Battle Through the Heavens: Obtaining the Extraction System at the Start

Xiao Ling raised the complete Fragment Map and gave it a shake as he said to Hai Bodong, "If I'm not mistaken, this should be a Fragment Map related to a Heavenly Flame. When I first entered your Map Shop, the Heavenly Flame within my body reacted again. And judging by my own discernment, the former owner of this Heavenly Flame must have been quite powerful in life—at the very least, a Dou Venerate. This is the only Fragment Map I obtained from you. As for whether I can gather the rest in the future, that will depend on luck."

Seeing Hai Bodong's expression shift slightly, Xiao Ling continued, "Queen Medusa probably fought you over it because she also detected the aura of a Heavenly Flame on this Fragment Map. As far as I know, the Snake People Race has a Secret Art that requires a Heavenly Flame to perform. It can evolve the caster's bloodline and greatly improve their cultivation talent. Queen Medusa has been stuck at the Dou Emperor Peak for so long, while the surrounding Four Great Empires eye the Snake People Race like tigers eyeing prey. Naturally, she wanted to seize this Fragment Map, find the Heavenly Flame recorded on it, and complete her bloodline evolution. That way, she could break through to the Dou Ancestor Realm. You're a Dou Emperor who cultivates ice-attribute Dou Qi, so why were you looking for a map related to a Heavenly Flame? Don't tell me you planned to refine it. This Heavenly Flame Fragment Map is indeed immensely tempting to Fire Attribute cultivators and Alchemists. Trading it for an Imperial Pill would be more than easy. But this Fragment Map is useless to you. Guarding a map that did you no good while your cultivation was sealed for decades—you really had it rough."

Although Xiao Ling had not told Hai Bodong the entire truth, he had not deceived him either. The Fragment Map did indeed contain information about a Heavenly Flame, and the Nether Lotus Demon Sage's strength in life had surpassed that of a Dou Venerate, hadn't it?

If he told the truth, Hai Bodong would surely regret it to death. It was better to let him learn part of the truth and put down this obsession.

After hearing Xiao Ling's explanation, Hai Bodong finally understood why Queen Medusa had pursued him over this Fragment Map. She had wanted to find a Heavenly Flame, evolve her bloodline, and break through to the Dou Ancestor Realm.

With a long sigh, Hai Bodong shook his head and said somewhat despondently, "So this was actually a Heavenly Flame Fragment Map. Queen Medusa hunted me down simply because she wanted the Fragment Map, to find the Heavenly Flame and evolve her bloodline."

Xiao Ling smiled and patted Hai Bodong on the shoulder, consoling him with some amusement. "That's all in the past. You're already so old—don't tell me you can't let go of such a small matter. Once you take the Po E Dan, you'll recover your Dou Emperor cultivation. Then you'll be the famed Ice Emperor of the Jia Ma Empire. That's far more carefree than wasting your whole life in this tiny Desert City."

Hearing Xiao Ling's reassurance, Hai Bodong burst into laughter. He smiled at Xiao Ling and said, "Master Xiao Ling, you're right. Once I take the Po E Dan, I, Hai Bodong, will no longer be bound by anything!"

Remembering that he had not seen Zi Yan or Qing Lin for two days, Xiao Ling released a trace of his Soul Perception. When he found no sign of them around the Map Shop, he asked curiously, "Elder Hai, where did my two companions go?"

Hearing Xiao Ling's question, Hai Bodong said with amusement, "Those two girls are not the quiet sort. After you entered the Secret Chamber to refine pills, they left my Map Shop. They should be shopping in the city now. That little girl named Zi Yan even got into a fight with some of the city's residents yesterday. It seemed someone had intended to do something bad to them."

Xiao Ling could not help raising his brows in surprise. "I didn't expect anyone to dare provoke that little devil Zi Yan. Did they really think she was easy to bully just because she looked like a child? Still, it's good enough that I know where they are. As long as they don't go too far, no one in Desert City can harm the two of them."

After chatting a little longer, Hai Bodong led Xiao Ling toward his Cultivation Room.

Although the corridor was not large, its twisting, winding layout was unexpectedly intricate. Xiao Ling followed Hai Bodong through several turns, and the monotonous surroundings gave him a faint sense of mental fatigue. Fortunately, Xiao Ling possessed considerable composure, so he did not find it unbearable. He merely felt somewhat stifled.

The lighting in the corridor was dim. Only every dozen meters or so was there a lamp emitting a faint glow. In such a dark environment, the two remained silent. Only the soft sound of their footsteps echoed slowly through the long corridor, lingering without end and carrying a faintly hair-raising quality.

Though the corridor appeared straight, Xiao Ling could sense that they were gradually heading downhill. After nearly twenty minutes of this oppressive walk, Hai Bodong suddenly stopped, turned around, and smiled at Xiao Ling. "Master Xiao Ling, we're here."

Looking past Hai Bodong, Xiao Ling swept his gaze ahead. Under the faint lamplight, a thick iron door stood at the end of his vision. The door was deep black and heavy, radiating a solid, imposing feel.

At the sight of the iron door, Hai Bodong's pace noticeably quickened. A moment later, he reached the door and pulled a black iron lion-head ornament beside it. With a series of clicking sounds, the iron door slowly opened on its own, and a bright beam of light shone out from within.

"Master Xiao Ling, please come in." Hai Bodong gestured courteously, then entered first with a smile.

After standing at the entrance and examining the surroundings, Xiao Ling swept his gaze around the door before stepping into the underground chamber as well.

The moment he entered, the temperature around him dropped sharply. A faint chill wrapped around his body. Xiao Ling looked around and discovered in astonishment that this underground chamber was actually an Underground Ice Cave. White frost covered the ceiling and the thick walls around it, while sharp icicles hung upside down from above like gleaming swords.

A faint cold mist drifted throughout the underground chamber, lingering year-round without dispersing. It was impossible to know how much time and effort Hai Bodong had spent constructing such a rather spacious place.

"Hehe, the Dou Qi technique I cultivate leans toward coldness, so cultivating in a place like this is more effective. Besides, it's some distance from the surface. The ice and soil can conceal the aura here, preventing other strong cultivators from detecting it." As if understanding Xiao Ling's doubts, Hai Bodong explained with a smile.

"Mm." Xiao Ling nodded slightly and, without ceremony, sat on a chair in the center of the underground chamber. Looking up at Hai Bodong, he smiled. "Elder Hai, go ahead and take the Po E Dan. If anything goes wrong, I, the Alchemist who refined it, can take responsibility."

"Hehe, all right. But taking a pill carries risks as well. Master Xiao Ling, forgive me for inspecting it first." Hai Bodong nodded with a smile, took the Po E Dan from his Ring, and carefully examined it in his palm. His cautious manner left Xiao Ling, seated beside him, somewhat speechless.

After inspecting it for quite some time and finding nothing unusual, Hai Bodong finally let out a quiet sigh of relief. He had learned to be smarter now. He knew his earlier actions would surely have displeased Xiao Ling greatly, so he simply did not turn to look at Xiao Ling's displeased expression. With a light tap of his toes against the ground, he flashed onto a seat made entirely of solid ice, sat cross-legged, and stuffed the Po E Dan in his hand into his mouth. His throat moved slightly as he swallowed it.

Xiao Ling did not think Hai Bodong had done anything wrong. The two were neither friends nor family, and they had only known each other for a short time. As someone who had once been a Dou Emperor, Hai Bodong should possess at least that much vigilance.

Seated in his chair, Xiao Ling focused intently on the changes within Hai Bodong's body. He was rather interested in Queen Medusa's Seal as well.

Within the icy underground chamber, the atmosphere gradually fell silent as Hai Bodong entered his cultivation state. Xiao Ling sat in his chair, staring without blinking in Hai Bodong's direction as he used his Soul Perception to observe the situation within his body.

Just then, Xiao Ling detected two familiar auras entering Hai Bodong's Map Shop through his Soul Perception. Zi Yan and Qing Lin had clearly returned.

Xiao Ling did not conceal his own aura, so Zi Yan easily found his location. Unwilling to take the winding passageways, Zi Yan directly tore open a small Space Rift, grabbed Qing Lin's little hand, and quickly slipped inside.

Sensing the spatial fluctuations around him, Xiao Ling watched in surprise as Zi Yan and Qing Lin leaped out of a pitch-black Space Rift.

After using Soul Power to set up a sound-blocking barrier, Xiao Ling first greeted Qing Lin. Then he looked Zi Yan over as though she were some kind of monster and asked curiously, "How exactly did you do that? Spatial teleportation is something only ordinary Dou Venerates can accomplish."

Zi Yan stuck out her tongue at Xiao Ling and said smugly, "It's an ability I've only recently been able to use, and the distance can't be too far—just a short stretch. And if I don't get out quickly enough, space will forcibly expel me. Once my strength improves further, that feeling of rejection will gradually lessen. When I can completely master Space Shuttle, it won't matter even if I sleep inside a Space Rift."

Xiao Ling answered with a sigh, "Your spatial talent is truly terrifying." Yet inwardly, he muttered, As expected of the imperial bloodline of the Ancient Void Dragon. She really is space's favored child.

Hearing Xiao Ling praise Zi Yan, Qing Lin thought of Zi Yan's powerful strength and talent and could not help murmuring inwardly, Young Master and Sister Zi Yan are both so outstanding. Can I really remain by their side forever?

Seeing the faint disappointment in Qing Lin's eyes, Xiao Ling did not quite understand what was going on. However, after thinking for a moment, he more or less guessed what Qing Lin was feeling.

He stepped forward, rubbed Qing Lin's little head, and smiled. "Qing Lin, I have good news for you. When I first met you at the Desert Iron Mercenary Group, I already had my suspicions. After observing you over the past few days, I discovered that you've awakened the legendary Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils."

Tilting her head, Qing Lin asked curiously, "Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils? Young Master, why have I never heard of them? Is it a very powerful ability?"

Xiao Ling nodded and replied gently, "The Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils are a type of strange ocular ability. They almost exclusively appear in the descendants of humans and snake people. The reason is that, under certain circumstances, the mixed blood of humans and snake people can awaken the bloodline of the Snake People Race's ancient ancestor, the Heavenly Snake Emperor. The Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils can make people fall into illusions and easily control the vast majority of snake-type Magical Beasts. They can also open up a space within the pupils and store Magical Beasts or people inside. The strength of any Magical Beast or person stored within that space will slowly be absorbed by the user, though the absorption speed is very slow and there are limitations based on strength."

Even Zi Yan, standing beside them, was greatly surprised by this. She had not expected the little sister she had just acknowledged to be so extraordinary.

Hearing Xiao Ling's description, Qing Lin was overjoyed. "I never thought Qing Lin would be lucky enough to possess such a physique. Once Qing Lin becomes stronger in the future, I'll be able to help Young Master."

Hearing that Qing Lin's first thought was to help him, Xiao Ling felt somewhat guilty. He asked her, "Qing Lin, don't you blame me for taking you away from the Desert Iron Mercenary Group because I valued your talent?"

"As long as I can help Young Master, Qing Lin is happy. Young Master was the one who let Qing Lin experience what it feels like to be cared for. And Qing Lin never sensed any malice toward me in Young Master's eyes. Instead, I only felt tenderness. So no matter what, Qing Lin wants to stay by Young Master's side." Upon hearing Xiao Ling's question, Qing Lin answered without hesitation.

Looking into Qing Lin's innocent eyes, Xiao Ling was deeply moved. He reached out and rubbed her little head, speaking seriously. "Don't worry. As long as Qing Lin is willing to stay by my side, no one will be able to take you away from me."

Feeling the warm touch atop her head and hearing Xiao Ling's earnest words, Qing Lin felt completely safe, as though no matter what hardships or dangers came her way, someone would be there to protect her.

Watching this scene, Zi Yan narrowed her eyes slightly. She interrupted their exchange and changed the subject. "Xiao Ling, Xiao Ling, what is that old man Hai doing? Why is he sitting there without moving?"

Hearing Zi Yan's question, Xiao Ling withdrew his hand from Qing Lin's head. Qing Lin, who had been enjoying Xiao Ling's touch, suddenly felt his palm disappear and shot Zi Yan a faintly resentful glance.

Xiao Ling said to Zi Yan, "Elder Hai is currently refining the Po E Dan. Once the pill takes effect, he'll recover his former Dou Emperor cultivation. However, since he has been sealed for several decades, he most likely won't be able to return to his previous peak condition."

After a brief pause, Xiao Ling turned his gaze toward Hai Bodong and said meaningfully, "Watch Hai Bodong carefully later. Once his strength recovers, his appearance will instantly become decades younger. You rarely get to see something like that. Miss this chance, and you may never see it again."

Hearing Xiao Ling make it sound so miraculous, Zi Yan and Qing Lin grew interested as well. Both turned their gazes toward Hai Bodong, who sat cross-legged in the center of the chamber.

The quiet atmosphere lasted for nearly ten minutes before a surge of energy ripples abruptly shattered the stillness.

On the ice platform, Hai Bodong, who had remained silent all this while, suddenly began to tremble violently. Fierce waves of energy rapidly spread from within his body, and wherever the ripples passed, the surrounding tables and ice pillars burst apart with a series of crackling explosions.

Xiao Ling narrowed his eyes as he watched the rapidly approaching energy ripples. With a thought, the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame within him swiftly appeared before him, shielding the three of them. The scorching golden flames burned all the spreading energy ripples into nothingness.

Hai Bodong on the ice platform seemed unaware of the destruction he was causing. After trembling violently for a while, his aged face suddenly tightened. Strange dark green energy rapidly gathered at his forehead, and moments later, it formed a tiny dark green energy snake mark... The snake mark coiled upon Hai Bodong's forehead, firmly sealing the surging Dou Qi within his body.

The instant the snake mark appeared, light purple energy slowly wound its way up from Hai Bodong's neck. In the blink of an eye, it began to come into contact with the dark green little snake.

The collision between the two fierce energies was what had caused the waves of energy ripples earlier.

The purple energy and the dark green snake mark remained locked in a deadlock, one above and one below on Hai Bodong's forehead. The faint glow released by the two energies cast an eerie light over his face. Coupled with the intense pain caused by the struggle between the two energies in such a vital area as his head, Hai Bodong's face twisted slightly, giving him a faintly ferocious appearance.

With his fingers interlocked before him, Xiao Ling raised his head and stared intently at Hai Bodong, whose face was glowing with two different colors. He was also rather curious whether this so-called Po E Dan truly possessed the power to break the Seal Queen Medusa had placed.

The purple and green energies continued their deadlock across Hai Bodong's face. However, after nearly half an hour had passed, the dark green snake mark finally dimmed slightly. Clearly, the Po E Dan truly had a remarkable effect in countering this kind of Seal.

"Not bad, this Po E Dan really is quite good... If I get the chance in the future, I ought to keep some for myself too. Otherwise, if someone seals me one day, at least I'll have something to fall back on." Watching the snake mark grow dimmer within the purple light, Xiao Ling's eyes brightened slightly as he chuckled.

Zi Yan, standing beside him, spoke regretfully, "If Sister Medusa had dealt with Old Hai's Seal herself, wouldn't we have saved the medicinal ingredients for a Sixth-grade Pill? That would've been enough for me to eat for half a day."

Xiao Ling rubbed Zi Yan's little head and said with amusement, "I don't have that much influence with your Sister Medusa."

Thinking of Medusa, Zi Yan asked curiously, "I wonder if Sister Medusa will be able to successfully break through to Dou Zong after taking that Sect Breaking Pill."

Hearing Xiao Ling and Zi Yan discussing Medusa, Qing Lin asked curiously, "Young Master and Sister Zi Yan, do you know Queen Medusa of the Snake People Race?"

Zi Yan nodded slightly. "We met not long ago. Back then, Xiao Ling went to the Snake People Race to exchange for a Sand Mandala so he could refine pills for Old Hai. That was when I met Sister Medusa too. Sister Medusa is really nice—she even gave me several medicinal herbs to eat..."

Qing Lin and Zi Yan began chatting beside him, while Xiao Ling turned his attention back to Hai Bodong and continued observing the changes within his body.

Relying on its suppressive effect, the purple energy slowly drove back the territory occupied by the snake mark. Once it had gradually forced the latter to the top of Hai Bodong's forehead, the purple energy suddenly surged upward. A fierce burst of force forcibly squeezed the snake mark out of Hai Bodong's head.

The moment the snake mark left Hai Bodong's head, it shuddered violently before turning into a puff of green smoke and slowly dissipating.

The instant the snake mark left his body, Hai Bodong's tightly shut eyes abruptly flew open. A sharp gleam shot out from his eyes as though it were tangible, while a fierce aura, like that of a lion awakening, erupted from within the body that had been deeply suppressed for decades.

Under that powerful aura, even the Ice Crystal Layer inside the underground chamber began to crack.

As Hai Bodong sat cross-legged, white light spread from the surface of his body and covered him from head to toe, as though ice crystals were shattering apart.

That frail elderly face transformed into the appearance of a white-haired middle-aged handsome man.

His white beard and eyebrows fluttered gently in the wind, exuding an indescribable air of elegance and confidence.

"Haha, this damned Seal has finally gotten lost! This old man is a Dou Emperor again!" Hai Bodong stamped his foot against the ice platform, and his body shot into the air like lightning. His face was filled with wild joy as he threw back his head and laughed loudly. "I've never felt so clear-minded and refreshed!"

Carried by his Dou Qi, the violent soundwaves shook the cracked Ice Layer around them until it exploded with a boom.

After laughing wildly for quite some time, Hai Bodong finally stopped and turned his glittering gaze toward Xiao Ling and the other two, who were seated below.

Xiao Ling also rose to his feet and smiled as he nodded at Hai Bodong. However, his Soul Perception remained locked onto Hai Bodong. If Hai Bodong intended to make a move, Xiao Ling was confident that, with Hai Bodong having only just recovered to the strength of a two-star Dou Emperor, he could instantly subdue him.

After flying around in the air for a while, Hai Bodong slowly descended before the three of them and said heartily, "Many thanks to Master Xiao Ling for refining the Po E Dan for me. Thanks to it, my cultivation has recovered to that of a two-star Dou Emperor."

Hai Bodong clearly had no intention of harboring any ill will toward Xiao Ling. Now that he knew the rough origins of the Fragment Map and had some idea of its value, befriending a young Sixth-grade Alchemist like Xiao Ling was obviously far more worthwhile than going to the trouble of stealing a Fragment Map. Moreover, with Xiao Ling's strength as a four-star Dou Wang combined with Heavenly Flames, as well as the little girl beside him who was at the peak of Dou Wang, his newly restored two-star Dou Emperor cultivation might not even be enough to subdue the two of them, let alone seize the Heavenly Flames Fragment Map from Xiao Ling.

Xiao Ling replied, "Congratulations, Elder Hai, on recovering your Dou Emperor cultivation. From now on, I suppose I should call you the Ice Emperor."

Waving a hand, Hai Bodong said with a smile, "This old man cannot accept such a respectful form of address from Master Xiao Ling. You should still call me Elder Hai from now on."

After chatting briefly, Xiao Ling was the first to ask, "Now that Elder Hai has recovered his Dou Emperor cultivation, you'll be leaving Desert City as well, won't you?"

"I stayed here in the first place mainly to study the Fragment Map and seek a way to break the Seal. Now that the Seal has been lifted, there is naturally no reason for me to remain here." Hai Bodong nodded, then glanced at the smiling Xiao Ling and could not help asking, "Does Master Xiao Ling need my help? So long as it is within my power, I, Hai Bodong, will not refuse."

Xiao Ling shook his head slightly and smiled. "There is nothing else. It's just that I still need to remain in the Tagor Desert for some time. After Elder Hai returns to the Imperial Capital, please look after my family for me. They have only just moved back to the Imperial Capital, so there will surely be many inconveniences. My Xiao Family has no powerful experts watching over it now, and I'm afraid some blind fools might get the wrong ideas."

Hai Bodong patted his chest and answered seriously, "I already promised to look after your family in the Imperial Capital. I, Hai Bodong, have not forgotten that. Don't worry. Within the Jia Ma Empire, no one would dare underestimate the weight of a Dou Emperor expert."

After hearing Hai Bodong's words, Xiao Ling nodded in satisfaction. "With Elder Hai's assurance, I can rest easy. When Elder Hai returns to the Imperial Capital, I imagine many people will be in for quite a shock."

With a Dou Emperor expert like Hai Bodong looking after the Xiao Family, even if the Soul Hall Guardian wanted the Misty Cloud Sect to make a move against the Xiao Family, he would have to consider the consequences.