I, the Ice Emperor, know a little about investing (three-thousand-word medium cup)

Now, it's time to go to the Misty Cloud Sect and have a "friendly" discussion about cooperation.

After all, when Gu He led his people to storm the Snake-People Holy City, many of the Snake-People Tribe died.

Some of these offer room for maneuver.

Medusa quickly arranged some things for Hua She'er, then followed Xiao Yan and flew towards the edge of the Desert.

Before leaving, it was natural to visit some old friends.

Frankly speaking, having acquired a Dou Zong- level "fighter" like Queen Medusa with immense potential, a sealed Dou Emperor was no longer of any interest to Xiao Yan.

After all, her current strength is at the one- Dou Ling, but that's without using the Green Lotus Core Flame.

If she were to unleash her Origin Green Flame, she would be terrifyingly powerful right now.

However, Hai Bodong had no choice but to take the Fragmentary Map he possessed.

Moreover, the Xiao Clan is currently in dire need of manpower, so recruiting another Dou Emperor would actually be a good option.

Upon arriving near Desert City, Xiao Yan instructed Queen Medusa to conceal herself— Queen Medusa appearance in front of others would likely cause panic.

Although she no longer has her "signature" snake tail, Queen Medusa might not be recognized by passersby if her face is covered.

However, it's always better to avoid trouble.

After Queen Medusa "disappeared," Xiao Yan "alone" arrived at a Map Shop she had visited not long ago.

Xiao Yan pushed open the door and entered. As soon as she stepped into the Map Shop called "Ancient Map", the fire attribute aura emanating from her startled Hai Bodong, who was drawing a map.

Of course, this is also why Xiao Yan didn't try to hide it.

Hai Bodong was taken aback when he saw that the visitor was Xiao Yan.

Not... Dou Ling?!

He broke through from Seven-Star Great Dou Master to Dou Ling in less than a month?

Hmm... if one has enough and suitable Pill, upgrading in this way doesn't seem impossible.

But Hai Dongbo seemed to vaguely sense something about Xiao Yan that made him slightly afraid.

"Could it be Heavenly Flames? My God, she really found Heavenly Flames?--"

"Wait a minute, didn't this girl already possess that Myriad Beast Spirit Flame?"

"Could it be that they found a new Heavenly Flames and changed their flame? Heh, were my speculations true?"

If the other party truly found a stronger Heavenly Flames because of his information, then—wouldn't that count as a considerable favor?

A series of thoughts flashed through Hai Bodong's mind, and an unusually warm smile immediately appeared on his face. "Hmm--"

"Young friend, you've arrived?"

Embarrassingly, he didn't even have a chance to ask Xiao Yan her name or how to address her last time.

"Elder Hai, you don't have many customers. Can you afford the rent?" Xiao Yan joked.

I don't know why this old man sits in the back drawing maps every day.

There aren't many customers in this shop. How can they sell so many paintings?

"We're closed!"

Hai Bodong had little inclination to joke with Xiao Yan and called out to a few customers who were selecting maps in the store.

Then, he released a wisp of Dou Ling level pressure, driving away the customers with average strength.

"Um--

"Young friend," Hai Bodong looked at Xiao Yan after clearing the area and asked somewhat nervously, "Did you find the Sand Mandala?"

"No," Xiao Yan shook her head, "I encountered Queen Medusa in the Desert, so I didn't go to gather herbs for you."

"Uh----" Upon hearing this, Hai Bodong gave a dry laugh.

Now that the Breakthrough Pill is nowhere to be found, he still has to force a smile, after all, he can't afford to offend Xiao Yan: "Hehe, impressive, to actually come back alive from that woman, truly heroes emerge from among the young."

"Just lucky—" Xiao Yan waved her hand and said, "Although I didn't manage to collect the Sand Mandala, I've found someone who can help you break the seal."

After saying that, Xiao Yan snapped her fingers.

"Oh? Who is it? Holy crap!"

Suddenly, a tall figure in a red dress emerged from the void beside Xiao Yan. (Dou Zong has a basic grasp of Spatial Power and can traverse the void over short distances.)

"Beauty— Queen Medusa!"

Upon seeing who it was, Hai Bodong was so frightened that he took two steps back.

He's a professional at being afraid of snakes.

He used to be a Dou Emperor Battle Emperor), and even if he couldn't defeat Queen Medusa, he had a chance to escape; now he's a Dou Ling), and if he encounters a peak Dou Emperor —or something like that?

Hai Bodong was completely stunned when he saw the part of Queen Medusa's leg that was exposed.

Queen Medusa —has she become human?

Fighting... Dou Zong?!

Seemingly noticing Hai Bodong's gaze, Medusa stepped forward. "Old man, want to see?"

Hai Bodong: "!!!"

"Ahem," Xiao Yan stepped forward, helping Hai Bodong out of the predicament, "Medusa, help him break the seal."

Hai Bodong shrank back, not daring to look any further.

He felt that Xiao Yan had played a huge joke on him.

They encountered Queen Medusa, so instead of gathering herbs, they brought Queen Medusa with them?!

And it wasn't even Peak Dou Emperor Medusa, it was Dou Zong Medusa!

There's a limit to jokes!

"Yes."

Queen Medusa casually pointed at Hai Bodong, and the seal that had troubled Hai Bodong for over twenty years was broken.

"Alliance Leader Xiao." Queen Medusa took two steps back and bowed to Xiao Yan.

She also took the opportunity to "inadvertently" demonstrate her strong ambition to Xiao Yan.

Well, you could say he's very dishonest, and quite shrewd too.

Of course, since she wasn't sure what Xiao Yan was really thinking, she only occasionally showed off her strength, putting herself in a position where she could advance or retreat at will.

"Ahem." Xiao Yan averted her gaze for a second, looking at Hai Bodong, who had regained his strength but was trying to make his presence as inconspicuous as possible. "Alright, the seal has been broken, you should give me the remaining Fragmentary Map now."

"I'll go get it right now." Hai Bodong dashed into the secret room of the Map Shop.

She's shortened her lifespan! Queen Medusa actually...

That Alliance Leader Xiao was so respectful?!

Holy crap, the Mysterious Ice Dragon Soaring! Just what kind of background does Alliance Leader Xiao have?!

Moreover, for Alliance Leader Xiao to go to such lengths, that Fragmentary Map must contain a great secret, one that is certainly not something he is qualified to know.

Hai Bodong quickly located the Fragmentary Map and handed it to Xiao Yan.

"Next, I plan to go to the Jia Ma Imperial Capital —it's been many years since I last visited. Elder Hai, would you like to visit the Mittel Family? How about we travel together?"

After putting away the Fragmentary Map, Xiao Yan looked at Hai Bodong and asked.

Hai Bodong initially wanted to refuse, but Queen Medusa kept staring at him, so he replied, "It would be my greatest honor."

Although Xiao Yan possesses Flying Dou Technique, she is still only a Dou Ling, and her speed naturally cannot compare to that of a true powerhouse.

Therefore, Xiao Yan was led by Queen Medusa, with Hai Bodong following beside her, flying at a distance that was neither too close nor too far.

Hai Bodong now had only one thought in his mind: to cling tightly to the coattails of this "Alliance Leader Xiao".

To have Medusa, Dou Zong- level expert, obey her so completely, what more needs to be said about her strength?!

He doesn't understand Hai Bodong else, but he knows a little about investing!

He wasn't sure where Alliance Leader Xiao was from, but if needed, he could go back and change the Mittel Family's surname to Xiao!

The Imperial Capital is quite far from the Tagor Desert. Medusa, taking Xiao Yan Xiao Yan's "comfort" into consideration, will not speed too much.

Hai Bodong had just broken the seal, and his strength had only recovered to the level of a two- or three- Dou Emperor. He couldn't even fly as fast as Medusa, who was carrying Xiao Yan.

So, the three of them traveled at a leisurely pace, taking two and a half days to finally reach the Jia Ma Imperial Capital.

"We're planning a trip to the Misty Cloud Sect. Are you going to come along to see what's going on, or go back to the Mittel Family?" Xiao Yan asked Hai Bodong.

Originally, she planned to renew her Alchemist certificate first, and then renegotiate the "investment" with the Imperial Family.

Without Medusa as her Dou Zong fighter, she would just be an ordinary fourth or fifth-grade Alchemist — her Soul Power had increased, but she hadn't yet mastered Alchemy.

Since the Apothecary cannot show herself, at most she can only be considered "equal" to Fa Ma and Jia Xingtian.

But now that we've "tamed" Medusa, we're the "Alliance Leader" of the alliance, and our status is different from before. Some things will definitely change along with that.

That's how it is on the mainland: might determines status. If you're not convinced, come and kill me; if you can't beat me, just keep quiet.

With Medusa and the Apothecary, Xiao Yan could truly do whatever she wanted in the Jia Ma Empire.

However, Medusa's "trouble-making" at the Misty Cloud Sect will definitely alarm Jia Xingtian, Fa Ma, and others.

So there's no rush. Let's wait until Medusa's situation is resolved first.

"Um... I think I'll stick with you, Alliance Leader," Hai Bodong said after a moment's hesitation.

Although we don't know what happened, Queen Medusa went to the Misty Cloud Sect, so something big must have happened today.

If we can seize this opportunity to deepen our relationship with the Alliance Leader the mysterious alliance who can even subdue Queen Medusa, it would be a win-win situation no matter how you look at it.

If someone is in a good mood and willing to lend him a hand, Hai Bodong can take off.

Only someone who doesn't know how to seize opportunities would choose to leave now.

Moreover, even if they offend the Misty Cloud Sect, it won't matter, since the Misty Cloud Sect has always been one step ahead of the Jia Ma Imperial Family because of the Pill King Gu He.

As long as he gets the Mittel Family and the Imperial Family to side with him, and unless he intends to completely break off relations and start a major war, the Misty Cloud Sect won't dare to easily do anything to them.

Hai Bodong's information was somewhat outdated, but that didn't prevent him from making what he believed to be the most correct, and in fact, the most correct, choice.

Xiao Yan nodded, not caring. One Dou Emperor, Hai Bodong, wouldn't make much difference; his absence wouldn't have any impact.

However, if she were to go to the Misty Cloud Sect with Queen Medusa, it would be tantamount to directly "breaking ties" with the Misty Cloud Sect.

It's not a big deal that it's torn.

Moreover, there's no need to hide such things.

If the guards are covered up, how can she give birth?

If she keeps her identity Alliance Leader a secret, can she increase her value?

Misty Cloud Sect a sect that doesn't even have a Dou Zong, so offending them is no big deal.

But she already has Dou Zong- level alien beast as her henchman. If she were to side with the Snake-People Tribe and become completely "hostile" to the Misty Cloud Sect, and then go to Nalan Yan to fulfill that Three-Year Agreement—

Isn't that a bit beneath us?

What level is this that requires my Alliance Leader Xiao to personally take action?

To be honest, the day her talent "returned," Nalan Yan was no longer worthy of being her opponent.

It feels like even contradicting myself would be unnecessary.

Never mind, it's not important anyway, we'll deal with it later.

"Elder Hai, if you want to watch the show, that's fine, but stay a little further away. After all, we're going to cause trouble for the Misty Cloud Sect," Xiao Yan said.

Hai Bodong:

Well, he wants to invest, but they don't really think much of him.

Or was it that Alliance Leader Xiao was concerned for his safety?

She really made me cry my eyes out.

"Go," Xiao Yan said to Medusa.

Queen Medusa nodded, and the two flew towards Misty Cloud Mountain to "demand an explanation" for Gu He and Yun Yun's recent intrusion into the Snake-People Tribe. Hai Bodong followed at a distance.

Of course, even though it's called "crashing the party," as a fellow human being, Xiao Yan certainly wouldn't go too far.

She was merely asking the Misty Cloud Sect to contribute some money and effort to relocate the Snake-People Tribe, essentially "paying to avoid trouble."

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, no bloodshed is expected.

After all, she's not a bad person.

Soon, a pressure from the Misty Cloud Sect, far exceeding that of Peak Dou Emperor, enveloped the entire Misty Cloud Mountain.

Queen Medusa's cold voice rang in everyone's ears at the Misty Cloud Sect: "Yun Yun, come out and greet us."