The effects of the Breaking Calamity Pill were astonishing. After just half an hour, a surge of terrifying energy erupted from the underground chamber, like a waking lion bursting forth from slumber.
The overwhelming aura of a Douhuang swept out, shaking the entire building.
"Haha! That damned seal is finally gone! I've returned to being a Douhuang!"
With boisterous laughter echoing in the air, Hai Bodong's figure levitated into the sky, his face alight with unbridled joy.
He laughed madly for quite a while before suddenly casting his bright gaze down below—at Xiao Yan, who remained motionless in his seat. Hai Bodong's cloudy old eyes narrowed slightly.
Something seemed… off.
If just a moment ago Xiao Yan had struck him as a spirited and composed youth, now…
Sensing Hai Bodong's gaze, Xiao Yan slowly raised his head. The blood-red hue in his eyes made Hai Bodong's brows knit tightly. His gaze dropped to the deformed, crumpled envelope clenched in Xiao Yan's hands—and suddenly, something clicked in his mind.
"Xiao Yan… little brother, you…"
"Come with me to Stone Desert City."
"What?" Hai Bodong blinked.
"I said—come with me to Stone Desert City!"
A hoarse voice emerged from Xiao Yan's mouth, and those bloodshot eyes stared directly at Hai Bodong. "Your strength hasn't fully recovered yet, has it? Years of being sealed, coupled with your body's weakened condition… without outside help, this is likely the best you'll ever be."
"What do you mean by that?"
Hai Bodong's face darkened. He had indeed realized after breaking the seal that his physical state wasn't at its peak. But hearing it laid bare by Xiao Yan stung his pride.
"A Revitalizing Purple Pill."
Xiao Yan's gaze didn't waver, his cold, raspy voice making Hai Bodong frown deeply.
Hai Bodong had never seen Xiao Yan like this. Whatever was written in that letter had clearly rattled him to his core.
Still, the mention of the Revitalizing Purple Pill made Hai Bodong's eyes brighten.
Though only a fifth-tier pill, the Revitalizing Purple Pill possessed a special effect—it could help a cultivator fully recover power lost due to seals or internal injuries. Though its market value wasn't as high as a Douling Pill, for someone like Hai Bodong, it was priceless.
"One year. Be my bodyguard for one year, and I'll give you that pill."
Xiao Yan's tone was hard as iron. His gaze bore into Hai Bodong like steel, his presence exuding a confidence and dominance that stunned the older man.
'How long has it been… since someone dared speak to me like that?' Hai Bodong thought, caught off guard. 'And now it's this little brat?'
The atmosphere inside the spacious hall grew tense and quiet. After a long pause, Hai Bodong finally sighed and locked eyes with Xiao Yan.
"I don't care how rare those ingredients are," he said. "I'll give you one year. For that year, I'll protect you with everything I've got. But you must refine that pill for me by the end of it."
"Of course."
Xiao Yan stood up and flipped his large black cloak over his head, casting his entire figure in shadow.
"Let's go—to Stone Desert City."
With that, he strode out of the shop and, to the astonishment of countless onlookers, unfurled his Purple Cloud Wings and soared into the sky.
"Such urgency," Hai Bodong muttered. "Whatever was in that letter… it must have been serious."
Casting a glance back at his map shop, Hai Bodong closed the door. Frosty wings of Dou Qi spread from his back, and he quickly followed Xiao Yan into the air.
Two streaks tore through the sky, drawing gazes from everyone below. Meanwhile, at the city gate, an old man and a young woman lifted their heads toward the heavens, surprise and shock in their eyes.
"Dou Qi wings… a Dou Wang?"
"At least a Dou Wang. That man in blue… his aura is just a step below the Sect Leader."
The old man's cloudy eyes locked on the two flying figures like a hawk. He shook his head. "Looks like the rumors weren't wrong. There really are strong experts gathering around the desert region."
"Miss, we should keep a low profile during this trip," he advised. "Otherwise…"
"I know."
The beautiful young woman—none other than Nalan Yanran—bit her lip and nodded. "Let's go. We should meet up with the other senior disciples. It's time we headed for Yan City."
"Understood. Still… I wonder what the Mo Clan did to offend such terrifying experts."
"…"
…
Xiao Yan and Hai Bodong's speed in flight was leagues beyond walking or riding. A journey that once took Xiao Yan nearly ten days on foot now took less than one full day without pause.
As the burning sun dipped westward, the outline of a small city—modest compared to Mo City—gradually appeared in the distance.
Staring at the dusty city nestled in the desert, Xiao Yan's expression grew darker and colder. His fists clenched, and his gaze turned icy.
"Calm down, boy," Yao Lao said gently. "Your second brother said in the letter that the one who killed your eldest brother has already been dealt with. For now, just go see your second brother."
"Instead of losing yourself in anger, you should be more concerned about the strong expert now at your second brother's side. That's who you'll really be facing."
Yao Lao understood Xiao Yan well. Over the years, he'd seen how deeply Xiao Yan valued his family. The death of Xiao Ding had clearly shaken him.
Xiao Yan took several deep breaths, trying to collect himself. He didn't respond to Yao Lao's words, but instead focused his full energy into accelerating his Dou Qi. He even drew upon Yao Lao's power to enhance his speed.
The explosive surge of Dou Qi left Hai Bodong astonished.
Not long after, the two figures descended above Stone Desert City, alighting atop a tall building.
At that same moment, within the Mo Iron Mercenary Group…
Lin Ran, who had been instructing Xiao Yixian and Qinglin in their cultivation, suddenly paused. He looked up into the sky, the corner of his mouth curling into a faint smile.
"So he's finally here."
With a step, Lin Ran vanished—and reappeared high in the sky.
Xiao Yan, still catching his breath from the flight, suddenly froze. An alarm blared in his mind—Yao Lao's urgent warning echoed in his head.
"Get out! Xiao Yan, get out now!"
"What?!"
A black-robed figure appeared out of nowhere above them, looking down with an indifferent gaze.
Xiao Yan and Hai Bodong's pupils contracted sharply.
'Walking on air… a Dou Zong?!'
(End of Chapter)