Hai Bodong's Residence

In the blink of an eye, they arrived at the gates of Desert Rock City.

"Senior, if you don't mind, you are welcome to come to this humble one's residence to rest and recover from your injuries."

The weakened Hai Bodong, seeing that Yao Chen had nowhere else to go and noting that he too had sustained some injuries, invited Yao Chen to accompany him to his home.

At this moment, Yao Chen was mentally reviewing the plot of the Battle Through the Heavens story from his past life. He pondered and decided that Hai Bodong's place would suffice; after all, he still possessed a fragment of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame.

Furthermore, since Hai Bodong was currently severely wounded, he could use medicinal pills to help him heal.

When the time comes for him to offer his gratitude, I can simply go with the flow and ask for the fragment.

A smile tugged at the corner of Yao Chen's mouth as he shifted his thoughts.

However, I don't have any refined pills on me right now, only the medicinal herbs I brought from the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

It seems I left too early. I'll just refine some once we get to Hai Bodong's place!

"Senior? Senior?" Hai Bodong called out to the dazed Yao Chen. He was afraid that Yao Chen might refuse, and since he was severely injured and worried about being ambushed by enemies, having Yao Chen nearby would provide a measure of security.

"This humble one's residence is quite quiet compared to the surroundings; no one will come to disturb us. Senior, why don't you come and recuperate with me?"

"Cough, cough~~"

"Very well. Since you, young man, have extended such a sincere invitation, this old man shall accompany you."

Yao Chen coughed once and accepted Hai Bodong's request.

Tucked away in a corner of Desert Rock City lay Hai Bodong's residence.

It was a stone house that appeared simple yet sturdy, situated at the end of a somewhat secluded alleyway.

The walls of the stone house were constructed from rough-hewn stones, with the erosion of time leaving mottled traces upon them.

The front door was made of thick, raw timber, embedded with rusted iron nails that seemed to tell tales of past vicissitudes.

Stepping through the gate, one entered a small courtyard where the ground was covered in fine sand and gravel. A few resilient cacti grew in the corners, adding a touch of vitality to the otherwise barren yard.

The roof of the main house was covered in grey-blue tiles, with the occasional wild weed poking its head out from between the gaps.

The interior was sparsely furnished. A stone bed sat in the corner, covered with bedding that was somewhat worn but clean.

A wooden table was placed against the window, with several books and maps neatly arranged upon it.

In one corner of the table, a black fragment of a map lay discarded.

The walls were adorned with trophies Hai Bodong had obtained during his adventures in his youth, including sharp swords and exotic beast hides.

In one corner of the room, some of the implements he used for cultivation were stacked; though old, they were wiped spotlessly clean.

Through the window, one could see the narrow streets outside and the rolling sand dunes in the distance. Though humble, this place was Hai Bodong's tranquil sanctuary within the desert city.

"Senior, this is this humble one's residence. It is a bit crude, and I hope Senior will bear with it."

Looking at the simple hut, Hai Bodong spoke to Yao Chen with a sense of embarrassment.

"It doesn't matter. As long as there is a place to rest, that is enough!"

Yao Chen replied, not minding at all.

"Do you have a secret chamber here? Looking at your severe injuries, you won't be able to recover anytime soon."

"Why does Senior need a secret chamber?"

Hai Bodong looked at Yao Chen with a puzzled expression.

"This old man is an alchemist. I left in such a hurry that I didn't bring any pills with me. I need a secret chamber to refine medicine, and while I'm at it, I can refine some healing pills to help you recover."

Upon hearing that Yao Chen was an alchemist and intended to refine pills to heal him, Hai Bodong ignored his own injuries, endured the pain, cupped his hands, and bowed deeply to Yao Chen.

"Senior's great kindness is something I, Hai Bodong, can never repay. If there is ever anything you need in the future, I, Hai Bodong, am willing to go through fire and water to repay this life-saving grace."

Yao Chen looked at Hai Bodong with a calm expression and spoke slowly.

"Do not stand on such ceremony. This old man only happened to encounter you in the desert. Seeing you in a fierce battle with Medusa of the Snake-People Tribe—since we are both human, it was only natural for me to intervene!"

"I must still thank you, Senior!" Hai Bodong continued, remaining bowed.

"Since you insist on thanking this old man, I noticed a black map on your table when I walked in. Consider that the reward for saving you!"

Seeing the opportunity, Yao Chen stated his request for the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame fragment.

"Senior, please, take it as you wish. I obtained that black map on the table by chance, but I never discovered its use, so I just left it there. Since Senior needs it, I offer it to you at once."

Hearing that Yao Chen wanted the map on the table, Hai Bodong immediately picked it up with both hands and presented it to him.

Yao Chen accepted the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame fragment and smiled at Hai Bodong with satisfaction.

"Now, help me find a secret chamber. I am preparing to refine some pills."

"Very well, Senior!"

"Senior, please follow me."

After agreeing, Hai Bodong remembered the secret chamber he used for his own cultivation and led Yao Chen toward it.

The secret chamber was located beneath the floor of Hai Bodong's master bedroom.

As a beam of blue-white Dou Qi shot toward the carpet in Hai Bodong's bedroom, a black stairwell appeared, wide enough for only one person to pass through.

A moment later, Yao Chen followed Hai Bodong inside.

The walls of the secret chamber were constructed from massive bluestone, their surfaces covered in moss and fine droplets of water, radiating a faint chill.

Several oil lamps were embedded into the walls, casting a dim, yellowish glow; the flickering light caused the shadows in the chamber to dance, creating a mysterious and eerie atmosphere.

In the center of the chamber stood a massive stone table piled high with various ancient scrolls and yellowed books. Some pages were tattered and some handwriting was blurred, yet each volume seemed to carry endless secrets and formidable power.

On one side of the stone table sat several exquisite wooden boxes inlaid with gemstones and precious metals, containing the mysterious items Hai Bodong treasured as his own life.

On the other side were jars and bottles of various shapes, filled with liquids and powders of different colors that emitted a strange scent.

In the corner of the chamber lay a pile of aged weapons, including sharp swords and heavy battle-axes; they might have once shone brilliantly on the battlefield, but now they slept quietly in this corner.

Complex formations were drawn upon the floor, shimmering with a faint light and seemingly containing some kind of powerful energy.

"Senior, this is the secret chamber where I usually cultivate. The formation on the floor was specially commissioned; it can block certain phenomena of heaven and earth, ensuring that those below the level of a Dou Emperor cannot detect my cultivation."

Yao Chen walked slowly, observing the environment of the chamber, particularly the formation in the center, and felt quite satisfied.

"This place is not bad. I shall prepare to begin refining the medicinal pill."

"You go back out first, rest upstairs, and I will call you once I have finished."

"Understood, Senior! If you need anything, just call for me."

Knowing that an alchemist would not easily allow others to watch the process of refining pills, Hai Bodong tactfully returned to the room above to rest.