Xiao Man's actions stunned everyone.
In the common understanding, someone who obtained a supreme treasure would do their utmost to protect it from being snatched away. Yet, Xiao Man had released the captured Flood Dragon!
Yue Ran scrambled up from the ground, a grin spreading across his face as he watched the Flood Dragon flee at high speed, "Now, the meat that was within reach has flown away. If you want it, go catch it yourselves."
The guards helped Mu Qi to his feet. Mu Qi's face was ashen with rage. He glared at Xiao Man, then, after a moment, reined in his emotions, suppressing his fury, "Why did you let the Flood Dragon go?"
"If you don't let us eat it, then what's the point of us keeping it? Naturally, we released it. If you want it, you can go catch it again."
Mu Qi choked, "That was a Flood Dragon! How could it be easily caught?"
"Knowing it's not easy to catch, you could just come and snatch it?" Xiao Man sneered, "Besides, I haven't eaten it before, and I don't know if Flood Dragon meat tastes good. I also can't defeat you, and I don't want you to benefit, so I could only release the Flood Dragon."
Idiot! The insult that was about to leave Mu Qi's lips was swallowed back. He had a degree of admiration for Xiao Man, and thus he strove to maintain his image as a distinguished young noble.
"If it could be tamed as a contracted beast, its combat power could be greatly enhanced. To eat it would be a terrible waste of heavenly resources," Mu Qi patiently explained to Xiao Man, "especially for those with low cultivation. Contracting such a powerful demonic beast is, in itself, a life-saving charm."
"I want to eat it."
"Will your cultivation increase if you eat Flood Dragon meat?"
"Yes!" Xiao Man nodded affirmatively. "After eating Flood Dragon meat, I'll be in a better mood, and I can focus on cultivation. Naturally, my cultivation will increase."
Mu Qi was so choked by Xiao Man's words that he couldn't retort. He immediately turned his attention to Yue Ran, "It's all your fault, you idiot, for leading her astray."
"Second Brother, let's go. Don't talk to fools; their foolishness is contagious."
Xiao Man nodded seriously and prepared to leave with Yue Ran. At that moment, an elder, who had been attacked by the escaped Flood Dragon, blocked their path, "You injured this old man, and you still think you can just walk away?"
"Esteemed senior, we did not lay a hand on you."
"If you hadn't let the Flood Dragon go, would this old man have been injured by it?" the elder said belligerently, "You let the Flood Dragon escape, causing this old man to be injured. How should this matter be addressed?"
"Does the Flood Dragon belong to you?" Xiao Man asked lazily.
The elder frowned. He wanted to say yes, but with so many people watching, even if he was thick-skinned, he still had some semblance of dignity.
"No."
"Then, did you catch the Flood Dragon?"
"No, I didn't."
"Since the Flood Dragon isn't yours, nor did you catch it, what does it have to do with you if I released it?" Xiao Man countered, "Besides, why did the Flood Dragon attack you and not anyone else?"
The elder couldn't draw a breath and turned beet red, "You're twisting the facts."
"Ridiculous," Xiao Man sneered, "We captured the Flood Dragon, and you wanted a share. Without contributing any effort, you just wanted to reap benefits. If you want it, we won't argue with you. We released the Flood Dragon, and everyone can catch it based on their own abilities. Whoever catches it..."
Xiao Man paused, then added with a radiant smile, "Then others can try to get a share, how about that?"
For a moment, everyone fell silent. On the Cang Xuan Continent, the strong were revered. Without sufficient strength, yet possessing treasures that others envied, others would swarm forward to snatch them. This was an unspoken understanding among everyone. However, Xiao Man had brought this matter out into the open, making them feel somewhat embarrassed.
"Esteemed Immortal Master, if one person catches it, and everyone else wants a share, then who would dare to go and catch the Flood Dragon?" a woman suddenly asked.
"Yes, if one person catches it, and everyone else wants a share, then the one who exerted effort would gain nothing and might even lose their life in the end. Would you still go and catch it?" Xiao Man looked at the crowd, and wherever her gaze fell, people averted their eyes.
When Xiao Man's group captured the Flood Dragon, they had all harbored thoughts of snatching it. After all, if they could capture the Flood Dragon as a contracted beast, their cultivation would not only soar, but their offensive power would also increase. A powerful contracted beast was truly too tempting.
"Does this esteemed senior want to go?" Xiao Man looked at the elder who was causing trouble.
"Hmph, that Flood Dragon has already become a half-dragon, just one step away from ascending into a dragon. It's equivalent to a Golden Core late-stage expert. Going alone is no different than courting death."
"In that case, is anyone willing to go and catch the Flood Dragon with this esteemed senior?"
Not a single person answered. Everyone present was shrewd. There was only one Flood Dragon. If they cooperated with this elder, how would it be divided if they caught it? Half each? They were afraid that before the division was even discussed, this person would attack and kill them!
"The Flood Dragon has already escaped. There's no use staying here. Let's go." Su Dan Novel Network
A moment later, someone left, followed by others. Even the elder shot Xiao Man a hateful glare and left quickly. Only Mu Qi's group remained, unmoving.
"Are you going to catch the Flood Dragon?"
"It doesn't matter whether we go or not," Mu Qi said, looking at Xiao Man, "Are you going to catch the Flood Dragon?"
"No," Xiao Man replied indifferently. She wasn't tired of living, so why would she go catch a Flood Dragon? However, the Flood Dragon probably wouldn't let them off easily, considering they had stolen its egg and then shattered it.
"Xiao Qin, the Eastern Yue Forest hides many dangers. Why don't you travel with us?" Mu Qi offered, "Traveling with certain people is very likely to lead to danger."
"Mu Qi, what do you mean?" Yue Ran was displeased. This person dared to poach someone right in front of him. Did he think Yue Ran was a vegetarian?
"It means exactly what you heard," Mu Qi said calmly, "After all, some people bring disaster wherever they go. They are known as jinxes."
Upon hearing this, Bai Chen immediately looked at Xiao Man, "Junior Brother, is he talking about you?"
"Probably," Xiao Man nodded thoughtfully, "After all, your master also said I was a disaster."
"I wasn't talking about you; I was talking about him," Mu Qi quickly clarified, "Xiao Qin, you probably don't know, but this person is notorious for causing trouble. Wherever he appears, something is bound to happen. It's unsafe to be by his side."
"You make it sound like it's safe to be by your side," Yue Ran retorted sarcastically, "If you were this capable through your own merits, I would have nothing to say. But it's simply not the case."
Mu Qi's expression turned gloomy. He looked at Yue Ran with dissatisfaction, and Yue Ran, not to be outdone, looked ready to fight Mu Qi. The guards behind Mu Qi stepped forward, ready to retaliate. They had more people; if a fight broke out, the other side wouldn't have the advantage.