Chapter 72

"Hey, isn't this Young Master Zhou Longqi? You've come to the Flame Valley too?"

Just as he stepped out of the cave entrance, Hu Gao was about to announce his intention to leave to Zhou Longqi and the others when several people suddenly walked up. The leader was a young man about his age, exuding a bold and aggressive aura, like a sharp sword out of its sheath, with a Yuan force fluctuation that had reached the Ninth Rank of the Condensation Shadow Realm.

Behind him stood six or seven more people, mostly middle-aged men, all dressed in black, their expressions cold and stern. Hu Gao felt that these people were likely guards, but their auras were exceptionally strong, all having reached the peak of the Ninth Rank of the Condensation Shadow Realm.

Interrupted by these people, Hu Gao was unsure how to proceed. The young man speaking seemed to be smiling, but it was clear he was there to cause trouble. Hu Gao also sensed a faint hint of killing intent in his eyes, indicating that he was not a friendly visitor and was likely an enemy of Zhou Longqi.

Hu Gao sighed. It was indeed not the right time to leave.

Zhou Longqi glared at the young man in front of him, his eyes filled with suppressed anger. His demeanor, which had been carefree earlier, now appeared quite calm.

"Zhou Ying, where I go doesn't require your approval, does it?"

"Of course not! Young Master Longqi's actions don't need to be reported to me," Zhou Ying replied with a faint smile, though his expression was more arrogant.

"However, I'm a bit worried about Young Master's safety. You know, the Flame Valley isn't a place for ordinary people. Even Full Body Realm warriors might perish here. Just with these few weaklings, tsk tsk."

"Zhou Ying, watch your words. You're just a collateral descendant. Don't think you're safe just because you have a few lackeys around."

Zhou Longqi's guards, hearing Zhou Ying's insults, naturally couldn't stand it and shouted loudly.

"Hey, this is quite amusing. The lackeys can curse now," Zhou Ying said, unfazed by their insults, and turned to laugh with his own guards.

"Listen, Young Master Longqi, I'm just trying to be helpful. If something happens to you like it did to your father, it would be one thing, but if it makes people think poorly of our Zhou family, that would be truly embarrassing."

"Zhou Ying, don't think I'm afraid of you!" Zhou Longqi narrowed his eyes. He had intended to endure it, but Zhou Ying not only came to cause trouble like other Zhou family disciples but also mentioned his deceased father, which was unbearable.

"Where did Young Master Longqi get the idea that I'm afraid of you? In the Zhou family, who doesn't know you? You can beat anyone you want, and the Clan Head never punishes you."

"But the Flame Valley is different from home. Young Master Longqi should be more careful. I won't say anything ominous about dying here, but if you get robbed, it would be a loss for us brothers. By the way, did you find anything good? Show me."

Zhou Ying spoke boldly. He had long been annoyed by Zhou Longqi in the Zhou family. As the guards said, he was just a collateral descendant and often didn't get fair treatment in the family. Now that they had met, he couldn't resist the urge to humiliate him.

His words, though ostensibly a warning, were clearly sarcastic. But to Zhou Longqi, they had a different meaning.

Years ago, Zhou Longqi's father had successfully awakened a totem, which turned out to be a mutated one. The entire Zhou family rejoiced, thinking the family was about to rise, and poured resources into him. However, his totem never showed any special qualities, and he was called a "waste" by the family. To prove himself, he came to the Dragon Armor Mountains for training and died here. Zhou Longqi had heard rumors that his father had found something special in the Flame Valley, using the power of the mutated totem to display great prowess, but was ultimately betrayed and killed by enemies.

Zhou Ying's words suggested he might know something. It seemed his father's death was not so simple and might involve internal struggles within the Zhou family!

"I do have something good, but I'm not sure if you have the ability to take it," Zhou Longqi taunted, trying to make Zhou Ying lose his composure.

"Hmph, you're just like your father, refusing to know your place!"

Indeed, Zhou Longqi's face darkened. This guy definitely knew something. If that was the case, he would have to find out the truth, even if it meant risking his life.

He looked at Hu Gao and said, "Brother, I'm sorry. I already owe you one, and I'll probably owe you another."

Hu Gao, who had been listening carefully, saw Zhou Longqi's expression change. He guessed something was up and assessed the strength of both sides. His side was clearly at a disadvantage, but he still had a trump card. After some thought, he said softly, "No problem, I'll add the interest."

"Ha, I've never heard of interest on a favor. You don't seem like a cultivator at all," Zhou Longqi said with a shrug, knowing Hu Gao was joking but feeling warm inside.

Hu Gao had initially been an observer, but now he knew he couldn't stand by anymore. He raised an eyebrow and rubbed his nose, saying, "Let's make it clear, eight out, fourteen back."

The two completely ignored Zhou Ying's curses and continued their conversation in low voices.

"What's 'eight out, fourteen back'?" Zhou Longqi asked, puzzled.

Hu Gao was speechless. He had inadvertently used a term from his past life's high-interest loans. He patiently explained, "It means if you borrow 100 gold coins from me, I only give you 80, and you have to pay me back 140."

Zhou Longqi was taken aback. With his intelligence, he quickly understood. "Hu Shao, if you don't go into business, you're really wasting your talent! If I ever have a say in the Zhou family, I'll give you all the family's business!"

"Let's talk about that when the time comes!" Hu Gao turned to face the furious Zhou Ying. "I don't know where a dog came from, barking non-stop. Did you hear it, brother?"

"You..." Zhou Ying pointed at Hu Gao, unable to speak from anger.

Zhou Longqi suppressed his laughter. "He's just a bastard son from a concubine in our Zhou family branch. Don't take him seriously, Hu Shao."

"I see." Hu Gao shrugged at Zhou Ying. "Since you're a Zhou family member, I'll let you off with a slap on the right cheek with your left hand and a slap on the left cheek with your right hand. Oh, I'm becoming more compassionate the longer I stay here."

Seeing Hu Gao's nonchalant expression, Zhou Ying was enraged. His mind raced, but he couldn't think of any such family. What bad luck!

"Get rid of that brat for me!" Regardless of his family, in the Flame Valley, killing was just killing. Zhou Ying didn't hesitate and issued a kill order.

Immediately, the six guards behind him burst with powerful Yuan force fluctuations and cold killing intent, rushing forward to kill Hu Gao.

Zhou Longqi, of course, couldn't let Hu Gao, who had helped him, suffer. He stepped forward, shouted, and assumed a tiger-like stance, "Ridiculous! Don't you know who I am? How dare you try to kill in front of me? Do you want to die?"

As his voice echoed, the six guards halted, as if intimidated by something.

Zhou Ying was furious. So many Ninth Rank Condensation Shadow Realm warriors couldn't be scared by a mere brat?

"What are you afraid of? Zhou Longqi is just bluffing! Kill him, and I'll take responsibility."

Momentum was something only those with absolute strength could wield. Zhou Longqi could scare beasts, but it had little effect on six Ninth Rank Condensation Shadow Realm warriors. He had also underestimated their intent to kill Hu Gao or overestimated the impact of his status.

"Kill!"

The six guards, awakened by Zhou Ying's roar, shouted and charged at Hu Gao again.

Facing their combined attack, Hu Gao remained calm. He had come to the Dragon Armor Mountains to quickly improve his strength, and these experts were perfect for honing his skills.

Most importantly, he had the Wind and Thunder Pearl. If things got too tough, he had a chance to turn the tide, though it wasn't the right time to reveal his trump card.

"Live as a hero, and barefoot isn't afraid of the shod! Let me see what you're made of."

Drawing the Shadowless Sword, Hu Gao's red Yuan force flowed, and he burst with his strongest aura. Whether they were intimidated by him or thought he was bluffing, this integrated momentum would give him the upper hand.

"Stop right there!"

Just as they were about to clash, a furious shout echoed from behind the crowd, accompanied by the sound of rushing wind.

A young man in white, carrying a black longsword, flew between the two sides, exuding a powerful aura that made everyone around him tremble.

He was a Full Body Realm expert, and quite young, about the same age as Hu Gao!

Through Xiao Wu's detection, Hu Gao knew this person had been watching from the outside but had acted without hesitation when Zhou Longqi was in danger. He must be on Zhou Longqi's side.

He glanced at the young man, surprised by his cultivation. To reach the Full Body Realm at such a young age, he must be even more talented than himself.

Indeed, coming to the Dragon Armor Mountains was the right decision! Hu Gao couldn't help but sigh.