Chapter 2522: These humans aren't afraid?

The extraterritorial heavenly demons gleamed with greed in their eyes; this human blood food that came to them unbidden—who wouldn't like it?

Immediately, these twenty-plus extraterritorial heavenly demons appeared before this Heavenly Outside Immortal Vessel, completely cutting off its retreat.

At the same time, those aboard the vessel naturally discovered the twenty-plus extraterritorial heavenly demons right away.

However, the panic one might imagine did not occur; even as they sensed the twenty-plus extraterritorial heavenly demons charging, the immortal ancestor realm expert in charge of the vessel gave the first order to stop the ship.

"Stop, stop quickly, the ingredients have arrived!"

The vessel slowly came to a halt, and then cultivators of the human race walked onto the deck, watching these extraterritorial heavenly demons rush from afar, feeling thrilled.

"Have we fallen into great fortune from heaven? We actually get ingredients delivered to our door?"

"I said yesterday that my dream had some basis, didn't I?"

"What is this? This is a good omen—before the main course even arrives, we get an appetizer?"

"Little Friend Ye has no ingredients; I haven't eaten in days, and I didn't expect them to be delivered here."

"Heaven hasn't been stingy with us."

"Quick, quick, quick—contact those behind and have them come up to collect the ingredients."

Facing the twenty-plus extraterritorial heavenly demons charging in, the crowd not only didn't panic, they were overjoyed.

"What is this? It's exactly 'think of it and it comes'—this is luck."

As they continued to approach, the twenty-plus extraterritorial heavenly demons also noticed the people on the vessel.

At first, seeing the gathering of human cultivators on the vessel's deck, they all turned their gazes this way.

These extraterritorial heavenly demons were still full of cold smiles.

"Now you know fear? Too late."

From the moment they discovered this human blood food, they were already destined to be the dish on the plate.

However, after the extraterritorial heavenly demons surrounded the vessel, the leading demon god finally noticed something amiss.

First and foremost, the expressions of these human blood foods were wrong.

"This damn thing isn't a fearful expression at all—those human cultivators' eyes shine with excitement; where is there any fear?"

"Their gaze toward them is full of excitement, and for some reason it always feels familiar to them."

"Right, this gaze isn't it exactly how they look at human blood food?"

"Something's off—this bunch of human blood food is off."

For a moment, the demon god felt a pang of doubt; it had never seen a human race show such an expression when facing its extraterritorial heavenly demons.

Meanwhile, on the other side, the crowd looked at these extraterritorial heavenly demons before them, and someone silently counted them.

"Twenty-six in total."

"Only twenty-six? With so many of us, how is this enough to eat?"

"How will we divide it later? Will we have to fight over it?"

"Enough, having it is already good; you're still not satisfied."

"Exactly, we just said this is an appetizer; if you want the main course, it'll be there naturally when we reach our destination."

"That's right, Zhao Lao and the others will come when they arrive."

"Already notified."

"Then that's fine."

Facing twenty-plus extraterritorial heavenly demons plus a demon god, the crowd only felt the number was too small.

However, having a demon god is an unexpected delight.

After all, Ye Zhangqing has never cooked a demon god before; he's never obtained demon‑god‑level ingredients.

Presumably this demon god's strength far exceeds that of ordinary extraterritorial heavenly demons, so its flavor should be upgraded as well—I truly don't know what it tastes like, or if I'll get to try a bite.

Faced with this strange expression from the human group, the leading demon god was momentarily dazed.

"This bunch of humans isn't afraid, and they look eager to give it a try—what's going on?"

"We're here to eat you, and you're not running?"

At the very moment the two sides made contact, Zhao Lao and the others in the rear of the main force, having received the news, were also thrilled.

Just a moment ago they were complaining that it would take another half month to reach that Heaven Crystal Mine, where they could finally eat extraterritorial heavenly demon ingredients.

"A half month—such a long time, how will we get through it?"

Unexpectedly, the very next second a message came from ahead saying they had encountered ingredients delivered to their door.

This directly got Zhao Lao and the others excited.

"Truly, think of it and it comes."

A Heavenly Palace Celestial Official, unable to wait any longer, rose to speak.

"Zhao Lao, let me go—I'll definitely bring all these ingredients back, not letting a single one escape."

"On what grounds do you go? If anyone goes, it should be me."

"Neither of you two is suitable; from the start you've both hidden things privately—who knows if you'll hoard the ingredients."

"You doubt my character?"

"Do you even have any character?"

"How could I possibly hoard things? I'm absolutely not that kind of person."

Several Heavenly Palace Celestial Officials argued endlessly, each wanting to take action.

After all, there really is an opportunity here—stashing away one or two extraterritorial heavenly demon ingredients, then later finding a chance to have Ye Zhangqing cook a private meal for oneself—this isn't impossible.

This is just like before, when they won a battle and obtained spoils; besides handing over what's due to the Heavenly Palace, who doesn't secretly pocket some?

As for these matters, the Heavenly Palace high‑level actually knows as well; as long as it isn't excessive, it's basically a case of turning a blind eye.

"When water is too clear, there are no fish; when a person is too scrutinizing, they have no followers—this principle is simple."

Subordinates are risking their lives; you can't deny them the benefits they deserve—if you keep this up, who'll still be willing to fight hard?

So, when facing the extraterrestrial heavenly demon's ingredients this time, several Heavenly Palace Celestial Officials thought the same.

Such a good opportunity is right before us—who would want to miss it?

For a moment, nobody would yield to anyone.

However, just as everyone was arguing nonstop, Zhao Lao spoke up.

Alright, none of you need to go—I'll handle it myself.

Huh???

Hearing that, the few celestial officials who had been arguing with red faces and thick necks fell silent for a moment, merely staring at Zhao Lao with strange expressions.

Those gazes held scrutiny and doubt, making Zhao Lao unable to keep his old face from flushing.

Why are you all looking at me like that?

Um, Zhao Lao, don't hog these little gains—leave some for us too.

Yeah, Zhao Lao, what kind of person are you? Saying this would lose you face—let us go instead.

No need to use a butcher's knife to kill a chicken—Palace Master, rest assured, I'm enough to handle it.

Huh???

Hearing what sounded like veiled criticism, Zhao Lao's face darkened and he snapped.

You doubt me?

No, Palace Master, is doubt even needed? There are only twenty-six ingredients total—if you take them, we'll have hardly any left.

Yeah, who doesn't know you have a big appetite—just forget about these little gains.

Impudent.

Faced with their words, Zhao Lao could no longer restrain himself, and finally he simply stopped bothering with explanations.

He issued a peremptory order, then himself headed alone toward the immortal vessel ahead, completely ignoring everyone's complex, resentful gazes.

Such a good thing—do you think it'll come your way?