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--- Chapter 248 ---
"Sigh, shouldn't you tell me first if you were going to do something like this?" Yafei couldn't help but rub her temple in frustration when she saw Han Yuan returning with a little slave girl in his arms, while having three new followers in the back.
Hai Bodong chuckled, "You don't strike me as a hero-type, brat, but you did well."
"Slave merchants have been rampant in the Desert City."
"But are you sure those slaves who were free can leave the Desert City safely?"
He asked with a discerning look.
Han Yuan replied casually, "They would be fine. One of the guys I freed is a 1-Star Dou Grandmaster, but his identity is quite problematic, so I don't take him in."
"Leaving Desert City with him leading shouldn't be a problem."
"Identity? Now that's interesting." Hai Bodong smiled curiously because he knew Han Yuan wasn't the type of person fazed by others' identity, as he even treated Queen Medusa like she was just another expert, not the queen of snake-people.
What kind of problematic identity would make him let go of a potential subordinate with a 1-star Dou Grandmaster cultivation?
Han Yuan didn't bother to explain and glanced at the saved snake-woman, who was already on Queen Medusa's side, bowing her body profusely as the queen's face was grim.
"Fool! Who would let themselves get caught by a slave merchant to learn about the human world!" Queen Medusa sternly scolded. "You need to get punished, Yinyue."
"Arrgh, I am sorry, queen!" The little snake woman cried in panic.
'Oh, no, the queen is mad...'
Queen Medusa harrumphed and stared at Han Yuan, "I owe you one, Han Yuan. Thank you for saving this foolish subject of mine."
"It's fine. I found Yinyue by accident." Han Yuan waved his hand in return, as it wasn't that special of a feat.
On the other hand, the thin man Gong Lei and the Rank 3 Alchemist Yang Jing were speechless as they suddenly faced two Dou Emperor powerhouses.
While they recognized Queen Medusa from Jinyue, the presence of this elder with a chilling aura was equally terrifying.
"S-Sir, may I know your name?" asked Yang Jing.
Hai Bodong glanced at Yang Jing and replied resolutely, "My name is Hai Bodong!"
Hiss!
Gong Lei and Yang Jing sucked a cold breath because they didn't expect this elder to be the infamous Ice Emperor. Many thought the Ice Emperor, who disappeared for years, had fallen somewhere, but he's actually here.
"Oh, you knew me?" Hai Bodong was interested.
Gong Lei nodded excitedly, "Yes, sir. I am your big fan!"
"I've heard of your tale of fighting the beast tide on the north and freezing the moonlake with your terrifying ice power."
"Mm, I have also heard of your deed slaying Rank 6 Cloud Piercing Eagle and Tiger-headed Bear," Yang Jing continued in admiration.
"Using your Mysterious Ice Dragon, you fight the magical beast in the sky for half a day before ripping its wings off and cutting the head of the Tiger-headed Bear."
Hai Bodong pretentiously turned his back against Gong Lei and Yang Jing as he stroked his beard, "Hoho, that was years ago, I didn't expect there would still be someone who remembers this old man."
"You two aren't bad."
"Senior!" Gong Lei and Yang Jing's eyes are teary.
"..." Han Yuan.
"..." Queen Medusa.
"..." Yafei.
"The atmosphere changed. Humans are weird." Yinyue commented while snickering.
Han Yuan's mouth twitched. "Senior Hai, I will leave them both to you then. The Continental Hotel needs more protection and a new source of income."
"Gong Lei is already a Dou Grandmaster, and he can benefit from your experience."
"Yang Jing is an alchemist, and I will give him some recipes and a supply of medicinal herbs to make some pills later."
"Thank you, Young Master!" Yang Jing immediately replied.
"Thank you, Young Master." Gong Lei quickly followed, as being taught by Hai Bodong is an honor.
Hai Bodong stared at Han Yuan speechlessly because this kid's martial knowledge is much better than his. Yet, he threw things at him.
Even then, Hai Bodong couldn't refuse, considering how hopeful Gong Lei was.
"Fine." Hai Bodong grumbled, but hearing this, Gong Lei couldn't be happier.
"Talking about the Continental Hotel." Yafei naturally interjected. "I have hired several builders, and the hotel should be ready quickly."
"How quickly are we talking?" Han Yuan narrowed his eyes.
"Probably before we return to Wu Tan City," Yafei replied without missing a beat.
"Alright then." Han Yuan nodded. He didn't plan to stay in the Tager Desert for a long time, at least a few weeks.
However, since Han Yuan had done everything he could, recruiting Hai Bodong and Queen Medusa, getting his hand on the Green Lotus Core Flame, and rescuing Qing Lin, he had nothing to do here.
"Um, I don't know if I should say this..." Yang Jing said hesitantly.
"Hmm?" Han Yuan tilted his head.
"Young Master, I am only a Rank 3 Alchemist. My skills are lacking, but I am blessed to be born with sharp eyes and ears." Yang Jing continued while rubbing his neck uncomfortably.
"The reason I ran with Gong Lei is not only because we have no other choice, but also because we have seen what we shouldn't."
"My knowledge is shallow, but I witnessed the birth of Heavenly Flame as I couldn't think of any force more powerful than that."
"You saw Heavenly Flame?" Han Yuan couldn't believe his luck. He saved a random fellow and, in return, somehow gained information about the next Heavenly Flame.
Yang Jing sighed, "When I crossed the Black Corner Region's border and arrived at this new region, I saw a fearsome sea of flame."
"And the cause of it is a massive tornado that sweeps over a vast desert, spreading the sea of flame like a sign of annihilation."
"Thunder raged, and even Dou King Expert perished upon contact, shredded and became ashes."
"I see..." Han Yuan seemed to recognize this Heavenly Flame.
Queen Medusa frowned, "Do you know what kind of Heavenly Flame he talked about?"
Han Yuan nodded solemnly, "Based on Yang Jing's description, there is only Heavenly Flame that fits it well, and it is the 18th-ranked Heavenly Flame, the Wind and Thunder Fury Flame!"
"That's stronger than Green Lotus Core Flame and Ten Thousand Beast Flame..." Hai Bodong couldn't help but comment.
Han Yuan smiled helplessly, "In firepower and destructiveness, yes. This Heavenly Flame is the manifestation of the storm's rage. Being hit by one is not the same as getting burned, but you will also get shredded by the power of wind and lightning."
"Okay, that sounds dangerous." Yinyue shivered at the thought of getting herself shredded and burned to death.
Han Yuan gazed at Yang Jing, "If I am not wrong, someone must want to silence you down, right?"
"After all, the information about Heavenly Flame is very valuable to the right people, especially for strong people and the Alchemist."
"Since you said you are running from the Black Corner Region, then you should know the Medicine Emperor, Han Feng."
Gulp!
Yang Jing swallowed nervously, "Y-Yes. He's a very powerful Alchemist and is known for his cruel nature."
"Well, it seems getting the Wind and Thunder Fury Flame is not going to be easy." Han Yuan shook his head helplessly.
"What do you mean?" Queen Medusa found this conversation a little confusing.
Han Yuan shrugged, "If the people who chased Yang Jing also know about the Wind and Thunder Fury Flame, I am pretty sure they have decided to sell this information to Han Feng."
"And this Hang Feng is not exactly an easy opponent. His connection and influence in the Black Corner Region is deep."
"He should be able to recruit Dou Ancestor (Dou Zong) Experts to help him get the Wind and Thunder Fury Flame."
"He, himself, is a peak Dou Emperor Powerhouse," Yafei added. "I got this information when reviewing the Black Corner Region."
"So, Han Feng is a troublsome figure."
'Of course, it will be even more troublesome if Han Feng somehow has made contact with the Hall of Souls.' Han Yuan added in his heart.
Queen Medusa asked, "Then, are you going to give up on this Heavenly Flame?"
"You seem..."
She didn't finish her words because Han Yuan possessed two Heavenly Flames already, but from what she had seen, having more doesn't seem to be a problem for him.
"Nah, I'd definitely get this Wind and Thunder Fury Flame."
Han Yuan replied casually.
There is no way he's going to miss such a pure and enormous source of wind and lightning energy. After all, his cultivation needed them to advance further.