Following the source of the sound, Ding Hao turned around and looked behind him. He saw an extremely charming and beautiful woman walking towards him from behind. She was graceful and lithe, with her long hair tied in a single braid. This woman was beautiful indeed, but her face was as cold as ice, like the lonely frost and snow on the secluded peaks in the deep mountains, making her hard to approach. However, her appearance was fully comparable to Feng Xingran's.

“So it's Miss Yu Shuang. I didn't expect that even Miss Yu Shuang would be interested in such a small Cui Pao Stone. It really puzzles Yin Feng. But I've already promised this young man. How can Yin Feng go back on his word? I hope Miss Yu Shuang will forgive me.” As Yin Feng said this, he handed the Cui Pao Stone to Ding Hao.

Originally, Ding Hao had an intense dislike for this Yin Feng True Man. But now, seeing this person's actions, he thought there was something admirable about him. He wasn't completely a greedy person.

“Shi Yu Shuang, is your Sword Demon Palace so poor that you have to compete with our Purgatory Demon Sect even for a Cui Pao Stone?” Feng Xingran snorted coldly.

“Humph, the affairs of our Sword Demon Palace are none of your business. Miss Feng, when you left the Purgatory Demon Sect, it seemed that there was only you and three elders. Where did this person come from? Looking at his cultivation level, it's so low. Can he be of any help to you?” Although Shi Yu Shuang was speaking to Feng Xingran, her eyes were coldly fixed on Ding Hao.

Being glanced at by her icy eyes, a chill spread throughout Ding Hao's body, as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over him from head to toe. Fortunately, Ding Hao had an extremely firm will. Although his cultivation level was still low, he could barely endure it and didn't make a fool of himself on the spot. He coldly stared back at Shi Yu Shuang, thinking to himself. According to what Feng Xingran said, their descent from the mountain this time was extremely secret. Why did this woman know about it? Could it be that the Five Ghosts were sent by the Sword Demon Palace?

When Shi Yu Shuang said this, Feng Xingran's face slightly changed, and she said angrily, “How do you know how many of us there were when we came down the mountain? It seems that your Sword Demon Palace has been paying unusually close attention to our sect!”

“Likewise. Your Purgatory Demon Sect is no different. You also know the movements of our palace like the back of your hand!” Shi Yu Shuang's expression remained unchanged, and she still said coldly.

“Humph, when there's no common ground in conversation, even a single word is too much. Ding Hao, let's go!” Feng Xingran said to Ding Hao.

Watching Feng Xingran and Ding Hao leave, Shi Yu Shuang didn't say much. She just coldly watched Ding Hao. Ding Hao was rather puzzled. He hadn't provoked this woman. Why was she, like Du Gu Ce, filled with murderous intent towards him the first time they met?

When they reached the door and finished the transaction of crystals with the disciples of the Treasure - Gathering Sect, just as he was about to leave with Feng Xingran, suddenly, Yin Feng True Man walked towards him. When he reached Ding Hao's side, he said, “This young man, Ding Hao, can I have a word with you in private? Yin Feng has some things he doesn't understand and wants to consult you about them. What do you think?”

Feng Xingran looked at Ding Hao as if remembering that she had said she wouldn't interfere with Ding Hao's actions. She only said to Ding Hao, “Yin Feng True Man is a loose cultivator of the demonic path. His cultivation level has reached the stage of Divided Spirit. But presumably, he doesn't have the ability to kill you instantly. Just be careful and on guard a little, and you'll be fine. Besides, presumably, Yin Feng True Man won't be so reckless!” By the end of the sentence, it was already a warning to Yin Feng True Man.

“Miss Xingran is joking. No matter how bold Yin Feng is, he wouldn't dare to provoke someone from your Purgatory Demon Sect. Miss Xingran, don't worry. What Yin Feng wants to talk to young man Ding Hao about is definitely not malicious!” Yin Feng True Man said.

Feng Xingran nodded and said, “I hope you don't dare!” After finishing speaking, she looked at Ding Hao again and then walked back the way she had come.

Ding Hao's heart stirred. He looked at Yin Feng expressionlessly. After a while, he said, “I don't know what True Man wants to talk to Ding Hao about. I'm not very talented and learned, and I'm afraid I can't help True Man much.”

“To be honest, Yin Feng has been paying attention to you, young man, since you started collecting materials. The Cui Pao Stone isn't a very rare thing. Ordinary cultivators only know that this thing can be used to refine storage bracelets. But Yin Feng knows that this thing can also be used to refine another thing. Just now, I saw you collect many other materials. I'm not very talented. I wonder if you're going to use this thing to refine a magic weapon that can lock a cultivator's Nascent Soul?” Yin Feng seemed to be trying to see through Ding Hao and didn't take his eyes off Ding Hao for a moment.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

So it is, Ding Hao thought to himself. He didn't expect that he hadn't covered up when collecting items, which had attracted the attention of someone with ulterior motives. Most people don't know this function of the Cui Pao Stone. He didn't expect that this Yin Feng True Man actually knew about it. This made Ding Hao look at this person with new eyes. It seemed that this person grabbing the Cui Pao Stone first wasn't just to take the opportunity to blackmail for a few medium - grade crystals. Feng Xingran said that this person was just a loose cultivator. It seemed that he wasn't as simple as he appeared on the surface.

“Young man, don't worry. Yin Feng's question has no malicious intent. It's just that the refining method of this thing seems to have been lost for many years. Yin Feng is just curious. Besides, even if it's refined successfully, it doesn't have much use.” Seeing that Ding Hao hesitated for a moment, Yin Feng True Man added.

“Since True Man has already seen through it, Ding Hao won't hide it anymore. Yes, Ding Hao really needs this thing to refine a Soul - Locking Ring. As for where the refining method comes from, I'm not convenient to disclose. I hope True Man will forgive me.” Ding Hao said lightly.

“Of course, of course. Yin Feng has an impolite request. I don't know if you're willing to agree. As long as you agree, Yin Feng will surely repay you!” Seeing that Ding Hao said this, Yin Feng was overjoyed.

“True Man, tell me first. Ding Hao will consider it and then reply to you. Is that okay?” Seeing his beaming expression, Ding Hao roughly guessed what he was going to say.

“Yin Feng is willing to provide materials. I don't know if you can refine one for Yin Feng by the way. Of course, Yin Feng won't let you work for nothing. Yin Feng is willing to offer ten high - grade crystals and also give you a medium - grade armor. What do you think?” Yin Feng looked at Ding Hao expectantly.

“Oh, since True Man knows that this thing isn't precious, why are you willing to pay a large price to let me refine it? It really puzzles Ding Hao. Can True Man explain a little?” Ding Hao was also greatly surprised when he heard Yin Feng's words.

“Well... This matter is also inconvenient for Yin Feng to disclose. I hope you don't blame me. As long as you're willing to help with the refining, Yin Feng will definitely keep his promise just now!” When Ding Hao said this, Yin Feng's face slightly changed.

Seeing this expression, Ding Hao knew that Yin Feng's refining of this thing was definitely not for good deeds. But no matter what evil deeds he was going to do with it, it had nothing to do with him. Moreover, in this deal, it seemed that he was the one who got the advantage.

After a moment of silence, Ding Hao said, “I can agree to refine one for you. However, I still lack several materials that haven't been collected yet. You can also collect them for me. When you've collected them all, you can come to the rest villa of the Purgatory Demon Sect to find me. At that time, I will help you refine one. What do you think?”

“Of course. I'm already extremely grateful that you can help with the refining. Of course, Yin Feng will provide the materials. I don't know which materials you still lack at present. Yin Feng will surely gather them for you as soon as possible!” Seeing that Ding Hao had agreed, Yin Feng was even more delighted. His small eyes like soybeans almost disappeared from his face!

After Ding Hao told Yin Feng the materials he lacked, he took his leave. Watching Ding Hao leave, Yin Feng's small eyes like soybeans shone with a fierce light. His comical expression disappeared completely. After emitting a few cold and sinister laughs, he also soared into the air and left.

Ding Hao rarely came out. Since he had already negotiated the terms with Feng Xingran, he wasn't in a hurry to go back. The Juqu Mountain was neither big nor small. The Treasure - Gathering Sect only occupied an area of a hundred mu on this mountain. Unconsciously, Ding Hao had already moved far away from the area where the Treasure - Gathering Sect was located. Seeing that it was getting late and he was getting farther and farther away from the Treasure - Gathering Sect, Ding Hao planned to take out the Heaven - Defying Demon Sword and fly back.

Just at this moment, a sound of something breaking through the air reached his ears. In just a moment, he saw a person running towards him. This person's expression was terrified, and he was in a state of great distress. The blue Taoist robe had several tears, and the skin where it was torn seemed to have been scratched by some animal. The wounds were so deep that the bones could be seen, and black blood was flowing out.

This person saw Ding Hao and said, “Fellow Taoist, you haven't reached the Nascent Soul stage yet and can't fly. Leave quickly to avoid being affected by the thing behind me.” After saying this, he didn't look at Ding Hao anymore and continued to run forward frantically.

As soon as this person left, a creature appeared. This creature looked like a pig and a cow. It was black all over, with heads at both the front and the back, and each head had two horns. It ran as fast as the wind. As soon as it saw Ding Hao, it rushed straight at him. Before it reached him, a stench came from it first.

Ding Hao was no longer what he used to be. At a glance, he knew that this was a strange beast, the Bing Feng. Relying on the speed and flying ability of the Heaven - Defying Demon Sword, how could Ding Hao be afraid of it? Moreover, the four horns on the two heads of this creature were extremely hard and were rare materials for refining weapons. How could he let it go easily?

Just as the Bing Feng was about to hit him, Ding Hao suddenly soared into the air. When the Bing Feng just passed under him, Ding Hao, relying on the speed of the Heaven - Defying Demon Sword, slashed at the Bing Feng. Since the last battle with Feng Xingran, he had become more proficient in using the Heaven - Defying Demon Sword. Now, the Heaven - Defying Demon Sword was as flexible as a third arm of his body. The Bing Feng missed with one strike and became even more furious. Its beast eyes were blood - red with rage. Its body just paused for a moment. With a roar, it charged again with the two horns on its rear head as weapons.

This time, the Bing Feng seemed to be prepared. When it was two zhang away from Ding Hao, it opened its mouth and spat out a wave of stinking saliva towards Ding Hao. Ding Hao had long known that the Bing Feng had this ability. His body disappeared out of thin air on the spot. In the next moment, he stabbed at the Bing Feng from above its head. The Bing Feng was still wondering why Ding Hao had suddenly disappeared when it felt a severe pain in its body. With a long howl, the Bing Feng had already been severely injured. The Heaven - Defying Demon Sword was no ordinary thing. If Ding Hao's strength hadn't been insufficient, just this one sword would have cut it in two.

Even so, the Bing Feng already knew that Ding Hao was not to be trifled with and didn't dare to stay any longer. It ran back frantically the way it had come. How could Ding Hao let it escape?

With another sword, he swept at the four legs of the Bing Feng. Poor thing, although the Bing Feng was fast, it was far inferior to the Heaven - Defying Demon Sword. This sword again hit the two rear legs of the Bing Feng hard, completely depriving it of its ability to escape. Ding Hao caught up and cut off its four horns. Seeing that it wasn't dead yet, he summoned the Eight - Winged Purple Python. The Eight - Winged Purple Python was extremely excited when it saw this creature. It opened its bloody mouth and swallowed the Bing Feng.

Just at this moment, something unexpected happened. A yellow flying sword seemed to appear out of nowhere and stabbed at Ding Hao from behind silently.