Chapter Ninety-Three: The Deal

"Brother, it's been so long!"
The brief words came from the white-clad figure who had turned slightly, and in that instant, Luo Hao's throat convulsed, his heart struck as if by a hammer.
He truly wanted to reply, yes, it has been a long time. Yet as he remembered his current predicament, that thought was instantly suppressed—he could not drag his brother into his troubles.
Seeing Luo Hao remain silent behind him, Yan Longyuan paid it no mind. Instead, he suddenly tossed a porcelain bottle toward the masked Luo Hao, his voice full of concern: "This is a healing elixir from the Skysea Sect. Take it quickly to stabilize your wounds."
At that moment, the porcelain bottle in Luo Hao's hand felt as heavy as a thousand pounds. He hesitated—not because he doubted Yan Longyuan, but because taking the medicine would openly acknowledge their connection.
Yet thinking of the critically injured Little Black, whose life hung by a thread, resolve flashed in Luo Hao's eyes.
"Thank you."
The same short, hoarse reply issued from beneath the black cloth covering his face. Now determined, Luo Hao swallowed the pill without hesitation. As expected, a surge of vitality spread rapidly within him, and his wounds began to heal at a miraculous pace.
"Yan Longyuan, Sikong Xuan, as disciples of Skysea Sect, what are you trying to do? Are you planning to save this traitor?" Zuo Qingfeng barked harshly.
His lethal attack had just been neutralized by Yan Longyuan and Sikong Xuan working together, leaving him furious. But realizing his own strength was now much diminished—and knowing these two were prodigies from the Thunder Palace and Wu Wei Palace of Skysea Sect—he feared any rash action would bring the wrath of the sect upon him.
"This man is under our protection! If you value your life, leave now!"
Thunder crackled faintly across Sikong Xuan's broad frame, making the air sizzle as he stared coldly at Zuo Qingfeng. His words showed no trace of fear, despite the other’s martial prowess.
"Such arrogance—does Skysea Sect care so much for this boy’s life, or are you both planning to betray your clan?" Zuo Qingfeng sneered, glancing at Luo Hao with malicious amusement.
"Hahaha!"
Yan Longyuan, clad in white, suddenly burst out laughing. His handsome face showed nothing but disdain. "A ‘traitor’? What a grand accusation! The will of humanity watches over the land, and petty tricksters deserve death!"
"Old fool, you call yourself a martial master, yet all those years have gone to waste. Don’t try your sinister tricks before us—they only make us despise you all the more."
Sikong Xuan’s words struck deep, his strong face marked with open contempt. Zuo Qingfeng, an elder of the Wildfire Sect, was narrow-minded—not only lacking the dignity of a senior, but also trying to oppress others by force.
"You..."
Zuo Qingfeng’s face flushed red, his hair trembling wildly. ‘Petty trickster, old fool’—Yan Longyuan and Sikong Xuan’s words pierced his heart like daggers.
He, Zuo Qingfeng, esteemed elder of the Wildfire Sect, revered by countless disciples, had never been so belittled and insulted by two juniors.

Thick with indignation, chest heaving, Zuo Qingfeng forced a cold laugh through clenched teeth: "Fine, fine, so these are the so-called prodigies of Skysea Sect—sharp-tongued and quick-witted. It’s said you two together can slay a third-tier beast; I say your reputation is nothing but hype, manufactured by your sect."
"You’ll know if it’s mere hype once you try!" Yan Longyuan retorted with another cold laugh, his gaze indifferent. Sikong Xuan added bluntly, "Old thief, come fight!"
Just as the two prepared to act, Luo Hao rose behind them. The power of Yan Longyuan’s elixir was extraordinary; in mere moments, Luo Hao’s strength was restored to its peak.
Noticing Luo Hao’s recovered spirit, Sikong Xuan exclaimed, "Brother, you’re alright!" Luo Hao remained silent, nodding faintly. Seeing this, Sikong Xuan’s spirit soared: "Good, let the three of us join forces and cut down this old wretch."
Faced with Sikong Xuan's enthusiasm, Luo Hao, who once would have responded in kind, now stayed silent. His voice rasped out: "Forgive me, but I must obtain the Azure Crystal Lotus. I cannot waste time."
"So be it. Brother Luo, go ahead—we’ll hold back this old wretch and follow after." Sikong Xuan answered without hesitation, and Yan Longyuan nodded toward Luo Hao as well.
"You..."
At that moment, Luo Hao felt something clog his chest—the two before him asked no questions, did not care why he pretended not to know them, and instead trusted him unreservedly.
"Thank you."
A thousand words condensed into a single expression of gratitude. Luo Hao swept past the two and charged forward. Just as he moved, Zuo Qingfeng let out a furious roar and attacked viciously: "Where do you think you’re going, boy? Give me your life!"
Violent spiritual power stirred the winds, and over Lake Tianxing, a jet-black earthfire surged like a serpent, a bolt of spiritual lightning aiming for Luo Hao’s back.
"Old fool, your opponents are right here. Today, we’ll show you if our reputation is empty." Wasting no words, Sikong Xuan’s body lit up with thunder patterns. A mighty flash of lightning blocked the incoming attack and then surged toward Zuo Qingfeng in a flood.
Crack!
A look of shock flashed in Zuo Qingfeng’s eyes as thunder raged before him like a sea descending from the heavens. It was hard to imagine a martial artist at the early Blood Gathering stage could wield such power—facing this terrifying storm, even those stronger would think twice.
"Kill!"
With a cry of battle, lightning exploded. Amid the arcs of thunder, three figures clashed furiously, tangled in combat. With Yan Longyuan and Sikong Xuan holding off Zuo Qingfeng, Luo Hao was able to press forward unhindered.
But when Luo Hao saw the silver-haired elder, Elder Qingyang, the Black Flood Dragon King, and Duan Yixiao of the Five Peaks Spiritual Academy, his heart jolted.
Three men and one beast were struggling against a colossal giant formed of earthfire and weak water. Towering dozens of yards tall, the giant stood like an impenetrable wall, separating the Azure Crystal Lotus and the others from their goal.
Boom!
Suddenly, a blazing pillar of water shot forth. Luo Hao’s pupils contracted—the speed was terrifying, impossible to evade even if he tried.

With a low growl in his heart, Luo Hao met the incoming water column with a punch.
Roar!
A surge of pure golden dragonfire howled forth, vaporizing water and distorting the air. The dragon’s roar echoed as it clashed fiercely with the water column.
Bang bang bang bang!
The dragonfire, imbued with the power of pure Yang, collided with the weak water infused with Nine Yin energy—a battle of extremes, worlds in opposition.
The dragonfire burned, the void froze, but in the struggle, it was clear the dragonfire was steadily weakening—not because its Yang energy was inferior, but because Luo Hao’s cultivation was too low to unleash its full might.
"Scale, go!"
At the crucial moment, Luo Hao channeled power into a serpent-dragon scale at his chest and hurled it at the oncoming water column. Instantly, the scale expanded.
Boom!
With the scale, Luo Hao heard a terrifying crash, saw black cracks spread across the serpent-dragon scale, and finally watched it shatter beneath the burning water column, which then dispersed at last.
"Senior, could you lend me a hand?" As the burning water column fell apart, Luo Hao immediately spotted the silver-haired elder closest to him.
"Hmm? Boy, you again? How are you faster than a martial master?" The elder’s face showed surprise at seeing Luo Hao once more.
"Are you really just at the Spiritual Qi stage?"
Faced with the elder’s question, Luo Hao nodded slightly. The elder said, "Let’s make a deal. I’ll protect you, but afterward you must promise me one thing. How about it?"
"Agreed! As long as it’s within my power." For the sake of the Azure Crystal Lotus, Luo Hao could not refuse. Without the protection of a strong ally, he could neither claim nor even approach the fiery giant.
Seeing Luo Hao nod, the silver-haired elder swept his hand and drew Luo Hao toward himself. Luo Hao did not resist, letting the power guide him closer.