Chapter Twenty-Six: What Is Sought

Hai Bodong released his aura for only a fleeting moment before withdrawing it, letting out a soft, mocking scoff.

"Since you know that I am the Ice Emperor, you should understand that any transaction requires mutual gain and equal footing. I do not believe that a mere Grandmaster-level practitioner like yourself can offer anything that would pique my interest."

"If the Ice Emperor were still at his peak, I would turn and leave immediately. But as things stand, the Ice Emperor is a tiger fallen into the flatlands. I believe I have at least the qualifications to propose this trade."

Hearing Hai Bodong’s skepticism, Chen Xiao remained unfazed.

After stating his name, Chen Xiao continued, "I have read many miscellaneous records, and one in particular left a deep impression on me. It mentioned that the Queen of the Medusa tribe in the Tagor Desert possesses a sealing technique capable of forcing a victim's cultivation to regress continuously. The aura you just revealed—outwardly fierce but inwardly hollow and lacking staying power—bears a striking resemblance to that description."

Upon hearing the name of that woman once more, Hai Bodong struggled to maintain his composure, yet his heart could not help but tremble. No one knew the Medusa Queen’s Snake Sealing Curse better than he did; it was precisely this curse that had caused him such profound suffering over the years.

"What are you trying to say? Get to the point."

"I will find a way to persuade Queen Medusa to undo your seal, and in return, you will use the influence of the Mittel family to provide me with a powerful expert to accompany me into the Medusa tribe, acting as my bodyguard."

In Chen Xiao's estimation, Queen Medusa was not as brainless as the common snake-folk. As long as she was not provoked, and provided he had a powerful guardian by his side, the likelihood of her attacking him directly was low. After all, the snake-folk lived in the harsh conditions of the Tagor Desert; there was no need for her to pointlessly provoke formidable enemies for her tribe.

Chen Xiao’s "Plan B" was to leverage the information he held in his memory to exploit the gap in knowledge, thereby convincing Queen Medusa to lift the seal for Hai Bodong. At this point in time, Queen Medusa had yet to discover the Green Lotus Core Flame and was still troubled by her struggle to break through to the Dou Zong realm. If Chen Xiao used the location of the flame as a bargaining chip, it was possible to persuade her.

Of course, Chen Xiao could not guarantee total success, but as long as there was a possibility of success and a way to escape safely, it was worth a try. Among the three subsequent parts of the "Ice Emperor Canon" he could potentially unlock, Chen Xiao preferred to have Hai Bodong's seal removed. This would not only gain him an ally but would also avoid imposing unnecessary restrictions on himself. By comparison, becoming Hai Bodong’s disciple or joining the Mittel family would mean tethering himself to others—a desperate, inferior choice.

"That woman is not as easy to talk to as you imagine. Why would she listen to you?"

With the resources of the Mittel family, hiring a Dou Wang or even a Dou Huang was a simple matter. At the very least, Tengshan himself was a Dou Wang. Thus, ensuring Chen Xiao's safe entry and exit from the Tagor Desert was not difficult. However, Hai Bodong held a deep-seated prejudice against Queen Medusa and did not believe Chen Xiao could sway her.

"Naturally, it is because I know the location of something she has been dreaming of."

"Heh, a dignified Queen of the Medusa tribe, majestic and powerful—what could she possibly lack?"

"A chance for her tribe to leave the desert, or a rare treasure to help her reach a higher realm. Queen Medusa is human, too—or rather, a queen of her people. Does the Ice Emperor truly believe she lacks nothing?"

Hai Bodong fell silent. It was true; everyone has their desires. Wealth, beauty, power—these were the most common. Even those who lived in seclusion, seeking a life of peace, were merely pursuing a different kind of desire. As the queen, burdened with the responsibility of her tribe, Medusa’s desires would only be greater.

"And what about you? You are going to such great lengths to orchestrate this—what is your motive?"

Hai Bodong finally understood; Chen Xiao intended to be a middleman, connecting both sides to achieve this goal. However, such an act was highly suspicious. He did not believe Chen Xiao was merely bored and looking to do a good deed. There had to be a reason.

"It is simple: I, too, seek to improve my strength. Once the matter is settled, I want the Mittel family to provide me with two Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pills as compensation. Those with powerful backgrounds can sit back and reap the rewards, but for someone like me, standing alone, I must seize every possible opportunity to climb higher."

He could not reveal the truth about unlocking the subsequent parts of the Ice Emperor Canon, so requesting the pills made his motivation appear more rational. The Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill was a peak Grade 4 pill that could directly boost one’s strength. It only worked for those at the Grandmaster stage, where each pill could increase one’s cultivation by one star, up to a maximum of two times. Chen Xiao was currently a seven-star Grandmaster; with two pills, he could leap to nine-star, and from there, the next step would be the Dou Ling realm.

Hai Bodong nodded inwardly; the reasoning was sound. A peak Grade 4 pill was a high-end commodity in the Jia Ma Empire; very few alchemists could refine it. Without a background, an ordinary person would never obtain them. Naturally, the Mittel family had that capability.

"Your name is Chen Xiao, right? Although everything you say sounds reasonable, I still feel that you have an ulterior motive and that this has been long in the planning. I will need to think this over."

Hai Bodong certainly wanted his seal removed—he dreamed of it. But after suffering for so many years, he was not in such a rush that he couldn't wait another ten days or half a month. Moreover, what Chen Xiao had said today contained a great deal of information. When hearing something so surprising for the first time, one might overlook certain details, only to find flaws after careful reflection. Thus, he decided to think thrice before acting.

"I understand. After all, this is the first time the Ice Emperor and I have met. If I were in your position, I would have my doubts as well," Chen Xiao replied with a nod.

Looking at the young man, who carried himself with the maturity of an adult, Hai Bodong looked him up and down before suddenly letting out a soft laugh.

"Actually, there is another way. Since you mentioned you are alone—without a family or a master to rely on—why not take me as your master? Once you are one of us, whatever you wish to do, I and the Mittel family will support you without reservation. Not to mention the Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pills, even higher-grade pills like the Dou Ling Pill or the Emperor's Extreme Pill, I have the means to have them refined for you."

Hai Bodong was genuinely impressed; a seven-star Grandmaster at such a young age was a talent of extraordinary caliber. More importantly, the aura Chen Xiao displayed was of the ice element, which was perfectly compatible with his own. If such a young genius were cultivated with the resources of the Mittel family, he predicted that within ten years, there would be another Ice Emperor shaking the Jia Ma Empire. He might even break the record of the young sect leader of the Misty Cloud Sect—a path to the Dou Zong realm was within reach!

Furthermore, once Chen Xiao matured, it would be easier for him to help lift the seal. He could even threaten the holy city of the snake-folk to wash away his past shame. The more he thought about it, the more feasible it seemed, and his gaze turned intense, as if he were appraising a rare treasure.

Seeing this, Chen Xiao smiled inwardly. He had deliberately shown his ice-attribute energy and hinted that he had no master, all to lead Hai Bodong to this very conclusion. Once the idea of taking him as a disciple took root, the man would inevitably become biased in his decision-making.

"Thank you for your high regard, Ice Emperor. I have always admired your reputation, but I do not intend to take a master or join any faction at this time. However, I can make a wager with you."

"Oh? Let’s hear it."

"Give me half a year. Just as I proposed, let the Mittel family cooperate with me. If I cannot undo the seal within your body within six months, then whether it be becoming your disciple or joining the Mittel family, I will bow to your every wish!"