Chapter 296: Paopao, Are You Trying to Be Like Brother Caichen?

“Senior brother, senior brother, look at this massive spirit plant essence!”

Han Paopao ran over excitedly, holding a chunk of spirit plant essence the size of a millstone.

Wang Baole's eyes lit up as he looked at it, muttering, “Junior brother, if the two of us can refine and absorb this essence, our cultivation will definitely rise by several levels.”

“Don’t say any more, senior brother. Let’s split the essence now!”

Han Paopao was still a bit inexperienced compared to his other senior brothers. Upon seeing a semi-Saint’s leftover essence, he couldn’t wait to start cultivating.

Wang Baole waved his hand. “Don’t rush. First, nurture this essence in your treasure flask for a few days. Once it reaches the quasi-Saint level, we’ll split it. That way, the benefits will be maximized.”

“As expected of senior brother, the second-best spirit chef in our Miscellaneous Dao Institute, second only to master when it comes to processing materials.”

Han Paopao had been too excited earlier and completely forgot this important step.

He immediately took out his treasure flask and began nurturing the spirit plant essence inside it.

“Senior brother, what should we do next?”

Wang Baole’s lips curved into a faint smile. He took out the Sword Jade from his waist and shouted, “Anyone else who can talk, get out here now! Otherwise, with one swing of my sword, I’ll turn half this manor into ruins. Don’t come begging for mercy when it’s too late!”

Han Paopao was stunned for a moment, then gave Wang Baole a big thumbs-up.

Senior brother really knows how to learn by example!

“Don’t… don’t attack. Let’s talk it out.”

A timid voice came from within the flower bushes.

The two turned their gazes toward the sound and saw a young woman, about twenty, wearing a sky-blue floral dress, timidly poking her head out.

“There really is someone.”

Han Paopao looked at the girl with no hint of sympathy. After all, they had already suffered once before.

“Is that all?”

Wang Baole deliberately raised his voice.

“There’s… there’s me too.”

A child with a mushroom-shaped haircut raised his small hand from afar.

Both the girl and the child looked at them with eyes full of fear.

Uncle Tree was the strongest being in this manor, yet he hadn’t even survived a single move against these two.

Seeing the dread in their eyes, Wang Baole gave a faint smile. “Relax, I’m not some villain. As long as you don’t oppose us brothers, we won’t harm you.”

“Really?”

The girl asked tentatively.

Wang Baole replied with a smile, “Would I lie to a little demon like you? However, I do happen to need a guide. If one of you can lead us, that would be ideal.”

“I can.”

Both the girl and the mushroom-headed child answered at the same time.

Wang Baole didn’t make a direct choice but turned to Han Paopao.

“Paopao, who do you think we should pick?”

Han Paopao answered seriously, “That depends on how familiar they are with this manor. If one of them isn’t, I say we suppress them on the spot.”

Wang Baole: “…”

This junior brother is really too straightforward. I was hoping they’d fight each other first.

Don’t be fooled just because they’re scared right now. Both of them are stronger than us.

But the two demon creatures had clearly been terrified by that earlier sword strike and quickly repeated in unison, “I’m familiar! I know this entire manor inside and out!”

Seeing this, Wang Baole put on a troubled expression. “You’re making it hard for me, you know?”

The two demons grew even more nervous at his words.

“Alright then.”

Wang Baole paused. “Why don’t you introduce yourselves first? Then I’ll decide.”

“I’ll go first.”

They both blurted out again, glaring at each other with open hostility.

Naturally, this didn’t escape Wang Baole’s sharp eyes—his talent for reading people was first-class.

He pointed to the girl in the blue floral dress. “You go first.”

Upon hearing this, the girl revealed a pleased expression. “Replying to young master, I am called Mandala. I’m a Mandala Flower spirit, skilled in cultivating flowers and herbs. I can accelerate the growth of spirit plants, and in addition to that, my illusion and poison techniques are first-class.”

Han Paopao's eyes lit up the moment he heard she was skilled in growing plants.

If his senior brother hadn’t yet spoken, he would’ve already asked this girl to lead the way.

Wang Baole naturally noticed the excitement flashing in his junior brother’s eyes, but he didn’t expose it. Instead, he turned his gaze to the mushroom-headed child.

The mushroom-head said, “I’m called Gui Yuejun. I specialize in devouring soul creatures and can replicate myself infinitely.”

“Are you poisonous?”

Wang Baole suddenly asked.

???

Gui Yuejun shook his head. “No, but my body contains extremely yin power.”

Wang Baole narrowed his eyes. “Very well. You both may stay. But before that, you need to tell me—are there any other powerful beings in this manor?”

The two demons shook their heads in unison.

Mandala spoke, “The strongest one in this manor was Old Tree. Normally, all the yin aura in the manor and the wandering spirits that drift in were consumed by him first. Only whatever remained was left to us. He also enjoyed devouring other intelligent plants.”

“Gui Yuejun and I were lucky. We always kept our auras hidden, which is how we’ve survived until now.”

“So that old tree was a bully then?”

Wang Baole asked with a chuckle.

“Yes, yes, exactly! He was a bully,” Gui Yuejun replied quickly, silently adding in his heart: But he wasn’t as terrifying as you two.

“First, draw a map of this manor for us—show us your sincerity. And remember, include the underground areas too,” Wang Baole instructed pointedly.

“Yes, young master.”

The two demons replied and began casting spells to draw the map.

Wang Baole walked over to Han Paopao and draped an arm over his shoulders. “Paopao, don’t tell me you’re thinking of doing what Brother Caichen did?”

???

Han Paopao was full of question marks. “Senior brother Wang, what are you saying? I don’t understand a word.”

Wang Baole grinned. “Don’t pretend. I saw the way you were looking at that flower spirit just now.”

“…”

Han Paopao’s face went dark, and he replied speechlessly, “Senior brother, I just want to take her back to the Miscellaneous Dao Institute to farm with me.”

???

Wang Baole froze for a moment, then said seriously, “Junior brother Han, something’s not right with you.”

Han Paopao replied, “Senior brother, is farming a crime now?”

Wang Baole shook his head. “As long as you’re happy. But have you thought about how to convince her to leave this place?”

Han Paopao took out his Sword Jade. “I think once she sees this, she won’t say no.”

Wang Baole: “…”

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