Taking Disciples, Ten-Thousandfold Returns: Starting from Battle Through the Heavens

After hearing Qin Hao's words, the old man finally slowed to a stop. His gaze fell on Qin Hao, and his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

He had discovered that he could not sense the slightest fluctuation of aura from Qin Hao. There were only three possibilities: Qin Hao was an ordinary person, Qin Hao's cultivation was above his own, or Qin Hao possessed some treasure that concealed his aura or cultivated some secret breath-concealing technique.

After taking a look at Qin Hao's age, he felt that the third possibility was the most likely.

"So what if I know her? So what if I've seen her?"

Qin Hao said calmly.

"Hm? Interesting. It has been a long time since anyone dared speak to this old man like that. Young man, aren't you afraid that I might attack you?"

Hearing Qin Hao's words, the old man showed a hint of surprise. He clearly had not expected Qin Hao to have such an attitude, and his tone quickly turned somewhat cold.

"Heh... attack me? With you, a sealed Dou Emperor?"

Qin Hao's expression did not change in the slightest after hearing him. His tone remained utterly calm, as though he were discussing something entirely insignificant.

"Hm? Boy, who exactly are you?"

Upon hearing this, the old man's expression changed completely, his face becoming incomparably solemn.

This was his greatest secret, yet it had just been exposed in a single sentence. How could he not be shocked?

At the same time, an icy aura spread from his body, instantly causing the temperature throughout the shop to plummet.

He stared fixedly at Qin Hao, Dou Qi surging wildly around him as though he were ready to strike at any moment. Clearly, if Qin Hao could not give him a reasonable explanation, he would attack.

"You're already so old, yet your temper is still this bad..."

Qin Hao chuckled. Then, with a casual wave of his hand, the oppressive aura around them vanished without a trace. Immediately afterward, under Hai Bo Dong's horrified gaze, an even more terrifying and vast aura emanated from Qin Hao.

In an instant, Hai Bo Dong felt a terrifyingly scorching aura envelop him. At that moment, Qin Hao seemed to transform into a dreadful blazing sun before his eyes.

Under the pressure of that terrifying aura, his already sealed cultivation could not even wield the power of a Dou Spirit. He was clearly being completely suppressed.

"Th-this is... a Dou... Dou Emperor!? You... you're a Dou Emperor!? H-how is that possible!? When did the Jia Ma Empire gain such a young Dou Emperor?"

"No, wait... could you be that sixth-tier alchemist from Canaan Academy who has recently become famous throughout the empire!?"

The instant he sensed Qin Hao's aura, Hai Bo Dong was utterly stunned. As someone who had once stood at the Dou Emperor level, he naturally understood what that aura represented.

The young man before him had not concealed his aura at all. He was clearly a genuine Dou Emperor.

Moreover, he was no ordinary Dou Emperor. Even though Hai Bo Dong's cultivation was currently sealed, he felt that even at his peak, he would absolutely not have been Qin Hao's match.

He even felt that the pressure Qin Hao gave him was more terrifying than that of Yun Shan, the former sect master of the Misty Cloud Sect, or Jia Xing Tian, the guardian of the Jia Ma Royal Family.

Very quickly, he recalled a sensational piece of news that had recently spread across the empire: a sixth-tier alchemist elder from Canaan Academy had arrived in the Jia Ma Empire.

Nearly a month had passed since Qin Hao first appeared in Jia Ma Sacred City, so news of him had naturally spread through almost the entire Jia Ma Empire.

Although Hai Bo Dong was living in seclusion here, that did not mean he paid no attention to outside information. Naturally, he had heard the rumors about Qin Hao.

Not only that, he had even been preparing to visit Qin Hao. He had secretly contacted members of the Mitre Family and asked them to prepare some things for him so he could pay Qin Hao a visit.

He simply had not expected that before he could visit Qin Hao, Qin Hao would come looking for him first.

"Oh? I didn't expect the Ice Emperor to know of me."

Hearing Hai Bo Dong's words, Qin Hao showed a trace of surprise, but he quickly understood. Given his current reputation in the Jia Ma Empire, it was hardly strange for Hai Bo Dong to guess his identity.

"Grandmaster Qin Hao is known by everyone throughout the empire! Naturally, this old man knows of you. I had originally planned to pay you a visit in the next few days, but I never expected to meet Grandmaster Qin Hao here!"

Once he learned Qin Hao's identity, Hai Bo Dong's attitude made a complete reversal. The indifference on his face vanished without a trace, replaced by a broad smile.

"Oh? You wanted to visit me? Because of the seal on your body?"

Hearing Hai Bo Dong's words and considering Hai Bo Dong's current situation from the original story, Qin Hao immediately understood his intentions. He clearly wanted Qin Hao to help break Medusa's seal on him.

"Grandmaster Qin Hao is exactly right! It is indeed because of the seal on my body! This seal has tormented me for nearly twenty years. Over the years, I have tried countless methods, but unfortunately, they all failed!

If Grandmaster Qin Hao can help me remove the seal, I will certainly offer a reward that satisfies you. In addition, I have another fragment of the map on me. I will give it to Grandmaster Qin Hao as well!"

Hai Bo Dong did not beat around the bush and went straight to the point.

Qin Hao's Conditions! Calamity-Dispelling Pill!

Qin Hao's Conditions! Calamity-Dispelling Pill!

"Is that so... It is not impossible for me to help you lift the seal on your body..."

Qin Hao said after hearing Hai Bo Dong's words.

In fact, Qin Hao had already been prepared for this when he came to find Hai Bo Dong.

He knew very well that if he wanted to obtain the complete fragmentary map from Hai Bo Dong, forcibly taking it by strength was the only alternative. Buying it was practically impossible.

The best method was naturally to make a deal with Hai Bo Dong, just as Xiao Yan had done in the original story.

However, Qin Hao's circumstances differed from Xiao Yan's in the original story. Xiao Yan had been too weak, so he chose to have Hai Bo Dong protect him, but Qin Hao had no need for that.

"Please state whatever conditions Grandmaster Qin Hao has. As long as it is something I can accomplish, I will certainly do my utmost to satisfy your demands!"

Hai Bo Dong said.

"It is simple. I can help you resolve the seal on your body. As for my conditions, aside from the two fragmentary maps in your possession, I need you—or rather, the Mitre Family behind you—to do some things for me."

Qin Hao said.

"Hm? What does Grandmaster Qin Hao want the Mitre Family to do?"

Hai Bo Dong asked.

"Very simple. I want the Mitre Family to purchase certain things for me, such as high-grade medicinal herbs and magic cores... As long as you can provide things that satisfy me, I will not treat you unfairly.

For example, Fighting Spirit Pills and Emperor's Extreme Pills... Even Sect-Breaking Pills, or perhaps even seventh-tier pills in the future, are not out of the question, as long as the things you gather can satisfy me!"

Qin Hao said.

Qin Hao did not think much of Hai Bo Dong's strength, but he was somewhat interested in the Mitre Family's commercial channels.

So rather than having Hai Bo Dong serve as a more or less useless thug, he would rather have him and the entire Mitre Family serve as tools for him.

"Emperor's Extreme Pills and... Sect-Breaking Pills!"

After hearing Qin Hao's words, a fiery gleam immediately flashed through Hai Bo Dong's eyes. He was clearly tempted by the grand promise Qin Hao had laid before him.

There was no need to mention Emperor's Extreme Pills. They were something no Dou Emperor could refuse. As for Sect-Breaking Pills, they were an opportunity to reach an even higher realm. Clearly, he could not remain unmoved.

"Alright, I agree! Once I break the seal, I will have the Mitre Family gather them with all their strength!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Hai Bo Dong immediately agreed to Qin Hao's conditions. In his eyes, they hardly counted as conditions at all. In a sense, this was an opportunity for both himself and the Mitre Family to rise.

"Oh, right, Grandmaster Qin Hao. This is a sixth-tier pill formula I collected before, the formula for the Calamity-Breaking Pill. This pill formula should be able to remove the seal on my body, but unfortunately, refining the Calamity-Breaking Pill requires the aid of a Heavenly Flame!"

As he spoke, Hai Bo Dong took a pill formula from his storage ring and handed it to Qin Hao.

"The Calamity-Breaking Pill... Mm, not bad. If this pill is refined, it can indeed break the seal and allow you to return to the Dou Emperor realm. However, it cannot restore your cultivation to its peak!

I know of a better pill than the Calamity-Breaking Pill, the Calamity-Dispelling Pill. It uses medicinal ingredients similar to those of the Calamity-Breaking Pill. Not only can it remove the seal, it can also restore your cultivation directly to its peak!"

Qin Hao said after glancing at the pill formula.

Qin Hao had now obtained the inheritance of an Emperor-tier alchemist, so he naturally did not think much of a Calamity-Breaking Pill with such obvious flaws.

Based on the formula for the Calamity-Breaking Pill, Qin Hao quickly found a pill superior to it.

"Restore my peak cultivation directly!? Really? That's wonderful! What medicinal ingredients do we need? I'll prepare them immediately!"

Hai Bo Dong hurriedly said.

Seeing this, Qin Hao did not waste any words and directly listed the medicinal ingredients required.

"Other than Purple Snake Orchid, Jade Marrow Ganoderma, and Origin Blossom Fruit, I have all the other ingredients here. Give me three days—no, one day. I will prepare them immediately!"

After hearing the ingredients required for the pill, joy flashed through Hai Bo Dong's eyes. Just as Qin Hao had said, the ingredients for the Calamity-Dispelling Pill were indeed eighty percent similar to those for the Calamity-Breaking Pill.

He had previously collected nearly all the ingredients needed for the Calamity-Breaking Pill. Combined with what he already possessed, he found that he was now only lacking three ingredients for the Calamity-Dispelling Pill.

Moreover, although these three ingredients were not low-grade, they were not especially rare or obscure medicinal herbs. With the influence of the Mitre Family, they could be found very quickly.

"There is no need for that trouble. I have those three medicinal ingredients on me. Just give me the rest of the ingredients."

Qin Hao said directly. Back at the academy, Qin Hao had traded for quite a few medicinal herbs with many elders. Together with his gains in Jia Ma Sacred City and the collection of the Profound Ice Venerable, his wealth was now far beyond ordinary.

"Wonderful!"

Hearing Qin Hao's words, Hai Bo Dong became even more excited. Without any hesitation, to show his gratitude, he took out all the high-grade medicinal herbs in his possession as Qin Hao's compensation, aside from the ingredients needed to refine the pill.

At the same time, Hai Bo Dong handed over the other half of the fragmentary map he had collected. Qin Hao was also very satisfied with Hai Bo Dong's tactfulness, so he did not refuse and accepted everything without reservation.

"Arrange a quiet place for me."

Qin Hao said directly.

"Alright, Grandmaster Qin Hao. Please follow me!"

Hai Bo Dong did not waste any words. He directly shut the shop door and led Qin Hao's group to the courtyard behind the shop. After settling Xiao Yan and the others, he brought Qin Hao to the quietest and most secluded room.

After surveying the room, Qin Hao guessed that it was clearly Hai Bo Dong's usual cultivation chamber.

After sending Hai Bo Dong away, Qin Hao set up a barrier within the room. Only after finishing all that did he take out the Azure Profound Cauldron and all the medicinal ingredients needed to refine the Calamity-Dispelling Pill.

Once he had adjusted his condition, he formed hand seals with both hands. Immediately, a crimson-gold flame manifested before him.

Because Qin Hao's physique had evolved into the Pure Yang Sacred Body, the flame he condensed had also undergone a transformation. It was more than ten times stronger than the beast flame he had used before.

Qin Hao even felt that the flame he could now condense was no weaker than some of the Heavenly Flames in this world.

Afterward, Qin Hao began refining the Calamity-Dispelling Pill according to the method recorded in the Emperor-tier alchemist inheritance.

The difficulty of refining the Calamity-Dispelling Pill was roughly comparable to refining an Emperor's Extreme Pill. With Qin Hao's current alchemy skills, refining such a pill posed no difficulty whatsoever.

After obtaining the Emperor-tier alchemist inheritance, although he had yet to refine a seventh-tier pill, it was certain that he had now reached the level of a seventh-tier alchemist.

Hai Bo Dong's Shock! The Unexpected Arrival of the Medusa Queen!

In the blink of an eye, more than two hours passed.

Just then, the skies above Hai Bo Dong's small courtyard suddenly changed. The surrounding natural energy became exceptionally active, while energy from all around gathered toward the courtyard in a frenzy.

"Th-this is... the pill formation phenomenon of a sixth-tier pill! Did he succeed? This is wonderful!"

Hai Bo Dong, who had been standing guard outside, immediately noticed the strange phenomenon in the surrounding world. As a former Dou Emperor, his knowledge was naturally extensive, and he immediately understood what was happening.