Dou King Shi Jian

Inside the Ancient Map Shop in Shi-Mo City, where Hai Bodong resided, Xiao Jie had already returned. At this moment, Hai Bodong was still in the secret chamber refining the Break-Obstacle Pill to shatter his seal; he would not be emerging for some time.

Xiao Jie had nothing to do for the moment, so he found a comfortable spot, sat cross-legged, and closed his eyes to cultivate.

The next day, a massive surge of energy suddenly erupted from the secret chamber where Hai Bodong was located. Xiao Jie opened his eyes, ending his cultivation, and as he sensed this energy, he couldn't help but think to himself.

It seems Hai Bodong is about to succeed.

Before long, Hai Bodong was seen rushing from the secret chamber toward the sky, laughing heartily, venting the stifled frustration of being sealed for these past few decades.

At this moment, in a mansion within Shi-Mo City that was far more opulent than the surrounding buildings, a middle-aged, bald man looked toward the location of Hai Bodong and spoke in shocked disbelief.

"To think there is a Dou Emperor-level powerhouse here in Shi-Mo City. I must go and see. Since this person released their aura within the city without causing destruction, I only hope they are not an enemy."

With that, he leaped out of the mansion, a pair of earthy-yellow Dou Qi wings unfurling from his back as he shot into the sky. This was clearly a powerhouse of at least the Dou King level.

In the sky, Hai Bodong gradually finished his venting. He retracted his white Dou Qi wings and descended slowly from the air to a spot not far from Xiao Jie, where he cupped his fists and spoke.

"Forgive this one for the spectacle. I truly found it difficult to suppress the joy of breaking the seal, which is why I acted as such. This is all thanks to your Break-Obstacle Pill; only then was I able to recover my cultivation. I, Hai Bodong, will surely exhaust all I have to repay this great kindness."

"There is no need for such formalities, Ice Emperor."

Xiao Jie responded. This was the very reason he had sought out Hai Bodong. Hai Bodong was a Supreme Elder of one of the three great families of the Jia Ma Empire, and with his Dou Emperor-level strength, he held significant sway in both the Jia Ma Empire and the Mite'er Family. By helping him, Xiao Jie would exchange that favor for five years of service, and the Mite'er Family would become closer to the Xiao Clan in the future. This would allow the Xiao Clan to develop very smoothly within the Jia Ma Empire. Furthermore, once he eventually left the Northwest Continent, he would still need someone to protect his parents and the Xiao Clan.

After speaking, Xiao Jie turned his gaze toward a patch of sky. Soon, an earthy-yellow figure appeared in the air. The man retracted his Dou Qi wings and descended slowly not far from Xiao Jie and Hai Bodong, then walked forward, cupping his fists toward them.

"This Humble One is Shi Jian, the City Lord of Shi-Mo City. I greet the two Dou Emperor seniors. I was unaware of your arrival in Shi-Mo City and failed to welcome you personally; I hope you will forgive this oversight. Is there anything I can do for you? I will certainly do my utmost to see it done."

"City Lord Shi Jian, there is no need for such courtesy. My name is Xiao Jie, and this beside me is Hai Bodong. Aside from seeking out Hai Bodong, I have come to this Shi-Mo City to find a young girl named Qing Lin. I shall be leaving in a few days' time."

Xiao Jie spoke plainly. He was disappointed that the man hadn't brought Qing Lin over yet, so he revealed his intent to find her, assuming the man would understand. Sure enough, as soon as Xiao Jie finished speaking, he heard Shi Jian say:

"Does this young girl named Qing Lin whom you are looking for have any distinguishing features? I hold quite a bit of influence in Shi-Mo City; once I put the word out, I am sure we can find her before long."

"She is a half-human, half-Snake-People hybrid, between ten and fourteen years old, with cultivation below the Dou Practitioner level, and she has some scales on her body," Xiao Jie said, describing Qing Lin's features to Shi Jian.

"Very well. I believe I can have her brought here within the day. Please wait for a short while, Seniors."

"Hmm. This is a Dou Ling Pill. Consuming it can increase a Dou King's cultivation by one star. It is just right for you; take it."

Xiao Jie produced a pill bottle containing the Dou Ling Pill and tossed it to Shi Jian. Upon hearing this, a look of wild joy appeared on Shi Jian's face. He cautiously stored the Dou Ling Pill into his storage ring, then bowed deeply to Xiao Jie and said:

"Many thanks to Senior for the pill! If you have any needs in the future, just send someone to notify me, and I, Shi Jian, will surely assist with all my might."

This was the terrifying nature of a alchemist's connections. After all, a single pill could increase one's cultivation and break through bottlenecks, saving a great deal of cultivation time, and both healing and medical treatment required the pills of an alchemist.

A high-level alchemist could heal grave injuries or even bring someone back from the brink of death with a single pill. Shi Jian said this because he guessed that the person before him was very likely a high-level alchemist; otherwise, he would not have produced a Dou Ling Pill for such a trivial matter. Therefore, he needed to establish a relationship with such a high-level alchemist as much as possible.

Moreover, the Dou Emperor beside him who radiated a bone-chilling cold was named Hai Bodong. This was very likely the Ice Emperor Hai Bodong who had shaken the Jia Ma Empire decades ago. If he could establish a relationship with these two, the benefits to him would be immense.

Two hours later, a squad of soldiers brought Qing Lin, who was dressed in a tattered black robe and looking timid, to Hai Bodong's shop. The captain, a Dou Grandmaster, said to Shi Jian:

"My Lord, the person you ordered us to find has been brought to you."

"Good. Your salaries for this month will be doubled. Go to the treasury and each pick out a scroll of Xuan-tier cultivation method or Dou Technique," Shi Jian said happily as he looked at his subordinates who had brought the girl so quickly.

"Senior, is this the young girl you were looking for?"

Xiao Jie waved his hand to have Qing Lin brought before him. After looking her over, he nodded and said:

"That is correct. Take her to be cleaned up and change her into a set of fine clothes, then bring her back to me."

"Yes."

With a wave of Shi Jian's hand, the captain of the soldiers stepped forward and led Qing Lin away.

Subsequently, Shi Jian asked:

"Would the two Seniors be willing to stay at my mansion? I would like to host a banquet to welcome you and fulfill my duties as a host."

"That will do. We shall go to your place then."

Xiao Jie pondered for a moment before nodding.

Soon, Shi Jian had people prepare a banquet. Xiao Jie and Hai Bodong began to sample the specialty wines and delicacies of Shi-Mo City at Shi Jian's mansion, with maids serving them and dancers performing below, making the banquet a pleasant affair for both host and guests.

Halfway through the banquet, the servants brought Qing Lin over. Xiao Jie looked at the now-clean Qing Lin, waved his hand to have her brought to his side, and had a seat added for her. He glanced at the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils hidden within her pupils, then said to her:

"You need not be afraid. From now on, you will stay by my side, and no one will ever dare to bully you again. Come, eat. You must be hungry."

"Y-yes, Young Master," Qing Lin said timidly. Then, unable to suppress her craving for the delicacies nearby, she gathered her courage, picked up a piece of pastry, and began to eat slowly.

Xiao Jie watched Qing Lin's timid appearance, smiled, and shook his head. He pushed a plate of pork knuckles he hadn't touched toward her. Qing Lin was indeed famished; seeing the large pork knuckle in front of her, she picked it up and began to eat heartily.