C12 Facing Everyone's Face in Public

At this moment, the dark and damp mine was silent. Everyone stared at Qiao Gao in disbelief. How could he still be thinking about making money at a time like this? It was a matter of life and death, and yet he was focused on profit...

Outside, a devastating beast tide was raging. Even the Deacon Lord, who was in the late period of the Soul Connecting Stage, had suffered severe injuries. For most of them, who were lower-level warriors with less than a Three-vein Connection, venturing outside was almost certain death.

However, Qiao Gao had previously used the brutal 'Thousand-hammer Vein Connecting Technique' to help Bai Tianyu eliminate the Scorpion Tail Tiger's poison. He had also miraculously helped Hwang Ningxue rid herself of the Corpse King Poison. So, Qiao Gao couldn't be judged by the standards of an ordinary low-level warrior.

“Can you really get us back to Great Flame City safely?” someone hesitantly asked in a low voice, testing the waters. The student was filled with doubt but also a glimmer of hope. If there was even a slim chance of survival, who would want to wait here to die? As Qiao Gao had just said, by the time Flowing Cloud Academy's rescue arrived, they would have already become food for the Corpse King.

“Of course, I guarantee not a hair on your head will be harmed,” Qiao Gao said, leaping forward to help the questioning student to his feet. The student had likely overheard Ma De planning to abandon them, which was why he had been singled out and pressured to the ground.

Qiao Gao enthusiastically laid out his so-called "escape plan," speaking with such fervor that he practically spit as he talked. He promised to devise a flawless escape route that would definitely avoid the beast tide, and who knows, they might even stumble upon some abandoned beast carcasses along the way. He assured everyone that the thousand-dollar fee would be worth every penny.

Many students were eager to sign up, their interest clearly piqued.

"I'm in, but I don't have that much cash on me," one student quickly volunteered.

With the first volunteer, others soon followed—second, third, fourth. Before long, the once cold and desolate mine was buzzing with activity.

"Shieh Longtai, come over here and help with the sign-ups," Qiao Gao called out loudly. "If you don't have enough money, just write an IOU. You can pay it back slowly once we're back at the academy."

Shieh Longtai hurried over, quickly jotting down names.

"Enough!"

Bai Jutian's face was dark with anger. Qiao Gao blatantly ignored him, standing tall but with a slight tremor in his stance, and shouted.

"You fools!"

Bai Jutian scanned the crowd, his gaze lingering on those eagerly signing up, his eyes filled with disdain.

"This guy has bad intentions, taking advantage of the situation! And you all, you're so naive. You don't trust the Deacon, yet you believe in a mere low-level fighter from the One-vein Connection?"

"What a joke, an absolute joke!"

Ma De's expression was stern, exuding authority without anger as he said, "Even I can't guarantee a safe return to Great Flame City, let alone you young ones at the Vein Connecting Stage."

"Staying here and waiting for rescue might give us a slim chance of survival, but stepping out into the wilderness is a sure path to death!"

"Hey, hey, just because you can't do it doesn't mean I can't!" Qiao Gao retorted sarcastically. Ever since inheriting the memories of the Myriad Tribulation Pill Monarch, his personality and behavior had undergone a dramatic change. In the past, he wouldn't have dared to offend a mentor at the Soul Connecting Stage.

"You!"

Ma De's eyes widened, and a powerful energy surged from within him, his gaze cold as he prepared to teach this reckless One-vein Connection kid a harsh lesson, disregarding the small bottle in Qiao Gao's hand.

Suddenly, a graceful figure swiftly stepped in front of Qiao Gao, carrying a fragrant breeze—it was none other than Hwang Ningxue.

Ma De glanced at Hwang Ningxue, frowning with dissatisfaction. "Step aside, I need to deal with this opportunist!"

Hwang Ningxue paid no attention to Ma De, instead turning her gaze to Qiao Gao and asking, "Are you really confident you can get us all safely back to Great Flame City?"

Qiao Gao nodded confidently. "I'll pay ten times the amount if anyone gets hurt on the way back. I'm willing to compensate with $10,000!"

Having inherited the memories of the Myriad Tribulation Pill Monarch and having survived countless challenges, he found it easy to lead them out of the Devil Dragon Mining Area.

Hwang Ningxue looked at Qiao Gao intently and said clearly, "Alright, I trust you."

"This is madness! Absolute madness!" Ma De was visibly displeased. Despite Hwang Ningxue's high status, he couldn't help but criticize, "Why do you trust him?"

Hwang Ningxue furrowed her brows, a hint of annoyance on her face, and replied firmly, "Because he cured me of the Corpse King Poison."

Ma De was taken aback, his face full of surprise. He had always believed he was the one who had cured Hwang Ningxue, given her background in a powerful family with many life-saving resources.

But the truth was shocking—a low-level martial artist with a One-vein Connection could cure the Corpse King Poison?

"Could this guy be a Pill Refining Master?" Ma De wondered, his mind racing with disbelief.

"Ningxue, did he really cure you of the Corpse King Poison?" Bai Jutian asked, his voice tinged with jealousy. The ability to cure such a potent poison indicated exceptional talent in pill refining, a rarity even in all of Great Flame City.

"Why should I help him lie?" Hwang Ningxue's demeanor was icy, her expression keeping everyone at arm's length, and she said no more.

Ma De, the deacon, pondered for a moment, his gaze settling on Qiao Gao. "In that case, lead the way," Ma De commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Qiao Gao remained indifferent, replying, "I'll lead the way, but it'll cost you a thousand dollars."

"What did you say? I have to pay too?" Ma De was taken aback, quickly turning to anger. "As an Outer Gate deacon, I order you to lead the way! Otherwise, I'll revoke your assessment qualification!"

Qiao Gao shrugged, unfazed. "Cancel it if you want. The nearby Cloud Soaring Academy is better than your Flowing Cloud Academy. I'm not particularly concerned about this assessment."

Ma De was livid, his energy nearly bursting forth. "Are you thinking of getting physical?" Qiao Gao remained calm and composed. "This mine is mine, and I drove away the corpse bugs. If I don't like you, you can leave."

Everyone gasped. This was a deacon from the outer academy, and yet he was being shown no respect, his face flushed with anger, worsening his injuries.

At this point, Hwang Ningxue stepped in to mediate. "We'll all be classmates in the future. Charging a thousand dollars is too much; it's clearly beyond their means."

Qiao Gao was baffled. "Just a thousand dollars? Is that expensive?"

Noticing Hwang Ningxue's displeased expression, Qiao Gao quickly changed his tone, smiling as he said, "Alright, just for you, a hundred each. Shieh Longtai, you handle the money, and I'll split it with you."

"You still owe ten thousand. Pay up or get lost," Qiao Gao pointed at Ma De.

"Anyone with the last name Bai, it's ten thousand dollars each."

Bai Jutian laughed angrily, with a hint of menace. "Are you sure you can handle provoking the Bai family like this?"

Qiao Gao chuckled, responding calmly, "Back when my father was around, did your Bai family dare to make a peep in Great Flame City?"

When Qiao Batian was alive, the Qiao family was truly at its peak, and the Bai family had to swallow their pride. Everyone knew this.

Exposing this old wound in public, Bai Jutian couldn't hold back any longer. His flying sword shot out, radiating a terrifying light, aiming to strike Qiao Gao down in front of everyone!

The crowd gasped in shock. Bai Jutian's attack was sudden and ruthless, leaving Qiao Gao no room to dodge.

The sword light tore through the air at incredible speed!

At that moment, Hwang Ningxue stepped forward. Her formidable energy swept through the entire mining area, the chilling aura so intense it seemed to freeze everything in place.

The once swift flying sword was suddenly frozen in mid-air. Bai Jutian was utterly shocked, not only because his sword was immobilized, but his entire body was restrained, his blood flow halted!

Bai Jutian was both furious and incredulous. How could Hwang Ningxue stand up for someone like Qiao Gao?

"Those two must have been up to something behind closed doors!" Bai Jutian thought bitterly.

"If you're a real man, face me one-on-one. Hiding behind a woman? Pathetic."

Thud!

Qiao Gao tossed a stone, hitting Bai Jutian square in the face, causing it to swell. He was trapped, unable to fight back.

"I'm going to kill you!" Bai Jutian roared, his face twisted with rage at being humiliated in public.

"You can't touch him," Hwang Ningxue said calmly, looking at the enraged Bai Jutian. She needed Qiao Gao to deal with the Three-eye Ice Toad, and during this time, she couldn't afford for him to suffer any harm.

As for Bai Jutian's feelings? Why would someone from a powerful family like Hwang Ningxue care?

In the end, Bai Jutian and Ma De left in disgrace, their eyes filled with malice...