What Was Sought

What Was Sought

Hai Bo Dong's aura flared and vanished in an instant, and he let out a soft scoff.

"Since you know that this Old Man is the Ice Emperor, then you should know that a deal requires both sides to want something from each other, and to be of equal strength. This Old Man does not believe that a mere Da Dou Shi like you can bring out anything that would tempt me."

"If the Ice Emperor were still at his peak, I would turn and leave. But now the Ice Emperor is a tiger fallen to the plains. Chen Xiao believes he still has some small qualification to make a deal."

Hearing Hai Bo Dong's doubt, Chen Xiao took no offense.

After giving his name, Chen Xiao continued, "I have read many Miscellaneous Records, and one of them left an especially deep impression on me. It once mentioned that the Snake-People Race queen in the Tagor Desert possesses a sealing technique that can cause the strength of those struck by it to continuously regress. Just now, when the Ice Emperor revealed his aura, it seemed strong on the outside but hollow within, lacking staying power. It was quite similar to that description."

Hearing that terrifying woman mentioned again, Hai Bo Dong did his utmost to keep himself calm, yet his heart still could not help but tremble.

No one had more right to speak on Medusa Queen's Serpent Sealing Curse than he did.

It was precisely because of this curse that he had suffered bitterly all these years.

"What are you trying to say? Be direct."

"I will think of a way to ask Medusa Queen to undo the seal for you. In return, you will use the Mite'er Family's power to invite an expert to accompany me into the Snake-People Race and protect me!"

From what Chen Xiao knew, that Medusa Queen was not as brainless as the lower-level snake-people. As long as she was not provoked, and with an expert escorting him, the possibility of her directly attacking was not high.

After all, the Snake-People Race lived in Tagor, and their living environment was already extremely difficult. She had no need to needlessly provoke a powerful enemy the tribe should not have.

Chen Xiao's Plan B was to rely on the memories in his mind and make good use of the gap in information, thereby getting Medusa Queen to remove Hai Bo Dong's seal.

At this point in time, Medusa Queen had not yet discovered the Green Lotus Core Flame and was still troubled over breaking through to Dou Zong. If Chen Xiao used information about the Green Lotus Core Flame as a condition, it was possible he could persuade Medusa Queen.

Of course, Chen Xiao did not dare guarantee too much.

But as long as there was a chance of success, and he could withdraw safely, it was worth trying.

Among the three follow-ups for pre-paying the Ice Emperor Scripture, Chen Xiao was most inclined toward undoing Hai Bo Dong's seal.

This would not only gain him an aid, but also would not add restrictions onto himself.

By comparison, whether it was becoming Hai Bo Dong's disciple or joining the Mite'er Family, both would add ties to himself. They were only inferior choices he would make out of helplessness.

"That woman isn't as easy to talk to as you imagine. Why would she listen to you?"

With the Mite'er Family's foundation, inviting a Dou Wang, or even a Dou Emperor, was extremely simple.

At worst, Teng Shan himself was also a Dou Wang.

So if they truly wanted to ensure Chen Xiao's safe entry and exit through the Tagor Desert, it would not be difficult.

But Hai Bo Dong held an extreme prejudice against Medusa Queen. He did not believe Chen Xiao could persuade her.

"Naturally because I know the location of something she dreams of obtaining."

"Heh, the mighty queen of the Snake-People Race, awe-inspiring and imposing. What could she lack?"

"A turning point that would let the Snake-People Race leave the desert, Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures that would allow her to advance to a higher realm. Medusa Queen is also a person, and moreover, she is the queen of a race. Does the Ice Emperor truly think she lacks nothing?"

Hai Bo Dong fell silent.

Indeed, as long as one was a person, one would want something.

Wealth, beauty, strength—these were the most common and universal.

Even those recluses who wholeheartedly wanted a peaceful life—was that not also a kind of desire?

As for Medusa, as the queen of the Snake-People Race, she bore the responsibility of her tribe on her shoulders. She would only want more.

"Then what about you? You've gone to such lengths, maneuvering back and forth through all of this. What are you after?"

Hai Bo Dong had completely understood now. Chen Xiao was planning to act as a lobbyist, connecting both sides and bringing this matter to completion.

But this behavior was far too strange. He did not believe Chen Xiao had simply been bored and come here to do a good deed.

Therefore, there had to be a reason behind it!

"It is very simple. I am also doing it to increase my strength. After the matter is done, I want the Mite'er Family to prepare two Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pills for me as payment. Those with powerful backgrounds can sit back and enjoy the fruits of others' labor. Someone like me, all alone, can only seize every possible chance to climb upward."

He certainly could not say aloud that he was doing this to complete the follow-up for pre-paying the Ice Emperor Scripture.

Therefore, by asking for two Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pills, his motive became much more reasonable.

The Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pill was a peak fourth-tier medicinal pill.

It was the kind of medicinal pill that could directly increase one's strength after consumption!

However, the Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pill only worked at the Da Dou Shi stage. For people at this level, taking one pill could increase their strength by one star, and at most, they could take it twice in succession.

Chen Xiao was currently a Seven Star Da Dou Shi. If he could obtain two Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pills, he could leap to a Nine-Star Da Dou Shi in one go.

One step further, and he would be a Dou Ling!

Hai Bo Dong silently nodded in his heart. This reason was acceptable.

Peak fourth-tier medicinal pills were absolutely high-grade goods in the Jia Ma Empire. The alchemists capable of refining them could be counted on one hand. Without some background or strength, ordinary people truly had no way of obtaining them.

Of course, the Mite'er Family definitely had this ability.

"Your name is Chen Xiao, yes? Although everything you've said is reasonable, this Old Man still feels that you have another purpose, and that you have planned this for a long time. This matter... this Old Man still needs to think it over."

Hai Bo Dong naturally wanted to undo the seal.

He dreamed of it!

But after suffering for so many years, another ten days or half a month was hardly urgent.

Besides, what Chen Xiao had said today contained a great deal of information.

Many matters, when one first learned of them and was still shocked, could be considered poorly; only after thinking them over carefully afterward would the flaws reveal themselves.

Therefore, Hai Bo Dong decided to think twice before acting.

"I understand. The Ice Emperor and I are meeting for the first time, after all. If I were in the Ice Emperor's position, I would have doubts as well," Chen Xiao replied with a nod.

Seeing his little-adult manner, Hai Bo Dong looked him up and down, then suddenly chuckled softly.

"Actually, there is another way. You said just now that you were all alone, which means you have no family, and no Teacher or other support to rely on. Why not take Old Man as your master? Once you become one of us, whatever you want to do, Old Man and the Mite'er Family will naturally support you without holding anything back. Forget the Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pill—even higher-grade pills like the Dou Ling Pill and Royal Extreme Pill, Old Man would have a way to ask someone to refine them for you."

Hai Bo Dong had indeed grown interested after seeing a promising talent. At such a young age, Chen Xiao was already a Seven Star Da Dou Shi; his talent could be called outstanding.

More importantly, the aura Chen Xiao revealed was the Ice Attribute, which suited him perfectly.

For such a young genius, if he were nurtured with the strength of the Mite'er Family, Hai Bo Dong could boldly predict that within ten years, Jia Ma might have another Ice Emperor whose name shook the empire!

He might even break the record of that young Sect Master from the Misty Cloud Sect. Becoming a Dou Zong was well within reach!

Moreover, as long as Chen Xiao grew up, it would become even simpler for Hai Bo Dong to undo his seal when the time came. He could completely threaten the Snake-People Race Holy City and wash away the shame of that year.

The more he thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. Hai Bo Dong's gaze became somewhat unnerving, as though he were appraising a precious treasure.

Seeing this, Chen Xiao immediately laughed inwardly.

He had deliberately revealed his Ice Attribute and had also unintentionally let slip that he had no Teacher, precisely to let Hai Bo Dong naturally develop this idea.

As long as the thought of taking him as a disciple existed, when the other party made decisions, he would unconsciously develop a certain bias.

"Thank you for thinking so highly of me, Ice Emperor. This junior has long admired the Ice Emperor's former reputation as well, but for the time being, I have no plans to acknowledge a master or join any faction. However, I can make a bet with the Ice Emperor."

"Oh? Let's hear it."

"Give me half a year, Ice Emperor. Just like the deal I mentioned earlier, have the Mite'er Family cooperate as much as possible. If I cannot undo the seal in the Ice Emperor's body within half a year, then when the time comes, whether it is becoming the Ice Emperor's disciple or joining the Mite'er Family, everything will be according to the Ice Emperor's wishes!"