Ice Emperor Hai Bodong!

Over these three months, Ao Qing had also gained something. His strength had remained at the peak of the One-Star Dou Saint stage for some time. All he lacked now was an opportunity to transform and become a Two-Star Dou Saint!

Speaking of changes, the Misty Cloud Sect had changed the most during this period. First, Yun Shan had broken through to the Dou Zong realm and become a Dou Zong powerhouse. Even Yun Yun had become a Dou Emperor. The Misty Cloud Sect's overall strength had greatly improved.

Over these three months, the Misty Cloud Sect's Grand Elder, Yun Leng, had led the sect's elite disciples through the desert, constantly searching for news of Heavenly Flames.

"Grand Elder, we've been searching for nearly three months, but there hasn't been even the slightest news or trace of any Heavenly Flames! How much longer are we supposed to keep looking?

"Why don't we just..."

Listening to the sect disciples' complaints, Yun Leng was helpless as well. Who knew what Sect Leader Yun Yun was up to, sending him to lead disciples into this vast desert in search of some Heavenly Flames? The desert was boundless; what could people like them possibly accomplish here?

Moreover, he did not believe that such Heaven and Earth Spiritual Objects could be born in a harsh desert like this. But as the saying went, one had to bow their head under another's roof. He still did not dare disobey Yun Yun's orders. He could only grit his teeth and lead the disciples into this desert to search for Heavenly Flames.

Still, they were now searching for a needle in the sea. It was truly too difficult to find anything.

Just as everyone was preparing to give up, they arrived at Ice Emperor Hai Bodong's small shop.

Speaking of Hai Bodong, he too was a man of bitter fate, with a unique story of his own...

Die was a gentle, kind, and innocent snake-person. Having forgotten her true identity, she was deeply grateful after Hai Bodong saved her, even willingly recognizing him as her master. Although Hai Bodong had repeatedly stressed that he hated being touched by others, Die was always challenging his limits, crossing the line time and again. Yet because she was in danger, he had no choice but to give in repeatedly.

After Hai Bodong brought Die to the tavern, he discovered that his employer had been killed. In the memories, it was not difficult to see that Queen Medusa herself had killed the employer, and some of her actions had actually been meant to secretly protect her twin sister. Since Die was not important to him either, he told her that she was free.

But with Die suffering from amnesia and possessing such a beautiful appearance, being alone in the desert was no different from stepping into countless dangers. Hai Bodong was also her savior. Pure-hearted as she was, she only hoped that Hai Bodong would take her with him rather than abandon her.

Queen Medusa's arrival at that moment was like a bolt from the blue for the two of them. To evade the search, they were forced to squeeze into a narrow underground compartment.

Through a crack, Die saw the snake-person soldiers, and fragmented memories suddenly surfaced in her mind: a faceless figure, a snake-person holding a dagger...

Watching Die act strangely, Hai Bodong was originally surprised that Queen Medusa would leave the royal palace for the person before him.

At that moment, Die's uncontrollable tears fell onto Hai Bodong's face, causing him to sink into thought once more. By then, Hai Bodong had already begun to pity Die, though he had not yet realized that he had fallen for her.

After fleeing the tavern, the two encountered a mysterious masked Dou Emperor snake-person. During the battle, the Ice Emperor was unfortunately poisoned, though he still managed to escape the pursuit.

Through his time with Die, Hai Bodong discovered that she was like a blank sheet of paper, gradually changing his way of thinking with her own worldview.

Die also asked Hai Bodong whether humans and snake-people, two different races, could fall in love. In truth, Die had already fallen for Hai Bodong, which was why she spoke of whether two people in love could overcome the barriers of race.

When Die sucked the poison from him to treat his wounds, Hai Bodong's feelings deepened even further. While they were being pursued, he told Die to split up and flee separately. In truth, he wanted to draw Queen Medusa's pursuit away himself so that Die could escape. Because he was injured, his strength had greatly declined. Coupled with the enemy's numbers, the two of them could not possibly escape smoothly.

But in the end, Hai Bodong could not withstand the pursuing Snake-People Race. Seeing Die being forced by Queen Medusa, he had no choice but to pretend to flee, charging up his skill before rushing back. Seeing Hai Bodong fight with all his strength for her, along with the constant stimulation, Die regained her memories.

Not wishing for Hai Bodong to die for her, she rushed between Queen Medusa and Hai Bodong. Seeing Die rush out, both Queen Medusa and Hai Bodong panicked. They both feared that their skills would hurt Die. Hai Bodong diverted his skill, but Queen Medusa could not stop in time, and her attack flew straight at Die.

Hai Bodong rushed forward and shielded Die with his body. Though he protected her, he was still struck by the arrow. After being hit by Queen Medusa's skill, Hai Bodong's Dou Qi was sealed, and his body began to age.

Looking at the dying Die, Hai Bodong understood that he had long since fallen for this spirited and mischievous girl. When Die asked him, he told her that his name was Hai Bodong.

It was after that that Hai Bodong opened a small shop in the desert, perhaps to commemorate his encounter with Die. With his Dou Qi sealed, it was not suitable for him to return to the Jia Ma Empire. No matter how well he hid, some of his enemies would discover that his Dou Qi had been sealed and that his strength was no longer what it once was. Thus came the rumors that he had vanished after entering the desert...

His hair had turned white overnight for love, yet they could not remain together for a lifetime. Hai Bodong's stay in the desert was likely for the sake of that love.

At this moment, after Yun Leng and the others entered the shop, they ordered some food and fresh water. The moment they stepped inside, Hai Bodong had already recognized them. The Misty Cloud Sect's Grand Elder was simply too easy to identify.

However, Yun Leng could not see anything unusual. After all, Hai Bodong's appearance and strength were both different from before. Although Hai Bodong still possessed the strength of a Dou Ling, Yun Leng, as a Dou Wang, would not fear the man before him.

Still, he did not make a scene. Instead, he carried the food over to Yun Leng's table.

"Esteemed guests, these are this shop's specialty dishes. Please enjoy them at your leisure."

Yun Leng and the others did not stand on ceremony, wolfing down the food.

During that time, Hai Bodong also heard that the Misty Cloud Sect's Grand Elder and his group were searching for Heavenly Flames.

Hearing this, Hai Bodong could no longer sit still. Though he still loved Die after all these years in the desert, his family needed him too. He needed to return.

Looking at the people before him, Hai Bodong decided to take a gamble!

"Are you all searching for Heavenly Flames?"

Hai Bodong spoke first. Though Yun Leng and the others found it somewhat strange, they did not pay it much mind.

Yun Leng said indifferently, "This old man has indeed come to this desert under orders from the Misty Cloud Sect's Sect Leader to search for Heavenly Flames. But the desert is so vast that finding Heavenly Flames would be no different from ascending to heaven."

Hearing Yun Leng's sigh, Hai Bodong smiled confidently.

"Elder Yun Leng, I happen to know some information regarding Heavenly Flames. However, I need the Misty Cloud Sect to do this old man a favor."

Yun Leng frowned and stared intently at Hai Bodong. "Who are you? How do you know that I am the Misty Cloud Sect's Grand Elder?"

"I am the Ice Emperor, Hai Bodong!"

The moment those words were spoken, Yun Leng and the others froze, though they quickly recovered.

"Nonsense! Ice Emperor Hai Bodong vanished long ago, and you possess only the strength of a Dou Ling. How dare you impersonate Ice Emperor Hai Bodong!"

Hai Bodong did not get angry. Instead, he slowly told Yun Leng and the others his story. After hearing Hai Bodong's account, Yun Leng came to his own conclusion. The man before him was most likely the Ice Emperor Hai Bodong without a doubt!

"May I ask what the Ice Emperor wishes to exchange for the information about the Heavenly Flames?"

Yun Leng asked, somewhat tempted. As for using strength to threaten Hai Bodong into revealing the information, anyone who had cultivated to such a level would likely rather die than reveal a single word. Besides, they bore no grudge against one another, and Yun Leng even felt some sympathy for Hai Bodong.

"What I want is simple. A sixth-tier Po E Dan will suffice! I wonder if Elder Yun Leng can agree to this request?"

Yun Leng considered for a moment.

"I will need to report this matter to the Sect Leader first. After all, I cannot make such a decision myself."

"Of course!"

Hai Bodong was not in a hurry. As Yun Leng had said, he had no authority to decide such a matter. Besides, Ao Qing was the one calling the shots in the Misty Cloud Sect now.

Very quickly, Yun Leng's message reached Yun Yun at the Misty Cloud Sect. Yun Yun did not hesitate and agreed to Hai Bodong's request.

She also instructed them to locate the exact position of the Heavenly Flames together and wait for Ao Qing's arrival!