Chapter Forty: A Rare Gem Indeed

Sensing Lin Hao’s urgency, Master Nine pondered with a solemn expression, while Lin Hao stared at him, eyes full of anticipation.

After a moment, Master Nine spoke: "Are these questions fit for a shrimp in the Qi Sea Realm to be asking?"

Lin Hao’s nose nearly crooked in anger: "Aren't you in the Qi Sea Realm yourself? Don't act all high and mighty."

"I have only just awakened, what would you know?" Master Nine retorted. "In exchange for the energy you provided to wake me, I will grant you a promise: for every major rank you ascend in your cultivation, I will answer one of your questions."

Lin Hao gritted his teeth, but had to admit a hard truth—he was indeed a weakling for now. It seemed impossible to get this old fox to spill all his secrets at once. He would just have to wait until he was stronger to ask, or perhaps, as his strength grew, he would uncover the truth himself.

"Kid, do you have a deep grudge against the Ling Clan? Why are you so murderous whenever you see them? And that guy in the Heaven Origin Realm outside the Lightning Pool—you acted friendly, but you were hiding murderous intent. You’re no saint, are you?" Master Nine remarked. Ever since he had awakened his consciousness using the power of the Lightning Pool, he had been perfectly aware of everything happening outside.

Lin Hao frowned. This dwarf mule was too sharp; it could even sense his hidden intent to kill.

"Don't be afraid, we're in the same boat," Master Nine added.

"Are you enemies with the Ling Clan, too?" Lin Hao asked.

"Enemies?" Master Nine scoffed. "Are they worthy? I’m only interested in their Lightning Pool. It’s a natural Heavenly Lightning Dojo with natural thunder-attracting stones as its foundation. I’d like to uproot the whole thing."

Lin Hao’s eyes lit up instantly: "Master Nine, let’s plan this."

The Lightning Pool was one of the Ling Clan’s most crucial foundations. If they could steal the thunder-attracting stones, it would be a devastating blow to the clan—a truly satisfying prospect. If this dwarf mule had the means to pull it off, they had to go big.

The Ling Clan disciples were scattered throughout the secret realm, and a seven-day training exercise had officially begun. Little did they know that two "old foxes" had infiltrated the realm, and over the next week, a great number of people were doomed to meet a miserable fate.

Lin Hao and Master Nine ventured deep into the mountains. Upon learning the true purpose of Lin Hao’s journey, Master Nine gave him an appreciative look: "An infiltrator, eh? Entering the fray yourself, going deep behind enemy lines—exciting, truly exciting."

Lin Hao was speechless; how was this creature even more excited than him?

Master Nine stretched out his long snout and sniffed hard. "Let’s go. There’s nothing good in these mountains; it’s a waste of time."

*Is he for real? Can this dwarf mule tell if there’s treasure just by sniffing?* Lin Hao was skeptical, but Master Nine had already bolted away. Lin Hao hurriedly chased after him. Though the mule was unreliable, at least it wouldn't harm him.

The secret realm was vast. Lin Hao ran frantically behind Master Nine, who zigzagged along an erratic path for half an hour. Lin Hao realized the mule’s speed was explosive; it was clearly trying to shake him off to go treasure hunting alone.

"This mule is crafty, trying to ditch me. Let's see if you've got the skill." Lin Hao made up his mind to stick to the creature like glue. He had zero experience in treasure hunting, but the mule was clearly an old pro. There was no way he was letting it keep all the loot for itself.

"Damn it, the Divine Movement Art is truly one of the Nine Prohibitions. It's not easy to shake this kid off," Master Nine muttered to himself.

A hundred miles ahead, a golden light suddenly flickered, shimmering like an omen. Both Lin Hao and Master Nine saw it at the same time.

"A treasure has appeared," Lin Hao said.

"Let's go take a look." Master Nine moved like the wind, his speed reaching its limit.

As they followed the direction of the golden light, the glow grew more intense. It was the manifestation of a rare heavenly treasure. They weren't the only ones to notice; a large group of Ling Clan disciples had also seen it and were charging toward the source like madmen.

In the center of several mountain peaks, a stone platform hovered, connected to the surrounding heights. The golden light emanated from it. The platform was vast, nearly the size of a training field. A large group of disciples had already arrived to find a natural herb garden before them.

"My god, it’s a natural herb garden! It's filled with precious rarities!"

"I see Nine-Sun Grass! It’s over a human’s height—do you know how much that’s worth?"

"And those golden trees with the bizarre fruit! This garden is worth a fortune!"

"We’re rich! Grab it!"

Everyone rushed toward the garden like wild animals, only to be repelled by an invisible force, tumbling backward in heaps.

"There’s a natural barrier protecting it. We can’t get in!"

"Quick, call the senior brothers who understand formation arrays!"

The garden was right there, filled with treasures, but a barrier stood in their way. Seeing the treasures but being unable to touch them was more agonizing than death. More and more experts arrived, including those at the ninth level of the Qi Sea Realm, and even some with one foot into the Transformation Realm.

The Ling Clan’s training was divided into two regions—one for the Transformation Realm and one for the Qi Sea Realm. For such a garden to appear in the Qi Sea zone was a godsend.

"Move aside, let me handle this!" A young man stepped forward, his hands weaving strange seals as the power of a formation began to emerge. Other experts in formations joined in, intending to break the barrier together.

But while everyone’s attention was focused on the seniors breaking the formation, two figures silently slipped through the barrier and entered the garden.

"Damn, Master Nine, nice trick! This natural barrier is completely useless against you." Lin Hao gave a thumbs up.

"This pathetic barrier? I could break it with a puff of air. But I won't. Let them do the work; by the time they break it, we’ll already be stuffed." Master Nine chuckled, opening his maw wide and biting into a vibrant red lotus.

"Damn, you’re just going to eat it raw?" Lin Hao’s eyes nearly popped out. In the blink of an eye, Master Nine had swept through a large patch of spirit herbs like an autumn wind. His appetite was incredible; every one of these herbs contained vast amounts of energy. He wasn't afraid of his body exploding?

Master Nine ignored him, burying his head in the plants, biting into whatever he saw.

"You idiot, your Supreme Body can digest any energy. What are you waiting for?" Master Nine sneered.

"Fine, I'll eat." Lin Hao grabbed a handful of herbs and, mimicking the mule, stuffed them into his mouth. "Wouldn't these be more effective if refined into pills?" he wondered, feeling like it was a waste.

"Heavenly treasures are meant to be eaten directly. As long as it strengthens you, why does it matter how you consume it?" Master Nine gave him a look of pure disdain.

Outside, the disciples were still struggling with the formation, while the crowd cheered them on. Inside, the dwarf mule was gorging itself, its mouth covered in herbal juices. Lin Hao followed suit, but soon felt a scorching heat throughout his body; the energy was rampaging inside him, threatening to burst him apart.

"This mule is a freak of nature," Lin Hao conceded. Unable to eat more, he began stuffing the rest into his spatial ring.

*Pfft!*

Master Nine, walking ahead of Lin Hao, suddenly let out a fart.