Half an hour later, Zhang Xiaoshan, led by Lin Kerou, arrived at the Northeast branch of Huichun Hall.

"Chairman, should we leave the Northeast as soon as possible? I think, once the Flying Fox Sect learns of Zhu Changxiong's assassination, they will definitely retaliate against us."

Lin Kerou said worriedly.

Zhang Xiaoshan remained calm.

"We just killed a mere Hall Master Zhu Changxiong, rest assured, nothing will happen. If this matter reaches the ears of the Flying Fox Sect Leader Hu Lie, then not only will he not retaliate, but will personally come to apologize. Don't worry."

"This..."

Lin Kerou and Hu Ming exchanged a glance, each with obvious doubts in their eyes.

It was apparent they did not think Zhang Xiaoshan truly had any connections with Hu Lie, and talk of Hu Lie coming to apologize was something they quickly dismissed.

"No need to say more on this, you may leave. I have words to exchange with Old Cur.

Zhang Xiaoshan dismissed everyone, leaving only Master Hei and Old Cur in the room.

"Go on, where did that golden lotus pod come from?"

Zhang Xiaoshan sat on the chair, coldly addressing Old Cur.

"Um..."

Old Cur hesitated, stammering as if reluctant to speak.

"You rascal, the Miracle Doctor Zhang is asking you a question. If you dare hide anything, believe it or not, I'll take your head!"

Master Hei held his black cane and shouted at Old Cur. Having witnessed Zhang Xiaoshan's formidable methods many times, Master Hei apparently became an avid admirer of Zhang Xiaoshan, eager to curry favor whenever possible.

"Ah, I..."

Old Cur was immediately frightened to his knees.

"I'll speak, I'll speak."

"I wouldn't dare hide the truth from Miracle Doctor Zhang. That golden lotus pod is indeed part of a genuine thousand-year-old spiritual medicine."

"Indeed, where exactly is the true thousand-year-old spiritual medicine?"

Zhang Xiaoshan's eyes instantly turned greedy and excited.

If he could obtain the true thousand-year-old spiritual medicine, perhaps his cultivation could break through to the Refining God Realm.

Matters having come to this, Old Cur no longer hid the truth.

"You already know my profession. I've been in the Northeast herbal business since my grandfather's time, living off the mountains."

"About half a month ago, while gathering herbs at Ruixue Peak on Changbai Mountain, I accidentally fell off a cliff. I thought I was doomed, but unexpectedly, there was a natural large hot spring lake below, allowing me to luckily cling to life."

"In the water bloomed a golden lotus, the temperature scorching, spiritual energy overflowing, clearly a rare thousand-year-old spiritual medicine. I was overjoyed, attempted to pick it, when suddenly, a fire-breathing earth dragon emerged, scaring me into escaping along the water's undercurrents, hastily only tearing off a piece of the lotus pod..."

"You already know the rest."

"A fire-breathing earth dragon?"

Master Hei was startled.

"I ask you, does that earth dragon have a single horn, a pair of fleshy wings on its back, and a body that is black-red?"

"Have you seen it too?"

Hearing Master Hei's question, Old Cur was also surprised.

"Oh?"

"Master Hei, is the earth dragon that Old Cur encountered the same one you saw?"

Zhang Xiaoshan asked.

Master Hei replied quickly.

"According to his description, it seems to be the same one, but I didn't see a natural hot spring lake."

Zhang Xiaoshan asked Old Cur.

"Then let me ask you, in addition to the golden lotus, what else was at the lake you visited? Were there any altars or ice coffins?"

"Altars, ice coffins?"

Old Cur shook his head cluelessly.

"I didn't see any, the space there wasn't very large, it seemed to be the earth dragon's nest, I didn't see anything else."

Hearing this, Zhang Xiaoshan pondered.

"Master Hei, do you think the location of the golden lotus is the earth dragon's nest, where it usually rests, and the underground palace near its nest is like home and workplace?"

Master Hei nodded at this remark.

"That's possible, because at the time in the underground hidden area, I also didn't see the earth dragon immediately; it was originally elsewhere and appeared only after sensing our presence."

"Hmm."

Zhang Xiaoshan nodded.

"Seeing is believing, I'll personally take a look to find out."

"Old Cur, you take me to Ruixue Peak to find the thousand-year-old golden lotus, and after we find it, I'll release you immediately."

"Yes." Old Cur dared not disobey.

...

After resting for a night and recharging, making some preparations, early the next morning.

Zhang Xiaoshan took Old Cur out of the Hundred Herbs Hall branch.

Being familiar with the mountainous terrain, Old Cur eliminated the need for Master Hei, who was instead left to look after Lin Kerou and others.

Just as they got not far from the Hundred Herbs Hall branch.

A red Wrangler and seven dark green jeeps stopped in front of them.

"Oh no, could it be the Flying Fox Sect coming to find trouble?"

Old Cur, following Zhang Xiaoshan, shuddered in fear.