C10 Explosive Beast Tide

Hwang Ningxue looked at Qiao Gao with suspicion, feeling that there was more to him than met the eye. Who exactly was this mysterious figure? Her mind was filled with questions.

After a brief moment of doubt, Ningxue took a deep breath, refocusing her attention on Qiao Gao. She asked in a serious tone, "You claim that a Rank Five beast, the Three-eye Ice Toad, is sealed within me?"

Since birth, she had been diagnosed with a severe illness. The clan leader even brought in a renowned Grade Five Pill Refining Master to treat her, but even they were at a loss. A Grade Five Pill Refining Master is a rare find, not just in North Star Country but anywhere. In Great Flame City, the most skilled is only a Grade Two. The path of pill refining is arduous, and advancing even one grade demands an immense amount of effort, manpower, and resources.

Especially noteworthy is that a Grade Five Pill Refining Master has refined at least one type of pill fire, making their treatments hundreds, if not thousands, of times more effective than those without. However, refining pill fire is exceedingly difficult. Not only is it rare, but it's also found in perilous locations. One wrong move, and it could lead to complete destruction.

When even a Rank Five Pill Refining Master couldn't cure Hwang Ningxue's severe illness, her family gave up completely. She left her home, resigned to her fate. However, the Pill Refining Master didn't extinguish all hope. Before leaving, he mentioned that while he couldn't cure the illness, perhaps a Soul Master could.

Soul Masters are even rarer and more esteemed than Pill Refining Masters. Their numbers are so few that finding one in the entire North Star Country is nearly impossible. Although Ningxue's family has some influence on the continent, stronger than this remote little country, they aren't powerful enough to easily find a Soul Master to treat her.

Traveling from a secretive family in the continent's center to the remote Devil Dragon Mining Area, Ningxue had almost given up hope of finding a Soul Master.

"Could he be a Soul Master?" Ningxue's heart raced with renewed hope as she pondered.

"Yes, the seal has started to crack, and the cold energy leaking out could be fatal," Qiao Gao said frankly. "But I've reinforced the seal for you. For the next three years, it won't collapse."

"During these three years, you won't be in any danger. After that, it's hard to say. It's best to resolve it completely, as it's like a ticking time bomb!"

Qiao Gao spoke.

Hearing this, Ningxue's flawless beauty was filled with surprise. Her delicate lips parted in disbelief, and she exclaimed, "I won't be in danger for the next three years?"

A renowned Pill Refining Master, hired by her family, had declared she wouldn't live to see 20. She was just a month shy of 19!

Yet, here was Qiao Gao, confidently assuring her that she wouldn't face any life-threatening danger for the next three years. By then, she'd be 22. Could he really be a Soul Master?

"Absolutely, if I take action, there won't be any mistakes!"

Qiao Gao had absorbed the memories of the Myriad Tribulation Pill Monarch, who was not only a master of pill refining but also skilled in soul refining. Otherwise, how could he have dominated so completely?

The seal within Ningxue was tricky, but it wasn't unsolvable. Of course, with Qiao Gao's current abilities, it posed a challenge. However, as his power grew, dismantling this ticking time bomb would be entirely feasible. Qiao Gao was confident in this.

"Get dressed and prepare a hundred thousand crystals and a bottle of Nine-turn Human Emperor Ointment. Since we're classmates, I'll help you resolve this issue completely," Qiao Gao chuckled, his gaze once again falling on Ningxue's smooth, porcelain-like skin.

"What? You can completely solve this for me?" Ningxue's face showed surprise and a hint of disbelief. Yet, recalling how Qiao Gao had consistently proven himself, she realized she couldn't quite figure him out.

For an average Vein Connecting Stage warrior, a hundred thousand dollars was an astronomical sum. As for the Grade Three medicine pill, it was indeed a rare find, especially in a remote place like Great Flame City.

However, none of this compared to Ningxue's life. As long as she could survive, her family would pay even a million dollars without hesitation. This was the strength of a powerful family from the heart of the continent, far beyond what a small family in Great Flame City could match. It was no wonder Jutian was so determined to pursue Ningxue. Marrying her would save him decades of struggle.

Ningxue shot Qiao Gao an angry glance, but her eyes held more annoyance than malice. After changing her clothes, she handed the remaining half of the Blood Soul Flower to Qiao Gao. Despite his somewhat lecherous gaze, he might actually save her life.

Qiao Gao didn't hesitate and devoured the half Blood Soul Flower in one bite. With it, his depleted soul power was quickly replenished, and his eyes sparkled with vitality, unlike before when he seemed utterly drained.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

Two loud crashes echoed as the doors of the miners' lounge in the Devil Dragon Mining Area were blasted open. Scorching energy surged in, and sharp wooden splinters shot out like daggers.

Qiao Gao swiftly dodged behind Ningxue, shamelessly using her as a shield.

Ningxue shot him an annoyed glance before regaining her usual icy, aloof demeanor. With lightning speed, she extended her slender hand, and her chilling energy swept through the air like a fiery phoenix, reducing the wooden splinters to dust.

Her icy energy didn't stop there; it surged forward with the force of a thousand soldiers, targeting the two figures who had burst in.

"Ugh!"

The intruders staggered, as if struck by a heavy blow, letting out a muffled grunt.

"Ningxue, it's me!"

As the dust settled, Bai Jutian called out anxiously, gasping for breath. It was clear he had been the one hit by the attack.

Bai Jutian was both shocked and furious. Ningxue had sent him outside to stand guard, and when he heard strange noises, he instinctively thought Qiao Gao was taking advantage of her.

Having fallen for Ningxue at first sight and seeing her as his goddess, he couldn't bear the thought of his future wife being taken advantage of by someone he considered a scoundrel.

In a rush and with no time to think, he burst through the mine chamber door, not caring that an outer sect steward was present.

Bai Jutian and the steward, Ma De, entered the room.

"This is nonsense!"

"How can you trust this kid to cure the poison?" said a middle-aged man standing next to Bai Jutian. His sharp eyes and restrained energy indicated he had long reached the Soul Connecting Stage, though his pale face showed he was seriously injured.

How could a prospective student, who had only reached the One-vein Connection, possibly neutralize the Corpse King Poison? It was laughable and absurd.

"Hmm? Changed clothes?" Bai Jutian glanced at Hwang Ningxue, feeling a sudden jolt of surprise.

Ningxue's face was flushed as she donned a fresh set of clothes. She seemed uneasy under the gaze of Ma De, and then noticed Qiao Gao looking pale, as if completely drained.

What exactly had they been doing in there?

Seeing this, Bai Jutian's expression darkened further, his eyes fixed on Qiao Gao with a menacing glare, as if he wanted to tear him apart.

"Ma De, you're here," Ningxue said, sneaking a glance at Qiao Gao, who was hiding behind her, her cheeks still tinged with red.

Ma De was a mentor in the inner courtyard, a formidable figure in the late stages of the Soul Connecting Stage. However, he seemed to be in bad shape, with even his battle spirit severely damaged.

"Get ready. I'm taking the two of you out of here immediately. A terrifying beast horde has erupted in the Devil Dragon Mining Area. If we don't leave now, everyone will perish!" Ma De said seriously. He recalled the recent encounter with a smaller beast horde, still shaken by how close he came to being trapped in the mining area forever.