amaotonovel Chapter 1386 Yuan Yao?
Chapter 1386 Yuan Yao?
The bluestone pavement of Tiandu Street gleamed softly after being soaked by the spiritual rain. The shop signs on both sides swayed gently in the wind. The fragrance of spiritual herbs, the cool metallic feel of magical artifacts, and the rich aroma of elixirs intertwined to create the unique hustle and bustle of Kuixing Island.
Qin Hao suppressed the terrifying pressure of a Core Formation cultivator, displaying only the cultivation level of a late Foundation Establishment cultivator. Even so, he still inspired awe in passing low-level cultivators, who stepped aside to give way and bowed respectfully.
He walked with a leisurely pace, his gaze calmly sweeping over the shops on both sides, as if he were strolling leisurely, but in reality he was assessing the abundance of resources in this area.
"May I ask if this is your first time visiting Kuixing City, senior? Would you like a guide?"
A melodious, pleasant female voice, with a hint of deliberate flattery, came from behind me.
Qin Hao paused slightly and slowly turned around. Before him stood two beautiful female cultivators with stunning figures. The woman in the lead had a bright smile and sparkling eyes; she was the one who had spoken. The woman beside her had skin as white as snow, a graceful and slender figure, and an air of aloofness mixed with a timid fragility. Even in the world of cultivation, where beauty was commonplace, she was considered an absolute beauty.
"My name is Yanli, and this is my junior sister Yuan Yao." When Yanli saw Qin Hao looking over, her smile became even brighter. She pulled the woman beside her forward half a step, and her voice became even more charming.
"My sister and I are independent cultivators from nearby islands, and we know the shops and markets all over Kuixing Island very well. If you are new here, having us guide you will not only save you a lot of time searching, but also help you avoid some unnecessary trouble. In your spare time, we can also keep you company..."
As they spoke, Yanli's bright eyes had subtly scanned Qin Hao several times. He was a robust and muscular man; while not handsome, his features were strong and his gaze deep, exuding a calm and composed air. More importantly, he possessed profound cultivation, his aura pure and peaceful, lacking the repulsive, sinister aura of demonic cultivators, and he was accompanied by no other women—clearly, he was a man who had devoted himself to rigorous cultivation and remained celibate. This was precisely the kind of person the sisters desperately wanted to attach themselves to.
Qin Hao's gaze lingered on Yuan Yao's stunning face and exquisite figure for a moment, and a playful smile involuntarily appeared on his lips.
This woman's beauty was so striking that even the well-traveled Han Laomo was captivated by her; now that she was right before his eyes, it was truly a feast for the eyes.
Yanli keenly noticed Qin Hao's gaze lingering on Yuan Yao, and her heart leaped with joy, thinking to herself that she had a chance. She quickly pulled Yuan Yao closer, her voice cloyingly sweet: "Senior, don't worry, we sisters charge very reasonably. It only costs two low-grade spirit stones to serve you for a day."
Qin Hao smiled, casually took out a small cloth bag from his storage pouch at his waist, and tossed it to Yanli without even looking at it: "I have indeed just arrived at Kui Xing Island and will be staying here for a while. You sisters can come with me for now."
"Thank you, senior!" Yanli hurriedly took the bag, her fingers eagerly prying open the opening to peek inside. One glance, and the smile on her face froze, then transformed into wild joy, her bright eyes practically gleaming! Inside the bag weren't just two low-grade spirit stones, but a full twenty! She quickly tightened the bag and stuffed it into her bosom, her heart pounding, her gaze towards Qin Hao filled with fervent passion.
'We've struck gold! Such generosity! This is no ordinary late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator! Their wealth is probably unimaginable!'
She suppressed her excitement, quickly stepped forward, and affectionately pulled the still somewhat dazed Yuan Yao to her left and right, following half a step behind Qin Hao, her posture respectful yet carrying a hint of deliberate intimacy.
"Senior, please look. That 'Hundred Refinements Workshop' over there is one of the most famous workshops on Kui Xing Island for refining magical artifacts. It is said that the owner was once a disciple of a master artifact refiner, and his skills are superb, and his reputation is excellent..."
"The shop on the left with the 'Dan' character flag is called 'Miao Dan Ge'. Their 'Qi Condensation Pills' are of excellent quality, but the price is a bit high..."
"The tallest and most magnificent building on the right is 'Wanbaolou,' one of the largest trading houses on Kuixing Island. It's said that they even sell magical artifacts there, but we sisters have only heard about it..."
Yanli chattered away the whole way, her voice clear and melodious. She introduced the various shops on Tiandu Street to Qin Hao as if they were her own treasures, explaining their functions, features, reputations, and even some gossip. She was eloquent and enthusiastic.
Yuan Yao, on the other hand, was much quieter. Most of the time, she simply followed with her head down and eyes lowered. Occasionally, at Yan Li's prompting, she would whisper a few words, her voice soft and carrying a unique charm.
Qin Hao let Yanli do as she pleased, listening calmly while his gaze casually swept over the stalls and pedestrians on both sides of the street.
Before long, the three arrived at a magnificent five-story pavilion. The pavilion was built of dark spirit wood, with upturned eaves and a huge plaque painted with a pattern of mountains, seas and clouds hanging above it—"Mountain and Sea Pavilion".
As if prepared in advance, Ning Haichao, the manager of Shanhai Pavilion, dressed in a brocade robe, was eagerly waiting at the entrance of the pavilion.
Upon seeing Qin Hao appear, his face immediately filled with a respectful smile. He rushed forward, bowing deeply from afar, his voice loud yet humble: "Senior Zhang... your presence is an honor to our humble abode, Shan Hai Ge. We apologize for not welcoming you sooner!"
Yanli, who was following behind Qin Hao, widened her almond-shaped eyes upon seeing this scene. Her small mouth opened slightly, and her jaw almost dropped to the ground! She knew Ning Haichao!
The manager of the prestigious Mountain and Sea Pavilion, a Foundation Establishment stage expert, is a prominent figure in the Tiandu Street business district! Yet here he is, addressing a seemingly young cultivator as "senior," with the utmost respect as if facing a teacher! What does this signify?
This means that the burly young man he had mistaken for a "fat sheep" was actually a genuine Core Formation stage elder?!
A tremendous shock and ecstasy crashed into Yanli's mind like a tsunami, leaving her speechless for a moment, and her limbs felt slightly weak.
Yuan Yao also covered her mouth in surprise, her beautiful eyes filled with disbelief.
Qin Hao accepted Ning Haichao's respectful attitude with a slight nod: "Manager Ning, there's no need for such formalities. I've come today to fulfill my promise from that day and settle our past ties."
Upon hearing this, Ning Haichao's eyes flashed with barely suppressed excitement, and he said repeatedly, "Yes, yes, senior is so kind! This is not the place to talk, please come upstairs to the private room!" He stepped aside to lead the way, his posture respectful.
Qin Hao had just taken a step when he suddenly remembered the two women behind him and casually said, "You two come up too."
Upon hearing this, Yanli and Yuanyao's eyes were practically overflowing with joy! They had been to Shanhaige before, but only strolled around the lobby on the first floor.
The first floor mainly sells ordinary goods for Qi Refining stage cultivators, and the prices are already prohibitive for them.
As for the floors above the second floor? That was an area they had never set foot in before. It was said to be open only to VIPs at the Foundation Establishment stage and above, not to mention the legendary VIP private rooms! Those were simply a symbol of status and prestige!
More importantly, this unfathomable "Senior Zhang" actually invited them to go up together! What did this mean? Yanli's mind raced, and a thought that made her tremble with excitement popped into her head: Did the senior have feelings for her and her sister?
Thinking of this, Yanli suppressed her excitement and whispered quickly into Yuan Yao's ear, "Junior sister! Our chance has come! Whether we can turn our lives around depends on you! The Core Formation Ancestor! As long as he is willing to take us in, even if it's just as a concubine, it's a thousand times better than our current precarious existence!"
Two beautiful blushes instantly rose on Yuan Yao's fair cheeks. Her eyes were filled with shyness and panic as she whispered, "But Senior Sister... I see that this senior looks very serious, and his eyes... are so deep. I'm a little scared..."
"What are you afraid of!" Yanli pinched Yuan Yao's palm in exasperation. "I noticed it when we first met. Senior Zhang's gaze lingered on you for much longer than on me! He's definitely interested in you! Junior sister, you need to have confidence in yourself. With your looks and figure, even I, your senior sister, am tempted, let alone a man. Show me your usual charm!"
“Then…then I’ll give it a try…” Yuan Yao bit her red lips lightly, as if she had made up her mind. She took a deep breath, mustered her courage, straightened her slender waist, and tried her best to make her steps more graceful as she followed closely behind Qin Hao.
How could the two women's supposedly discreet actions and whispers escape the powerful divine sense of a Core Formation cultivator? Qin Hao understood, and a barely perceptible smile flickered across his lips.
Faced with beauty, he was no saint without desires. After decades of arduous cultivation and overcoming numerous hardships to reach the Core Formation stage, now that he had the means to establish himself in the Chaotic Star Sea, enjoying the company of a beautiful woman was not a bad thing.
Yuan Yao is indeed a top-quality woman, worthy of being added to one's household. As for Yan Li, she's quick-witted and clever, and would be a good addition to any household.
Ning Haichao led the three to a room on the third floor that was decorated in an extremely elegant and luxurious style.
The room was filled with spiritual energy, with moonstones emitting a soft glow inlaid on the walls. The sandalwood tables, chairs, and tea table exuded a faint fragrance, and several potted spiritual plants were placed by the window. Ning Haichao personally and attentively invited Qin Hao to sit in the main seat, and then summoned a maid to serve spiritual tea.
Yuan Yao hesitated for a moment, then mustered her courage, took a few light steps, and took the exquisite tea set from the maid's hands.
Her movements were gentle and elegant, her hands slender and delicate, her fingers like scallions. She scalded the cup, placed the tea, rinsed the tea, and brewed it... Every step was pleasing to the eye.
The aroma of tea rose gently, refreshing and invigorating. She held a cup of emerald-green tea in both hands and respectfully presented it to Qin Hao. Her beautiful eyes were shy and timid, yet her gaze held a captivating charm.
"Senior, please have some tea."
The moment Qin Hao reached out to take the teacup, Yuan Yao seemingly unintentionally ran the tip of her little finger very lightly across the back of Qin Hao's hand.
The touch was warm and tingling, like a feather brushing against her skin. At the same time, she raised her eyelids, and beneath her long eyelashes, the allure in her eyes, as clear as autumn water, deepened.
Qin Hao's heart stirred slightly at Yuan Yao's bold and probing gesture, but his face remained calm as if he hadn't noticed anything.
He lowered his head and took a sip of the spiritual tea. The tea was smooth and warm on his palate, and the spiritual energy melted on his tongue; it was of very good quality. He put down the teacup and turned his gaze to Ning Haichao, who was standing to the side with a slightly complicated expression.
"Manager Ning," Qin Hao said, his voice steady, "As far as I know, the Six Linked Halls are a large and powerful family, with many Core Formation elders. Why would Manager Ning go to such lengths to seek out someone like me who has just entered the Core Formation stage? Is there perhaps another reason behind this?"
Ning Haichao rubbed his hands together, a clear bitterness and helplessness appearing on his face: "Senior, you are unaware of this matter. It's a long story, and I blame myself for being too hasty at the time to tell you the whole truth. The beast I wanted to ask you to kill was not an ordinary level five demonic beast... but the 'Twin Xuan Water Turtle'!"
"Twin Xuan Shui Ao?" Qin Hao frowned slightly. In the past few days, he had already used his AI to organize and summarize the information he had purchased from the books about the monsters of the Chaotic Star Sea. Records about this ao instantly appeared in his mind.
While this type of monster isn't top-tier in terms of attack power among level five monsters, its most troublesome aspect lies in its almost superhuman defense and unique life form.
It has two independent heads: one is responsible for "life," which can continuously absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to repair its own injuries; the other is responsible for "killing," which is good at spewing out extremely powerful icy breath.
The most troublesome thing is that it has an incredibly hard and huge tortoise shell. If only one head is severed in battle, this tortoise will immediately retract the remaining head and its entire body into the depths of its shell, entering a peculiar "feigned death" hibernation state, during which the shell's defensive capabilities will be maximized.
Ordinary Core Formation cultivators' magical treasures simply cannot break through its defenses in a short time. And during this dormant period, the severed head will slowly regenerate! This process can take decades or even centuries! Once the head has regenerated, it will emerge from the tortoise shell again.
Therefore, the only way to completely kill the Twin Xuan Shui Turtle is to sever both of its heads simultaneously in an extremely short time with lightning speed! This requires exceptional skill, perfect teamwork, and precise timing from the attacker!
"In that case, this battle is extremely dangerous and will be a great test of teamwork. If the Elder Gu you invited fails to exert his power at the same time as me, or if either of us makes a mistake and fails to achieve a double kill..." Qin Hao's tone was calm, but the meaning behind his words was clear—the possibility of failure was very high.
Ning Haichao's bitterness deepened, and he let out a long sigh, his eyes filled with despair and a sense of resignation: "If that's truly the case... then I can only blame my son for this calamity in his fate." He paused, as if shedding all pretense, his voice choked with emotion: "To be honest, senior, my son was traveling when he was ambushed by a powerful enemy and severely injured by an extremely strange fire poison. Below the Nascent Soul stage, only the extremely yin and cold inner core of these Twin Profound Water Turtle can cure the poison and prolong his life. I've exhausted my savings over the years, even selling many family heirlooms, and scraped together enough to barely afford the fee for one Core Formation senior to help... As for hiring two Core Formation experts at the same time? That's an astronomical figure, impossible even for the entire Ning clan. If... if you hadn't successfully formed your core at that moment, giving me a glimmer of hope... I'm afraid... I could only watch helplessly as my son's life force extinguished and his soul vanished."
The cultivation world is strictly hierarchical. Core Formation cultivators can ask each other for help, and a single request might only cost ten or twenty thousand spirit stones. However, for a Foundation Establishment cultivator to request help from a Core Formation cultivator, unless they offer a rare and precious treasure that the Core Formation cultivator desperately needs, the price in spirit stones alone would often be several times higher! Ning Haichao's ability to scrape together the money to hire a Core Formation cultivator already puts him at a considerable level of wealth among Foundation Establishment cultivators.
When do we depart?
Upon hearing this, Ning Haichao felt as if a drowning man had grabbed onto a last piece of driftwood. His sorrow instantly turned to joy, and he was so excited that he almost jumped up: "Senior! You...you've agreed?! That's wonderful! That's wonderful! I will never forget your great kindness, Senior! I will immediately send a telepathic message to Elder Gu!"
After saying that, he couldn't wait to take out a pre-prepared communication talisman from his pocket, probed it with his divine sense, whispered a few words, and with a flick of his hand, the communication talisman turned into a streak of fire, instantly passing through the open window of the private room and disappearing into the sky above Kui Xing City.
"Elder Gu..." Qin Hao murmured the name in his heart, and when he combined it with the keyword "Six-Hall Connection," a cold, playful smile involuntarily appeared on his lips.
Upon hearing the name Elder Gu, Qin Hao's lips curled into a playful smile. Connecting the keywords "Six-Hall Connection" and "surname Gu," there shouldn't be any mistake. This was the first Core Formation cultivator that Old Demon Han had killed despite being above his level.
This guy is quite wealthy, Qin Hao couldn't help but stroke his chin, considering whether he should try to kill him and steal his treasure.
The private room fell silent for a moment, with only the soft sound of Yuan Yao gently pouring tea. Yanli and Yuan Yao dared not breathe. The conversation they had just had was too information-rich, involving a level-five demon beast and a Core Formation elder, which made them tremble with fear and gave them a deeper understanding of Qin Hao's strength.
Ning Haichao's expression shifted quickly, clearly indicating he had received a reply. A look of joy appeared on his face, and he hurriedly said to Qin Hao, "Senior Zhang, Elder Gu has replied, saying we can depart in three days. What do you think...?"
Qin Hao concealed the cold glint in his eyes and regained his composure: "Alright, then let's meet here in three days."
"Yes! Yes! Thank you, senior! I will definitely be here to await your arrival in three days!" Ning Haichao bowed repeatedly, tears of gratitude streaming down his face.
"Okay." Qin Hao nodded and stood up. "Then it's settled."
"Respectfully seeing off Senior!" Ning Haichao escorted Qin Hao all the way to the entrance of Shan Hai Pavilion, his attitude extremely respectful.
Qin Hao led Yanli and Yuanyao, who were still in shock and trepidation, out of the bustling gates of the Mountain and Sea Pavilion.
As the lights of Tiandu Street came on, the crowds only increased, making it even more bustling. He had no desire to wander around any longer. He walked to a relatively empty street corner, stopped, and turned to look at the two stunningly beautiful female cultivators behind him, who were looking down and lost in their own thoughts.
"Having followed me all this way, you must have your own thoughts by now." Qin Hao cut to the chase, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable authority: "Now, I'm giving you a choice: stay or leave. Do you... intend to submit to me?"
Upon hearing this, Yuan Yao and Yan Li both trembled slightly. They quickly exchanged a glance, both seeing the same resolute determination in each other's eyes—this was their only chance to change their fate!
Without the slightest hesitation, the two women simultaneously bowed gracefully, their voices trembling with excitement:
"Junior Yanli (Yuan Yao), if you do not despise me, I am willing to serve you for life, like a cow or a horse, without any disloyalty!" Yanli's voice was resolute, while Yuan Yao's was shy yet firm and gentle.
"Alright." Qin Hao was not surprised by this answer, and his tone remained calm: "In that case, follow me."
As soon as he finished speaking, he made a single gesture in the air. A flash of dark light appeared, and a dragon-shaped flying boat, as black as ink, materialized in front of the three of them.
Yanli's eyes lit up when she saw the flying boat radiating powerful spiritual energy. Without hesitation, she lightly touched the ground with her toes and leaped onto the boat like a graceful butterfly. Yuan Yao gritted her teeth, mustered her courage, and lightly jumped on as well.
Once the two women were settled on the boat, Qin Hao appeared at the bow in a flash. With a slight thought, the Ink Dragon Boat trembled gently, and the runes on its surface suddenly lit up, enveloping the boat in a nearly transparent light shield.
"Sit tight."
The next moment, Mo Longzhou transformed into a black streak of light that was almost impossible to detect with the naked eye. It silently tore through the air and disappeared instantly above the bustling Tiandu Street Square. Its speed was so fast that even some Foundation Establishment cultivators below were taken aback.
Tianzhu Peak, a cave halfway up the mountain.
The ink-black dragon boat silently landed on the platform at the entrance of the cave. Qin Hao led the two women into the cave, and with a wave of his hand, the heavy stone door closed silently, isolating them from the outside world.
The cave dwelling is quite spacious, simply yet elegantly furnished. It is complete with a stone table, stone benches, and futons.
The spirit-attracting array continuously gathers the pure spiritual energy from the surrounding area, making the concentration of spiritual energy inside the cave far exceed that outside, and one feels refreshed and relaxed with every breath.
Qin Hao walked to the stone table and waved his hand. A flash of light appeared, and two rows of exquisite jade bottles neatly appeared on the stone table. Each row contained ten bottles.
"Here are some pills to enhance cultivation during the Qi Refining stage." Qin Hao pointed to a row of jade bottles on the left: "'Yellow Dragon Pills,' with mild medicinal properties, suitable for stabilizing the foundation in the early stages of Qi Refining." He then pointed to a row on the right: "'Golden Marrow Pills,' with stronger medicinal power, suitable for rapidly improving cultivation in the mid-stage of Qi Refining."
Yanli's gaze fell on the jade bottles, and her eyes instantly shone with uncontrollable joy! Although she had never taken these two kinds of pills before, the rich medicinal fragrance and pure spiritual energy emanating from the bottles were undeniable! These were definitely top-grade pills that were priceless on the market! This Senior Zhang's actions were truly extraordinary! These twenty bottles of pills alone were worth far more than the sisters' entire fortune!
"Thank you so much for your kindness, senior! I will never forget your great kindness!" Yanli's voice trembled with excitement as she quickly bowed.
Yuan Yao also realized what was happening and was equally shocked by Qin Hao's generosity. She quickly followed Yingying in bowing and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Senior!"
As she bent over, the already somewhat revealing gauze dress she was wearing opened slightly, revealing a glimpse of her fair and delicate skin.
Qin Hao's gaze swept across the area unconsciously, taking in the breathtaking scenery from his elevated vantage point.
After Yuan Yao finished her greeting, she looked up and met Qin Hao's gaze, which held a hint of admiration and intense heat. She was startled at first, then suddenly realized that she had exposed herself. She let out a soft "Ah!" and her cheeks instantly turned bright red, like a startled deer. She hurriedly covered her chest with her hands and hid behind Yan Li, overwhelmed with embarrassment.
Caught red-handed, Qin Hao, despite his thick skin, couldn't help but rub his nose in slight embarrassment. He coughed and tossed out, "Keep the pills safe and practice diligently. Strive to reach Foundation Establishment as soon as possible!" Then he turned and strode towards the meditation chamber deep within the cave.
With a loud crash, the heavy stone door slammed down, cutting off all sight. Only then did Yuan Yao peek out from behind Yan Li, letting out a long sigh of relief. Her hand, still clutching her chest, remained firmly in place, her heart still pounding wildly.
"Alright, alright, she's already inside, why are you still covering up!" Yanli teased, looking at Yuan Yao's shy and bashful appearance. "Besides, aren't you going to be hers sooner or later? How long can you hide with that body of yours?"
She smiled, but her eyes held encouragement and a hint of envy.
"Oh dear! Senior sister! What nonsense are you talking about!" Yuan Yao's cheeks turned even redder, like a ripe peach. She stomped her feet in embarrassment and glared at Yan Li reproachfully.
Yanli pulled Yuanyao to sit down at the stone table, her playful tone vanishing. She gently patted Yuanyao's hand and said earnestly, "Junior sister, don't blame me for being blunt. Neither of us has outstanding spiritual roots or aptitudes. To put it bluntly, we're at the very bottom of the cultivation world. Without great opportunities or powerful backers, breaking through to the ninth level of Qi Refining would be a miracle. We'd probably only be able to linger in the mid-stage of Qi Refining for the rest of our lives, constantly at risk of dying during adventures or battles. Even worse, if we're unlucky enough to be targeted by some demonic cultivator practicing the evil art of 'absorbing the essence of the living,' we might be captured and used as a furnace for a living hell..."
Yuan Yao's eyes dimmed.
Yanli continued, "This Senior Zhang, although not handsome, is a genuine Core Formation cultivator! And so young, his future is limitless! Perhaps he'll even have the chance to reach the Nascent Soul stage someday! To be able to rely on such a person is a blessing we've accumulated over several lifetimes. Moreover, although Senior Zhang seems serious, he's incredibly generous to us. Look at these pills, enough to support us sisters all the way to the tenth or even twelfth level of Qi Refining! This kindness, these resources, are something we might not be able to obtain even if we struggled our whole lives! What is there to hesitate about?"
Yuan Yao raised her head, her beautiful eyes still filled with shyness, but with more clarity and gratitude: "Senior sister, I understand what you're saying. It's just... it's just that thinking about serving our seniors in the future... makes me... feel a little nervous and scared..."
"Hey! I thought you were worried about something!" Yanli slapped her thigh, a mischievous smile on her face: "The relationship between men and women is a natural law, a harmony of yin and yang..."
"Oh dear! Senior Sister! What... what are you saying! It's so embarrassing! I'm not talking to you anymore..." Yuan Yao blushed crimson at Yan Li's explicit words and could no longer sit still. She covered her face and ran towards the small side room next door. That was obviously a temporary residence prepared for them.
Three days later, Qin Hao set up the Reversed Five Elements Formation outside the cave, and instructed Yanli and Yuanyao "not to go out and to focus on cultivation" before steer the Black Dragon Boat to the Mountain and Sea Pavilion.
Inside the private room, a middle-aged man dressed in a blue robe was standing with his back to the door.
Hearing footsteps, Elder Gu turned around, looked Qin Hao up and down, his eyes filled with arrogance and scrutiny: "You're the rogue cultivator who recently formed his core on Kui Xing Island?"
Ning Haichao stood aside, his face full of embarrassment—he didn't dare tell Elder Gu that Qin Hao was a newly formed Core Formation cultivator, for fear that Elder Gu would not cooperate.
Qin Hao sneered inwardly, but remained outwardly calm: "I, Zhang, have been fortunate enough to advance. On this trip, I will hunt down the Twin Xuan Shui Turtle. I hope Fellow Daoist Gu will take good care of me."
Elder Gu snorted coldly and did not reply. Instead, he turned to Ning Haichao and said, "Let me make it clear beforehand that I will only take action once. If anyone fails, the spirit stones I have collected will not be returned."
Ning Haichao quickly replied with a smile, "Yes, yes, I will follow Elder Gu's instructions."
The three then boarded a ship that Ning Haichao had prepared in advance and headed west.
Two weeks later, the boat arrived at an oval-shaped island—the seawater around the island was an eerie blue-white, and the air was filled with a biting cold.
“Seniors, the twin Xuan Shui turtles are hidden in the depression ahead, which is where the spiritual energy of the Cold Abyss is most concentrated.” Ning Haichao pointed to a bay on the west side of the island, his voice trembling slightly.
Qin Hao simply nodded slightly upon hearing this, while Elder Gu waved his hand and said, "Sail the boat further away to avoid being affected."
Ning Haichao knew that he couldn't just watch the battle between Core Formation cultivators, so he forced himself to suppress his excitement and ordered the ship to turn around and leave the island.
Elder Gu glanced at Qin Hao, his tone tinged with disdain: "Fellow Daoist Zhang, I will use the 'Hun Yuan Bowl' to focus on Xuanbing Head and suppress its ice-type attacks. You will be responsible for Xuanshui Head and prevent it from healing its injuries. You only have one chance, so don't fail and disappoint Manager Ning's loving care for his son."
"Fellow Daoist Gu, please go ahead and do as you please." Qin Hao sneered inwardly, but remained outwardly calm.
The elder said no more, and took out a brass-colored alms bowl—his natal magic weapon, the Hunyuan Bowl. He infused it with his magic power, and the Hunyuan Bowl instantly expanded to a size of about ten feet. With its mouth facing downwards, it spewed out countless yellow crescent-shaped blades, which flew towards the indentation like a torrential rain.
"Roar--!"
A deafening roar came from the crater, and a huge figure burst out of the seawater—it was the Twin Mystic Water Turtle! Its shell was dark blue, covered with ice patterns, its Mystic Water head glistened with water, and its Mystic Ice head emitted cold air. Its two huge pincers swung, slapping at the yellow crescent blade.
"Clang clang clang!"
The crescent-shaped blade struck the outer shell, leaving only white marks, unable to penetrate the defense at all. Elder Gu's face darkened, and he formed a hand seal: "Return to One!"
All the yellow crescent blades instantly merged, transforming into a giant curved blade over ten feet long, which, with unparalleled power, slashed towards Xuanbing's head.
"Crack!" The curved blade struck Xuanbingtou's horn, severing it. Xuanbingtou, in pain, spat out a stream of extremely cold ice, heading straight for Elder Gu.
"Now!" Qin Hao activated five "Golden Blade Storm Talismans" simultaneously, unleashing a storm of hundreds of golden blade energies that bound Xuan Shui Tou, preventing it from absorbing spiritual energy to repair itself. Xuan Shui Tou tried to break free, but was firmly trapped by the blade energies, only able to let out angry roars.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Elder Gu once again activated the Hunyuan Bowl, and the giant curved blade slashed out again, aiming directly at Xuanbingtou's neck: "Fellow Daoist Zhang, decapitate him simultaneously!"
A glint flashed in Qin Hao's eyes as he summoned the Crimson Soul Blade and simultaneously affixed a "Giant Sword Talisman"—the Crimson Soul Blade instantly grew to three zhang in length, its blade gleaming with golden spiritual light. He gripped the hilt with both hands and, using the cover of the golden blade storm, slashed towards Xuan Shuitou's neck.
"Pfft!" "Pfft!"
Two crisp sounds rang out almost simultaneously as the Xuanbing Head and Xuanshui Head were severed at the same time, falling into the seawater and staining the surrounding water red with blood. The twin Xuanshui turtles twitched a few times, then stopped moving, their massive bodies slowly sinking into the seabed.
Elder Gu put away the Hunyuan Bowl and landed on the island. Looking at the Crimson Soul Blade in Qin Hao's hand, a hint of contempt flashed in his eyes: "Fellow Daoist Zhang, the inner core of this Twin Profound Water Turtle belongs to Ning Haichao. The remaining shell, pincers, and head were obtained by my Hunyuan Bowl and should rightfully belong to me."
Qin Hao sneered inwardly—as expected of a greedy fellow, wanting to monopolize the benefits after just killing the demonic beast. He didn't refute, but instead feigned hesitation: "Fellow Daoist Gu, I also contributed to these materials, shouldn't I get a share?"
Elder Gu sneered, "You're just a rogue cultivator who's only just formed your core, you don't even have a magic weapon, and you dare ask me for materials? If you're not satisfied, let's have a fight. If you win, you can have all the materials. If you lose, you can leave your storage bag behind and go back to Kui Xing Island!"
Qin Hao sneered inwardly: Since that's the case, then you might as well die!
The next second, he opened his mouth and spat out the Myriad Talisman Treasure Record, which floated in mid-air. The pages flipped rapidly, and dozens of "Exploding Flame Talismans" flew out, instantly surrounding Elder Gu.
"This is... a natal magic weapon?" Elder Gu's expression changed drastically. He did not expect that Qin Hao had refined a natal magic weapon as soon as he formed his core, and a trace of regret immediately rose in his heart.
"Explode!" Qin Hao shouted, and dozens of Explosive Flame Talismans detonated simultaneously, flames soaring into the sky and engulfing Elder Gu's figure.
Elder Gu hurriedly activated the Hunyuan Bowl, releasing a yellow shield in an attempt to block the flames. But at that moment, a beam of blood-red light shot out from the flames, instantly piercing through the shield and striking his chest.
It was Qin Hao who killed the Yue Emperor and obtained the demonic secret technique recorded in the incomplete Xuan Yin Scripture—the Blood Spirit Diamond!
"You..." Elder Gu stared wide-eyed at the gaping hole in his chest in disbelief, the shield of the Hunyuan Bowl shattering in the process. The remaining flames instantly engulfed him, and a scream echoed within the flames before fading into silence.
Dozens of feet away, Qin Hao wiped the blood off his hands and found Elder Gu's storage bag in his hand. He muttered to himself, "A Core Formation cultivator's storage bag can't be wasted."
After confirming that Elder Gu's remains had vanished, Qin Hao leisurely separated the shells and other materials from the Twin Mystic Water Turtle, and then sent a transmission talisman to the location of Ning Haichao's ship.
Before long, a streak of light approached from afar. Ning Haichao asked anxiously, "Senior Zhang, did you succeed?"
Qin Hao tossed him the inner core of the Twin Mystic Water Turtle, and Ning Haichao was so excited that tears streamed down his face: "That's great, my son is finally saved."
After Ning Haichao calmed down, he asked in confusion, "Senior Zhang, where is Senior Gu?"
"Him? He tried to kill me because he saw my money, but I've already killed him!"
Ning Haichao was shocked upon hearing this: "What? Senior Zhang, you killed Senior Gu?"
Almost instinctively, Ning Haichao wanted to run away, but reason told him that it was impossible to escape under the nose of a Core Formation cultivator, especially since the person in front of him was a demon god who could kill Elder Gu.
"Senior, what should we do now?"
Qin Hao sneered: "It's common for us to perish while hunting monsters. Now that it's just the two of us here, whatever we say goes."
"But……"
"If I were to spread the word that you were my accomplice in murdering Elder Gu, I'm afraid even your wife and children would be implicated."
Upon hearing this, Ning Haichao almost fell off the plane: "Senior Zhang, we have no past grudges or recent enmity, why do you want to harm me?"
"Harm you? I'm saving you. Think about it. Your Six-Linked Palace has lost a Core Formation Elder. Even if I let you go, can you explain yourself when you go back? At worst, I'll just leave and abandon my cave on Kui Xing Island. Can you escape?"
Ning Haichao's psychological defenses completely collapsed: "From now on, I, Ning Haichao, will follow your lead."
"I can spare you." Qin Hao stretched out his hand, a wisp of magic power gathering at his fingertips: "Release your consciousness, I'm going to plant a restriction in your sea of consciousness. As long as you obey, the restriction won't activate; if you dare to betray me, or reveal what happened today, the restriction will detonate your sea of consciousness, causing your soul to be scattered."
Ning Haichao dared not resist and could only obediently release his divine sense. Qin Hao's fingertip magic power transformed into a mark, merging into his sea of consciousness. After doing all this, Qin Hao helped him up: "Get up. When you get back, tell him that Elder Gu and I were suddenly attacked by another level-five demonic beast while killing the Twin Xuan Shui Ao. Elder Gu died from his injuries, and I risked serious injury to bring back his inner core. Remember, don't make any mistakes."
"Yes, I understand." Ning Haichao nodded vigorously.
Qin Hao packed up the materials and storage bag, boarded the water-avoiding boat: "Let's go, back to Kuixing Island."
The ship slowly sailed towards Kuixing Island.
Qin Hao stood at the bow of the ship with a smile on his lips. This trip had not only yielded the materials for the Twin Mystic Water Turtle, but also the "bequeath" from Elder Gu, and even subdued Ning Haichao, his informant. It was a truly fruitful trip.
As for whether the Six-Linked Palace will be investigated thoroughly.
There is no conclusive evidence.
To offend a living Core Formation cultivator for the sake of a dead one is clearly a losing proposition. Any intelligent person would know which choice to make. (End of Chapter)