Chapter 129: Hai Bodong: Xiao Yuan, Go Deal With Jia Xingtian
"Haha! Old Ice-head, after all these decades, it seems your strength hasn't progressed at all. Back then, your ice-based attacks made even me wary, but now? They're nothing impressive!"
Following a fierce clash, a burst of laughter came from the yellow glow.
"Hmph, old freak. You haven't made much progress either. Judging by your age, you must be nearing your limit. If you don't break through soon, your time will come. When that happens, without your protection, the Jia Ma royal family won't be so comfortable anymore."
Hai Bodong's cold voice came from within the icy-blue glow.
"Heh… I still have plenty of life in me… not that easy to die, you know." The aged voice in the yellow glow chuckled softly. But despite the calm tone, Xiao Yuan and the others could clearly hear the heaviness behind the words.
"Tch, even you don't believe that, do you…"
"Ice-head?" Nalan Jie's eyes widened when he heard Jia Xingtian's way of addressing Hai Bodong. Staring in disbelief at the smug smile on Mittel Tengshan's face, he cried out, "Ice Emperor? That's Hai Bodong? He's still alive?!"
"Hehe, Elder Hai wouldn't die that easily. He's just been living in seclusion for the past few decades."
Mittel Tengshan grinned broadly. Seeing Nalan Jie this stunned gave him a great sense of satisfaction.
Nalan Jie's expression shifted between shock and gloom. He knew well the connection between Hai Bodong and the Mittel Clan. He also knew that with the Ice Emperor's return, the Mittel Clan would rise to new heights.
Forget the other two great clans—even the royal family would now have to tread more cautiously around them.
After all, during the last power shift in the empire, the royal family had itself evolved from a major family. That's why the empire's ruling family had always kept a wary eye on the noble clans.
Still, thanks to Nalan Yanran's link with Misty Cloud Sect, the Nalan family had some backing. So Hai Bodong's return to the Mittel Clan wasn't a pressing concern for now.
Mittel Tengshan understood this as well. But in the long run, the Mittel Clan had the upper hand. In his eyes, the brothers Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan far surpassed Nalan Yanran.
"Looks like this is just a friendly match between Elder Jia and Elder Hai?"
Xiao Yuan's eyes remained fixed on the glowing figures as he casually asked.
"Yes. In the capital, only Elder Jia can spar with Hai Lao on this level."
Tengshan's face grew serious as he nodded.
"Xiao Yuan, you know Elder Hai?"
Nalan Jie picked up on the familiarity in Xiao Yuan's tone. His expression stiffened, and avoiding eye contact with Xiao Yuan—who still had Ya Fei in his arms—he feigned interest in the battle while asking.
"Hehe, Elder Hai accompanied me when I visited the Nalan Estate earlier."
Xiao Yuan replied with a soft smile.
"Haha, Xiao Yuan's already learned everything Elder Hai has to teach! And if not for Xiao Yuan, Elder Hai wouldn't have returned at all. Really, he's practically a benefactor to the Mittel Clan. Plus, with him and Ya Fei being so fond of each other, I'd say we can expect an engagement banquet very soon!"
Mittel Tengshan's smile turned even broader, clearly rubbing salt in Nalan Jie's wound.
Nalan Jie's face grew even more awkward. Such an outstanding young man should've been part of the Nalan family… and yet, now he belonged to the Mittel Clan. He couldn't help but admire their keen judgment.
Xiao Yuan, watching the elder boast like a proud grandfather, found the display rather endearing.
Ya Fei, held closely in his arms, blushed slightly. Although they had spent a very intimate night together and she was far from a bashful girl, being held so openly in front of two powerful elders while they casually discussed their engagement was both thrilling and embarrassing.
Time passed quickly. After a few exchanges, the battle in the garden seemed to near its end. Xiao Yan had also arrived, visibly relieved upon realizing the two Dou Huang were merely sparring. He quietly stood by to observe.
A few moments later, Nalan Yanran and the others finally caught up.
They stared at Xiao Yan's back, puzzled.
It was reasonable for Xiao Yuan to fly fast.
But how had Xiao Yan also kept up?
Xiao Yan ignored the questioning looks. As Yao Lao's disciple, he had access to his fair share of movement techniques.
"That aura… I think it's Great-grandfather…" the little princess murmured, her brows furrowed, eyes locked on the yellow light.
"And the other? In the entire Jia Ma Empire, there are only a few Dou Huang. Around the royal capital, isn't it only the Misty Cloud Sect's leader?"
Liu Ling frowned.
"That's not my teacher…" Nalan Yanran shook her head.
"Then who could it be?"
Everyone was puzzled. Dou Huang-level powerhouses didn't just show up out of nowhere.
Boom…
In the garden, the two auras clashed again, then flew apart.
"Sigh, forget it. I'm no longer your match," Hai Bodong said, voice carrying a trace of helplessness.
If he'd trained normally, with his talent, he could've reached peak Dou Huang—or even Dou Zong—after twenty years.
Unfortunately…
"Ice-head, what exactly have you been doing for the past twenty years? Your Dou Qi seems weaker, but your ice energy has grown purer, and your control over techniques more fluid. Doesn't seem like you've been slacking."
The light of the yellow aura faded, revealing an old man in a plain hemp robe. White-haired and aged, he looked at Hai Bodong with puzzled eyes.
Hai Bodong rolled his eyes. "Of course not. Do I look like someone who slacks off? I fought Queen Medusa. Lost. Spent the rest of the time healing."
"You survived Queen Medusa?! Impressive!"
Jia Xingtian blinked in surprise, then respectfully gave Hai Bodong a thumbs-up.
He then looked toward the outsiders near the garden.
"Looks like we caused quite the stir tonight."
His gaze landed on the little princess, who tried to avoid his eyes. He sighed and shook his head.
"Hehe, Elder Jia, still as vigorous as ever after all these years," Tengshan and Nalan Jie quickly greeted as Jia Xingtian turned toward them.
"Didn't expect to bother the two of you. My apologies. I've gotten more reckless with age," Jia Xingtian chuckled.
"Don't say that," both elders responded with polite smiles.
Jia Xingtian waved his hand, then let his gaze fall on Xiao Yuan. His eyes lingered on the wings behind him. "Oh? That's a flying Dou Technique? Who's this young man?"
"Junior Xiao Yuan, greetings, Elder Jia."
Xiao Yuan bowed politely.
"Tsk, not bad. Such a rare technique at such a young age. You're quite remarkable."
Jia Xingtian smiled warmly.
Ya Fei, still held in Xiao Yuan's arms and unable to stand on her own in the air, offered an apologetic smile and a verbal greeting.
Jia Xingtian nodded with a smile, not minding at all.
"Hey, you brat showed up too? And brought Ya Fei along?" Hai Bodong appeared beside Xiao Yuan in a flash of icy blue light and greeted them with a smile.
"Ya Fei wanted to see what a Dou Huang looked like in action. So I brought her along."
Xiao Yuan shrugged casually, completely at ease in front of such a powerful figure.
"Tch, fine then."
Hai Bodong sighed, feeling like he'd just been fed another mouthful of dog food.
"Ice-head, is this young man your disciple? Seems quite talented."
Jia Xingtian asked with a smile after seeing how comfortably they interacted.
"More or less. I haven't taught him much, though. He got where he is thanks to his own talent."
Hai Bodong laughed honestly.
"Tch, you've gotten chattier over the decades. And humble too, huh?"
Jia Xingtian teased.
"Hehe."
Hai Bodong said nothing, smiling.
Below, Nalan Yanran finally understood—so this was why Xiao Yuan's cultivation had progressed so fast. He must have been nurtured with full support from the Ice Emperor and the Mittel Clan's vast resources.
Hai Bodong didn't bother explaining. If they knew Yun Yun had a special relationship with Xiao Yuan too, their jaws would drop for real.
Come to think of it… wasn't Nalan Yanran Yun Yun's disciple? Heh. What kind of chaos would it be if this connection was revealed one day?
Hai Bodong glanced at the thoughtful Nalan Yanran, then gave Xiao Yuan a rather odd look.
He wasn't a gossipy man.
But this… he couldn't help being curious!
"Say… why don't I test this kid out?"
Jia Xingtian suddenly suggested, shocking everyone.
"What?!"
Everyone stared in disbelief.
Are you kidding?
"You old fool! Xiao Yuan's just a Da Dou Shi! How can he spar with a peak Dou Huang?!"
Hai Bodong barked, but then added slyly, "If you're gonna spar, you better suppress your level to match his."
Jia Xingtian, no fool himself, picked up on the hidden message and chuckled. "Even at the same level, his battle experience can't match mine. You sure about this?"
"Hmph, you? You're not even a match for him at equal strength."
Hai Bodong grinned confidently.
"Oh? Then I really want to try."
Jia Xingtian immediately formed a hand seal and suppressed his aura to the level of a three-star Da Dou Shi. He looked at Xiao Yuan. "Come. Let me see why Hai Lao has such confidence in you!"
"Xiao Yuan, don't hold back—just pin him to the ground and beat him!"
Hai Bodong cheered.
"Wait, wait! Hai Lao, Elder Jia… can't you two play among yourselves? Why drag me in? If I lose, it's shameful. If I win, it's worse! This is a lose-lose for me—I'm not doing it!"
Xiao Yuan tried to dodge the challenge.
He was here to watch the show, not star in it.
"Hai-head, this kid's not as bold as you!"
Jia Xingtian mocked, then suddenly appeared in front of Xiao Yuan with an attack.
Xiao Yuan reacted even faster. He pulled Ya Fei close, flared his wings, and soared upward, black frost trailing behind him in the moonlight.
"Tch, he actually made the first move."
Hai Bodong smirked. Back when he was at Dou Ling level, Xiao Yuan had already caused him trouble. Now, with Elder Jia suppressing his power to Da Dou Shi level… hehe.
Jia Xingtian was annoyed. Was this brat really going to fight while carrying someone? How careless!
Ya Fei had wanted to ask Xiao Yuan to set her down, but seeing his calm expression, she felt strangely reassured. She simply held on tightly, trying not to distract him.
Watching Jia Xingtian charge through the dark frost, Xiao Yuan smirked and snapped his fingers.
At once, the black mist crystallized, reflecting the moonlight in sharp, cold gleams.
Jia Xingtian instinctively raised his sleeve to block the glare and burst his Dou Qi to shatter the ice crystals.
But in that moment of obscured vision, Xiao Yuan's hand seals changed rapidly. Ice blades materialized around him, spinning violently.
When Jia Xingtian regained sight, what greeted him was a ferocious storm of black ice blades flying straight at his face.
(END CHAPTER)
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