Battle Through the Heavens: I can solidify the talents of all things

Chapter 75, Ice Emperor Hai Bodong!

Xiao Qing smiled slightly: "Xun'er is still young, it's too early to talk about these things. But I will protect her and help her grow up healthily!"

This statement is not just empty talk.

Xiao Qing knew that Gu Xun'er's identity was special and that the forces behind her were deeply entrenched, far beyond what the Xiao family of Wutan City, who was currently living in a remote corner of the country, could imagine.

That extraordinary precocity and ethereal quality could not be cultivated by an ordinary family.

However, no matter what storms the future may bring, now that he has taken her under his wing, he will never let her suffer any harm.

Xiao Zhan nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

As dusk settled, Xiao Qing slowly walked out of the council hall, the last rays of the setting sun casting a long, slender shadow over his tall figure.

The conversation with her uncle Xiao Zhan was still echoing in her mind, especially when Gu Xun'er was mentioned, which made her deep-seated desire to protect her even stronger.

Xiao Qing raised her head slightly, gazing at the night sky gradually being adorned with stars, a gentle smile curving her lips.

Inside the hall, Xiao Zhan watched his nephew's departing figure and thoughtfully stroked his chin.

Since Xiao Qing already knew the answer, he didn't press further.

Although Xiao Zhan was unaware of Gu Xun'er's true origins, he had gained considerable insight after years of experience in the Dou Qi Continent.

Xiao Zhan recalled the noble air that Gu Xun'er inadvertently exuded in her demeanor, as well as the oppressive feeling brought about by her father, Xiao Yuan.

The occasional, elusive aura that even made Xiao Zhan's heart pound suggests that his background is anything but simple.

However, since Xiao Qing was aware of the situation and had clearly made arrangements, Xiao Qing, as the uncle, could not ask too many questions and only needed to provide the necessary protection within the family.

"Never mind, children and grandchildren have their own blessings."

Xiao Zhan shook his head, finished the remaining tea in his cup, and then began to think about the future of his family.

Xiao Qing's rise to power was like a shot in the arm for the dormant Xiao family.

In the following days, Wutan City remained as bustling and lively as ever, with crowds thronging the market and vendors hawking their wares.

But beneath the seemingly calm surface, undercurrents are surging, and various forces are reassessing the landscape of this small town.

The destruction of the Jia Lie family was too swift and thorough. The huge, charred handprint left on the ruins was like a silent declaration, exuding a chilling aura.

-

The ignominious departure of Marshal Nalan Jie, the Lionheart Marshal of the Empire, further proves that the Xiao family has one or even several powerful figures behind them that they cannot afford to offend.

Obapa, the patriarch of the Obapa family, with his keen sense of smell, almost immediately prepared generous gifts and personally paid a visit to Xiao Zhan.

Inside the reception room, Obap's face no longer bore its former arrogance; instead, it wore an almost humble smile.

"Clan Chief Xiao Zhan, if my Obapa family has offended you in the past, please forgive us."

Obappa cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, his tone sincere.

"These are the land deeds for three market towns in the east of the city, as well as 50% of this year's profits. This is just a small token of our appreciation, and we hope the Xiao family will continue to support us in the future."

Xiao Zhan sat upright in the main seat, his expression calm, but he couldn't help feeling a little emotional.

Just a few months ago, Obap and Gallibe frequently joined forces to suppress the Xiao family in business.

Today, the Garrett family is history, and Obap has even proactively ceded core interests in order to protect himself.

All of this change was due to Xiao Qing's earth-shattering display of strength.

Xiao Zhan did not refuse and readily accepted the land deed and gift list.

In this dog-eat-dog world, excessive humility can sometimes be seen as weakness.

Xiao Zhan needs to take this opportunity to announce the Xiao family's powerful return to the entire Wutan City.

"Chief Obapa, you are too kind. In the future, Utan City will need our families to work together to develop it."

Xiao Zhan's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable weight.

Obapa agreed repeatedly, secretly relieved.

Xiao Zhan's willingness to accept the gift at least indicates that the Xiao family has no intention of continuing the purge for the time being.

With the Obama family taking the lead, other small and medium-sized forces followed suit, practically breaking down the Xiao family's doorstep.

Various rare medicinal herbs, magic cores, and gold coins were delivered into the Xiao family's treasury like a flowing river.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Xiao Zhan swiftly integrated nearly 70% of Wutan City's resources and industries, causing the Xiao family's influence and control to expand rapidly in a short period of time, reaching an unprecedented level.

Inside the family, the atmosphere was even more lively.

The low-level Earth-rank cultivation technique "Blazing Sun Technique" left behind by Xiao Qing is listed as the core inheritance of the family. Only disciples who have passed strict tests, are loyal to the family, and have outstanding talent can cultivate it.

Those precious elixirs further ignited the cultivation enthusiasm of all the clansmen.

The training ground was filled with shouts and the sounds of clashing battle qi from morning till night. The young disciples were sweating profusely, their eyes burning with a desire for power.

Xiao Qing was not entirely uninvolved either.

He took the time to guide Xiao Ding and Xiao Li in their cultivation.

In a secluded open space behind the mountain, Xiao Ding held his breath and concentrated, his fighting spirit surging violently as he attempted to break through that invisible barrier.

Xiao Qing stood to the side, his eyes sharp, occasionally offering words of advice.

"Sink your Qi to the Dantian and guide the fighting Qi along the meridians. Do not rush it. The key to condensing the Qi vortex lies in the precise control of energy, not in brute force."

Xiao Ding was already quite talented and had a calm and steady temperament. With Xiao Qing's guidance, some of the obstacles he had encountered in his cultivation suddenly became clear.

Xiao Ding felt that the bottleneck that had troubled him for so long had loosened, and he was only one step away from officially condensing his Qi vortex and stepping into the realm of Dou Zhe.

The younger Xiao Li, on the other hand, displayed a different kind of determination than his brother.

Xiao Li practiced basic fighting techniques again and again, gritting his teeth and persevering even when he was exhausted.

Xiao Qing saw this and secretly used a wisp of gentle fighting spirit to help Xiao Ding regulate his meridians and consolidate his foundation.

With Xiao Qing's help, Xiao Li successfully broke through to the seventh level of Dou Qi. This progress excited him greatly, and he looked at his cousin Xiao Qing with gratitude and admiration.

As for Xiao Yan, who was still young but had already shown extraordinary talent, Xiao Qing would occasionally "bump into" him in the family and casually give him a few pointers on basic breathing techniques and energy perception skills.

Looking at his cousin, whose fate in the original story was fraught with hardship, Xiao Qing thought to himself:

Fate has already taken a turn, but with your luck and talent, your future achievements may not be inferior to what was originally destined.

On this sunny day, as usual, two guards stood guard in front of the Xiao family mansion.

Suddenly, a guard's gaze sharpened as he noticed an elderly man dressed in a simple blue robe walking unhurriedly toward the gate.

The old man had white hair and beard, and a long-healed but still menacing scar on his face. He seemed to walk with a limp, but his eyes were as sharp as a hawk's, and he exuded a mysterious and unsettling aura.

The captain of the guards dared not delay, and quickly stepped forward, clasped his hands in a respectful salute, and asked in a respectful tone, "Sir, may I ask who you are looking for at the Xiao family?"

-

The old man stopped, his gaze sweeping over the imposing gate of the Xiao family. An inscrutable expression appeared on his face as he slowly said, "I am Hai Bodong, and I have come here to pay my respects to the Xiao family."

"Hai Bodong—?"

The captain of the guard felt that the name sounded familiar, as if he had heard it somewhere before, but he couldn't quite place it.

He dared not make the decision on his own, and bowed again, saying, "Please wait a moment, sir, while I go in and inform them!"

"Um.

"6

Hai Bodong gave a faint reply, stood with his hands behind his back in front of the door, and said no more.

But the natural air he exuded made the guards at the gate feel an invisible pressure.

The guard dared not delay, quickly crossing the courtyard to the patriarch's study, and respectfully reported: "Patriarch, there is an elderly gentleman outside who calls himself 'Hai Bodong,' requesting an audience, saying he wishes to visit our Xiao family."

Inside the study, Xiao Zhan, who was reviewing accounts, paused slightly upon hearing this, then abruptly looked up: "Hai Bodong?!"

This name, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, stirred up ripples in Xiao Zhan's heart.

Ice Emperor Hai Bodong!

More than ten years ago, he was one of the top ten strongest people in the Jia Ma Empire, a genuine Dou Huang powerhouse!

His reputation was even greater than that of Nalan Jie today!

Xiao Zhan was extremely surprised.

First it was Nalan Jie, and now it's Hai Bodong. Why are these important figures, who are usually rarely seen, appearing one after another in his small Xiao family in Wutan City?

"The Xiao family has truly been in the eye of the storm lately—"

Xiao Zhan put down his pen, rubbed his temples, and a trace of worry rose in his heart.

The arrival of a powerful Dou Huang is a matter of unpredictable fortune or misfortune.

But then he thought that since the other party had sent a formal invitation rather than barged in, it at least indicated that they had no malicious intent.

Xiao Zhan took a deep breath, suppressing the chaotic thoughts in his mind, and said in a deep voice, "Please come quickly! No—I will go to greet you myself!"

At the gate of the Xiao family, Xiao Zhan strode out, his gaze falling on the aged yet still upright figure outside the gate.

Although his face had changed a lot due to the years and scars, the faintly discernible outline and the powerful aura deeply rooted in his memory allowed Xiao Zhan to instantly confirm the other party's identity.

Xiao Zhan dared not be negligent in the slightest, and hurriedly stepped forward, clasped his hands and bowed, his tone full of respect: "I am Xiao Zhan, the patriarch of the Xiao family. I was unaware of His Majesty the Ice Emperor's arrival. I apologize for not welcoming you properly!"

Xiao Zhan was also shocked. Back when he met the Ice Emperor in the capital, the other party was so spirited and dashing.

In less than twenty years, how could things have changed so drastically?

What kind of harrowing past does that scar on his face conceal?

Hai Bodong looked at the Xiao family patriarch, whose cultivation was only at the Dou Ling level, and his own light flickered slightly.

He found it hard to imagine that such a brilliant and resourceful young man came from such an ordinary family.

"Clan Chief Xiao Zhan, there's no need for such formalities. There's no Ice Emperor here, only this old man, Hai Bodong."

Hai Bodong waved his hand, forcing a reasonably amicable smile onto his face.

"The main reason for my unauthorized visit is to meet one of my benefactors."

97

benefactor?"

A hint of doubt arose in Xiao Zhan's mind.

When did the Xiao family ever do a favor for the Ice Emperor, who was famous throughout the empire?

Xiao Zhan carefully recalled the experts in his family. Apart from the mysterious Xiao Qing and his teacher, he couldn't think of anyone else who could be associated with a Dou Huang powerhouse.

He asked cautiously, "Senior Ice Emperor, who is this 'benefactor' you speak of?"

A thought flashed through his mind like lightning—Xiao Qing!

Only him! Only his mysterious and unpredictable teacher could possibly bestow favors upon a Dou Huang powerhouse!

Hai Bodong stroked his beard, no longer keeping him in suspense, and directly revealed the name that haunted his dreams: "My benefactor is named Xiao Qing."

Since returning to the Gama Empire, he has used the Mittel family's terrifying information network to find a boy named "Xiao Qing," and he even hand-drew a portrait of Xiao Qing for this purpose.

Eventually, the information from the Mittel family came back, and the boy whose name matched the portrait was indeed a descendant of Xiao Zhan from the Xiao family of Wutan City!

After reading through Xiao Qing's detailed information, Hai Bodong was immediately stunned.

Is this the same person as Xiao Qing he encountered?

Finally, he concluded that Xiao Qing of the Xiao family in Wutan City had been away for a year, and the timeline matched up perfectly. He had to admit that this was the boy who helped him break the seal.

To reach the Dou Wang level in just a few years, besides having extraordinary luck, it was thanks to the mysterious teacher Xiao Qing mentioned!

Furthermore, everything Xiao Qing said about his cultivation level in the Xiao family was fake and deliberately concealed, probably because he didn't want to attract attention!

What a cunning little rascal!

In addition, he had recently heard in the capital that a mysterious Battle King had appeared in the Xiao family and had even seriously injured Nalan Jie.

Although this incident was deliberately concealed by that old fellow Nalan Jie, many people saw Nalan Jie's injured appearance that day.

really!

Xiao Zhan was shocked, and a "I knew it" expression appeared on his face.

He immediately stepped aside and made a gesture of respect, saying, "I see! Senior Ice Emperor, please come in! I will send someone to fetch Qing'er right away."

Hai Bodong nodded and followed Xiao Zhan into the Xiao family home.

Along the way, the Xiao family mansion, though not particularly luxurious, was well-planned and orderly. The young members of the clan were skilled and handsome, displaying an air of prosperity and strength. This made Hai Bodong feel even better about the Xiao family.

Upon arriving at the elegantly decorated Yili Hall, Xiao Zhan personally invited Haibo Donghu to serve him a cup of fine tea.

The aroma of tea wafted through the air, but before one could even take a sip, a steady sound of footsteps approached from afar.

The next moment, a figure in a green robe appeared at the entrance; it was Xiao Qing.

"uncle."

Xiao Qing first nodded slightly to Xiao Zhan, then turned his gaze to Hai Bodong in the guest seat, a knowing smile on his face, and walked straight to the chair where Hai Bodong was sitting.

"Sir, it's been a long time. You're still as dashing as ever."

Xiao Qing spoke, his tone familiar, as if he were speaking not to a former Dou Huang powerhouse, but to an ordinary old friend or elder.

Upon seeing Xiao Qing, Hai Bodong's eyes instantly blazed with uncontrollable joy, and he stood up abruptly.

He didn't even bother to drink the hot tea Xiao Zhan had just offered, and quickly stepped forward to greet him: "Young friend! It's been many days since we last met!"

Hai Bodong looked Xiao Qing up and down, and was amazed to find that the other party's aura was becoming more and more restrained and profound.

This child's progress is so rapid it's simply unbelievable.