C12 I Want Money!

The sudden display left the seven young cultivators from the Flying Cloud Sect completely stunned. Most of them were at the third or fourth level of the Soulkeep stage. Their so-called hunting expedition was just a pretense. They had heard that the Azure Cloud Sect had acquired a boy with exceptional spiritual roots, so they were lying in wait here, planning to capture him and earn some merit. They refrained from attacking outright because they feared Ho Liao might be a disguised disciple of the Azure Cloud Sect. However, they never imagined Ho Liao's sword energy would be so powerful, leaving even their leader, Brother Dongfang, in shock.

In truth, Ho Liao himself was unaware of the astonishing power of his sword energy. Only the Book Spirit knew that the sword energy from the Sword Spirit Technique would unleash its full potential when encountering a spiritual artifact with a formation diagram. Of course, this was only if the artifact was of low grade and incapable of defending against the sword energy, thus amplifying its power.

Quickly shaking off his surprise, Ho Liao pressed his advantage. A second wave of sword energy shot directly toward Dongfang. Still in a daze, the cultivator hurriedly summoned a treasured blade from thin air, using its blue back to block the attack.

This was a mid-grade treasure, a full level above the shield artifact from before. When the sword energy struck the blade, it exploded with a resounding "boom," yet the blade remained unscathed.

Undeterred, Ho Liao immediately launched another wave of sword energy toward Dongfang's abdomen.

The opposing cultivator skillfully used his treasured blade for defense, successfully blocking the sword energy attack once again.

"You brat, that blade is a mid-grade treasure, capable of withstanding fifteen of your sword energy attacks. You only have twelve in total. If you want to defeat him, there's only one way: channel all the spiritual energy from your dantian into your right arm and strike his treasure. After eleven sword energy attacks, his blade won't withstand a full-force blow from your right arm!" the Book Spirit instructed Ho Liao in his mind.

As Ho Liao listened to the Book Spirit, he unleashed five sword energy attacks, giving the opposing cultivator no chance to catch his breath. The other cultivators from the Flying Cloud Sect were momentarily stunned, watching Ho Liao's fierce assault. They had never seen a rogue cultivator attack sect members so ruthlessly without provocation.

The remaining six sword energy attacks came in quick succession, targeting the same spot on the opposing cultivator's blade. Although Ho Liao's sword energy couldn't suppress the treasured blade, it naturally countered the blade's spiritual array. If one were to pause and examine the blade, they would notice fine lines appearing, a result of repeated damage to its internal spiritual array.

With the final sword energy attack launched, Ho Liao wasted no time. He immediately used the True Source technique, gathering all the spiritual energy from his bones and dantian into his right fist. Following the last sword energy, he struck the opposing cultivator's treasured blade. With a "crack," the mid-grade treasure shattered into numerous pieces, injuring the cultivator and his companions.

Ho Liao wasn't feeling great either; his entire right fist was numb. But he was a tough guy and didn't care. He planted his foot on the fallen, agonized cultivator from the Flying Cloud Sect and barked, "Don't even think about resisting, or I'll kill every last one of you!"

The disciples of the Flying Cloud Sect were all intimidated by Ho Liao's murderous aura. None of them dared to move, enduring their injuries without even the courage to take their healing pills. Ho Liao's attack had truly terrified them. Seeing the Eastern cultivator's treasured sword shattered, they knew they were no match for Ho Liao and were filled with nothing but fear.

Seeing the Flying Cloud Sect disciples had surrendered, Ho Liao mischievously untied his backpack, opened it, and spread it out next to the Eastern cultivator's face. He asked, "What is this?"

The cultivator lay on his back on the ground, Ho Liao's foot pressing down on his chest like a ton of bricks. He turned his head to see over twenty silver ingots in the bag, a look of disdain crossing his face, but his pride kept his mouth shut.

Seeing the cultivator silent, Ho Liao lifted his foot, flipped the Eastern cultivator over, and picked up the broken hilt of the treasured sword from the ground. The hilt still had a foot-long shard of the blade attached. Ho Liao used the broken blade to deliver a harsh blow to the cultivator's backside. A piercing scream erupted from the cultivator's mouth, as if a bound hog had just been stabbed for the first time.

Ho Liao finished his task and stepped on the back of the cultivator, demanding, "Tell me, what is that?"

The cultivator kept his mouth shut.

Ho Liao struck again, harder this time.

The cultivator's scream was even more agonizing, lasting longer, and blood had already soaked through his clothes.

Unable to endure a third blow, the cultivator abandoned all pride and shouted hysterically, "I'll tell you, it's silver!"

"Silver!" Ho Liao sneered, "It's silver my sister gave me, so why mock me? Why try to kill me?"

Another woman, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up, "Enough, please, enough. What will it take for you to let us go? Name your price! He's the eldest son of the East family, and I'm the second daughter of the Chen family. Whatever you ask, our families will find a way to meet your demands!"

Her words carried a dual message: an offer of a deal, hoping to trade terms for Ho Liao's forgiveness, as she secretly admired the cultivator; and a declaration of her background, hoping to pressure Ho Liao.

But this was ineffective. The anger in Ho Liao's heart, having been provoked, was beyond negotiation, and he had never heard of any East family or Chen family.

Yet, Ho Liao smirked wickedly, "I might spare you if each of you pays me ten thousand pieces of silver!"

Upon hearing Ho Liao's demand, the female cultivator felt a glimmer of hope. She produced a shimmering green stone, about the size of a woman's fist, and said, "This is a spirit stone. It's worth more than a hundred thousand dollars. Please, let us go!"

"I want cash!" Ho Liao shouted, striking the Eastern cultivator again with the flat of his blade, eliciting a pained cry.

"Stop hurting him! Look, see if there's anything here that can match the value of the money you want, okay?" the female cultivator pleaded, her voice filled with concern. She pulled out a small cloth bag and emptied it onto the ground. Out spilled dozens of spirit stones, two long swords, various pill bottles, even some women's clothing and makeup, and, surprisingly, a variety of food seasonings. It was a veritable treasure trove, showcasing the comfortable lives these sect disciples led.

No wonder so many cultivators aspired to join a sect. Compared to those who practiced independently, sect disciples had a significant advantage with abundant resources. Ho Liao had to admit this undeniable reality.