BTTH-Chapter 39: Defeat
BTTH-Chapter 39: Defeat
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The Thunder Peng Wings on Xiao Tian's back unfurled on their own, constantly lifting him higher. His hair fluttered wildly, a golden lightning mark appeared between his eyebrows, and red and green lines formed on his face. His entire body crackled with golden lightning.
Xiao Tian's aura surged, instantly rising from the peak of a nine-star Da Dou Shi to the peak of a three-star Dou Ling.
Seeing this transformation and the surge of Xiao Tian's aura, Hai Bodong, who was accustomed to grand displays of power, couldn't help but swallow hard. "Damn, this kid is too bizarre. How does he have so many tricks up his sleeve?"
For a moment, Hai Bodong even considered reporting him for cheating.
"I wonder if my current strength will catch Ice Emperor's eye," Xiao Tian said with a sharp gaze directed at Hai Bodong.
"Boy, I recognize you! Hahahaha! I've never felt so refreshed. It seems like I've experienced a rebirth. Come, let me see your strength!" Hai Bodong laughed heartily.
"Haha, I'm happy to accompany you," Xiao Tian replied, influenced by Hai Bodong's joviality, and added, "Let's decide the winner with one move. I've never used this technique since I learned it. Please appreciate it, Ice Emperor."
"Of course! Xuanbing Longxiang!"
The ice-attributed dou qi around Hai Bodong condensed into an ice dragon that coiled around him.
"Thunder God's Wrath!"
The thunder attribute Dou Qi within Xiao Tian coalesced into a phantom shaped like the upper body of a figure. As the Dou Qi continued to merge, it gradually solidified into a purple energy body with wide-open eyes. Xiao Tian added the Kirin Burning Sky Flame to the Thunder God's Wrath Dharma Image, which appeared as if draped in red gauze.
The ice dragon and the Dharma image squared off against each other. The furious Dharma image of the Thunder God extended its palm and slapped it directly toward Hai Bodong, who commanded the ice dragon to advance.
Bang!
The purple palm collided with the ice dragon. At the moment of impact, due to the conflicting attributes, the palm of lightning and Heavenly Flame shattered part of the ice dragon.
Seeing this, Hai Bodong continued to channel Dou Qi to maintain control, but against the immense power of the giant palm, it deteriorated piece by piece.
As the ice dragon was destroyed, Xiao Tian's palm also suffered damage, but it retained its momentum, charging toward Hai Bodong on the ground with destructive force.
Hai Bodong condensed the remainder of his Dou Qi into a black ice shield, his last line of defense. More ice shields were insufficient against this attack.
When the giant palm struck the ice shield, mist erupted accompanied by a sizzling sound, followed by a loud explosion.
As the fog dissipated, Hai Bodong lay in a pit, gasping for breath, while Xiao Tian, having released his Thunder God Body, knelt with his hands resting on his knees.
"Boy, you win. You decide my fate—whether to kill or spare me," Hai Bodong said in an exhausted voice.
"I don't intend to take your life. I said before, I just wanted to make a deal with you, but you insisted on fighting," Xiao Tian responded, standing straight, swallowing a few energy-recovering pills. He stood at the edge of the pit, looking down at Hai Bodong.
"..." Hai Bodong fell silent for a moment, as if he had been the one to take advantage of his age and experience only to lose without a proper fight.
"Can we proceed with our discussion now?" Xiao Tian asked, softening his tone. He tossed a jade bottle toward Hai Bodong. Although fighting had occurred, he saw Hai Bodong as a congenial person, and this encounter was meant to foster cooperation and test his strength.
"What is this?" Hai Bodong regarded the jade bottle with confusion but hesitated to reach for it.
"A fourth-grade elixir: Hundred Flowers and Ganoderma Lucidum Pill. It can heal your injuries. If you don't believe it, you don't have to take it," Xiao Tian shrugged and explained.
With some effort, Hai Bodong propped himself up, grasped the jade bottle, opened it, and sniffed its contents before pouring the pill into his mouth.
The wounds on his body began to mend at an astonishing rate. Feeling that he was about 80% healed, Hai Bodong rose, leaped out of the pit, and approached Xiao Tian.
"I didn't expect that after secluding myself for over twenty years, I would be so soundly defeated by a junior today. It truly is a case of the younger generation overtaking the older," Hai Bodong sighed introspectively before asking, "What deal do you wish to discuss?"
"As you know, I am an alchemist, and our discussion centers around the seal on your body," Xiao Tian said, gesturing to his alchemist robe.
"It's difficult. You're only a third-level alchemist; you can't address my problems now," Hai Bodong replied, shaking his head.
"What if I could help you break the seal on your snake curse?" Xiao Tian proposed.
Hai Bodong pondered Xiao Tian's words, lowering his head in thought. Not wanting to rush him, Xiao Tian remained silent.
After about five breaths, Hai Bodong raised his head, looking directly at Xiao Tian. "Is the red flame on your body a heavenly flame?"
Xiao Tian understood Hai Bodong's inquiry; the Breaking Adversity Pill capable of aiding in breaking the seal must be refined with a Heavenly Flame.
He nodded slightly.
Seeing that it was indeed a Heavenly Flame, Hai Bodong showed signs of being moved. "If you can help me unlock this damn seal, I can offer you the remaining half of the map and even provide information about another Heavenly Flame."
"I will definitely take the remaining map, but the information about the Heavenly Flame is of little value to me. I already know that the Heavenly Flame in the Tagor Desert is the Green Lotus Core Flame, and that it's been taken by someone. You'll need to offer something better," Xiao Tian said, his tone indifferent.
As Hai Bodong realized his most critical information was of no value to Xiao Tian, he sank into deep contemplation.
"Just tell me the conditions you seek."
"I want you…" Xiao Tian hesitated. "Join my faction."
"My friend, you almost gave me a heart attack. I thought you were implying something entirely different!" Hai Bodong was initially startled, but upon hearing the rest of his words, he regained his composure. "What faction do you represent?"
"Xiaoyao Palace," Xiao Tian replied.
"Xiaoyao Palace? I've never heard of it," Hai Bodong said, frowning as he searched his mind in vain, then shook his head.
"I came up with it just now."
"…" Hai Bodong was momentarily speechless and then asked, "So, if I join your faction, will it only be the two of us?"
Xiao Tian considered this, knowing Xiao Yixian would surely join, along with Jin Mo and the Dou Zong who had not yet been summoned. "Currently, there are four people, including me, and if you join, it'll become five."
"Can I ask about the strength of the others?" Hai Bodong asked curiously.
"You'll find out once you join," Xiao Tian replied vaguely.
After hearing this, Hai Bodong closed his eyes, pondering for a moment before conceding, "If you can help me unlock the seal, I'll agree to your conditions. It's not just because I'm tired of this annoying seal, but also because of your talent."
Xiao Tian sighed, realizing that the old fox was still clever. He clapped his hands and praised, "You're indeed worthy of being the former supreme elder of the Primer Auction House. Your vision and courage are impressive. I won't let you down in the future."
(End of this chapter)