Chapter 64: Let's Make a Deal

Although Hai Bodong had seen Xiao Bai use lightning-based Dou Techniques, there were countless techniques in the world. It wasn't surprising for an Alchemist to have a lightning attribute. He kept convincing himself—what if he really was the one?

Seeing Hai Bodong's hopeful expression, Xiao Bai thought for a moment before shaking his head.

"It's not a Heavenly Flame. It's just lightning with some fire attributes."

Hearing this, Hai Bodong's eyes dimmed slightly.

This black-clothed youth had incredibly strong soul power and that domineering lightning-fire. With all these factors, he had really hoped that he might be an Alchemist with a Heavenly Flame.

"No need to be discouraged, old sir. Perhaps there's another way?" Xiao Bai said with a smile.

"Oh? Could it be that you have a way to help me?" Hai Bodong's eyes lit up slightly at Xiao Bai's tone.

If anyone else had claimed to have a way to refine the pill, he would have spat in their face.

But this black-robed youth was different. With his strength and talent, it wouldn't be surprising at all if he had the connections to refine a sixth-tier pill.

"If you can help me get this pill refined, name your price! As long as it's within my power, I will do it!"

"Oh, I forgot to mention—I'm the Grand Elder of the Miteer Auction House. If you ever need anything, as long as it exists near the Jia Ma Empire, the Miteer Auction House can get it for you!"

In Hai Bodong's eyes, this black-clothed youth was overwhelmingly powerful. A simple favor from a Dou Huang might not even be worth much to him.

Afraid that Xiao Bai wouldn't value the help of a lone old man, he quickly threw in the weight of the Miteer Auction House as well.

This seal had tormented him for too long. It didn't just restrict his Dou Qi, keeping him at the Dou Ling level—if that were the only issue, he wouldn't be in such a hurry.

The real problem was that the seal accelerated his aging.

At this rate, even with a Dou Huang's lifespan, he wouldn't have much time left. Once he died, all the treasures in the world would mean nothing.

So right now, he had to cling to any hope, no matter the cost.

Xiao Bai smiled. "I do know an Alchemist who can refine the Breaking Calamity Pill."

"Really?!"

Hai Bodong was instantly overjoyed, leaping to his feet.

This was the best news he had heard in over twenty years.

But when he saw Xiao Bai's slightly hesitant expression, his heart sank. He quickly asked, "Do you have any difficulties? Tell me—I might be able to help!"

Xiao Bai gave a bitter smile. "Old sir, you know how difficult Alchemists are to deal with, especially those who possess Heavenly Flames..."

He trailed off deliberately, letting Hai Bodong fill in the blanks himself.

This approach was far more effective.

As for Yao Lao's grumbling inside the ring? Xiao Bai simply pretended not to hear it.

After all, he wasn't lying. Every Alchemist with a Heavenly Flame had an incredibly arrogant personality.

Hai Bodong calmed down, sighing as he slumped back into his chair.

"You're right. Any Alchemist with a Heavenly Flame would be incredibly strong and well-connected. It wouldn't be easy to hire one."

Then, he looked at Xiao Bai seriously.

"Since you brought this up, you're not just teasing an old man, are you?"

Xiao Bai heard this and smiled in satisfaction.

Now, this is how a proper negotiation starts.

Hai Bodong was a Grand Elder of the Miteer Family, and that family was built on commerce.

To say he didn't understand the value of an exchange would be absurd.

That's why Xiao Bai had never put much stock in Hai Bodong's earlier words of gratitude after lifting his soul seal.

In the original story, why did Hai Bodong go so far to help Xiao Yan and the Xiao Family?

In Xiao Bai's opinion, part of it was because Hai Bodong was a man of honor and loyalty.

But more importantly, it was a desperate gamble—a high-stakes bet on the future of the Miteer Family.

When Xiao Yan ascended to Yun Lan Sect, both Hai Bodong and the Miteer Family seemed to have three choices—but in reality, there was only one:

They had to bet on Xiao Yan's future!

Regardless of whether they stayed neutral or sided with Yun Lan Sect, they would be mocked and looked down upon.

For a family like the Miteer Clan, which relied on trust and credibility, that would be a huge blow to their reputation.

In such a situation, why not take a gamble?

And Xiao Yan had the potential to make it worth their risk.

A businessman—especially a successful one—never lacks the courage to bet big.

In the end, they won the gamble, which led to their legendary status as one of the greatest investors in the Dou Qi Continent:

"Who doesn't offer a cigarette when they see Brother Dong?"

Because of this, Xiao Bai knew that without deep emotional ties, the most stable foundation for any early relationship was mutual benefit—everything else was just empty words.

When dealing with people he planned to interact with long-term, Xiao Bai wouldn't blindly rely on the original storyline.

It could serve as a reference, but he had to judge things for himself.

That applied to Xiao Yan, Yao Lao, Hai Bodong—and also them.

---

"Ice Emperor, how about we make a deal?" Xiao Bai said in a serious tone.

Inside the ring, Yao Lao's expression twitched—why did this line sound so familiar?

"What kind of deal?" Hai Bodong's heart skipped a beat. He had a bad feeling about this.

"I'll handle everything needed to convince the Alchemist. You only need to provide the materials. In return, you'll serve as my protector for three years. How about it?"

"With your strength, you still need a Dou Huang as a bodyguard?" Hai Bodong was a bit skeptical.

At the same time, he was also probing—trying to see if this young man had provoked some terrifying enemy.

"No level of strength can be considered invincible. Just like the Ice Emperor's strength, it seems invincible to Dou Practitioners and Dou Masters, but are you truly invincible? Each level has its own opponents!" Xiao Bai shook his head. Seeing Hai Bo Dong's hesitant expression, he continued, "Actually, the Ice Emperor doesn't need to worry too much. The protection I speak of is only within the Jia Ma Empire, just as a precaution!"

Hearing that it was only within the Jia Ma Empire, Hai Bodong visibly relaxed.

"If it's only within the Jia Ma Empire, I can agree to that."

He had interacted with all the top powerhouses in the empire. With his restored strength, he wasn't afraid of anything here.

Even if he couldn't win against certain people, he was confident in his ability to escape. Especially after escaping from Queen Medusa, he had full confidence in his survival skills.

He was just worried that Xiao Bai might venture to other places, where a mere Dou Huang wouldn't count for much.

"But there's still one ingredient missing—Sand Mandala. This herb only grows around the Serpent Tribe's Holy City.

I can't go deep into the desert, or Queen Medusa will sense the seal on me. Do you have a way to get it?"

Finally seeing hope for breaking his damn seal, Hai Bodong was already getting impatient. But when he thought about Sand Mandala, he hesitated again.

He had been searching for this herb ever since he acquired the Breaking Calamity Pill's recipe.

Unfortunately, after so many years, he hadn't even found a trace of it.

He knew where it was—he just didn't dare go there.

Hearing this, Xiao Bai raised an eyebrow and smiled.

"I can get it."

After all, someone would deliver it to him eventually. So, he agreed without hesitation.