Chapter 1043: Hong Dang Brother, May the Lord Bless You

"One-nine?"Hong Dang raised an eyebrow. "Are you taking nine, or am I?"Xu Xiaoshou sneered, his assassin's greedy nature suddenly apparent. "I'm the one breaking the formation. You're merely a small diversion. Without me, you wouldn't get even one-tenth of the spiritual medicine."

"One-nine is impossible!" Hong Dang sneered. "Even if the major credit and the formation-breaking are yours, and I'm just attracting fire... I won't agree to anything less than four-six!""Two-eight!""Four-six!""Three-seven!""Alright, it's a deal! Three-seven split, I get three, you get seven!" Hong Dang suddenly agreed.

After all, he wasn't a Spirit Array Master. If he tried to force his way through the barrier, he would likely only provoke a counterattack from the Shennong Medicine Garden's guardians. At that point, he wouldn't even get three-tenths, let alone a single Sacred Medicine. Since Shuang Dai could break the formation, Hong Dang was content to take it easy. It was just attracting some fire, and he wouldn't die; Hong Dang was very confident in his life-saving abilities. Seeing Shuang Dai retreat from "one-nine" to "three-seven," such an exaggerated profit distribution, Hong Dang also recognized Shuang Dai's greedy nature. He finally believed that the spiritual medicines from the Shennong Medicine Garden might truly be as magical as the other party claimed. Otherwise, this guy would have suggested a "five-five" split long ago, only to betray him and take everything. Such a concession was likely made because he didn't want to waste time waiting for too many people to arrive.

"Happy cooperation." Xu Xiaoshou's lips curved as he extended his hand, thinking no one would want to shake an assassin's hand. Hong Dang glanced at it, clearly reluctant to reciprocate, and simply asked, "What kind of fire do I need to attract?"

Xu Xiaoshou had anticipated this reaction, so he wasn't embarrassed. Lowering his hand, he explained, "After I break the formation, a narrow passage, wide enough for only one person, will appear. At that point, Brother Hong Dang, you go in first. Simply pick any Sacred Medicine, and it will trigger the guardian to react and attack. You just need to run away, after all, the previous person managed to escape."

"Pick any Sacred Medicine, and that's it…" Hong Dang's eyebrows twitched wildly as he listened. *Is he even speaking sensibly?* he thought. *What kind of wonders does this Shennong Medicine Garden truly hold?*

"Who exactly is that person you keep mentioning, Brother Shuang Dai...?" Hong Dang couldn't help but ask. He was incredibly curious. Someone had managed to act right under the nose of this greedy Shuang Dai, and in the end, Shuang Dai hadn't even dared to touch the Shennong Medicine Garden. *How powerful must that person be? Truly intimidating!*

"He…" Xu Xiaoshou hesitated. As a truthful person, he preferred not to lie unless absolutely necessary."Brother Shuang Dai, don't forget our partnership!" Hong Dang chuckled, his expression implying he wouldn't cooperate if Xu Xiaoshou kept quiet.Xu Xiaoshou sighed, spreading his hands. "He is Xu Xiaoshou.""Xu Xiaoshou?""Yes.""Just Xu Xiaoshou? And he frightened you, Brother Shuang Dai?" Hong Dang found it incredible.

He certainly knew Xu Xiaoshou! During his campaigns with Rao Yaoyao and Teng Shanhai in the Yunlun Mountain Range, he hadn't directly confronted Xu Xiaoshou. However, he had heard rumors that the man was a troublemaker, weak in cultivation yet stirring up trouble everywhere—a prime example of someone who, with a single misstep, would be utterly annihilated. *Unfortunately…* As of now, Xu Xiaoshou was apparently still alive. This meant the fellow hadn't even made "half a misstep" and was still living quite comfortably.

"Xu Xiaoshou is not as simple as you think!" Shuang Dai, Xu Xiaoshou's disguise, sneered, raising his voice in a cautionary tone. "As a Gold Rank Bounty Assassin, I came from the Central Region specifically to hunt Xu Xiaoshou. However, before even meeting him, I've already fallen into his trap. On Solitary Sound Cliff, Brother Hong Dang, do you recall that kid holding his own against Rao Yaoyao, Teng Shanhai, and their like without falling behind? In contrast, you and I, in that same situation, were mere bystanders, completely unable to intervene, ultimately manipulated and dropped into the deep sea. From this, Brother Hong Dang, can't you see how powerful Xu Xiaoshou's abilities truly are?"

Hong Dang listened blankly as Shuang Dai finished speaking, utterly surprised by how highly this enemy of Xu Xiaoshou appraised the young man at the Sovereign realm. Yet, upon closer thought, Shuang Dai's assessment didn't seem exaggerated at all.

"Received contempt, Passive Point, 1."The info panel suddenly popped up. Xu Xiaoshou was slightly startled. Judging by Hong Dang's expression, he didn't seem to be having such thoughts. *There's no third person here… Oh, it's you again, Junior Sister.* He mentally chided. *What's the matter? No one praises me, and you don't either. So, I can't even praise myself?*

Xu Xiaoshou suddenly became animated, shaking his head and exclaiming with emotion, "Speaking of Xu Xiaoshou, I no longer dare to covet his bounty… His talent is no less than mine; his wisdom surpasses even Sword Immortals; his courage, at least on Solitary Sound Cliff, is unmatched; and as for his ability, I can honestly say, apart from the Eighth Sword Immortal whom I've never met, I haven't found anyone on the Saint God Continent who can surpass him!"

This unreserved praise truly bewildered Hong Dang."Received suspicion, Passive Point, 1.""Received disdain, Passive Point, 1."*Heh, it's you again, Junior Sister…* Xu Xiaoshou was just short of turning his head to glare at Lei Xier, who was hidden within the White Cave mini-world.

"Brother Shuang Dai, you really rate Xu Xiaoshou that highly?" Hong Dang asked suspiciously. For a moment, he even wondered if Shuang Dai was secretly Xu Xiaoshou's accomplice; otherwise, why praise a junior Sovereign so much?Xu Xiaoshou calmly replied, "Isn't an opponent the one who knows their foe best?"

Hong Dang was speechless. He couldn't find a reply. *He's just a junior Sovereign. No matter how much trouble he stirs up, can he really turn the world upside down?* Hong Dang thought. If they ever met, he was confident that Xu Xiaoshou would be no match for him in a one-on-one fight!

"Brother Hong Dang…" Xu Xiaoshou observed Hong Dang's disdainful expression and said earnestly, "Let me give you a piece of advice: even if you do join the Holy Divine Palace, if you ever encounter that Xu fellow, run for your life. You might just manage to keep your miserable existence.""Heh heh!" Hong Dang sneered.

He couldn't understand why Shuang Dai was so wary of such a junior, a mere Sovereign! A Sovereign! *But then…* this was just a low-level assassin who had idled in the Central Region, content with a precarious existence. Now, having come to the Eastern Region and witnessed the battles of Saints, and being shaken by the abilities of Xu Xiaoshou—a mere pawn in the larger scheme—it was understandable that he would be timid.

"Brother Shuang Dai, you may be afraid, but there's no need to project your fear onto me." Hong Dang scoffed. He speculated that Shuang Dai must have been utterly terrified, which was why he hadn't even dared to claim a share when Xu Xiaoshou opened the Shennong Medicine Garden. Such a squandering of opportunity made Hong Dang look down on the assassin even more.

"Alas…" Xu Xiaoshou looked the burly, bare-chested man, with his bulging muscles and simple mind, up and down. He said no more, only sighing softly. That was all he could say. He didn't want to create another enemy for himself, so he would dissuade anyone he could. But alas, the world simply didn't know the full extent of his terrifying achievements, only the tip of the iceberg, and thus always underestimated him when confronted. What could he do about that?!

"Let's get back to business," Hong Dang said, eager to change the subject from that annoying Xu Xiaoshou. The thought of not having arrived earlier to claim a share of the Shennong Medicine Garden filled him with regret. He chastised himself for having moved so slowly before, always vigilant for imaginary enemies in the air. *What a pity, what a pity…*

"Who is the guardian?" Hong Dang stared at the barrier, surmising that the guardian of such a magical Shennong Medicine Garden couldn't be ordinary."A giant," Xu Xiaoshou replied, his focus returning to the matter at hand."A giant?" Hong Dang stiffened, remembering the booming sounds he had heard earlier. *Could that have been the giant chasing Xu Xiaoshou, the medicine thief?* he wondered.

"How big is the giant?" Hong Dang asked. This was a matter of life and death; he needed to know how strong the guardian he had to face would be."A little over three zhang tall," Xu Xiaoshou said, carefully choosing his words, wary of scaring off his first collaborator. *Hmm, three hundred zhang and a little over three zhang, they're practically the same concept, right?* he thought to himself.

*That's acceptable. After my dragon soul possession, I'll be over ten zhang…* Hong Dang nodded, then asked, "How strong is the giant?"Xu Xiaoshou thought for a moment, then replied earnestly, "Xu Xiaoshou's Throne body might be able to contend with it, but I haven't actually seen them fight. So, that should be considered the minimum requirement for confronting the giant."

*Hmm, the minimum requirement is a Throne body, but there's no upper limit; that counts as an honest answer, right?**That's also acceptable,* Hong Dang mused. *I possess a world-rare Throne body, and after summoning my dragon soul, even ordinary Throne bodies are no match for me. If Xu Xiaoshou can contend with it, so can I…* He nodded again and asked, "How many giants are there?""Just one," Xu Xiaoshou stated firmly. "I know this answer, and you won't be scared!"

"Heh!" Hong Dang now chuckled. "Brother Shuang Dai, don't worry. I'll only pick one Sacred Medicine inside, but I must have first choice of its type, and you shall not dispute it afterward! As for a mere giant, I'll shake it off in moments and then return. At that time, I trust you won't forget our cooperation agreement!" Hong Dang stared intently at the assassin, trying to discern his true intentions.

"Naturally," Xu Xiaoshou calmly nodded. "I'm taking the larger share in our three-seven split, so there's no need to trick you. In fact, even if you only get one-tenth of the Sacred Medicine from the Shennong Medicine Garden, you'll have more than enough spiritual medicine for the rest of your life." Hong Dang raised an eyebrow, then gazed towards the boundless, massive barrier, his heart burning with unconcealable excitement. *Is it truly that magical? Is my opportunity finally here?*

"Brother Shuang Dai, enough talk. Please break the formation, I'll guard you!" Hong Dang pointed, his excitement growing."Alright," Xu Xiaoshou replied, wasting no more words.

He and Lei Xier had thoroughly studied the Shennong Medicine Garden's formation during their time perched on the tree. Time could erode anything. If this sealed barrier had been newly created, Xu Xiaoshou wouldn't have dared to guarantee that his Throne-level "Weaving Mastery" could break it. But after millions of years, the barrier before them was riddled with flaws at a glance! The Void Attendant guarded the Shennong Medicine Garden, but clearly, the attendant was no Spirit Array Grandmaster and couldn't maintain the sealed barrier. And so, to maintain the facade of a "difficult-to-break formation, worthy of a seventy percent cut," Xu Xiaoshou put on a show, delaying for nearly fifteen minutes outside the barrier. Only when Hong Dang, his designated protector, was pacing back and forth, burning with impatience, did Xu Xiaoshou finally smile.

"Break!"He pointed from a distance, targeting a flaw in the barrier before them. Spiritual energy transformed into threads, weaving and connecting within the barrier, instantly forming a narrow passage, just wide enough for one person to pass through.*Whoosh!*As soon as the passage formed, the rich medicinal fragrance and spiritual energy from within the Shennong Medicine Garden surged out in visible waves.

"Ugh!" At that instant, Xu Xiaoshou's spiritual sea pulsed, his knees tightened, and he barely managed to suppress his cultivation, almost breaking through on the spot. But he couldn't breakthrough! If he did, and the fluctuations of a Sovereign's advancement appeared, wouldn't Hong Dang be utterly stunned? With a mix of half-concealed, half-genuine fervor on his face, complemented by a perfect facade of weakness, Xu Xiaoshou said feebly, "Brother Hong Dang, please…" *Brother Hong Dang, please go to your death!* Of course, the words "go to your death" could not actually be spoken.

As soon as Xu Xiaoshou finished speaking, he inhaled the rich medicinal fragrance, knowing that to maintain Shuang Dai's persona, he couldn't possibly be modest at this moment. So, without another word, his figure transformed into a streak of light, darting straight into the barrier passage ahead. A normal person would surely grow wary if an assassin showed deference. But seeing an assassin so utterly weakened after breaking a formation, yet unable to resist the lure of the Shennong Medicine Garden's fragrance and charging forward… well, all rationality could naturally be abandoned! It had to be said, Xu Xiaoshou's charge perfectly manipulated Hong Dang's psychology.

Hong Dang was still savoring the intoxicating medicinal fragrance, so potent it made his Taixu Qi Sea ripple. He turned his head and saw that Shuang Dai had vanished. His eyes instantly turned bloodshot. "That damn Shuang Dai! We had an agreement that I would charge! Don't break the contract!" He pushed off the ground, his body like a cannonball, and plunged into the barrier passage.

In that moment, Hong Dang had no time to consider what purpose he would serve if Shuang Dai truly intended to go in alone after breaking the formation. If he had paused to think, Hong Dang would surely have realized the deception! But… to pause and think? What kind of a ridiculous joke was that! If he was even a single step slow—no, half a step! If he was truly half a step slow, wouldn't that damned assassin Shuang Dai completely empty the Shennong Medicine Garden of all its Sacred Medicines?!

Hong Dang, reacting later, moved incredibly fast, even slightly quicker than "Shuang Dai," and plunged into the barrier passage. Almost immediately, with virtually no time difference, Shuang Dai, Xu Xiaoshou's disguise, followed without hesitation, as if he had no intention of quietly waiting behind, as per their agreement.

"Xu Xiaoshou…"On the ancient tree, Lei Xier, whose presence was entirely concealed within the White Cave mini-world, had a hint of worry in her eyes. She hadn't expected that Xu Xiaoshou would actually follow Hong Dang into the Shennong Medicine Garden just to trick him. If the Void Attendant were to reawaken, wouldn't it be two for one?

Almost simultaneously, Lei Xier tiptoed, ready to follow and plunge into the barrier passage. Just then, Greedy God softly "meowed." Lei Xier instantly calmed.*Wait, am I actually worrying about Xu Xiaoshou? Have I grown too arrogant, or have I spent so much time with him that my mind is malfunctioning? Does he really need me to worry?*

Lei Xier squatted back down on the ancient tree, waiting silently, while secretly praying. *Hong Dang… that's his name, right? With no animosity between us, I hope that when you can't find Xu Xiaoshou, when you pick the Sacred Medicine, and when you see the Void Attendant awaken, you manage to run like mad. Just like Xu Xiaoshou said: run wildly when you encounter Xu Xiaoshou. Only then… perhaps, will you manage to keep your life!*"God bless you," Lei Xier whispered softly, gripping the tree branch tightly as she watched the barrier passage.

"Meow."Greedy God looked up at his mistress, then, in a surprisingly human-like gesture, raised his two chubby little front paws, pressed them together, and meowed again. *Brother Hong Dang… that's his name, right?*"Meow meow!"*Brother Hong Dang, may the master bless you!*