Seeing that Wu Tao was about to make another move, Yang Mudao's face turned pale, and he said, "Stop. There's no need for further contests. I acknowledge you."
Despite his words, Yang Mudao showed no signs of relaxing, remaining ready for another fight at any moment.
Yang Mudao's solemn demeanor surprised Xue Shuangjiao. Her eyebrows twitched slightly as she said to Wu Tao, "Stop this fight. You can't defeat this old man yet."
Upon hearing this, Wu Tao nodded and instantly transformed into a stream of light, returning to Xue Shuangjiao's side.
Seeing this, Yang Mudao breathed a sigh of relief. If the fight continued, he would definitely be able to defeat Wu Tao, but he would also be severely injured.
To suffer a serious injury at this critical juncture would be akin to seeking death.
Moreover, with Xue Shuangjiao smiling by his side, if he were to deal with both of them, his home would likely be half-demolished. How could he then suppress those rebellious old demons?
Therefore, when he sensed the danger of being killed, even the slightest risk could impede the great task he was about to accomplish.
He immediately yielded, offering a way down for Wu Tao and Xue Shuangjiao. Now, he was certain, based on the divine abilities they had displayed and the recent exchanges, that they were absolutely top-tier cultivators of the human race.
It seemed that coming to receive them personally with his main body was indeed a wise decision. He did not believe that the great formation in the mountain or his soul clone could handle these two troublesome enemies.
Thinking this, Yang Daomu saw that the other party had put away the Myriad Sword Breaking Immortal Diagram. He then beckoned Wu Tao and Xue Shuangjiao, inviting them back into the grand hall.
This time, Yang Daomu's attitude suddenly improved greatly, and his words became exceptionally courteous.
After exchanging a few polite words with Yang Daomu, Wu Tao and Xue Shuangjiao began to communicate via telepathic messages.
"Shuang'er, that old man is really strong. He didn't even use his magical artifacts, and I already felt I was at a disadvantage," Wu Tao whispered telepathically, casting a wary glance at Yang Mudao.
"That's only natural. It would be truly surprising if you could defeat this old man who has lived for thousands of years."
"The extent to which the power of magical artifacts and divine abilities can be unleashed largely depends on the essence of the artifact and ability, as well as the abundance of spiritual energy in one's body..."
"Ultimately, the power of a magical artifact depends mainly on its material and the owner himself..."
"Divine abilities are similar. They are merely techniques that use heavenly and earthly spiritual materials as mediums, with the cultivator as the source, absorbing the surrounding spiritual energy and then releasing it in a certain way!"
"Old Yang Daomu has lived for thousands of years and cultivated a second and third soul. His spiritual energy is so strong that he is practically unparalleled below the Nascent Soul stage. It is perfectly normal that you cannot defeat him."
Xue Shuangjiao replied without surprise.
Changing the topic, Xue Shuangjiao said with a hint of pride, "Heh heh, but even so, with both of us working together, he still has to be wary of us!"
Wu Tao nodded but did not add anything further.
Yang Daomu then proceeded to ingratiate himself with Wu Tao and Xue Shuangjiao, trying to subtly inquire about Wu Tao's background.
After all, there were only so many beings comparable to the Core Formation stage in the Myriad Ore Mountain Range, and none matched Wu Tao, which naturally made Yang Daomu somewhat astonished.
"Could it be that this human boy who is here has just arrived in the Myriad Ore Mountain Range? What is this little girl from the Blood race thinking?"
Wu Tao, who had been playing the good cop, decided to see it through to the end.
He sat on his chair, not even looking at Yang Daomu, completely ignoring him.
Meanwhile, Xue Shuangjiao, with a smiling face, engaged the old man Yang Daomu in rambling conversation, fabricating all sorts of information about Wu Tao's origins without revealing anything concrete.
This left Yang Daomu feeling frustrated but with no other recourse.
Just then, a few more sounds came from outside the mountain.
"Old Yang, we're here. Why aren't you opening the door? What are you waiting for?"
"Did you die on a woman's belly?"
"Ah... hahahaha..."
"How unlucky, it's these beasts."
Hearing Yang Daomu's outburst of curses, Wu Tao and Xue Shuangjiao exchanged a glance and a knowing smile appeared on their faces.
Then, Yang Daomu stood up abruptly and paced back and forth. During this time, his eyes suddenly glanced backward, and he saw the smiles on Wu Tao's and Xue Shuangjiao's faces.
Infuriated, he slapped his forehead and summoned his second soul again to attend to the guests.
"Hmph, these old fellows are quite early. Just a little later than you two. By the way, are you all so punctual?"
After doing this, Yang Daomu nodded to Wu Tao and Xue Shuangjiao and said.
When the second soul returned, several more people followed closely behind.
Seeing the few newcomers in the hall, Yang Daomu coughed and said,
"Muscle-bound Ox Head tribe brute, Huang Dabiao of the Yellow Sand tribe, Cui Fengzi of the Warrior tribe, Monk of the Stone People tribe, Poisonous Girl, the little one of the Witch tribe, and the gaunt old man of the Flying Eagle tribe. Why are you all so early..."
The six newcomers, who had been wearing broad smiles, instantly turned grim upon hearing the nicknames Yang Daomu had given them.
One of them was an extremely beautiful woman whose body was only half the height of a normal human.
Compared to the giants of the Witch tribe who were several meters tall, she was so disproportionately small that one doubted if she was even from the Witch tribe.
The dwarf girl was clad only in a thin, five-colored veil, with no undergarment, making it appear as if she were almost naked.
Upon closer inspection, all sorts of things were visible.
It was truly a boundless spectacle of spring.
However, everyone present, except for Wu Tao, the human, were from other races.
The aesthetics of different races might differ from those of humans.
This meant that perhaps only Wu Tao himself felt that he was getting the better deal.
...
This girl had a beautiful face, exquisite features, and skin as white as snow, giving her an extremely enchanting aura.
She did not seem to mind being insulted. Upon hearing the words, she even burst into laughter, making one feel even more...
Luo Yazhi was a late-stage Celestial Master of the Witch tribe, equivalent to the late Core Formation stage of the human race.
Because she was unusually small since childhood and considered an anomaly by the Witch tribe, her personality was eccentric, and her actions peculiar. Known for her mastery of poisons, she was called the "Poison Girl" by those familiar with her.
Despite being from the Witch tribe, Luo Yazhi was notoriously ruthless and resided on Poison Mountain.
Judging by her appearance, she seemed like a sweet and adorable young girl, but in reality, she was a tigress who devoured people without spitting out their bones.
She was skilled in concocting poisons and commanding poisonous mist and creatures. With all sorts of poisons surrounding her, few dared to provoke or challenge her.
For some reason, although Xue Shuangjiao had informed him of her background telepathically.
After Xue Shuangjiao's explanation, Wu Tao also learned that she was a woman as venomous as a snake and scorpion...
However, seeing her innocent and adorable appearance, Wu Tao, who was currently suffering from amnesia, could not bring himself to feel any aversion. Instead, he felt something different.
This truly showed how one's perception could be swayed by appearances, judging a person by their looks.
...
If Luo Yazhi's image had been that of an old hag with white hair and a face full of wrinkles and pustules, Wu Tao would have immediately deemed her a wicked woman without anyone needing to say a word.
He would have instinctively been wary, if not immediately seeking to slay the demon, and certainly wouldn't have felt any fondness.
"Hehehehe..."
"I say, old Yang, at your age, you give such unpleasant nicknames. Should I teach you how to name people!"
...
"Hmph, so what if we're a bit early? Aren't there two people who arrived even earlier than us?"
The one speaking was a burly man with the body of an ox and the head of an ox. He stood over ten feet tall, towering over houses.
This Ox Head tribesman was covered in yellow fur, which, from a human perspective, was not particularly pleasing to the eye.
This Ox Head tribesman cultivator was named Niu Ben, and he also possessed cultivation comparable to the late Core Formation stage of the human race.
Upon hearing Yang Daomu's moniker for him, his face darkened. However, out of a sense of apprehension, he merely uttered a few gruff words.
...
"That's right. Old man, you're here to search for treasures and tombs. You should treat us all the same. Do you think we're easy to bully, that's why you gave us these nicknames..."
"Come, come. I happen to feel like fighting today. How about we have a spar, shall we?"
A sturdy man with a single horn on his head said this while taking out his life-bound artifact, the Heaven-Pillaring Earth-Questioning Staff, as if he were about to challenge Yang Daomu.
Although he spoke this way, seeing that Yang Daomu ignored him, he did not make a move.
This man of the Warrior tribe also possessed cultivation comparable to the late Core Formation stage of the human race. His name was Xiao Teng.
...
The monk-like man of the Stone People tribe simply uttered "Amitabha," clasped his hands together, and remained silent.
His name was Wang Sulong!
...
Cui Yongyuan of the Flying Eagle tribe also spoke with a hint of annoyance, "You old fellow, instead of thinking about how to search for treasures and dig up tombs, you have the leisure to give us nicknames. You're truly amusing."