Chapter 44: Brother Xiao Tian, Who Are They?
The two returned to the surface. Xiao Tian said to Hai Bodong, "Old Hai, pack up whatever you need and take it with you."
"There's nothing here I need, so I won't be taking anything," Hai Bodong replied. With his strength restored, he no longer needed the map shop for his livelihood.
Xiao Tian nodded. "In that case, let's leave!"
"Young Master, how are we leaving?" Hai Bodong asked. "Are we flying back or using a flying beast?"
"Neither," Xiao Tian answered.
"Neither?" Hai Bodong was puzzled.
With a chuckle, Xiao Tian activated the key. The air twisted, and a large door appeared out of thin air.
"Let's go!" Xiao Tian said, leading Qing Tan and Qing Lin through the door. Hai Bodong followed closely behind. Once they stepped through, they found themselves back at the Xiao family estate.
Looking at the unfamiliar mountains, Hai Bodong was astonished. "Young Master, I've heard that the Central Plains are vast, and people use space wormholes to travel. Did we just use a space wormhole?"
"A space wormhole shortens the journey but doesn't allow instant travel from one place to another," Xiao Tian explained with a smile. "This space gate is far more wondrous than any space wormhole!"
Indeed, his space gate could connect two different worlds, making it far superior to a space wormhole.
"Where are we now?" Hai Bodong asked.
"We're still within the Jia Ma Empire, near my family and Wu Tan City. The mountains nearby are the Magical Beast Mountain Range," Xiao Tian said.
"I see," Hai Bodong nodded.
"Let's head back to the Xiao family first," Xiao Tian said, leading the way down the mountain.
Meanwhile, in Xiao Xun'er's courtyard, a shadowy figure materialized. Ling Ying knocked on Xiao Xun'er's door as soon as he appeared.
"What's the matter?" came Xun'er's voice from inside.
"Miss, Young Master Xiao Tian has returned, and he has company…" Ling Ying began.
"Brother Xiao Tian is back?" Before he could finish, Xiao Xun'er flung the door open and rushed out. Ling Ying could only smile wryly as he watched her disappear. His usually composed mistress only lost her composure when it came to Xiao Tian. He wondered how she would react to the two girls accompanying him.
Soon, Xiao Xun'er found Xiao Tian. She was initially very happy to see him after such a long time apart. But when she noticed Qing Tan and Qing Lin laughing and talking with him, she felt a pang of jealousy. However, she hid her displeasure well.
"Brother Xiao Tian, you're finally back! I missed you so much!" Xiao Xun'er greeted him sweetly, hugging his arm. Then, she turned to Qing Tan and Qing Lin. "Brother Xiao Tian, who are these two little sisters?"
Seeing Xun'er clinging to him like she was claiming her territory, Xiao Tian couldn't help but smile. Being cared for by the most beautiful girl on the Dou Qi Continent was a satisfying feeling.
"This is Qing Tan, and this is Qing Lin. And this is Ice Emperor Hai Bodong," Xiao Tian introduced them. He then used his soul power to secretly send a message to Xun'er: "Qing Tan is an orphan with a strange illness. I felt sorry for her and took her in. Qing Lin has a tragic background as well. She's a half-blood between humans and the snake people, and she's been despised and mistreated her whole life. I couldn't stand seeing her suffer, so I brought her along."
Hearing Xiao Tian's explanation, Xun'er's jealousy faded, replaced by sympathy for the two girls. After explaining to Xun'er, Xiao Tian introduced her to the others: "This is my girlfriend, Xiao Xun'er."
Xiao Xun'er greeted them gracefully. "Hello, Hai Lao, Qing Tan, and Qing Lin."
"Hello, Miss Xun'er."
"Hello, Sister Xun'er."
They all exchanged greetings, and Xiao Tian said, "Let's go to my place for some fruit and drinks."
The group headed to Xiao Tian's residence. Along the way, Xiao Tian asked, "Xun'er, what's your current cultivation level?"
"Thanks to you, Brother Xiao Tian, I'm now a one-star Dou Shi," Xun'er replied.
"Not bad, Xun'er. That's excellent progress," Xiao Tian praised.
"Brother Xiao Tian, you must be far ahead of me!" Xun'er said with a playful tongue-out gesture. "You've hidden your strength from me. What's your level now?"
"I'm only at the peak of nine-star Da Dou Shi," Xiao Tian replied. "The progress is slowing down."
"Brother Xiao Tian, you're only seventeen! Your speed is amazing!" Xun'er exclaimed, rolling her eyes.
Although she knew he no longer had Dou Di bloodline and the Xiao family lacked the Gu Clan's resources, reaching nine-star Da Dou Shi at his age was impressive. Meanwhile, Hai Bodong, overhearing their conversation, felt a bit disheartened. When he was Xiao Tian's age, he was only at the Dou Shi level. Xiao Tian's progress far outpaced his own, yet he complained it was slow.
After a brief rest at Xiao Tian's courtyard, he took Hai Bodong to meet Xiao Zhan and the three elders.
"Xiao Tian, you're finally back," Xiao Zhan and the elders greeted him warmly. Thanks to Xiao Tian's alchemical support, their market had become the most popular. However, the Jia Lie family had recently recruited an alchemist, causing them to lose some business. They were worried, as they didn't want to share the market.
"Is something wrong?" Xiao Tian asked, noticing their hesitation.
Xiao Zhan explained the situation, and Xiao Tian asked, "What's the alchemist's name?"
"Liu Xi," the third elder replied.
"Liu Xi?" Xiao Tian's eyes flashed with coldness. "Hai Lao, please go and take care of that so-called alchemist and the Jia Lie family."
"Yes," Hai Bodong nodded, then unfolded his Dou Qi wings and flew away.
"Dou Qi wings?"
"Is he a Dou Wang?" Xiao Zhan and the elders gasped.
"No," Xiao Tian said, shocking them further. "He is the renowned Ice Emperor Hai Bodong of the Jia Ma Empire!"
"What? Ice Emperor Hai Bodong?"
Xiao Zhan and the elders were stunned. They thought Hai Bodong was a Dou Wang sent to protect Xiao Tian. Who would have guessed he was a Dou Huang?
"It's a blessing for our Xiao family!" They soon rejoiced. In the Jia Ma Empire, having a Dou Huang meant being a top-tier force. Even without a Dou Huang, Xiao Tian commanding one meant the Xiao family had the potential to become a top force.
(End of Chapter)
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