"Could such a genius be from Zhongzhou?" Hai Bodong murmured to himself, watching Gu Fei and Xiao Yixian ride away on the huge Amethyst Winged Lion King.
Having recovered his former Dou Huang strength, Hai Bodong's Dou Qi had transformed into wings, allowing him to hover in the air outside Mo City.
He recognized the enormous beast as the sixth-level Amethyst Winged Lion King, the overlord of the outskirts of the Monster Mountain Range. Even with his newly restored power, Hai Bodong knew he'd have to tread carefully around such a creature.
With the seal placed by Queen Medusa finally broken, the once-mighty Ice Emperor had returned. Years of misery in Shimo City, living in a daze and running a small shop, had come to an end. Perhaps it was luck that led him to encounter Gu Fei, though it had come at the cost of being blackmailed for a considerable sum.
In the past, the unruly Ice Emperor might have fought Gu Fei, but time had tempered his ambitions. Though he couldn't fully gauge Gu Fei's strength, Hai Bodong sensed the terrifying energy within the seemingly frail boy. His intuition told him that Gu Fei was far more powerful than he had ever imagined, even surpassing Queen Medusa.
As for the incomplete maps that hinted at unknown treasures, Hai Bodong didn't know their full significance, but he understood the danger they carried. Queen Medusa had hunted him down for those maps, leading to his years of hiding and the sealing of his cultivation.
Queen Medusa, the proud and powerful ruler of the snake people, had personally sought him out—a testament to the value of those maps.
"I've been gone for so long; it's time to return to the capital and see how my old friends are faring," Hai Bodong sighed, finally letting go of his thoughts about Gu Fei and the incomplete map.
He had spent too much time and energy on these matters. Now that Gu Fei had taken them off his hands, Hai Bodong felt an unexpected sense of relief. Guarding the treasure had been a constant burden, with the fear that Queen Medusa might one day appear and kill him.
Before leaving, Hai Bodong took one last look at the city on the edge of the desert. The familiar sight of yellow sand and bustling streets filled with enthusiastic people brought a touch of melancholy to his heart. Everything was so familiar, yet today he had to say goodbye.
He had thought he might grow old in fear in Shimo City, but fate had given him another chance.
Without looking back, Hai Bodong's figure gradually receded into the distance, unsure if he would ever return. The small shop on the corner of the street closed quietly, and no one knew where the old manager had gone. The shop never reopened.
…
Meanwhile, as the Lion King carried Gu Fei and Xiao Yixian deeper into the desert, the surrounding climate grew increasingly hotter. However, protected by the energy shield on the Amethyst Winged Lion King's back, Xiao Yixian didn't feel the heat.
She sat on the lion's broad back, marveling at the scenery below. The difference between this place and Qingshan Town was striking, and despite having seen it several times, Xiao Yixian couldn't help but be amazed.
Along the way, they observed various cultural customs and even spotted snake people, which piqued Xiao Yixian's curiosity.
"Is that a snake man? Brother Gu Fei, walking with a snake's tail seems quite special!" Xiao Yixian exclaimed, her eyes full of innocence and curiosity.
Gu Fei just smiled, choosing not to reveal how terrifying snake people could be to humans.
As she yawned and looked down again, Xiao Yixian noticed a battle unfolding in the desert below. A dozen tall snake people had surrounded seven or eight humans. The snake people, tall and physically strong, made the humans appear weak and pitiful.
Gu Fei began to explain that most snake people harbored a deep hatred for humans and were often brutal, killing on sight. If nothing unexpected happened, those humans would likely be killed in the siege.
The snake people and the humans of the Gama Empire despised each other, and their mutual hatred had built up over time, leading to conflicts like this. There was no clear right or wrong, only a tragic cycle for both sides.
Initially, Gu Fei had no intention of intervening. However, seeing the scene below, Xiao Yixian pleaded with him to help.
"Brother Gu Fei, please help them!" she said, her eyes filled with pity as she noticed a woman among the humans holding a child.
"Alright," Gu Fei replied, glancing at Xiao Yixian. The panic in her eyes revealed her kind nature, and he couldn't remain indifferent. He ordered the Lion King to fly down.
The lion's massive presence scared both sides into fleeing, giving the humans a glimmer of hope.
…
With the Lion King's speed, they reached Shimo City, the closest city to the Gama Empire's border, in just half a day. Upon arriving, Gu Fei stopped, remembering the poor girl Qinglin, who had half-human, half-snake blood, resided in this city.
From what Gu Fei knew, Qing Lin had a kind personality but had suffered unfair discrimination and abuse since childhood. Despite possessing great talent, she had yet to unlock her potential.
Gu Fei decided to take Qinglin under his wing, believing that only by becoming strong could she avoid further discrimination and abuse. He knew Qing Lin was an important character in the original story, and her good fortune could greatly benefit him in collecting emotional points if she stayed by his side for a long time.