Liu Yue glanced at Zhang Ergou and then completely ignored him.
This left Zhang Ergou stunned.
He, a dignified cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage, had been disregarded.
Even if he had concealed his cultivation, he was still at the early Golden Core stage.
Such a young early Golden Core cultivator was quite rare.
However, the dark-faced burly man clearly had no intention of engaging him further.
Unfamiliar with the demon beast forest near this town, Zhang Ergou wanted to join these groups who made a living by slaying demon beasts.
This way, he wouldn't be completely lost in the demon beast forest with no direction.
But to his surprise, Liu Yue did not invite him to join their team, despite his early Golden Core cultivation.
This piqued Zhang Ergou's competitive spirit.
After all, he was only in his twenties.
Zhang Ergou did not want to be looked down upon like this.
"What? Do you, brother, look down on me?" Zhang Ergou's tone became much colder.
His calm words were accompanied by an extremely provocative gaze.
It made one want to punch him.
"What do you mean?" As expected, Liu Yue was provoked.
Having lived a life on the edge of a blade for years, Liu Yue's temper was almost notoriously short.
He was easily ignited.
His eyes widened in anger, and without a word, he raised his fist, as large as a sandbag.
"Wait." Zhang Ergou calmly stopped Liu Yue, who was about to attack.
"Brother, it's not impossible for us to fight."
"But surely we can't just fight for no reason?"
As soon as Zhang Ergou finished speaking, a wave of laughter erupted.
It turned out that during Zhang Ergou and Liu Yue's argument, many people had already gathered around.
These were people who had come to town to find suitable teammates and form groups to enter the demon beast forest.
Living by the demon beast forest next to Linhua Town for years had made these cultivators short-tempered.
So, it wasn't uncommon for people to start fighting over trivial matters in Linhua Town.
It was only when Zhang Ergou uttered "fight for no reason" that everyone burst into laughter.
"Where did this greenhorn come from, daring to provoke Liu Yue?"
"He truly doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth. Perhaps he's a disciple from some sect or prominent family in the vicinity, out for training."
"Thinks he's invincible just because he has some cultivation."
The surrounding murmurs all reached Zhang Ergou's ears.
Clearly, these people also assumed Zhang Ergou was a disciple from a prominent family or sect undergoing training.
These people did not have a good impression of those aloof sect and family disciples.
Zhang Ergou did not fully understand the situation.
But he could tell that these people were not fond of sect disciples.
Now he finally understood why Liu Yue had treated him that way.
However, since the words were already spoken, the fight would still have to happen.
"Well, well, not old, but quite arrogant."
Liu Yue was also amused. Such sect disciples, after only a few years of cultivation, acted so arrogant and condescending.
It seemed he had to flex his muscles today and teach this presumptuous young man a lesson on how to behave.
"Brother, you still haven't agreed to my condition."
Seeing Liu Yue about to attack again, Zhang Ergou quickly retreated a step.
Seeing Zhang Ergou's composure, Liu Yue was somewhat surprised.
This fair-skinned young man in front of him showed no panic at all.
Liu Yue became interested. As a captain of a team, he didn't just survive on instinct.
"Alright, let's hear it. What are your conditions?" Liu Yue lowered his fist.
Seeing the burly man lower his fist, Zhang Ergou breathed a sigh of relief.
Although he had the power to instantly defeat these people, he wanted to remain low-key and not expose himself prematurely.
Furthermore, he still needed these people to guide him into the demon beast forest.
Thoroughly offending them would not be a good choice.
"If I win, you, brother, will agree to let me join your team and help hunt blood bats together."
Liu Yue stared at Zhang Ergou for a long moment, and Zhang Ergou met his gaze calmly.
Not detecting anything unusual, Liu Yue nodded.
"Fine, I agree. Then what if you lose?"
Since Zhang Ergou had a request, he would naturally have to pay a price if he lost.
The onlookers all looked at Zhang Ergou with mockery, wondering what kind of treasure this sect disciple would offer.
These sect and family disciples were also referred to as "suckers" by them.
Zhang Ergou was clearly considered one of them.
"Pills!"
As Zhang Ergou produced a jade bottle, someone exclaimed.
Instantly, the expressions of the surrounding onlookers changed. Everyone looked at Zhang Ergou with fiery greed.
Several people were already looking at Zhang Ergou with ill intent.
Zhang Ergou naturally understood the principle of not flaunting wealth.
However, pills were the least valuable things in his possession.
But he was unaware of the immense desire for pills among these rogue cultivators who frequented the demon beast forest.
Even Liu Yue, standing opposite Zhang Ergou, had his breathing quicken and his face flush.
"A third-grade pill, the Hunyuan Pill. It can restore fifty percent of the spiritual energy for a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator."
Zhang Ergou said calmly.
"If you win, this bottle of pills will be yours."
Hiss!
A chorus of gasps echoed through the scene.
Some recognized that the pills Zhang Ergou produced were indeed real, but upon hearing they were third-grade pills, everyone was completely shocked.
No one present was unaware of how rare third-grade pills were.
Many people on the scene envied Liu Yue's luck, wondering why this impulsive young man wasn't challenging them instead.
Liu Yue was also astonished by Zhang Ergou's generous offering.
Third-grade pills were treasures with no market in Linhua Town.
Yet this fair-skinned young man now presented a whole bottle at once.
Not just one, but a bottle, which must contain at least five pills.
Liu Yue's gaze towards Zhang Ergou softened considerably.
Of course, it was due to the pills.
"Good!" Liu Yue nodded heavily.
Adhering to the simple principle that not taking advantage of a good deal was being a fool,
Liu Yue resolutely agreed to Zhang Ergou's challenge.
More and more people gathered around.
"What's happening?"
Several of Liu Yue's teammates were also drawn by the commotion.
Upon hearing that Zhang Ergou was challenging Liu Yue,
they looked at Zhang Ergou with pity in their eyes.
Liu Yue was not only the strongest fighter in their team,
but his cultivation had also long since broken through to the mid-Golden Core stage, which was why he was the captain.
...
Seeing that Liu Yue had agreed, the surrounding onlookers wisely moved back,
clearing a space for Zhang Ergou and Liu Yue.
"Young brother, please go ahead."
Liu Yue had absolute confidence in his skills, so he politely invited Zhang Ergou to make the first move.
Boom!
A sound of breaking wind approached, instantly changing the atmosphere. A destructive and powerful aura surged towards Liu Yue.