Chapter 176 Cooperation

Seeing Xiao Ya so confident, Chu Han recalled Master Yao's reaction to the innate green lotus seed and felt a stir in his heart.

He deliberately asked, "Does your Xiao Family have bodhi fruits or innate green lotus seeds?"

"What?!"

As soon as Chu Han finished speaking, the expressions of Xiao Ya and Uncle Fu changed. They both froze, their eyes filled with disbelief.

The bodhi fruit, produced by the bodhi tree, contains pure Mental Energy and can significantly enhance Mental Energy. It is a rare treasure of heaven and earth that can be sought but not easily found.

And the innate green lotus seed is also a legendary treasure, containing Innate vitality, even rarer than the bodhi fruit!

Forget about the Xiao Family not having these two medicinal materials; in the entire Dragon Summer Federation, probably very few people have even seen the physical objects!

Xiao Ya came back to her senses, gave a bitter smile, and shook her head. "You must be joking. These two medicinal materials are both treasures of heaven and earth that exist only in legends. There have never been any records of them in the Poisonous Swamp. Although our Xiao Family is the largest medicinal material supplier in the Federation, we have never been fortunate enough to obtain them."

"However, I heard that news of a bodhi treasure tree appearing in the Northern Wasteland Mountain Range recently has caused a massive stir," Xiao Ya added.

Chu Han nodded inwardly, not expecting that news of the bodhi tree had already reached the Southern Border.

Uncle Fu also chimed in, "Sir, if you wish to find them in the Poisonous Swamp, I'm afraid you will truly return empty-handed."

Xiao Ya looked at Chu Han, her tone exceptionally firm. "Furthermore, I can be certain that in the entire Dragon Summer Federation, there is likely no faction capable of producing these two treasures."

Chu Han nodded slightly.

He hadn't expected the Xiao Family to have these two materials anyway; he just wanted to use this to test the Xiao Family's foundation.

It seemed now that although the Xiao Family was the largest supplier in the Federation, they were still helpless when faced with treasures of the level of bodhi fruits and innate green lotus seeds.

But this was normal; after all, the innate green lotus seed was something he had discovered by chance, a unique Opportunity.

"It seems I was being presumptuous."

Chu Han's tone was flat as he changed the subject and stated his true needs. "I came to the Poisonous Swamp this time to find three types of medicinal materials: blood bait flower, dragon crystal grass, and star pattern fruit. I wonder if your Xiao Family has any in stock?"

Hearing the names of these three materials, the shock on Xiao Ya and Uncle Fu's faces gradually faded, replaced by a hint of understanding.

Xiao Ya pondered for a moment and said, "These three materials are indeed specialties of the Poisonous Swamp, and they all grow in the core area of the swamp, making them extremely difficult to harvest. I happen to have two high-quality star pattern fruits on me. I wonder how many you need?"

Chu Han's eyes lit up; he hadn't expected Xiao Ya to actually have what he needed.

He immediately said, "I'll take both! Name your price!"

Xiao Ya smiled sweetly and said, "Since you need them, sir, these two star pattern fruits are yours, as a reward for saving us."

Chu Han felt a slight stir in his heart, not expecting this woman to be so generous.

Two star pattern fruits, given just like that.

Although he didn't know the true value of these two fruits, the fact that even the Star Alliance didn't sell them was enough to prove their rarity.

"Xiao Ya, you actually gave him both fruits directly? These two fruits are very precious!"

At this moment, the young Grandmaster who had been dissatisfied with Chu Han spoke up, his tone full of confusion.

He really couldn't accept it. Even though his Li Family and the Xiao Family were close, and he had pursued Xiao Ya for many years, he had still paid a significant price last time to obtain a precious medicine of similar value to the star pattern fruit.

But this youth, with almost no cost, had Xiao Ya offer him two star pattern fruits on a silver platter.

This made him extremely unbalanced psychologically, which was why he spoke up to stop her.

Hearing this, a flash of displeasure crossed Xiao Ya's face.

She said angrily, "Li Tian, I don't need you to question whatever decision I make."

She hadn't invited Li Tian to enter the Poisonous Swamp this time.

It was Li Tian who had stubbornly insisted on following her; due to the relationship between the Li Family and hers, she couldn't easily refuse.

Now that Li Tian had interrupted her, she was very annoyed.

She had intended to use these two star pattern fruits to invite Chu Han to join them, but now that Li Tian was causing trouble, it might affect Chu Han's attitude.

She looked at Chu Han and noticed a hint of dissatisfaction flash across his face as well.

She quickly said, "Sir, as for the blood bait flower and dragon crystal grass, our Xiao Family's warehouse does have a small amount in stock, but the quality isn't top-tier. If you require top-quality medicinal materials, I'm afraid you'll still have to go to the core area to find them yourself."

Chu Han was even more delighted upon hearing this and asked, "Do you know the specific locations of these two materials?"

Xiao Ya smiled. "Naturally. Every time our Xiao Family finds a new precious medicine, we make a special note of its location. As long as you act with us, I can help you find these two materials."

"Very well, then I will enter the Poisonous Swamp with you."

Chu Han agreed readily.

When Xiao Ya said she would give him the two star pattern fruits, Chu Han had already guessed her motive.

Since she had invited him with such sincerity, Chu Han no longer refused.

Mainly, he still wanted to rely on the Xiao Family's ability to find and identify medicinal materials.

With Xiao Ya's help, he could indeed save a lot of time.

"That's great! With your joining, our trip to the Poisonous Swamp this time will definitely go more smoothly," Xiao Ya said excitedly.

"By the way, how should I address you?"

"My surname is Chu."

"So it's Mr. Chu."

Seeing this, Li Tian's expression became even gloomier, and he secretly clenched his fists.

The importance Xiao Ya placed on Chu Han was like a needle piercing his heart.

He had pursued Xiao Ya for many years and, relying on the business dealings between his Family and the Xiao Family, had finally managed to get the chance to travel with her, only to have Chu Han appear out of nowhere and steal all the limelight.

Especially the way Xiao Ya looked at Chu Han, with an appreciation and curiosity he had never seen before, made the resentment in his heart grow stronger, and his gaze toward Chu Han became a bit more sinister.

But he knew full well how terrifying Chu Han's strength was and didn't dare show the slightest bit of it, only able to suppress his dissatisfaction in his heart and secretly grit his teeth.

A hint of relief flashed in Uncle Fu's eyes.

He had lived for more than half his life and was an excellent judge of character; Chu Han was so young yet possessed such terrifying Mental Energy and combat power, his potential was simply unfathomable.

If they could build a good relationship with Chu Han, it would be purely beneficial for the future development of the Xiao Family.

The Young Miss taking the initiative to befriend Chu Han was undoubtedly the wisest choice.

"Since the cooperation has been established, let's set off as soon as possible," Uncle Fu said.

"The miasma of the Poisonous Swamp will become even denser at night, and with the frequent activity of Beasts, the danger will increase significantly."

Everyone nodded one after another. Xiao Ya's several Tier 6 subordinates had already packed their bags and were ready to go.

The group walked toward the depths of the Poisonous Swamp.

The swampland was muddy and messy, with every step sinking deep into it, making it extremely taxing on physical strength.

The miasma in the air became increasingly dense, appearing as a thick purplish-black. Taking a single breath made one's throat itch, and the circulation of Yuan Qi became sluggish.

Xiao Ya's subordinates took out specially-made Detoxification Pills and swallowed them, while Chu Han circulated his Yuan Qi, a faint red light appearing around him to seal out the miasma.

Seeing this, the appreciation in Xiao Ya's eyes grew even stronger. "Mr. Chu's methods are truly amazing; with only a Tier 6 cultivation, you can block these poisonous miasmas."

"The Cultivation Technique I practice is just a bit special," Chu Han responded indifferently, his eyes scanning the surroundings, alert for potential dangers.

Beneath the ground of the Poisonous Swamp, one could vaguely sense countless tiny vibrations, clearly hiding many poisonous insects.

"Mr. Chu, I wonder if you are familiar with the terrain of the Poisonous Swamp? The environment here is extremely complex; one careless move could lead to falling into a mud trap or being attacked by poisonous insects," Xiao Ya asked as they walked.

"I've heard a bit about it, but I'm not very familiar," Chu Han said.

"Then you must follow us closely."

Xiao Ya smiled and pointed to an area ahead where the mist was even denser. "Our destination for this trip is the Netherworld Miasma Valley in the depths of the Poisonous Swamp. That is the place where the miasma is the thickest and the only place where poison orchids grow. The blood bait flowers you need are also near this area."