Chapter 9: "Negotiating" with Hai Bodong
At this moment, Hai Bodong's aged face became even more bitter.
They say enemies always meet on a narrow road.
But this?
This wasn't just any enemy this was the very person who had reduced him, a proud Dou Huang, to a mere Dou Ling!
And to make matters worse…
Medusa had come here not just to mock him but to stomp on his grave!
Even though he knew he wasn't Medusa's match, his rage still burned like wildfire.
A sinister glint flashed across his old, wrinkled face, making his scarred features appear even more menacing.
A vast wave of icy mist erupted from his body, rapidly filling the room.
Soon, the entire space was engulfed in an intense frost, and from the outside, cold mist could be seen seeping through the walls.
With a swift motion, Hai Bodong retrieved a tattered map fragment from his storage ring.
His eyes burned with defiance.
"Queen Medusa… you've gone too far! Yes, I have the map fragment! And I know I can't defeat you… but if I want to destroy it, there's nothing you can do to stop me!"
Medusa chuckled as she gazed at him playfully.
"Oh? Are you so sure… that I wouldn't kill you first before you get the chance?"
The moment their eyes locked, Hai Bodong's heart trembled.
A deep, bone chilling fear crawled through his veins.
He had always feared Medusa…
But at this moment, that fear reached an entirely new level.
For the first time, he realized…
He might not even get the chance to tear the map apart before Medusa ripped it from his hands.
Still, as a former Ice Emperor, how could he surrender so easily?
His dignity wouldn't allow it!
His fingers clenched and unclenched, forming fine ice threads that began to wrap around the fragile map.
The moment those ice threads hardened into thick frost, the map would be completely encased and even Medusa wouldn't be able to pry it away.
But then…
He stopped.
His entire body froze in place.
The ice threads vanished.
The freezing mist instantly dissipated.
Hai Bodong didn't dare move a muscle.
A presence just as terrifying as Medusa had suddenly appeared right in front of him.
Even though he couldn't see this figure…
He could feel it.
And if he moved even slightly…
He was dead.
What Hai Bodong didn't know was…
The one standing before him wasn't a physical being.
It was Wu Tian.
As a Peak Dou Huang level soul, sneaking up on a mere Dou Ling was beyond easy.
Of course, Wu Tian was all show at this point.
No battle techniques.
No combat skills.
No way to physically touch anything living.
But still, for a moment, he had scared Hai Bodong half to death.
Satisfied with the reaction, Wu Tian finally revealed himself.
His ghostly figure floated right in front of Hai Bodong.
Draped in Medusa's purple silk robe, with a bandeau meant to be worn around the chest now awkwardly hanging 40 centimeters lower, Wu Tian exuded an odd mix of majesty and absurdity.
His casual smirk only added to the eerie scene.
"No wonder you were once the Ice Emperor," Wu Tian mused. "You actually sensed my presence."
Hai Bodong blinked rapidly, staring at Wu Tian in pure horror.
"Wha ?! A soul form?!
And not just any soul form a Peak Dou Huang level soul wearing women's clothing?!"
Wu Tian: …MMMMMM…
For a moment, one of the top powerhouses in the Jia Ma Empire, Hai Bodong, couldn't help but curse out loud.
This floating spirit, exuding the terrifying aura of a Peak Dou Huang…
Why the hell was he dressed like that?!
And where did this monster come from?!
If the Serpent Race had always had a powerhouse like this, half of the Jia Ma Empire would already belong to them!
So…
Was this a new expert?
A recently awakened existence?
But honestly, Hai Bodong wasn't even thinking about that anymore.
Right now, all he knew was
He was doomed.
No matter how proud he once was…
Even he wasn't arrogant enough to believe he could escape two Peak Dou Huangs.
Hai Bodong's mouth hung open as he watched Wu Tian casually reach out and snatch the map fragment from his hand.
Wu Tian was a soul, yes…
But he could still touch inanimate objects.
Living things, however?
Impossible.
Like Medusa's seductive body…
He could look, but he couldn't touch!
Wu Tian handed the map fragment to the now smirking Medusa.
Then, he turned back to Hai Bodong, his eyes narrowing.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Queen Medusa's Guardian Spirit.
You may call me… Wu Tian.
Now, Ice Emperor Hai Bodong…
Shall we begin our negotiation?"
Guardian Spirit?
Wu Tian?!
Hai Bodong's mind raced.
It was clear now this mysterious powerhouse was some sort of ancient protector of the Serpent Race, recently awakened.
His face twisted in misery.
Two Peak Dou Huangs negotiating with a measly Dou Ling?!
Can you two even pretend to be decent people?!
"Negotiate?" Hai Bodong scoffed. "You've already taken the map fragment. What's left to negotiate?"
He was deeply confused.
Medusa hadn't even mentioned the Heavenly Flame yet.
He had no idea what she wanted.
Wu Tian smiled slightly.
"Information on the Heavenly Flame."
Hai Bodong's eyes widened.
He had never shared his knowledge of the Heavenly Flame's location with anyone.
How the hell did they know he had it?!
Medusa noticed the subtle flicker in Hai Bodong's expression.
That was all she needed.
He knew.
And just like that…
She had won.
Having a Guardian Spirit really was wonderful.
Wu Tian's voice remained calm.
"Hai Bodong… If you draw us a map of the Heavenly Flame's location, we will remove the Serpent's Seal Curse on you."
"You should know… our method is far easier and more effective than that worthless sixth tier Purifying Pill you've been trying to obtain."
"If you go through with your original plan, even after the curse is lifted, you won't regain your Dou Huang strength."
"You don't want that, do you?"
Wu Tian's gaze sharpened.
"Of course, you can refuse…"
"But think carefully."
"We will find the flame with or without you."
"The only difference… is whether you're still breathing when we leave."
Hai Bodong stared at the young looking soul, his eyes filled with realization.
This guy…
He wasn't some freshly awakened protector.
He was a scheming old fox!
Wu Tian had seen right through him.
And that last sentence?
It wasn't a negotiation.
It was a threat.
What a "deal" indeed…
(End of Chapter.)
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