Invite Hai Bodong to the Xiao Clan, Seek Investment from the Mite'er Family

The commotion erupting from the shop naturally caused a huge stir. Passersby stopped in their tracks and watched from afar with awe on their faces.

However, no one rashly approached to take a closer look. Such a massive disturbance meant those fighting had to be unfathomably powerful—perhaps Dou Lings, or even Dou Wangs.

Do not underestimate Dou Lings. Mo Cheng, the First Elder of the Mo Clan in Yancheng, one of the Four Great Clans of the Northeast Province, was merely a Five-Star Dou Ling.

In a border city like Mo City, the strongest experts were often only Da Dou Shi.

Inside the shop, Xiao Ce smiled. "Since you believe me, sir, let us sit down and have a proper talk."

"Fine!"

Hai Bodong calmly nodded and led Xiao Ce and Xiao Yi Xian into another room to sit down.

He said in a deep voice, "I now believe that you can surpass Queen Medusa within three years, and I accept the deal you mentioned. But I will not hand the map over immediately unless you lift the seal on me."

Xiao Ce glanced at Hai Bodong. "Fine. I am not short on time, and I trust that you will not default on the deal."

"When that day comes, I will not have the strength to default, nor would I dare to." Hai Bodong's mouth twitched slightly.

"Besides, I will remain here for the next three years and await your arrival. Once you are confident you can lift the seal on me, you may come at any time."

Xiao Ce was about to nod when he suddenly looked Hai Bodong over, and an idea came to him.

"Sir, I suddenly have an idea. Would you like to hear it?"

"What idea?"

Hai Bodong raised his brow at Xiao Ce. Could Xiao Ce have changed his mind?

He had finally seen hope of breaking the seal. It would be terrible if it came to nothing.

Xiao Ce smiled. "Do not be nervous. I merely wish to invite you to settle somewhere else."

Seeing that Xiao Ce had not changed his mind, Hai Bodong immediately let out a breath of relief.

"Settle somewhere else? What do you mean, young friend?"

"I think that with your talent, sir, staying in this tiny map shop is truly a waste."

"Why not stay with my clan for three years instead? That way, once I am confident I can lift the seal on you, it will be much more convenient."

Xiao Ce looked utterly sincere. The thought had simply struck him: Hai Bodong had been jokingly called Xiao Yan's angel investor. Since he could invest in Xiao Yan, why could he not invest in Xiao Ce instead?

Xiao Ce wanted to bring Hai Bodong back to Wutan City for two reasons. First, Hai Bodong could serve as the face of the Xiao Clan while Xiao Ce was away. Second, Xiao Ce wanted to use this opportunity to secure a little investment from the Mite'er Family.

Back in the Magic Beast Mountain Range, Xiao Ce had deeply realized the advantages of being an alchemist.

However, to become an alchemist, one needed more than pill formulas. Without a teacher's guidance, one would not only take countless detours, but the consumption of medicinal ingredients would also be terrifying.

The reason Xiao Ce had not learned alchemy before was not only because he had focused wholeheartedly on cultivation. It was also because the Xiao Clan's finances could not support him in learning alchemy.

But it would be different with investment from the Mite'er Family.

Although the Mite'er Family was not the strongest clan in the Jia Ma Empire, it was unquestionably the wealthiest.

If not for Hai Bodong guarding such enormous wealth, it would likely have been divided up by various factions long ago.

That was also why Hai Bodong had not dared to show himself for decades after his cultivation was sealed.

He was not only worried that Queen Medusa would come looking for him, but also that the other top factions of the Jia Ma Empire would discover his condition—especially the Jia Ma Imperial Family and the Misty Cloud Sect.

Once his condition was exposed, the Mite'er Family would struggle to protect its immense wealth.

Yet as long as he did not show himself, even if other factions coveted the Mite'er Family's wealth, they would remain wary and not dare act too recklessly.

After all, he was merely "missing," not dead!

That said, Xiao Ce's current strength was not weak. As a Nine-Star Dou Ling, even ordinary Dou Wangs were no match for him. Once he returned to the clan, his strength could rise another level.

At that time, he would have enough confidence to lay everything out directly with Yao Lao.

Xiao Ce would not leave naturally available resources unused.

Whether it was Xun'er or Yao Lao, both were exceptionally valuable resources.

Yao Lao in particular was a peak eighth-tier alchemist. If Xiao Ce could receive his guidance, gain an endless supply of resources from the Mite'er Family, and rely on his own powerful soul strength, his alchemy would surely advance by leaps and bounds.

"You want me to settle in your clan?" After hearing Xiao Ce's words, a hint of interest flashed through Hai Bodong's eyes.

He also wanted to see what kind of clan could nurture someone like Xiao Ce.

Xiao Ce's talent was so terrifying that the clan behind him had to be formidable as well.

If it truly was some reclusive clan, perhaps Xiao Ce would not even need to act. His clan elders might help break the seal on Hai Bodong.

"That is right. I wonder what you think, sir?"

Xiao Ce smiled and nodded. Naturally, he could not tell Hai Bodong that his clan was merely an ordinary Da Dou Shi clan. He would bring the man back first and worry about the rest later.

"Fine, I agree!"

Hai Bodong agreed without much hesitation.

It was as though some unseen voice was urging him onward.

"Sir, one day, you will be grateful for the choice you made today!"

Hai Bodong smiled. "Those words have made me even more eager to see your clan, young friend."

"Hehe, I guarantee you will be greatly surprised."

Xiao Ce gave a meaningful smile.

After leaving the shop, Xiao Yi Xian still found the whole matter rather surreal.

"We only wanted to buy a map, yet we encountered the Ice Emperor with his cultivation sealed. Xiao Ce, did you know the Ice Emperor was here all along?"

"Xian'er, you think too highly of me." Xiao Ce spread his hands. "This was purely a coincidence. I had never crossed paths with the Ice Emperor before."

"That is true. How could you possibly foresee the future?"

Another day passed. Once Hai Bodong had finished handling matters in Mo City, he met up with Xiao Ce and Xiao Yi Xian.

Hai Bodong looked at Xiao Ce.

"Where are we going next?"

"Directly to your clan?"

Xiao Ce shook his head. "I still need to go somewhere."

"Where?"

"Shimo City!"

The journey was long, and neither Xiao Ce nor Xiao Yi Xian could fly yet. In the end, they could only rent two carriages, taking four days to reach Shimo City.

Fortunately, things would not be so inconvenient once they left Shimo City.

Xiao Yi Xian could cultivate the Purple Cloud Wings, while Xiao Ce would break through to Dou Wang in two or three months at most.