"If you are not here for the materials, then what were you doing by killing those monster beasts?"
The tall young man stepped forward, clearly upset with Zhao Hao. He his expression conveyed a mix of disdain and authority, as if silently asserting, "Don't mess with my people."
He stood protectively next to Mu Jianping, exuding the aura of a domineering leader. Despite the imposing presence of the two before him, he who had always admired his superiors, couldn't ignore his distressed younger sister. Summoning his courage, he stepped forward to defend her.
"I heard someone calling for help. It's only natural to aid those in need," Zhao Hao shrugged. He couldn't very well explain that he was there to gain experience points and combat experience. Who would understand that?
The tall young man was momentarily speechless, his face flushing with embarrassment. Had he just asked a stupid question? They had indeed been chased and shouted for help.
"This is my elder brother, Wang Hao. Thank you for your assistance," Mu Jianping said warmly, clearly eager to befriend Zhao Hao and Huang Diewu.
"Little Junior Sister, let's go," Wang Hao, feeling embarrassed, tugged at Mu Jianping's sleeve.
"Brother, let me go," Mu Jianping shook off his hand and turned to Zhao Hao, "My lord, we are disciples of the Heavenly Dragon Gate. We're here to gather training materials from the Dragon vein." Her interest in Zhao Hao was evident.
She waved her hand dismissively without looking back, leaving Wang Hao stunned for several seconds. When he recovered, his gaze at Zhao Hao was filled with a mix of envy and bitterness.
Wang Hao, a prominent disciple of the Heavenly Dragon Gate, had always believed himself to be Mu Jianping's dream lover. Her actions had shattered that illusion. Every disciple from their sect fancied himself as the object of her affection, but today, Wang Hao's hopes were particularly crushed.
"My lord, you are strong and capable. Could we accompany you? We are willing to pay you for your assistance," Mu Jianping asked with a bright expression.
"Pay me?" Zhao Hao's eyes narrowed. Was he supposed to be hunting for rewards? What a joke! He sneered, "Do you think you can afford my services? I told you, I'm not here for the materials." Too lazy to argue further, he turned to leave.
"Don't you want these monsters' remains?" Mu Jianping called after him.
"They're all yours," Zhao Hao replied, quickening his pace.
"He's so cold," Mu Jianping pouted, then her eyes lit up. She turned to the other Heavenly Dragon Gate disciples and exclaimed, "He said we can have the monsters!"
A cheer erupted from the disciples, who quickly descended upon the beasts. They drew their swords and began to skin the beasts so as to extract the cores from the creatures.
Wang Hao watched in disbelief. Was Zhao Hao really not interested in the materials? No, it couldn't be. With their strength, he must be seeking higher-level materials deeper within the dragon vein.
"Stop, everyone!" Wang Hao shouted, trying to regain some dignity, "We should aim higher than scavenging for scraps!"
His juniors ignored him, and he stomped his feet in frustration. Finally, with a resigned sigh, he joined them, "Leave the biggest one for me to dissect."
Zhao Hao glanced back, seeing the frenzy, and hurried away, muttering to himself about scavengers.
...
Soon after, Zhao Hao's voice echoed through the hazy spiritual fog of the dragon veins.
"Whoa! What a huge snake!"
"It's the size of a barrel! And there are so many of them!"
"Haha, I'm going to hit the jackpot..."
Zhao Hao pointed forward, commanding, "Die Wu, pin those monster snakes to the ground. Don't let them escape."
"Yes, my lord," Huang Diewu responded.
"Swish, swish, swish..." A volley of colorful arrows flew from the fog, piercing the flames and nailing the giant red snakes to the ground. The snakes writhed, their heads swaying, mouths open in eerie baby-like cries.
"Experience points, here I come," Zhao Hao grinned, drawing his sword and charging.
"Slash!" With one swing, he decapitated a snake.
[Hint: You have gained 900 experience points.]
"Slash!" Another head flew.
[Hint: You have gained 900 experience points.]
Zhao Hao tore through the snake horde, his sword a blur. Heads rolled and screams filled the air.
[Hint: You have gained 900 experience points.]
[Hint: You have gained 900 experience points.]
[Hint: You have gained 900 experience points.]
A snake lunged, its mouth gaping wide, but Zhao Hao was faster. With a precise thrust, he drove his sword into its open maw.
"Give me an upgrade!" Zhao Hao yelled, twisting the hilt until the snake's head was a mess.
[Hint: You have gained 900 experience points.]
[Ding! Congratulations, you have reached Level 3 of soul-quenching.]
Zhao Hao laughed maniacally, plunging into another group of snakes.
"Run, there's a maniac!"
"No, it's a snake-killing demon!"
"I'm pinned! I can't move!"
"Bite him! Kill him!"
"I can't! I'm nailed down!"
The red snakes, heads writhing and mouths gaping, cried out like ghostly children.
[Hint: You have gained 900 experience points.]
[Hint: You have gained 900 experience points.]
[Hint: You have gained 900 experience points.]
Zhao Hao's sword flashed, blood sprayed, and snake heads flew. He was unstoppable.
[Ding! Congratulations, you have reached Level 4 of Soul-quenching.]
After slaying hundreds of snakes, Zhao Hao's power had soared. He could now lift a truck with one arm. The rush of power was intoxicating.
But Zhao Hao was far from satisfied. He needed more power, he needed to break through the three foundational realms and become a true warrior, entering the Warrior realm. The levels of bone forging, marrow refining, and soul-quenching counted as novice realms. He needed to ascend.