Chapter 16: The Shock of the Ice Emperor Hai Bodong

Xiao Han was naturally unaware of the worries held by Xiao Zhan and Yi Huang. Even if he knew, there was nothing he could do.

The benefits and consequences brought about by a rapid surge in strength must naturally be accepted in their entirety.

Therefore, to prevent the members of the Xiao Clan from becoming arrogant, he had no choice but to resort to this desperate measure: arranging for those clansmen whose strength had skyrocketed to go to the Langya Pavilion for training.

Yi Huang did not know the details, while Xiao Zhan did not understand the strength of the Langya Pavilion's disciples.

When the clansmen, who were hiding their identities, discovered that the strength sufficient to dominate the Jia Ma Empire was nothing more than commonplace in the outside world, they would naturally correct their mindset.

Xiao Han had now shaken off the harassment of a group of Elders.

He was currently carrying out his layout within the Jia Ma Empire. Thinking of this, Xiao Han felt a wave of helplessness.

The powerful intelligence network of the Langya Pavilion, which he had once overseen, had locked down the Northwest Continent clearly and thoroughly; at that time, the Soul Hall also paid no attention to this remote place, thus successfully preserving the news of the Xiao Clan in the Jia Ma Empire.

Even the Ancient Clan had not discovered the existence of the Xiao Clan. However, the turn of events occurred during the hundred years he had gone missing.

Just at this critical juncture, the Soul Hall increased its infiltration of the Northwest Continent, and the Ancient Clan also found this place; it was only a matter of time before they tracked down the Xiao Clan.

Although they might not necessarily notice the now rather low-profile Xiao Clan, Xiao Han still did not want to gamble; the later this happened, the better.

Thus, he could only take one step back and seal off information about the Jia Ma Empire. And for this step, relying solely on the power of the Langya Pavilion was unrealistic; it also required the help of local forces.

Immediately, three figures from the original story appeared in Xiao Han's mind.

Mo City, a border city near the Tagor Desert. However, because of the existence of certain special reasons, this ordinary border city was not ordinary at all.

"Ice Emperor?", Xiao Han looked at the simple and heavy city walls in front of him, closed his eyes, and covered the area with his Soul Power.

Before long, he opened his eyes, and the corners of his mouth curled up: "Found you."

At this moment, in a shop with the two characters "Gu Tu" written on a plaque, a man who looked like an ordinary middle-aged man seemed to sense something and glanced outside the door.

At this time, the Ice Emperor Hai Bodong, having been sealed for only a few years, still had a sharp aura despite his ordinary appearance.

Just as Hai Bodong thought his senses had failed him, a white-clad figure that suddenly intruded into his field of vision made his pupils shrink.

"Ice Emperor?", the tone was a question, but it was more of an affirmation.

Hai Bodong felt a chill all over his body at this moment. The method this person used to appear before him without a sound was something even he, a former Dou Emperor powerhouse, had never possessed, or even seen before.

As for the Dou Zong powerhouses who had already become extinct in the Jia Ma Empire, given his knowledge, they absolutely could not appear before him without leaving a trace.

He was, after all, a former Dou Emperor; although his cultivation had been sealed, his perception still existed.

Therefore, he dared not continue to think about the identity of the person in front of him. If his guess were true, this level of cultivation was something only possessed by the founding ancestor of the Yunlan Sect, Yun Potian!

"I wonder what advice the senior has for gracing me with your presence?" His tone was respectful.

Could it be that he came for that mysterious Residual Map? Thinking of this, Hai Bodong could not help but feel a trace of regret; had he known that thing had such a big background and was coveted by such a powerhouse, he wouldn't have dared to keep it even if he had ten times the courage.

"Could it be that the senior has come for that Residual Map?" Seeing that the other party had not spoken for a long time, he thought the other party was waiting for him to speak, so Hai Bodong immediately exposed himself.

"Residual Map?" Now it was Xiao Han's turn to be surprised.

Although he knew from the original story that Xiao Yan had obtained the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame Residual Map from Hai Bodong, he had not expected Hai Bodong to have obtained this thing so early.

At the same time, Xiao Han admired Xiao Yan's luck in his heart. Wasn't this something sent to him by the heavens?

Since he had encountered it, Xiao Han would naturally not let it go. As for whether he would agree or not?

Xiao Han guaranteed that he would agree.

And when Hai Bodong heard this puzzled tone from Xiao Han, he was suddenly shocked in his heart.

"It's ruined," the person hadn't come for this at all, and he had sold himself out with a single sentence!

Sure enough, the next step was for the person opposite to say: "Can you let me see that Residual Map?"

If I say I'm not willing, would you agree? Hai Bodong grumbled inwardly.

"Since the senior has asked, there is naturally no reason to refuse." Although his internal monologue was rich, Hai Bodong's actions were not slow.

Seeing that ancient and mysterious-looking Residual Map, Xiao Han felt a joy in his heart, "That's right, this is it."

"Ahem~"

Xiao Han coughed a few times, not beating around the bush at all.

"Originally, I came here this time to ask you for a favor; of course, I will also pay you the corresponding reward."

?

A favor?

Hai Bodong was very puzzled; if even the other party couldn't do it, how could he manage it?

"May I ask what the senior wishes for me to do?"

"To be precise, I hope to borrow the power of your Miter Clan." Xiao Han said.

The Miter Clan was deeply rooted in the Jia Ma Empire and was only a commercial clan on the surface. They had wealth, but their strength was not considered very strong.

But in reality, they had long since infiltrated every aspect of the empire. If it weren't for the Yunlan Sect taking the heat at the front, the Imperial family would have already taken action against them.

And Hai Bodong was very clear about this, even initially thinking that this senior wanted to take control of the Miter Clan.

He instinctively wanted to refuse; after all, although he had "gone missing," he was still the Clan Leader of the Miter Clan, so how could he betray the clan's interests?

But then he thought again, with the strength of this powerhouse, how could he possibly take a fancy to the Miter Clan?

Although they had some influence in the Jia Ma Empire, it was not much to look at in the grand scheme of things.

Money? On the Dou Qi Continent, strength was the foundation; otherwise, no matter how vast one's wealth was, one would always be a fat sheep in the eyes of others.

Just like the Xiao Clan a few days ago; despite keeping to himself, Hai Bodong was still able to receive news from the outside world here.

The Dou Wang Clan Leader was gone, and as a result, when the wall fell, everyone pushed it; most of the industries were gone, and they left the Imperial Capital in a sorry state.

Before Hai Bodong could continue his brainstorming, Xiao Han continued to explain:

"I hope your Miter Clan will help me seal the news of the Xiao Clan of the Jia Ma Empire within the border lines, so that it does not spread out."

???!!!

"What is the relationship between the senior and the Xiao Clan..." Although he knew that casually inquiring about a powerhouse's information was a very rude act and could easily make the other party unhappy.

But the doubt that filled his heart made him subconsciously ask this question.

Would a top-tier expert make a special trip to this desert city to find him, just to help the Xiao Clan, which was rumored to have left the Imperial Capital in disgrace, suppress information?

Furthermore, he did not believe the Xiao Clan had anything worth suppressing; this family's strength was average, having only a bit of influence in the Jia Ma Empire—and it would have even less in the future.

Could there be something he did not know?

"Do you know who I am?" Xiao Han asked with a smile.

"Who?" Hai Bodong, whose brain was currently in a state of system failure, asked subconsciously, though he regretted it immediately after.

"My name is Xiao Han."

The calm and indifferent tone caused a massive psychological shock to Hai Bodong.

Hai Bodong:...