Xiao Zhitian took out a jade bottle and held it up calmly.
"Inside is a sixth-grade medicinal pill — the Breaking Barrier Pill. You should already know its formula, so I won't waste words explaining its effects."
Hai Bodong's eyes widened instantly. His body trembled slightly, and his gaze locked onto the jade bottle with uncontrollable excitement.
"R-Really…?"
"You'll know whether it's real or fake once you take it."
Xiao Zhitian casually tossed the bottle over.
Hai Bodong hurriedly caught it, opened the bottle, and looked inside. A pale purple pill rested within, perfectly matching the description in the formula. Wild joy surged across his face.
After calming himself, Hai Bodong looked at Xiao Zhitian.
"Little friend…"
"Call me Xiao Zhitian. Or better yet — call me Hall Master."
Hai Bodong coughed lightly."Xiao Zhitian… aren't you afraid I'll take this and run?"
"You can try," Xiao Zhitian replied calmly, expression unchanged.
Hai Bodong froze for a moment, then laughed awkwardly.
"Cough… just a joke. I'm not that kind of person."
He hesitated briefly before adding, "When the seal breaks, my aura will leak out. The basement here is designed to conceal fluctuations. May I go down there to use the pill?"
"You can," Xiao Zhitian nodded. "But wait a moment."
He lifted his hand and opened the shop door with Dou Qi.
Outside, Little Fairy Doctor had been waiting anxiously.The moment the door opened, she rushed inside.
What greeted her was a shocking sight — shattered ground, broken counters, ice covering the walls, and map fragments scattered everywhere.
She hurried to Xiao Zhitian's side.
"Are you hurt?" she asked nervously, checking him while also casting wary glances toward Hai Bodong.
"I'm fine. Just exhausted from using too much Dou Qi."
Xiao Zhitian took her hand gently and pulled her behind him, then nodded toward Hai Bodong.
Hai Bodong led them behind the ruined counter and opened a hidden door. The three walked downward for nearly twenty minutes before stopping before a heavy iron gate.
"We've arrived."
He opened it.
Inside was a vast underground ice chamber, its walls, floor, and ceiling all formed of solid white ice.
Hai Bodong sat upon an ice platform and took a deep breath.
"Then… I'll begin."
Xiao Zhitian sat calmly on a nearby chair.Little Fairy Doctor stood behind him, gently massaging his shoulders.
Curiosity finally overcame her.
"Who… is he?"
Xiao Zhitian answered calmly."Have you heard of the Ten Strongest of the Jia Ma Empire?"
"Of course. Everyone knows them."
"The one in front of us is Hai Bodong — the Ice Emperor."
Little Fairy Doctor froze.
"The Ice Emperor…? A Dou Emperor…? You fought a Dou Emperor?!"
Her hands stopped mid-massage, disbelief written all over her face.
"No. His strength was sealed. He was only at Dou Spirit level."
She finally relaxed slightly.
"So… why is he helping us?"
"I made a deal. I break his seal, and he joins my faction."
"Your faction?" Her eyes lit up. "Can I join too?"
Xiao Zhitian smiled."Of course. You're also the Hall Master's wife."
Her face flushed instantly."Don't say that!"
She covered his mouth in embarrassment.
Xiao Zhitian chuckled, resting his head lightly against her stomach. She smiled softly and resumed massaging him.
Xiao Zhitian closed his eyes and contacted the system mentally.
"System, can I use the Dou Zong Summoning Card and have the summoned person remain hidden?"
[Ding! Yes, Host. Would you like to use the card now?]
"Use it."
[Ding! Summoning successful.Summoned: Shui Ye — Seven-Star Water-Attribute Dou Zong.Status: Already hidden near the Host.]
Through the system bond, Xiao Zhitian sensed Wen Yan hiding quietly in the left corner of the chamber.
A silent safeguard.
Half an hour later…
Boom!
Violent Dou Qi erupted from Hai Bodong's body.Energy ripples blasted outward, shattering nearby ice structures.
Xiao Zhitian waved his hand.
His abnormal flame formed a protective barrier, instantly incinerating the incoming energy.
A powerful aura surged.
"Hahaha…! The seal is broken! After all these years… I, Hai Bodong, have finally returned to the Dou Emperor realm!"
His laughter shook the chamber.
Xiao Zhitian interrupted calmly,"If you keep laughing, this place will collapse."
Hai Bodong slowly turned toward him.
Now fully restored, his presence carried undeniable dominance.
The air became heavy.
The Little Fairy Doctor clenched her hands tightly behind Xiao Zhitian, nervous yet refusing to step away.
Hai Bodong stared at Xiao Zhitian.
Yet Xiao Zhitian remained perfectly calm.
After several breaths, Hai Bodong suddenly felt a deep, instinctive chill crawl up his spine — as if attacking Xiao Zhitian would mean certain death.
His heart skipped.
He quickly retracted his aura and forced a gentle smile.
"My apologies. I've only just recovered and haven't fully stabilized my strength."
"Oh?" Xiao Zhitian smiled faintly."I thought the Ice Emperor planned to test me again. I was looking forward to it."
Hai Bodong laughed awkwardly."How could I be so ungrateful?"
Xiao Zhitian stood slowly.
"The seal is broken. I've fulfilled my promise."
He looked directly into Hai Bodong's eyes.
"Now… the rest depends on your choice."