The two thought their plan was flawless, but they didn't realize that everything they plotted was overheard by Lin Xiao Tian.
"So it was you causing trouble," Lin Xiao Tian narrowed his eyes.
This made him even more certain that Liu Yue was targeting him.
If it were in the past, Lin Xiao Tian would have struck first. But now, to maintain secrecy, he could only think of other methods.
A direct attack was disadvantageous.
Attacking secretly would easily expose him.
So, he could only guard himself.
Years of combat experience had long given Lin Xiao Tian an idea.
A week later, everyone entered the forest again.
Liu Yue had found helpers, so she didn't tamper with the medicinal powder. Wan Hao was even chatting and laughing with Liu Yue, unaware that she was plotting to harm him.
As soon as Lin Xiao Tian's team emerged from the medical hall, they encountered Luo Hou's team.
"Haha, Brother Wan, your team has had good gains recently! If this continues, you might even break into the top five teams," Luo Hou said with a smile.
"Brother Luo overpraises me. It's just good luck. How can we compare to you top three teams?"
This was not Wan Hao being humble.
If others had said what Luo Hou said, Wan Hao would have boasted extensively. Their profession didn't shy away from such things, as their gains were always registered with the medical hall upon exiting the forest, making them easy to verify.
But this person was Luo Hou, and the situation was entirely different.
Luo Hou was known to be petty. Being too ostentatious in front of him would only invite his targeting.
Moreover, this fellow came from a prominent family. Although his status within the family was low, he was still a member of it. Wan Hao always acted with restraint when facing him.
"Brother Wan is truly humble."
"Not at all... We know our own worth, don't we?"
Seeing Wan Hao's humility, Luo Hou didn't say much more. After a brief chat, Luo Hou entered the medical hall.
Wan Hao, as usual, ushered everyone into the forest, unaware that his humility had just saved his life.
Originally, Luo Hou intended to find an excuse to antagonize Wan Hao. This way, if they clashed in the forest, it would be justifiable, and no one in his team would gossip. Afterward, they would feign an accidental injury to Lin Xiao Tian, letting things unfold naturally. But now, the excuse was gone.
Of course, he wouldn't give up just like that!
As they parted ways, Luo Hou cast a deep glance at Lin Xiao Tian's retreating back.
...
In the forest, Wan Hao was organizing his team to ambush a pack of Earth-Splitting Rats.
Earth-Splitting Rats, as low-level demonic beasts, had very low growth attributes. Normally, reaching the Foundation Establishment stage was their limit. However, these beasts had a very high bloodline purity, making them particularly suitable for refining pills like Qi Gathering ones, hence they were favored by alchemists.
Earth-Splitting Rats were timid by nature and were pack animals. Hunting them was difficult, making ambushes the best method.
This time, Lin Xiao Tian and his team were lucky. This was a vanguard of an Earth-Splitting Rat pack, likely out searching for food. Wan Hao, using his experience, found their likely direction and set up an ambush here in advance.
Seeing the rat pack entering the encirclement, Wan Hao roared.
"Charge!"
As the words fell, everyone rushed out.
Three ranged teammates used bows and arrows to cover all angles. Wan Hao charged at the forefront, responsible for breaking up the rat pack. Lin Xiao Tian was responsible for driving away any rats trying to escape from the periphery, while others engaged the pack in combat.
Without any surprise, with the highest combat power of the Earth-Splitting Rat pack being at the third level of Qi Condensation, they were defeated in moments by Lin Xiao Tian's team.
"Haha, there are actually seven of them. We've hit the jackpot this time," Wan Hao said, looking at the prey on the ground, his brows lifting.
"Earth-Splitting Rats are not easy to catch. This is indeed a great gain," Zhu Kai also said excitedly.
The market price for Earth-Splitting Rats was not low. After deducting the portion for the medical hall, the rest could be exchanged for a considerable amount of cultivation resources.
Everyone, like Zhu Kai, appeared very happy.
Just as everyone was still immersed in joy, Lin Xiao Tian frowned.
"What's wrong?" Wan Hao, standing beside him, was perceptive and immediately noticed Lin Xiao Tian's unusual expression.
Lin Xiao Tian shook his head and wiped a bead of sweat, indicating he was tired.
In reality, with this level of combat, even if Lin Xiao Tian was at the Qi Condensation stage, he wouldn't be that tired.
The reason for Lin Xiao Tian's unnatural expression was mainly because, within his perception, a group of unwelcome guests had appeared.
"Hahaha, Captain Wan, what good luck!"
The next moment, the unwelcome guest appeared.
Wan Hao looked up and saw Luo Hou with a smile on his face.
"Captain Luo, I didn't expect to meet you here," Wan Hao said, shielding his teammates behind him. "Captain Luo seems to have also taken a liking to this place. We won't disturb you further. Farewell."
After speaking, Wan Hao prepared to leave.
Luo Hou's appearance made him feel a sense of unease. After all, hunting teams usually avoided each other when they met in the forest. Such an enthusiastic approach, especially from Luo Hou, made Wan Hao wary.
"Captain Wan, what's the hurry? I'm not a bad person. I'm here to talk about a deal with Captain Wan."
"A deal? What deal?" Wan Hao frowned.
"These Earth-Splitting Rats are rare demonic beasts. I need to do a favor for my family. How about this: you sell these Earth-Splitting Rats to me, and it saves you the trouble of selling them on the market," Luo Hou said, pointing at the rats.
"If Captain Luo wants them, then I, Wan, naturally wouldn't be stingy. May I ask what price Captain Luo intends to offer?"
"How about one spirit stone per Earth-Splitting Rat?"
"One spirit stone?"
Let alone Wan Hao, even Luo Hou's followers were stunned by this offer.
On the market, even the lowest-grade demonic beasts with intact bodies sold for over a hundred spirit stones.
One spirit stone was simply a beggar's pittance!
"Captain Luo, are you joking? These Earth-Splitting Rats sell for at least five hundred on the market," Wan Hao's expression turned cold.
By now, he was convinced that the other party had come to cause trouble.
"You heard correctly. It's one spirit stone. The rest is to buy your life!" Luo Hou's eyes turned fierce.
As soon as his words fell, several of his subordinates beside him immediately took a fighting stance. Although their actions were unsavory, their captain Luo Hou was at the Half-Step Foundation Establishment stage. They wouldn't be at a disadvantage in a fight, and they believed the other party would surely know to yield and surrender.
Wan Hao's face turned ashen, but looking at the aura emanating from Luo Hou, reason ultimately triumphed over impulse.
"We are all brothers, let's not damage our relationship. Since Captain Luo wants them, there's no need for spirit stones. Consider these Earth-Splitting Rats a favor from us," Wan Hao forced a humble smile.
Zhu Kai's fists were already clenched tightly. If not for the concern for his teammates, Wan Hao wouldn't have had to endure such humiliation.
But Luo Hou laughed.
"Haha... Captain Wan doesn't seem convinced? You won't go around talking nonsense after leaving the forest, will you?"
"Of course not," Wan Hao said with a smile.
"How do you prove it?" Luo Hou scanned Wan Hao from head to toe, his gaze occasionally falling on Lin Xiao Tian. "If Captain Wan can't put my mind at ease, I can't let you all leave!"
Wan Hao suppressed his anger. "Then what does Captain Luo think is a suitable proof?"
"How about this! Leave him here as collateral, and the rest can leave first," Luo Hou said, pointing at Lin Xiao Tian.
"As collateral? Heh heh... I think you're dreaming!" Wan Hao was enraged.