C25 The Plot Has Been Exposed

Refining the Blood Lotus Pill required a total of twelve herbs. Qiao Mao had already secured the most crucial ingredient, the Blood Lotus. The remaining herbs were readily available in Martial Sun City, making their acquisition relatively straightforward.

Nevertheless, collecting the eleven remaining herbs by himself would be quite a hassle for Qiao Mao, especially since time was not on his side. Therefore, he made a beeline for the Zhang family.

As one of the three prominent families in Martial Sun City, the Zhangs held an esteemed position with extensive influence in the shadows. For them, gathering herbs was a trivial matter.

Upon hearing of Qiao Mao's return, Zhang Tianbei quickly came out to greet him, laughing heartily, "Qiao Mao, my dear nephew, you truly have a knack for making a name for yourself. Now, you're the talk of the town in Martial Sun City."

The news of Qiao Mao's confrontation with Qin Zhiri had spread like wildfire. Qiao Mao was well aware that this was what Zhang Tianbei was alluding to. With a wry smile, he replied, "It seems like everyone in Martial Sun City is now out for my blood."

"To be as skilled as a Martial Dao Great Master, you're not an easy man to take down. How on earth did your cultivation level rise again?" Zhang Tianbei exclaimed in astonishment. He had just used his Divine Sense to assess Qiao Mao and discovered a significant increase in his cultivation.

Just two days prior, when Qiao Mao visited the dilapidated temple outside the city, he was at Mortality Transcending Level Four Heaven. Now, he had astonishingly ascended to Mortality Transcending Level Five Heaven.

At Mortality Transcending Level Four Heaven, he was already capable of defeating a Martial Dao Great Master. With his breakthrough to Mortality Transcending Level Five Heaven, his combat prowess had undoubtedly surged.

"It's only been two days, and you've already made another breakthrough! You're truly remarkable," Zhang Tianbei remarked, visibly astounded by Qiao Mao's rapid progression.

Qiao Mao's combat strength was formidable, and his rate of advancement was astonishingly swift. He was, without a doubt, a prodigy.

Qiao Mao gave a modest wave of his hand and offered a casual smile, "Patriarch Zhang, you're too kind. I stumbled upon some lucky encounters along the way, which allowed me to advance. I've come to seek your assistance once more."

Qiao Mao could deeply sense that Zhang Tianbei's attitude toward him had undergone a complete transformation, which bolstered his confidence in the quest to gather all the necessary spirit medicines.

Indeed, Zhang Tianbei assured him with a hearty slap on his chest, "Nephew, speak freely. I'll spare no effort to assist you."

Qiao Mao had undergone significant changes recently, leading Zhang Tianbei to surmise that Qiao Mao must have received assistance from a top Martial Dao Great Master. Otherwise, how could his breakthroughs come so swiftly and his combat prowess be so formidable? These questions remained unanswered.

Following Qiao Mao's defeat of Qin Zhiri, Zhang Tianbei had been unwavering in his support, eager to forge a stronger bond with Qiao Mao. He knew that if the Super Expert backing Qiao Mao were ever displeased, it could spell disaster for the entirety of Martial Sun City, not to mention the comparatively minor Zhang family.

"Patriarch Zhang, I need your assistance in gathering some medicinal herbs, and I'd like it done within the next four hours," Qiao Mao requested. He promptly produced pen and paper, listing the eleven herbs required for concocting the Blood Lotus Pill.

Furthermore, Qiao Mao tasked Zhang Tianbei with procuring ingredients for the Spirit Explosion Pill, planning to craft this potent concoction in the future.

Upon receiving the list, Zhang Tianbei was taken aback by the sheer number of herbs needed. Fortunately, the search wouldn't be too challenging as the Zhang family already possessed several of them. He immediately accepted the task, promising, "Nephew, rest assured. I guarantee the collection of these herbs within four hours."

With the list in hand, Zhang Tianbei grew even more convinced of the Super Expert's support behind Qiao Mao. What else could explain a fifteen-year-old's extensive knowledge of such a wide array of medicinal herbs?

"Where is the Black Shadow Guard Team?" Zhang Tianbei called out.

Instantly, a group of black-clad guards materialized, each exuding a formidable presence as they bowed to Zhang Tianbei and chorused, "Master!"

Qiao Mao had long been aware of the Zhang family's elite unit, directly overseen by Zhang Tianbei. Today marked his first encounter with them. Each member was exceptionally strong, with remarkable individual combat skills. United, they could challenge even a Mortality Transcending Level Eight Heaven warrior without yielding an inch.

Qiao Mao hadn't anticipated that Zhang Tianbei would dispatch people solely to assist him in locating medicinal ingredients.

"Find the items on this list at any cost. You have four hours—any delay and everyone will be executed," Zhang Tianbei commanded.

"Understood," the Black Shadow Guard Team responded, taking the list before vanishing into the courtyard.

Once the Black Shadow Guard Team had disappeared, Zhang Tianbei turned, offering a reassuring smile, "Rest assured, within four hours, you'll have all the ingredients you need."

"Thank you, Patriarch Zhang," Qiao Mao said, bowing deeply. He was taken aback by Zhang Tianbei's support, which had indirectly saved his uncle's life.

Qiao Mao had etched Zhang Tianbei's kindness into his memory, vowing to repay him in the future.

One should always strive to reciprocate any assistance received.

Thanks to the Black Shadow Guard Team, the procurement of medicinal ingredients was swiftly resolved. In less than four hours, all the ingredients Qiao Mao needed were before him.

The haul included not only the eleven ingredients for the Blood Lotus Pill but also the four for the Spirit Explosion Pill.

"Patriarch Zhang, may I use your secret chamber?" Qiao Mao requested.

"Of course," Zhang Tianbei consented.

In the secret chamber, Qiao Mao began his alchemy. With his cultivation level having recently advanced, his body's Spiritual Energy flowed endlessly, making his refining process much faster than before. Additionally, his time in Fire Cloud Valley had allowed him to absorb substantial Fire Attribute Energy, significantly enhancing his Spirit Flame.

Meanwhile, as Qiao Mao was engrossed in his alchemical work, Martial Sun City was rocked by another significant incident.

Inside the Qiao family estate, a group led by Qiao Guang wore somber expressions.

"What did you say? Repeat that!" a middle-aged man demanded furiously, clutching a guard's collar, his face contorted in rage.

"We discovered the body of young master Qiao Hee in Qiao Mao's house," the guard stammered.

Enraged, the middle-aged man hurled the guard aside, bellowing, "Qiao Mao, you disloyal son, to harm your own kin!"

Qiao Hou, a middle-aged man, was the father of Qiao Hee. He had assumed that his son had been spending his days at the Spring Pavilion, and therefore, he hadn't been overly concerned about him.

Qiao Hee had a history of such behavior, having once spent an entire month at the Spring Pavilion. Besides, at just sixteen or seventeen years old, Qiao Hee was not particularly strong and was deemed unfit to be involved in the current plan.

What Qiao Hou could never have imagined was that over ten days ago, Qiao Hee had been murdered and buried in the backyard of Qiao Mao's house. Today, when Qiao Hou sent people to Qiao Mao's residence to search for leads, they were shocked to unearth the body of Qiao Hee.