Ice Emperor Hai Bodong

Early the next morning, Fatty Li was already waiting at the inn entrance. He then led Xiao Heng and Bear Two toward their destination.

The place was not difficult to find, merely somewhat secluded. Looking at the small house ahead, Xiao Heng felt a surge of excitement. As an old fan of Battle Through the Heavens, he was full of curiosity about the Ice Emperor, Hai Bodong.

"Xiao Heng, the person inside seems a little strange," Bear Two said, sensing something off.

If Hai Bodong had not been sealed, Bear Two would never have discovered him if he wished to hide. But now that his strength had fallen to merely that of a Dou Ling, it was not strange that he had been noticed.

A bear... spoke! A storm of shock rose in Fatty Li's heart. He was merely a nobody, but even he knew that only high-tier Magical Beasts could speak. Cold sweat ran down his forehead as he said tremblingly, "My lord, this is the place. This lowly one will take his leave first."

"Mm. You can go first." What might happen next was not suitable for someone who had not even reached the Dou Zhe level to remain here.

"Yes, my lord. This lowly one takes his leave." Having received Xiao Heng's permission, Fatty Li quickly backed away. In the end, he jogged off. Whatever happened next had nothing to do with him.

Upon entering the house, Xiao Heng found it somewhat dim. The shelves nearby were neatly lined with all kinds of parchment and Scrolls. An old man with white hair and beard sat at the counter, drawing a map. Wrinkles covered his face, and even his body was somewhat hunched.

Even so, Xiao Heng could still sense an unusual bearing from the old man.

Walking past the old man, Xiao Heng casually picked up a map from the shelf. The map was drawn with great detail, but Xiao Heng had no mind to examine it.

When the old man saw Xiao Heng enter, his expression did not change. His gaze paused briefly on Bear Two before shifting away, and he continued drawing the map. "Find whatever map you want yourself," he said flatly.

Setting the map down, Xiao Heng's gaze sharpened, though his face still carried a smile. "I never expected the Ice Emperor, Hai Bodong, to be selling maps here. What a surprise."

The hunched body instantly straightened. A terrifying aura erupted from the old man and spread outward.

Sensing the aura, Bear Two immediately stepped in front of Xiao Heng. Before they left, Bear One had instructed him to protect Xiao Heng well, and he would certainly do so. At this moment, Bear Two no longer had his earlier simple-minded honesty. In its place was the dominance and savagery belonging to a Fifth-tier Magical Beast.

The old man stood and looked at Xiao Heng and Bear Two as icy Dou Qi condensed around him, seemingly ready to erupt at any moment. At that instant, he seemed to reveal a trace of his former sharpness.

"A Fifth-tier Magical Beast. Kid, you know me?"

Xiao Heng chuckled. "Of course I know the Ice Emperor. Bear Two, step back."

Bear Two hesitantly glanced at Xiao Heng, then slowly retreated to his side. Still, he kept a wary eye on the old man ahead.

"Kid, which family do you belong to, and why have you come?"

"Rest assured, I have no designs on you. I merely wanted to see what sort of person the so-called Ice Emperor is." That was indeed the truth. Xiao Heng had come here simply to meet the Ice Emperor, Hai Bodong.

Hai Bodong seemed to believe him. He withdrew his aura and sat back down, suddenly seeming to become the harmless old man from before again. "Now you've seen me. You may leave," he said slowly.

Hai Bodong found Xiao Heng's sudden appearance irritating, but that Fifth-tier Magical Beast was more than he could resist in his current state. He could only allow Xiao Heng to act as he pleased. He mocked himself inwardly. If this had been back then, anyone who dared speak to me like this would have been thrown out long ago.

"Why be so cold, Ice Emperor? Your strength will recover sooner or later, and I do have something to discuss with you," Xiao Heng said with a smile when he saw Hai Bodong sit down.

"I do not know why you seek me, but I advise you not to harbor any improper thoughts. Otherwise, even with a Fifth-tier Magical Beast protecting you, you will pay a painful price." As a former Dou Emperor of immense strength, even if he was no longer Bear Two's match, he could still make Xiao Heng pay a price.

Xiao Heng heard the confidence in Hai Bodong's calm tone, but was that not exactly what he wanted? "I know the Ice Emperor is powerful. That is why I came today—to ask for your guidance. But rest assured, Bear Two will not interfere."

Though he said that, if Xiao Heng truly could not win and his life was in danger, Bear Two would still have to intervene when necessary.

Hearing Xiao Heng's words, Bear Two anxiously looked at him. How could he not be allowed to step in? This old man was very strong. "Xiao Heng, you..."

Xiao Heng raised a hand to interrupt Bear Two, then continued, "In exchange, I can agree to one condition of yours, provided it is not excessive."

"Kid, I admire your courage, but I have no interest in your condition. Please leave." At present, there was nothing he needed. The only thing he needed was to break the seal. Although he had already found a way to undo it, he had yet to find a suitable Alchemist. He did not believe the kid before him could refine a Sixth-grade Pill.

Xiao Heng frowned. When he came to find Hai Bodong, he truly had not expected Hai Bodong to refuse. He had a favorable impression of Hai Bodong and did not wish to become enemies with him. Otherwise, offending him would be no great matter; he did not care about being the villain. But he was unwilling to simply leave like this.

Leading Bear Two out of the shop, Xiao Heng stood outside and drew the Immortal Slaying Sword. Vermilion Dou Qi surged forth, covering Xiao Heng and forming a vermilion gauze-like garment.

Hai Bodong set down his brush and muttered, "I knew it wouldn't be that simple. Troublesome."

Icy Dou Qi instantly flooded the entire house. Massive Ice Spikes appeared beside him, then shot explosively toward the door.

Xiao Heng gripped his sword in his right hand and formed a seal with his left, shouting softly.

"Rashomon!"

A green shield instantly appeared before him, blocking the incoming Ice Spikes. The Ice Spikes then shattered, and freezing air rapidly spread through the surroundings, instantly enveloping Xiao Heng.

Xiao Heng raised his sword to the left, blocking the spear blade that struck at him. At the same time, an enormous force slammed into the blade. Almost instantly, Xiao Heng felt himself unable to withstand it.

"Purple Cloud Wings!"

Purple wings spread from Xiao Heng's back. Borrowing the force of that spear thrust, Xiao Heng escaped the freezing mist and stood upright in midair.

Dou Qi Wings? No, not Dou Qi Wings—it was a Flying Dou Technique. Just which family did this kid belong to, to possess even a Flying Dou Technique? No, he should not be from any of those families. Could he be from somewhere on the continent...? Still, being able to block two of my moves is quite impressive. Even though his Dou Qi had been sealed, his experience as a Dou Emperor and his control over Dou Qi remained. Thus, even as a Dou Ling now, he would still dare to contend with a Dou Wang.

"Kid, I'm somewhat curious about you now, but only somewhat. Retreat now, and I can pretend none of this ever happened."

Bear Two watched from the side, growing somewhat anxious. But Xiao Heng had told him not to act, so he did not dare move recklessly. Bear One had told him before they left to listen to Xiao Heng. How could Xiao Heng possibly be a match for that old man? Forget it. I'll still step in later. At worst, I'll get scolded, but I can't let anything happen to Xiao Heng.

Xiao Heng's slightly trembling right hand tightly gripped his sword. What could he say? He truly was worthy of being a former Dou Emperor. Even with his strength sealed, he was still so powerful. A casual spear thrust alone had nearly made Xiao Heng unable to hold his sword. Was this Hai Bodong's strength? It truly made him excited.

"Ice Emperor, you truly are powerful. I underestimated you. Next, I'll go all out. Rest assured, after this battle, I will certainly keep my promise," he said excitedly.

Naturally, he could not compare to a Dou Ling in strength, much less a Dou Ling like Hai Bodong. So next...

"Use Dou Ling Experience Card!"

As Xiao Heng gave the command, a card in the System Space instantly shattered, turning into a warm current that flowed into Xiao Heng's body. However, because Xiao Heng himself had not reached the Dou Ling level, the energy could only be stored throughout his body, temporarily granting him immense power.

No wonder there was a time limit. Energy stored in such a manner would naturally dissipate quickly. But it was enough. Before this power vanished, it would be enough for him to determine victory or defeat with Hai Bodong.

"Ice Emperor, try this... Breath Sever!"

A red sword light instantly slashed forth. Hai Bodong's withered hands rapidly formed a seal.

"Ice Condensing Mirror!"

The instant his hand seal fell, a shield formed of ice appeared before Hai Bodong, blocking Xiao Heng's blade.

Though he had stopped the sword light, Hai Bodong was horrified by the power behind that strike. How was this possible? He had seen quite a few secret arts that could raise one's strength in a short time, but he had never seen one that could increase it so drastically in an instant.

Frowning, he said, "Kid, you're quite mysterious, but you shouldn't have come to challenge me. I'll say it one more time: leave now, and I won't hold anything that happened just now against you."

Red Dou Qi swirled around Xiao Heng. Then the Heavenly Flames appeared, covering his body and forming a vermilion suit of armor. Finally, they wrapped around his sword. Though he did not primarily fight with fire, the enhancement granted by the Heavenly Flames was undeniably real.

Xiao Heng laughed heartily. "Ice Emperor, you jest. Since I've come, there's no way I'm just leaving like this. Next, you'd better focus on receiving my attacks!"

As soon as the words fell, Xiao Heng circulated his Dou Qi.

Explosive Step!

The collision between his Dou Qi and the ground gave him tremendous thrust. Holding his sword before him, he stabbed straight at Hai Bodong.

Hai Bodong changed his hand seal, and a long spear condensed from icy frost appeared in his hand. Once one broke through to the Dou Ling realm, Dou Qi could be condensed into tangible weapons. Compared to forged weapons, they were no less sharp or sturdy. Moreover, since they were formed from one's own Dou Qi, they suited their user better and allowed for greater adaptability in battle.

Blocking the blade, Hai Bodong slid downward, then swept the spear shaft across.

Using Explosive Step to evade the attack, Xiao Heng did not yield in the slightest, his sword clashing with Hai Bodong's Ice Spear again and again.

The spear shaft pressed against the sword blade. Hai Bodong glanced at the Ice Spear, which was nearly being sliced apart, then flicked Xiao Heng's sword aside with a backhand motion and abruptly retreated.

"A sharp sword—and... the aura of Heavenly Flames. It seems we need to have a proper talk."

Smiling, Xiao Heng held his sword and said, "Perhaps. But we'll have to finish this fight first!"