"Elder, I think we should kill this guy to prevent future trouble."
As he spoke, Zhang Ergou's face turned sinister.
Tian Dao Lao Ren showed a hint of surprise and relief upon hearing this.
Tiger Demon King Hu Wen, standing beside them, also glanced at Zhang Ergou with surprise. He hadn't expected this brat to be so ruthless, but the more he looked at Zhang Ergou, the more he liked him.
This kid seemed to suit his taste.
"No, no, seniors, you can't kill me! I've already told you everything, you can't treat me like this."
Cai Chao, hearing Zhang Ergou's words, turned ashen with shock and immediately spoke up.
Tiger Demon King and Zhang Ergou now looked at the trembling Cai Chao as if he were an idiot.
You've spilled all you know, what use is there in keeping you?
"Seniors, please don't kill me. If you let me go, I can go back and be your spy, gathering intelligence on the secrets of the Liu Hai Sect."
"Yo ho, that's a good idea."
Zhang Ergou grinned, appearing very interested in Cai Chao's proposal.
"Yes, seniors, just as Zhang Ergou said, I am willing to serve you and find out all the secrets of the Liu Hai Sect."
Seeing Zhang Ergou affirm his suggestion, Cai Chao scrambled on his hands and knees to Tian Dao Lao Ren, pleading for his life.
Zhang Ergou and Tiger Demon King Hu Wen looked at the distraught Cai Chao with pity, while inwardly despising this elder of the Liu Hai Sect even more.
"Oh, really? Besides uncovering the secrets of the Liu Hai Sect, what other information can you provide us with?"
Tian Dao Lao Ren looked at Cai Chao with a playful expression.
Cai Chao, thinking he had moved Tian Dao Lao Ren, rejoiced and said, "Seniors, besides the secrets of the Liu Hai Sect, I can also provide you with the locations of some of the Liu Hai Sect's hidden treasures."
Cai Chao looked up at Tian Dao Lao Ren with a hopeful gaze, wishing for a glimmer of hope from the elder who terrified him.
"Hahaha..." Tian Dao Lao Ren burst into laughter. "If Liu Xun saw you now, do you think he would kill you?"
"You..." Cai Chao's face changed dramatically. "You're playing with me?"
Cai Chao looked at Tian Dao Lao Ren with unconcealed resentment. He hadn't expected that even after offering such generous terms, Tian Dao Lao Ren would remain unmoved.
"Kid, you're too green to negotiate with me," Tian Dao Lao Ren's expression turned cold, and he let out a snort.
"Seniors, what exactly must I do for you to let me go?"
Even now, Cai Chao refused to give up, hoping that Tian Dao Lao Ren would spare his life.
"Pathetic, truly pathetic. I wonder what Liu Xun would think if he saw you like this."
Tian Dao Lao Ren sighed again.
Upon hearing this, Cai Chao's face changed drastically, as he clearly sensed killing intent in Tian Dao Lao Ren's words.
"I'll fight you!" Cai Chao suddenly lunged, heading straight for the weakest, Zhang Ergou.
Zhang Ergou was startled, his hairs standing on end. Cai Chao's sudden, furious movement surprised everyone present.
*Bang!*
However, before Cai Chao could reach Zhang Ergou, he was sent flying backward.
He was directly swatted away by Tiger Demon King Hu Wen's claw.
"Thank you, Tiger King." Zhang Ergou said gratefully. If not for the Tiger King's timely intervention, he would have been half dead, if not killed.
Although Cai Chao stood no chance against Tiger Demon King and Tian Dao Lao Ren, he could have easily severely injured Zhang Ergou, or even killed him.
"You flatter me, young friend. It was merely a small effort."
Tiger Demon King Hu Wen said modestly. If he hadn't found Zhang Ergou agreeable and to his taste, he wouldn't have intervened to save him.
Zhang Ergou, unaware of the true reason, felt genuine gratitude towards the Tiger King.
"Hmph, daring to act like a cornered dog," Tian Dao Lao Ren said angrily.
If not for the Tiger Demon King's swift action, Zhang Ergou would likely have been severely wounded.
This also caused his attitude towards Cai Chao to plummet.
*Slap!*
Tian Dao Lao Ren struck the fallen Cai Chao, sending him flying. Cai Chao spat out a mouthful of blood, splattering the stone walls of the Tiger Demon King's cave.
"You're pushing your luck."
Tian Dao Lao Ren struck again, sending Cai Chao from the entrance of the cave to the very back.
"Seniors... I won't dare again... I was wrong..."
Cai Chao said in a panic. After his failed attempt, he immediately resumed his pleas.
But by now, Tian Dao Lao Ren was enraged and no longer willing to listen to any words.
"Scram!"
Tian Dao Lao Ren coldly snorted and casually sent a palm strike, sending the lying Cai Chao flying out.
*Bang!*
Cai Chao's body slammed heavily against the stone walls of the Tiger Demon King's cave, making a loud noise.
"Seniors, spare my life!"
Cai Chao screamed until his voice was hoarse. Zhang Ergou, listening nearby, found the guy's voice full of vigor and showing no signs of injury.
*Slap!*
*Bang!*
Tian Dao Lao Ren struck again, sending Cai Chao's body soaring into the air and crashing heavily against another side of the Tiger Demon King's cave.
Tiger Demon King, smelling Cai Chao's bloody scent, also became agitated.
But with Tian Dao Lao Ren present, it dared not step forward and could only lick its lips.
"Fellow Daoist Hu, do you want to eat him?"
While the Tiger Demon King was salivating, it suddenly heard Tian Dao Lao Ren's voice, which sounded like heavenly music.
"Can I?" Tiger Demon King asked uncertainly.
"Naturally. We are now fellow warriors fighting side by side. I can surely satisfy such a request."
Tian Dao Lao Ren nodded affirmatively.
Tiger Demon King Hu Wen was overjoyed and its gaze towards Cai Chao was now filled with light.
If it could eat Cai Chao, its strength would undoubtedly reach a new level, and its status in the beast realm would soar.
Suddenly, Tiger Demon King Hu Wen felt that Tian Dao Lao Ren was not so hateful anymore.
In fact, he even seemed a little cute.
Cai Chao, upon hearing that Tian Dao Lao Ren wanted the Tiger Demon King to eat him, was shocked and his face changed drastically. He curled into a ball, afraid to move.
By now, Cai Chao had long lost the demeanor of a Nascent Soul cultivator. His hair was disheveled, and he trembled, curled up in the corner of the stone wall.
...
In the ancestral hall of the Liu Hai Sect, not far away, rows of jade tablets were arranged, each inscribed with a name.
From highest to lowest, they were the names of the elders of the Liu Hai Sect. In the center of the jade tablets, a small flame flickered.
It indicated the vibrant life force of the owner whose name was inscribed.
Suddenly, a jade tablet shattered without any warning, leaving the disciple sweeping nearby dumbfounded.
When he snapped back to reality and saw that the name on the shattered jade tablet was Cai Chao, the disciple was greatly alarmed.
"This is terrible! Uncle-Master Cai Chao's soul tablet has shattered!"
The disciple's mournful cry echoed throughout the Liu Hai Sect, shaking the entire sect.