Chapter Thirty-One: The Proud Nalan Jie

"Elder Hai, please explain in detail. We are all quite confused right now. Furthermore, since you were not in any immediate danger, why have you ended up in such a state?" Teng Shan took the lead in the conversation.

Although today’s events had been a misunderstanding, the foundation of the Mittel Auction House was deep enough that paying the fees for those present would not cause any serious damage to their vitality; at most, it would be a minor sting to their coffers. Compared to that, Teng Shan was far more concerned about Hai Bodong’s condition. Regardless of how one explained it, the fact remained that Hai Bodong’s health had suffered. As the Supreme Elder of the Mittel Clan, his fate was inextricably linked to the prosperity and decline of the family.

Hai Bodong scanned those present and gave a slight nod. Since he had reached out to Teng Shan, he had already prepared himself to step back into the spotlight. The people before him did not have deep entanglements with the Mittel Clan, including Yun Yun, the Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect. Within the entire Jia Ma Empire, only the Imperial Family maintained a facade of good relations with the Mittel Clan, while in reality, they were deeply wary of them. If they learned of his situation, they might resort to underhanded tactics. Nalan Jie held the title of the Empire’s Lionheart Marshal, but Hai Bodong knew him well; he and the Imperial Family were not entirely of one mind. In fact, that was precisely why, in the original turn of events, Nalan Yanran had joined the Misty Cloud Sect. Thinking of this, Hai Bodong felt that it wouldn't be a bad idea to slightly improve his relationship with Yun Yun.

"These two matters are, in fact, one and the same."

"Years ago, when I left the clan to travel, I arrived at the Tagor Desert. By chance, I ruined a stroke of fortune meant for Queen Medusa, which sent her into a rage. Although I had already made a name for myself in Jia Ma by then, I was still no match for her. After clashing for over a thousand moves, I was defeated and struck by her Snake Sealing Curse. Ever since then, my strength has been in constant decline."

Hai Bodong was ninety-eight percent honest, with only minor details embellished. For instance, the "stroke of fortune" he had ruined was the remnant map he now possessed—a prize he had already claimed, though it had proven useless despite the heavy price he paid. As for the fight with Queen Medusa, whether he had actually lasted a thousand moves or had been chased like a dog from start to finish, only he knew.

"After I narrowly escaped, I didn't want to return and draw too much attention from the Imperial Family, so I hid my identity and stayed here in Mo City until now. Just a few days ago, a young man with an ice attribute came to my shop. He had good talent and a steady temperament. What shocked me even more was that he deduced my identity from mere trifles."

"I admired the boy greatly and offered to take him as my disciple. However, he didn't agree immediately. Instead, he proposed a wager: if the Mittel Clan helps him enter the center of the desert to see Queen Medusa within half a year, he will find a way to have her remove the seal in my body. If he succeeds, the Mittel Clan will reward him with two Purple Heart Breaking Pills. If he fails, he will submit to my arrangements..."

Hai Bodong did not hide much of this, though he specifically emphasized that Chen Xiao possessed an ice attribute. This was to prevent Yun Yun from developing any ideas when she met him. After all, for someone without a background, the Mittel Clan was a behemoth, and the Misty Cloud Sect was even more so. If Yun Yun joined the competition and offered better terms, the Mittel Clan would truly lack the competitiveness to hold onto him.

Hearing Hai Bodong’s praise, Yun Yun did indeed feel a spark of curiosity. The Ice Emperor, Hai Bodong, was famous for his high standards. For him to consider taking someone as a disciple—and for the other party to have hesitated—the young man’s talent was surely sufficient to suggest he had the potential to become a Dou Huang! However, upon hearing that he possessed an ice attribute, her expectations dimmed. It wasn't that the ice attribute was poor, but it simply did not align well with the heritage of the Misty Cloud Sect.

"So that’s how it is. In the past, Elder Hai was always very dismissive of the younger generation within the clan. For this young man to earn such high regard from you, I can't wait to meet him," Teng Shan said with a smile. Due to his absolute trust in Hai Bodong, Teng Shan didn't believe that Hai Bodong’s attempt to take a disciple would end in failure. Even if the young man truly had a way to convince Queen Medusa to break the seal, what of it? They would pay the wager, and they would proceed with the apprenticeship; the two were not mutually exclusive. Thus, in Teng Shan’s mind, Chen Xiao, whom he hadn't even met yet, was already half-affiliated with them.

"I am more curious about how a mere junior could persuade Queen Medusa? As for talent, do you all remember the marriage contract I arranged for Yanran? I received news a few days ago that her fiancé, Xiao Yan, has advanced to the rank of Dou Zhe at the age of eleven. That’s not too bad, is it? I wonder, compared to this person the Ice Emperor speaks of, who is stronger?" Nalan Jie laughed heartily, his dark, aged face full of pride.

Little did he know if he would still be able to laugh in a few months when he heard that Xiao Yan had become a cripple, or if he could maintain this posture in a few years when he was afflicted by the烙毒 (Luo Poison). Watching Nalan Jie’s smug expression, Yun Yun and the others nodded silently. An eleven-year-old Dou Zhe was more than just "not bad"; in the Jia Ma Empire, that was top-tier talent! Only Hai Bodong sneered inwardly. *Oh, Jie, your horizons are too narrow!* Although he wasn't certain of Chen Xiao’s exact age, he could tell from his appearance that he was definitely under fifteen. A Seven-Star Da Dou Shi under the age of fifteen—wasn't that better than your eleven-year-old son-in-law?

"Hard to compare, hard to compare. The lad I’ve set my sights on is likely older than the Xiao Yan you speak of," Hai Bodong scoffed internally, though he laughed it off on the surface. In any case, meeting Chen Xiao would be worth a thousand arguments. Thinking of this, Hai Bodong suddenly grinned. *He’s here.*

"Everyone, the lad has come out of the inn. I’ll go call him over, so he doesn't make a wasted trip and go back outside the city to wait for me."

Hai Bodong stood up, pushed the door open, and called out to the youth standing at the entrance of the inn a hundred meters away, waving his hand. Chen Xiao paused, guessing that Teng Shan must have arrived. He immediately quickened his pace.

Inside the map shop, the five, though they hadn't stepped out, could perceive the situation outside, including the aura of a Seven-Star Da Dou Shi radiating from Chen Xiao. For a moment, even Yun Yun, who had remained indifferent throughout, showed a look of shock. *A Seven-Star Da Dou Shi at such a young age?!* No wonder Hai Bodong was willing to go to such lengths to play this betting game. If it were her, she would be more than willing, too! What did it matter if he had an ice attribute? With such aptitude, even setting aside the Misty Cloud Sect’s heritage, as long as he was provided with the resources to grow, his future achievements would surely surpass her, and perhaps even her teacher.

Teng Shan was stunned for a moment, but when he regained his composure, the smile on his face could not be contained. In contrast, Nalan Jie felt his old face burning, his nose turning red, as if something uncomfortable were growing inside. Yan Shi and Feng Li, the two onlookers, had become spectators enjoying the show. They exchanged glances, seeing the mockery in each other’s eyes.

*Splendid, simply splendid!*