At this, Meng Chen nodded.
"Breaking the Serpent Seal is no difficult matter, but I have conditions as well. It depends on whether the Ice Emperor agrees to them."
Hai Bodong's expression darkened slightly upon hearing this.
He, Hai Bodong, had once roamed the Jia Ma Empire for decades. He had always been the one negotiating terms with others; never had anyone dared make demands of him.
Did this brat truly think that a tiger fallen to the plains could be bullied by dogs?!
Hai Bodong slowly rose to his feet, staring at Meng Chen with a cold smile on his weathered face.
"Conditions? Heh... Boy, although this old man's strength is far from what it once was, capturing you would not be difficult."
"Now, this old man will give you a chance. Tell me honestly how to remove the Serpent Seal, and this old man can spare your life."
As soon as the words fell, an icy, bone-piercing chill spread from Hai Bodong's body. The temperature plummeted, and the floor, tables, chairs, and walls were coated in a thick layer of frost!
More than a dozen ice spikes, each several meters long, condensed around Hai Bodong. Their tips gleamed with chilling light as they aimed at Meng Chen, as though he would kill him and seize the method if Meng Chen dared refuse!
This was the naked, bloody rule of the Dou Qi Continent: the strong devoured the weak. As long as one's fist was big enough, one could take whatever one wanted.
Negotiations? Transactions?
Those were exchanges that only powerhouses of the same realm were qualified to have.
And in Hai Bodong's eyes, Meng Chen did not have that qualification!
Seeing that Hai Bodong was about to make a move after only a few words, Meng Chen could not help rubbing his brow and sighing.
"Must we really not speak properly?"
"Aunt Qing, I'll trouble you."
Buzz!
The small golden tower hanging at Meng Chen's waist trembled lightly. The next moment, golden ripples spread out, and inch by inch, cracks appeared in the space between him and Hai Bodong.
With a sharp crack, space shattered like glass before Hai Bodong's stunned eyes. Fragments scattered everywhere, wrecking the surroundings beyond recognition.
Hai Bodong was also blasted away by the aftershock of the spatial collapse, smashing heavily into the wall. His clothes were torn open in several places, and blood streamed freely.
Then, an incomparably beautiful woman with a voluptuous, proud figure and a white veil over her face stepped gracefully out of the spatial rift. Her robes fluttered around her, and she radiated noble dignity, like a celestial goddess descending into the mortal world.
Half-kneeling on the ground, Hai Bodong clutched his aching chest and stared fixedly at the space rift glowing with golden light and the terrifying figure beside it. His eyes suddenly widened in disbelief, and he cried out instinctively.
"The power of space—a Dou Zong powerhouse?!"
Qing Yanjing lowered her violet eyes and looked down at the horrified Hai Bodong. Her gaze was icy, with killing intent flowing beneath it.
Her crimson lips parted as she said coldly, "A mere crippled Dou Emperor dares threaten my disciple? Do you truly think he has no one to protect his path?!"
With that, Qing Yanjing raised her fair, delicate hand.
Golden spiritual energy gathered in her palm, forming a golden seal. Fotu divine patterns emerged, heavy as mountains, suppressing the surrounding space.
Fotu World-Suppressing Seal!
Qing Yanjing lifted her hand, seemingly intending to kill Hai Bodong with a single seal!
Hai Bodong's face changed drastically. He had never imagined that the young man before him would have a "Dou Zong" powerhouse protecting his path.
My life is over! Hai Bodong's face turned deathly pale as he screamed inwardly. If I'd known, I wouldn't have acted so damn cocky. Great, now I'm going to die!
"Aunt Qing, wait."
Seeing Hai Bodong about to perish beneath the Fotu World-Suppressing Seal, Meng Chen decided it was enough and called out to stop Qing Yanjing.
Qing Yanjing halted her jade-like hand before it could descend, but the golden seal remained suspended above Hai Bodong's head, imprisoning both his body and battle qi.
When Meng Chen stepped out from Qing Yanjing's side, her delicate body trembled ever so slightly, and her long, ivory-white legs unconsciously pressed together a little tighter.
Looking at Hai Bodong, who was suppressed and unable to move, Meng Chen spoke calmly.
"Ice Emperor, I'll give you two choices. First, be killed here and now by my master. Second, join my Divine Court and serve it. I will also help you recover fully."
Upon hearing this, Hai Bodong glanced at the "Dou Zong" powerhouse behind Meng Chen, and a trace of reverence appeared on his aged face.
After hesitating for a while, Hai Bodong revealed a bitter expression and finally nodded. "This old man chooses the second."
"Good. From this day onward, you will be a protector of my Divine Court."
Meng Chen smiled in satisfaction. With Hai Bodong's submission, the Mittel Family would submit as well.
At last, he had a force of his own.
As for why he called it the Divine Court rather than the Heavenly Court, there was no particular reason. After all, he possessed the Divine King Physique.
Meng Chen had Qing Yanjing remove her suppression of Hai Bodong.
As the Fotu World-Suppressing Seal dissipated, Hai Bodong struggled to his feet, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and bowed to Meng Chen.
"Hai Bodong pays respects to the Young Master!"
Meng Chen shook his head. "There's no need for Young Master. Just call me Little Divine King."
"Yes, Little Divine King." Hai Bodong immediately changed his form of address.
Then, Meng Chen took a small jade bottle from his Storage Ring. Inside was a drop of Golden Divine Blood, giving off a faint sacred aura.
Looking at the Divine Blood in the bottle, Hai Bodong wondered whether this was the secret medicine that would help him break the Serpent Seal.
"Aunt Qing, I'll trouble you." Meng Chen handed the jade bottle to Qing Yanjing.
Sensing the familiar aura emanating from the Divine Blood, Qing Yanjing was somewhat reluctant to use it on Hai Bodong.
Spiritual energy flickered at her fingertips, opening the bottle's cap. The drop of Divine Blood flew out wrapped in spiritual energy and shot toward Hai Bodong's brow.
Hai Bodong did not dare dodge. He closed his eyes and allowed the Divine Blood to merge into his brow.
At the same time, he felt an incomparably sacred energy spread from his forehead throughout his body, cleansing away all filth and stimulating the Serpent Seal that clung to him like maggots to bone.
The Serpent Seal had just begun to resist, but under the purification of the Divine Blood, it instantly melted away like cream.
With the Serpent Seal gone, Hai Bodong's tightly shut eyes flew open, and a tangible gleam shot out from them.
Soon, a fierce aura surged from the body that had been deeply suppressed for so many years, like a lion awakening.
Under this powerful aura, the furnishings in the room began shaking violently, and numerous cracks appeared in the walls.
"Hahaha, this damned seal has finally gotten lost! This old man is a Dou Emperor once more!"
Feeling the surging, powerful battle qi within him, Hai Bodong's face was filled with wild delight as he threw back his head and laughed loudly.
How many years had it been?! The damned Serpent Seal had harmed him, trapping his realm at Dou Ling. He had not dared leave the Tagor Great Desert, much less return to Jia Ma Sacred City, for fear that his enemies would learn of his predicament.
Now, he, Hai Bodong, had finally recovered his cultivation, without the slightest loss. He was still a Five-Star Battle Emperor!
He had never felt so refreshed!
After laughing, Hai Bodong bowed to Meng Chen once more. "Thank you, Little Divine King, for lending me your aid. This old man is deeply grateful!"
"You're too polite, Hai Lao. Since you have joined my Divine Court, I naturally will not treat you poorly."
Meng Chen smiled as well, then added, "Now that Hai Lao has recovered his cultivation, I presume it is time for you to return to the Mittel Family."
"As it happens, I need the Mittel Family to do something for me. I'll have to trouble Hai Lao to arrange it."
Hai Bodong's expression tightened.
Sure enough, Little Divine King had helped him recover not merely because he valued his strength; he also wanted the Mittel Family behind him!
Hai Bodong did not dare defy Meng Chen and immediately said, "Please give your orders, Little Divine King..."
Before you continue