Wine Catalyst for Brewing Fine Wine

Hai Bo Dong's pupils suddenly contracted, and he cried out, "Who exactly are you?"

"Impossible. When did the Jia Ma Empire produce such a young Dou Emperor? Judging by your aura, you seem to have already reached the peak of the Seven-Star Dou Huang realm..."

Hai Bo Dong tightened his grip on his weapon and stared at Lin Che with icy eyes. He knew just as well that, in his current state, he was probably no match for the man before him.

"Still want to fight?"

Lin Che casually sat down in a chair and crossed one leg over the other. Before Hai Bo Dong, he gently swirled the wine gourd and gave a sheepish smile. "I have naturally heard of the Ice Emperor's great name. I bear no ill intent, so I hope the Ice Emperor will not view me with such hostility."

As the Ice Emperor, Hai Bo Dong was exceptionally skilled in ice-element Dou Qi. In a fit of rage, he had once frozen an entire city. Among the ten greatest experts of his era, he had been one of the few Dou Emperor experts. Even Jia Xing Tian, the current guardian of the Jia Ma Empire, had to give him some measure of respect.

But now, Jia Xing Tian would probably look down on his old companion as well.

Hai Bo Dong withdrew the Dou Qi energy he had released and asked warily, "Since you know me, why have I never heard your name?"

"This old gentleman has lived in seclusion here for twenty years, while I am only eighteen. Of course you would not know me." Lin Che smiled.

Hai Bo Dong looked at Lin Che in astonishment. At eighteen, he had already broken through to the peak of the Seven-Star Dou Huang realm. Even his younger self could not compare to such talent.

He truly wondered which old monster had raised such a gifted disciple. It was enough to make anyone envious.

Hai Bo Dong sat in his chair, not daring to rashly attack Lin Che of the Ascension Pavilion. As a Dou Emperor expert, he knew perfectly well that if the other man wanted to kill him, all it would take was a single finger.

What was more, he was now merely a small-time Dou Ling. He stood even less chance against this young man.

"How did you know that I divided the map into two parts?" Hai Bo Dong raised a brow. Even he himself sometimes could not make out the marks where the map fragment had been split.

That meant this little fellow seemed to know something—or perhaps his eye was simply exceptionally sharp.

Lin Che replied calmly, "Your Dou Qi remains on the map. If one examines it closely, one can find the traces of where it was divided, and thus uncover its secret."

Hai Bo Dong stroked his pale little beard, somewhat surprised. This little fellow was not only powerful, but his composure was equally formidable. No wonder he could become a peak expert.

"After participating in the inter-empire experts' tournament back then, I came to the Tagor Desert. By chance, I obtained that map fragment. Then, because of another mission... I offended the Medusa Queen of the Snake People Clan and was ultimately hunted down by her."

As he spoke, Hai Bo Dong clenched his fists. He shook his head with a trace of bitterness and stroked the pendant hanging around his neck, as though recalling something.

"In that battle, I lost to her without the slightest surprise. I was also struck by her Snake Seal Curse. Not only did my body rapidly age, but my strength was sealed at the Dou Ling level as well."

Lin Che glanced at the seal mark in Hai Bo Dong's palm and said softly, "I can help you break the Sealing Technique, but I need your map fragment."

Hai Bo Dong was a straightforward man. "If you can undo the Sealing Technique within me, I will not only give you the map fragment, but I, Hai Bo Dong, will also owe you a favor."

"You should know how much a favor from a Dou Emperor expert is worth."

For Dou Emperor experts like them, there were times when they still had to rely on other Dou Emperors to accomplish certain matters. Thus, Hai Bo Dong knew that the other party might very well need his help in the future.

Lin Che took a couple of mouthfuls of wine and smiled broadly. "Since I said so, I naturally have the means to cure your Sealing Technique. But it will take time. One ingredient is still missing from the wine I am brewing: a Wine Catalyst."

"What?"

Hai Bo Dong's expression froze as he looked at Lin Che in confusion.

He did not understand what Lin Che meant.

A Wine Catalyst?

Brewing wine?!

Lin Che said, "One of the wines I brew can break all Sealing Techniques, but it requires the energy of Heavenly Flames."

His trip to the Tagor Desert this time was for the Green Fire Lotus Seed. That item emerged alongside the Green Lotus Core Flame, and the power contained within it was extraordinarily terrifying. It was highly suitable for brewing fine wine.

Not only could this fine wine greatly increase the drinker's strength, it could also use the Heavenly Flame energy within it to break all Sealing Techniques.

That was one of the reasons Lin Che had chosen the Green Fire Lotus Seed of the Green Lotus Core Flame to brew this fine wine.

"Wine can break Sealing Techniques?" Hai Bo Dong clicked his tongue. "I may be old, but I am no fool. There is not the slightest bit of credibility in what you just said."

"After all, I am a Dou Emperor expert. I have roamed the Northwest Continent for so many years, yet I have never heard of wine being able to break Sealing Techniques."

"Hehehe. You will know when the time comes. I cannot demonstrate it for you at present."

Lin Che was not in a hurry. The map fragment was in Hai Bo Dong's hands, and Hai Bo Dong could not possibly leave this place. Once Lin Che had dealt with his troubles, he could return and take the map fragment.

"Fine. If you can break the Medusa Queen's seal, I will give you the map fragment."

Hai Bo Dong was also a man who valued his word. He never went back on promises, much less fell out with Lin Che over such a matter.

As the angel investor in Battle Through the Heavens, Hai Bo Dong had a sharp eye for people. He could also sense that Lin Che was not trying to deceive him.

Perhaps he really could cure his body.

And allow him to return to the Dou Emperor realm.

Lin Che rose to his feet. "Then I shall leave first. Once it is done, I will come back. Just wait for me here."

Hai Bo Dong nodded. He had already stayed here for twenty years, so another ten days or half a month made little difference.

After walking outside, Lin Che waved his right hand. The sword at his waist seemed to come alive and steadily landed beneath his feet.

Then, before Hai Bo Dong's astonished gaze, he stepped onto the blade and vanished into the endless yellow sands.

"Riding a sword through the air... This kid truly has some skill."

Hai Bo Dong stood with one hand behind his back and stroked his aged little beard.

Just then, a fluttering butterfly beat its colorful wings and gently landed on Hai Bo Dong's shoulder, as though it carried some hidden meaning.

Looking at the butterfly, Hai Bo Dong was flooded with endless memories. Then he looked at the pendant on his chest and murmured wistfully, "I wonder if I will ever see you again in this life. Twenty years... Are you well in heaven?"