The red-clothed woman clenched her teeth with an expression of disbelief. First, Ling Han was only at the fifth layer of the Spiritual Ocean Tier and actually sent seven of her guards flying, and second, this guy actually dared to hit her?
She was a daughter of the Ding Family and looked beautiful as a flower… was this guy blind? Even more, how ruthless was he to hit a beautiful face such as hers?
Ling Han turned to leave.
Whether it was the seven guards or the medicinal farmers, they all stayed quiet without making a sound. Ling Han’s strength was so far beyond their imagination that they hadn’t come back to their sense even till now.
“A bunch of good-for-nothings!” the red-clothed woman reprimanded angrily, covering her dainty swollen face, and said, “Hurry to Rising Wind Stronghold. Gao Yang Clan’s brother is there—ask him to handle that damned brat!”
“Lady Ding, that youngster has the cultivation of the fifth layer of the Spiritual Ocean Tier at such a young age, and his battle prowess is even more shocking. He must have strong background, so why not let this go?” the brawny man surnamed Wu advised. Since he was the one who spoke of recruiting Ling Han, he felt somewhat responsible.
“Hmph, in the Dark Demon Forest, so what if he has a strong background? It’ll be useless if he dies here!” The red-clothed woman’s gaze was with bitter with resentment; she couldn’t stomach this insult.
“Go!”
The team continued to advance.
Walking for half a day, a stronghold appeared in front of Ling Han. This was Gust Demon Clan’s territory, a place providing temporary shelter for martial artists. Ling Han also wanted to inquire about Crimson Red Chilling Ice Grass so he entered the stronghold, the price for which was one Origin Crystal.
The stronghold wasn’t large; it had the area of a small village. The surrounding sturdy trees were made into a barricade, but the houses inside were made of bamboo, boasting extremely poor soundproofing and privacy.
There were truly people of all trades here. Ling Han saw several girls dressed revealingly standing by the roadside, shooting coquettish glances at passers-by—if they liked what they saw, they’d get together and leave; soon, groans and moans, which made people’s blood vessels swell, would come from the bamboo houses.
For martial artists, after experiencing an intense adventure, they naturally hoped to “relax” a little. Where there was need, there would be market—even if it was a dangerous place such as the Dark Demon Forest, the most ancient profession thrived.
As Ling Han walked by, quite a few of these girls tried to entice him, but he paid them no attention, walking straight to a tavern.
He ordered a few things, but was mostly here to ask around.
“Hey, have you guys heard the renowned Fairy Zhu came here several days ago.”
“What? Zhu Xuan Er, the one known as the most beautiful woman in the north region?”
“Is she really that beautiful?”
“Far more, as I see it, she should be called most beautiful in the world!”
“But, since she dares enter the Dark Demon Forest, is she not afraid of being like a lamb in a tiger’s den?”
“Hehe, who knows how many people want to take this beauty for their private pet! Besides, this is the Dark Demon Forest—if someone falls into enemy hands here, even the Half Moon Sect can’t do a thing!”
“You don’t have a share, anyways.”
“Pah, neither do you.”
Hearing everyone’s conversations, Ling Han shook his head. Zhu Xuan Er was only a Spiritual Pedestal Tier cultivator—if she encountered a Flower Blossom Tier, she wouldn’t even have the chance to run away… it was surprising she dared to come here alone.
He held up his wine cup, approaching a table with three people, and said, “Three fellow brothers, I’ve got something to ask of you guys. Is there a place here where the cold and hot intertwine?”
Chapter 390
Translator: Reverie_ Editor: Kurisu
“Youngster, you just came to the Demon Forest, right?” a thirty year-old brawny man said with a smile to Ling Han.
“Yes.” Ling Han nodded. This could be told with one glance. Other people all reeked with an intense “muddy smell,” which was from being exposed in the forest during day and night.
The brawny man laughed quietly, reaching out his hand, and said, “Here, everything is a deal. If you want to ask questions, you have to give people benefits.”
“How much?” Ling Han smiled lightly. His wallet was now bulging again, so he naturally was more indifferent to Origin Crystal.
“One Origin Crystal.” The brawn man put up a finger.
One question for one Origin Crystal, so shady!
Ling Han didn’t really care; as long as he could find Crimson Red Chilling Ice Grass, even if he paid a million Origin Crystals for it, he wouldn’t feel regret. He handed over one Origin Crystal at once.
The brawny man took the Origin Crystal and suppressed a laugh.
“Time to answer the question.” Ling Han knocked on the table.
“Alright.” The brawny man nodded and said, “I don’t know.”
Ling Han’s gaze immediately turned sharp and said, “You’re tricking me?”
“Youngster, I’m teaching you a lesson. Grow up a bit when you’re out in the world, don’t believe people so easily!” The brawny man laughed, not worried at all that Ling Han might attack him.
Because this was Gust Demon Clan’s territory, if Ling Han dared to use violence here, he would be driven out, and at worst killed; otherwise, this place wouldn’t be a safe refuge.
It was said that strongholds like this even had many notoriously vicious wanted criminals who ran here from being chased by sects like the Winter Moon Sect and the Beast Emperor Sect. However, they didn’t dare to use violence inside the stronghold; it was clear just how domineering the four large forces were here.
Ling Han took the man’s arrogance all in and casually waved his hand on the table. Instantly ten ginsengs appeared on the table, each one was as thick as an arm, the roots as muscular as a dragon.
‘Hiss!’
As people saw this, they stared with wide round eyes—these were at least two to three hundred year old precious ginsengs! Inside the Dark Demon Forest, there indeed were some precious ginsengs like this, but one needed to enter the core area of the forest. Since it was too dangerous there, not to mention that no one usually entered it, even the beasts were very scarce, so there were large mounts of spirit medicines with surprisingly maturity.
Such a precious ginseng would easily sell for several dozens of Origin Crystals, ten of which was worth several hundred Origin Crystals—this was a large fortune. If Spiritual Ocean Tier warriors didn’t steal or rob it, they would need at least a dozen years to refine it.
At that moment, people’s breathing sped up and their eyes turned red, itching to snatch it.
Ling Han smiled lightly. Pointing at the brawny man from earlier, he said, “These ginseng will belong to whoever kills him.”
Instantly, all eyes were on that brawny man.
This man was only at the second layer of the Spiritual Ocean Tier. Annihilating him wouldn’t be much harder than the flip of a palm for late stage Spiritual Ocean Tier martial artists. Where would one find a business that paid several hundred Origin Crystals for just lifting a finger?
Moreover, hundred-year-old ginsengs were greatly tonic. Normal medicinal pills couldn’t heal the hidden injuries that were inevitably left after these martial artists fought with people and beasts, only such great tonics could heal them completely.
Such a treasure might come by with luck, but not through searching!
“Youngster, violence can’t be used inside the stronghold,” someone said.
Ling Han smiled and said, “No matter, you guys just keep an eye. Although I will leave soon after, I’ll place the ten ginsengs with the stronghold master. Whoever kills him can get it from the stronghold master, is everyone reassured
now?”
“Okay!”
“That works!”
Everyone nodded. There were certainly people who issued missions inside the stronghold, asking for people’s help. However, as it happened through the Gust Demon Clan, there was an inevitable rake-off. Therefore, everyone hoped that the brawny man left the stronghold soon; killing him without delay, they receive the reward from Ling Han directly. This way, they could avoid losing part of the reward to the Gust Demon Clan.
The brawny man’s face turned green. Never would he have thought that tricking one Origin Crystal from Ling Han would result in him being possibly killed. He hurriedly took out the Origin Crystal as if a hot potato and threw it towards Ling Han. “I don’t want your Origin Crystal, hurry up and withdraw your bounty.”
Which family’s spoiled second generation was this, wasting precious ginsengs like this—did his mother know that he was this kickass?
Ling Han didn’t catch it and said, “Take it, it’ll be just enough to order a good casket.”
The brawny man was on the verge of crying from fear. He only wanted to take a small advantage of him, but who could’ve thought that it would attract a deadly misfortune? He hurriedly dropped to the ground and knelt down facing Ling Han, then said, “Little lord, I was wrong, I was wrong, please forgive me!”
“You really know your wrongs?” Ling Han smiled.
“I really do!” The brawny man kept slapping himself in the face, one slap after another with a lot of force, such that blood even came out.
Ling Han nodded, and said, “Alright, this bounty is cancelled.”
Instantly, the brawny man gasped in relief, but the other people were dissatisfied, feeling they were messed with! There weren’t many people here who were amiable; many of them stared at Ling Han with an ominous glint, and once Ling Han left the stronghold… hehe.
Ling Han was unperturbed, and said, “The bounty just now is cancelled, and changed to a new one. Whoever knows, tell me where in the forest do the cold and hot intertwine—these ten precious ginsengs will be theirs.”
“For real?” People’s expressions turned back to pleasantly surprised ones.
Ling Han nodded and said, “Of course it’s for real. However, if anyone takes me for a fool and mentions a random place, then I won’t mind issuing another bounty for that person.”
People clicked their tongues. The brawny man only tricked Ling Han out of one Origin Crystal and yet the latter issued a bounty of ten treasure ginsengs… If one tricked Ling Han out of ten treasure ginsengs, then what price tag would Ling Han offer for that bounty?
Such a spoiled second generation was truly scary—rich, and thus intractable!
For a moment, people were silent; some who thought of deceiving were really frightened.
“This young lord, I know a place that suits your description.” After a while, a person spoke up. He spoke of a place in the northwest part of Dark Demon Forest and gave Ling Han a map, clearly labeling the location.
Ling Han inquired carefully, but was very disappointed; it certainly was a place where the cold and hot intertwined, but it was far too different from his requirements. However, to show his sincerity, he still gave the person ten treasure ginsengs to establish his credibility.
“Anyone else that knows of such a place, one clue for ten treasure ginsengs.” Ling Han waved his hand and took out ten more hundred-year-old ginsengs—this thing was like cabbage to him anyways.
Someone received a reward—this instantly excited many others; even those who were looking on wanted to have a try.
If they personally didn’t know, it didn’t matter—couldn’t they ask around?
“I’ll be staying here for two days, if anyone has news, come find me,” Ling Han said for all to hear and left the tavern, renting a “guest room.”
Chapter 391
Chapter 391: A Clean Sweep
Translator: Reverie_ Editor: Kurisu
“That damned guy!” The brawny man was called Pu Chuan and was at the third layer of the Spiritual Ocean Tier. Such strength wasn’t weak—he could come and go freely just about anywhere with it and was barely qualified to be called an elite. However, he had been forced by Ling Han to kneel down and beg for forgiveness in the public’s eye—just how humiliating was that?
Such a grievance on top of coveting the belongings on Ling Han meant he couldn’t possibly stare blankly and let Ling Hang leave!
The battle prowess of a spoiled second generation at a mere fifth layer of the Spiritual Ocean Tier was definitely not past four stars. Even if he wasn’t a match for him alone, there were still nine other people, weren’t there?
“Youngster, hand over the spatial ring obediently and we can let you live,” another person said.
This was obviously a lie; after they took the spatial ring, they’d commit murder.
Ling Han laughed and said to Hu Niu, “Niu Niu, do you think I’m an idiot?”
“Ling Han obviously isn’t an idiot! Ling Han is a smart person!” Hu Niu said hurriedly and patted her small chest, adding, “Hu Niu is also a smart person!”
“Hehe, but some people just want to trick me like I’m a monkey!” Ling Han shook his head.
Hu Niu instantly revealed an ominous glint, and said, “Niu will bite them all to death!”
“Niu Niu, don’t kill people with your mouth, it’s too dirty.” Ling Han rubbed her small head.
Hu Niu nodded repeatedly at once. Although she didn’t think biting people to death was dirty, Ling Han didn’t like it, so she would avoid doing so.
“You guys done yet!?” Pu Chuan and the nine others were infuriated after being mocked by an adult and a child. However, what was strange was that they didn’t see that little girl yesterday, right?
…She probably followed him into the stronghold and always stayed inside the bamboo room—everyone soon “understood.”
“Since he won’t listen, then kill him in case of undue trouble!” Pu Chuan and the others clamored. There were many groups in the entire stronghold that conspired against Ling Han, so naturally it was best to strike first lest other people got ahead.
“Let me!” Pu Chuan immediately jumped out. With a qiang , he unsheathed a long saber, striking towards Ling Han.
Hu Niu made a move, and xiu , she leapt overhead of Pu Chuan. With a pa , she fired her small fist at him. Instantly, Pu Chuan’s head actually spun around his neck seven to eight times and the skin on the neck was twisted off. A perfectly fine head instantly fell down, and pu , blood rushed ten feet high as if a blood fountain, finally falling back down rapidly.
Martial artists were full of Qi and blood, especially those in the Spiritual Ocean Tier. After his head fell off, he didn’t immediately die, still prancing around for a while before finally thumping onto the ground, hands and legs still twitching.
“Hiss!”
How was this possible!
Despite Pu Chuan having the cultivation of the third layer of the Spiritual Ocean Tier, he was killed with a single punch? And the one who attacked was a five to six year old little girl; who could believe this?
“Hou!” Hu Niu bared her teeth and roared, striking once again.
Pa, pa, pa, pa , each of her punches took care of one person, rapidly reaping their lives. With her terrifying high speed, even a Spiritual Pedestal Tier warrior would have a headache, let alone Spiritual Ocean Tier ones.
“Run!” Ten people instantly turned into three remaining, all of them breaking into a run; but, competing in speed with Hu Niu? Truly laughable! Within a mere two breaths, the three people all had their hearts blasted by a single punch.
Ten people completely annihilated.
Hu Niu hadn’t had enough as she turned her fierce gaze behind. Her divine consciousness was extremely sensitive, easily capable discovering that there were more people behind. However, it was too far, she couldn’t find exactly where these people were in that moment.
‘Run!’
These people clearly saw that a young
lady killed ten Spiritual Ocean Tier warriors in a clean sweep; such battle prowess was completely freakish. They didn’t want to throw away their lives, running hurriedly towards the stronghold.
Ling Han only laughed, but didn’t chase after them for an open slaughter.
“Let’s go!” He held on to Hu Niu’s hand, continuing onwards.
***
“Truly out of the ordinary.” On a large tree afar, a sixty-year-old man focused his gaze on the entire process. “Ding Gao Yang, not only is that youngster a freak, but so is that young lady. That speed, tsk tsk, extremely surprising.”
Behind the old man stood Ding Gao Yang and Wan Qing, both appearing very respectful.
“Elder Mo, you’re a Spiritual Pedestal Tier elite, no matter how freakish they are, they wouldn’t be your match!” Ding Gao Yang bootlicked hurriedly.
Elder Mo felt pleased, revealing a smile. He said, “Dealing with two Spiritual Ocean Tier opponents, the price tag won’t the previous one—it has to double.”
Ding Gao Yang instantly revealed a pained expression; could asking a Spiritual Pedestal Tier elite to take on a task be cheap? Now it just had to be doubled! He only hoped that the belongings on Ling Han were worth that price, otherwise he’d suffer a tremendous loss.
Elder Mo looked at Wan Qing once more, revealing a perverted expression, and said, “And, let Wan Qing stay over at this old man’s tonight for a night.”
Ding Gao Yang immediately jumped in anger; this old man had gone too far, still coveting his woman! He snorted and said, “Elder Mo, don’t you take it too far, and don’t forget who my brother is!”
Elder Mo involuntarily shivered inside, ****Xin was a figure on the previous prodigy roll, and his rank wasn’t low, either.
Those who could ascend onto the roll would definitely reach the Flower Blossom Tier as long as they didn’t die—there was never an exception!
This was the Dark Demon Forest, where fists were words; if he offended ****Xin… the result would be unimaginable, even the Gust Demon Clan wouldn’t stand up for him—he would simply die for nothing.
Alchemy Emperor of the Divine Dao c1-1294 Page 210