I Don't Want to Get Hurt, So I'll Max Out My Defense-Chapter 1039 - 1040: You’re Not Lacking This Sense of Paying, Are You?

Chapter 1039: Chapter 1040: You’re Not Lacking This Sense of Paying, Are You?

“Whoosh!”

A dazzling flash of light appeared and vanished in an instant, and the roaring sound that filled the void came to an abrupt halt.

The old man and the Sea Dragon Horse disappeared in a blink, just like the black-robed person before them, as if they had never been there at all.

“Job’s done, old goat, set sail!”

Li Xiaobai said indifferently as he put away the broken bowl.

“Roger that, thank you for your intervention, Young Master!”

...

Old Goat responded loudly, forcefully steering the helm as the ship cut through the waves like an arrow unleashed.

“This…”

Han Buzhu’s face was somewhat blank; although he had previously witnessed the power of that small broken bowl, he was nonetheless unable to stop his astonishment.

The reason was simple; the black-robed person’s cultivation level was far inferior to Uncle Han, so while his suppression by a mere flick of the wrist was surprising, it was not too shocking. But he had never imagined that even an old veteran of the Heavenly Immortal Realm like Uncle Han would be no match for the small broken bowl, and even the Sea Clan Demonic Beast had been captured alongside him, implying an immense amount of energy.

What exactly was this young man’s cultivation level?

Surely even the person ranked number one on the Immortal Ranking couldn’t achieve such a feat, right?

“Am I dreaming? Did he defeat two Heavenly Immortal Realm beings with one move?”

“Who is that young man, and from which prestigious family’s genius would appear on an Eastern Continent’s ship? With such strength and cultivation level, he must have been nurtured by a Super Sect!”

“Indeed, today has truly been an eye-opener. Old Goat’s small ship turned out to be a place where dragons hide and tigers lie; we witnessed Heavenly Immortal Realm powerhouses emerging in succession. After this trip, I bet the price of passage on his ship will go up.”

The other cultivators on deck were just as dumbfounded by this display of power. A small broken bowl was thrown out, suppressing two Heavenly Immortal Realm figures, instantly quieting the sea area. This young man was somewhat terrifying.

The temporary retainers from the Icy Frost Sect exchanged glances, seeing the caution in each other’s eyes. A few of them revealed a hint of regret in their eyes as they discreetly pocketed a piece of bait; the Heavenly Immortal Realm Demonic Beast had been lured by them with the aim of killing Li Xiaobai to test his strength, but they ended up discovering nothing.

However, they also understood one thing – here in the vast ocean, using Sea Beasts to attack and kill under the guise of an assault was the simplest and most direct approach. And if they wanted to deal with Li Xiaobai, this was how it must be done. If one Demonic Beast wasn’t enough, then they’d use ten!

After the deed, they would throw all the blame onto the Icy Frost Sect, making a clean escape themselves. They had become temporary retainers of the Icy Frost Sect with precisely this plan in mind.

Everyone was a seasoned expert, though pretending to be younger than they really were, but who really had the heart to play children’s games?

“Brother Li, what did you just do?”

Han Buzhu asked, still somewhat stunned.

“I just caught a little seafood, nothing serious. In a bit, I’ll treat everyone to a seafood feast.”

Li Xiaobai said cheerfully.

“Young Master, I truly admire your strength, but my Uncle Han…”

Han Buzhu stammered.

“Look at my memory.”

Li Xiaobai took out the small broken bowl, projected a light screen, and tossed out the soaked and disheveled servant of the Icy Frost Sect.

“Young Master, be careful, that creature is troublesome. Just now, I must have been swallowed by it, but I fought my way out!”

One second it was darkness all around, and the next he was back to reality, the old man was still somewhat confused as he swiftly moved to protect Han Buzhu and shouted.

“Uncle Han, the Demonic Beast has been dealt with by Young Master Li using that tiny broken bowl,” Han Buzhu whispered a reminder.

“Dealt with?”

“That fast?”

“How is that possible, that wasn’t an ordinary Demonic Beast of the Heavenly Immortal Realm!”

Uncle Han seemed incredulous, but then it was as if something dawned on him; he couldn’t help but widen his eyes and said, “Just now, it wasn’t that I was swallowed by the Demonic Beast, but rather you suppressed both me and the Demonic Beast together?”

“Elder, saying ‘suppressed’ is a bit of an overstatement, just now I actually saved you. If you, as an escort to your young master, were to die, your young master might not arrive safely at the Southern Continent. This is essentially the same as indirectly saving your young master, so shouldn’t the life-saving fee be paid now?”

Li Xiaobai said cheerfully.

“That’s how it is; Young Master Li’s strength and cultivation level are truly admirable.”

“But what are you saying, Young Master? It was merely a Sea Clan Demonic Beast. Given more time, I would have surely slain it. There shouldn’t be any talk of rescue; that’s an overstatement!”

The old man’s thoughts cleared up in an instant, his face changed like a Sichuan opera mask, shaking his head and chuckling as if not deigning to argue with Li Xiaobai.

“Senior, you might want to think it over before speaking. We’ve only just left the Eastern Continent and already encountered a Demonic Beast of the Heavenly Immortal Realm. The journey ahead is long and fraught with obstacles; who knows what devils and monsters might jump out. As a member of the human race, I don’t have three heads and six arms; I can’t guarantee to arrive in time to help you and your master escape danger every time.”

“And there are quite a few enemies hidden on this ship. If they attack amidst chaos, your young master might be hurt as well.”

Li Xiaobai’s smile grew wider; he was confident in dealing with the old man and the young one before him, having plenty of methods to make them cough up the money. If it wasn’t for not wanting to attract more pursuit and affect his trip to Ice Dragon Island upon reaching the Southern Continent, he would have already blown up this whole group from the Icy Frost Sect.

“You’re threatening me!”

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The old man’s gaze changed, his expression turning instantly grim.

“This is a friendly reminder. The real strength of that Sea Beast is something you are well aware of, Elder. Putting on a brave face at a critical time like this is not wise. Better to spend money to avoid disaster. Stick with me at sea, and I guarantee you safe and sound!”

Li Xiaobai spoke indifferently.

“Young Master Li, my Icy Frost Sect has extended you an invitation full of sincerity. We appreciate you a great deal, and you not only disregard our goodwill but also contemptuously trample over my clan’s respect!”

Han Buzhu said angrily, but he also tasted something different in the air; reality seemed a bit off from his expectations. Maybe his old servant truly was no match for that Sea Clan Demonic Beast? If that were the case, he would have no guarantees at sea.

The retainers behind him were merely temporary hires for the Icy Frost Sect, unlikely to exert themselves much before receiving their share of the resources—definitely not reliable.

“That’s right, Young Master Li, our journey together was also meant for my young master to form a bond with you. It is natural to face difficulties together in these seas. Your actions are rather disheartening.”

The older man also spoke seriously.

“It’s a simple matter of quid pro quo; I protect you, you pay the protection fee—it’s only right. Even a three-year-old child in my sect understands this logic; surely you cultivators from the Southern Continent can’t be lacking in the awareness to pay, right?”

“Always looking for a free ride isn’t a good habit!”

Li Xiaobai remained unfazed, discussing money while the other party wanted to talk about sentiment, expecting a free pass. There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world. He had already decided that if these two refused to pay, the next time a Demonic Beast appeared, he wouldn’t say a word—just throw these two over to be slapped to death by the beast and then go loot their corpses.

“How much do you want?”

After a moment of silence, the Icy Frost Sect old servant tentatively asked.

“Not much, just one hundred thousand top-grade Immortal Stones per person,” Li Xiaobai said with a slight smile.

Indeed, the price wasn’t high; not to mention the Heavenly Immortal Realm, even those from the Earth Immortal Realm could afford it. But this was just the beginning—there was still a long way to go, and, as the saying goes, every little bit adds up!