Hai Bodong: It smells so good!

Hai Bodong cried out inwardly, then turned around, forcing a smile uglier than a cry. "Lord Shen Wen, you... what other instructions do you have?

I'm just a useless old man, I really wouldn't dare interfere with your important matters!"

Lord Shen Wen looked at him and said indifferently, "Instructions are too strong a word.

I just want to ask you one thing, Hai Bodong, do you want to advance further?"

"Advance further?"

Hai Bodong suddenly looked up.

Before, he was at least one of the top ten powerhouses in the Jia Ma Empire, full of vigor.

A Five-Star Dou Huang.

If not for Medusa sealing him for so many years, he would have long since reached Peak Dou Huang.

But with all that wasted time, even if his cultivation has now recovered to its former state.

The next problem arises.

He has passed the fastest stage of cultivation.

Not to mention breaking through to Dou Zong, even recovering to the strength of a Five-Star Dou Huang would require some fortuitous encounter.

Lord Shen Wen's words were undoubtedly a massive stone cast into the calm lake of his heart, which had been silent for years.

He looked at Lord Shen Wen, then glanced at Medusa beside him, and the hesitation and fear in his heart.

Were instantly diluted by the immense temptation of breaking through his realm.

He swallowed, and asked with a dry voice, "Lord... Lord Shen Wen, what do you mean?"

Lord Shen Wen smiled, not answering directly, merely saying, "Stay for now. Perhaps there will be something I need your help with.

Of course, I won't let you work for nothing."

Hai Bodong stood rooted, his heart engaged in a fierce internal struggle.

Ultimately, the bottleneck that had trapped him for decades, along with the various mysteries and formidable power displayed by Lord Shen Wen, led him to make a difficult decision.

He took a deep breath and bowed again.

This time, his posture was even lower: "As Lord Shen Wen commands."

Hai Bodong cried out inwardly, then turned around, forcing a smile uglier than a cry. "Lord Shen Wen, you... what other instructions do you have?

I'm just a useless old man, I really wouldn't dare interfere with your important matters..."

Lord Shen Wen looked at him and said indifferently, "Instructions are too strong a word.

I just want to ask you one thing, Hai Bodong, do you want to... advance further?"

"Advance further?"

Hai Bodong suddenly looked up.

Before, he was at least one of the top ten powerhouses in the Jia Ma Empire, full of vigor.

A Five-Star Dou Huang.

If not for Medusa sealing him for so many years, he would have long since reached Peak Dou Huang.

But with all that wasted time, even if his cultivation has now recovered to its former state.

The next problem arises.

He has passed the fastest stage of cultivation.

Not to mention breaking through to Dou Zong, even recovering to the strength of a Five-Star Dou Huang would require some fortuitous encounter.

Lord Shen Wen's words were undoubtedly a massive stone cast into the calm lake of his heart, which had been silent for years.

He looked at Lord Shen Wen, then glanced at Medusa beside him, and the hesitation and fear in his heart.

Were instantly diluted by the immense temptation of breaking through his realm.

He swallowed, and asked with a dry voice, "Lord... Lord Shen Wen, what do you mean?"

Lord Shen Wen smiled, not answering directly, merely saying, "Stay for now. Perhaps there will be something I need your help with.

Of course, I won't let you work for nothing."

Hai Bodong stood rooted, his heart engaged in a fierce internal struggle.

He took a deep breath and bowed again.

This time, his posture was even lower: "As Lord Shen Wen commands."

Hai Bodong closed his "Ancient Map" map shop, which he had operated for many years.

This was originally his stronghold, set up to find someone who could break the seal.

Now that the seal was removed and he had climbed the towering tree that was Lord Shen Wen, these maps were naturally useless.

He packed his few personal belongings and followed Lord Shen Wen and his group back to the Snake-People Tribes Sacred City.

As the flying boat landed in the Sacred City, a slightly disheveled figure hurried forward to greet them.

Kui Xing knelt on one knee, reporting solemnly to Medusa, "Your Majesty the Queen!

Recently, more and more petty thieves have been lurking around the Sacred City. Your subordinate led men to capture and kill many, but a few slippery rats still escaped.

I'm afraid... a large force will come to probe us soon."

Upon hearing this, Medusa's delicate brows furrowed slightly, and a cold glint flashed in her purple eyes.

She had just entered the Dou Zong realm and needed a battle to establish her prestige.

Before she could speak, Lord Shen Wen, who was beside her, waved his hand indifferently.

"No matter, let them come."

His tone was calm. "It's better to deal with them all at once, saving future trouble.

In this Northwest Continent, no one can make me wary right now. We'll see who comes first."

His words were not arrogant.

Possessing three great ancestral talismans and cultivating the Great Chaos Thunder Method, the Azure Emperor Wood Emperor Art, the Great Desolate Scripture, and the Azure Heaven Dragon Transformation Art, he had absolute confidence.

Even a Five-Star Dou Zong would find it difficult to contend with him when he fully unleashed his power. This was a good opportunity to integrate his recent gains and form his own combat system.

Hai Bodong, listening from the side, secretly clicked his tongue, his estimation of Lord Shen Wen rising by countless levels.

This master not only had an unfathomable background but also ridiculously powerful strength. His choice this time might truly be a blessing in disguise.

Cao Ying walked to Lord Shen Wen's side and naturally linked her arm through his, her enchanting eyes glancing at Kui Xing.

She lightly snorted, "Did you hear? With my husband here, the sky won't fall.

Have your people strengthen their vigilance and just wait for the fish to bite."

Her words carried undisguised trust and pride, as if Lord Shen Wen was the source of her confidence.

Medusa looked at Cao Ying and Lord Shen Wen's intimate posture, her eyes subtly shifting. Then she said coldly to Kui Xing, "Do as the Master commands. Issue an order: the Sacred City is to enter a state of alert. Any intruders will be killed without mercy!"

"Yes! Your Majesty the Queen! Master!"

Kui Xing quickly responded, secretly glancing at Lord Shen Wen. Seeing no reaction from him, he finally breathed a sigh of relief and quickly retreated to make arrangements.

After Kui Xing left, Medusa turned to Lord Shen Wen, her tone less cold than before, with more of an inquiring note. "Master, what should we do next?"

Lord Shen Wen pondered for a moment and said, "No rush.

We'll deal with problems as they arise. Take advantage of this lull to familiarize yourself with your power.

You can be my sparring partner; I also need to sort through what I've learned. Ying'er, you just acquired a Heavenly Flame, and you need to stabilize it. Dan Chen, your alchemy can also improve. Hai Bodong..."

He turned his gaze to the uneasy Hai Bodong. "Your cultivation has just recovered. I will first refine a furnace of Spirit Recovery Purple Pills to restore your cultivation, then we can discuss further."

Upon hearing this, Hai Bodong's old face flushed with excitement, and he bowed deeply. "Thank you, my Lord, for your guidance! Hai Bodong will swear allegiance to the death!"

He hadn't expected Lord Shen Wen to be not only powerful but also so generous to his subordinates. The reluctance he felt at being forced to submit.

Had now largely dissipated.

Being a subordinate of an Alchemist is truly wonderful.

No wonder even a Dou Huang would humble themselves, wishing they could be an Alchemist's dog.

Seeing this, Cao Ying's lips curled into a slight smile. She leaned close to Lord Shen Wen's ear and teased in a voice only they could hear, "Husband, your methods of winning people's hearts are becoming increasingly skillful."