Intimidation!

"Heh, so you're judging the dish by the guest?" Xiao Yan sneered.

"You can't put it that way. This old man is merely curious about the backgrounds behind you two, so that I may pay a visit and express my gratitude someday." Hai Bodong paid no mind 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 Flames could no longer completely ward it off, and strands of frost formed over his feet.

To be honest, Xiao Yan had displayed far too many things so far. Whether it was that powerful flame that might be a Heavenly Flame, his cultivation far surpassing those of his peers, or the potentially formidable cultivation method he possessed, all of it indicated either that Xiao Yan had an astonishing major 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 could not help growing heated, and his breathing became somewhat heavy. As for repaying kindness with enmity or breaking one's word? Heh, when had such things ever existed in the cultivation world?

Xiao Yi Xian squeezed closer behind Xiao Yan. The essence blood 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 some time and create an opportunity for Xiao Yan to escape.

Xiao Yan also secretly mobilized his final trump card, prepared to use it the instant Hai Bodong made a move. From the corner of his eye, he gauged the location of the door and planned an escape route.

Watching the subtle movements of the two, Hai Bodong was basically certain that there was no force behind them. Otherwise, even if they could not summon that force, 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 Da Dou Shi. No matter how monstrously gifted they were, they could not possibly escape from the hands of a Dou Emperor like him in this sealed chamber. Thinking of the treasures they definitely possessed, greed rapidly swelled in his heart, and his eyes seemed to take on a greedy green hue.

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

"Fine. Since you two are unwilling to remain any longer, this old man will not force you to stay. Take this fragment. From now on, neither of us owes the other anything." In the end, Hai Bodong chose not to rob them of their treasures. Perhaps he thought they would be useless even if he took them, or perhaps he simply disdained such actions. In any case, he truly let Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian go.

Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian were slightly stunned, unable to understand why Hai Bodong's attitude had suddenly made a complete reversal. The endlessly surging pressure also receded. Still, they swiftly accepted the 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 action 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 in front of a Dou Emperor who had just meant them harm. Was he not afraid the Dou Emperor would change his mind? Besides, even if he found something wrong, could he really make a Dou Emperor exchange it for them?

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

"Haha, naturally. Hai Lao is trustworthy, keeps his word, and possesses noble character. You certainly would not do such petty things. I was the one who judged a gentleman's heart with the mind of a petty man." Xiao Yan quickly put away the fragment. His previously icy expression vanished as he spoke with a smile.

"That was well said." Hai Bodong was clearly pleased by Xiao Yan's flattery, so he decided to say a little more. "You two juniors, it's not that this old man wants to lecture you, but you truly underestimate the wickedness of people's hearts. It's only because you met this old man. Had you met someone else, they would have swallowed you two little brats whole! Next time you go out, keep your eyes open. Understand?"

Xiao Yan was rather speechless. Do you think that greed you showed earlier wasn't exposed at all? Of course, as long as he had not acted on it, it was nothing much. After all, no one in this world was perfect when it came to judging hearts.

Watching Hai Bodong endlessly lecture them as though he enjoyed teaching others, Xiao Yan considered that he would most likely encounter this man again when he went to the Imperial Capital. Thus, before leaving, he intended to leave a deep impression on him.

"Hai Lao is right. We will certainly be more careful in the future." Xiao Yan clasped his hands and said.

"Mm. Fine, it's getting late. This old man will see you two out." Hai Bodong could also tell that they could not wait to leave, so he did not continue rambling without tact. They were not his own juniors, after all, so there was no need for him to concern himself so much.

"There's no need. We can leave on our own." As Xiao Yan spoke, he took Xiao Yi Xian's hand and headed for the door.

"Hey, why are you two in such a hurry? That door is specially made and requires this old man to open it personally..." Hai Bodong had been about to say more, but he suddenly stopped, like a duck with its throat squeezed shut.

A terrifying power 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!

"Sir Hai, mountains and rivers will meet again. If fate wills it, we shall meet again!" With that, Xiao Yan took Xiao Yi Xian and left the shop.

Staring at the ruined door, which even a Dou Ling would struggle to destroy, Hai Bodong stood frozen for a long while before finally shouting:

"Fuck!"

"Why did you throw that punch at the end?" Walking along the streets of Mo City, Xiao Yi Xian looked back at the now-vanished Ancient Map shop and asked Xiao Yan.

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

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

Thus, Xiao Yi Xian could not understand why Xiao Yan had thrown that punch after the crisis was already over.

"We're both from the Jia Ma Empire, so we'll run into Hai Lao sooner or later. We can't gamble every time that he won't develop greedy intentions. Besides, if we ever need a Dou Emperor's help in the future, wouldn't Hai Lao be the best candidate? By revealing a little of our trump cards, we won't need to worry about him entertaining other thoughts later." Xiao Yan explained.

Xiao Yi Xian gave Xiao Yan a suspicious glance, feeling that he was still hiding something. "Have you already started thinking about making use of 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 Xiao Yi Xian's questioning gaze. "Fine, I do have a little idea, but that doesn't count as using someone. I'm merely borrowing momentum."

"Cough, cough, enough. Let's hurry. Helping Hai Bodong remove the seal took a full five days. Big Brother and Second Brother must be getting anxious. Let's go." With that, Xiao Yan pulled Xiao Yi Xian quickly toward the city gates.

Xiao Yi Xian looked at Xiao Yan suspiciously, wondering what exactly he was hiding from her, but she did not press him further. Since she had been following him all along, 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 visit the Nalan Clan and obtain that Seven-Colored Green Spirit Saliva, while also helping Old Master Nalan expel the 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 probably also possessed the ability to strengthen that source. Even if it did not, keeping it in hand would not be a loss, would it?

But he had no way to tell Xiao Yi Xian such a thing. How could he possibly know that the Nalan Clan's treasury contained the Seven-Colored Green Spirit Saliva?

Taking Xiao Yi Xian out through the north gate, they walked forward for roughly 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 of Hai Bodong discovering 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 Xiao Yi Xian up and flew toward the southeast.

Flying was indeed much faster than walking. A journey that would originally have taken ten days was completed by Xiao Yan 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 exchanged greetings with the gate guards and entered, drawing envious, jealous looks from those spending the night in the sand outside.

After greeting his eldest and second brothers and pinching Qinglian's little cheeks, Xiao Yan used the excuse that he had sweated too much after being baked by Heavenly Flames these past few days. Amid Xiao Yi Xian's struggles, he carried her into the bathroom. Qinglian, who had originally intended to step forward and attend to them, immediately blushed furiously. She hurriedly set down their bathing supplies and ran away.

After entering the bathroom, Xiao Yan claimed that the chill Hai Bodong released at the end might have caused imperceptible effects on Xiao Yi Xian's body and that he needed to perform a thorough and meticulous examination.

Though Xiao Yi Xian tried desperately 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.

Only when Qinglian came to take over her shift the next day did the sounds of the examination finally come to a stop.

After leaving the bathroom, Xiao Yan met Xiao Yi Xian's humiliated, furious, and limp gaze, then gave the blushing Qinglian instructions to further expand the bathroom and improve its soundproofing measures.

Turning back to look at Xiao Yi Xian, who was having difficulty walking, Xiao Yan was still rather proud inside, but he nevertheless awkwardly rubbed his nose.

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

"You... get lost." Xiao Yi Xian said hoarsely.

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

Although Xiao Yi Xian had clearly refused, Xiao Yan felt that any man who saw his woman struggling to walk and still did not step forward to support her was not even human. Thus, he pretended not to hear clearly and went forward to help Xiao Yi Xian back to their room.

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

At this time, both Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian had cultivation as the main theme of their lives. How could they possibly spend all their time on that sort of thing?

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!

Beginning on the third day after Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian returned, Xiao Yi Xian found an independent cultivation chamber and entered seclusion. Before doing so, she used the Mo Iron Mercenary Group's channels to gather many poisons unique to the Tagore Great Desert, such as snake venom and scorpion venom, intending to charge straight for the peak of the Dou Master level.

It was not that she could not attempt to break through to Da Dou Shi, but Xiao Yan intended to leave the Tagore Great Desert and return to Wutan City after some time. The matters that had brought them to the Tagore Great Desert were already concluded. As for the Queen Medusa, Xiao Yan planned to return only after reaching the Dou Emperor level. Therefore, Xiao Yi Xian decided to postpone her breakthrough to Da Dou Shi until after they reached the Xiao Clan. In the meantime, she could also build a solid foundation like Xiao Yan.

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

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 talent known as the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, Qinglian naturally possessed the ability to cultivate normally. Under Xiao Yan's guidance, she reached Dou Qi, Third Stage that very night, shocking everyone in the mercenary group who knew about it.

Later, while hunting magical beasts outside the city, Xiao Yan specifically captured a Third Rank Sand Python at the Da Dou Shi level.

Perhaps because she lacked the stimulation of a life-and-death crisis, Qinglian did not immediately awaken the power of her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils upon seeing the Sand Python. Naturally, Xiao Yan could not bear to throw Qinglian into a bloody battle against a Third Rank Sand Python, so he turned his attention toward the field in which he excelled: pills.

After much consideration, Xiao Yan decided to use the Blood Coagulation Pill as a base to design a pill that could help Qinglian awaken her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils. The original Blood Coagulation Pill could stimulate the body's potential and produce large quantities of blood in an instant. Xiao Yan hoped to guide its effects more toward unlocking potential.

Since it was merely an alteration of a Second-Grade Pill, it was not too difficult for Xiao Yan, who could already refine Fourth-Grade Pills. After failing only two or three times, he refined the modified Blood-Stirring Pill in one night. During the refining process, he even added a small amount of essence blood obtained from the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Serpent he had previously killed.

But honestly, Xiao Yan regretted adding the essence blood after finishing the refinement.

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

Xiao Yan stared at the red pill in his hand, his expression somewhat strange as he thought this.

He vigorously shook his head, tossing 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 envy and jealousy in his eyes. He truly did not know how that bastard had caught the third commander's eye. The third commander cared about her so much that he had even specially refined pills for her! Could she have climbed into the third commander's bed? Heh, now that he thought about it, that shameless snake demon was certainly capable of it.

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

"Miss Qinglian, the young master asks you to come over."