The Ice Emperor Hai Bodong!

"Ice Emperor? Never heard of him." Xiao Zi shook his head.

As a hegemon of the Magical Beast Mountain Range, it did not know many humans, let alone this former powerhouse who had lived in seclusion and obscurity for decades.

Following this, the two slowly walked into the shop. The interior was not spacious, yet it possessed a heavy sense of history, cold and desolate.

Behind the counter stood an old man busy crafting a map; if one did not observe carefully, it would be difficult to associate him with one of the former top ten powerhouses of the Jia Ma Empire.

However, since he had come, it was impossible to let the Ice Emperor continue to wallow in decadence.

He was still counting on the other party to lead the Mite'er Family to rebuild their glory.

Soon, the two selected a map heading toward the Tagor Desert and found a palm-sized remnant map in one corner.

Without a doubt, this was a remnant map of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame. Added to the one collected in the Magical Beast Mountain Range, he now had two in his possession.

"Old sir, name your price for this map and this remnant." Xiao Ze placed the remnant of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame on the counter and looked at the old man.

"Little one, I only sell maps; nothing else is for sale." As he spoke, the old man reached out to take the remnant back.

But since it had already reached Xiao Ze's hands, how could he let it go so easily?

"Hey, don't be so quick to speak. Won't you at least hear the price this junior is offering?" Xiao Ze snatched the remnant into his pocket first, then smiled.

With his hand grasping at empty air, the old man clearly had not expected the other party to act this way.

Yet, he still spoke firmly: "I said I'm not selling, so I'm not selling. Do you intend to rob me by force?"

As he spoke, the open door slammed shut. A cold and formidable aura erupted from the old man's body; if the other party dared to say another word, he wouldn't mind staining the desert with their blood.

Situations like this were common in the desert, where many made their fortune by killing and seizing treasures, but he had remained as steady as a rock for decades—and he didn't rely on mere empty talk to do it.

"Arrogant! If my master takes a fancy to something, what can you do even if we take it by force?"

Before Xiao Ze could speak, Xiao Zi had already reached the limit of its patience.

A mere Dou Ling, yet he dared to speak so brazenly; he was courting death!

He should be grateful that they were even willing to buy his goods, instead of spouting so much nonsense.

"A... a Dou Emperor powerhouse!"

The old man's expression froze, his eyes filled with shock.

He knew this aura all too well; it could only belong to a Dou Emperor. After all, he was originally a Dou Emperor himself, so he was naturally very familiar with this pressure.

What he hadn't expected was that the purple-haired youth before him was actually a Dou Emperor!

In this Tagor Desert, besides Queen Medusa, a second Dou Emperor had appeared.

Moreover, it was clear from the other party's tone that he was not the one in charge. If he could make a Dou Emperor bow his head in submission, just how strong must he be?

"Xiao Zi, don't frighten the old gentleman. We are here to trade, not to act as bandits."

Xiao Ze quickly stopped Xiao Zi's actions.

"Old gentleman, we mean no harm. We came here simply to make a deal with you. What do you think?" Xiao Ze's voice was not loud, yet every word rang clearly in the ears.

The old man wore a bitter smile. Did he dare refuse the trade?

He believed that if he dared to say a single word of refusal, he shouldn't expect to walk out of this door alive.

Among Dou Emperor powerhouses, there were no truly kind souls.

"If you want that remnant map, then just take it. I don't know its origins anyway. Since it is fated to be with you, consider it a greeting gift."

The old man lowered his voice, his eyes revealing a hint of helplessness.

He had obtained this remnant by chance, and even with his many years of map-making experience, he had never been able to decipher it.

Keeping it was only a source of trouble; rather than that, it was better to use it as a favor and give it away.

Seeing this, Xiao Ze smiled: "Old sir, you will be glad for the decision you made today."

"Let me introduce myself. My name is Xiao Ze, from the Xiao Clan of Wutan City, and I have a close relationship with Ya Fei of the Mite'er Family."

"I came here today for two reasons: first for this remnant, and second, to help you recover your Dou Emperor cultivation."

Xiao Ze's words left the old man stunned on the spot.

"Recover my Dou Emperor cultivation? You... know who I am?"

"Of course, one of the former top ten powerhouses of the Jia Ma Empire—the Ice Emperor, Hai Bodong!" Xiao Ze said with a faint smile.

Xiao Ze's mention of "Ice Emperor, Hai Bodong" sounded like a thunderclap, exploding within the cramped shop.

Hai Bodong's originally cloudy eyes instantly sharpened like an eagle's, staring fixedly at the seemingly young yet imposing Xiao Ze.

"Haha, I never expected that after living in seclusion here for over twenty years, someone would still recognize me." The old man's voice was tinged with desolation.

It has been over twenty years; do you know how I have spent these past twenty years?

"Old Hai, I know you are excited, but please, calm down first."

"Am I excited?"

The old man could no longer control his emotions, his voice trembling slightly as he tried to feign composure.

He had not felt this excited in a long time; the last time might have been when he first ascended to the rank of Dou Emperor.

Twenty years have passed like a single day; he never expected that even today, someone would still remember Hai Bodong.

How pathetic, yet how fortunate.

"Why did you help me restore my cultivation? I suspect the value of a mere remnant map is far from enough."

Once he had calmed down, Hai Bodong looked at the young man before him and voiced the doubt in his heart.

"Old Hai is truly worthy of the name; your mind is indeed sharp. The remnant map is only one aspect; I helped you restore your cultivation because I wish to ask for a favor."

"What favor?" Hai Bodong asked in succession.

"Before long, I will ascend the Misty Cloud Sect. When that time comes, I ask that Old Hai stand on my side," Xiao Ze said unhurriedly.

"Ascend the Misty Cloud Sect?" Hai Bodong was slightly stunned, then looked at the young man with the expression of someone watching a fool. "Do you mean to say that you intend to wage war against the Misty Cloud Sect?"

Xiao Ze nodded.

Hiss~

Having received a definitive answer, Hai Bodong could no longer suppress the shock in his heart.

He was astonished by the other party's audacity.

One had to know that the Misty Cloud Sect was the supreme hegemon of the Jia Ma Empire, to whom even the Imperial Family had to yield three points. Yet, this young man before him was fantasizing about going to war with them.

Was this not courting death?

"Old man, what kind of look is that? Are you looking down on my master? Let me tell you, a mere Misty Cloud Sect is nothing but something my master can wipe out with a wave of his hand. Asking for your help is giving you face; don't be ungrateful."

Seeing the provincial look on Hai Bodong's face, Xiao Zi gave him a look of utter contempt.

His master was a Dou Zong powerhouse. In this Jia Ma Empire, if his master claimed to be second, who would dare claim to be first?

Hai Bodong: "..."

How incredibly arrogant!

Even more arrogant than he had been in his prime... Hai Bodong roared internally.

"I forgot to tell you, I am a Dou Zong powerhouse. Even if the former sect leader of the Misty Cloud Sect, Yun Shan, were to show his face, I would not fear him."

Xiao Ze's words left him completely silenced.

Dou Zong—how strange yet familiar. In the Jia Ma Empire, at least in his era, no one had ever been able to ascend to the ranks of a Dou Zong.