51: Conquer Hai Bodong

"Young Miss wishes to make a deal with you. She wants you to ensure Xiao Yan reaches the Cloud Mist Sect, so let me first test your strength."

It so happened that Ling Ying had been in the Magical Beast Mountain Range these past few days, and only brought this matter up to Xiao Xun'er after seeing Xiao Lei's strength.

After all, his identity was ultimately Xiao Xun'er's guard, and he would try his best not to appear openly.

Then Xiao Xun'er had Ling Ying come and test Xiao Lei's strength... Of course, these were just verbal agreements, things that could be said.

In reality, how could Ling Ying not test a Genius from the declining Xiao Family, and how could the ancient clan not have their own intentions?

"Go back and tell her that a deal is possible, but first prepare the compensation. You actively provoked me; by rights, I should kill you right now. You should be glad your faction temporarily saved you!"

Saying that, Xiao Lei stepped forward and stomped on Ling Ying's leg.

With a crisp crack, the latter's right leg instantly shattered.

With the ancient clan present, the current Xiao Lei couldn't directly kill him, but he would absolutely not let Ling Ying off easy!

After a long while, Xiao Lei, having vented his anger, finally tossed Ling Ying aside, considering it a temporary reprieve for the other party.

Xiao Lei felt the ancient clan's probing intentions, but he wasn't afraid. Xiao Yan had Xiao Xun Er's endorsement.

And he could use Xiao Yan to control Xiao Xun Er!

So a deal was necessary, at least to stabilize Xiao Xun Er and prevent the ancient clan's powerhouses from acting.

As soon as Ling Ying broke free from Xiao Lei's control, he immediately activated his Qi and scrambled to his feet to leave, fearing Xiao Lei would change his mind.

In his eyes, Xiao Lei was simply a madman, completely disregarding the forces behind him. He said he'd chop off his hand, and he did. Such people are often the most terrifying, because he might just overturn the table!

However, everything was reasonable in Xiao Lei's eyes.

There was no reason for him to kneel and be a grandson when others were already attacking him!

If that were the case, what was the point of him Cultivating? He might as well find a pile of cow dung and smash his head against it to die.

Ling Ying fled, and Xiao Lei began to reconsider the deal Ling Ying mentioned: ensuring Xiao Yan reaches the Cloud Mist Sect... This would require at least Peak Dou Huang strength, as the Cloud Mist Sect's strength was not as simple as it appeared on the surface.

"What should I ask for?"

For his cultivation, Xiao Lei relied on replication and Physique; the ancient clan couldn't provide an exotic flame. Xiao Lei could completely kill Han Feng later to seize the myriad beast cauldron. As for Dou Techniques, Xiao Lei could just take them from others, without needing to spend time learning them himself.

Moreover, Xiao Xun'er hadn't returned to the ancient clan yet, so how much could she offer?

"Forget it, let's not think about these things for now! It's better to first think about how to improve my strength. Without strength, everything else is just fleeting clouds!"

...Xiao Lei stayed in Qingshan Town for another month, and finally, everyone emerged from their seclusion. Xiao Yi Xian directly broke through to the Dou Ling Realm thanks to her talent and hard work.

Truly ruthless!

Qing Lin was a bit behind, only at the Peak Dou Master level. Xiao Lei immediately refined a Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill on the spot, directly helping her Breakthrough to Great Dou Master.

As for Xiang Liu, with the help of the Transformation Pill, it successfully transformed. However, the other party seemed to prefer its Demonic Beast body and never changed, and Xiao Lei couldn't be bothered with such minor details.

Anyway, the other party was also being used as a mount, and a Demonic Beast body was just right. The Transformation Pill was only to give the other party the talent for Human Race Cultivation.

It's worth mentioning that after Xiang Liu recovered its strength, Xiao Lei quickly acted and copied an Eight-Star Dou Huang cultivation from it.

Such a simple, unresisted replication truly earned Xiao Lei a strong thumbs up.

Afterward, Xiao Lei led the group towards the desert, as the exotic flame dispute in the original story began at this time.

Exotic flames were also Xiao Lei's goal... The Tagor Desert, a region filled with heat and conflict. To resist the Snake-People Tribe, the Jia Ma Empire built cities in the desert.

Mo City was one of countless cities, and here, for many years, there had been a strange map shop.

It was strange to say, the shop owner was an old man, and although he sold maps, he didn't seem to live by it, and he was indifferent to customers.

Click!

The sound of the wooden door rubbing echoed in Hai Bodong's ears. Hai Bodong originally didn't intend to pay attention, but after sensing the newcomer's cultivation, he immediately turned his head.

"Hehe, I'd like to ask the old Senior about a young man!"

The young man's voice fell on Hai Bodong's ears, but it was like the sound of a bowstring to a startled bird.

Hai Bodong's heart sank instantly, and he quickly circulated his Qi.

The next moment, a pair of large hands clapped on Hai Bodong's shoulders, and the latter's Qi immediately fell into an eerie calm.

"Old Mister, there's no need to be so agitated!"

Only then did Hai Bodong have time to observe Xiao Lei and the others: three people, two snakes. "Great Dou Master, Dou Ling, Dou Wang, and..."

Hai Bodong couldn't sense Xiao Lei's and Xiang Liu's cultivation at all; his extended Soul Strength seemed to bypass them.

This could only mean that both of their strengths were stronger than his at his Peak, as his Soul Strength was in its Peak state.

Realizing that he seemed to have no chance of retaliation, Hai Bodong became less nervous. He simply spread his hands, leaving his fate to them.

"I don't recall those two in my memory. If you're here for revenge, just act!"

Xiao Lei was first surprised by the words, then smiled wryly, saying, "Old Mister, I'm not here for revenge, but to find someone. Did a young man named Xiao Yan come here a few days ago? That young man possessed the ability to instantly boost his cultivation."

"This old man doesn't know. I've never heard of such a young man!"

Hai Bodong was an old actor; he didn't need to prepare at all to lie, it just came out.

Xiao Lei didn't care; his chatting with the other party was merely to obtain the other party's Dou Technique.

Some of Hai Bodong's Dou Techniques were quite unique!

For example — Profound Ice Dragon Soar!

Hai Bodong's foundation was negligible in front of Xiao Lei. Xiao Lei quickly succeeded in replicating it, and during this time, Hai Bodong didn't dare to move casually.

Having obtained the Dou Technique he wanted, Xiao Lei then turned his gaze elsewhere.

Scanning around, Xiao Lei didn't find any strange maps. Clearly, Xiao Yan had already been here and taken away that half of the incomplete map.

Looking inside the shop, many walls had obvious scorch marks, and the air still contained the violent factors emitted by the exotic flame.

Seeing this, a smile appeared on Xiao Lei's handsome face. With a flip of his hand, the Ten Thousand Beast Spirit Fire slowly floated up.

"Old Mister, why say such self-deceiving words? How could I not be clear about the aura of this exotic flame?"

Seeing the blood-red flame in Xiao Lei's hand, coupled with Xiao Lei's words, Hai Bodong immediately confirmed that the flame before him was an exotic flame.

"That's right! It's this violent aura!"

Then, looking at Xiao Lei's alchemist robe (newly applied for, the previous one was destroyed by Xiang Liu).

Hai Bodong's heart was excited. He didn't expect the heavens to favor him so much, sending two Alchemists with exotic flames to him one after another.

"I was rude just now, I hope Great Master will forgive me!"

Hai Bodong immediately showed Xiao Lei a display of obsequiousness... After all, he had been trapped by the Seal for an unknown number of years, and his former arrogance had long been shattered by reality... "Just a high-grade sixth rank, not worthy of being called a Great Master!"

Hearing this, Hai Bodong's brain seemed to suffer another heavy blow, but it was good news.

The long-desired sixth-rank Alchemist with an exotic flame was right before him. Even Hai Bodong's years of cultivation couldn't prevent his state of mind from fluctuating.

"Great Master, I have a request!"

Xiao Lei glanced at the other party, knowing that the fish had taken the bait, then feigned indifference and uttered a sentence.

"My price for acting has always been high. Can you afford it?"

Hearing this, Hai Bodong was startled awake. Yes, the most valuable incomplete map had already been promised to Xiao Yan. What else could he offer to move a sixth-rank Alchemist?

"I sense a thick Qi within your body, but it's locked by an overbearing Seal. It seems this is what you were talking about!"

Hearing Xiao Lei accurately describe his situation, Hai Bodong became even more certain that Xiao Lei could help him lift the Seal!

"How about this, I also happen to need someone with slightly stronger strength to help me do some things. If you are willing to be my subordinate and be at my disposal, I can help you break the Seal."

Hearing this, Hai Bodong fell silent!

He had been unrestrained for half his life, only confining himself to this small map shop after falling into Medusa's hands. For someone like him to give up freedom was an incredibly difficult thing!

A long time... a very long time!

"Alas! What difference is there between being trapped in this small place and losing freedom!"

Hai Bodong sighed deeply, then his eyes gradually became firm.

"I am willing, please help me, Great Master!"

Hearing this, Xiao Lei smiled brightly. With Hai Bodong, would he still fear that the Mittel clan wouldn't work obediently?

"Next, it seems I'll have to make a trip to the Snake-People Tribe!"

Xiao Lei muttered, both the Green Lotus Core Flame and Hai Bodong's Medicinal Pill forced Xiao Lei to head deep into the Tagor Desert...