C12 Facing the Public in Public

At that moment, the cave was shrouded in silence, its dark and damp walls echoing the quiet. Everyone stared at Qiao Gao, their disbelief palpable. With their lives hanging by a thread, how could he still be fixated on making a profit?

Outside, a cataclysmic beast tide raged, having already gravely wounded the Deacon Lord, a late-stage Soul Connecting warrior. Most of them were low-level fighters with a mere Three-vein Connection; venturing out meant almost certain death.

Yet, Qiao Gao was no ordinary martial artist. He had previously employed the brutal Thousand-hammer Vein Connecting Technique to rid Bai Tianyu of the Scorpion Tail Tiger's venom, and then, against all odds, he helped Senior Hwang Ningxue purge the Corpse King Poison.

"Can you truly ensure our safe return to Great Flame City?" someone ventured, their voice tentative, their eyes betraying a mix of guilt and hope. The prospect of a lifeline was irresistible—who would choose to await death here? As Qiao Gao had pointed out, by the time Flowing Cloud Academy's rescue arrived, they'd likely be nothing more than fodder for the Corpse King.

"Absolutely," Qiao Gao assured, striding forward to lift the student to his feet. "Not a hair on your head will be harmed." He likely overheard Ma De's intention to abandon them, which explained why he'd been singled out, his spirit crushed under the weight of Ma De's formidable presence.

With enthusiasm, Qiao Gao detailed his 'escape plan,' his words painting a vivid picture. He promised a flawless route, one that would skirt the beast tide and might even lead them to stumble upon the remains of forsaken Demon Beasts. His assurances made the investment seem like a bargain.

The students were visibly stirred, itching to join. "Count me in," one declared, "though I'm short on crystals." The first to sign up was quickly followed by a second, then a third, and a fourth. Before long, the once lifeless cave buzzed with activity.

"Shieh Longtai, hurry over here and help with the registration," Qiao Gao called out loudly. "Anyone short on crystals, just write an IOU. You can settle up when we get back to the academy."

Shieh Longtai scurried over and began registering names swiftly.

"That's enough!" Bai Jutian's face darkened with anger. Qiao Gao had blatantly ignored him, and his rigid spine shook slightly as he bellowed, "You fools!"

His gaze swept over the crowd, lingering on the students eagerly signing up, his eyes filled with disdain. "This guy has ill intentions, exploiting the chaos! How can you be so naive? You distrust the Deacon Lord of the Outer Court, yet you place your faith in a lowly One-vein Connection warrior?"

"It's absurd! The very idea is laughable!"

Ma De's expression was stern as he spoke with an authoritative tone, "Even I'm not completely sure I can make it back to Great Flame City safely, much less you youngsters at the Vein Connecting Stage."

"Staying here to await rescue might offer a sliver of hope, but venturing into the wasteland is a certain death sentence!"

"Hey, hey, who do you think you are? Just because you can't cut it doesn't mean I can't! If you're not signing up, then step aside and stop causing a scene!" Qiao Gao shot back sarcastically. His personality and actions had drastically changed since inheriting the memories of the Myriad Tribulation Pill Monarch. In the past, he would never have dared to cross a Soul Connecting Stage instructor.

"You!" Ma De's eyes bulged with fury as his powerful elemental force erupted, his gaze turning icy. He was done tolerating Qiao Gao and the little bottle he held, ready to harshly discipline this One-vein Connection nobody.

Suddenly, a graceful figure darted in front of Qiao Gao, bringing with her a whiff of perfume—it was Hwang Ningxue.

Ma De gave Hwang Ningxue a displeased look and said gruffly, "Move aside. I'm going to deal with this opportunist!"

Unfazed by Ma De, Hwang Ningxue turned to Qiao Gao and inquired, "Do you truly believe you can lead us all back to Great Flame City safely?"

Qiao Gao nodded, exuding confidence. "A tenfold guarantee—if anyone gets injured on the return journey, I'm willing to pay out 10,000 crystals in compensation."

He carried with him the legacy of the Myriad Tribulation Pill Monarch, having traversed the Nine-heavens Ten-earth. His survival skills in the wild were unparalleled, making the task of leading them out of the Devil Dragon Mining Area a breeze.

Hwang Ningxue gave Qiao Gao a penetrating look before speaking crisply, "Alright, I trust you."

"Ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous!" Ma De protested, his face a mask of discontent. Despite Hwang Ningxue's high status, he questioned her with a hint of criticism, "On what grounds do you trust him?"

At his words, Hwang Ningxue's brows knit together, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face as she replied firmly, "On the grounds that he cured me of the Corpse King Poison."

Ma De was visibly shaken, his expression one of utter astonishment. He had always believed that he was the one who had cured Hwang Ningxue of the Corpse King Poison, especially knowing her background in a secretive and powerful family, equipped with numerous life-saving secrets.

Yet the reality was more startling than he could have imagined. How could a mere One-vein Connection martial artist have the ability to neutralize the Corpse King Poison?

"Is this man a Pill Refining Master?" Ma De wondered internally, his mind roiling with amazement.

"Ningxue, did he truly rid you of the Corpse King Poison?" Bai Jutian asked, his face etched with envy. The skill required to eliminate such a potent toxin indicated an extraordinary talent in pill refining—a rarity even in the vast expanse of Great Flame City.

"Why would I lie for him?" Hwang Ningxue's demeanor was frosty, her expression one of distant refusal, and she chose to say no more.

Ma De contemplated the situation briefly before his gaze settled on Qiao Gao.

"In that case, you may lead the way," Ma De commanded, his tone lofty and brooking no argument.

Qiao Gao remained stoic, replying calmly, "I'll lead, but it'll cost you ten thousand crystals."

"What did you say? I have to pay Origin Crystals too?" Ma De's face registered shock, quickly morphing into anger. "As an Outer Gate deacon, I command you to lead the way! Otherwise, I'll revoke your assessment eligibility!"

Qiao Gao was unfazed. "Cancel it if you like. The Cloud Soaring Academy nearby is superior to your Flowing Cloud Academy anyway. I'm not particularly concerned about the assessment."

Ma De was livid, hopping mad as his potent Origin Energy nearly burst forth.

"Thinking of starting a fight?" Qiao Gao remained cool and collected. "This mine is mine, as are the corpse worms I've driven away. If you don't like it, then beat it."

The crowd gasped. This was a Deacon Lord of the outer courtyard, and yet he was being so blatantly disrespected. His face turned beet red, and his injuries worsened.

It was then that Hwang Ningxue stepped in to smooth things over.

"Let's be reasonable," Hwang Ningxue suggested. "We'll all be classmates in the future. A thousand Origin Crystals is steep—it's clearly beyond what they can afford."

Qiao Gao was taken aback. Just a thousand Origin Crystals. Was that really too much?

Noticing Hwang Ningxue's displeasure, Qiao Gao quickly shifted gears, offering a smile. "Alright, for your sake, let's make it a hundred per person. Shieh Longtai can handle the collection, and we'll split it."

"But for you," Qiao Gao said, pointing at Ma De, "it's still ten thousand. Pay up or get out."

"And that goes for anyone with the surname Zhao—ten thousand Origin Crystals, no exceptions."

Bai Jutian couldn't help but laugh in fury, his voice laced with menace. "You think you can endure the consequences of provoking the Bai family?"

Qiao Gao just smiled, his tone light. "Back when my father was around, did the Bai family even dare to make a peep in Great Flame City?"

Back in the day, with Qiao Batian present, the Qiao family was truly in its heyday, while the Bai family had to tread lightly—a fact known to all.

After Qiao Gao laid bare his wounds, Bai Jutian could no longer contain his fury. His Flying Sword shot forth, radiating a terrifying light, its sword Qi dazzling, intent on publicly executing Qiao Gao!

The crowd gasped in shock at the sudden and vicious attack. Bai Jutian had left Qiao Gao no chance to evade.

The sword light sliced through the air with incredible speed!

It was then that Hwang Ningxue intervened. Her formidable Origin Energy instantly enveloped the entire mine, the chill so intense it seemed to freeze everything in place.

The once lightning-fast Flying Sword was now suspended in midair. Bai Jutian was utterly stunned; not only was his Flying Sword immobilized, but his entire body was restrained, his circulation of blood energy cut off!

Bai Jutian was a mix of shock, rage, and disbelief that Hwang Ningxue would come to the defense of someone he deemed worthless like Qiao Gao.

"They must have been up to no good together!" Bai Jutian seethed internally.

"Come and face me if you dare! What kind of man hides behind a woman?"

Thud!

Qiao Gao lobbed a stone, striking Bai Jutian and leaving his face swollen. Helpless and bound, he couldn't fight back.

"Ah! Ah! Ah! I'll kill you!" Bai Jutian bellowed, his face contorted with rage from the public humiliation.

"You can't lay a finger on him!" Hwang Ningxue said coolly, her gaze fixed on the irrational Bai Jutian. She was counting on Qiao Gao to take care of the Three-eye Ice Toad, and she wouldn't allow him to be harmed in the meantime.

What did Bai Jutian's thoughts matter to her?

Why would Hwang Ningxue, from a covert and influential family, give them a second thought?

Ultimately, Bai Jutian and Ma De slunk away, their eyes smoldering with spiteful resentment.