One year later,
The Gathering of Experts hosted by the Izumo Empire and the Jia Ma Empire was held at the border of the two countries. However, do not think that the experts at the Gathering of Experts were limited to just these two great Empires.
The Gathering of Experts was a grand event among many Empires in the Northwest Continent; not only the host Empires, but other Empires and factions would also come to watch.
To be able to stand out at the Gathering of Experts would bring some fame throughout the entire Northwest Continent.
This time, both the Izumo Empire and the Jia Ma Empire had made ample preparations; they were already old rivals.
The leading figures on the Jia Ma Empire's side were: Emperor of Jia Ma Jia Xingtian, Cloud Mist Sect Master Yun Shan, Alchemist Guild Chairman Wang Ming, and Ice Emperor Hai Bodong.
The leading figures of the Izumo Empire were: Xie Bi Yan of the Myriad Scorpion Gate, the Emperor of Chuyun, Wu Ya of the Centipede Heaven Palace, Chairman Fu Hai of the Izumo Alchemist Guild, the Evil Poison Brothers, the Poison Toad Old Man, and Old Silver Snake.
At first glance, the Izumo Empire had more Dou Huang experts than the Jia Ma Empire, but that was just because there were more Sects on the Izumo side; in the Jia Ma Empire, only the Cloud Mist Sect was famous, while many were famous on the Izumo side.
The Dou Huang experts of the Jia Ma Empire also included Grand Elder Yun Ji of the Cloud Mist Sect, and the royal family had a Rank 6 guardian beast, the Nether Sea Flood Dragon Beast (Storm Dragon Beast).
Although there were many experts on the Izumo Empire's side, only Xie Bi Yan had reached the high-rank Dou Huang level, while on the Jia Ma Empire's side, the high-rank Dou Huangs included Jia Xingtian, Yun Shan, and Wang Ming.
Although the number of Dou Huangs in the Jia Ma Empire was smaller, there were more top-tier Dou Huang experts than in the Izumo Empire; in comparison, the two Empires were actually quite similar, essentially two sides of the same coin.
"Izumo Poison Masters, tsk, this appearance that is neither human nor ghost is comparable to the Hall of Souls," Xiao Li grumbled; the image of the Izumo Poison Masters opposite them was truly subpar.
After a year of cultivation, Xiao Li's cultivation had reached Nine-star Dou Wang, and he was now preparing for a Breakthrough toward Dou Huang.
Next to him, Xiao Lin's cultivation had reached Five-star Dou Wang thanks to the support of Xiao Li's Elixirs. To progress so quickly in the Dou Wang stage, one really needed to have a younger brother who was a Sixth-Rank Alchemist.
"Old ghost Jia Xingtian, I didn't expect you, Old fellow, to still be around. Why are you still occupying that emperor's throne instead of making room for your juniors?"
The Emperor of Chuyun was the first to speak in mockery. Before the two armies clashed, a few insults were exchanged first.
Jia Xingtian frowned and then spoke, "This old man is not like you; my life is still long! On the other hand, half of your body is already in the grave. This old man is in a good mood today, so I can see you off."
"Heh, then come!"
The Emperor of Chuyun struck first, his dense Poison Dou Qi being incredibly terrifying. Jia Xingtian also moved; using Earth-attribute Dou Qi, he condensed his Dou Qi into a yellowish-brown divine bird and attacked the Emperor of Chuyun.
"Jie jie, since the fighting has started, this old man won't stay idle either. Who will fight me?"
Old Silver Snake stepped forward. The old ghost leaned on a silver cane and had a hunched back, looking no different from an ordinary old man, but the experts present felt that he was not a person, but a venomous snake ready to strike.
"Let this old man play with you for a bit!"
A middle-aged man wearing a blue robe stepped out from the Jia Ma Empire's side.
"Ice Emperor!"
This was Ice Emperor Hai Bodong, one of the top ten experts of the Jia Ma Empire. Reclusive and proud, he had once fought a decisive battle against Sect Master Yun Shan at the summit of Yun Lan Mountain.
The Ice Emperor walked out with his hands behind his back, a dense icy aura radiating from his body.
"Ice Emperor? Jie jie jie, let this old man see just how strong you are. Myriad Snake Erosion!"
Old Silver Snake released countless purple venomous snakes that lunged toward Hai Bodong.
"Still these flashy tricks." Hai Bodong condensed Ice Dou Qi in his right hand. Even though this place was barren, ice crystals appeared in the air, and the surrounding temperature dropped accordingly.
"Mysterious Ice Dragon Soar!"
Roar—
Hai Bodong used his Ice Dou Qi to condense two giant ice dragons, which lunged toward the countless venomous snakes.
"Tsk, Old Ice's strength has improved again; even I might not be able to beat him," Old Wang lamented. He sensed that Hai Bodong's current cultivation was roughly that of a Five-star Dou Huang, but the power of his Ice Dou Qi was astonishing.
'As expected of being refreshed; he starts with two ice dragons. However, once you encounter the snake, you won't be able to laugh anymore.'
Xiao Li watched the battle in the sky. The fight between Jia Xingtian and the Emperor of Chuyun wasn't much to look at, but Hai Bodong's side was quite a spectacle. Those two ice dragons had already dispersed Old Silver Snake's venomous snakes.
On the Emperor of Chuyun's side, the Chairman of the Izumo Alchemist Guild began to transmit a message.
'Do you know who the target of this mission is?'
'I know, it's the Chairman of the Jia Ma Alchemist Guild, Wang Ming!'
That's right, the Izumo Empire was plotting a grand conspiracy; they wanted to prioritize taking care of Old Wang! Why? Old Wang's Alchemy was extremely powerful, and most of the poisons from the Izumo Empire could be neutralized by him.
Furthermore, they were afraid. According to the intelligence they had gathered, Wang Ming was a Sixth-Rank Alchemist who could refine the Huangji Pill, whereas the Chairman of the Izumo Alchemist Guild could not.
They feared that Wang Ming would be the first to refine a Break-Sect Pill, allowing their rivals in the Jia Ma Empire to reach the Dou Zong level before them.
Therefore, the Izumo Empire's mission objective this time was to kill Old Wang and nip that possibility in the bud! For this, they were even prepared to sacrifice two Dou Huang experts!
"Mystic Ice Spiral Kill!"
"Ugh!"
In the sky, the battle between Hai Bodong and Old Silver Snake reached its conclusion. In a one-on-one duel against Hai Bodong, Old Silver Snake was defeated!
"Silver Snake, I'm here to help you!"
Another Dou Huang expert appeared from the Izumo Empire's side; he actually joined forces with Old Silver Snake to attack Hai Bodong simultaneously.
"Another one? One or two, what's the difference?"
Hai Bodong flew in the sky, flicking his right hand as an icy-blue spear appeared in his grasp. He had just finished warming up with his fight against Old Silver Snake, and the old ghost was already unable to hold on.
"Hai Bodong, don't be so arrogant with this old man!" Old Silver Snake shouted in rage. Having just been defeated by Hai Bodong had already made him extremely angry, and now that a helper had arrived on his side, Hai Bodong still had the audacity to speak so wildly!
"Am I arrogant? No, I just want you all to listen to the wailing of fate! Mysterious Ice Dragon Soar!"
The ice spear in Hai Bodong's hand dissipated, and three circles of icy blue light condensed on his right hand. In just a moment, it actually began to snow in this barren place.
"It's snowing?" The experts of both countries saw the snowflakes.
Roar—
Five icy blue dragons condensed behind Hai Bodong, roaring at the two Dou Huangs from the Izumo Empire!
"Arrogant!"
Old Silver Snake and that Dou Huang simultaneously used their strongest Dou Techniques, sending purple Poison Dou Qi toward Hai Bodong.
Hai Bodong snapped his fingers: "Go!"
The five ice dragons charged straight ahead.
Boom—
The blue and purple in the sky were exceptionally distinct. The Ice Dou Qi and Poison Dou Qi raged, causing the overcast sky to be pierced by these two powerful Dou Qis in the next instant, and the sky became clear once again.
"Heavens, Lord Ice Emperor is truly formidable, fighting two of the Izumo Empire's Dou Huangs alone without falling into a disadvantage!"
"What do you mean? It's clearly Old Hai who has the upper hand!"
In the Mittel Family's camp, a middle-aged man watched Hai Bodong's heroic figure in the sky with extreme seriousness.
"Old Hai, it is because of you that the Mittel Family exists!"
The person speaking was named Miteer Tengshan. His strength was decent, already a Dou Ling expert, but in a battle of this level, he could only serve as a spectator.