Sensing Hai Bodong's guarded demeanor through his soul perception, Xiao Bai sighed inwardly, rising as if to leave. "Since you're unwilling, old sir, I won't linger. Take care."
Hai Bodong's heart lurched. If he leaves, where'll I find someone to undo this soul seal? Scrambling off the bed, he called out, "Wait… uh, young friend Xiao!"
Meeting Xiao Bai's gaze, he coughed awkwardly. "Ahem, I was a bit out of it earlier. My apologies for the neglect."
The excuse was flimsy—Xiao Bai's soul force would've caught every nuance of his reaction—but Hai Bodong needed a face-saving step down. Xiao Bai, understanding, didn't call it out. Smiling, he returned to the table, sipping tea. "Care to join me for a chat, old sir?"
Hai Bodong shed his embarrassment, sitting across from him, hopeful. "Young friend, you'll really undo the soul seal?"
Xiao Bai didn't answer immediately, pouring him a cup of tea with a light chuckle. "I haven't caught your name yet, old sir."
Taking the tea graciously, Hai Bodong sighed. "A defeated man hardly boasts. I'm Hai Bodong."
Xiao Bai shook his head. "No need for that, Ice Emperor. I merely took advantage of your weakened state. Had you not been sealed, the outcome would've been uncertain."
"Huh? You know me?" Hai Bodong asked, surprised. His Ice Emperor exploits lingered in tales, but the name Hai Bodong was known only to his generation's peers. This young kid knows it? A disciple of an old acquaintance?
Xiao Bai spoke unhurriedly, "Ice Emperor Hai Bodong, one of the Jia Ma Empire's top ten powerhouses of his era. Proud and solitary, a master of ice-attribute Dou Qi, he was among the few Dou Huangs in that generation. He clashed with the former Yun Lan Sect leader, Yun Shan, atop Yun Lan Mountain, narrowly losing, though Yun Shan's victory was hard-won. Later, at the Outcloud Empire's powerhouse assembly, he fought a Dou Huang and a Dou Wang alone, undefeated, stunning all."
"Haha, my old tales still circulate!" Hai Bodong laughed heartily, but his mirth soured, reflecting on his current state. Shaking his head bitterly, he said, "What Ice Emperor? Just an old map seller now."
"No need for that, Ice Emperor," Xiao Bai said. "But I'm curious—how were you sealed?" Though it risked opening old wounds, he wanted to confirm whether this followed the novel or anime's version.
Hai Bodong took no offense. For years, he'd buried the story, not for lack of desire to share, but because no one was worthy. Xiao Bai, stronger than him, qualified. In the Dou Qi Continent's harsh reality, only equals or superiors earned such candor without ties.
Through Hai Bodong's tale, Xiao Bai confirmed the novel's path: after the powerhouse assembly, he ventured to the Tagore Desert, stumbled on a map fragment, and drew Medusa's pursuit. Escaping her, he was struck by the Snake Seal Technique, aging rapidly and sealed to Dou Ling strength.
So, no Butterfly in this world, Xiao Bai noted silently.
"Young friend?" Hai Bodong's call broke his thoughts.
Lifting his gaze, Xiao Bai saw the old man's hesitant expression, understanding his unspoken question. With a faint smile, he swept his soul force over Hai Bodong, dissolving the seal. For this man, coercion felt wrong—Hai Bodong wasn't one to cower.
Feeling an invisible force lift, Hai Bodong's sharp perception returned. Relief flooded him, and gratitude warmed his view of the youth—despite Xiao Bai being the one who sealed him. No conditions, just freed me. Unlike that desert woman who'd locked him for over twenty years, infuriating yet unbeatable. Recalling Medusa stirred anger and fear, frustrating him. What am I scared of? he cursed himself.
After a moment's self-scorn, he bowed solemnly. "Thank you, young friend. If you ever need me, just call—I'll give my all."
Xiao Bai's expression twitched. Sealed him, freed him, and now he's grateful? Am I playing dirty? Seeing Hai Bodong's earnest face, he nodded with a smile. "You're too kind, Ice Emperor."
"Oh, that map fragment," Hai Bodong said, recalling. "I split it into two. Here's the other piece—keep it." He handed Xiao Bai another fragment from his ring.
Taking it, Xiao Bai sighed inwardly, not at Hai Bodong, but at the Pure Lotus Demon Saint. A peak nine-star Dou Saint, maybe half-emperor, and his map's so flimsy a Dou Ling can tear it? Embarrassing. Crafted to counter the five-star Dou Saint Pure Lotus Demon Fire, it seemed absurdly frail.
"Didn't you say that fragment was for studying your seal's cure?" Xiao Bai teased. "Just giving it up?"
"I've studied it for years, but it's only part of a whole. No matter my expertise, I can't crack it. Better to gift it to someone fated," Hai Bodong said, sighing, then raising a playful brow at "fated."
Xiao Bai chuckled at the stern old man's sudden mischief, shaking his head.
"You've had years to study your seal," Xiao Bai said, baiting. "Found any solutions?"
"Yes, a pill recipe to break it, if refined successfully," Hai Bodong said gravely.
"Why not refine it? Missing something?" Xiao Bai prodded gently.
"I lack one herb and an alchemist. The herb, Sand Mandala, is manageable. The alchemist is the issue," Hai Bodong said, despair creeping in.
"Not even Gu He?" Xiao Bai asked.
"He won't do. The alchemist must be sixth-tier and wield a Heavenly Flame," Hai Bodong said, then looked at Xiao Bai hopefully. "That crimson thunder-fire of yours… is it a Heavenly Flame?"