Intimidation!

"Heh, so you want to judge the dish by the person serving it?" Xiao Yan sneered.

"You cannot put it that way. This old man is merely curious about the backgrounds behind you two, so that I may visit someday and offer my thanks." Hai Bodong paid no heed to the mockery in Xiao Yan's tone and still wanted to uncover the "background" behind him.

The already raging chill quietly became even more terrifying. Even Xiao Yan's Heavenly Flame could no longer fully ward it off, and strands of frost formed over the tops of his feet.

To be honest, Xiao Yan had displayed far too many things thus far. Whether it was that powerful flame which might be a Heavenly Flame, his cultivation far surpassing those of his age, or perhaps some formidable cultivation method, all of it suggested either that Xiao Yan had an astonishingly powerful faction behind him or that he had obtained an incredible inheritance.

At the thought of the latter possibility, even Hai Bodong's state of mind grew heated, and his breathing became somewhat heavier. As for gratitude, loyalty, and the like... heh, when had such things ever existed in the cultivation world?

Little Fairy Doctor squeezed closer behind Xiao Yan. The blood essence of her Woeful Poison Body was already poised to strike. Even a Dou Emperor could not ignore a desperate blow from the Woeful Poison Body. At the very least, it could buy Xiao Yan some time to escape.

Xiao Yan was also secretly mobilizing his final trump card, ready to use it the instant Hai Bodong made a move. Out of the corner of his eye, he measured the location of the door and planned his route of escape.

Watching the subtle movements of the two, Hai Bodong could basically confirm that they had no powerful faction behind them. Otherwise, even if they could not call upon it, they should at least have named it to make him wary!

Hai Bodong narrowed his eyes. The two before him were merely a Dou Master and a Great Dou Master. No matter how extraordinary they were, it was impossible for them to escape a Dou Emperor like him within this secret chamber. Thinking of the treasures they definitely possessed, greed rapidly swelled within him, and his eyes seemed to take on a greedy green tint.

He brushed a hand over his Storage Ring, and a pale yellow scroll radiating an ancient aura appeared in Hai Bodong's hand. Gently stroking the pale yellow fragment of a map, a trace of reluctance flashed through his eyes, but in the end, he flicked his finger and sent it flying toward Xiao Yan.

"Very well. Since you two are unwilling to stay any longer, this old man will not force you. Take this fragment of the map. From this day onward, neither of us owes the other anything." In the end, Hai Bodong did not choose to rob them of their treasures. Perhaps he felt that even if he took them, he would have no use for them, or perhaps he simply disdained such conduct. In any case, he truly let Xiao Yan and Little Fairy Doctor go.

Xiao Yan and Little Fairy Doctor were both slightly stunned, unsure why Hai Bodong's attitude had suddenly made a complete reversal. The constantly roaring pressure also receded. Still, they quickly accepted the map fragment Hai Bodong handed over. Xiao Yan activated his inspection ability, then took out the other half for comparison. Only after confirming that they matched did he nod.

Xiao Yan's actions made Hai Bodong's mouth twitch. He truly wanted to walk over, grab Xiao Yan by the ear, and ask how he had the nerve to take out a treasure for comparison right in front of a Dou Emperor who had just intended to harm them. Was he not afraid the Dou Emperor would go back on his word? Besides, even if he found a problem, could he make a Dou Emperor replace it for them?

"Enough. Would this old man still deceive you at a time like this? Hurry up and put them away. Stop waving them around in front of me."

"Haha, of course. Elder Hai is trustworthy and keeps his promises, a man of lofty character and integrity. Naturally, you would never do such petty things. It was this junior who judged a gentleman's heart with a petty mind." Xiao Yan quickly put away the map fragment. His previously frosty expression vanished as he spoke with a smile.

"That was not bad." Hai Bodong was clearly pleased by Xiao Yan's flattery and decided to say a little more. "You two juniors, it is not that this old man wishes to lecture you, but you truly underestimate the wickedness of human hearts. It is only because you encountered this old man. Had you met someone else, they might have swallowed you two little children whole! Be more cautious when you go out in the future, understand?"

Xiao Yan was somewhat speechless. Do you think none of that greed you showed earlier was exposed at all? Of course, as long as he had not acted on it, it did not amount to much. After all, no one in the world was perfect when judged by their thoughts.

Watching Hai Bodong continue his self-important lecture, Xiao Yan considered that he would most likely encounter this fellow again when he went to the imperial capital. Therefore, he decided to leave a deep impression on him before departing.

"Elder Hai is right. We will certainly be more careful in the future." Xiao Yan cupped his hands and replied.

"Mm. Very well, it is getting late. This old man will see you two out." Hai Bodong could also see that the two were eager to leave, so he did not continue lecturing without tact. They were not his own descendants, after all, and there was no need for him to concern himself so much.

"There is no need. We can leave on our own." As Xiao Yan spoke, he took Little Fairy Doctor's hand and headed toward the door.

"Hey, why are you two in such a hurry? That door was specially made and needs this old man to personally open it..." Hai Bodong had intended to say more, but suddenly stopped as if someone had squeezed a duck by the throat.

A terrifying force suddenly surged out from Xiao Yan's body, one no weaker than Hai Bodong's current strength and perhaps even stronger.

Boom!!!

Xiao Yan threw a punch, blasting a hole in the door large enough for two people to walk through side by side!

"Elder Hai, mountains and rivers may part, but paths shall cross again. Until we meet again!" With that, Xiao Yan led Little Fairy Doctor out of the shop.

Staring at the ruined door, which even a Dou Spirit would find difficult to damage, Hai Bodong stood frozen for a long while before finally shouting:

"Fuck!"

"Why did you throw that punch at the end?" Walking through the streets of Mo City and looking back at the now-vanished Ancient Map shop, Little Fairy Doctor asked Xiao Yan.

When Xiao Yan had refined the Green Lotus Core Flame, he had stored the excess Heavenly Flame energy in the Heavenly Flame Seal left behind by Gu Yuan. Aside from taking it out during cultivation as a resource, he could also use it in battle to temporarily raise his strength to the Dou Emperor level. The downside was that every use would greatly deplete the remaining Heavenly Flame energy.

Just like this time, in merely a few dozen seconds and with only one move, he had already consumed around one-fiftieth of it. That was why Xiao Yan had always planned to use it only when escaping for his life.

Thus, Little Fairy Doctor could not understand why Xiao Yan had thrown that punch after the danger had already passed.

"We are both from the Jia Ma Empire, so we will sooner or later meet Elder Hai again. We cannot gamble every time that he will not become greedy. Besides, if we ever need a Dou Emperor's help in the future, would Elder Hai not be the best choice? By revealing a little of our trump card, we will not need to worry about him having other ideas later." Xiao Yan explained.

Little Fairy Doctor shot Xiao Yan a suspicious glance, feeling that he was still hiding something. "Have you already started thinking about using other people?"

"Cough, cough, how could that be? How could you think that of me?" Xiao Yan tried to defend himself, but in the end, he could not withstand Little Fairy Doctor's questioning gaze. "Fine, I do have a few thoughts, but that cannot really be called using him. I am merely borrowing his influence."

"Cough, cough, enough. Let us hurry. Helping Hai Bodong break his seal took a full five days. Big Brother and Second Brother must be worried sick. Let us go." With that, Xiao Yan pulled Little Fairy Doctor quickly toward the city gates.

Little Fairy Doctor looked at Xiao Yan suspiciously, wondering what exactly he was hiding from her, but she did not press the matter further. After all, since she was always by his side, she would find out sooner or later.

It was not that Xiao Yan was unwilling to tell her. He simply had no way to explain it. In a few months, he planned to go to the Nalan Clan and obtain that Seven-Colored Green Spirit Saliva, while also helping Old Master Nalan remove his Branding Poison. Although the original story only mentioned that the Seven-Colored Green Spirit Saliva could restore the source of one's soul, such a powerful heavenly treasure likely also had the effect of improving the source of one's soul. Even if it did not, keeping it for himself would not be a loss.

But there was simply no way to explain such a thing to Little Fairy Doctor. How was he supposed to explain how he knew the Nalan Clan's treasure vault contained Seven-Colored Green Spirit Saliva?

He took Little Fairy Doctor out through the northern gate and walked for around half a day before finally stopping.

Although he felt that Hai Bodong had most likely been intimidated, Xiao Yan still took a detour just in case, avoiding any chance that Hai Bodong might discover their connection to the Mo Iron Mercenary Group in Stone Desert City.

After looking around and confirming that no one was following them, Xiao Yan picked Little Fairy Doctor up and flew toward the southeast.

Flying truly was much faster than walking. What would originally have taken ten days, Xiao Yan completed by that very evening.

Although the city gates were already closed, Stone Desert City was not Mo City. This was territory ruled by the three brothers. Xiao Yan greeted the guards at the gate and entered, leaving the people spending the night in the sand dunes outside full of envy, jealousy, and resentment.

After greeting his eldest and second brothers and pinching Qinglian's little cheeks, Xiao Yan used the excuse that Little Fairy Doctor had sweated too much after spending days under the scorching heat of the Heavenly Flame. Despite Little Fairy Doctor's struggles, he carried her into the bathhouse. Qinglian, who had originally intended to step forward and attend to them, immediately blushed crimson. She hurriedly put down their bathing supplies and ran away.

After entering the bathhouse, Xiao Yan claimed that the chill Hai Bodong released at the end might have caused an imperceptible effect on Little Fairy Doctor's body and that he needed to conduct a thorough, detailed examination.

Though Little Fairy Doctor desperately tried to prove her innocence, it was to no avail. She could only be forced to accept Xiao Yan's comprehensive, repeated examination from head to toe, front to back, and top to bottom.

It was not until Qinglian came back to begin her shift the next day that the sounds of the examination finally subsided.

After leaving the bathhouse, Xiao Yan ignored Little Fairy Doctor's shy, indignant, limp gaze and gave the blushing Qinglian instructions to further expand the bathhouse and improve its soundproofing.

Turning back to look at Little Fairy Doctor, who was having difficulty walking, Xiao Yan felt rather proud inside, though he still rubbed his nose awkwardly.

"How about... I help you?" Xiao Yan asked tentatively.

"You... get lost." Little Fairy Doctor's voice was somewhat hoarse.

"What? You said you want me to? Fine, I am coming."

Although Little Fairy Doctor had clearly refused, Xiao Yan felt that any man who saw his woman struggling to walk and did not step forward to support her was simply not human. Thus, pretending not to have heard clearly, he still went over and helped Little Fairy Doctor back to their room.

Over the next few days, Xiao Yan continued living a life of nightly revelry... of course not!

Both Xiao Yan and Little Fairy Doctor regarded cultivation as the central theme of their lives at this point. How could they possibly spend all their time on such matters?

Xiao Yan also agreed with this and resolved to seriously study the Dou Technique Compendium, striving to create a dual cultivation Dou Technique as soon as possible!

Starting from the third day after Xiao Yan and Little Fairy Doctor returned, Little Fairy Doctor found an independent cultivation room and entered secluded cultivation. Before doing so, she used the Mo Iron Mercenary Group's channels to gather quite a few poisons unique to the Tagore Great Desert, such as snake venom and scorpion venom. She intended to charge straight toward the peak of the Dou Master realm.

It was not that she could not attempt to break through to the Great Dou Master realm, but Xiao Yan planned to leave the Tagore Great Desert and return to Wutan City after some time. After all, everything they had come to the Tagore Great Desert to do was already finished. As for the Medusa Queen, Xiao Yan planned to return only after reaching the Dou Emperor realm. Therefore, Little Fairy Doctor postponed her breakthrough to Great Dou Master until after reaching the Xiao Clan. It would also give her time to consolidate her foundation, just as Xiao Yan had done.

As for Xiao Yan, since his cultivation had already reached the peak of Great Dou Master, he was in no hurry to break through. During the day, he personally led teams out of the city to hunt magical beasts under the identity of the Mo Iron Mercenary Group's third commander. Poor Luo Bu had been demoted another level.

At night, he used the herbs gathered by the Mo Iron Mercenary Group to practice alchemy while also guiding Qinglian's cultivation.

As the owner of the cheat-like Jade Serpent Three-Flower Eyes talent, Qinglian naturally possessed the ability to cultivate normally. Under Xiao Yan's guidance, she reached Dou Qi, Third Stage that very night, frightening everyone in the group who learned of it.

Later, while hunting magical beasts outside, Xiao Yan specifically captured a third-rank Sand Python at the Great Dou Master level and brought it back.

Perhaps because she lacked the stimulation of a life-or-death crisis, Qinglian did not immediately awaken the power of her Jade Serpent Three-Flower Eyes upon seeing the Sand Python. Xiao Yan naturally could not bear to throw Qinglian into a bloody battle with a third-rank Sand Python, so he turned his attention toward the pills he excelled at.

After thinking it over, Xiao Yan decided to use the Blood Coagulation Pill as a prototype to design a pill that could help Qinglian awaken her Jade Serpent Three-Flower Eyes. The original Blood Coagulation Pill could stimulate the body's potential and instantly produce a large amount of blood. Xiao Yan hoped to guide its effects more toward awakening potential.

Since it was merely a modification of a second-tier pill, it was not particularly difficult for Xiao Yan, who could already refine fourth-tier pills. After only two or three failures and one night of work, Xiao Yan refined the modified Blood-Stirring Pill. During the process, he also added a small amount of blood essence obtained when he had previously killed the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Serpent.

But honestly, Xiao Yan had initially added the blood essence to improve the pill's effects. Once the pill was finished, however, he felt a little regretful.

It seemed, perhaps, maybe... simply feeding the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Serpent's blood essence directly to Qinglian could have achieved the same effect?

Xiao Yan stared at the red pill in his hand with a rather strange expression.

He vigorously shook his head, throwing the thought out of his mind. After putting away the pill, he ordered someone to summon Qinglian.

Upon receiving the order, the servant could not help revealing a trace of envy and jealousy in his eyes. He truly did not know how that bastard girl had caught the third commander's eye. The third commander cared so much about her that he had even specially refined a pill for her! Could she have climbed into the third commander's bed? Heh, now that he thought about it, that shameless snake spirit might really be capable of it.

The servant ran through every filthy insult he could think of in his mind, but he did not dare do anything to frame Qinglian. When he met her, he concealed his jealousy well, put on a bright, ingratiating smile, and said fawningly:

"Miss Qinglian, the young master requests your presence."