Dharma Treasure 'Zhuan Mountain Seal'!

In the frigid seawater, Xia Jie supported the middle-aged man as they stood upon the back of a white whale.

"Young Master, we are saved." The middle-aged man's face was deathly pale, yet his eyes were filled with the joy of surviving a catastrophe.

"Is that the Xiantian Battalion of the Jade Dragon City's Green Flood Dragon Army?" Xia Jie watched as two flood dragons danced in the sky.

In particular, the largest flood dragon had used a single claw to crush 'Shang Li', the murderer who had killed his mother, younger brother, and younger sister.

Had it not been for the Shang Clan's eldest, 'Shang Ren', releasing an earth-yellow, seal-shaped magical treasure to defend himself, he likely would have perished under the flood dragon's claws as well.

"That seal..." A pang of pain struck Xia Jie's heart.

That was clearly his father's magical treasure, the 'Zhuan Mountain Seal'!

High in the air, Zhou Hao and nearly a hundred other soldiers formed a Dao Soldier formation, manifesting as a flood dragon.

As the core of the formation, the True Essence of every Xiantian Lifeform was funneled into Zhou Hao, allowing him to control the flood dragon with such ease that every swipe of its claws or flick of its tail possessed power no less than the peak of the early Purple Mansion stage.

Shang Ren manipulated the earth-yellow seal, which had grown to the size of a small hill, struggling desperately to fend off the massive flood dragon phantom condensed from countless Dao patterns, while shouting hoarsely:

"Brothers of the Xiantian Battalion, I am not a pirate! It's a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding!"

"I am from the Shang Clan of Shangma Island. I came here only for a private vendetta; I have not slaughtered any innocents!"

"Do not wrong a good man!"

"A good man?" The flood dragon phantom's maw opened and closed, and Zhou Hao's cold laughter echoed across the heavens. "If you are a good man, then those pirates are all saints! I don't know if you're a good man or not, but you can go argue your case with the Judge in the underworld!"

BOOM!

The flood dragon collided head-on with the hill-like earth-yellow seal. The two dragon fangs protruding from the flood dragon's maw were, in fact, the Red Gold Copper Rods in Zhou Hao's hands.

The immense power of the peak early Purple Mansion stage, channeled through these twenty-seven-thousand-jin copper rods, instantly sent the earth-yellow seal flying, revealing a terrified and desperate Shang Ren.

"I... my Shang Clan will not let you off!"

"You won't let me off?" Zhou Hao laughed heartily. "Then send a dream to your father and tell him that the one who killed you was Zhou Hao, Commander of the Fifth Squad of the Jade Dragon Army. If he has the guts, tell him to come to Jade Dragon City to find me!"

He wasn't without backing now; even a Myriad Phenomena True Person wouldn't dare run wild in Jade Dragon City, so why would he fear Shang Youde, a peak Purple Mansion cultivator?

SPLAT!

The flood dragon flashed past.

Shang Ren's body exploded in mid-air, his mangled remains raining down as a shower of blood.

This gratifying scene made Xia Jie's eyes turn red with agitation, and tears fell before he even realized it.

"Father, Mother! Shang Ren and Shang Li are dead. Just wait, I will make every member of the Shang Clan pay their blood debt!"

WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

The two flood dragons formed by the Jade Dragon Army soldiers circled the merchant ship, snatching up the surviving pirates with their claws and flying toward the warship in the sky.

"The pirates have been cleared. You should be on your way; we have military duties and cannot linger. If more pirates pursue you, you might not be so lucky next time." A clear, resonant voice drifted down from the sky.

With that voice, the massive warship soared away in a grand, sweeping motion, not pausing for even a moment.

The middle-aged man watched the Green Flood Dragon Army warship depart and sighed, "Young Master, we are truly fortunate. If we hadn't run into the Green Flood Dragon Army, Shang Ren, with his Purple Mansion cultivation, could have slaughtered us all!"

"Now that our tracks are exposed, staying on Boss Hai's ship is too conspicuous and dangerous. Since we aren't far from Jade Dragon City, we will travel underwater riding Little White."

"It's a pity Da Bai died in that night's slaughter. Little White isn't a Xiantian Great Demon yet, or we would have reached Jade Dragon City long ago."

"Understood, I will listen to Uncle Mo Er." Xia Jie nodded, his gaze fixed on the direction the warship had vanished, whispering to himself, "Zhou Hao, Commander of the Fifth Squad of the Jade Dragon Army."

On the warship.

"Haha, satisfying! Truly satisfying!" Shangguan Yun roared with laughter, his mouth wide open.

Human Xiantian Lifeforms, unless they practiced special movement techniques or manifested wings with True Essence to glide briefly, were generally limited to running and jumping on the ground.

But by using the Dao Soldier Armor to form a formation and manifest as a flood dragon, they could not only contend with Purple Mansion cultivators but also fly freely—a fact that left all the Xiantian Lifeforms of the Fifth Squad brimming with excitement.

"Commander, if we run into pirates on the road again, you must let our Second Row go first this time." Nan Ming looked at Shangguan Yun's smug, punchable face, his teeth itching with annoyance.

"Fine." Zhou Hao nodded with a smile; his men were in high spirits, and he certainly wouldn't dampen that. "If we encounter Xiantian pirate lifeforms again, each row will take turns training in battle. If we encounter pirates with Purple Mansion cultivators, the whole squad will engage!"

"Right! Pirates rob sea merchants, so we'll specialize in robbing pirates!" Shangguan Yun grinned in agreement.

"Hu Yong, record the spoils of this battle. Once we return to Jade Dragon City, exchange them for high-grade jade stones and distribute them among the brothers." Zhou Hao ordered.

"Yes, Commander." Hu Yong replied excitedly.

"I'll keep this one for now. Once the value in Origin Stones is calculated, if my share isn't enough, just ask me for the rest." Zhou Hao held up the earth-yellow seal.

Without the injection of Origin Power, the seal was only the size of an adult's fist, with two characters carved on the bottom—'Zhuan Mountain'.

Zhou Hao had seen the Shang Clan leader use this seal to smash and block their flood dragon formation; its power was decent, and the ability to manipulate it to crush enemies suited his tastes perfectly.

The first fist technique he had created was named after the 'Fantian Seal', so how could he not possess a seal-shaped magical treasure?

Although it was a Human-Rank magical treasure that required opening the Purple Mansion Origin Sea and converting one's internal True Essence into Origin Power before it could be refined, Zhou Hao figured that at his current rate of cultivation, it wouldn't be long before he reached the Purple Mansion stage, so he kept it for his own use.

After all, being able to obtain a magical treasure that caught one's eye was sometimes a matter of luck.

"Commander Zhou, you've certainly reaped a fine harvest."

At this moment, a somewhat shrill voice rang out across the deck.

An elderly man in a Daoist robe emerged from the cabin, a figure who perfectly embodied the idioms "sharp-mouthed and monkey-cheeked" and "a monkey dressed in a hat."

"So it is Elder Zhu." The smile on Zhou Hao's face vanished, and he said indifferently, "If Elder Zhu is not inside the cabin steering the warship, is there some business that brings you to the deck?"

The elderly man addressed as Elder Zhu stroked the long beard on his chest, seemingly trying his best to project the image of a transcendent immortal. However, his sharp-featured, monkey-like face, his eyes that darted around incessantly, and the undisguised greed with which he stared at the seal-shaped magical treasure in Zhou Hao's hand completely ruined any such aura.

"I have been looking for a few suitable magical treasures lately, and seeing that Commander Zhou has slain that Purple Mansion Cultivator and obtained several Human-Rank Magical Treasures, I thought to ask. Since you and your soldiers cannot refine these Human-Rank Magical Treasures anyway, why not sell them to me? It would save you and your men the trouble of returning to Jade Dragon City to sell them for Origin Stones before splitting the proceeds."

Elder Zhu spoke with a pretentious tone, putting on a show of being considerate for everyone's sake.

"That is not entirely out of the question." Zhou Hao smiled slightly.

Although he wanted to keep it for himself, it was only one Human-Rank Magical Treasure, so there was no need to make an enemy of the man.

Furthermore, if they converted it into Origin Stones now and split them among the men, they could immediately translate that into strength through cultivation on the island, so it wouldn't be a loss.

"How many High-Grade Origin Stones is Elder Zhu willing to offer?" Zhou Hao asked. "Let us speak plainly first: if the price is too low, do not blame me for refusing. After all, I cannot let my soldiers suffer a loss."

"How about ten High-Grade Origin Stones?" Elder Zhu looked as if he were in physical pain. "Since that Purple Mansion Cultivator was killed by a group of Xiantian Lifeforms like you, his strength and treasures must have been bottom-tier. If it were not for wanting the soldiers to receive their rewards sooner, I would not even consider buying them."

Having said this, he stole a glance to gauge Zhou Hao's reaction.

Hmph! A mere group of Xiantian Lifeforms. I am a dignified Purple Mansion realm cultivator; now that I have personally spoken, shouldn't you be rushing to hand over the treasure with both hands instead of daring to ask me for Origin Stones?

Normally, as Purple Mansion realm attendants of the City Lord's Mansion, they occasionally accompanied military missions. Even if they only steered the warships, they would receive a share of any spoils the army seized.

However, he had seen that seal clearly from inside the cabin; it was definitely a mid-to-high-grade Human-Rank Magical Treasure. That Shang Ren had only just entered the Purple Mansion realm and his internal Origin Sea had likely just been opened, which was why he failed to unleash the treasure's full power.

If that seal were in his own hands, he would have the confidence to contend with two deputy generals of the Green Flood Dragon Army using the treasure alone.

Compared to a high-grade Human-Rank Magical Treasure, he looked down on the meager share he would otherwise receive. Offering ten High-Grade Origin Stones was already a gesture of respect for Zhou Hao's extraordinary potential, giving him a way to save face.

Anyone with a modicum of social grace would have accepted the offer immediately.

After all, at least they would still walk away with ten High-Grade Origin Stones, which was far better than getting nothing at all.

Unfortunately, he had run into Zhou Hao.

"Hahaha..." Zhou Hao laughed heartily. "Elder Zhu is truly generous, offering the 'sky-high price' of ten High-Grade Origin Stones for a Human-Rank Magical Treasure."

"It is truly hard on Elder Zhu to be so considerate of our Fifth Squad's soldiers; how could I let Elder Zhu suffer a loss?"

Yes, yes, yes! That's it. Hurry up and give it to me! Hurry up and give it to me! I promise I won't be polite!

Elder Zhu's eyes crinkled with joy as he looked at Zhou Hao expectantly.

"Such trashy treasure, I think I will keep it for myself." Zhou Hao flipped his hand and stored the Zhuan Mountain Seal into his storage treasure. "When I find a truly excellent treasure next time, I will certainly sell it to Elder Zhu at the 'sky-high price' of ten High-Grade Origin Stones!"

"You—"

The smile on Elder Zhu's face stiffened, and his eyes glared fixedly at Zhou Hao.

But he only saw Zhou Hao turn to look out at the warship, leaving him with nothing but a tall, straight back.

"Elder Zhu, Attendant Qiu is steering the warship alone, and the speed is too slow." Zhou Hao gazed at the distant sky, the corners of his mouth curling up as he said leisurely, "If this delays military business, do not blame Zhou Hao for reporting it to the City Lord upon our return to Jade Dragon City."

"Hmph! We shall see!" Elder Zhu flicked his sleeves and returned to the cabin in a huff.

Although he was a Purple Mansion realm attendant, he was an outsider compared to Zhou Hao, a commander of the Jade Dragon Army.

If a real conflict broke out, who would the City Lord, True Person Muxuan, favor? That hardly needed asking.

He had become an attendant to reap benefits; he understood at least that much.

"Commander, this man is the most insatiable among the City Lord's Mansion attendants." Hu Yong, standing to the side, transmitted his voice secretly. "It was satisfying to see that today, but we must still be wary of him playing dirty."

"Mm, keep a closer eye on him from now on." Zhou Hao nodded slightly.

If someone treats me with respect, I will return it tenfold, but if you take me for a fool, do not blame me for not giving you any face.

Although he could not refine the seal, he could roughly tell that it was at least mid-tier among Human-Rank Magical Treasures, far from being ordinary.

Ten High-Grade Origin Stones?

Even the most basic Human-Rank Magical Treasure started at ten High-Grade Origin Stones, and a mid-tier one would cost at least thirty.

A Qi-refining cultivator who had only reached the mid-Purple Mansion stage through the accumulation of years had the audacity to put on a face and claim he was being considerate of him and his soldiers.

You are not worthy!