Chapter 80

Although Yun Feng was well-intentioned, Hu Gao understood his kindness, but what he needed was for the other party to extort him. Only then could he use the Wind Thunder Pearl to counter-extort them. He didn't believe these people would be unafraid of the Wind Thunder Pearl. The cultivators in the valley were generally below the Body Transformation Realm, and the Wind Thunder Pearl could easily kill them.

But now it seemed his good idea might fall through.

"Yun Feng, are you really determined to stop us?" Wang Guangtou narrowed his eyes, a cold light flashing in them as he stared at Yun Feng and asked.

In the face of such a rich reward, even a top-notch Condensed Shadow Realm expert like Yun Feng wouldn't make him back down.

"Yun Feng, you need to think carefully. Although your Voidless Sword Pavilion has some strength, it doesn't seem to have sent any experts this time. Do you really think you can stop us, the Sky Shadow Adventure Team?"

The other adventurers also sneered, staring at Yun Feng and then at Hu Gao, worried that Hu Gao might escape in the chaos. If that happened, there would be no need for further argument.

They had always been worried that Hu Gao would run away, but after several observations, they found that Hu Gao had no intention of escaping. Instead, he seemed quite interested in observing them, which made them furious. They thought he was treating this as a game. Today, they had to teach this kid a lesson.

"Yun Feng, I can clearly tell you that if you don't step aside, we might have to take action. Are you really sure you can stop us alone?"

Wang Guangtou was getting impatient. Although he was wary of Yun Feng, he wasn't afraid. He was a very seasoned Ninth Rank Peak Condensed Shadow Realm cultivator, having practiced a high-grade Human Rank Essence Technique for many years. Although he hadn't reached the Great Success stage, he had reached the Lesser Success stage. His control over Essence Energy was more proficient, and he had rich combat experience. If it came to a fight, he didn't think he would be a match for Yun Feng.

"Hmph, want to fight? Come on then!" Yun Feng's gaze was cold and sharp like a sword as he drew his longsword.

Seeing Yun Feng draw his sword, Wang Guangtou and his group immediately burst with intense Essence Energy fluctuations, surrounding Yun Feng without any hesitation.

Seeing this, Hu Gao became anxious and hurriedly stepped forward, saying, "Hey, hey, hey... slow down, don't be so eager to fight, okay? The party involved hasn't even spoken yet."

It wouldn't do to start fighting like this; it would be too boring.

"Hmm? What do you want to say?"

Everyone was surprised and then found it amusing. Hu Gao had already revealed his Essence Energy aura, which was at the Seventh Rank Peak Condensed Shadow Realm. To them, he was too weak and not worth considering. They didn't expect him to not only not hide but also dare to come forward at this critical moment, which was truly unexpected.

"Brother Hu Gao, you don't need to worry too much. I absolutely won't let them take the Black Fire Lotus from you unless they defeat me!"

Yun Feng feared that Hu Gao was worried about the Black Fire Lotus and wanted to take a risk by saying something, so he made a guarantee.

Hu Gao looked deeply at Yun Feng. With his sharp perception, he could tell that Yun Feng's words were sincere and heartfelt. It was truly unexpected to find such a loyal and righteous person these days. He wondered if it was because Yun Feng was still young and more innocent.

Patted Yun Feng's shoulder, Hu Gao didn't want to think too much. As long as he found Yun Feng likable, that was enough. He turned to Wang Guangtou and the others and said, "What I want to say is that this fight is a bit boring, with no stakes. Are you really going to fight to the death over the Black Fire Lotus in my hand? What if someone really dies? Will you regret it? Is it worth it for a few black flowers? Is it a good deal? Don't you understand that wealth is external?"

Listening to Hu Gao's preachy words, Wang Guangtou and the others were stunned. What was this guy talking about? Why couldn't they understand him?

"Brother Hu Gao, what are you doing?"

Yun Feng tugged at Hu Gao's clothes, equally puzzled.

"Hmm? Are you pretending to be ignorant?"

Hu Gao looked down on these people. Wasn't his meaning clear enough? He pursed his lips and said, "It's simple. I, Hu Gao, picked the Black Fire Lotus just for fun. If you had been more polite and asked me for it, I might have given it all to you. But now that you're trying to force it from me, I'm not so willing to give it to you."

"Cough, cough, little brother Hu Gao, I was quite polite to little brother Yun Feng. Could you give me two of the Black Fire Lotus flowers?"

A middle-aged man stepped forward, putting on a simple and honest face. Seeing this man, Hu Gao couldn't help but feel disdain. This man had been shouting loudly from the back, and he had seen it all. What a hypocrite.

"Get lost, don't embarrass yourself here."

Wang Guangtou slapped the middle-aged man away and suppressed the noise from the back, staring at Hu Gao and asking, "I understand your meaning. Now, tell us, how do you want to set the stakes? Are you going to use the Black Fire Lotus as the stake?"

They had come to the Flame Valley to find the Black Fire Lotus, either for cultivation or to sell for money. So when Wang Guangtou suggested using the Black Fire Lotus as the stake, no one objected. Instead, they looked at Hu Gao with eager anticipation, afraid he would disagree.

"Of course. The purpose of all of you is the Black Fire Lotus. Why wouldn't I use it as the stake?"

Pausing, Hu Gao continued, "Of course, if I put up the Black Fire Lotus as the stake, you must also put up something of equal value. Haha, is that too much to ask?"

"You might as well finish what you're saying..."

Wang Guangtou frowned. Hu Gao was talking about the stakes, but he didn't specify what they would be, which was meaningless.

Hu Gao chuckled, not in a hurry, and said slowly, "Next, whoever wants the Black Fire Lotus just needs to challenge Yun Feng. After all, the conflict was caused by both sides. Whoever defeats him can get the Black Fire Lotus. As for how many flowers they get..."

Hu Gao's gaze swept over everyone before he continued, "The price of one Black Fire Lotus on the market is around 60,000 to 70,000 gold coins. I won't set it that high. I'll set it at 30,000 gold coins. If you want to bet on all four Black Fire Lotus flowers, I'll lower the price to 100,000 gold coins. You can put up as many gold coins or equivalent treasures as you can, and if you win, I'll hand over the Black Fire Lotus."

As soon as he finished speaking, the many cultivators behind him started arguing. Many were dissatisfied with his proposal because Yun Feng was too strong. Even without considering his actual combat strength, his Ninth Rank Peak Condensed Shadow Realm cultivation alone was enough to deter over 90% of the people. Only a few dozen were at the same level as him.

In terms of combat strength, after seeing Yun Feng's Cloud Moving Sword Technique, no one thought he was easy to deal with. Even if he wasn't as strong as a seasoned Ninth Rank Peak Condensed Shadow Realm cultivator, he wasn't much weaker.

"Brother Hu Gao, what is he doing..." Yun Feng, also a party involved, was puzzled. He didn't need to hand over the Black Fire Lotus, so why was he using it as a stake?

But he quickly realized that Hu Gao had great confidence in him and wasn't worried about losing.

Thinking of this, Yun Feng gripped his sword tightly.

Brother Hu Gao, I won't let you down.

Yun Feng's change was noticed by Hu Gao, who felt relieved. He could now plan with peace of mind.

Without looking at the people behind, his gaze swept over the few Ninth Rank Peak Condensed Shadow Realm cultivators in front, and he said, "What do you think of my proposal? I believe you all understand.

The Black Fire Lotus is a good thing, and good things should be obtained by the strong. Brother Yun Feng is still young, and even with some cultivation and combat strength, I believe he is not the strongest here. You know him better than I do, and I wouldn't lie to you. If you think you can't defeat Brother Yun Feng, then..."

Hu Gao paused, shaking his head, and continued, "I'm sorry, the weak don't deserve good things. You can see that I'm only setting the price of four Black Fire Lotus flowers at 100,000 gold coins. You know Yun Feng better than I do, and I'm sure more than one of you is confident in defeating him. Do you think I don't want to give you the Black Fire Lotus? I just don't want to give it to the weak."

"Brother Hu Gao, that's not right. Aren't you clearly looking down on those who haven't yet improved their strength? Hmph... We may be weak now, but that doesn't mean we won't become strong in the future."

A Ninth Rank Condensed Shadow Realm cultivator in the back angrily shouted.

"Strong my ass, stop blabbering in the back. If you keep talking, I'll cripple you."

Wang Guangtou glared at the man, making him change his expression and quickly retreat, not daring to say another word.

"I understand your meaning. You're quite sensible, and I appreciate you. It's a pity that your talent is too high; otherwise, I would have taken you as a disciple, hahaha..."

Wang Guangtou liked Hu Gao's attitude very much, smiling because Hu Gao treated him as a strong person. He felt that the four Black Fire Lotus flowers were practically being given to him, just with an extra step.

"In this world, talent means nothing. Only the strong and the weak matter."

Hu Gao smiled, but his words were direct, "How much are you planning to put up as the stake? Are you betting on one Black Fire Lotus or all four?"