El stared at the ice cyclone that was growing in size and approaching at a terrifying speed. A hot breath escaped from his mouth, signaling his rapidly rising body temperature.
El's heart beat faster, pumping oxygen-filled blood throughout her body, optimizing every muscle and nerve.
The blade of White Fire intensified, the savage purple flames blazing wildly, yet remaining in perfect control.
With a single footstep that created a small crater hole beneath her feet, El darted towards the ice vortex without hesitation.
Before launching his attack, El rotated his body 360 degrees, gathering the perfect momentum.
"Flame Splitting Tsunami," El said in a calm tone.
However, this was not just an ordinary Flame Splitting Tsunami. This technique had been combined with the Fundamental Demon Hunter Technique.
This was none other than the Sun Breathing Style: Heki-ra no Ten maximized the attack's destructive power and created a wave of flames that rivaled the ferocity of Hai Bodong's ice storm.
If the Flame Splitting Tsunami has 50% attack power and the Demon Hunter Technique also provides an additional 50%, then the end result is 100% attack power.
The destructive power of this attack would be devastating for an ordinary Dou Ling. However, Hai Bodong was not an early Dou Ling, he was at the peak of the Dou Ling level.
Plus, Hai Bodong was a former peak Dou Huang, with countless fighting experience.
Hai Bodong also had absolute control over the Dou Qi in his body, as well as being able to manipulate the surrounding energy with great precision.
As a veteran who had gone through many battles, Hai Bodong was the strongest existence at his level, making him an opponent that could not be underestimated.
When the two attacks collided, a powerful energy explosion occurred, creating a wave of purple flame and ice that mixed with the wind and dust, blowing away the sand around.
Hai Bodong was pushed back a few steps after his ice cyclone was destroyed by El's sword slash.
Meanwhile, El stood his ground, his gaze fixed on Hai Bodong who had been forced to retreat.
However, instead of anger, Hai Bodong grinned with satisfaction.
Hai Bodong's eyes flashed with curiosity, wondering just how much potential the boy before him had in someone who was clearly not simple, especially with such a strong physique.
Moments later, Hai Bodong re-entered the building without saying a word. Seeing that, El followed his lead and went inside.
While stepping forward, El deactivated the Eye of Insight and Rinnegan. The ripple patterns as well as the six tomoe in hid eyes rotated slowly before disappearing, returning to their original color: a calm brownish black.
Purple Dou Qi like the stars in the sky vanished, El deactivated the Dou Qi Robe as well. At the same time, he returned the white blade with the red hue of White Fire.
Once inside, El found Hai Bodong waiting for her, holding a map in his hand. His gaze was sharp as he asked, "Boy, what is your purpose in Queen Medusa's domain?"
El smiled casually. "To loot her treasure," he replied lightly, as if it was no big deal.
Hai Bodong was taken aback for a moment, his forehead furrowed as his eyes sharpened, trying to judge whether the boy in front of him was serious or just joking.
As someone who had fought against Queen Medusa, Hai Bodong knew very well that the woman was not a random opponent.
Hearing El talk about looting his treasure so casually, he could have dismissed the boy as overconfident, or just plain stupid.
However, he remained silent, going back to assessing El. From the previous fight, Hai Bodong realized that this boy was not just a reckless youth. There was something in him, some sort of trump card that he had yet to show.
'That's why this boy dares to speak like that,' Hai Bodong thought.
On the other hand, El didn't immediately respond to the old man's gaze. Instead, El let silence fill the room as he turned his attention to the surroundings.
'There is Xiao Yan's scent here," El sniffed. 'From the intensity, he was most likely in this place about two days ago.' El thought.
Not long after, Hai Bodong laughed sarcastically. "Boy, are you really looking to die? Even I, a former Dou Huang, would prefer not to go back there."
Gaze sharpened as Hai Bodong folded his arms in front of his chest. "From your presumptuous words earlier, you should already know. I am the Ice Emperor, Hai Bodong."
El remained calm, stepping towards a nearby shelf as he examined several scrolls of maps. "Old man, Ji knows you're the Ice Emperor," he said casually. His hand reached out, touching one of the maps without actually picking it up.
Then, El grinned slightly. "Ji also has a powerful trump card against Dou Huang," he continued, glancing at Hai Bodong. "So, just give Ji the map."
A sharp grin appeared on Hai Bodong's face, his eyes twinkling with interest. "Heh. You're too arrogant and confident!"
Without warning, Hai Bodong threw the map scroll in his hand. With a deft movement, El caught it without difficulty.
After getting the map, El walked towards the exit. However, just as he was about to step out, Hai Bodong's voice rang out, stopping him.
"Boy," called Hai Bodong, his voice more serious this time. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime offer."
El paused, his eyes narrowing slightly, waiting for the continuation.
"If you manage to come back alive after looting Medusa's treasure..." Hai Bodong grinned, his eyes sharp with consideration. "I, Hai Bodong, will give you the opportunity to become my disciple."
El turned to him, then bowed slightly with both hands clenched in front of her chest. "Ji will consider your kind offer, Old Man."
Hai Bodong only smiled faintly, saying nothing more.
Without lingering, El turned and strode out of the building, leaving Hai Bodong who was still staring at his back with a look of interest.
Outside the building, El walked leisurely across the courtyard, occasionally shaking off the fine dust from his clothes. Once he was far enough away, he unrolled the map Hai Bodong had given him.
His eyes swept over the sheet quickly, analyzing the path to Queen Medusa's domain.
Several important markings were listed there, including dangerous areas to avoid and potential points that might hold something interesting.
'As I suspected, this isn't just another map...' El thought, noticing some symbols that seemed more suspicious.
As he walked, El recalled his battle with Hai Bodong. 'A former Dou Huang is not to be underestimated... But his offer to become a disciple is quite attractive.'
'Master. If I had a Master other than you, would you be angry?' El asked in his mind, his voice sounding doubtful.
"Hihi," Yuri's chuckle echoed in his mind. "What would your Master be angry for? Do you remember Yun Yun who once gave you the Qi Method?"
El was silent for a moment before realizing the meaning of Yuri's words. 'Ah... So what Master is saying is that Yun Yun counts as half my Master?'
"Yup, right," Yuri replied lightly. "After all, the laws of cultivation in this world are different from ours."
Yuri paused for a moment before continuing in a wise tone. "So it's good that you have a Master in this world. As a cultivator, or rather a Dou Qi practitioner, it's not a bad choice."
El listened intently, while Yuri added in a softer tone, "Besides, Disciple... Remember. No matter how many Masters you have in any world, life experience is the best Master."
A small smile appeared on El's face. Yuri's words were deep and meaningful, something he would keep close to his heart.
"This student will remember it well," he whispered to himself, respectfully.
El rolled the map back up and tucked it into his clothes. His eyes stared straight at the horizon, the direction of his next destination now clear.
"Alright... Time to head for the Queen's lair," he murmured softly, before taking a confident step forward.
White Fire floated above the sand surface under El's control. Without hesitation, El immediately jumped onto the sword. As soon as his foot was on the ground, White Fire shot straight through the sky, leaving a trail of heat in the air.