Chapter 1430: Playing Hard to Get Before Capture

“I think…” Shi Hao’s face was as thick as a fortress wall, showing not a hint of embarrassment when questioned. Just as he was about to say “not bad,” he quickly changed his tune. “What race are you? Could it be…” He glanced at the mount outside the hall—a molting old rooster.

Of course, this was entirely deliberate. He wanted to seize the opportunity to uncover the origins of the forbidden zone in the Nine Heavens and determine which race they hailed from.

“Hehe…” The old man chuckled warmly, his expression kindly. Standing less than three feet tall on a single leg, he hardly cut an imposing figure. Suddenly, he levitated to Shi Hao’s eye level and patted his shoulder. “Young man, I see great potential in you. If you become my clan’s son-in-law, even if this world collapses, you’ll remain unscathed.”

Clearly, this wizened old man was sharp as a tack. Even in moments of excitement, he remained in complete control, revealing nothing about the forbidden zone’s secrets.

“Rest assured, our master’s lineage is the noblest in all creation. If you marry into our family, no matter how exceptional your talents, you’ll feel nothing but immense honor,” the old man said with a smile.

Those nearby were stunned, their minds reeling. The forbidden zone was choosing a son-in-law—and they had set their sights on Shi Hao?

Moreover, judging by his words, even if the foreign realm were to sweep through the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, the forbidden zone would remain untouched. Their transcendence was undeniable.

Marrying in would solve all future worries in one fell swoop.

Some were tempted, their minds racing with possibilities, but in the end, they could only sigh. The forbidden zone’s envoy had chosen Shi Hao—it had nothing to do with them.

And even if they tried to compete, they lacked the qualifications!

The forbidden zone in the Nine Heavens—what kind of place was that? A true dragon’s den, a tiger’s lair, where none who entered ever left. Who would dare provoke them? They disdained ordinary cultivators.

In the eyes of the forbidden zone’s experts, the beings of this world were like ants, utterly incomparable. Many rumors claimed they had existed since the Immortal Ancient Era.

Their masters were of an unimaginable level!

Some speculated that the beings within possessed power enough to shake the ages and dominate the present, making even the foreign realm wary—hence their continued existence.

When this world was breached in the past, countless lives were lost, nearly annihilated. Yet, they alone remained transcendent, unaffected.

Some even theorized that the foreign army’s sudden retreat back then might have been due to provoking the forbidden zone’s retaliation, forcing them to abandon their overwhelming victory and leave this realm.

The old man was frank, rubbing his hands together. “The only issue is that our young lady is simply too outstanding—and thus, a bit prideful. She rarely heeds the clan’s arrangements, not even if the master intervenes. As an old servant, I can only report your situation to the master. The rest depends on circumstances, and ultimately, the young lady’s own choice.”

“Ah, elder, I should mention—I’ve already carried back to my village one, two, three…” Shi Hao began counting on his fingers, leaving everyone slightly dizzy.

“What are you counting?” the old man asked suspiciously.

“Wives,” Shi Hao replied.

For the first time, the old man’s expression stiffened, his smile forced. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, I already have several wives. Would your forbidden zone’s young lady still be willing to marry me?” Shi Hao scratched his head.

Seeing his earnest expression, everyone was speechless. Even when dealing with envoys from the forbidden zone, he had no sense of propriety—did he expect their celestial maiden to become a concubine?

Of course, those who knew him scoffed. Shi Hao was clearly spouting nonsense—he wasn’t even married yet.

Still, some understood his reasoning. Marrying into the forbidden zone would likely mean abandoning everything he had now, and being a son-in-law came with its own complications.

Within the forbidden zone, there would be no freedom to roam the world at will. Facing their masters, one might even tremble in fear.

Yet many sighed inwardly—Shi Hao truly didn’t appreciate the immense opportunity before him.

“Ahem…” The old man coughed, his expression stern. “Young man, I advise you to consider my suggestion carefully. Don’t brush it off so hastily.”

Having lived so long, the old man could read Shi Hao like a book. He didn’t believe for a second that Shi Hao was already married.

Then, his eyebrows twitched. “Actually, this might work in your favor. My young lady is proud and headstrong. If I simply report that you’re exceptional and chosen as a son-in-law, she’d likely resent it. Instead, if I tell her you’re arrogant and unwilling to marry into the forbidden zone, she might take notice—and out of sheer defiance, she might emerge. Then, anything could happen.”

The younger generation listened in disbelief. This old man was overthinking things to an absurd degree.

“Elder, is this how you operate? Helping outsiders trick your own young lady? If she finds out, she’ll dismantle your bones,” Shi Hao said.

Suddenly, the old man grew alert. “Hmm? Young man, are you deliberately stalling, refusing to give a straight answer because you’re scheming something? What’s that saying… ‘Play hard to—'”

“‘Play hard to get,'” Cao Yusheng chimed in helpfully.

“Exactly!” The old man scrutinized Shi Hao up and down. “Young man, you’re truly something—a master of this game. You nearly fooled even me. I’ve met my match in a youngster.”

Shi Hao was at a loss for words. Was the old man mocking him, or did he genuinely believe Shi Hao was playing hard to get?

“Still, young man, this isn’t very honest. My master prefers obedient, straightforward sons-in-law. While this might catch the young lady’s eye, my old master has piercing vision—he might just slap you dead,” the old man warned.

“Elder, you’re overcomplicating things. What nonsense is this?” Shi Hao rolled his eyes.

“Elder, why not have your young lady consider me? Look at me—plump, honest, and sincere. My name’s Cao Yusheng,” the rotund Cao Yusheng interjected with a beaming smile, stepping forward.

“Cao Fatty, you’ve got no shame!” Tianjiao Ant yelled.

The Lunar Jade Rabbit nodded vigorously in agreement.

“I don’t want to die! I don’t want to be buried for ages, only to emerge and find all of you gone. Just thinking about it makes me want to cry,” Cao Yusheng said, his eyes reddening.

Though he spoke in jest, bantering with the forbidden zone’s envoy, there was genuine sorrow in his words. The thought of waking up one day to find an era gone, everyone dead, and himself alone—it weighed on him like a mountain.

With their interruptions and antics, the old man finally dropped the marriage topic for the time being.

Instead, he cradled the Thunder Pool, examining it intently, his gaze blazing like golden suns. He looked ready to dive right in.

“Young man, if you gift this Thunder Pool to my master, he’ll be overjoyed—and you’ll reap unimaginable rewards,” the old man said.

“Sure, no problem. After I study it and cook the three creatures inside, I’ll consider it,” Shi Hao nodded.

“What?! Cook them?! I’ll beat you to death!” The old man’s eyes widened in outrage for the first time, his killing intent flaring.

“This is mine!” Shi Hao smoothly took the Thunder Pool back from his arms.

“Young man, I strongly advise against reckless actions. This pool is priceless. If you dare cook it, I suspect divine retribution will strike instantly!” the old man whispered urgently.

“Then tell me what it is, and I’ll think about it,” Shi Hao said.

“At my level, I can’t fathom such profound secrets. Only my master would know. So, I suggest you take it to the forbidden zone yourself,” the old man said.

“That’d be like throwing meat to a dog—gone forever,” Shi Hao scoffed.

“Hey! Watch your tongue!” the old man snapped.

“You really don’t know what this is?” Shi Hao eyed him skeptically. The old man had been practically drooling over the pool, reluctant to let go.

“I’ve only heard rumors. If this originates from an unfathomable place, even the forbidden zone’s denizens would scramble to seize it. If it’s a true dragon’s nest cast into the void, it’d cause an uproar. In short, its value is beyond imagination—it carries an immense karmic weight!” The old man divulged some truths.

“Fine, I won’t cook it for now,” Shi Hao relented.

The old man’s face twitched.

“Ah, this thing?!” Suddenly, the old man noticed an object on a distant table—the stone brought out by Qi Hong, master of the Five Spirit Chariot.

His eyes gleamed gold. “So this hall carries traces of immortal aura—it’s because this stone contains dense longevity essence! Extraordinary!”