Chapter 88

"Everyone, there's no need to pay attention to Han Chong. Even if we include him, we don't have to worry. Do you think we, dozens of Ninth Rank Condensed Shadow Realm martial artists, are afraid of just the two of them?" A Ninth Rank Peak Condensed Shadow Realm martial artist, seeing the situation was not right, immediately shouted loudly.

"That's right, everyone, let's all take action and deal with these three together." Instantly, everyone joined in, and powerful auras erupted from them.

Behind the crowd, Old Pipe Man inserted his pipe into his waistband, touched the long pipe he had clipped there, and silently walked over without a word.

"It seems we really have to fight!" Han Chong shook his head helplessly, then turned his head to glance at Hu Gao, who looked calm, thinking that this guy indeed had that annoying expression of everything being under control.

Not far away, Han Ning saw the dozens of Ninth Rank Condensed Shadow Realm martial artists all emitting intense killing intent and was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. Without hesitation, he shouted, "Everyone, you can't harm my brother Chong, otherwise..."

"Shut up!" However, before he could finish, Han Chong's loud shout interrupted him.

Han Ning, helpless, ran in front of Han Chong and said, "Brother Chong, you can't be so impulsive; it will harm yourself."

Han Chong shook his head, "My affairs, I will handle myself. If you are afraid, then step aside."

Hearing this, Han Ning couldn't help but glare at Hu Gao. It was all because of this guy that Brother Chong was in such a predicament. If anything happened, it wouldn't just be him, but even his elders would bear the responsibility.

"It seems this Han Chong is not an ordinary person," Hu Gao looked at Han Chong with some surprise.

Looking at the group of people in front of him, each emitting a powerful aura and ready to attack, he sighed helplessly. It seemed he would have to reveal one of his trump cards.

"Everyone, you are making such a fuss. Don't you want to hear what the person involved has to say?" Hu Gao stood up straight. Although his mental state was not good, it did not affect his normal actions and speech. He pushed aside Yun Feng and Han Chong, walked straight to the front, and scanned the crowd with a cold look.

"Listen to you? What do you want to say?" These Ninth Rank Condensed Shadow Realm martial artists were all disdainful, even Han Chong and Yun Feng frowned, not knowing what Hu Gao was up to.

"In fact, I, Hu Gao, am a very reasonable person. I believe everyone is now, just like before, interested in the Black Fire Lotus, interested in the spatial ring and various treasures in my spatial ring, right?"

Hu Gao smiled, "If you are really interested, just say so. I will be very happy to give all these things to you, of course, these treasures are not ordinary. To obtain them, you need to be powerful. So, next, you just need to challenge me. If you win, you can take anything you want."

Huh? What? Challenge? You must be joking!

After being surprised for a moment, everyone sneered. They knew Hu Gao's current state and believed he could not accept any challenges, so they thought his words were mostly exaggerated.

Yun Feng and Han Chong's frowns deepened. They didn't know what Hu Gao was up to, and it left them puzzled.

"Could Brother Hu Gao have a trump card?" Yun Feng's eyes lit up as if he had an idea, and he became even more convinced, looking at Hu Gao with brighter eyes.

Indeed, when has Brother Hu Gao ever disappointed me? I didn't even think about him and immediately concluded that today's situation was very dangerous. What a fool I am.

"Huh? What's going on..." Han Chong was a bit dazed by Yun Feng's expression.

"Um, everyone, come on. This time, there's no need for stakes. You can challenge me freely. If you win, you can take any treasure. I'll add one more treasure."

Hu Gao smiled lightly, then reached into his chest and pulled out a green metal bead.

"Whoosh!"

Instantly, a sound of wind and thunder enveloped the surroundings, and a trace of violent energy was emitted.

Hu Gao controlled the energy inside the Wind and Thunder Bead, a smile curling on his lips, "The Wind and Thunder Bead is indeed effective. Heh heh, do you still have the courage to challenge me?"

"What is this? Why do I feel a sense of danger?"

"Heaven, could this be a Wind and Thunder Bead containing immense energy? Judging by the aura it emits, once it explodes, even ordinary First Rank Body Integration Realm martial artists might not be able to withstand it?"

"Wind and Thunder Bead? I remember, this thing can only be condensed by Essence Condensation Realm martial artists, and it's definitely not something a First Rank Body Integration Realm martial artist can withstand. How could he have this thing?"

After one of them named the Wind and Thunder Bead, everyone's faces changed, a sense of fear growing in their hearts. They even took a few steps back, no longer daring to mention any challenge. The way they looked at Hu Gao also changed completely.

What kind of person is this, to carry a Wind and Thunder Bead on his person? Doesn't he fear accidentally detonating it and blowing himself to pieces?

After all, the Wind and Thunder Bead is like a time bomb. Once it explodes, its power is immense, and Ninth Rank Condensed Shadow Realm martial artists would definitely be instantly killed.

No one dared to take another step forward; it would be suicidal. Everyone was smart and didn't want to be the first to act.

Even Old Pipe Man, who had approached, stopped and took out his pipe, smoking it contentedly.

"I didn't expect Hu Gao to have a Wind and Thunder Bead. If he had taken it out during our battle..."

Looking at the Wind and Thunder Bead in Hu Gao's hand, Han Chong's expression gradually changed.

"Huh? Why are you all stepping back? Don't you want to challenge me anymore?"

Seeing everyone take a step back, Hu Gao put on a puzzled expression and took two steps forward.

He still held the Wind and Thunder Bead in his hand.

Instantly, the martial artists' faces changed dramatically, as if a death god were approaching them. They quickly retreated, not daring to get too close to Hu Gao, their faces filled with fear.

"Hey, don't retreat! I have many treasures here, especially this Wind and Thunder Bead, which is not an ordinary item."

Hu Gao quickly walked towards them, waving the Wind and Thunder Bead in his hand, looking both puzzled and enthusiastic.

"My goodness!"

The many martial artists who had been shouting confidently to challenge him were now panic-stricken, turning and running out of the valley without a moment's hesitation. The scene looked like a marathon, extremely spectacular.

"Hey, don't run! I'm serious. I'm not tricking you. These are genuine treasures."

As Hu Gao pretended to give the Wind and Thunder Bead to the Ninth Rank Condensed Shadow Realm martial artists, everyone fled without hesitation, not wanting to stay a moment longer.

Hu Gao watched the retreating figures, shouting loudly, as if he had been abandoned.

"Is this how it works?"

Yun Feng, Han Chong, and a few martial artists who hadn't run away all gaped in disbelief. This was too speechless.

But seeing the Wind and Thunder Bead in Hu Gao's hand, they finally understood.

Once the Wind and Thunder Bead detonates, even ordinary First Rank Body Integration Realm martial artists would be severely injured or even killed. These ordinary Ninth Rank Condensed Shadow Realm martial artists had no chance of resisting and would be instantly killed. No one dared to stay, fearing that Hu Gao might accidentally detonate it.

These people feared one Wind and Thunder Bead, and they feared even more if Hu Gao had more.

"Hmph... trying to bully me, Hu Gao. I'll bully you to death."

A disdainful smile appeared on Hu Gao's lips. He was unwilling to use this powerful weapon so easily. Taking out the Wind and Thunder Bead was just to scare them, and their reactions were exactly as he had expected.

After laughing coldly twice, he carefully put the Wind and Thunder Bead back into his chest, not into his spatial ring, fearing it might accidentally detonate inside, which would be a minor injury for him but a major loss of treasures.

"Hu Gao, why didn't you take out the Wind and Thunder Bead earlier? That way, the battle would have ended quickly, and you wouldn't have been so badly injured."

Seeing Hu Gao walk over, Han Chong asked with a complex expression.

"We had a fair fight. If I had taken out the Wind and Thunder Bead, would I still be a martial artist?" Hu Gao said irritably.

Han Chong's mouth twitched at Hu Gao's response. Fortunately, he now understood Hu Gao's character and knew he meant no harm, so he let out a sigh and didn't take it to heart. "Your injuries are severe. It will take two to three months to recover. I think you should leave the Flame Valley to avoid any accidents."

Saying this, Han Chong felt very uncomfortable, feeling like he had judged a gentleman by a small man's standards, making him want to slap himself.

"Yes, Brother Hu Gao, now that you have a spatial ring and so many treasures, you are like a person carrying a precious jade, bound to attract many people's covetous eyes. I believe it won't be long before many Body Integration Realm experts come looking for you. Staying in the Flame Valley is too dangerous."

Yun Feng also advised. Although Hu Gao had a Wind and Thunder Bead, the value of the spatial ring would still attract many Body Integration Realm experts.

The Wind and Thunder Bead's explosive power is strong, but Body Integration Realm martial artists have different means from Condensed Shadow Realm martial artists and would have ways to resist.

He and Han Chong could intimidate a group of Condensed Shadow Realm martial artists, but if they encountered a slightly stronger Body Integration Realm martial artist, they would be suppressed.

In short, the Flame Valley was no longer a place for Hu Gao to stay.

"Leave the Flame Valley? Why should I leave? I haven't even entered the Fire Beast Forest to look for treasures. Why should I leave?"

Hu Gao immediately rejected their suggestion. His purpose in coming to the Flame Valley was to help Xiao Wu improve his strength. Now, he had an additional goal of refining Fire Poison Bombs. With neither goal achieved, how could he leave so easily?