“Since daoist friend is fine now, I should be leaving as well.”
Qin Hao put on an air of being very busy and about to leave at once. He turned around and was just about to go.
Zhang San had not originally intended to stop him, but he soon thought of a place!
If he planned things properly, he could not only reclaim his storage ring, but also obtain the inheritance Qin Hao possessed.
Zhang San was very interested in this secret technique that allowed one to become stronger by absorbing demon beast blood.
“Daoist friend, please wait. I know of a fortuitous opportunity. I wonder if you might be interested.”
“No.” Qin Hao answered without hesitation, putting on an act as though he intended to leave immediately.
Zhang San hurried forward and grabbed Qin Hao, hastily saying, “This fortuitous opportunity concerns Hantian Stalactite Milk!”
Hantian Stalactite Milk?
Qin Hao had never heard of this thing, and it was not mentioned among the world common knowledge he had exchanged for.
“Hantian Stalactite Milk forms one drop every thousand years. For certain women who Cultivate special techniques, its uses are boundless.”
Qin Hao muttered inwardly, How come this Zhang San’s mind is filled with ways to please women?
First it was lakebed grass, and now it was Hantian Stalactite Milk.
“If the host consumes Hantian Stalactite Milk, it can effectively delay the decay of the physical body.”
After learning this, Qin Hao’s eyes widened. Fortunately, he was facing away from Zhang San at that moment. Once he had composed himself, Qin Hao turned around and put on an expression of indifference toward Hantian Stalactite Milk. “Originally, I had no interest in Hantian Stalactite Milk at all. However, now that I know it has boundless uses for certain women who Cultivate special techniques, I have decided to contribute for the sake of daoist friend’s happiness.”
As he spoke, Qin Hao secretly made a gesture commonly used by the human race, rubbing his thumb and index finger together.
Zhang San immediately understood what Qin Hao meant and cursed inwardly once again. There was no one else here, yet this fellow still knew how to put on an act!
On the surface, however, Zhang San merely wore a smiling expression and said cheerfully, “There are not many people as warm-hearted as daoist friend left in the cultivation world. As long as daoist friend is willing to accompany me to obtain the Hantian Stalactite Milk, I am willing to give you half of what we acquire, along with an additional generous reward.”
“That is naturally excellent. Then let us set out now.”
“Good, I will lead the way for daoist friend right away.”
Seeing Zhang San’s obsequious appearance, Qin Hao knew there had to be a trap involved. Zhang San was definitely harboring some sinister plan.
He was most likely planning to use Qin Hao to obtain the Hantian Stalactite Milk and then strike when he was down. After all, when Zhang San had watched him absorb the crocodile’s fresh blood and increase his strength, his gaze had contained more than fear—it had also held greed.
However, Qin Hao was not afraid. No matter how one put it, Zhang San was merely a minor figure at the fifth layer of qi refinement.
According to Zhang San’s introduction, the Hantian Stalactite Milk was located in Cold Heaven Cave on Hantian Mountain.
Cold Heaven Cave was unbearably cold. Zhang San had tried to enter several times, only to suffer frostbite. However, Qin Hao felt that Zhang San’s words were not entirely truthful. The dangers inside Cold Heaven Cave definitely went beyond the extreme cold; there had to be other factors as well. If it were merely cold, there would be countless ways to deal with it.
When they were halfway there, several people suddenly appeared.
Qin Hao instinctively drew his Woodcutter’s Knife. A powerful aura erupted instantly, and he was only a step away from striking with a single blade strike.
“Daoist friend, please wait! Daoist friend, please wait!” Zhang San immediately grew anxious and hurriedly stopped Qin Hao.
“Daoist friend, these are helpers I invited.”
“Helpers?” Qin Hao gave a soft snort and put away his Woodcutter’s Knife before continuing, “According to what you said, there is only a little cold inside Cold Heaven Cave. Why would you need helpers?”
Zhang San’s heart jolted. Knowing that Qin Hao had grown suspicious, he hurriedly explained, “No, no, no. I do not know much about Cold Heaven Cave either, and I have never ventured deep inside. What if there are other dangers within? More people mean more options and an additional guarantee!”
“This is not as simple as merely having one more person.” Qin Hao spoke coldly and raised an eyebrow at Zhang San.
Zhang San began cursing inwardly once again. So Ma Liu was worried that his benefits would be divided!
“Not a single bit of what belongs to daoist friend will be reduced.” Zhang San moved closer to Qin Hao and spoke in a soft, ingratiating voice.
Only then did Qin Hao nod in satisfaction and withdraw his powerful aura.
“Zhang San, is this the expert you mentioned?”
Among the group, the person with the highest cultivation level spoke to Zhang San, his words carrying considerable disdain.
Qin Hao glanced at him. He was merely a minor figure at the seventh layer of qi refinement, yet he dared speak to Qin Hao like that. To maintain his current persona, Qin Hao shouted, “Whether I am an expert is not for you to decide.”
Then Qin Hao struck through the air with one palm. Spiritual power gathered and sent the insolent fellow flying.
“Daoist friend, what are you doing?” Zhang San put on the appearance of a kindly peacemaker and hurried to the Heavenly Demon Sect Disciple who had been sent flying. “Qian Qi, are you injured?”
Qian Qi spat out a mouthful of blood. He said nothing, merely shooting Qin Hao a resentful look.
“I am fine. I was presumptuous just now. This is indeed an expert!”
“It is good that you understand. Be more careful with your words in the future. Not everyone is as compassionate and magnanimous as I am. If you encounter my group of drinking and feasting companions, I am afraid they will flay you alive, tear out your tendons, and perform soul extraction and spirit refinement on you!”
Qin Hao stood with his hands behind his back, putting on the appearance of a lofty expert beyond the mundane world.
This startled everyone present. His words clearly carried another meaning: if you truly anger me, I will tear out your tendons, flay you alive, and perform soul extraction and spirit refinement on you!
“Daoist friend Ma Liu, please do not be angry. It was all a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding!”
After some explanation, the two sides reached a temporary reconciliation. However, from the look in Qian Qi’s eyes, Qin Hao knew that he would not let the matter rest.
There were five people in total making this journey to Cold Heaven Cave.
They were Qin Hao, Zhang San, Qian Qi, whom Qin Hao had injured earlier, Wang Wu at the fifth layer of qi refinement, and Quan Jiu.
Qin Hao had the highest cultivation level and strength, so he would take the largest share of the items obtained—fully fifty percent. The remaining people would divide the other fifty percent.
“Please lead the way at the front, daoist friend. Our cultivation levels are low, and it would be troublesome if we encountered a powerful demon beast.”
“That is only right. There is no need to say more.”
With that, Qin Hao moved from the rear of the group to the front and began clearing the way.
“How confident are you?” Qian Qi moved closer to Zhang San and asked in a low voice.
“I am eighty percent confident. There is an Icefire Cold Python inside Cold Heaven Cave, and its strength is extremely formidable.”
“What if this Ma Liu cannot hold back the Icefire Cold Python?” Qian Qi asked worriedly.
“You need not worry about that. This Ma Liu possesses an evil technique, and his strength is definitely no ordinary matter. He can certainly fight the Icefire Cold Python. When the two sides suffer heavy losses, we can reap the benefits as the third party.”
With that, the two of them burst into hearty laughter.
This burst of laughter left Qin Hao utterly perplexed.
Do you really take me for a deaf man?