Black Shadow

"Hmm hmm~"

Zhu Bao looked at the utterly ordinary grass on the wall and squealed excitedly.

"Spirit Grass?" Wang Yue cried out in surprise the moment he saw it.

Zhou Hao raised an eyebrow slightly and asked, "You recognize it?"

Only then did Wang Yue realize he had lost his composure. He hurriedly explained, "This Spirit Grass looks like the Fire Core Flower in my stronghold. They are both Mysterious Grade High Rank spirit medicines, but their uses are completely different.

The Fire Core Flower contains fierce fire-element power and can help Fire Element Cultivators cultivate to the greatest extent. The Spirit Grass, however, is not for cultivation. It is one of the main ingredients of the Spirit Awakening Pill. In terms of preciousness, it is even more valuable than the Fire Core Flower."

Zhou Hao nodded and asked, "What is the Spirit Awakening Pill used for?"

"Oh, the Spirit Awakening Pill is specifically used to help cultivators resolve their inner demons. That is precisely why it is so precious. Of course, there is another reason—the success rate for refining Spirit Awakening Pills is very low." Wang Yue explained.

After hearing that, Zhou Hao looked at the weed-like Spirit Grass and asked, "Are there any requirements for picking it?"

"No. Its vitality is very strong," Wang Yue answered.

Zhou Hao nodded lightly, then plucked it and handed it to Wang Yue.

"Keep it."

Wang Yue paused. Just as he was about to speak, Zhou Hao said, "I do not need this kind of thing. Take it and use it to develop your forces!"

He already had the Calming Incantation, so naturally, he had no need for Spirit Awakening Pills.

Wang Yue hesitated for a moment, then nodded heavily. "I will not disappoint you, Senior."

He then put away the Spirit Grass.

They had taken this treasure, but Zhu Bao was still eager. It had been excited ever since entering. It could only be said that there were simply too many Mysterious Grade Treasures here.

"Lead the way." Zhou Hao gently patted Zhu Bao's head.

Zhu Bao immediately pointed in a direction. "Hmm hmm~"

Only then did Wang Yue realize that this little piglet was so incredible—it could actually find treasures.

No wonder Senior had gone to his place back then. It had been because of it.

Thinking back on it now, he finally noticed all the strange details from that time.

Zhou Hao paid no attention to what he was thinking and continued searching for treasures according to Zhu Bao's guidance.

By the time Wang Yue came back to his senses, Zhou Hao had already gone far ahead. He hurriedly followed.

There were truly a great many rooms in this palace. They passed through four or five rooms along the way, yet Zhou Hao ignored them all.

There might have been more valuable treasures inside, but Zhou Hao felt it would be faster to harvest all the Mysterious Grade Treasures first, then come back for the rest.

There was actually another reason: until all the Mysterious Grade Treasures were cleared out, this little brat Zhu Bao would not settle down!

As Zhou Hao stepped over a floor tile, a formation suddenly appeared beneath his feet. Immediately afterward, a burst of fire erupted from below him.

Fortunately, he reacted in time and dodged. Otherwise... he still would not have been burned.

Because Mu Jinyin had swallowed the fire the instant it emerged. What should have been a pillar of flame was now only a tiny burst of fire, nothing more than an ornamental firework.

Zhou Hao thought with lingering fear, I still cannot run around recklessly. It is better to be more cautious.

In a place like this, it was better to proceed carefully.

Wang Yue stared at Mu Jinyin in surprise. Back then, this "little chick" had extinguished his fire with a single flap of its wings.

Mu Jinyin sensed his gaze and turned to look at him.

Wang Yue was startled and hurriedly looked away, not daring to meet its eyes.

Mu Jinyin found him utterly baffling and stopped paying attention to him.

"Dad, there is something in here." Zhou Yuanbao pulled out a stone embedded in the wall, about ten centimeters long.

Inside was an exquisite little box. One glance was enough to tell that there was something good within.

Zhou Hao took out the little box and cautiously opened it to have a look.

With a snap, he saw a tiny six-pointed throwing star lying inside the box.

"This thing looks... kind of unimpressive." Zhou Hao took out the throwing star.

The throwing star was not even as large as two of his fingers.

Wang Yue thought for a moment, glanced at Zhou Hao, and hesitantly said, "This seems to be a Yellow Grade Low Rank treasure."

Zhou Hao, Zhou Yuanbao, and the others all looked at him at the same time.

Wang Yue grew uncomfortable under their stares and awkwardly added, "I... I am not completely sure either, hehe~"

Zhou Hao asked, "You know how to appraise treasures?"

Wang Yue nodded and modestly said, "I learned a little. I can roughly tell."

Zhou Hao nodded slightly, put the throwing star back into the box, and complained, "A lousy throwing star was hidden so tightly and packaged so nicely. That is some truly twisted taste."

He seemed to know what kind of person had built this palace. Damn it, they were definitely someone with twisted tastes.

Of course, if Wang Yue had judged it wrong, then he would pretend he had never cursed them.

"Come on, let's continue." Zhou Hao waved his hand and led Wang Yue onward according to Zhu Bao's directions.

They quickly found their target—a sharp broadsword.

Zhou Hao looked at Wang Yue and asked, "Can you tell this thing's grade?"

Wang Yue nodded. "A Mysterious Grade Mid Rank weapon."

Zhou Hao nodded inwardly. It seemed Wang Yue really did have some skill.

What Zhou Hao could be certain of was that this blade was definitely Mysterious Grade. After all, Zhu Bao specialized in finding treasures of that grade.

Just then, a black shadow suddenly flashed past.

"Who is it?" Wang Yue sensed something and immediately shouted.

"Just a petty thief, not worth mentioning," Zhou Yuanbao said disdainfully.

It had noticed someone approaching long ago. However, upon seeing that they had strength in numbers, the person had not even dared to enter and had run off directly.

Zhou Hao waved a hand. "Ignore him. Let's continue."

Fighting others here was definitely not worthwhile. Rather than wasting time on that, they might as well find a few more treasures. Perhaps they would come across some ridiculously awesome treasure.

As they continued searching for treasures according to Zhu Bao's directions, the black shadow from earlier found his companion.

"Big Brother, I saw two people. I could not make out either of their cultivation levels." Song Chen—the black shadow—spoke to a muscular burly man.

The muscular man, Song Yang, glanced up at him and muttered, "Above Spirit Profound?"

He paused, then asked, "Did they notice you?"

Song Chen patted his chest and said with complete confidence, "No. My stealth technique is no empty reputation. Even if they noticed me, I could easily get away with my speed."

In truth, he had deliberately leaked his aura earlier, which was why Wang Yue had noticed him. It was both a provocation and a test, meant to probe Zhou Hao and Wang Yue's true capabilities.

Unfortunately, Zhou Hao simply could not be bothered with him.

Song Yang glared at him and warned, "A cautious sailor sails for ten thousand years. Do not become blindly arrogant."

"Alright, Big Brother. How many times have you said that already? I understand." Song Chen curled his lip and grumbled inwardly, Tch, this is not blind arrogance. This is called confidence.

Naturally, Song Yang did not know what he was thinking. He changed the subject and said, "Ignore them. Finding treasures is more important. This palace is unexpectedly vast."

"Alright, Big Brother." Song Chen smiled.

The two brothers then split up once more to search for treasures.