Thunder Peng Wings unfolded behind Xiao Zhitian on their own, lifting his body gently into the air.
His long hair fluttered wildly. A golden lightning mark appeared between his brows, while faint red and green patterns spread across his face. His entire body shimmered with dazzling golden lightning, like a living god of thunder.
At the same time, his aura exploded.
From the peak of Nine-Star Da Dou Shi…to the peak of Three-Star Dou Ling!
Hai Bodong, a man who had seen countless storms in his lifetime, still couldn't help swallowing hard.
"Damn it… this kid is too abnormal. His trump cards are endless," he muttered bitterly.He almost wanted to accuse Xiao Zhitian of cheating.
Xiao Zhitian hovered in midair, eyes sharp.
"With my current strength… can I finally catch the Ice Emperor's eye?" he asked calmly.
Hai Bodong burst into laughter.
"Kid, I acknowledge you! Hahaha! I haven't felt this exhilarated in decades. It's like being reborn!"
He straightened his posture, his fighting spirit blazing.
"Come! Show me your strongest move!"
Xiao Zhitian laughed as well, infected by his boldness.
"Then let us decide victory in one move.This technique… I have never used since learning it.Please, Ice Emperor — appraise it."
Hai Bodong's expression turned solemn.
"Then I shall respond with mine.Profound Ice Dragon Soar!"
Terrifying ice-attribute Dou Qi erupted from Hai Bodong's body. It condensed into a massive ice dragon that coiled around him, roaring silently.
Xiao Zhitian raised one hand.
"Thunder God's Wrath."
Lightning-attribute Dou Qi surged violently, gathering above him. A gigantic phantom gradually formed — first an upper body, then arms, then a towering purple dharma idol with furious eyes.
Xiao Zhitian infused the Life Spirit Purifying Devouring Fate Lotus Flame into the Thunder God idol.
Silver flames draped over purple lightning.Thunder and fire intertwined.
Divinity descended.
The Thunder God raised its palm.
The ice dragon roared.
They charged toward each other.
BOOM!
Lightning and ice collided.
Because of elemental suppression — lightning and flame against ice — the ice dragon shattered instantly, cracks spreading across its body.
Hai Bodong roared, pouring in more Dou Qi to sustain it.
But it was futile.
Under the crushing might of the giant palm, the dragon collapsed piece by piece.
Even so, the Thunder God's palm had been weakened…Yet it still descended toward Hai Bodong with unstoppable force.
Hai Bodong gritted his teeth.
"Profound Ice Shield!"
A final defensive shield condensed before him.
The giant palm slammed down.
Hissssss!
Steam exploded violently, followed by a deafening impact.
When the smoke cleared…
Hai Bodong lay in a deep crater, breathing heavily.Xiao Zhitian, having already deactivated his transformation, stood above with hands on his knees, also breathing hard.
Hai Bodong laughed bitterly.
"Kid… you win.Kill me if you want. Torture me if you want. I accept it."
Xiao Zhitian straightened up, swallowed several Qi-restoring pills, and looked down calmly.
"I never intended to kill you.I only wanted to discuss a deal.You're the one who insisted on fighting."
Hai Bodong fell silent.
…It was true.
After a moment, Xiao Zhitian tossed a jade bottle down.
"Shall we talk business now?"
Hai Bodong stared at the bottle.
"What is this?"
"A fourth-grade pill: Hundred Flower Spirit Ganoderma Pill.It will heal your injuries.If you don't trust me, don't take it."
Hai Bodong hesitated briefly, then opened the bottle and sniffed. His eyes widened slightly. Without another word, he swallowed the pill.
Warm medicinal energy surged through his body. His wounds rapidly healed.
Moments later, he leapt out of the pit and stood before Xiao Zhitian.
He sighed deeply.
"To think… after more than twenty years of seclusion, I would be defeated this badly by a junior.Truly, the waves behind push the waves ahead."
Then his expression became serious.
"So. What deal do you want?"
Xiao Zhitian pointed to his alchemist robe.
"You know I'm an alchemist.Naturally, we're discussing the seal on your body."
Hai Bodong shook his head.
"Difficult.You're only third-rank. You can't resolve my seal."
"What if I can break your Serpent Seal Curse?" Xiao Zhitian asked calmly.
Hai Bodong froze.
After several breaths, he asked quietly, "That flame of yours… is it a Strange Flame?"
Xiao Zhitian nodded.
Hai Bodong's expression changed.
"If you can remove my seal, I'll give you the remaining map…and even tell you about another Strange Flame."
Xiao Zhitian replied indifferently, "The Strange Flame in the Tagor Desert is the Green Lotus Core Flame. It's already been taken. Your information has no value."
Hai Bodong was stunned.
After a long silence, he sighed.
"Then tell me your condition."
Xiao Zhitian looked straight at him.
"I want you… to join my faction."
Hai Bodong's eyes widened.
"…For a moment, I thought you were interested in men."
Xiao Zhitian: "…"
Hai Bodong coughed awkwardly before continuing.
"What faction?"
"Boundless Heaven Hall."
Hai Bodong frowned.
"Never heard of it."
"I just created it."
"…You're joking."
Hai Bodong looked at him strangely.
"So… the faction currently consists of you alone?"
Xiao Zhitian thought briefly.
"Me.Little Fairy Doctor.Jin Mo.And someone I'll summon soon.Four people total.If you join, five."
Hai Bodong stared.
"…Ridiculous."
Yet after a moment, he laughed.
After a long silence, he finally said:
"If you truly can remove my seal… I will join.Not only because I'm desperate…but because I am investing in your future."
Xiao Zhitian smiled.
He clapped lightly.
"As expected of the former Supreme Elder of the Mittel Auction House.Vision. Courage. Judgment."
"I won't disappoint you."