Chapter 1123: Hope

Jiang Fan immediately remembered.

Previously, the Giant King had mentioned that Shan Feng stole something from the ancient giants.

"Chieftain, please clarify."

Ming Ye's eyes gleamed as he said, "My grandson was once caught by an ancient giant and thrown into the Ancient Sinkhole."

"If a normal hell creature enters, they transform into an ancient giant upon success, or melt into a puddle of blood upon failure."

Jiang Fan looked at Shan Feng, who showed no signs of abnormality, in surprise.

How did he manage to be unharmed?

Ming Ye explained, "This stems from your human race's last battle at the Royal Court."

"While my grandson was scouting for information, he discovered a hidden underground chamber within the shattered ruins of a Royal Court."

"It appeared to have been left by the celestial people of old."

"Even after ancient ages, the chamber remained intact."

"Inside, there was also a crystal emitting a faint, sacred light."

"It was precisely this crystal that allowed him to avoid the effects of the Ancient Sinkhole."

Jiang Fan rubbed his chin, deep in thought.

Even so, how could this help the Central Realm?

Ming Ye's eyes grew deeper as he said, "Furthermore, over a dozen other individuals were thrown in alongside my grandson."

"One of them had already transformed into an ancient giant."

"However, under the influence of this crystal, he reverted back into a hell creature!"

What?

Jiang Fan shot up, sitting upright!

No wonder the Giant King personally hunted Shan Feng.

This item could essentially sever the ancient giants' very roots!

Ming Ye smiled, "If you can make good use of these crystals, you could revert at least half of the ancient giants back to their original forms!"

"Once they regain their hell creature identities, most will likely flee and no longer obey the ancient giants."

"Even if there are some loyalists, like Elder Defeng, without the ancient giants' massive bodies, the threat they pose to you would be greatly reduced."

"At the Nascent Soul level, you would then have a chance to fight."

Jiang Fan's eyes brightened.

His breathing became slightly hurried.

But he composed himself, his gaze flickering as he said, "Chieftain, you wouldn't just give it to me for free."

"What are your conditions? Speak."

Ming Ye gave a hearty laugh, not holding back, and said, "I have two conditions."

"First, I hope you can lead us to the Sky-Connecting Black Pillar."

"I don't believe the nonsense about the Sky-Connecting Black Pillar being sealed."

"The Central Realm wouldn't send you to your deaths for no reason."

Jiang Fan nodded slightly, "I can consider that."

He did not reveal that the Sky-Connecting Black Pillar was on his back.

Chieftain Ming Ye was ruthless and cunning.

It was best to remain wary of him until the very last moment.

Ming Ye's eyes lit up.

He knew there was still hope for the Sky-Connecting Black Pillar.

"My other condition is that I hope you can accompany me to the Black Sun Royal Court."

"That's where our Black Cloud Village's stolen sacred artifact is located."

Hearing this, Shan Feng's lips moved as if to object, but Ming Ye stopped him with a stern look.

Jiang Fan frowned, "The place where the Five-Star Giant King is stationed?"

"Are you joking?"

"If he appears, we wouldn't have the slightest chance of escape."

Faced with such a being, even having the Sky-Connecting Black Pillar might not guarantee a timely escape.

Ming Ye cupped his hands and said, "Rest assured, esteemed ones."

"Our Black Cloud Village still relies on you to enter the Central Realm for refuge."

"How could we dare to put you in danger?"

"I've already investigated; the Five-Star Giant King is not currently in the Black Sun Royal Court."

"Only a Giant of Fortune is stationed there."

"As long as we're careful, there won't be any accidents."

Jiang Fan, Bai Xin, and the others briefly discussed the massive disparity in their forces and the existence of the sacred crystal.

Bai Xin nodded, "Let's go."

"Even if not for the sacred crystal, we should personally scout the Black Sun Royal Court's army."

"Relying solely on their word is insufficient for reconnaissance."

Vajra of Dharma Seal also said, "If we can obtain the sacred crystal, countless lives can be saved."

"It wouldn't be impossible for us to venture deep into the dragon's lair and tiger's den to investigate."

Gu Xin'er quickly said, "I'm going too! I'm going too!"

Jiang Fan's gaze flickered as he said, "You won't be going."

"I have another important task for you."

He turned to Ming Ye and said, "Chieftain, we've decided to accompany you to the Black Sun Royal Court."

"Before that, I have another transaction I'd like to propose with you."

"Before we leave the Southern Heaven Realm, I hope you and your people can collect as many resources from the Southern Heaven Realm as possible."

Ming Ye frowned.

Going out to forage was risky; encountering an ancient giant meant almost certain death.

He didn't want to help with this favor.

Until Jiang Fan took out a thick, black, and large radish.

It contained astonishing Yin energy.

As soon as the radish appeared, the Ashura tribesmen of Black Cloud Village immediately noticed it.

It was like humans encountering a treasure with astonishing spiritual energy.

Instantly, they emerged from all directions, forming a dense crowd around Jiang Fan, their eyes filled with desire.

Ming Ye was also startled, "Yin-energy vegetables?"

His old eyes gleamed with excitement as he asked, "How much more do you have?"

"I'll trade with you."

Jiang Fan said, "One radish for ten tables of such dishes."

Ten tables?

Ming Ye's mouth twitched. "How greedy!"

But then he thought, the Black Cloud Village people were about to follow them to the Central Realm; what good would the local resources be if left behind?

He immediately ordered, "Did everyone hear that?"

"All tribesmen, get ready! Once the Giant King outside leaves, collect all spirit items within a thousand-li radius!"

Jiang Fan also instructed Gu Xin'er, "You..."

Gu Xin'er's eyes had already turned into the shape of gold ingots, and she nodded incessantly:

"Mhm, mhm, mhm."

"Leave it to me! You can always count on me for money-making!"

"I promise I won't swindle you."

Hearing that last unnecessary remark, a vein throbbed on Jiang Fan's forehead.

This stubborn girl, she hasn't become a black market dealer, has she?

She used to be quite proper.

Who corrupted her?

He shook his head.

He looked up and saw that the Giant King was still perched above, not having left.

Jiang Fan's mouth curved into a smile. He took out the blood-stained burlap sack and said, "Looks like he hasn't given up."

"Chieftain, what could be inside this?"

Ming Ye looked at the squirming sack with some apprehension and said, "It should be a creature that this Giant King captured."

"Judging by its size, it seems like some kind of large insect or a snake."

Jiang Fan showed a half-smile.

If it were any other fierce creature, he would be extremely cautious.

But these two things, weren't they perfectly suited for the Great Rooster?

He tried bringing the blood-stained sack to his chest.

Indeed, an intense heat emanated from his chest.

The Great Rooster's combative attribute was successfully activated!

He leaped to the edge of Black Cloud Village and swung the blood-stained sack in his hand.

He made as if to open it.

The Stone Giant King's vertical eye showed fury, and he roared, "Try opening it!"

That's what his face conveyed.

Yet, deep within his vertical eye, a hint of mockery flickered.

Inside was a rare venomous snake capable of poisoning a Giant King to death.

When Jiang Fan snatched it, the reason for his anger was his fear that these things would fall into the hands of the Ashura tribe and become potent weapons against the ancient giants.

He never expected Jiang Fan to court death.

To open it himself.

That venomous snake was a Nine-Orifice level being.

Jiang Fan couldn't handle it.

He would be bitten and poisoned to death instantly upon contact!