Chapter 2082 — The Competition Details, Part Two

"Poison identification? It's a bit tricky, but I suppose I'll grit my teeth and take that on as well." Wei Zhao gave a cold laugh. "As for the Minor Qi-Gathering Pills—let them pay for nothing."

"Ha! No way, Boss, you're an expert at poisoning too?" Han Xiaopo asked in astonishment.

"I'm better at antidotes," Wei Zhao said with a shrug. "Actually, I have another identity. I'm a doctor."

"Haha, Boss, you're incredible—a true polymath!" Han Xiaopo said excitedly. "There doesn't seem to be anything you can't do! This is wonderful. The Hidden Han Family is going to strike it rich, and those scheming hidden clans can go to hell!"

"Don't celebrate too soon. You're already an Earth-Rank expert now. Tomorrow—well, today, I suppose—pick a martial art and start training it. Since the Hidden Han Family discovered an ancient ruin, there's bound to be no shortage of martial arts in your vault!" Wei Zhao said.

It was already the small hours of the next day. Both of them were cultivators, so neither felt sleepy; though Han Xiaopo had no jade pendant cultivation space to replenish his energy, he had just broken through and was bursting with vitality!

"Then let's go now, shall we? Boss, perfect timing—you can help me weigh my options and decide which martial art I should learn!" Han Xiaopo said. "I'll go find Grandfather right now and have him take us to the treasure vault!"

"Fine by me. It'll be a good chance to see the martial arts you've collected," Wei Zhao said, making no secret of his purpose.

"Great! If there's anything suitable for you, Boss, just copy it down for yourself!" Han Xiaopo was even more casual about it, as though it had always been meant for Wei Zhao to see.

Talking as they went, the two of them left the room and headed for Old Master Han's residence...

Today was destined to be a sleepless night. Though Old Master Han had returned to his room, he had not slept; instead he sat with his eyes closed, musing and daydreaming about the Hidden World Clan Summit—about how the Hidden Han Family would astonish everyone, make all those who coveted them sit up and take notice, and regret their decisions!

"Xiaopo, the Han Family's hopes rest on your shoulders!" Han Tianba drew a deep breath and sighed. "I hope your judgment is sound, and that Wei Zhao does not disappoint us!"

"Knock, knock, knock..." Suddenly there came a knocking at the door. Han Tianba was slightly taken aback—who would come calling at this hour? It was the middle of the night; in theory, no one should be visiting.

Still, Han Tianba did not dare be negligent. He rose and went to the door. "Who is it?" he asked.

"Grandfather, it's me—Xiaopo, and the Boss!" Han Xiaopo said.

Hearing that it was Han Xiaopo and Wei Zhao, Han Tianba quickly opened the door. "Mr. Lin, Xiaopo, what brings you to see this old man at this hour?"

"Grandfather, what do you think of my strength now?" Han Xiaopo was a young man after all, and the sight of Han Tianba made him unable to contain himself.

Han Tianba was not Wei Zhao; he had no golden finger that let him see another's strength at a glance, so he was briefly stumped and could not tell what was so special about Han Xiaopo. "Xiaopo, your strength...?"

"Grandfather, watch this!" Han Xiaopo chuckled and began to circulate his internal-energy technique...

Seeing Han Xiaopo start circulating his internal-energy technique the moment they met, Han Tianba was somewhat prepared—perhaps Han Xiaopo's strength had improved a little. After all, anyone who took a Minor Qi-Gathering Pill, cultivator or not, regardless of aptitude, would see some improvement!

But how much could one improve overnight? It could only be the pill's doing, so Han Tianba had not paid it much mind before. With Wei Zhao present, he could hardly say much anyway, and simply watched Han Xiaopo with a smile.

But as Han Xiaopo circulated his internal-energy technique, Han Tianba's expression shifted from calm to sheer shock! He stared at his grandson in disbelief—yes, disbelief! Han Tianba thought he must still be asleep and dreaming!

Early Earth-Rank!

Han Xiaopo's strength was actually early Earth-Rank. Han Tianba could not for the life of him believe that Han Xiaopo could become an Earth-Rank expert overnight. Never mind one Minor Qi-Gathering Pill—even ten, he could not say whether they would take someone from mid Yellow-Rank to early Earth-Rank!

What a vast leap that was! And yet...

"Xiaopo, you... you're early Earth-Rank?" Han Tianba was, after all, the head of a family, and he quickly realized he was not dreaming—the truth was right before his eyes. He could clearly sense Han Xiaopo's strength.

"Yes, Grandfather!" Han Xiaopo nodded proudly. "And it's all thanks to the Boss!"

"This... Mr. Lin, I never imagined you were so formidable. This old man thanks you!" Han Tianba, overcome with delight and astonishment, bowed to Wei Zhao! The Han Family had gained another Earth-Rank expert—this was truly a blessing from the heavens!

Especially on the eve of the Hidden World Clan Summit—this was cause for excitement.

"It's nothing. I'm an alchemist, after all," Wei Zhao said mildly. "The things Old Han gave me are more than enough to offset the value of these pills!"

Wei Zhao was deliberately misleading Han Tianba, letting him assume that he had fed Han Xiaopo a great many pills to raise his strength, and that the Minor Qi-Gathering Pill had merely been the final touch.

"Well, Grandfather, isn't the Boss amazing?" Han Xiaopo said smugly.

"Amazing indeed!" Old Master Han laughed heartily. "With this, we should have a real chance of winning that two-person arena match!"

The things the Hidden Han Family had given Wei Zhao were indeed valuable—enough, all told, to exceed the pills needed to raise Han Xiaopo from mid Yellow-Rank to the peak of late Mystic-Rank—but as the saying goes, there is a price but no market!

The pills might not be worth as much as the colored steel and the Qi-Gathering Pill materials, but you could not buy them! Whether it was the Mystic Pill Sect, the Hidden You Family, or any other hidden clan or ancient sect with an alchemist, none of them would casually sell pills to the Hidden Han Family—not even the most ordinary Spirit-Gathering Pills!

No matter how rich you were, it was useless. They were deliberately suppressing the Hidden Han Family's development; pills of this upgrading kind were naturally beyond price.

The colored steel and Qi-Gathering Pill materials were precious, true, but frankly, to the Hidden Han Family they were good for nothing. Kept at home, they would only become a disaster once word got out—better to give them to Wei Zhao! If the Hidden Han Family fell, no treasure would remain anyway.

"Exactly. By then, as long as Xiaopo can protect himself, everything will depend on the Boss to handle," Han Xiaopo said with a nod.

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