After an unknown length of time, the door to the room finally opened from within.
Lu Changfeng stepped through the doorway, his expression relaxed after just finishing his cultivation.
The past hour had not gone to waste. He had comprehended another Heaven Class Dou Technique in his mind.
Icebound for a Thousand Li was a terrifyingly powerful Dou Technique. Once unleashed, it could freeze a vast area, and for an ice-attribute cultivator, it was practically a divine technique tailor-made for them.
However, Lu Changfeng himself cultivated Fire Attribute Dou Qi, so he could not use this ice-attribute Heaven Class Dou Technique.
But that did not matter. Even if he could not use it himself, he could let someone with the ice attribute cultivate it.
Hai Bodong, for example, was a pure ice-attribute cultivator, and his strength happened to be at the peak of Nine-Star Dou Emperor. He could not have been better suited to cultivating this Dou Technique.
When Lu Changfeng reached the courtyard, he saw Mittel Tengshan and Hai Bodong hurriedly rise from their seats, their faces wreathed in respectful smiles.
"Lord Lu, have you finished cultivating?" Mittel Tengshan was the first to greet him.
"We came without notice and disturbed your cultivation, Lord Lu. We are truly sorry."
Beside him, Hai Bodong hurriedly cupped his hands as well. "Lord Lu, I came today specifically to thank you for your earlier kindness."
At that moment, Lu Changfeng glanced at them, nodded impassively, then walked over to a stone stool and sat down.
Seeing this, Hai Bodong hurriedly took a Storage Ring from his robes and offered it with both hands. "Lord Lu, this contains some medicinal ingredients we prepared. They are all rare varieties and might help with your pill refining."
"Please see whether they are to your liking. If they are not enough, I will find a way to get more."
Lu Changfeng took the Storage Ring and inspected it with his soul power, discovering that it indeed contained quite a few things.
There were several rare medicinal herbs of considerable age, along with several high-grade magical beast Magic Cores. All would fetch a considerable price on the market. It seemed Hai Bodong really had spared no expense this time.
Lu Changfeng nodded and put the Storage Ring away, his expression showing little change.
Seeing him accept the Storage Ring, Mittel Tengshan inwardly breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly chimed in with a few words of praise. "Lord Lu, your accomplishments lately have truly been extraordinary. Not only did you help Elder Jia break through to Dou Zong, I hear even the Amethyst Winged Lion King has acknowledged you as its master."
"The entire Jia Ma Empire is talking about you. Everyone says you are the most remarkable person in the empire's history."
Hai Bodong nodded alongside him. "Indeed. And since taking the Sect Breaking Pill, Elder Jia has completely stabilized his Dou Zong realm."
"His presence has grown much more powerful, and he no longer worries about his breakthrough being unstable as he did before. No one else in the entire Northwest Continent possesses such means."
As he listened to their flattery, Lu Changfeng showed no particular reaction. He merely lifted his teacup and took a sip.
Seeing Lu Changfeng's indifferent attitude, Hai Bodong grew somewhat anxious. After hesitating for quite some time, he finally gritted his teeth and spoke.
"Lord Lu, aside from thanking you, I actually came today with a presumptuous request. I wonder... could you refine a Sect Breaking Pill for me as well?"
"My strength is also at the peak of Nine-Star Dou Emperor now, and I have been stuck at this bottleneck for many years. If you are willing to help, Lord Lu, I will pay any price without a word of objection!"
After saying this, Hai Bodong watched Lu Changfeng nervously, afraid that he would reject him outright.
After all, refining a Sect Breaking Pill was extremely difficult, and its medicinal ingredients were exceedingly rare. Lu Changfeng might not be willing to refine another one for someone else. Yet upon hearing this, Lu Changfeng set down his teacup and glanced at Hai Bodong.
"I will not help anyone unconditionally. Give me a reason to help you."
Hai Bodong's heart tightened at these words, but he had already prepared what to say and hurriedly answered.
"Lord Lu, aside from the medicinal ingredients in that Storage Ring, there is something else I am willing to do. I am willing to follow you. From this day forward, I will be yours to command without a word of objection."
"As long as you deem me worthy, Lord Lu, I guarantee my unwavering loyalty. I will never harbor any thought of betrayal."
"If you do not believe me, Lord Lu, I can swear upon my soul and establish a soul contract!"
Hai Bodong's expression was utterly serious as he spoke, his gaze filled with determination.
As Ice Emperor Hai Bodong, he had once been a figure who commanded the winds and clouds in the Jia Ma Empire. His willingness to pledge himself as a follower now was already the greatest sincerity he could offer.
Looking at Hai Bodong's earnest expression, Lu Changfeng began weighing the matter. Having read the original novel, he did know Hai Bodong, and his character was indeed trustworthy.
Although he had offended Queen Medusa back then, resulting in his strength being sealed and his being trapped in the desert for years, he had truly been loyal to Xiao Yan. Why else would people call him an angel investor?
After pondering for a moment, Lu Changfeng slowly spoke. "As for you following me, I am in no hurry to agree."
"But I can consider it. Go back for now. We will discuss it once I have made up my mind."
Although Hai Bodong was somewhat disappointed to hear this, at least he had not been rejected outright, so he still held hope.
He hurriedly nodded. "Of course, of course. Take your time considering it, Lord Lu. I am in no hurry. Whenever you make up your mind, I will be ready to serve at your command."
As Mittel Tengshan watched this from the side, he was filled with emotion.
To think how proud a man Ice Emperor Hai Bodong had once been, yet now he had voluntarily offered to follow a young man.
But on second thought, it was only natural that an expert of Lord Lu's caliber could make Elder Hai willingly follow him.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Hai Bodong rose and took his leave with Mittel Tengshan.
Once the two had walked out through the courtyard gate, Mittel Tengshan could not help asking quietly, "Elder Hai, do you really intend to follow Lord Lu?"
Hai Bodong glanced at him and nodded. "Of course I do."
"Simply meeting someone like him is an immense stroke of fortune. If I do not seize this opportunity, I will regret it later. Besides, Lord Lu has already reached such heights at his young age. His future prospects are limitless."
"Following someone like him is far better than aimlessly muddling along on my own."
After hearing this, Mittel Tengshan nodded thoughtfully, inwardly considering how he should build a good relationship with Lord Lu in the future.
Meanwhile, Lu Changfeng was not thinking so much about it in the courtyard.
Having just comprehended the Heaven Class Dou Technique, Icebound for a Thousand Li, he was preparing to study its specific applications.
If Hai Bodong truly was willing to follow him, passing this Dou Technique on to him would be a good choice. But there was no hurry with such matters. He would see how Hai Bodong performed first.