BTTH : From Humble Beginnings to Dou Di

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Hai Bodong clearly noticed the smirk tugging at the corners of the opponent’s lips. After weighing the pros and cons in his heart, he forced a stiff smile and said, ”I admit I was out of line before.

The Mittel Clan is willing to offer one-third of our treasury to make amends and settle the grudge between us. I hope Master will let bygones be bygones, and prioritize peace.”

”Heh… you tried to kill me multiple times, and now you want to settle things with just one-third of your vault?”

Yao Chen gave a calm chuckle, full of disdain.

While he was indeed somewhat constrained at the moment and not in a position to kill Hai Bodong outright…

He could still bleed him dry a little—consider it compensation for that Emperor-tier pill recipe.

”Master, after everything that old guy did to us, why don’t we just kill him?”

Xiao Yan, seeing that Yao Chen seemed willing to let Hai Bodong go, guessed it was related to the ”compensation” mentioned earlier. Still, he couldn’t help but question the choice.

After all, that bastard nearly cost both of them their lives.

Yao Chen let out a bitter chuckle and shook his head. ”My soul power is already running low after refining all those pills for the Imperial Clan.

Later, we’ll be going to Jia Nan Academy in search of the Fallen Heart Flame, and I’ll need to personally investigate. Not to mention I’ll also need to refine special pills to help you subdue the Heavenly Flame—how can I waste my strength here?”

”Besides, the Mittel Clan’s overall strength isn’t weak. If I were delayed here by Hai Bodong and their other Dou Wang-level expert, and they chose to attack the Xiao Clan during that time, by the time I got there, your clan would likely be nothing but ashes.”

Though he had previously used royal connections to condense a pill with the Heavenly Flame and remove Nalan Jie’s poison mark—earning a stalk of Seven Magical Green Spirit Saliva in return—

And with the help of the Imperial Clan collecting soul-restoring ingredients, he had managed a decent recovery—

Even so, the sheer number of pills he had refined earlier had drained him heavily.

Not to mention, the ingredients collected by the royal family for soul recovery were at most fifth-tier. The amount of soul power they could restore was ultimately limited.

If he had to face an all-out assault from a mid-tier Dou Huang and a Dou Wang, his soul power would undoubtedly take a severe hit.

”Alright, Master, you’re right. Once I’m strong enough, I’ll settle the score myself.”

Hearing the potential consequences Yao Chen described, Xiao Yan felt a chill run down his spine and quickly agreed.

He definitely didn’t want his father to be killed because of some reckless impulse on his part.

By then, not even crying would help.

”You—!”

Hai Bodong was clearly annoyed by the look of smug certainty on Yao Chen’s face.

But faced with the current situation, he could only let out a helpless sigh.

I’m the fish, he’s the knife. What else can I do?

Gritting his teeth, he finally growled, ”Fine. Fifty percent. That’s the limit of what I can offer. If that’s still not enough, then screw it—we’ll all go down together. I’ll head straight for the Xiao Clan and self-detonate, see how you like being alone in this world.”

”I can agree to that,” Yao Chen said slowly, stroking his chin as if thoughtfully caressing a beard that wasn’t there. ”But while I’m away on my journey, you must guarantee the Xiao Clan’s safety. If anything happens to them—then I’ll deal with the Mittel Clan the same way you just threatened.”

”Fine.”

Hai Bodong nodded stiffly.

Inside, he was so furious he could vomit blood. His gut was twisted in regret.

If I had known Gu He was this unreliable, I never would’ve messed with this damn alchemist in the first place!

”Master, it’s a good thing we didn’t completely wipe out the Mittel Clan. Otherwise, the Xiao Clan might really have become history,” Xiao Yan said, a little shaken.

”Heh, in the future, don’t act so impulsively. Always weigh the consequences—think three steps ahead before making a move.”

Yao Chen smiled gently, giving his student a bit of fatherly guidance.

Though his disciple was already more composed than most people his age, when it came to critical moments, he still tended to act with emotion.

As for half of the Mittel Clan’s treasury—he already had plans for it.

The gold would all go with them. After all, gathering the ingredients needed to refine a high-grade sixth-tier Ground Spirit Pill in the Black-Corner Region? That was going to cost a lot of money.

As for the remaining cultivation techniques, Dou Techniques, and low-grade pills—those miscellaneous items would be left to the Xiao Clan. It would help bolster their strength and foundation.

Combined with the protection of the Mittel Clan, there wouldn’t be any force within the Jia Ma Empire that could pose a real threat to the Xiao clan’s safety.

Seeing that everything had been resolved smoothly, Fa Ma let out a long sigh of relief.

If earlier, someone—especially from the Imperial Clan—had stepped in to side with Hai Bodong against their benefactor, things would’ve gotten extremely messy.

Though in truth, his concern had been unnecessary.

Right now, Jia Xingtian was practically wishing for Hai Bodong to be torn apart in a brutal conflict.

After all, Hai Bodong’s status as a Dou Huang did pose a certain threat to the Jia Ma Empire’s rule.

Jia Xingtian was significantly older than Hai Bodong, and though he had been stuck at the peak of Dou Huang for many years, his lifespan was nearing its end.

Hai Bodong, on the other hand, still had decades of life left. Once Jia Xingtian passed, who knew what ambitions Hai Bodong might harbor?

So, even though he knew the empire’s overall power would decline if Hai Bodong were eliminated, Jia Xingtian still preferred a future without him.

As for the other two families among the Three Great Clans—they had long been suppressed by the Mittel Clan ever since Hai Bodong returned, and were barely catching their breath.

Seeing Hai Bodong in trouble now, they were actually a little pleased. Why would they risk helping him?

And the other factions? Most of them were intimidated by the name of a Sixth-tier Alchemist. The benefits didn’t outweigh the risks. Naturally, no one was willing to step forward.

”White flame… with a cold aura… this Xiao Yan… he’s my target now, hehe…”

Among the younger generation, Zi Yan was now smiling brightly at Xiao Yan.

All she had to do was sketch this Xiao Yan kid’s appearance on paper and return to collect that tempting Mighty Huang Pill.

Taking such a simple trip and getting a pill of that level in return—how could she not be overjoyed?

That said, she was also a bit surprised.

She hadn’t expected the one who wielded that white flame would actually be a Dou Huang. That made her secretly grateful—

Good thing she’d chosen to visit the treasure vault yesterday instead of going after that kid’s Three-Line Green Spirit Pill.

Otherwise, she’d definitely be in deep trouble by now.

She then pulled out a pen and paper, trying to recall Xiao Yan’s appearance as she began to sketch.

A moment later, Zi Yan looked down at the abstract mess she had drawn…

And decisively gave up on trying to draw it herself.

Instead, she figured she’d go for a stroll through the city tomorrow.

After everything that happened today, the streets were bound to be buzzing with news.

Surely, portraits of Xiao Yan would be plastered everywhere.

By then, she could just grab a few copies casually.

She already knew who he was anyway—was there any chance she wouldn’t find a portrait?

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