Teng Shan's Wild Joy, Old Yao Emerges from Seclusion

Heaven have mercy!

How many years had it been? How many years had Hai Bodong been missing?

Without a Dou Emperor to hold the fort, the Mite'er Family's businesses had plummeted. If Teng Shan had not broken through to become a Dou Wang at that critical moment, the losses would certainly have extended beyond their holdings outside the Jia Ma Empire.

As the leader of the Mite'er Family, Teng Shan had longed day and night for Hai Bodong, that Stabilizing Pillar, to return!

How could he not be excited when he suddenly heard this information from Xiao Yan?

"Hehe, Brother Teng Shan, don't get too worked up. Let Yan'er explain."

Everyone noticed Teng Shan's reaction. Xiao Zhan and the Four Elders of the Xiao Family exchanged glances, smiles appearing on their faces.

If Hai Bodong truly returned, then judging from Teng Shan's loss of composure, he would undoubtedly owe them a tremendous favor.

The Misty Cloud Sect had Dou Emperor Yun Yun?

The Xiao Family would soon have an ally: Ice Emperor Hai Bodong!

"To be precise, Elder Hai is in Mo City within the Tagor Desert, where he runs a Map Shop. However, his current situation is not good."

"Back then, during his battle with Queen Medusa, he was struck by the Snake People Tribe's secret art, the Snake Seal Technique. Most of his strength was sealed away, and he can now only wield the power of a Dou Ling."

Seeing Teng Shan's expression of shock, anticipation, and wild joy, Xiao Yan rubbed his nose. Without beating around the bush, he spoke directly.

An Angel Investor—Ice Emperor Hai Bodong.

At five stars, he fought peak experts; at two stars, he stomped Dou Zongs.

One trip through the desert left him refreshed and invigorated. Once the Ice Dragon appeared, Five Dragons followed. He grew stronger against the strong and froze up against snakes. He had never won a fight, yet never lost when it came to showing off!

He fought Dou Emperors of the Misty Cloud Sect that others dared not fight!

He challenged Yun Shan, whom others dared not challenge!

He delivered Queen Medusa, whom others avoided like the plague!

What was Hai Bodong? That was what he was!

A Dou Emperor who cultivated ice-attributed Dou Qi and bore the title Ice, yet was even more battle-hungry than fire-attributed cultivators!

Given Xiao Yan's grasp of the future, if he had not emerged from seclusion in time during that final battle, even Hun Tiandi would have taken a Mysterious Ice Dragon Soars from that hardheaded fellow...

He was evenly matched with everyone. After all, either you died or he died—there was no third outcome.

"So that's how it is. Thank you for the guidance, Nephew. This Old Man will depart for Mo City at once and bring Elder Hai back as soon as possible."

Teng Shan suddenly understood.

No wonder Elder Hai had never returned.

With only the strength of a Dou Ling remaining, if word got out, even if his old enemies did not come looking for trouble, that old bastard Jia Xing Tian would never allow another Dou Emperor to appear beneath the Imperial Capital royal family's nose!

But Elder Hai had been sealed by Queen Medusa's technique. What should they do?

Queen Medusa was a Peak Dou Huang expert!

Looking across the present Jia Ma Empire, even Jia Xing Tian, also a Peak Dou Huang, was no match for her.

Even Hai Bodong, with the strength of a Five-Star Dou Huang, had been helpless. Teng Shan did not think a mere Dou Wang like himself would have any solution.

"It was nothing more than a small favor. Oh, you can bring Elder Hai directly to the Xiao Family. When the time comes, I'll ask my Teacher to lift his seal."

Xiao Yan waved his hand and continued.

Hai Bodong was covered in treasures, repaid kindness, and truly showed up when needed. He had even dared to stand in Yun Shan's way when Yun Shan was advancing to Dou Zong. His character was absolutely reliable, making him worth saving.

More importantly, he possessed a map to the Green Lotus Core Flame, as well as the Fragmentary Map of Pure Lotus Demonic Flame left behind by the Pure Lotus Demon Saint. Those were all treasures!

"This Old Man will thank you on Elder Hai's behalf. From now on, the Mite'er Family and the Xiao Family shall advance and retreat together!"

Teng Shan was overjoyed, his face full of gratitude.

At the same time, he made a decision in his heart. Once he returned to the Imperial Capital, he would buy back from the royal family the estate manor where the Xiao Family had once resided and give it to the Xiao Family as a token of thanks!

"Mutual cooperation benefits both sides. There is no need for such courtesy."

Xiao Yan nodded and watched Teng Shan leave before turning around to meet five pairs of bright, intent eyes.

"Yan'er, can your Teacher truly lift Hai Bodong's seal? If he cannot, then Elder Hai will be a hot potato!"

After hesitating for a while, Xiao Zhan could not help voicing his concern.

Naturally, it would be best if the seal could be lifted.

But if it could not, and Hai Bodong—who had concealed his identity and retained only Dou Ling strength—was exposed, then both the Jia Ma Imperial Family and the Misty Cloud Sect would take action.

He possessed a Dou Emperor's Cultivation Techniques, Dou Skills, and even the savings of most of his life, yet lacked the corresponding strength. That was an attraction of profit;

In recent years, the Jia Ma Empire had seen no external wars with its neighbors. The overall environment was stable, and the available benefits had already been divided between the two behemoths, the Jia Ma Imperial Family and the Misty Cloud Sect. The Alchemist Guild could also be considered half a beneficiary.

Under such circumstances, no one wished to see Hai Bodong and the Mite'er Family gain the opportunity to rise again!

Once Hai Bodong regained his Dou Emperor strength, those two-and-a-half factions would undoubtedly have to spit out part of the benefits they had already swallowed.

That was a potential threat!

Who would be willing to accept that?

At this moment, Xiao Zhan cast aside all emotion and made a rational judgment entirely from the standpoint of interests.

"Young Clan Leader, if we are not certain, we can keep a low profile for another three to five years. This Old Man is confident that I can break through to the Creation Realm within three to five years!"

"By then, these old bones of mine will be able to protect the Young Clan Leader's path!"

Xiao Han was cold on the outside but warm within. Like the elders present, he regarded Xiao Yan as the hope for the Xiao Family's revival and naturally did not wish for him to take risks.

The Xiao Family had already fallen on hard times for so many years. Could they not endure another three to five years of lying low?

Even reaching the Creation Realm in three to five years was modest. As long as the resources of the Profound Sky Continent could keep up, Xiao Han was even somewhat confident that, if he forcefully rushed his cultivation without regard for the future, he could condense a Nirvana Golden Body!

Then, with strength comparable to a Dou Zong, he could sweep all before him. Within the Jia Ma Empire, who would dare utter a single word of objection?

Although the other three elders said nothing, they too were watching Xiao Yan.

"Don't Worry. I never do anything without confidence."

Xiao Yan shook his head helplessly.

Three to five years?

My Second Brother, Lin Dong, is fourteen now. According to the original trajectory, he was at the Body Tempering Realm and would reach the Three-Yuan Nirvana Realm at twenty, joining the Dao Sect.

Now, he is growing even faster than in the original trajectory. When I see him next month, he will already be at the Heavenly Origin Realm. Three to five years from now, he will at least be in the Nirvana Realm!

Lying low? Avoiding their edge?

Whose edge am I supposed to avoid?!

"Teacher is still in seclusion. Once he emerges, the Xiao Family will possess Dou Zong-level combat power. Within the Jia Ma Empire, we will be unhindered except for the Misty Cloud Sect."

"With the power of a Dou Zong, Teacher can lift Queen Medusa's seal as easily as turning his hand."

The older one was, the more timid one became. After thinking it over, Xiao Yan decided to reveal a small part of his trump card and reassure his elders.

"Hiss—"

As his words fell, the sound of sharp intakes of breath rose in unison throughout the hall.

"A Dou Ancestor Expert? Terrifying indeed!"

"Hehe, there isn't a Dou Zong in the Jia Ma Empire yet, right? Our Xiao Family is invincible!"

"Young Clan Leader, should we start preparing to return to the Imperial Capital? When we were forced to withdraw back then, this Old Man was miserable—utterly stifled!"

The Three Great Elders chimed in one after another, all standing tall and proud.

In contrast, Xiao Han and Xiao Zhan frowned deeply.

They had a Dou Ancestor Expert, yet they still had to fear the Misty Cloud Sect. Could it be that Yun Shan of the Misty Cloud Sect had already broken through?

No, even if he had, a newly advanced Dou Zong should not be enough to make Yan'er, who had another Dou Ancestor Expert backing him, so wary, right?

"The matter of returning to the Imperial Capital must still be considered carefully."

"Fourth Uncle-Grandfather, Third Elder, strengthen the Shadow Guards. Pay particular attention to developments at the Misty Cloud Sect Back Mountain. When necessary, use Yang Yuan Pills and Pure Yuan Pills to win over and corrupt the Misty Cloud Sect's disciples!"

As he said this, Xiao Yan's expression could not help turning solemn.

Wu Protector was nothing, but if the Xiao Family caught the attention of the Soul Hall behind Wu Protector too early, then things would become troublesome.

The Misty Cloud Sect lay just over ten miles outside the Imperial Capital. If they moved the Xiao Family back now, would they not be delivering themselves right to its doorstep?

Time passed unnoticed in the mountains, and cultivation knew no years.

In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.

During those half a months, aside from swallowing handful after handful of Yang Yuan Pills every day, Xiao Yan went shopping with Xun'er to relax. Occasionally, he also reviewed the intelligence reports the Shadow Guards sent back from various places.

Over those half a months, his strength rose from the original Five-Star Dou Zhe to Seven-Star Dou Zhe.

"Buzz!"

That day, Xiao Yan returned to the Cave at the back mountain. Just as he was about to sit cross-legged and cultivate, an immense and powerful aura suddenly burst forth from the Ancient Ring.

"Roar!" "Awoo!"

The pressure generated by that immense aura immediately caused terrified beast roars to rise one after another from the Monster Beast Mountain Range opposite the back mountain.

This was because that pressure was even slightly stronger than that of an Early Seventh Tier Magical Beast. In the outer region of the Monster Beast Mountain Range, it was simply an overwhelming difference in level.

"Shriek!"

Several flying Magical Beasts circling high in the sky also cried out and swiftly fled this place that terrified them so greatly.

"Peak Seven-Star Dou Zhe. Hehe, Little Yanzi, not bad. It seems you haven't neglected your cultivation during this time. Your Teacher is very pleased."

The pressure was released and withdrawn in an instant. Old Yao's gentle voice then Sounded within the Cave, followed by the sight of a far more solid phantom flying out from the Ancient Ring.