Isaac waved his hands repeatedly, then took two steps back: "No, no, no! Spare me! I'll return the stolen herbs immediately and never dare to do such a thing again!"

"…"

Seeing Isaac's terrified expression toward Xiao Tian, Andrew and his subordinates were almost dumbstruck, and mentally, they felt as if struck by a thousand bolts of lightning, leaving them dazed and speechless.

Suddenly, Andrew recalled the term "Hunter" Isaac had just mentioned, and he, who was already shocked to the extreme, collapsed to the ground. How could it be him?!

As one of Andrew's men reached out to support him, others couldn't resist their curiosity and asked, "Mr. Isaac mentioned 'Hunter,' why does that sound familiar to me?"

"Of course it sounds familiar because his ranking on the Dark List…" Andrew, half-collapsed on the ground, said with a pale face: "is tenth!"

The terrifying answer made everyone's hearts fill with fear. To have survived an encounter with the Hunter was something they could brag about for a lifetime!

…

"I was indeed forced into this because earlier, you, oh no, we voluntarily purchased your medicines, and later hired…"

Frightened, Isaac almost revealed the hired assassins' plot, but hastily changed the topic: "Because we truly had nothing left, so…"

"Wait!" Xiao Tian obviously didn't intend to let it go, asking: "You just said 'hired'? What hire?"

Knowing he couldn't escape this predicament, Isaac figured he might have a chance if he told the truth, so he gritted his teeth and confessed their hiring of the Water Drop Organization experts.

After Isaac's confession, the previous confusion about the blond man was finally clarified. Xiao Tian nodded and then asked: "Is this how you make money by using such methods?"

Seeing that Xiao Tian showed no intention of attacking, Isaac felt a bit relieved: "Not exactly, some of the less capable ones go to the outskirts and rob treasure seekers' goods for quicker cash!"

Noticing Isaac's hesitation, Xiao Tian furrowed his brow: "Continue!"

"Actually, even if I didn't say it, you should be able to guess." Isaac's eyes gradually converged as he said, "It seems like us foreigners are robbing more often, but Huaxia forces actually account for at least half behind it."

This answer couldn't help but surprise everyone. Although Xiao Tian anticipated this, hearing that it's more than half still left him a bit shaken.

"Uh, can I… leave now?" Isaac asked hesitantly, thinking that since he behaved well from the start, as Huaxia's saying goes, 'A smiling face is never struck,' and a smile wouldn't hurt, right?

Thinking of this, Isaac tried hard to squeeze out a perfect smile, ready to flee quickly if Xiao Tian agreed.

But the smile Isaac thought was sincere looked completely different to Xiao Tian and the others.

Looking at those crossed eyes, bald head, and short stature, the villager who had a heart attack just now immediately clutched his chest again, prompting those beside him to prepare for emergency rescue, causing quite a mess.

Xiao Tian waved his hand, sending a True Qi Bomb flying towards Isaac: "In the future, you'd better wear a cloak when going out; it'll prevent daytime disturbances!"

Caught off guard by Xiao Tian's unconventional move, Isaac took the full hit, knocked several yards away, wiped the blood from his mouth, and quickly clasped his hands in gratitude: "Thank you for being lenient!"

With that, he instantly vanished from the scene.

Seeing their leader had already escaped, Andrew snapped back to reality, leading his men as they fled, scrambling away for fear of leaving their lives behind if they lingered any longer.

…

After the group left, Ghost Face seemed still somewhat uncomfortable and asked, "Why didn't you just eliminate him for the community?"

Xiao Tian looked at Ghost Face a bit surprised, then chuckled bitterly: "Brother, didn't you forget something? Even if I wanted to, I have to be able to do it!"

"Damn!"

Ghost Face cursed inwardly, realizing he'd forgotten about Xiao Tian's weakened state, and that their mission was to obtain the Five Elements crystal to help Xiao Tian regain his strength.

Privately fearing Isaac's destructive power, Ghost Face also thought his ranking and prowess were owed at least half to his physicality and appearance.

Back in the village, after comforting the frightened villagers that those people wouldn't return, Xiao Tian categorized the purchased herbs for making Gene Unlock pills, packing the needed ones together.

"Here, take these, and later make another batch of pills for me!" Xiao Tian casually tossed the bundle to Ghost Face, emphasizing seriously.

Feeling the weight in his hands and seeing Xiao Tian's earnest face, Ghost Face reluctantly agreed but couldn't help lamenting that more time would be consumed!

At the village entrance, seeing Xiao Tian and his group carrying bags, Old Wei couldn't help but say: "I think you should leave your things with us and retrieve them after your treasure hunt!"

Sun Bo also nodded in agreement with a smile. After thinking for a moment, Xiao Tian picked out some usable herbs for emergencies, then handed the bundle to Sun Bo: "Thank you!"

With enthusiasm, Old Wei came up wanting to take the bundle from Sun Bo: "Come, come! I have plenty of space; let's leave it at my place!"

"Old Wei, put away your little scheme." Sun Bo teased: "Are you planning to charge storage fees later?"

Everyone laughed, making Old Wei's face blush: "Am I like that?"

The villagers beside him saw Old Wei's dark face turn red, and answered seriously in unison: "Yes!"

Amid laughter, Xiao Tian and the group bade farewell to the villagers and set off again, guided by the pendant, striving towards the Five Elements crystal.

Watching their figures disappear into the wind and snow, Sun Bo said first: "Let's drink at Old Wei's today; dig out his hidden wine, how about it?"

"Great!"

The crowd cheered, ignoring Old Wei's futile protests, with some going to fetch wine from his house, while others headed towards the Shi Family's direction…

——

"Lin Kaizhong?" Celestial Punishment Daoist looked at the renowned master known for seeking justice and couldn't help but say: "This has nothing to do with you!"

Lin Kaizhong patted his watermelon-like belly, showing an indignant expression on his square face: "How is it none of my business? Is your Kunlun Sect acting like hooligans and now aiming to be tyrannical?!"

Listening to this angry tone, feeling as if personally experiencing injustice, Celestial Punishment Daoist felt waves of disgust, as if swallowing a live fly, extremely uncomfortable!