Chapter 123: Xiao Yan

Hai Bo Dong clearly also noticed the smile at the other's mouth, and after weighing the pros and cons in his mind, a stiff smile immediately appeared on his lips as he said, "I have offended you many times before; my Mi Te Er family is willing to take one‑third of the treasury's assets as compensation to settle our feud. I hope the master will set aside past grievances and value peace."

"Heh, you tried to take my life again and again before, and you think a mere thirty percent of the treasury's items can settle this?"

Yao Chen gave a calm smile and said disdainfully.

Although he is currently constrained by certain restrictions, it is not easy to kill Hai Bo Dong.

But extorting a sum and taking back a portion of the blood from that scroll of the Huangji Pill formula is still doable.

"Master, he caused us so much trouble before; why not kill that old man?"

Seeing that Yao Chen was inclined to reconcile with the other party, Xiao Yan understood Yao Chen's earlier suggestion to seek compensation, but he was still puzzled about why Hai Bo Dong was being spared, and asked in confusion.

After all, that guy had almost taken the lives of their master and disciple before.

Yao Chen gave a wry smile and shook his head, saying, "My soul power is already depleted because I previously helped the royal court forge those pills. When the time comes to go to Jianan Academy to search for the Falling Heart Flame, I'll need to investigate it myself. Not to mention I still have to brew the pills required to tame exotic fire; I can't waste them here. Moreover, the Mi Te Er family's overall strength is not weak. If I were held back by Hai Bo Dong and another Dou King from their family, they would turn against the Xiao Family, and by the time I arrive, your Xiao Family would likely have been slaughtered to the last."

Although he previously, through royal channels, condensed exotic fire into a pill to cure Na Lan Jie's scorching poison, obtaining a Seven Illusion Azure Spirit Saliva.

In addition, the royal court helped gather soul‑restoring herbs, giving him a decent recovery.

But forging so many pills before also consumed a lot.

Moreover, the soul‑restoring herbs the royal court collected were at most fifth‑grade, so the amount of soul power they could restore was limited.

If he were to face a mid‑tier Dou Emperor and a mid‑tier Dou King in a desperate counterattack, his soul power would surely be severely depleted.

"Alright, master, you're right. Once my strength improves, I'll settle the accounts with them."

Xiao Yan, thinking of the possibility Yao Chen mentioned, felt a chill and immediately agreed.

After all, he didn't want his father to be killed for his own momentary impulse.

By then, there wouldn't even be time to cry.

"You..."

Hai Bo Dong, seeing the other's confident demeanor, was also somewhat angry.

But considering the current situation, he let out a helpless sigh.

Now I am the fish, and others are the knives; what can I do?

Clenching his teeth, he then said, "Fifty percent—that's the limit I can accept. If that still isn't enough, then no one will have a good life; I'll simply rush to the Xiao Family's headquarters and self‑detonate, leaving you a solitary orphan."

"I can agree, but while I'm out training, you must guarantee the Xiao Family's safety. If anything happens to the Xiao Family, I will deal with the Mi Te Er family in the same way."

Yao Chen subconsciously brushed the air at his chin and said leisurely.

"Fine."

Hai Bo Dong also nodded stiffly in agreement.

Inside, he was so angry he felt like spitting blood, his guts turning green with regret.

Had he known Gu He was this unreliable, he shouldn't have provoked the alchemist before him in the first place.

"Master, luckily we didn't exterminate the Mi Te Er family; otherwise, our Xiao Family would truly become history."

Hearing Hai Bo Dong's words, Xiao Yan said gratefully.

"Hehe, in the future, don't act rashly; weigh the pros and cons and think three times before acting."

Yao Chen gave a soft laugh and began instructing his own disciple.

Although his disciple acts more seasoned than most peers, he becomes impulsive when faced with important matters.

As for half of the Mi Te Er family's assets, he has already decided how to use them.

All the gold coins will be taken by them, since searching for sixth‑grade high‑level pills and the ingredients for the Earth Spirit Pill in Heijiaoyu requires a lot of money.

The remaining techniques, combat skills, and low‑grade pills and other trinkets will be left to the Xiao Family to boost their strength and foundation.

With the Mi Te Er family's protection, within the Jia Ma Empire there is hardly any force that can threaten the Xiao Family's safety.

Seeing the matter resolved, Fa Mang beside them also let out a big sigh of relief.

If earlier someone had stepped forward to join Hai Bo Dong against the benefactor, especially the Jia Ma royal court, it would have been a huge trouble.

However, his worries were actually unnecessary.

Now Jia Xing Tian wishes the two sides could fight to the death.

After all, Hai Bo Dong's presence as a Dou Emperor poses a certain threat to the Jia Ma royal court's rule.

Because he is much older than Hai Bo Dong and has been stuck at the peak of Dou Emperor for a long time, his lifespan is already short.

Meanwhile, Hai Bo Dong still has several decades left; after he dies, who knows what strange thoughts he might develop.

Therefore, even though he knows that after Hai Bo Dong's death the Jia Ma Empire's overall strength will decline greatly, he still prefers Hai Bo Dong not to exist.

As for the other two of the three great families, after Hai Bo Dong's return they have been constantly oppressed by the Mi Te Er family.

Seeing Hai Bo Dong in trouble actually made him somewhat pleased; why would he risk helping?

As for other forces, most are intimidated by the reputation of a sixth‑grade alchemist; the benefits don't outweigh the risks, so they naturally refuse to step forward.

"White flame, with a cold aura—this Xiao Yan is my target, hehe."

And Zi Yan, the junior, was smiling brightly at Xiao Yan.

Now she only needs to sketch the likeness of that boy named Xiao Yan on paper to go back and claim the tempting Huangji Pill.

A trip that easy, yet obtaining a pill of that caliber, is simply too delightful.

However, he was also a bit surprised.

He didn't expect the owner of the white flame to be a Dou Emperor, and he silently felt relieved.

Fortunately, she chose to go to the treasury yesterday instead of snatching that boy's three‑pattern Azure Spirit Pill.

Otherwise, she would have been in big trouble.

Afterwards, she took out paper and pen, began recalling Xiao Yan's appearance, then wrote and drew on the paper.

After a short while, Zi Yan looked at the abstract drawing she had made, ultimately gave up drawing herself and decided to stroll the streets tomorrow.

After all, such a huge event happened today; tomorrow the streets will surely be buzzing with rumors about it.

As for Xiao Yan's portrait, it will probably be all over the streets.

When the time comes, she can just make a few at random.

Anyway, she even knows the other party's identity information, so why fear she can't get the portrait?