Chapter 84

Chapter 84 - Xiao Ming's Invitation

“Do you really think it's necessary to waste this century-old ginseng?”

As the words were spoken, the tightly secured door burst open with a loud crash. Ye Hao materialized before the two men.

Bai Ruo immediately rose to his feet.

“You're alive?” Bai Ruo exclaimed, staring at Ye Hao in astonishment.

Even at his peak, Bai Ruo was no match for Ye Hao, and now, gravely wounded, he stood even less of a chance.

“Cut the chatter,” Ye Hao said, advancing toward Bai Ruo.

Lan Zhongtian's face turned pale, and he edged away to the side.

“Where do you think you're going?” Bai Ruo, noticing Lan Zhongtian's movement, demanded.

Without any hesitation, Lan Zhongtian darted behind Ye Hao.

“Ye Hao, Bai Ruo coerced me into confronting you.”

A glint of murderous intent flashed in Bai Ruo's eyes as he said, “Ye Hao, once I've dealt with Lan Zhongtian, you and I will settle our accounts.”

Ye Hao considered for a moment before stepping aside.

Lan Zhongtian's expression twisted in terror.

He hadn't anticipated the situation escalating to this point.

But he quickly cried out to Ye Hao, “You're Qingqing's friend, you can't just stand by and let me die!”

“If you're aware that I'm Qingqing's friend, why would you send someone to kill me?” Ye Hao fixed his gaze on Lan Zhongtian.

“I didn't.” Lan Zhongtian would never confess to such a thing.

“You're well aware of the truth of my words,” Ye Hao said, shaking his head slowly. “In any case, your affairs are none of my concern.”

Before Lan Zhongtian could respond, Bai Ruo lunged at him, striking him on the head so hard that his skull was driven into his torso.

Blood drenched the floor.

Ye Hao glanced impassively at the lifeless Lan Zhongtian, then turned his attention to Bai Ruo.

“Did you forcibly suppress your injuries?”

“I have to give it my all to face you,” Bai Ruo replied.

“Pity that even at your peak, you're no match for me now,” Ye Hao remarked. His cultivation had greatly advanced.

Activating his ability to decelerate, Ye Hao struck Bai Ruo's chest. As Bai Ruo staggered back, Ye Hao seized his arm and delivered another blow to his chest.

Without further hesitation, Ping Mei relayed the entire story to Lan Qingqing.

“Ye Hao is an Innate Master?” Lan Qingqing could hardly believe it.

“If Ye Hao isn't an Innate Master, how on earth could he have inflicted such damage on Grandmaster Bai Ruo? Could he actually be responsible for my father's death?” Lan Qingqing stared vacantly ahead.

Upon returning home, Ye Hao resumed his cultivation practice. The Body Refining Realm was divided into three stages: the Innate early, middle, and late periods. Ye Hao, now indifferent to the depletion of spirit stones, realized that his current stone would soon be exhausted. He mused to himself, “Had I known this would happen, I would've checked with Xiao Ming for extra spirit stones.” Suddenly, a rustling noise at the window caught his attention. To his astonishment, he saw a paper crane tapping at the glass with its wings.

Rising to his feet, Ye Hao opened the window and the paper crane fluttered into his hand. Unfolding it, he read the message: “Meet at the east entrance of Emerald Garden at ten tonight.” Xiao Ming's name was signed at the bottom. Despite Xiao Ming not specifying the reason, Ye Hao decided to go, trusting in Xiao Ming's unwavering loyalty.

With that thought, Ye Hao continued his cultivation until about eight in the evening when Tang Pianpian returned home, looking weary. “Are you tired?” Ye Hao inquired as he helped her with her coat.

”A little,” she replied.

“You shouldn't push yourself so hard,” he advised, hanging her coat on the rack.

“It's just how it is at the start of building a business,” Tang Pianpian murmured softly.

“Busy or not, you must look after your health,” Ye Hao insisted firmly.

“I'll be more careful next time,” Tang Pianpian responded, her voice warm with the knowledge of his concern.

“You've never been careful before,” Ye Hao gently chided, guiding her to sit on the bed before placing two fingers on her arm. As Holy Power flowed from his fingertips into her body, her fatigue vanished, replaced by a surge of vitality.

”Is this vital spirit?” Tang Pianpian asked, her eyes wide with amazement.

“It's an energy even more refined than vital spirit,” Ye Hao explained quietly. “With prolonged exposure, it could significantly enhance your constitution.”

“Will it have any effect on you?” Tang Pianpian asked with concern.

If it would negatively impact Ye Hao, she wouldn't allow him to continue doing it in the future.

“No.”

“Really?”

“I wouldn't lie to you.”

“Okay.”

“Tonight, let's go out to dinner. Afterward, you can drop me off at the eastern entrance of Emerald Garden.” They still had two hours until ten o'clock. They would have enough time to make it after their meal.

“What do you need to do at Emerald Garden?”

The place was nothing but a desolate wilderness.

“Xiao Ming has invited me to Emerald Garden. I'm not sure what he has in mind, but I suspect it has something to do with the paranormal.”

“Isn't that dangerous?”

Ye Hao observed Tang Pianpian's concerned look, took a moment to reflect, and then said, “I once received an incredible fortune. Even if I were to die, I could be brought back to life.”