Starting from Douluo Continent, I've become a god through daily check-ins.

Chapter 609 Reunion with Nalan Yanran

With a sullen face, Hai Bodong was also struggling internally. Jing Chen, at this moment, did not disturb Hai Bodong and sat quietly in the chair, waiting for Hai Bodong's reply.

The atmosphere in the spacious living room was somewhat somber and quiet. After a long while, Hai Bodong finally sighed helplessly, looked up at Jing Chen, and said, "I don't care how rare those medicinal herbs are. I'm only giving you one year. Within that year, I will be your bodyguard and protect your safety. However, you must gather all the medicinal herbs you mentioned within this time and then help me refine the Fu Zi Ling Dan. Otherwise, if you take several years to collect the materials, won't I have to stay by your side for several years as well?"

"Hehe. Of course, no problem." Hearing this, Jing Chen nodded with a smile almost without hesitation. A Dou Huang-level fighter is quite rare. Moreover, it won't be long before Hai Bodong completely offends the Yunlan Sect because of him. Having such a powerful fighter will save Jing Chen a lot of effort.

That said, although Hai Bodong has the "insurance" implanted by Jing Chen and Yao Lao within him, such things are ultimately not something that can be openly discussed. After all, Hai Bodong is a Dou Huang level expert. The dignity of a strong person can tolerate him trading with others, but it cannot tolerate this kind of threat.

Of course, Jing Chen didn't expect to be able to coerce Hai Bodong into becoming his bodyguard through such means. Moreover, Jing Chen disdained, and even felt some disgust, for such behavior. Leaving aside himself, Hai Bodong, as a Dou Huang powerhouse, also possessed the dignity of such a figure and naturally could not tolerate it.

After a brief silence, Hai Bodong took out a piece of parchment from his storage ring, tossed it on the table, and casually said, "This is a map of the Mo family's general terrain that I took last night while you were resting. With this, finding that little girl will be much easier."

Upon hearing this, Jing Chen's face lit up with surprise. He picked up the parchment on the table and examined it carefully. Even he couldn't help but click his tongue in admiration: "It seems that hiring Mr. Hai as a bodyguard was a very wise choice."

Hai Bo pursed his lips in response to Jing Chen's praise, without making any reply.

After carefully examining it one last time, Jing Chen carefully put it away, then let the black hood fall down, instantly shrouding himself in shadow.

"Let's go, let's take a look around the Mo family." Completely covered up, Jing Chen slowly stood up, smiled at Hai Bodong beside him, and then walked towards the door of the room. Behind him, Hai Bodong, rather helplessly, pulled down his hood and followed Jing Chen out of the room.

As Jing Chen descended the last step, he suddenly looked up and gazed toward the entrance of the inn. When his eyes fell upon the woman in the moon-robed robe who exuded an air of unapproachability, he abruptly stopped in his tracks.

Gazing at the woman in the moon-robed robe standing at the gate, Jing Chen's eyes, hidden beneath his cloak, narrowed slightly. Although a year had passed since their last meeting, Jing Chen recognized her instantly. This woman in the moon-robed robe was none other than the arrogant Nalan Yanran from the Xiao family's main hall!

Jing Chen didn't show much emotional reaction to Nalan Yanran, Xiao Yan's former fiancée, but beneath his cloak, he narrowed his eyes slightly. Watching Nalan Yanran's every smile and gesture, Jing Chen couldn't help but chuckle softly for some reason.

However, it's clear that Nalan Yanran is living quite happily now that she's latched onto the Yunlan Sect. After all, she's a disciple of the Yunlan Sect's leader. But none of that matters to Jing Chen anymore. Jing Chen's top priority right now is to find where Qing Lin is being held, rescue her, and then go to the Yunlan Sect to give them a good thrashing.

Hidden beneath his black robe, a wisp of azure flame flickered and ignited between his fingers, playfully frolicking at Jing Chen's fingertips. Hai Bodong, walking behind Jing Chen, sensed the sudden increase in temperature and asked in a low voice, somewhat puzzled, "Jing Chen?"

Hai Bodong's low shout reached Jing Chen's ears, and the wisp of blue flame swirling around Jing Chen's fingertip vanished instantly. At the same time, Jing Chen couldn't help but chuckle softly, muttering to himself, "What a small world. I never expected to run into her here."

"Yes, I really didn't expect that." The old doctor's voice slowly echoed in Jing Chen's mind.

"Speaking of which, Elder Yao, can you discern her strength now?" Jing Chen chuckled lightly, showing absolutely no regard for Nalan Yanran. Looking back now, he wondered why he had acted like a child and made that bet with her. Whether he was a genius or not seemed irrelevant.

Upon hearing Jing Chen's question, the old apothecary paused for a moment before replying, "No."

Hearing this, Jing Chen couldn't help but feel a little doubtful and asked, "No way? Really? With your strength, Elder Yao, you wouldn't be able to see through her abilities? She can reach the Dou Huang level in such a short time?"

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Yao Lao chuckled lightly, then continued, "It's not because of her that I can't detect her true strength, but because I sense an energy shield surrounding her. This energy shield is blocking my soul power from detecting her."

"Based on my experience, she's probably wearing some kind of device that blocks detection. In my opinion, you don't need to worry too much. When the time comes, you'll naturally know her true strength when you fight her," Yao Lao said with a smile, trying to comfort her.

"That's true. I don't believe that her hard work during this period is inferior to her pampered life in the Yunlan Sect." Jing Chen chuckled lightly, then continued, "Elder Yao, I might need your help today. I need to conserve some strength, because something unexpected might happen today."

Hai Bodong stared at Jing Chen beside him with some surprise and asked, "What's wrong with you?"

You should know that during the time he had known Jing Chen, he had never seen Jing Chen lose his composure like this before.

"It's nothing." The extremely high temperature brought by the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame had already attracted the attention of the people around, and those surprised gazes were now being cast over here as well.

Among these gazes, Jing Chen could also clearly sense a gaze that was both cold and slightly surprised. Through the hood covering his head, Jing Chen's eyes met those of the woman in the moon robe who had turned to look at him.

(End of this chapter)