BTTH: I have a key to travel to Wu Dong Qian Kun.

Chapter 43: Recruiting Muscle

With a creak, the door opened. Hai Bodong, who had been waiting impatiently outside, quickly approached and asked, "Little brother, is the pill ready?"

"Of course it is," Xiao Tian replied, lifting his head with an air of pride. Though he had used some tricks in the alchemy process, he had successfully refined the Breaking Evil Pill, marking his status as a sixth-tier alchemist. Such a rank was significant throughout the entire northwest region.

Xiao Tian then casually tossed the pill to Hai Bodong. Hai Bodong carefully caught the jade bottle, his aged face displaying a mix of joy and shock.

"Little friend, please wait a moment while I test the pill," Hai Bodong said, glancing at Xiao Tian and jesting, "I trust you wouldn't try to deceive me with just any pill."

"Don't worry," Xiao Tian said with a sideways glance before turning to Qing Tan and Qing Lin, "Wait here. I'll be back soon."

With that, he followed Hai Bodong down to the basement. As they descended, the temperature dropped significantly, and thick layers of frost covered the room. The ceiling was lined with sharp icicles.

"My Dou Qi leans towards the cold attribute, which is why I built this place in the desert. It's insulated by thick ice and earth, so no one can detect what's happening here," Hai Bodong explained.

"Alright, get on with it then," Xiao Tian said, waving his hand as he sat down on a nearby chair.

Hai Bodong didn't immediately consume the pill. He meticulously examined it first before sitting cross-legged on an ice platform in the center of the basement. Only then did he place the Breaking Evil Pill into his mouth.

About half an hour later, Hai Bodong, who had been silent, began to tremble violently. Intense waves of energy rippled from him, shattering the surrounding furniture, ice columns, and icicles. Only Xiao Tian and his protected chair remained untouched.

On Hai Bodong's forehead, dark blue energy gathered and formed a snake-like mark, which tightly sealed his powerful Dou Qi. Suddenly, a faint purple energy emerged, entangling with the snake mark. After another half hour, the snake mark gradually dimmed, and the two energies reached a conclusion.

With a final surge, the purple energy overwhelmed the snake mark, expelling it from Hai Bodong's body. As the mark left his body, Hai Bodong's eyes snapped open, and a tangible glint of light shot out. A ferocious aura, like that of an awakening beast, spread from Hai Bodong, who had suppressed his strength for decades.

"Ha ha ha ha! I, Hai Bodong, am back!" he roared, suspended in midair. His aura shattered the ice layers in the basement. After a while, he calmed down and turned to Xiao Tian, a cold glint in his eyes. Despite Xiao Tian's help in restoring his strength, Hai Bodong, a Dou Huang, couldn't easily forget the young man's earlier forceful behavior.

"What's this?" Xiao Tian asked with a slight smile. "Hai old man, are you thinking of attacking me?"

"Why would I? I am not one to forget kindness," Hai Bodong replied, shaking his head and suppressing his aura as he landed on the ground.

"It had better be that way," Xiao Tian said nonchalantly before asking, "Now that your strength is restored, I suppose you won't be selling maps here anymore?"

"Are you trying to recruit me?" Hai Bodong asked with a smile, immediately rejecting the idea. "To be honest, I won't serve as anyone's subordinate."

"Really?" Xiao Tian responded with a laugh. "Have you ever heard of the Soul Restoring Purple Pill, the Royal Extreme Pill, and the Breaking Sect Pill?"

"I've only heard of the Royal Extreme Pill, which can enhance a Dou Huang's strength by one to two stars and fortify the user's body," Hai Bodong replied, his interest piqued as he listened intently.

"Since you know about the Royal Extreme Pill, I won't elaborate on it," Xiao Tian continued. "The Soul Restoring Purple Pill, also a sixth-tier pill, can fully restore the strength of those weakened by injuries or seals. The Breaking Sect Pill, a peak sixth-tier pill, can increase the success rate for a peak nine-star Dou Huang to break through to Dou Zong by ten percent, and even if the breakthrough fails, it won't reduce the user's level."

After Xiao Tian's explanation, Hai Bodong's attitude changed instantly. Rubbing his hands together with a fawning smile, he said, "Well... I have nothing better to do, so following you around isn't out of the question."

It wasn't surprising that Hai Bodong agreed. He was only a two-star Dou Huang currently. To regain his peak strength, he would need four to five years, and even more time to improve further. Breaking through to Dou Zong seemed nearly impossible with his current cultivation technique, which was only of high Xuan tier. But with the Breaking Sect Pill, the chances were better, and failure wouldn't mean losing his current level.

"Welcome aboard," Xiao Tian smiled warmly. "Now, hand over your cultivation techniques and battle skills."

"What? I've agreed to work for you, and you still want my techniques and skills?" Hai Bodong exclaimed, feeling that Xiao Tian was being unreasonable.

"Who wants your techniques and skills? They're not even of Tian tier," Xiao Tian rolled his eyes. "I can help you improve them."

"Improve them?" Although skeptical, Hai Bodong provided Xiao Tian with his techniques and skills.

After receiving them, Xiao Tian sat cross-legged and began using the stone talisman to enhance them. A short while later, he said, "Now, I'll pass the enhanced techniques and skills to you."

He touched Hai Bodong's forehead, transmitting the information. After absorbing it, Hai Bodong was shocked and amazed, looking at Xiao Tian with disbelief.

"Who would have thought you possess the ability to enhance cultivation techniques and battle skills," Hai Bodong marveled. "Now they are of Di tier, even if only low level, they are much stronger than their previous high Xuan tier."

Taking a deep breath, Hai Bodong bowed deeply. "I, Hai Bodong, pledge my loyalty to you, Young Master!"

His words were sincere. Previously, he was only considering joining out of necessity, but now it was out of genuine respect. Xiao Tian's talent was astounding, making him wonder about the master who taught him. Under such leadership, his future wouldn't be limited to just reaching Dou Zong. Compared to becoming a local tyrant in the Jia Ma Empire, he now had his sights set on much higher achievements.

(End of Chapter)

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