At that moment.
Hai Bodong slowly descended, the Dou Qi Wings behind him gradually dissipating as a complicated expression crossed his face.
He had never imagined that he, Ice Emperor Hai Bodong, a Dou Huang expert whose name had once shaken the entire Jia Ma Empire and whose strength ranked among its top three, would one day submit to the Snake-People Tribe.
Die! I can't die yet. I still have to see this vast, boundless world in your place!
Hai Bodong raised his head slightly and spoke silently in his heart.
He was not afraid of death, but Die was the most important person in his life. No matter what, he had to fulfill her wish.
"Thirty years. I will spend no more than thirty years with the Snake-People Tribe." Hai Bodong then turned to Chen Xuan, his expression solemn. "After thirty years, I must have the freedom I want!"
Chen Xuan did not refuse. He merely nodded slightly. "Agreed. After thirty years, whether you leave or stay will be entirely up to you!"
Of course, Chen Xuan knew that Hai Bodong had only submitted to the Snake-People Tribe because of his promise to Die. Keeping him in the tribe forever would be almost impossible.
But thirty years would be more than enough!
By then, whether Hai Bodong would even want to leave might be another question altogether.
Given thirty years, Chen Xuan was confident that the Snake-People Tribe would have become one of the strongest powers on this continent.
Chen Xuan had that confidence!
"Gu He, the same goes for you." Chen Xuan turned directly to Pill King Gu He beside him. "As long as you spend thirty years with the Snake-People Tribe, you will naturally receive what I promised you. Afterward, whether you leave or stay will be entirely up to you."
Gu He's heart jolted at those words, and delight spread across his face. "Rest assured, Your Majesty. I, Gu He, swear that for these thirty years, I will bend my back and exhaust every ounce of strength in service to the Snake-People Tribe!"
Naturally, Gu He was delighted. Thirty years was not much for experts at the Dou Wang level and above, and he could reap tremendous benefits within the Snake-People Tribe.
This was an immense boon!
Chen Xuan nodded slightly at his words.
His gaze fell directly on Hai Bodong, and terrifying Dou Qi surged forth in an instant. He raised his right hand, and black Dou Qi immediately transformed into a Snake Shadow that sank its fangs into Hai Bodong's arm before he could even react.
Hai Bodong's expression shifted slightly. He immediately understood and sat down cross-legged on the ground.
Fierce ripples of energy continuously radiated from Hai Bodong's body, while terrifying icy air spread in every direction.
Wherever the icy air passed, an icebound kingdom formed!
Everything within dozens of meters froze in an instant. Houses, tables, and the ground were all covered in ice, and the cold continued spreading outward.
A cool, dimly colored Snake Shadow slowly emerged on Hai Bodong's forehead. The instant the black Snake Shadow appeared, it froze like a mouse before a predator, allowing the black shadow to devour it.
In an instant...
The aura within Hai Bodong's body grew wild, becoming ever more powerful as surging energy shook the city.
Three-Star Dou Wang, five-star Dou Wang, Seven-Star Dou Wang...
In less than a quarter of an hour, he had already reached the strength of a Peak Dou Wang.
Rumble!
Suddenly, another earth-shaking roar rang out. Hai Bodong's eyes snapped open, and an incomparably fierce aura erupted like a lion awakening from slumber!
Dou Emperor!
This was the aura of a Dou Emperor!
As they watched Hai Bodong flash into the air, radiating boundless icy energy, Yue Mei and Gu He were both visibly shaken.
Ice Emperor Hai Bodong had returned!
Watching Hai Bodong unleash his aura without restraint and shake the earth, Yue Mei and Gu He both revealed a trace of envy.
So this was the power of a Dou Emperor!
Compared with their Dou Wang strength, the difference was simply heaven and earth.
"Before long, you will become Dou Emperors too, and even surpass that level!"
Seeing their expressions, Chen Xuan could not help chuckling.
The Dou Emperor level was merely the starting point on the path of the truly powerful. Across the entire Dou Qi Continent, it did not amount to much.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Yue Mei and Gu He answered with delight.
They had complete faith in Chen Xuan's words. Someone who could produce the Ninth-Grade Alchemy Master Insights would surely find helping them advance to Dou Emperor simple!
Hai Bodong slowly descended. Feeling the terrifying energy within his body that had been suppressed for over a decade, his expression relaxed considerably.
The Snake Curse Seal had suppressed his strength for more than ten years. All that time, he had searched for a way to remove it, never imagining that Queen Medusa would resolve it so easily.
With his Dou Emperor strength restored, Hai Bodong felt much more confident.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
As he looked at Chen Xuan, Hai Bodong was considerably more respectful.
Now that his Dou Emperor strength had returned, Hai Bodong could sense the terrifying power buried deep within Chen Xuan's body even more clearly. Once unleashed, that power would surge forth like an erupting volcano, vast and overwhelming.
"Not bad. A three-star Dou Emperor. You haven't returned to your peak yet, but it shouldn't take long."
Looking at Hai Bodong before him, Chen Xuan smiled and nodded. Then, with a slight wave of his hand, a golden pill appeared in front of Hai Bodong.
"This is... an Emperor's Extreme Pill!"
Smelling the rich, refreshing fragrance emanating from the pill, Hai Bodong could not help feeling stunned.
"Recover your strength as soon as possible. Once you swallow this Emperor's Extreme Pill, your strength will rise another level!"
Chen Xuan spoke slowly.
"Phew...! In that case, this old man will accept it."
Hai Bodong let out a deep breath and did not refuse. If he wanted to increase his strength, the Emperor's Extreme Pill was the best choice.
"I never imagined that I, Gu He, would one day serve as a subject alongside you!"
Looking at Hai Bodong, whose strength had already returned, Gu He sighed softly.
"You're the real surprise, Pill King Gu He. If people learned that you had joined the Snake-People Tribe, the entire Jia Ma Empire would probably tremble!" Hai Bodong was equally puzzled.
This fellow was a Sixth-Grade Alchemist, proud and lofty, yet he had actually joined the Snake-People Tribe.
"Hai Bodong, I believe you will certainly rejoice over the decision you made today!" At his words, a hint of fervor appeared on Gu He's face. "Her Majesty possesses heaven-bestowed talent. Within ten years, her name will surely resound throughout the Northwest Continent."
"The Snake-People Tribe will also become one of this world's foremost powers!"
Hai Bodong's expression shifted slightly at Gu He's words. As far as he knew, Gu He was no flatterer. As the Pill King, there were very few people in the entire Jia Ma Empire worthy of more than a passing glance from him.
Yet now, even Pill King Gu He praised Queen Medusa so highly-or rather, worshipped her.
Her Majesty must be hiding a great deal!
Before you continue