Chapter 647: Playing Hard to Get

"Fire Source Crystal?" Ye Yuan frowned.

"Ah! I... I didn't say anything!"

The dark-faced man realized he had let something slip and quickly clamped his mouth shut.

Ye Yuan knew this was a misunderstanding and naturally wouldn't kill indiscriminately.

This dark-faced man was dull-witted; though he had taken human form, he was still a big clumsy bear.

Ye Yuan still didn't understand the situation, but this big clumsy bear had already let the cat out of the bag.

However, the Fire Source Crystal the big clumsy bear mentioned did pique Ye Yuan's interest.

Fire Source Crystal was a type of mineral crystal, extremely rich in fire source power, greatly beneficial for fire-attribute martial artists in their cultivation.

But Ye Yuan wasn't concerned about that; his Pure Sandal Sacred Flame was at a critical juncture for advancement, and this Fire Source Crystal could just help purify it.

Ye Yuan released his grip and said indifferently, "I told you, we're just passing through. If you keep making trouble, I won't be so polite."

He was playing hard to get. Though the big clumsy bear was stupid, if Ye Yuan showed interest in the Fire Source Crystal, the bear would surely notice.

So he acted as if he had no interest in the Fire Source Crystal at all, and the man indeed fell for it.

The man was quite surprised when Ye Yuan let go and said, "You... you really didn't come for the Fire Source Crystal?"

Ye Yuan frowned and said, "What Fire Source Crystal? How many times do I have to tell you? We're just passing through!"

Seeing that Ye Yuan was completely uninterested in the Fire Source Crystal, the man felt he had been too rash and quickly apologized with a flattering smile, "Sorry, little brother. I, Xiong Hui, didn't understand the situation. My apologies. Eh, wait, you're a human!"

Only then did the man realize, his expression changing as his face darkened again.

"Hmph! Brother Ye Yuan carries true dragon bloodline, far nobler than you, you big clumsy bear!" Yushu said defiantly.

The man turned and looked at Ye Yuan suspiciously.

Ye Yuan smiled faintly, letting his dragon aura emanate subtly. The man was startled.

This dragon aura was extremely pure, no joke.

"So it's a descendant of the dragon clan. Xiong Hui has been rude," Xiong Hui quickly bowed.

"Hmm, judging by your flustered behavior, you seem to be in some trouble. A few Fire Source Crystals aren't worth such a fuss, are they? It's just that you ran into me; if it had been someone else, they would have killed you all by now!" Ye Yuan said casually.

"This..."

Xiong Hui hesitated, clearly torn about whether to tell Ye Yuan.

Seeing this, Ye Yuan said indifferently, "Since you have your secrets, never mind. We still have to travel, so we'll part ways here. Hmm... but let me warn you: though Fire Source Crystals greatly benefit your Fire Source True Gang Bear clan, the fire poison within them is extremely hard to remove. Be careful when using them. Yuxin, Yushu, let's go."

Fire Source Crystals were indeed very rare and possessed powerful fire attributes. But few knew they contained fire poison.

Because ordinary people couldn't absorb large amounts of Fire Source Crystals; they couldn't withstand the fire source power within.

But Fire Source True Gang Bears were different. They were naturally fire-attributed demon beasts with a strong affinity for fire source power. For them, the more Fire Source Crystals they absorbed, the better.

However, absorbing the power of fire from fire source crystals would not produce any noticeable effect for a while. But the more fire source crystals one absorbed, the deeper the fire poison accumulated, and by the time it was discovered, the poison had already penetrated the vitals.

With that, Ye Yuan walked forward without looking back.

Ye Yuan's words directly breached Xiong Hui's psychological defenses.

Ye Yuan had barely taken a few steps when Xiong Hui called out from behind, "Young friend, please wait!"

"Hmm, what else is there? We're in a hurry and have no time to waste with you." Ye Yuan pretended to be impatient.

Xiong Hui quickly said, "Young friend is well-traveled and knowledgeable, actually aware of the drawbacks of fire source crystals! I wonder if you have a method to remove the poison?"

"What if I do, and what if I don't? You weren't even willing to speak earlier, and I don't want to hear it either. Let's not waste words." Ye Yuan turned to leave again.

Seeing Ye Yuan so confident, Xiong Hui became even more convinced there was hope. He quickly stopped him, saying, "Young friend, Xiong Hui was rude just now! Very rude! I will tell you everything from the beginning. If you can provide a method to expel the poison, I believe the young master and the clan leader will be extremely grateful!"

In fact, Ye Yuan had already guessed some things from Xiong Hui's attitude.

Someone in the Fire Source True Ape clan must have recklessly refined and absorbed fire source crystals, causing poisoning.

But the matter shouldn't be that simple, otherwise Xiong Hui wouldn't have been so alarmed and killed people on sight.

Listening to Xiong Hui, Ye Yuan learned what had happened to the Fire Source True Ape clan.

It turned out that some time ago, a vein of fire source crystals was discovered within the territory of the Fire Source True Ape clan, which delighted the ape clan.

They mined a batch of fire source crystals, and the clan leader Xiong Zhan eagerly began to refine and absorb them.

Xiong Zhan was at the peak of the sixth stage initial level; absorbing these fire source crystals would surely allow him to break through to the sixth stage intermediate level!

The temptation of such advancement was simply too great!

Of course, the reason Xiong Zhan was in such a hurry to improve his strength was to enable the ape clan to overpower the neighboring Purple Flood Dragon clan.

Xiong Zhan had no idea that refining fire source crystals had such negative effects, and his efforts backfired. Now not only could he not break through, but he was also afflicted with fire poison that could not be removed.

Although the ape clan immediately sealed off the news, the Purple Flood Dragon clan seemed to have sensed something and had been constantly probing the ape clan.

With Xiong Zhan in seclusion, the young master Xiong Tie had no choice but to order the sealing of all entrances and exits to the territory, preventing any tricks from the Purple Flood Dragon.

And that led to what had just happened.

Hearing this, Ye Yuan couldn't help but find it amusing; he was somewhat puzzled how these big dumb bears had managed to contend with the Purple Flood Dragon clan until now.

Sending people to seal off all entrances and exits—wasn't that just trying to cover up and making it more obvious?

Even if the Purple Flood Dragon clan knew nothing, they would guess that something had happened to the ape clan.

It would be strange if they didn't take advantage of the situation!

And Xiong Hui, such a big dumb bear, had spilled everything before Ye Yuan even asked. Ye Yuan really didn't know what to say.

"Young friend, if you can help the clan leader remove the fire poison, our Fire Source True Ape clan will reward you handsomely!" Xiong Hui said.

Ye Yuan was silent for a moment, then spoke, "I can help your clan leader remove the fire poison, but I have a condition!"

Xiong Hui said, "As long as the clan leader can be restored to his former state, not just one condition, even a hundred conditions are no problem!"

Ye Yuan nodded and said, "Mm, actually this condition is complementary to saving your clan leader. I want fifty fire source crystals!"