Temporarily Leaving the Tagor Great Desert, First Meeting Xiao Yixian in Qingshan Town

"All right, Young Divine King. Wait for my news. I'll be back within three days at most."

Hai Bodong nodded. Stone Desert City was only a few thousand li from Jia Ma Sacred City. At his Battle Emperor flying speed, it would not take much time.

Hai Bodong cupped his hands toward Meng Chen, then turned and left.

Watching Hai Bodong's departing figure, Meng Chen murmured softly.

"A sixth-tier magic core... If there really isn't one, I'll have to make a trip to the Magic Beast Mountains."

Fortunately, what he needed was a sixth-tier fire-attribute magic core. The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King in the Magic Beast Mountains was perfect for the job. If he needed another attribute, that would be troublesome.

As for whether killing the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King would affect the cave's storyline, what did that have to do with Meng Chen?

After arranging everything, Meng Chen began cultivating as well.

During the journey from Wutan City to the Tagor Great Desert, he had already broken through to Battle Master. Everything had fallen naturally into place, without the slightest bottleneck.

Divine King Physique—you deserved to have it!

Elsewhere, in Jia Ma Sacred City.

Hai Bodong returned to the Mittel Clan, and Mittel Tengshan was overcome with excitement.

"Elder Hai, y-you've finally returned!" Mittel Tengshan's eyes widened, and his rims reddened.

Hai Bodong looked at the little follower who had once trailed behind him, now grown into a Battle King powerhouse and already aged. His heart was filled with emotion.

He reached out and patted Mittel Tengshan's shoulder, a trace of apology appearing on his face. "You've had it hard these years."

"It wasn't hard, not hard at all. As long as you've returned, Elder Hai, that's all that matters. You're back, you're back!" Mittel Tengshan shook his head repeatedly. "Elder Hai, where have you been all these years? The clan has been searching for you, but we could never find you."

"What happened back then is a long story..." Hai Bodong did not conceal anything from Mittel Tengshan.

He told him everything: how Medusa Queen had hunted him down, how he had been afflicted by the Serpent Seal, how he had hidden his identity for decades to avoid his enemies learning of his condition, and how Meng Chen had helped him recover.

Mittel Tengshan was utterly astonished after hearing it.

He had never expected Elder Hai to have fallen into such a state. In that case, it was for the best that he had not returned!

Hai Bodong said, "Tengshan, I have now joined the Divine Court. I returned this time under the Young Divine King's orders, to have the Mittel Clan gather some items."

"Just give the order, Elder Hai."

Mittel Tengshan nodded. So long as Elder Hai was not asking him to sell the Mittel Clan, he would provide whatever he wanted.

"A sixth-tier fire-attribute magic core, four fifth-tier wood-attribute magic cores, Earth Marrow Flame Crystal, blazing iron..."

But as Hai Bodong listed the many materials, Mittel Tengshan's eyes, which had just narrowed, widened again.

The others were manageable, but a sixth-tier magic core?!

"Elder Hai, the other items are not a problem. It's just the magic cores. The clan only has two fifth-tier wood-attribute magic cores. As for a sixth-tier fire-attribute magic core, let alone our clan, I'm afraid even the royal family does not have one."

Mittel Tengshan wore a helpless expression.

The Mittel Clan's business extended not only throughout the Jia Ma Empire, but even into neighboring empires.

Yet sixth-tier magic cores were things one could only encounter by chance. They truly did not have one.

"It's fine. Gather the other two fifth-tier magic cores first. As for the sixth-tier magic core, the Young Divine King has his own solution."

Having only just returned to the clan, Hai Bodong did not want to make things too difficult for Mittel Tengshan.

Mittel Tengshan sighed in relief and nodded. "Yes, Elder Hai."

Two days later, Hai Bodong had gathered all the materials except the sixth-tier fire-attribute magic core and left Jia Ma Sacred City once more.

Stone Desert City. Hai Bodong returned and handed Meng Chen the Storage Ring containing the materials.

"Young Divine King, aside from that sixth-tier magic core, I have gathered all the materials you requested."

Meng Chen accepted the Storage Ring, glanced through it, and passed it to Qing Yanjing.

Qing Yanjing's delicate brows furrowed slightly, and she felt a trace of dissatisfaction with Hai Bodong's efficiency.

The core of this improved Eight Desolations Burning Flame Formation was that sixth-tier magic core. Without it, even if it were replaced with a fifth-tier magic core and they relied on the favorable terrain of the Tagor Great Desert, its power would be greatly reduced.

Meng Chen said, "It's fine, Aunt Qing. I happen to know where a sixth-tier fire-attribute magical beast is. We can just kill it and take its magic core."

Hearing her disciple's reassurance, Qing Yanjing's brows relaxed. She glanced at Hai Bodong, a streak of golden light flashing through her purple eyes.

In the next instant, Hai Bodong felt as if he were facing a formidable enemy. Dense cold sweat covered his forehead, and fear rose within him.

Even a single glance gave Hai Bodong the feeling that he was facing Medusa Queen—no, something even more terrifying than Medusa Queen.

Was this the power of a Battle Ancestor?

Without further delay, Meng Chen and his group set off that very day for the Magic Beast Mountains.

Several days later, outside Qingshan Town.

A carriage stopped at the town gate. A handsome, slender youth in purple robes led a charming and adorable girl in green down from the carriage.

They were none other than Meng Chen and Qinglin.

Immediately afterward, Hai Bodong stepped out of the carriage as well, following closely behind Meng Chen without leaving his side.

Qingshan Town lived off the mountains. Mercenaries wearing leather armor and carrying faint scents of blood came and went—some hurried along, some traveled in groups, while others draped their arms over one another's shoulders and drank and chatted in the street.

Some mercenaries' gazes were drawn to Meng Chen's group—or, more precisely, to Qinglin. Their eyes roamed over her lovely little face and slender waist as they began to murmur among themselves.

"Look at that waist. It's so slim. Feels even slimmer than Xiao Yixian's..."

But before the words had fully left his mouth, a cold snort rang out like thunder from a clear sky, leaving their heads splitting with pain as though their skulls were about to burst.

Those mercenaries revealed terrified expressions. How could they not realize they had provoked someone they should not have? They scrambled and fled from the street.

Hai Bodong coldly swept his gaze over the fleeing mercenaries. With a wave of his hand, several streams of icy battle qi shot out, instantly freezing them solid. With a bang, they shattered into icy powder.

Meng Chen paid those men no further attention. Leading Qinglin by the hand, he arrived before a rather large herbal shop. Looking up at its signboard, he murmured, "Ten Thousand Medicines Hall."

Just as he was about to enter, a commotion arose at the shop entrance, accompanied by several cries of surprise.

"It's Xiao Yixian! She's here to offer free consultations again!"

"Quick, go line up! Being able to get treated by Xiao Yixian makes getting injured worthwhile!"

"What a slim waist, what a beautiful woman... I really want to—"

As the crowd gathered at the entrance parted, Meng Chen and the others saw the true appearance of the Xiao Yixian everyone spoke of.

Xiao Yixian wore a simple, elegant white dress. Though her beauty could not be called peerless, she was still a rare beauty. Her features were delicate and pretty, and a faint, tranquil smile rested on her cheeks, fresh and ethereal like an orchid blooming in an empty valley.

That unworldly temperament elevated her charm to another level.

Most eye-catching of all was her willow-slim waist, bound by a green sash. It seemed too delicate to withstand a single grasp, so slender and fragile that it looked as though the slightest force could snap it, leaving people stunned.

"Calamity Poison Physique."

Upon seeing Xiao Yixian, Meng Chen murmured softly.

His voice was not loud, yet it happened to reach Xiao Yixian nearby. She looked toward the sound and noticed Meng Chen's group, a trace of confusion flickering through her beautiful eyes.

Judging from his appearance and attire, everything about Meng Chen proclaimed his extraordinary status. Qingshan Town was merely a small town, so why would someone like him come to such a place?

And what was this Calamity Poison Physique he had mentioned?

Meng Chen withdrew his gaze from Xiao Yixian and led Qinglin into the Ten Thousand Medicines Hall...