Hai Bodong: Accompany You to the Snake-People Holy City?

"Young Master, Elder Hai is here."

Just as Chu Zhou was making plans to himself, Xiao Yi Xian's uniquely gentle voice came from outside the door.

Chu Zhou gathered his thoughts, opened the door with a sweep of his sleeve, and appeared at the entrance like a phantom.

Xiao Yi Xian stood gracefully in a pale white dress, her eyes as clear as autumn waters inviting a lingering glance.

"Now that Elder Hai is here, we can leave." Chu Zhou nodded with a smile. "Perfect timing beats arriving early."

Chu Zhou and Xiao Yi Xian headed to the Desert Iron Mercenary Group's main hall, where Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were having tea with a stern-faced, middle-aged man whose hair and beard were both white.

After learning from Xiao Yi Xian that the middle-aged man was the Ice Emperor, once renowned throughout the Jia Ma Empire, they were awed and apprehensive, but also eager to befriend him.

As Chu Zhou entered, a faint smile appeared on Hai Bodong's aloof face. "My young friend, I've come as promised."

"You're just in time, Elder Hai," Chu Zhou said as soon as he entered the hall. "I was about to head somewhere. With you along, it'll be much safer."

Chu Zhou sat down beside Hai Bodong and placed a Storage Ring before Xiao Ding. "Brother Xiao Ding, here are the Grade One and Grade Two Pills I promised to refine."

Xiao Ding picked up the Storage Ring and discovered that the number of Pills inside far exceeded his expectations. There were even several Grade Three Pills. Overjoyed, he said, "Mr. Chu, thank you."

To produce this many Pills, Chu Zhou would have needed a hundred-percent success rate.

Those Grade Three Pills in particular had cost most of his and Xiao Li's savings. He