with any further excuses once you receive the elixir. Though I'm generally patient, I can't stand being treated like a monkey." "Ah, young sir, how could there be any falsehood in the commitments between true强者?" "Chuckles and shakes his head, Hai Bodo pats his chest, giving a firm pledge, 'As long as my younger brother successfully prepares the herbs and medicines I need, I will certainly keep my word!' 'Ah, that would be ideal,' smiles Xiao Min, nodding warmly, and raises his chin toward Hai Bodo with a gentle smile. 'Then shall we begin?' 'Now?' Hai Bodo is momentarily surprised, quickly nods enthusiastically, 'Yes, yes! Please!' Saying this, he swiftly pushes aside the counter and warmly invites Xiao Min into the back room. Upon entering the room, Xiao Yan casually settled into a chair, his gaze drifting toward Hai Bo Dong, a slight smile playing at the corner of his mouth. He spoke softly, "The prescription, the ingredients..." "Sometimes, I find yourselves pharmacists truly admirable... Ah, this prescription for breaking the seal—after countless hardships, I finally obtained it. Now, with you looking at it, it's certain to need a complete rebranding." With a touch of resignation, Hai Bo Dong withdrew several sets of medicinal materials from his storage pouch, holding a yellowed, ancient sheepskin scroll in his hands. The visible discomfort on his face was genuine—not feigned. For this prescription, he had poured in countless efforts. With a warm smile on his face, Xiao Yan felt a pleasant sense of joy as well. The Medicinal Elder had already told him that some prescriptions capable of unlocking seals were truly invaluable. Though the fragmented map was what he most desired, it was indeed a perfect bonus to also secure a recipe for a sixth-rank pill. Receiving the ancient prescription offered with great reluctance by Haibo Dong, Xiao Yan glanced at it with a bright smile, which instantly blossomed into even greater radiance.