Hai Bodong: Now That's More Like It

Hai Bodong groaned inwardly. He turned around, forcing a smile even uglier than crying onto his face. "Lord Shen Wen, you... what other instructions do you have?

"I'm just a useless old man. I truly don't dare involve myself in your great affairs!"

Shen Wen looked at him and said calmly, "Instructions are out of the question.

"I merely want to ask you something, Hai Bodong. Do you want to go further?"

"Go further?"

Hai Bodong abruptly raised his head.

Back then, he had at least been one of the Jia Ma Empire's ten greatest experts, full of vigor and ambition.

A Five-Star Dou Emperor.

If Medusa had not sealed him away for so many years, he would have long since reached the Dou Huang Peak.

But after wasting all that time, even though he had now recovered his former cultivation...

Another problem had arisen.

He had already passed the stage when cultivation progressed the fastest.

Leaving aside a Breakthrough Dou Ancestor, even recovering his Five-Star Dou Emperor strength would require a certain stroke of fortune.

Shen Wen's words were undoubtedly a massive boulder dropped into the still lake of his heart, which had been quiet for years.

He looked at Shen Wen, then glanced at Medusa beside him. The hesitation and fear in his heart...

Were instantly greatly diluted by the enormous temptation of breaking through his realm.

He swallowed, then asked in a dry voice, "Lord... Lord Shen Wen, what do you mean?"

Shen Wen smiled but did not answer directly. "Stay for now. Perhaps there will be something I need your help with.

"Of course, I won't make you work for nothing."

Hai Bodong stood where he was, torn by an intense inner struggle.

In the end, the bottleneck that had trapped him for decades, along with all the mystery and power Shen Wen had displayed, forced him to make his decision with difficulty.

He took a deep breath and bowed again.

This time, he lowered his stance even further. "I shall obey Lord Shen Wen's every command."

Hai Bodong groaned inwardly. He turned around, forcing a smile even uglier than crying onto his face. "Lord Shen Wen, you... what other instructions do you have?

"I'm just a useless old man. I truly don't dare involve myself in your great affairs..."

Shen Wen looked at him and said calmly, "Instructions are out of the question.

"I merely want to ask you something, Hai Bodong. Do you want to... go further?"

"Go further?"

Hai Bodong abruptly raised his head.

Back then, he had at least been one of the Jia Ma Empire's ten greatest experts, full of vigor and ambition.

A Five-Star Dou Emperor.

If Medusa had not sealed him away for so many years, he would have long since reached the Dou Huang Peak.

But after wasting all that time, even though he had now recovered his former cultivation...

Another problem had arisen.

He had already passed the stage when cultivation progressed the fastest.

Leaving aside a Breakthrough Dou Ancestor, even recovering his Five-Star Dou Emperor strength would require a certain stroke of fortune.

Shen Wen's words were undoubtedly a massive boulder dropped into the still lake of his heart, which had been quiet for years.

He looked at Shen Wen, then glanced at Medusa beside him. The hesitation and fear in his heart...

Were instantly greatly diluted by the enormous temptation of instantly raising his realm.

He swallowed, then asked in a dry voice, "Lord... Lord Shen Wen, what do you mean?"

Shen Wen smiled but did not answer directly. "Stay for now. Perhaps there will be something I need your help with.

"Of course, I won't make you work for nothing."

Hai Bodong stood where he was, torn by an intense inner struggle.

He took a deep breath and bowed again.

This time, he lowered his stance even further. "I shall obey Lord Shen Wen's every command."

Hai Bodong shut down the Ancient Map Map Shop he had operated for many years.

This place had originally been a base he established to seek someone who could break his seal.

Now that the seal had been lifted and he had gained the backing of Shen Wen, this towering tree, these maps were naturally no longer of use.

After packing the few belongings he carried with him, he followed Shen Wen's group back to the Snake People Holy City.

The Flying Boat had barely landed in the Holy City when a somewhat disheveled figure hurried over to greet them.

Kui Xing dropped to one knee and reported to Medusa in a grave tone, "Her Majesty the Queen!

"Recently, more and more petty scoundrels have been spying around the Holy City. This subordinate led people to capture and kill quite a few, but several slippery rats still escaped.

"I fear that... before long, a large force will come to test us."

Upon hearing this, Medusa's willow eyebrows furrowed slightly, and a cold glint flashed through her purple eyes.

She had only just stepped into the Dou Zong realm and needed a battle to establish her authority.

Before she could speak, Shen Wen beside her casually waved a hand.

"It's nothing. Let them come."

His tone was calm. "We can settle everything at once and save ourselves trouble later.

"On this Northwest Continent, there is currently no one who can make me wary. We'll see who comes first."

His words were not arrogance.

With three Ancestral Symbols and the Great Chaos Lightning Method, Azure Emperor Wood Emperor Technique, Great Desolation Scripture, and Azure Heaven Dragon Transformation Art all cultivated together, he possessed absolute confidence.

Even a Five-Star Dou Zong would find it difficult to contend with him when he erupted with his full strength. This was the perfect chance to thoroughly integrate his recent gains and form a combat system of his own.

Listening from the side, Hai Bodong secretly clicked his tongue. His estimation of Shen Wen rose countless levels higher.

This master not only had unfathomable backing, but his strength was absurdly powerful as well. Perhaps his choice this time had truly turned misfortune into a blessing.

Cao Ying walked to Shen Wen's side and naturally looped her arm through his. Her bewitching eyes glanced at Kui Xing.

With a soft snort, she said, "Did you hear that? With Husband here, the sky won't fall.

"Have your people strengthen their vigilance. We only need to wait for the fish to take the bait."

Her words carried undisguised trust and pride, as though Shen Wen himself was the source of her confidence.

Medusa watched Cao Ying's intimate posture with Shen Wen, her gaze shifting slightly. Then she coldly told Kui Xing, "Do as Master commands. Pass down the order: the Holy City is to enter a state of alert. Any invaders will be killed without mercy!"

"Yes, Her Majesty the Queen! Master!"

Kui Xing hurriedly acknowledged the order. He secretly glanced at Shen Wen and, seeing no reaction from him, finally let out a breath of relief before quickly retreating to make arrangements.

After Kui Xing left, Medusa turned to Shen Wen. Her tone held less coldness than before and more of an inquiring note. "Master, what should we do next?"

After a brief thought, Shen Wen said, "No rush.

"Soldiers will be met with generals, water with earth. Take this time to familiarize yourself with your strength.

"You can serve as my sparring partner. I also need to sort through what I have learned. Ying'er, you have just obtained a Heavenly Flame and need to stabilize it as well.

"Dan Chen, your alchemy can also be improved. As for Hai Bodong..."

His gaze shifted to the uneasy-looking Hai Bodong. "Your cultivation has only just recovered. I'll first refine a batch of Spirit Recovery Purple Pills, then we can discuss restoring your cultivation."

Upon hearing this, Hai Bodong's old face immediately flushed red with excitement. He bowed deeply. "Thank you for nurturing me, my lord! Hai Bodong will swear loyalty unto death!"

He had not expected Shen Wen to be not only powerful, but also so generous to his subordinates. The resentment he had felt at being forced into submission...

Had now mostly dissipated.

Being an Alchemist's subordinate really was wonderful.

No wonder even Dou Emperors would cast aside their pride and practically beg to become an Alchemist's dog.

Seeing this, Cao Ying's lips curled upward. She leaned close to Shen Wen's ear and teased him in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Husband's methods of winning people over are becoming more and more skillful."