Hai Bodong

Tagor Desert.

The sun, with only a corner left above the horizon, cast its final rays of afterglow. A flash of golden light suddenly streaked across the sky above the desert.

The golden streak shot across the heavens like a falling star chasing the moon, flying toward the earthen-yellow city standing amid the desert.

The fierce wind howled past his ears. Xiao Kun thought that it was fortunate his speed was several times that of an ordinary Dou Emperor.

Otherwise, he would not have reached the Tagor Desert before nightfall.

When he was still several hundred meters from the city, Xiao Kun gradually slowed down and casually landed in an empty, deserted area.

Looking up at the massive yellow city at the edge of his vision, he smiled faintly and let out a sigh of relief.

Perhaps because it bordered the desert, the weather here was exceptionally dry and hot. Even though the sun was about to set, the ground beneath his feet still retained the scorching heat of the daytime sun.

Ordinarily, no one should have found such a harsh environment pleasant.

Yet Xiao Kun discovered with some surprise that ever since he had stepped onto this land, the Heavenly Flame Dou Qi flowing through his body had become much more lively.

Only after sensing carefully did he realize that nearly eighty percent of the energy in the air of this land belonged to the Earth and Fire Attributes.

It seems this place is rather suitable for someone like me who cultivates Fire Attribute Dou Qi.

After a moment of reflection, Xiao Kun started walking slowly toward the nearby city.

As he drew closer to the city, the number of pedestrians around him gradually increased.

After observing them, Xiao Kun found that most of the men here went bare-chested, with rather dark skin and an uninhibited air about them.

The women also had slightly darker skin, though theirs was a sexy bronze hue. Unlike the shy, delicate women within the empire, they were far more daring.

Their tight leather outfits covered only their chests and a little below, exposing their slim, toned waists.

Their long, taut legs were covered only by short skirts or shorts. As they walked, they possessed a uniquely alluring charm and grace.

Along the way, Xiao Kun certainly enjoyed the sight.

Raising his head to look at the yellow city, whose full scale was now visible, he saw two huge pale-red characters above the city gate: "Desert City."

The Ice Emperor Hai Bodong from the original story lived in seclusion in this city. Xiao Kun suddenly remembered.

He then paid the entry fee as usual and entered the city.

As he slowly emerged from the somewhat dim passage through the city wall, his vision brightened slightly, revealing a distinctive cluster of desert buildings before Xiao Kun's eyes.

Standing on the street, Xiao Kun decided to find an inn and rest for the night first. Tomorrow, he would go to Hai Bodong for a map of the Tagor Desert.

Early the next morning, bright sunlight shone into the inn room.

On the bed, Xiao Kun, who had not slept for many days, opened his bright eyes.

His restored vitality made Xiao Kun sigh. Sleeping once in a while really was quite effective.

He jumped out of bed, stretched lazily, washed up quickly, and headed out.

He casually stopped a passerby and asked about shops that sold desert maps.

After obtaining the location, Xiao Kun walked at an unhurried pace for a while before the map shop named "Gu Tu" came into view.

His gaze swept over the outside of the shop. Unlike other stores, it was neither luxurious nor ostentatious, instead faintly exuding an ancient simplicity.

It seems that even in seclusion, Hai Bodong still carries the bearing of an expert. Even his shop is different from the rest.

Xiao Kun thought silently.

Walking into the shop, he found that the interior was not particularly spacious. The faint glow of two Moonlight Stones illuminated the shop brightly.

His gaze swept across the store, and he found it cold and deserted.

As he walked farther in, Xiao Kun's eyes settled on an old man behind the counter, who had his head lowered as he carefully drew a map.

This old man was clearly quite advanced in years. Though his hair was entirely white, the withered hand gripping the black drawing pen remained steady and strong.

This elder should be the Ice Emperor, Hai Bodong.

Speaking of Hai Bodong, he had been a loyal and trustworthy man in the original story.

Without him, the Xiao Family from the original story might have been completely wiped out by the Soul Hall and Misty Cloud Sect, aside from Xiao Yan and a few people studying at Jia Nan Academy.

Because of this, he was also said to be someone who had read the script. Recalling all this, Xiao Kun developed the thought of recruiting and befriending Hai Bodong.

Seeing Hai Bodong drawing a map, Xiao Kun did not disturb him. Instead, he slowly paced over to an ancient wooden shelf and began searching through it for the fragment of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame map.

This wooden shelf was clearly very old and somewhat dilapidated. It held only yellowed, damaged maps.

His hand casually rifled through the yellowed maps. Before long, Xiao Kun picked up a stack of failed drafts and shook it. A palm-sized map fragment fell out.

Xiao Kun picked it up and examined it carefully. He found that the markings on the fragment were indeed similar to those on the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame map fragment he had obtained from the Predecessor's Cave Dwelling in the eastern part of the Magic Beast Mountain Range.

Joy rose in his heart, and Xiao Kun gripped it tightly in his hand. Just as he was about to ask Hai Bodong about the other fragment—

Hai Bodong finally finished his work. However, he still did not raise his head, and his aged voice echoed calmly through the room.

"You wish to buy a map of the Tagor Desert?"

Hearing Hai Bodong's question, Xiao Kun slowly walked to the counter and smiled. "Elder Hai, could you give me the most accurate and detailed map of the desert?"

At those words, Hai Bodong's heart jolted. He lifted his head in slight surprise and stared at the youth before him, whom he had never seen before.

At that moment, his heart was in turmoil. He had lived in seclusion here for decades, yet today was the first time someone had recognized him after his appearance had changed so drastically.

Although he was filled with uncertainty, seeing the youth's young face gradually calmed Hai Bodong.

Even if someone had recognized him, he did not believe this youth could do anything to him.

"Who are you? How did you recognize me?" Hai Bodong asked in an interrogative tone after recovering himself.

Watching Hai Bodong's expression shift from shock to calm so quickly, Xiao Kun could not help admiring the mental fortitude of such experts. He then answered with slight solemnity, "Xiao Family, Xiao Kun."

"However, you probably do not know me. After all, you have lived in seclusion for decades." After formally introducing himself, Xiao Kun spoke calmly again.

"As for how I recognized you—" The moment his voice fell, Xiao Kun's immense Soul Power, nearing the Spirit Realm, directly pressed down upon Hai Bodong, trapping him in place and rendering him unable to move.

At that moment, Hai Bodong had been listening intently for Xiao Kun's explanation when he suddenly sensed an immense Soul Power surrounding him, one that filled the depths of his soul with fear.

After overcoming his soul's terror, he had just been about to act when he discovered that he could not move at all. His pupils contracted slightly, and a trace of horror appeared on his usually composed face.

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