BTTH: Demon Emperor Xiao Yan

Upon hearing the effects of the Purple Spirit Recovery Pill, Hai Bodong couldn't help but show a trace of delight on his face. Although the Breaking Calamity Pill had dispelled Queen Medusa's sealing technique, it had still left behind some side effects—his strength had dropped by several stars compared to his prime. Under normal circumstances, recovering to peak condition would take nearly ten years. However, with this Purple Spirit Recovery Pill, he could rapidly return to his former strength in the shortest possible time.

For a moment, Hai Bodong's eyes flickered, his heart caught in a constant struggle. Xiao Yan, however, remained silent. He sat quietly on the chair, calmly waiting for Hai Bodong's final response.

At last, Hai Bodong gritted his teeth and gave Xiao Yan a firm nod. "Fine. If you can truly refine the Purple Spirit Recovery Pill, then this old man will accompany you to the Black-Corner Region!"

"You don't need to act like you're walking into certain death, Senior Hai," Xiao Yan said with a faint smile. "Though the Black-Corner Region is indeed dangerous, with your abilities, you'll have no problem thriving there."

He added casually, "Besides, while I may only be at the Dou King level, if I go all out, I won't lose to an ordinary Dou Emperor."

Hai Bodong didn't bother arguing. Though he'd never seen Xiao Yan go all out, the fact that he'd escaped unharmed from Queen Medusa was proof enough that the youth's strength was far beyond the surface.

Since he had agreed to accompany Xiao Yan, Hai Bodong left the city he'd hidden in for decades after resting for just a day.

Before departing, he glanced back at the small shop where he had spent so many years in seclusion. A gentle sigh escaped his lips. He had long grown weary of life in this city, but having lived here for decades, even someone as aloof as him had developed a sliver of attachment.

'Perhaps someday, when I grow tired of the turmoil in the world, I'll return to this place and resume the life of a simple map shop owner,' he mused. 'But for now, I still want to be that Dou Emperor who once stirred the winds and clouds.'

Turning slowly, Hai Bodong looked at the young man in black standing beside him, then at the girl next to him—Qing Lin. Frowning slightly, he asked, "Is she coming too?"

"She's my maid. Naturally, wherever I go, she goes," Xiao Yan said with a smile, gently ruffling Qing Lin's hair.

"Maid, huh…" Hai Bodong shook his head. As an observer, it was clear to him that while the two were technically master and servant, their relationship was more like that of siblings. Anyone who dared to bully this little girl, believing in the 'maid' label, would probably die without even realizing how it happened.

Though Hai Bodong felt it wasn't exactly wise to bring such a delicate girl into the Black-Corner Region, judging by how fond Xiao Yan was of her, any attempt to dissuade him would be pointless. Why bother asking for trouble?

Besides, with their combined strength, protecting one young girl wasn't a problem. It was unlikely any fool in the Black-Corner Region would provoke a Dou King over a little girl. And she was quite adorable. Having her along would add some life to the journey—and she could also take care of daily needs. Why not?

It was only after arriving in the Black-Corner Region that Hai Bodong realized—Qing Lin did handle the daily tasks, but that privilege was exclusively for Xiao Yan. He got no such treatment.

"If you insist on bringing her, that's up to you. You're the boss anyway," Hai Bodong said with a resigned sigh. A cold wave suddenly surged from his back, forming a massive pair of crystalline ice wings.

Xiao Yan chuckled. "Senior Hai jests. When it comes to experience, how could I compare to you?"

As he spoke, Xiao Yan gave his shoulders a slight shake. A pair of brilliant flame wings unfurled from his back, blazing with purple-black fire.

The moment he saw those wings, Hai Bodong's pupils narrowed. Though he had previously seen Xiao Yan use the Nine Nether Illusion Flame, back then his own strength was sealed, and he hadn't fully grasped how terrifying that flame truly was. But now, feeling its energy up close, he was deeply thankful he hadn't turned against Xiao Yan back then.

The moment those flame wings appeared, Hai Bodong clearly felt his own Dou Qi slow down. It was obvious that this purple-black fire had a powerful restraining effect on his ice-element Dou Qi.

"Qing Lin, we may be flying for a long time this time. If you get tired, just let me know and we'll stop to rest," Xiao Yan said gently, pulling her into his arms as he had done before. A faint blush spread across Qing Lin's cheeks as she nodded, her arms wrapping naturally around Xiao Yan's neck.

Seeing this, a strange thought suddenly popped into Hai Bodong's mind. But he quickly shook his head, chasing it away. 'These two kids together don't even add up to half my age. How could that be? Damn, my thoughts really are dirty…'

"Senior Hai, let's go." Xiao Yan waved at him. With a sharp flap of his flame wings, his figure turned into a streak of light, soaring across the sky. Seeing this, Hai Bodong quickly flapped his own wings and followed.

Hai Bodong had expected Xiao Yan's speed to drop since he was carrying someone. He was even prepared to slow down himself. But to his surprise, Xiao Yan was still faster—by quite a bit. In fact, if Hai Bodong didn't go all out, he might actually lose track of him.

This realization shocked Hai Bodong. 'He's faster than me even while carrying someone. That means in normal conditions, his speed completely outclasses mine.'

Such terrifying speed was far beyond that of an ordinary Dou Emperor. No wonder he had escaped from Queen Medusa's grasp.

'Just how much is this kid hiding?' Hai Bodong stared at those dazzling flame wings, feeling a renewed sense of gratitude that he hadn't clashed with Xiao Yan back then. With these wings alone, even if Xiao Yan couldn't defeat him, escaping would have been effortless. And he had no way of stopping him.

What Hai Bodong didn't know was—this wasn't even Xiao Yan's full speed. If he really pushed himself, even Queen Medusa wouldn't be able to catch him.

(End of Chapter)

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