Chapter 274: Ranking Third

Xu Xiaoshou was speechless.

"Seriously? I'm not going to eat you. Why are you so timid? Who's the Innate one here, anyway?" He paused, then explained, "I just have something private to tell you."

Jiaotangtang's gums ached with anger. Innate...

Oh right, this guy really was an Innate. Why would she be afraid of him?

"Private talk?"

"Then use spiritual voice transmission!"

As Jiaotangtang spoke, she took a step back, her entire body on guard.

Xu Xiaoshou: "..."

"Damn it, I can't use spiritual voice transmission!"

"Cursed, Passive Point, 1."

"Suspected, Passive Point, 1."

"No, you definitely can!" Jiaotangtang glared.

"I can't!"

"You can!"

Xu Xiaoshou was speechless again.

He gave up struggling. In front of the surrounding crowd, he directly blurted out, "If I'm not mistaken, you're looking for a 'Ghost Beast host'?"

Jiaotangtang: ???

You... how did you know? And, you really can't use spiritual voice transmission? How could you just blurt something like that out?!

Jiaotangtang immediately rushed forward, wanting to cover Xu Xiaoshou's mouth.

Xu Xiaoshou reacted extremely quickly, like a startled bird. He grabbed the white cat from his head and squeezed it immediately.

"A pained yowl!"

The cat beast let out a pained yowl, and Jiaotangtang hastily stopped.

"This..."

"Let it go, I wasn't trying to snatch it!"

"You step back."

"You let go."

"Step back!"

Xu Xiaoshou deeply understood the principle that women could never be fully trusted. This girl might just be using this excuse to get close and snatch the little white cat.

At this point, if the white cat were to leave, he would be completely screwed!

Xu Xiaoshou feigned applying more force, and soon, Jiaotangtang conceded defeat.

She sighed deeply, "Didn't you call me over?"

"I can call you over, but you can't approach me on your own."

Jiaotangtang: "..."

"Cursed, Passive Point, 1."

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled. He was very clear about the order of priorities.

Sometimes, seemingly insignificant matters of priority could directly overpower an opponent and increase one's own bargaining chips.

"Come here."

With a beckoning gesture, Jiaotangtang had no choice but to approach.

"A little closer."

Xu Xiaoshou motioned for her to get close to him, while his own guard was raised to the maximum, his heart pounding.

If this woman dared to make any move, he couldn't guarantee the white cat in his hand wouldn't be splattered with blood on the spot, potentially initiating a major battle.

A-Jie also sensed the subtle atmosphere and began to stir restlessly.

Xu Xiaoshou appeased it with his spiritual sense, indicating it didn't need to jump out just yet.

The most terrifying thing was delivering the crucial blow at the critical moment!

The surrounding crowd simultaneously felt a tightening in their chests and instinctively retreated. At this point, even an idiot could tell something was amiss.

Xing Gugugu remained in the back, also ready to act.

As long as Jiaotangtang needed him, he could instantly rush in!

Killing intent surged in Jiaotangtang's eyes, but then suddenly quieted, completely transforming into a teasing tone: "Little brother, is this close enough?"

As she spoke, she practically pressed herself against Xu Xiaoshou.

However, perhaps fearing the young man in front of her might act impulsively, Jiaotangtang didn't make any overly aggressive moves.

But being this close was already quite provocative!

"Cursed, Passive Point, 1, 1, 1, 1..."

Without turning his head, Xu Xiaoshou directly held back his junior sister who was trying to step forward, then leaned into Jiaotangtang's ear.

"Consider it. My suggestion just now isn't a joke."

"You want to find a Ghost Beast host for Glutton God? This little thing probably loves life force, right? I've already got one 'baby bottle' hanging off me; I really don't mind another."

Mu Zixi immediately became agitated.

Whispering intimately to another woman right in front of your junior sister, and... 'baby bottle'?

"Xu Xiaoshou, who are you calling a baby bottle!"

Xu Xiaoshou backhanded, pinching the young girl's lips, "Don't interrupt!"

He continued looking at Jiaotangtang, his voice full of temptation.

"This is a deal that's completely beneficial to you, with no harm. What you'd need to pay might not be a big deal at all, at most... just a flick of your wrist, a lift of your leg?"

Xu Xiaoshou lifted his chin, "Think carefully about it!"

Jiaotangtang fell silent.

She glanced at the "Coiling Snake Vine Eye" in her hand. To be honest, this Innate-level medicinal ingredient was very precious to others, but to her, it was truly nothing significant.

But why did the two of them still lose Glutton God over this single Innate-level spiritual herb?

The answer was simple...

They couldn't afford to raise it!

The "Life Origin Pills" they had were all used up, and various Grandmaster-level life spiritual herbs were also consumed. She and Xing Gugugu had come from the Southern Domain, yet still hadn't been able to find a suitable Ghost Beast host.

They had fallen so low that they could lose Glutton God just for one Innate-level spiritual herb. It was truly pathetic!

But...

If she were to actively control Xu Xiaoshou and make him a Ghost Beast host, that would naturally be ideal.

The problem was, the roles were reversed now!

Judging by Xu Xiaoshou's previous tendencies, Glutton God likely wouldn't even survive a month in his hands!

What if, the next time they met, only a person remained, and the cat's shadow had long turned to withered bones...?

Who could possibly bear such a responsibility?

"Does it need this much thought?"

Xu Xiaoshou spoke up. Seeing her silence, he knew that deep down, the woman was wavering.

However, his bargaining chips were still insufficient!

How could he increase their weight...?

Xu Xiaoshou also began to ponder. To be honest, he didn't know the true purpose of these two.

Even the concept of a "Ghost Beast" was something he had gradually deduced after observing from the rooftop.

And as soon as he brought up "Ghost Beast host" earlier, judging by the reactions of the woman and the man, his guess was probably correct.

Thinking this, Xu Xiaoshou resolutely stated, "If you're not going to accept this deal, fine. I can also choose my previous plan."

"But you need to think clearly: if you miss this opportunity, there might not be another."

Xu Xiaoshou pulled out the white cat and blew a breath on its face.

The little creature's fur immediately bristled, its eyes rolled back, and it began to foam at the mouth.

Jiaotangtang: "..."

"Alright, I agree!"

She finally stopped hesitating. Just as Xu Xiaoshou said, "miss this village, miss this shop!"

"But I have one condition..."

"What condition?"

"Regardless of the circumstances, Lord Glutton God's safety must be put first!"

"Impossible!" Xu Xiaoshou refused outright, without even thinking.

Jiaotangtang was stunned for a moment, then snapped, "This is a condition! You have no room to refuse!"

Xu Xiaoshou spread his hands, "Then there's nothing more to discuss."

"If this little thing really follows me, putting aside what trouble it might cause me, your condition alone is completely impossible."

"I'm not good at anything else, but I value my life! Besides, look behind me... my junior sister hasn't even spoken yet!"

"If this little cat wants to come with me, at best, it can only rank third."